Autonomous and remote control all purpose machine (ARCAPM)

• US 9,241,442 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2013
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel A. Diazdelcastillo
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Diazdelcastillo
• Inventors: Diazdelcastillo, Daniel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, John Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sood, Anshul
• Application Number:
  US14/060,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20140121881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 180/9.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/008 for automated or remotely controlled operation
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 42/00 Mowers convertible to apparatus for purposes other than mowing; Mowers capable of performing operations other than mowing mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing A01D43/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/00 Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0265 using buried wires
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS

Abstract

A autonomous and remote control all purpose machine (ARCAPM) having different interchangeable modules that are structured and arranged to perform different tasks is disclosed. A machine includes: a body; a plurality of bays in the body, wherein each bay is configured to receive a respective module; and a power source carried by the body. A respective power connector is in each one of the bays that is configured to provide an electrically conductive path between the power source and a device in a module arranged in one of the bays. The machine includes a propulsion system structured and arranged to move the body over the ground. The machine also includes a control system structured and arranged to control autonomous movement of the machine based on at least one of: proximity sensors, metal detectors, and GPS data.

Claims

1. A machine, comprising:

a body;

a plurality of bays in the body, wherein each bay is configured to receive a respective module;

a power source carried by the body;

a respective power connector in each one of the bays that is configured to provide an electrically conductive path between the power source and a device in a said module arranged in one of the bays;

a propulsion system structured and arranged to move the body over the ground; and

a control system structured and arranged to control autonomous movement of the machine based on at least one of;

proximity sensors, metal detectors, and GPS data,

wherein the plurality of bays comprises a first bay, a second bay, and a third bay, all of different sizes.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the modules are selected from a group consisting of:

leaf vacuum shredder module;

rototiller module;

weed/grass trimmer module;

air compressor module;

external vacuum with hose module;

water jet module;

rake/broom module;

snow blower module;

shovel module; and

broadcast spreader module.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein a largest of the first bay, the second bay, and the third bay is at a rear end of the body.

4. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a dashboard that provides a user with an interface for providing input to the control system.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the dashboard is a touch screen GUI mounted on the body.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises:

first and second treads on opposite sides of the body;

a first electric motor connected to and adapted to drive the first tread; and

a second electric motor connected to and adapted to drive the second tread.

7. The machine of claim 6, further comprising a handlebar including a first throttle that controls the first tread and a second throttle that controls the second tread independent of the first tread.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises at least one re-chargeable battery.

9. The machine of claim 8, wherein the at least one re-chargeable battery comprises:

a first battery dedicated to a first motor of the propulsion system;

a second battery dedicated to a second motor of the propulsion system;

a third battery dedicated to providing power to said module via said power connector; and

a fourth battery dedicated to providing power to said control system.

10. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a remote control system that is adapted to permit a user to control movement of the propulsion system using a hand-held wireless remote control unit that overrides the autonomous movement.

11. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a tow hook sticking out from or embedded into the rear end of the body.

12. The machine of claim 1, wherein the control system is programmed to cause the machine to move to a charging station after completing a task.

13. A machine, comprising:

a body;

a plurality of bays in the body, wherein each bay is configured to receive a respective module;

a power source carried by the body;

a respective power connector in each one of the bays that is configured to provide an electrically conductive path between the power source and a device in a said module arranged in one of the bays;

a propulsion system structured and arranged to move the body over the ground; and

a control system structured and arranged to control autonomous movement of the machine based on at least one of;

proximity sensors, metal detectors, and GPS data, wherein;

the plurality of bays and the modules are sized and shaped such that a said module only fits into one of the plurality of bays in a single orientation; and

the single orientation aligns the respective said power connector of the bay with a corresponding power connector of the module.

14. A machine, comprising:

a body;

a plurality of bays in the body, wherein each bay is configured to receive a respective module;

a power source carried by the body;

a respective power connector in each one of the bays that is configured to provide an electrically conductive path between the power source and a device in a said module arranged in one of the bays;

a propulsion system structured and arranged to move the body over the ground; and

a control system structured and arranged to control autonomous movement of the machine based on at least one of;

proximity sensors, metal detectors, and GPS data, wherein the control system automatically determines a type of interchangeable module that is installed in any one of the module locations.

15. A system, comprising:

a machine; and

a plurality of modules;

wherein the machine comprises;

a body;

a first bay, a second bay, and a third bay, all of different sizes in the body, wherein each said bay is configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of modules;

a power source carried by the body;

a respective power connector in each said bay that is configured to provide an electrically conductive path between the power source and a device in the respective one of the plurality of modules arranged in each said bay;

a propulsion system structured and arranged to move the body over the ground; and

a control system structured and arranged to control autonomous movement of the machine based on at least one of;

proximity sensors, metal detectors, and GPS data; and

wherein the plurality of modules are selected from a group consisting of;

leaf vacuum shredder module;

rototiller module;

weed/grass trimmer module;

air compressor module;

external vacuum with hose module;

water jet module;

rake/broom module;

snow blower module;

shovel module; and

broadcast spreader module.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the machine further comprises a dashboard that provides a user with an interface for providing input to the control system, wherein the dashboard is a touch screen GUI mounted on the body.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the propulsion system comprises;

first and second treads on opposite sides of the body;

a first electric motor connected to and adapted to drive the first tread; and

a second electric motor connected to and adapted to drive the second tread; and

the power source comprises;

a first battery dedicated to the first electric motor;

a second battery dedicated to the second electric motor;

a third battery dedicated to providing power to said module via said power connector; and

a fourth battery dedicated to providing power to said control system.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising one of:

a handlebar including a first throttle that controls the first tread and a second throttle that controls the second tread independent of the first tread; and

a remote control system that is adapted to permit a user to control movement of the propulsion system using a hand-held wireless remote control unit that overrides the autonomous movement.