Autonomous robot auto-docking and energy management systems and methods
AssigneeiRobot Corporation
InventorsDavid A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for energy management robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.
Claims26
An autonomous cleaning robot comprising:
- an undercarriage;
- a wheel extending from the undercarriage to support at least a portion of the cleaning robot above a ground surface in a room;
- an energy storage unit configured to be charged while the cleaning robot is positioned at a base station;
- and
- a navigational control system configured to direct the cleaning robot about the room and to determine an amount of the room remaining to be cleaned,
- wherein the cleaning robot is configured to control charging the energy storage unit while positioned at the base station such that the energy storage unit is charged to an amount that is a function of the amount of the room remaining to be cleaned.
An autonomous cleaning robot comprising:
- an undercarriage;
- a motive system configured to propel the undercarriage through a room;
- an energy storage unit supported by the undercarriage and configured to be charged while the cleaning robot is positioned at a base station;
- and
- a navigational control system configured to:
- control the motive system to direct the cleaning robot about the room;
- return the cleaning robot to the base station before completing a cleaning task in the room in response to detecting a need to charge the energy storage unit;
- dock the cleaning robot to the base station upon return;
- control charging the energy storage unit with the cleaning robot docked such that the energy storage unit is charged to an amount that is a function of an amount of the room remaining to be cleaned;
- and then
- control the motive system to direct the cleaning robot to continue to clean the room.
A method comprising:
- directing, by a navigational control system, a cleaning robot about a room and determining, by the navigational control system, an amount of the room remaining to be cleaned;
- and
- after directing the cleaning robot about the room, controlling, by the navigational control system, charging an energy storage unit of the cleaning robot such that the energy storage unit is charged to an amount that is a function of the amount of the room remaining to be cleaned, the energy storage unit being charged by a base station.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.