US 8,265,793 B2 · Mobile robot for telecommunication

Abstract

A mobile robot provides telecommunication service between a remote user at a remote terminal and a local user in proximity to the mobile robot. The remote user can connect to the mobile robot via the Internet using a peer-to-peer VoIP protocol, and control the mobile robot to navigate about the mobile robot's environment. The mobile robot includes a microphone, a video camera and a speaker for providing telecommunication functionality between the remote user and the local user. Also, a hand-held RC unit permits the local user to navigate the mobile robot locally or to engage privacy mode for the mobile robot. When NAT or a firewall obstructs connection from the remote terminal to the mobile robot, an Internet server facilitates connection using methods such as STUN, TURN, or relaying.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A remote control (RC) unit configured to wirelessly control a mobile robot having a robot camera, comprising:

a privacy button operable by a local user and configured to engage a privacy mode of the mobile robot;
and
an infrared transmitter configured to emit an infrared control signal to the mobile robot based on input from a keypad of the RC unit,
wherein the infrared control signal is configured to cause the robot camera to change position to block the field of view of the camera such that the environment of the mobile robot, other than the robot's body, is obscured when the privacy mode is engaged.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mobile robot for telecommunication

Life of this patent

Mobile robot for telecommunication

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20