System, method, computer program and data signal for the registration, monitoring and control of machines and devices

• US 10,272,570 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2013
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C2 Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: C2 Systems Limited
• Inventors: Storr, James Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Sample, Jonathan L
• Application Number:
  US14/441,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20150336270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,995 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1674 characterised by safety, monitoring, diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36542 Cryptography, encrypt, access, authorize with key, code, password
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40214 Command rejection module
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 Mobile robot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/49 Protective device

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for controlling a robotic device, comprising the steps of, receiving at a computing device at least one command arranged to effect an operation on the robotic device, reviewing the command to determine whether the command is suitable for execution, wherein the command is provided to the device only if the command is suitable for execution.

Claims

1. A system comprising a computing device in communication with and remote or local to a robotic device, the computing device arranged to receive:

a command from a command module remote or local to the computing device, the command containing at least one instruction which is arranged to, when executed by the robotic device, effect an operation on the robotic device, and

identification information identifying at least one characteristic of the robotic device, a user or the environment in which the robotic device is to operate,

wherein the computing device includes a processor and a database, the processor being arranged;

to receive the command and the identification information, and

to review the command and the identification information against information in the database to determine whether the command is

associated with the identification information in the database, and

suitable for execution by the robotic device,

wherein the command is caused to be executed by the robotic device only if the command was suitable for execution.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the processor determines whether the command is associated with an authorisation code.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the authorisation code may be received independently of the command.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the processor determines whether the command is one of a predetermined set of suitable commands by assessing a set of predetermined suitable commands stored in the database.

5. A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the predetermined set of suitable commands is determined according to the authorisation code.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the authorisation code is derived from the identification information.

7. A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least one of the command, the authorisation code and the identification information is encrypted.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7, comprising the further step of decrypting the at least one of the command, the authorisation code and the identification information prior to reviewing the command to determine whether the command is suitable for execution.

9. A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least one of the command, the authorisation code and the identification information includes a check, wherein the check is utilised to determine the correctness of the command, the authorisation code and/or the identification information.

10. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the robotic device is a vehicle configured to move in a public space.

21. A system in accordance with claim 1, comprising a check module arranged to perform a functionality check on the robotic device prior to the command being provided to the robotic device.

22. A system in accordance with claim 21, wherein the system is arranged to receive diagnostic information from the robotic device if the robotic device is incapable of carrying out the command.

23. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein the processor receives the diagnostic information and reviews the diagnostic information against information in the database to determine whether a subsequent command is suitable for execution by the robotic device, wherein the processor requests further information to further assess an instruction, prior to initiating a response, and wherein the subsequent command is provided to the robotic device if the subsequent command is determined to be suitable for execution.

24. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the robotic device includes at least one processor arranged to receive and execute the at least one command.

25. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the robotic device is configured to perform at least one physical function.

11. A method for controlling a robotic device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a computing device, remote or local to the robotic device, at least one command from a command module remote or local to the computing device, the command containing at least one instruction which is arranged to, when executed by the robotic device, effect an operation on the robotic device,

receiving at the computing device, identification information identifying at least one characteristic of the robotic device, a user or the environment in which the robotic device is to operate,

reviewing the command and the identification information, via a processor of the computing device, against information in a database to determine whether the command is;

associated with the identification information in the database, and

suitable for execution by the robotic device, and

wherein the command is caused to be executed by the robotic device only if the command was suitable for execution.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the step of reviewing the command includes the step of determining whether the command is associated with at least one authorisation code.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the at least one authorisation code is received independently of the at least one command.

14. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the step of reviewing the command includes the further step of determining whether the command is one of a predetermined set of commands.

15. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein identification information comprises at least one identification code arranged to identify the user or the robotic device.

16. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the identification information is received with the command.

17. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein at least one of the command, the authorisation code and the identification information is encrypted.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17, comprising the further step of decrypting the at least one of the command, the authorisation code and the identification information prior to reviewing the command to determine whether the command is suitable for execution.

19. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least one of the command, the at least one authorisation code and the identification information includes a check, wherein the check is utilised to determine the correctness of the at least one command, the authorisation code or the identification code.

26. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein the robotic device is a programmable device.

27. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the robotic device includes at least one processor arranged to receive and execute the at least one command.

28. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the robotic device is capable of performing at least one physical function.

29. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the robotic device is selected from the group consisting of:

a pilotless flying device or multicopter;

an autonomous or self-driving vehicle;

a humanoid, consumer, household or appliance robot; and

, a smart device or an augmented reality device.

20. A computer readable medium storing a computer program, which, when executed on a computing device, controls a robotic device by performing the steps of

receiving at a computing device, remote or local to the robotic device, at least one command from a command module remote or local to the computing device, the command containing at least one instruction which is arranged to, when executed by the robotic device, effect an operation on the robotic device,

receiving, at the computing device, identification information identifying at least one characteristic of the robotic device, a user or the environment in which the robotic device is to operate,

reviewing the command and the identification information, via a processor of the computing device, against information in a database to determine whether the command is;

associated with the identification information in the database, and

suitable for execution by the robotic device, and

wherein the command is caused to be executed by the robotic device only if the command was suitable for execution.