Repeater devices and methods of use

• US 9,246,573 B1
• Filed: 07/30/2014
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RoboteX, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RoboteX, Inc.
• Inventors: Gettings, Adam M., Penn, Taylor J., Zheng, Yi, Stevens, Andrew G., Seal, Gabriella L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tu X
• Application Number:
  US14/447,372
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 455/11.1, 455/522, 455/13.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/155 Ground-based stations H04B7/204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15507 Relay station based processing for cell extension or control of coverage area, network planning with network coordinated processing with regard to cell extension H04W16/26; network topologies using dedicated repeater stations H04W84/047; terminal devices adapted for relaying to or from an other terminal H04W88/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15535 Control of relay amplifier gain amplifier gain control in general H03G3/00; gain control reducing self - or loop interference H04B7/15578

Abstract

To increase the range of a remote controlled robot, one or more repeater devices can be used. A repeater device and method of use are described herein that can extend the range of wireless robots and/or improve the connectivity of wireless robots. A repeater device can include a transceiver, which includes both a receiver and a transmitter, and one or more antennas and can be powered by a power supply. Repeater devices can have orienting shapes and/or orienting bases and can be deployed using a repeater device dispenser.

Claims

1. A method for creating a network of repeater devices comprising:

loading a first repeater device and a second repeater device into a dispenser, wherein the dispenser is on a robot;

moving the robot to a first location;

releasing the first repeater device from the dispenser at the first location;

moving the robot to a second location;

releasing the second repeater device from the dispenser at the second location;

sending first data wirelessly from the second repeater device to the first repeater device;

sending the first data from the first repeater device to a base receiver; and

adjusting the power of a transmission signal of the second repeater device by the dispenser before releasing the second repeater device, wherein the adjusting of the power comprises calculating the distance from the first location to the second location;

wherein releasing the first repeater device comprises self-orienting by the first repeater device so a first antenna on the first repeater device extends away from the ground.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

loading a third repeater device into the dispenser

moving the robot to a third location;

releasing the third repeater device from the dispenser at the third location;

sending a second data wirelessly from the third repeater device to the second repeater device, and from the third repeater device to the first repeater device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a second data wirelessly from the second repeater device after the second of the first data, wherein the second of the second data comprises adjusting the signal strength from the second repeater device based on a signal feedback from the sending of the first data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is attached to the robot.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first receiver device further comprises a second antenna, and wherein the first antenna is oriented orthogonally to the second antenna.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the further comprising adjusting with a motor the orientation of the first antenna.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a holding mechanism.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the holding mechanism comprises a first latch, and wherein the method further comprises activating the first latch, and wherein the first latch is configured to release the first repeater device from the dispenser when the first latch is activated.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the holding mechanism further comprises a second latch, and wherein the second latch is configured to release the second repeater device from the dispenser when the second latch is activated.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising activating the first latch, and activating the second latch after activating the first latch.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting a signal strength of the first repeater device based on a location of release of the first repeater device from the dispenser.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting with a sensor how many repeater devices are in the dispenser.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first receiver device comprises an orienting base attached to the first antenna, wherein the orienting base has a round configuration;

a power supply in the orienting base;

a ballast weight in the orienting, base;

a global navigation satellite system receiver in the orienting base; and

a video camera in the orienting base.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first receiver device further comprises a second antenna;

a third antenna; and

a fourth antenna;

wherein the antennas are configured so when three of the antennas rest on a plane the remaining antenna is oriented orthogonal to the plane.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth antennas are configured in the shape of a caltrop.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising a liquid dye in the orienting base.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first antenna is spring-loaded.