SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS INCLUDING A WHEELCHAIR-ASSIST ROBOT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A mobile wheelchair-assist robot, comprising:
- a wheelchair interface component configured to wirelessly exchange control information between the mobile wheelchair-assist robot and a wheelchair controller associated with a wheelchair structured and dimensioned to transport an individual subject;
a surveillance component configured to exchange information with the wheelchair controller;
a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the wheelchair-assist robot to a travel surface and to move the wheelchair-assist robot along the travel surface independent of the wheelchair; and
a powered winch assembly mounted on a frame, the powered winch assembly operably coupled to the wheelchair interface component, the powered winch assembly including a winch drum, an anchor assembly, and a pull member configured to couple to the wheelchair and to wind around at least a portion of the winch drum, the winch drum operatively coupled to a drive mechanism to rotate the winch drum, the wheelchair interface component including circuitry configured to generate one or more winch control commands to vary a winch drum turn rate responsive to one or more inputs from the wheelchair interface component to pull the wheelchair toward the anchor assembly via rotation of the winch drum.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing, among other things, a wheelchair-assist robot for assisting a wheelchair user with everyday tasks or activities at work, at home, and the like. In an embodiment, the mobile wheelchair-assist robot includes a wheelchair interface component configured to exchange control information with a wheelchair controller. In an embodiment, a wheelchair-assist robot mount assembly is provided for, among other things, electrically and physically coupling a wheelchair-assist robot to an associated wheelchair.
26 Citations
77 Claims
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1. A mobile wheelchair-assist robot, comprising:
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a wheelchair interface component configured to wirelessly exchange control information between the mobile wheelchair-assist robot and a wheelchair controller associated with a wheelchair structured and dimensioned to transport an individual subject; a surveillance component configured to exchange information with the wheelchair controller; a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the wheelchair-assist robot to a travel surface and to move the wheelchair-assist robot along the travel surface independent of the wheelchair; and a powered winch assembly mounted on a frame, the powered winch assembly operably coupled to the wheelchair interface component, the powered winch assembly including a winch drum, an anchor assembly, and a pull member configured to couple to the wheelchair and to wind around at least a portion of the winch drum, the winch drum operatively coupled to a drive mechanism to rotate the winch drum, the wheelchair interface component including circuitry configured to generate one or more winch control commands to vary a winch drum turn rate responsive to one or more inputs from the wheelchair interface component to pull the wheelchair toward the anchor assembly via rotation of the winch drum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24, 25, 28, 29, 33, 36)
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39. A wheelchair-assist robot, comprising:
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a wheelchair interface component; and a powered winch assembly mounted on a frame, the winch assembly operably coupled to the wheelchair interface component, the winch assembly configured to deploy responsive to one or more inputs from the wheelchair interface component, the powered winch assembly including a winch drum, an anchor assembly, and a pull member configured to couple to an associated wheelchair and to wind around at least a portion of the winch drum, the winch drum operatively coupled to a drive mechanism to rotate the winch drum, the wheelchair interface component including circuitry configured to generate one or more winch control commands to vary a winch drum turn rate responsive to one or more inputs from at least one of the wheelchair interface component and a client device to pull the associated wheelchair toward the anchor assembly via rotation of the winch drum. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 48, 51, 52)
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54. A wheelchair-assist robot, comprising:
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a wheelchair interface component operable to wirelessly exchange information with a wheelchair client device; an articulated arm assembly operably coupled to the wheelchair interface component; and a powered winch assembly mounted on a frame, the powered winch assembly operably coupled to the wheelchair interface component, the powered winch assembly including a winch drum, an anchor assembly, and a pull member configured to couple to an associated wheelchair and to wind around at least a portion of the winch drum, the winch drum operatively coupled to a drive mechanism to rotate the winch drum, the wheelchair interface component including circuitry configured to generate one or more winch control commands to vary a winch drum turn rate responsive to one or more inputs from at least one of the wheelchair interface component and the wheelchair client device to pull the associated wheelchair toward the anchor assembly via rotation of the winch drum. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 59, 61, 67, 68, 70, 74, 75, 76, 77)
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Specification