Versatile robotic control module
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a vehicle comprising;
a vehicle body, anda vehicle control system coupled to the vehicle body and configured to control a vehicle operational system; and
a robotic control system configured to control the vehicle control system and comprising;
a packet network, wherein the packet network is configured to extend into and between available idle spaces within interior compartments of the vehicle body through which no moving part passes; and
a plurality of interchangeable robotic control modules, each robotic control module comprising;
a single housing configured to be mountable to fit into the available idle spaces, the single housing comprising;
a functional unit,a processor module comprising a memory including executable program code,an actuator controller, anda packet network switch; and
one or more network connectors positioned on the exterior of the single housing and configured to connect to the packet network and communicate with the packet network switch, wherein the robotic control modules are connected to the packet network,wherein each interchangeable robotic control module of the plurality of interchangeable robotic control modules is configured to select a particular modular role from among a plurality of possible modular roles and execute a portion of the executable program code associated with the particular modular role.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.
137 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A system comprising:
-
a vehicle comprising; a vehicle body, and a vehicle control system coupled to the vehicle body and configured to control a vehicle operational system; and a robotic control system configured to control the vehicle control system and comprising; a packet network, wherein the packet network is configured to extend into and between available idle spaces within interior compartments of the vehicle body through which no moving part passes; and a plurality of interchangeable robotic control modules, each robotic control module comprising; a single housing configured to be mountable to fit into the available idle spaces, the single housing comprising; a functional unit, a processor module comprising a memory including executable program code, an actuator controller, and a packet network switch; and one or more network connectors positioned on the exterior of the single housing and configured to connect to the packet network and communicate with the packet network switch, wherein the robotic control modules are connected to the packet network, wherein each interchangeable robotic control module of the plurality of interchangeable robotic control modules is configured to select a particular modular role from among a plurality of possible modular roles and execute a portion of the executable program code associated with the particular modular role. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method comprising:
-
fitting a packet network to extend into and between available idle space within interior compartments of a vehicle through which no moving part passes in the vehicle; mounting a module housing of such size and shape as to fit into said available idle spaces and connecting the module housing to the packet network; connecting a plurality of mountable robotic control modules to the packet network; and selecting, by a robotic control module, a particular modular role from among a plurality of possible modular roles and executing a portion of executable program code associated with the particular modular role. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
-
Specification