Networked multi-role robotic vehicle
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a vehicle control system configured for controlling an autonomous vehicle, receiving payload data from a payload, and transmitting a control signal on at least one network, the payload data from the payload being Controller Area Network (CAN) data;
a payload interface configured for detachably connecting, physically and communicatively, to the payload, detachably connecting, physically and communicatively, to another payload that is a different type of payload than the payload, receiving the control signal from the vehicle control system over the at least one network, providing the control signal to the payload, and providing a power source connection configured to carry power to the payload; and
an operator control unit on the autonomous vehicle, the operator control unit being adapted for receiving the payload data in a different protocol format through the at least one network, displaying a representation of CAN data encapsulated into the different protocol format, and providing through the at least one network control commands for controlling operation of the payload,wherein the vehicle control system is configured for encapsulating the payload data that is CAN data into the different protocol format, andwherein the vehicle control system is configured for transmitting the payload data encapsulated into the different protocol format over the at least one network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An autonomous vehicle and systems having an interface for payloads that allows integration of various payloads with relative ease. There is a vehicle control system for controlling an autonomous vehicle, receiving data, and transmitting a control signal on at least one network. A payload is adapted to detachably connect to the autonomous vehicle, the payload comprising a network interface configured to receive the control signal from the vehicle control system over the at least one network. The vehicle control system may encapsulate payload data and transmit the payload data over the at least one network, including Ethernet or CAN networks. The payload may be a laser scanner, a radio, a chemical detection system, or a Global Positioning System unit.
166 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a vehicle control system configured for controlling an autonomous vehicle, receiving payload data from a payload, and transmitting a control signal on at least one network, the payload data from the payload being Controller Area Network (CAN) data; a payload interface configured for detachably connecting, physically and communicatively, to the payload, detachably connecting, physically and communicatively, to another payload that is a different type of payload than the payload, receiving the control signal from the vehicle control system over the at least one network, providing the control signal to the payload, and providing a power source connection configured to carry power to the payload; and an operator control unit on the autonomous vehicle, the operator control unit being adapted for receiving the payload data in a different protocol format through the at least one network, displaying a representation of CAN data encapsulated into the different protocol format, and providing through the at least one network control commands for controlling operation of the payload, wherein the vehicle control system is configured for encapsulating the payload data that is CAN data into the different protocol format, and wherein the vehicle control system is configured for transmitting the payload data encapsulated into the different protocol format over the at least one network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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a payload interface configured for (i) detachably coupling, physically and communicatively, to different types of payloads, (ii) receiving payload data from a payload detachably coupled to the payload interface, (iii) providing a power source connection through which power is provided to the payload detachably coupled to the payload interface, and (iv) providing the payload data as Controller Area Network (CAN) data to at least one network; a vehicle control system in communication with the payload interface through the at least one network, the vehicle control system being configured for controlling an autonomous vehicle and encapsulating the CAN data of the payload data into at least one Ethernet packet, wherein the vehicle control system is adapted to transmit the at least one Ethernet packet over the at least one network; and an operator control unit on the autonomous vehicle, the operator control unit being configured for receiving the at least one Ethernet packet from the at least one network, displaying a representation of the CAN data encapsulated into the at least one Ethernet packet, and providing through the at least one network control commands for controlling operation of the payloads. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification