Mobile robot for receiving task selection(s) related to electronically presented information

• US 9,919,420 B1
• Filed: 05/30/2013
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vecna Robotics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vecna Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Theobald, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancho, Ronnie
• Application Number:
  US13/905,229
• Time in Patent Office: 1,755 Days
• Field of Search: 700257, 700259, 700254, 700253, 700213, 700245, 705 26, 705 1453, 709226, 709224, 709201
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/003 by means of an audio-responsive input audible safety signals B25J19/061
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/06 Control stands, e.g. consoles, switchboards
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/06 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/00 Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages B25J1/00 takes precedence; programme-controlled manipulators B25J9/00 ; vehicle aspects B60, B62, e.g. remote-controlled steering for motor vehicles B62D1/24; control of position of vehicles G05D1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41815 characterised by the cooperation between machine tools, manipulators and conveyor or other workpiece supply system, workcell
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40298 Manipulator on vehicle, wheels, mobile
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 Mobile robot

Abstract

Mobile robots and methods involving mobile robots are provided. One of the mobile robots electronically presents information using a user interface, where the information is indicative of at least one task. The user interface, for example, may present the information in a visual form with a display screen. The user interface receives a selection of the task. The mobile robot thereafter autonomously performs at least a portion of the selected task.

Claims

1. A method involving a mobile robot that includes a user interface, the method comprising:

determining an authorization level of an individual;

electronically presenting information to the individual using the user interface based on the authorization level, wherein the information is indicative of a first task;

receiving a selection of the first task at the user interface;

autonomously performing at least a portion the first task using the mobile robot; and

performing at least a portion of a second task using the mobile robot; and

interrupting the performance of the at least the portion of the second task to electronically present the information and receive the selection of the first task.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising scheduling the performance of the at least the portion of the first task and the at least the portion of the second task based on a priority indicator associated with at least one of the first task or the second task.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a signal that initiates an interaction between the mobile robot and the individual;

wherein the selection is received from the individual.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the performing of the at least the portion the first task comprises using one or more components of the mobile robot to move the mobile robot from a first location to a second location.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the performing of the at least the portion of the first task comprises using a manipulator system of the mobile robot to move an item related to the first task.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the performing of the at least the portion of the first task comprises using one or more components of the mobile robot to order an item related to the first task.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the information is further indicative of one or more additional selectable tasks.

8. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the electronically presenting of the information comprises presenting the information in a visual form using a display screen of the user interface.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the receiving of the selection comprises sensing an audible command using a microphone of the user interface, which audible command is indicative of the selection of the first task.