Charging an electronic device including traversing at least a portion of a path with an apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of charging an electronic device, comprising:
- in response to determining, at a charging device, that the electronic device should be charged,determining a location of the electronic device with respect to the charging device;
traversing, with the charging device, at least a portion of a path between a current location of the charging device and the determined location of the electronic device, wherein the charging device is configured to alter the path in response to detecting an object obstructing the path, wherein the charging device traverses the at least the portion of the path without human input;
electronically coupling the charging device and the electronic device; and
causing a power storage element of the electronic device to receive an electrical charge from the charging device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A robotic device can provide power management and other functionality for various electronic devices. An electronic device and the robotic device can communicate information such as device charge level, relative position and rate of power consumption and can determine an appropriate time at which the robotic device should cause the electronic device to be charged, either by charging the device directly or transporting the device to an appropriate charger. The robotic device can also cause other functions to be performed as well, such as to enable high-bandwidth data transfer or perform resource-intensive activities when in communication with the electronic device. The robotic device can transport the electronic device to specific locations or to specific users, or as otherwise appropriate.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of charging an electronic device, comprising:
in response to determining, at a charging device, that the electronic device should be charged, determining a location of the electronic device with respect to the charging device; traversing, with the charging device, at least a portion of a path between a current location of the charging device and the determined location of the electronic device, wherein the charging device is configured to alter the path in response to detecting an object obstructing the path, wherein the charging device traverses the at least the portion of the path without human input; electronically coupling the charging device and the electronic device; and causing a power storage element of the electronic device to receive an electrical charge from the charging device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of charging an electronic device, comprising:
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determining, using a power level determination component of the electronic device, a power level of the electronic device; based at least in part upon the determined power level of the electronic device, determining whether the electronic device should be charged; and when it is determined that the electronic device should be charged, sending a communication from the electronic device to a charging device indicating that the electronic device should be charged, wherein in response to receiving the communication, the charging device is configured to traverse at least a portion of a path between the electronic device and the charging device and without human input provide an electrical charge to the electronic device, wherein the charging device is configured to alter the path in response to detecting an object obstructing the path. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of causing a first device to be charged, comprising:
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under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions, receiving at least power information from the first device; based at least in part upon the received power information, determining whether to charge the first device; and if it is determined to charge the first device; determining a position of the first device with respect to a second device; traversing, with the second device, at least a portion of a path between a current position of the second device and the determined position of the first device, wherein the second device is configured to alter the path in response to detecting an object obstructing the path wherein the second device traverses the at least the portion of the path without human input; and causing a power storage element of the first device to receive an electrical charge. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing; a processor associated with the housing; a drive element coupled with the housing, the drive element operable to cause the apparatus to traverse at least a portion of a path in response to instructions received from the processor; a communication element operable to receive a signal from an electronic device; and memory including instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to; determine that the electronic device should be charged; determine a position of the electronic device with respect to the apparatus; use the drive element to traverse the at least the portion of the path between a current position of the apparatus and the determined position of the electronic device, wherein the apparatus is configured to alter the path in response to detecting an object obstructing the path, wherein the apparatus traverses the at least the portion of the path without human input; and receive an electrical charge using a power storage element of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification