Remote control rover configured for viewing and manipulating objects

• US 20060095161A1
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley Darrel Olson
• Original Assignee: Bradley Darrel Olson
• Inventors: Olson, Bradley Darrel
• Granted Patent: US 7,640,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/259
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0206 comprising articulated grippers
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/022 using lasers
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/007 mounted on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37572 Camera, tv, vision
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40298 Manipulator on vehicle, wheels, mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246

Abstract

A remotely controlled roving vehicle comprises a claw assembly and a video camera. The claw assembly includes a main body and a plurality of grasping member. A first end of each one of the grasping members is movably mounted on the main body for enabling a second end of each one of the grasping members to be moved between an open position and a closed position. The video camera includes an image-receiving portion that is mounted on the main body. A second end of each one of the grasping members is within a field of view of the video camera. A lens of the video camera is centrally located with respect to the first ends of the grasping members. The first end of each one of the grasping members is pivotally mounted on the main body. The main body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled roving vehicle, comprising:

a claw assembly including a main body and a plurality of grasping members, wherein a first end of each one of said grasping members is movably mounted on the main body for enabling a second end of each one of said grasping members to be moved between an open position and a closed position; and

a video camera having an image-receiving portion thereof mounted on the main body, wherein the second end of each one of said grasping members is within a field of view of the video camera.

2. The roving vehicle of claim 1 wherein a lens of the video camera is centrally located with respect to the first ends of said grasping members.

3. The roving vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first end of each one of said grasping members is pivotally mounted on the main body.

4. The roving vehicle of claim 1 wherein the main body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof.

5. The roving vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

means for forcibly moving said grasping members between the open position and the closed position.

6. The roving vehicle of claim 5 wherein said means for forcibly moving includes at least one of hydraulic means and electrical means.

7. The roving vehicle of claim 1 wherein:

the plurality of grasping members includes a first pair of grasping members and a second pair of grasping members; and

the first pair of grasping members is different in configuration than the second pair of grasping members.

8. The roving vehicle of claim 1 wherein:

the roving vehicle includes a chassis; and

the claw assembly is translatably attached to the chassis.

9. The roving vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

means for forcibly moving said grasping members between the open position and the closed position;

wherein a lens of the video camera is centrally located with respect to the first ends of said grasping members;

wherein the first end of each one of said grasping members is pivotally mounted on the main body;

wherein the main body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof;

wherein said means for forcibly moving includes at least one of hydraulic means and electrical means;

wherein the plurality of grasping members includes a first pair of grasping members and a second pair of grasping members;

wherein the first pair of grasping members is different in configuration than the second pair of grasping members;

wherein the roving vehicle includes a chassis; and

wherein the claw assembly is translatably attached to the chassis.

10. A remote control rover system, comprising:

a remotely controlled roving vehicle including a claw assembly having a main body, a plurality of grasping members movably mounted on the main body and a video camera having an image-receiving portion thereof mounted on the main body, wherein a first end of each one of said grasping members is movably mounted on the main body for enabling a second end of each one of said grasping members to be moved between an open position and a closed position and wherein the second end of each one of said grasping members is within a field of view of the video camera; and

a control apparatus including a video display, at least one user input device and a cable reel assembly having a length of cable provided thereon, wherein said cable is connected to the roving vehicle for enabling signals to be transmitted between the control apparatus and the roving vehicle, wherein the video display is coupled to the video camera through said cable for enabling images captured by the video camera to be visually displayed thereon, and wherein said at least one user input device is coupled to the roving vehicle through said cable for enabling movement of the roving vehicle and actuation of the claw assembly to be selectively controlled.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein a lens of the video camera is centrally located with respect to the first ends of said grasping members.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the control apparatus and the roving vehicle jointly include means for forcibly moving said grasping members between the open position and the closed position.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for forcibly moving includes at least one of hydraulic means and electrical means.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein:

the plurality of grasping members includes a first pair of grasping members and a second pair of grasping members; and

the first pair of grasping members is different in configuration than the second pair of grasping members.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

means for rotating the reel for enabling said cable to be extending and retracting dependent upon said movement of the roving vehicle;

wherein the control apparatus and the roving vehicle jointly include means for forcibly moving said grasping members between the open position and the closed position;

wherein a lens of the video camera is centrally located with respect to the first ends of said grasping members;

wherein the first end of each one of said grasping members is pivotally mounted on the main body;

wherein said means for forcibly moving includes at least one of hydraulic means and electrical means;

wherein the plurality of grasping members includes a first pair of grasping members and a second pair of grasping members; and

wherein the first pair of grasping members is different in configuration than the second pair of grasping members.

16. A remote control rover system, comprising:

a remotely controlled roving vehicle including a claw assembly having a main body, a plurality of grasping members movably mounted on the main body and a video camera having an image-receiving portion thereof mounted on the main body, wherein a first end of each one of said grasping members is movably mounted on the main body for enabling a second end of each one of said grasping members to be moved between an open position and a closed position and wherein the second end of each one of said grasping members is within a field of view of the video camera; and

a control apparatus including interconnect means coupled between the control apparatus and the roving vehicle for enabling interaction therebetween, visual display means and user input means, wherein said visual display means is configured for enabling images captured by the video camera to be visually displayed, and wherein said user input means is configured for enabling movement of the roving vehicle and actuation of the claw assembly to be selectively controlled.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein:

a lens of the video camera is centrally located with respect to the first ends of said grasping members.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein:

the plurality of grasping members includes a first pair of grasping members and a second pair of grasping members; and

the first pair of grasping members is different in configuration than the second pair of grasping members.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the control apparatus and the roving vehicle jointly include means for forcibly moving said grasping members between the open position and the closed position; and

said means for forcibly moving includes at least one of hydraulic means and electrical means.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein:

said interconnect means includes a reel having a length of cable provided thereon and means for rotating the reel for enabling said cable to be extending and retracting dependent upon said movement of the roving vehicle;

said visual display means includes a visual display; and

said user input means includes a non-keyed user device.