Robotic pet waste treatment or collection

• US 8,601,637 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Mainini, Christopher E.
• Primary Examiner(s): REDDING, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US13/163,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20110247566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 153/19, 153/39, 153/20, 153/403
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/01 Removal of dung or urine, e.g. from stablesA01K1/015 takes precedence; from poultry houses A01K31/04
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0128 by means of scrapers or the like moving continuously
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/006 Specially adapted for removing excrements hand implements E01H1/12
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/008 in situ treatment of excrements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 specially adapted to land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2201/0203 Cleaning or polishing vehicle

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device is robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid or semi-solid animal excrement from a surface comprising:

a robotic vehicle including;

a chassis,

selectively operable navigation assembly for navigating said vehicle over a selected area of the surface,

sensors for detecting one or more properties of a perceived quantity of animal excrement, and outputting to said central controller unit one or more signals representative of the one or more properties,

a central controller unit having a processor for analyzing said one or more signals received therein to represent a location of the perceived quantity of animal excrement relative to said robotic vehicle, and developing one or more output signals to said navigation assembly for navigating said robotic vehicle to the location of the perceived quantity of animal excrement, and developing one or more output signals to effectuate treatment or collection of said quantity of animal excrement from said surface, and

a removable container mounted on said chassis and adapted to receive said quantity of animal excrement therein for subsequent disposal thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and including a rotation sweeper mounted on said chassis in position to and adapted to sweep said quantity of animal excrement into said receptacle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 and including

a dispensing assembly for dispensing one or more of a disinfectant, a deodorizer or a dissipation enhancer onto said quantity of animal excrement.

4. Apparatus for detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid or semi-solid animal excrement from a surface comprising

a robotic vehicle including:

a chassis,

a central controller unit mounted on said chassis,

means for navigating said vehicle over a selected area of the surface,

means for sensing one or more properties of a perceived quantity of animal excrement, and outputting to said central controller unit one or more signals representative of the one or more properties,

means within said central controller unit for analyzing said one or more signals received therein to represent a location of the perceived quantity of animal excrement, and developing one or more output signals to said means for navigating said robotic vehicle to the location of the perceived quantity of animal excrement, and developing one or more output signals to effectuate the treatment or collection of said quantity of animal excrement from said surface, and

a removable container mounted on said chassis and adapted to receive said quantity of animal excrement therein for subsequent disposal thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 and including a rotation sweeper mounted on said chassis in position to and adapted to sweep said quantity of animal excrement into said receptacle.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 and including

means for dispensing one or more of a disinfectant, a deodorizer or a dissipation enhancer onto said quantity of animal excrement.