Robot and method of controlling the same

• US 8,831,769 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2009
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Jong Owan
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Malhotra, Sanjeev
• Application Number:
  US12/382,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20100057252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,000 Days
• Field of Search: 700/245, 700/247, 700/248, 700/253, 700/255, 700/260, 700/275, 219/54, 219/91.1, 219/121.63, 219/130.5, 250/221, 318/568.12, 318/568.13, 318/568.14, 414/751.1
• US Class Current: 700/213
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4067 Restoring data or position after power failure or other interruption

Abstract

A robot and a method for controlling the same are provided. The robot includes a first control unit to control the overall operation of the robot and a second control unit to supplement the function of the control unit in preparation for the malfunction of the first control unit such that the second control unit controls the robot to perform a predetermined safety-considered motion when the first control unit malfunctions.

Claims

1. A robot comprising:

a first control unit controlling the robot to carry out a given instruction to perform a motion; and

a second control unit controlling the robot to perform a predetermined safety-considered motion when a malfunction of the robot occurs,

wherein the second control unit is a backup unit having a lower processing capability than the first control unit, the second control unit being temporarily used when the malfunction of the first control unit occurs and does not participate in controlling the robot when the first control unit normally operates.

2. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the malfunction of the robot includes a malfunction of the first control unit.

3. The robot according to claim 1, wherein:

the first control unit transmits a monitoring signal to the second control unit when the robot normally operates; and

the first control unit stops transmission of the monitoring signal to the second control unit when the robot does not normally operate.

4. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined safety-considered motion is a motion of the robot to stop at a current position of the robot.

5. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined safety-considered motion is a motion of the robot to stop at a current position of the robot and maintain a balance of the robot.

6. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined safety-considered motion is a motion of the robot to stop at a current position of the robot and sit down at the current position without losing its balance or maintaining an upright pose.

7. A method for controlling a robot having a first control unit and a second control unit, comprising:

controlling the robot through the first control unit to carry out a given instruction to perform a motion; and

controlling the robot through the second control unit to perform a predetermined safety-considered motion when a malfunction of the robot occurs,

wherein the second control unit is a backup unit having a lower processing capability than the first control unit, the second control unit being temporarily used when the malfunction of the first control unit occurs and does not participate in controlling the robot when the first control unit normally operates.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the malfunction of the robot includes a malfunction of the first control unit.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein:

the first control unit transmits a monitoring signal to the second control unit when the robot normally operates; and

the first control unit stops transmission of the monitoring signal to the second control unit when the robot does not normally operate.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined safety-considered motion is a motion of the robot to stop at the current position.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined safety-considered motion is a motion of the robot to stop at a current position of the robot and maintain a balance of the robot.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined safety-considered motion is a motion of the robot to stop at the current position of the robot and sit down at the current position without losing its balance or maintaining an upright pose.