System, apparatus and method for managing and controlling robot competitions

• US 7,193,384 B1
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovation First Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Innovation First Incorporated
• Inventors: Mimlitch, Robert H. III, Norman, David A., Adams, Paul S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masih; Karen
• Application Number:
  US10/629,475
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 318/568.1, 318/568.12, 318/568.15, 901/22, 901/23, 901/43, 901/45
• US Class Current: 318/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/06 Games simulating outdoor ball games, e.g. hockey or football if physically beneficial for the human body A63B67/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/0664 Electric
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 11/00 Self-movable toy figures
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/04 Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0287 involving a plurality of land vehicles, e.g. fleet or convoy travelling traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/00, particularly anticollision systems G08G1/16

Abstract

A system and method for operating robots in a robot competition. One embodiment of the system may include operator interfaces, where each operator interface is operable to control movement of a respective robot. A respective operator interface may be in communication with an associated operator radio, where each radio may have a low power RF output signal. A robot controller may be coupled to each robot in the robot competition. A robot radio may be coupled to a respective robot and in communication with a respective robot controller and operator radio. The robot radios may have a low power RF output signal while communicating with the respective operator radios. Alternatively, the radios may be short range radios, where a distance of communication may be a maximum of approximately 500 feet.

Claims

1. A method for providing safety at a robot competition, said method comprising:

commencing the robot competition; and

providing a remote disabling mechanism for the robot competition, the remote disabling mechanism operable to selectively disable a plurality of robots independent of persons operating the plurality of robots.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein selectively disabling the plurality of robots includes disengaging power to the plurality of robots.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein selectively disabling the plurality of robots includes disabling control signals on the plurality of robots.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the remote disabling mechanism includes an emergency stop button, the emergency stop button being readily accessible and operable to disable all robots in a local vicinity of the emergency stop button.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the local vicinity is within approximately 500 feet of the emergency stop button.

6. A system for providing safety at a robot competition, said system comprising:

a remote disabling mechanism operable to selectively disable a plurality of robots independent of persons operating the plurality of robots; and

means, coupled to each robot, for disabling the robot in response to the remote disabling mechanism.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the remote disabling mechanism is further operable to disengage power to the plurality of robots.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the remote disabling mechanism is further operable to disable control signals on the plurality of robots.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein the remote disabling mechanism includes an emergency stop button, and wherein the emergency stop button is operable to disable all robots in a local vicinity of the emergency stop button.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the local vicinity is within approximately 500 feet of the emergency stop button.

11. A system for providing safety at a robot competition, said system comprising:

a first device operable to selectively disable at least one robot independent of a person operating the at least one robot, wherein the first device is located remotely from the at least one robot;

at least one first radio in communication with said first device;

a second radio coupled to a first robot and in communication with at least one of the first radios, the second radio operable to receive a signal for disabling the first robot from at least one of the first radios; and

a second device operable to disable the first robot in response to a received signal for disabling the first robot, wherein the second device is coupled to the first robot.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first device operable to selectively disable the robot includes the first device being operable to disengage power to the robot.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first device operable to selectively disable the robot includes the first device being operable to diable control signals on the robot.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first device includes an emergency stop button being readily accessible and operable to disable all robots in a local vicinity of the emergency stop button.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the local vicinity is within approximately 500 feet.