Autonomous robot auto-docking and energy management systems and methods
First Claim
1. An autonomous robotic device responsive to signals from a base station, the robotic device comprising:
- electric contacts for contacting a charging terminal of a base station; and
a microprocessor that, based on a measured robotic device energy level, instructs the robotic device to;
avoid a short-range omni-directional base station signal to avoid contact with the base station when the measured energy level is above a predetermined energy level;
seek the short-range omni-directional base station signal and a directional base station signal extending beyond the range of the omni-directional signal when the measured energy level is below the predetermined energy level, including following the omni-directional signal to encounter the directional signal; and
follow the directional signal in order to dock with the base station for charging.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station. Also disclosed are systems and methods for confirming a presence of a robotic device docked with a charger by recognizing a load formed by a circuit in the charger combined with a complementary circuit in the robotic device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An autonomous robotic device responsive to signals from a base station, the robotic device comprising:
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electric contacts for contacting a charging terminal of a base station; and a microprocessor that, based on a measured robotic device energy level, instructs the robotic device to; avoid a short-range omni-directional base station signal to avoid contact with the base station when the measured energy level is above a predetermined energy level; seek the short-range omni-directional base station signal and a directional base station signal extending beyond the range of the omni-directional signal when the measured energy level is below the predetermined energy level, including following the omni-directional signal to encounter the directional signal; and follow the directional signal in order to dock with the base station for charging. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An autonomous robotic device responsive to signals from a base station, the robotic device comprising:
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electric contacts for contacting a charging terminal of a base station; and microprocessor that, based on a measured robotic device energy level, instructs the robotic device to; avoid a short-range omni-directional base station signal to avoid contact with the base station while cleaning when the measured energy level is above a first predetermined energy level, seek the omni-directional signal and a directional base station signal extending beyond the range of the omni-directional signal while cleaning when the measured energy level is below the first predetermined energy level; seek the omni-directional signal and the directional signal without cleaning when the measured energy level is below a second predetermined energy level; and follow the directional signal in order to dock with the base station for charging. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification