Robotic system for powering and interrogating sensors
First Claim
1. A sensing system, comprising an unmanned vehicle and a wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for approaching said wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for wirelessly electromagnetically powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said wireless sensing module comprises a sensor, a data logging unit, an energy storage device, and a communications circuit, wherein said data logging unit is connected for storing information derived from said sensor, wherein said data logging unit is connected to receive energy from said energy storage device for recording data from said sensor when said unmanned vehicle is not powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said communications circuit is connected for communicating data derived from said information stored in said data logging unit, wherein said unmanned vehicle includes an unmanned vehicle charging circuit, wherein said unmanned vehicle charging circuit is for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to said wireless sensing module for charging or recharging said energy storage device on said wireless sensing module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile system powers, charges, and communicates with separate devices, such as sensors and actuators. The mobile system includes an unmanned vehicle for approaching and wirelessly electromagnetically powering the separate device.
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Citations
68 Claims
- 1. A sensing system, comprising an unmanned vehicle and a wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for approaching said wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for wirelessly electromagnetically powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said wireless sensing module comprises a sensor, a data logging unit, an energy storage device, and a communications circuit, wherein said data logging unit is connected for storing information derived from said sensor, wherein said data logging unit is connected to receive energy from said energy storage device for recording data from said sensor when said unmanned vehicle is not powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said communications circuit is connected for communicating data derived from said information stored in said data logging unit, wherein said unmanned vehicle includes an unmanned vehicle charging circuit, wherein said unmanned vehicle charging circuit is for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to said wireless sensing module for charging or recharging said energy storage device on said wireless sensing module.
- 39. A system for powering a separate device, comprising an unmanned vehicle and said separate device, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for approaching said separate device, wherein said unmanned vehicle includes a power source for wirelessly electromagnetically powering said separate device, wherein said separate device includes a power receiving circuit for wirelessly receiving electromagnetic power from said unmanned vehicle, wherein said power receiving circuit has a switched reactance modulation circuit, wherein said switched reactance modulation circuit is connected for communicating data from said separate device to said unmanned vehicle while said separate device is receiving power from said unmanned vehicle, wherein said power receiving circuit includes an energy storage device, wherein said unmanned vehicle includes an unmanned vehicle charging circuit, wherein said unmanned vehicle charging circuit is capable of charging or recharging said energy storage device on said separate device without physically contacting said separate device.
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65. A sensing system, comprising an unmanned vehicle and a wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for approaching said wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for wirelessly electromagnetically powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said wireless sensing module comprises a sensor, a data logging unit, an energy storage device, and a communications circuit, wherein said data logging unit is connected for storing information derived from said sensor, wherein said data logging unit is connected to receive energy from said energy storage device for recording data from said sensor when said unmanned vehicle is not powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said communications circuit is connected for communicating data derived from said information stored in said data logging unit, further comprising a plurality of said wireless sensing modules, wherein said unmanned vehicle is capable of sequential movement to each wireless sensing module of said plurality of wireless sensing modules, wherein said unmanned vehicle further comprises an unmanned vehicle charging circuit, wherein said unmanned vehicle charging circuit is capable of sequentially charging or recharging said energy storage device on each wireless sensing module of said plurality of wireless sensing modules.
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66. A sensing system, comprising an unmanned vehicle and a wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for approaching said wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for wirelessly electromagnetically powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said wireless sensing module comprises a sensor, a data logging unit, an energy storage device, and a communications circuit, wherein said data logging unit is connected for storing information derived from said sensor, wherein said data logging unit is connected to receive energy from said energy storage device for recording data from said sensor when said unmanned vehicle is not powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said communications circuit is connected for communicating data derived from said information stored in said data logging unit, wherein said wireless sensing module further comprises a device charging circuit monitoring line for optimizing coupling between said wireless sensing module and said unmanned vehicle charging circuit.
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67. A sensing system, comprising an unmanned vehicle and a wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for approaching said wireless sensing module, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for wirelessly electromagnetically powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said wireless sensing module comprises a sensor, a data logging unit, an energy storage device, and a communications circuit, wherein said data logging unit is connected for storing information derived from said sensor, wherein said data logging unit is connected to receive energy from said energy storage device for recording data from said sensor when said unmanned vehicle is not powering said wireless sensing module, wherein said communications circuit is connected for communicating data derived from said information stored in said data logging unit, wherein said unmanned vehicle includes an RF receive signal strength line for assisting said unmanned vehicle in locating said wireless sensing module.
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68. A system for powering a separate device, comprising an unmanned vehicle and said separate device, wherein said unmanned vehicle is for approaching said separate device, wherein said unmanned vehicle includes a power source for wirelessly electromagnetically powering said separate device, wherein said separate device includes a power receiving circuit for wirelessly receiving electromagnetic power from said unmanned vehicle, wherein said power receiving circuit has a switched reactance modulation circuit, wherein said switched reactance modulation circuit is connected for communicating data from said separate device to said unmanned vehicle while said separate device is receiving power from said unmanned vehicle, wherein said separate device further comprises a device charging circuit for charging said energy storage device wherein said separate device further comprises a device charging circuit monitoring line for optimizing coupling between said separate device and said unmanned vehicle charging circuit.
Specification