Nesting negotiation for self-mobile devices
First Claim
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1. A recharging system, comprising:
- a nesting station having a first connector for a self-mobile device, said first connector being contained by the nesting station and configured in such a manner that self-mobile devices can self-position into a charging position for charging;
a plurality of self-mobile devices, each of said plurality of self-mobile devices having a capability to self-propel into the charging position with said first connector of the nesting station;
a first communications device associated with said nesting station and a plurality of second communication devices associated with respective ones of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby said nesting station has two-way communications capability with said plurality of self-mobile devices;
a first protocol for negotiating and utilizing respective charging times for said plurality of self-mobile devices, said protocol being negotiated by said nesting station and each of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby human intervention is not necessary for charging of said plurality of self-mobile devices wherein said protocol comprises;
establishing a communications link between said nesting station and one of said plurality of self-mobile devices that needs charging;
providing an indication of whether the charge of a battery of said one of said plurality of self-mobile devices has dropped below a given level;
if said the charge of said battery has dropped below a given level, assigning said one of said plurality of self-mobile devices a time at to report to said nesting station for charging, wherein said assigning is performed by said nesting station.
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Abstract
Disparate robotic devices can be automatically recharged and reprogrammed by self-scheduling individual time slots for the available recharging area(s) of a charging station. These charging stations provide a nest to which each robot must return periodically for power. These nests can also provide new tasking or patches for the robotic devices. The charging station and the robotic devices are both provided with communications capabilities and a protocol by which they can negotiate to find a time slot in which the device can be recharged, as well as determining a correct connector and a battery type.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A recharging system, comprising:
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a nesting station having a first connector for a self-mobile device, said first connector being contained by the nesting station and configured in such a manner that self-mobile devices can self-position into a charging position for charging; a plurality of self-mobile devices, each of said plurality of self-mobile devices having a capability to self-propel into the charging position with said first connector of the nesting station; a first communications device associated with said nesting station and a plurality of second communication devices associated with respective ones of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby said nesting station has two-way communications capability with said plurality of self-mobile devices; a first protocol for negotiating and utilizing respective charging times for said plurality of self-mobile devices, said protocol being negotiated by said nesting station and each of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby human intervention is not necessary for charging of said plurality of self-mobile devices wherein said protocol comprises;
establishing a communications link between said nesting station and one of said plurality of self-mobile devices that needs charging;
providing an indication of whether the charge of a battery of said one of said plurality of self-mobile devices has dropped below a given level;
if said the charge of said battery has dropped below a given level, assigning said one of said plurality of self-mobile devices a time at to report to said nesting station for charging, wherein said assigning is performed by said nesting station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15)
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12. A rechargeable robotic device, comprising:
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a body; a processor attached to said body; a propulsion device attached to said body to providing self-propulsion; a communications device attached to said body and connected to said processor to provide two-way communications with a charging station; a battery connected to said processor, said propulsion device, and said communications device; a connector for charging said battery, said connector being configured in such a manner that said robotic device can self-position for charging; wherein said processor is connected to negotiate with a charging station, using a given protocol, to schedule a time slot for charging of said battery wherein said protocol comprises;
determining that the charge of said battery has dropped below a given level;
establishing a communications link with said charging station;
requesting a time slot for charging;
receiving a suggested time slot for charging;
verifying that said suggested time slot is acceptable and storing said suggested time slot in memory; and
reporting for charging at said time slot. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification