COMPANION ROBOT FOR PERSONAL INTERACTION

• US 20120303160A1
• Filed: 06/04/2012
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: iRobot Corporation
• Original Assignee: iRobot Corporation
• Inventors: Ziegler, Andrew, Jones, Andrew, Vu, Clara, Cross, Matthew, Sinclair, Ken, Campbell, Tony L.
• Application Number:
  US13/487,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20120303160A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/259
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/008 Manipulators for service tasks
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0091 Shock absorbers in general F16F
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/023 including video camera means
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/06 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/007 mounted on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0003 Home robots, i.e. small robots for domestic use
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1697 Vision controlled systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 specially adapted to land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0225 involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay parking aids B62D15/027
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• 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: G05D 1/0251 extracting 3D information from a plurality of images taken from different locations, e.g. stereo vision stereoscopic image analysis H04N13/00; depth recovery from images G06T7/593
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/027 comprising intertial navigation means, e.g. azimuth detector inertial navigation G01C21/16; inertial navigation combined with non-inertial navigation instruments G01C21/165
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0272 comprising means for registering the travel distance, e.g. revolutions of wheels measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, e.g. using odometers G01C22/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/00 ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/40 : relating to drugs, e.g. their side effects or intended usage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 : Mobile robot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/46 : Sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/47 : Optical

Abstract

A mobile robot guest for interacting with a human resident performs a room-traversing search procedure prior to interacting with the resident, and may verbally query whether the resident being sought is present. Upon finding the resident, the mobile robot may facilitate a teleconferencing session with a remote third party, or interact with the resident in a number of ways. For example, the robot may carry on a dialogue with the resident, reinforce compliance with medication or other schedules, etc. In addition, the robot incorporates safety features for preventing collisions with the resident; and the robot may audibly announce and/or visibly indicate its presence in order to avoid becoming a dangerous obstacle. Furthermore, the mobile robot behaves in accordance with an integral privacy policy, such that any sensor recording or transmission must be approved by the resident.

Claims

1. A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:

a first detector for detecting at least one of a person and an object within a first predetermined space proximate the robot;

a second detector for detecting at least one of a person and an object within a second predetermined space proximate the robot;

a physical contact device to detect contact between at least one of a person and an object, wherein at least one of the first detector, the second detector, and the contact device triggers a safety condition; and

a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.

2. A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:

an annunciator configured to audibly indicate the presence of the robot;

a visible beacon configured to optically indicate the presence of the robot;

a proximity curtain detector configured to detect a person within a curtain covering a majority of the height of the robot and thereafter trigger a safety condition;

a physical impact buffer configured to absorb impact of a person colliding with the robot, detect the person, and trigger the safety condition;

a floor-level proximity ribbon detector configured to detect objects of less than 2 inches in height and trigger the safety condition; and

a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.

3. A mobile robot for interacting with a person, comprising:

a zone detector configured to detect an object within a zone in front of the robot covering a substantial portion of the height of the robot above 10 inches from the ground and thereafter trigger a safety condition;

a near zone impact bumper configured to absorb an impact of an object colliding with the robot, detect the object, and trigger the safety condition;

a near zone proximity sensor configured to detect an object in front of the robot between 2-10 inches from the ground and trigger the safety condition;

a near zone low object proximity sensor configured to detect objects in front of the robot of less than 2-4 inches in height and trigger the safety condition; and

a controller configured to immobilize the robot when the safety condition is detected.

4-10. -10. (canceled)