Robot capable of gripping objects

• US 6,611,734 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition, LLC (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation (ThreeSixty Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Parker, Andrew J., Taylor, Charles E., Reeves, John Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marc, McDieunel, Marc, McDieunel
• Application Number:
  US10/284,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20030049098A1
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 700/258, 700/247, 700/248, 700/269, 700/250, 700/245, 348/139, 359/265, 359/267, 359/269, 359/270, 359/271, 359/273, 901/47, 901/36, 901/39, 294/106, 294/56.1, 294/111, 294/907, 318/568.21, 414/744.5, 701/23
• US Class Current: 700/258
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/008 based on physical entities controlled by simulated intelligence so as to replicate intelligent life forms, e.g. based on robots replicating pets or humans in their appearance or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 294/907 Sensor controlled device

Abstract

A robot which incorporates a body, arms with a hand grip, legs, several sensors, light elements, an audio system, and a video system. The sensors allows the robot to interact with objects in the room, and prevents the robot from traveling off an edge or bumping into obstacles. The light elements allow the robot to express moods. The audio system allows the robot to detect and transmit sounds. The video system allows a user to remotely view the area in front of the robot. Additionally, the robot may operate in a plurality of modes, including modes that allow the robot to operate autonomously. The robot may operate autonomously in an automatic mode, a security mode, a greet mode, and a monitor mode. Further, the robot is manipulated remotely.

Claims

1. A robot for gripping objects, comprising:

a body;

an arm having a first end and a second end, the arm movably attached to the body at the first end;

a stationary finger integrally formed with the arm at the second end of the arm, the second end distal from the first end;

a moveable finger movable relative to the stationary finger; and

a motor within the arm;

wherein the motor rotates in a single direction to move the moveable finger between a closed and an open position, thereby allowing the an object to be gripped between the stationary and moveable fingers.

2. The robot according to claim 1, further comprising a spring mechanism that biases the second finger in the closed position.

3. The robot according to claim 2, wherein:

the movable finger includes a lever arm that extends into the arm;

the motor rotates a lead screw;

the robot further includes first, second and third gears within the arm, said third gear including a pin on its underside attached through at least a linkage to said lever arm; and

rotation of said lead screw rotates the first gear, which in turn rotates the second gear, which in turn rotates the third gear, which in turn causes the linkage to pull the lever arm thereby moving the moveable finger from the closed position to the open position.

4. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the stationary finger includes a cavity to accept a serving device.

5. The robot according to claim 4, wherein the serving device comprises a tray.

6. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the stationary finger includes a first cavity and a second cavity spaced about 45 degrees apart from one another, the first cavity to accept a serving device when the arm is extended in front of the body in a generally horizontal position, the second cavity to accept a serving device when the arm is extended above the body in a generally vertical position.

7. The robot according to claim 6, wherein the stationary finger includes a third cavity spaced about 90 degree apart from the first cavity, the third cavity to accept a serving device when the arm is extended behind the body in a generally horizontal position.

8. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the arm and the movable finger are manipulated in accordance with signals received by the robot from a remote control device.

9. The hand grip device according to claim 8, wherein the stationary finger includes a first cavity and a second cavity spaced about 45 degrees apart from one another, the first cavity to accept a serving device when hand grip is in a generally horizontal position, the second cavity to accept a serving device when the hand grip is in a generally vertical position.

10. A hand grip device for a robot, the hand grip device comprising:

a stationary finger; and

a moveable finger that moves relative to the stationary finger;

wherein the moveable finger cycles through an open and closed position as a motor rotates in a single direction, thereby allowing an object to be gripped between the stationary and moveable fingers.

11. The hand grip device according to claim 10, further comprising a spring mechanism that biases the second finger in the closed position.

12. The hand grip according to claim 11, wherein the movable finger includes a lever arm;

and wherein the motor rotates a lead screw, which in turn rotates a gear system, which in turn causes the lever arm to be pulled, thereby moving the moveable finger from the closed position to the open position.

13. The hand grip device according to claim 10, wherein the stationary finger includes a cavity to accept a serving device.

14. The hand grip device according to claim 13, wherein the serving device comprises a tray.

15. The hand grip device according to claim 10, wherein the moveable finger is remotely controllable using a remote control device.

16. A hand grip device for a robot, the hand grip device comprising:

a stationary finger;

a moveable finger that is moveable between an open position and a closed position, said moveable finger including a lever arm;

a spring closure mechanism to bias the moveable finger in the closed position;

a motor that rotates a lead screw; and

a gear system attached through at least a linkage to said lever arm;

wherein rotation of said lead screw rotates the first gear, which in turn rotates the gear system, which in turn causes the linkage to pull the lever arm thereby moving the moveable finger from the closed position to the open position.

17. The hand grip device according to claim 16, wherein the stationary finger includes a cavity to accept a serving device.

18. The hand grip device according to claim 17, wherein the serving device comprises a tray.

19. The hand grip device according to claim 16, wherein the stationary finger includes a first cavity and a second cavity spaced about 45 degrees apart from one another, the first cavity to accept a serving device when hand grip is in a generally horizontal position, the second cavity to accept a serving device when the hand grip is in a generally vertical position.

20. The hand grip device according to claim 16, wherein the moveable finger is remotely controllable using a remote control device.