Socially interactive autonomous robot

• US 20020013641A1
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axxon Robotics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Axxon Robotics, LLC
• Inventors: Green, Carolyn O?apos;Brien, Nourbakhsh, Illah, Coffman, Vinton III, Willeke, Thomas, Kunz, Clayton Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 6,539,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0214 in accordance with safety or protection criteria, e.g. avoiding hazardous areas monitoring the location of vehicles within a certain area, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas, in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/13
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/008 based on physical entities controlled by simulated intelligence so as to replicate intelligent life forms, e.g. based on robots replicating pets or humans in their appearance or behaviour

Abstract

A robot that is capable of substantially autonomous movement includes a processing device, a memory, and a mobility structure controlled by the processing device. The processor directs the robot to move with any predetermined safe area having a boundary and a reference point. Optionally, the robot also exhibits features of social interactivity by accepting an input from a human, selecting dynamic content from a data base wherein the dynamic content is responsive to the input, and presenting the human with a response corresponding to the dynamic content selection.

Claims

15. A method of enabling a mobile robot to move without a requirement for substantial human intervention, comprising:

defining a safe area having a boundary and a reference point, wherein the safe area is substantially free from obstacles that would restrict movement within the safe area; and

directing a mobile robot having a movement means, a processor that directs the movement means, and a memory to begin movement within the safe area, wherein the memory includes computer program instructions that instruct the processor to prevent the movement means from moving the robot outside of the safe area.

16. A mobile robot, comprising:

a movement apparatus capable of moving the robot;

a means for recognizing a location of the robot; and

a means for automatically operating the movement apparatus;

a means for determining whether an operation of the movement apparatus will result in movement of the robot outside of a predetermined boundary corresponding to a reference point, and restricting such movement outside of the predetermined boundary.

17-1. The robot of claim 17 further comprising:

a means for identifying an object human; and

a means for instructing the movement apparatus to move the robot in a direction that is toward the object.