US 9,623,553 B1Granted

Method and device for accommodating items

AssigneeVecna Technologies, Inc.

InventorsDaniel Theobald, Thomas Allen, Josh Ornstein

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Abstract

A device and method are provided, the method including providing a device capable of at least semi-autonomous operation and enabling the device to autonomously gather at least one item and secure that item against unauthorized access while providing selective authorized access to the item while the item is in possession of the device.

Claims5

Dependent claims

An autonomous mobile robot at least including an arm member for gathering items and transporting them to a designated area, comprising:

a drive system configured to autonomously move the mobile robot within a designated area;
a first security system configured to autonomously secure a gathered item against unauthorized access while the item is in possession of the mobile robot;
an arm member for autonomously grasping at least one item from a first location within the designated area, transporting the item to a position on the mobile robot for securing by the first security system to prevent unauthorized access while the item is in possession of the mobile robot and for transporting the item from the position on the mobile robot to a second location within the designated area;
a second security system at the second location configured to autonomously secure the item against unauthorized access while the item is at the second location;
and
a control system for autonomously moving the mobile robot via the drive system to a position proximate the first location so that the arm member can reach a desired item, activating the arm member to grasp and transport the item to a position on the mobile robot, securing the item against unauthorized access while the item is in possession of the mobile robot via the first security system, moving the mobile robot via the drive system to a position proximate the second location within the designated area so that the arm member can reach the second location, grasping the item on the mobile robot, releasing the item from the control of the first security system, moving the item via the arm member to the second location, autonomously communicating at least one signal between the mobile robot and the second security system at the second location, the at least one signal communicating at least one security criteria between the mobile robot and the second security system in order to enable transferring of the item from the mobile robot to the second location, releasing the item from the grasp of the arm member, and securing the item at the second location via the second security system.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

An autonomous mobile robot at least including an arm member for gathering items and transporting them to a designated area, comprising:

a drive system configured to autonomously move the mobile robot within a designated area;
a first security system configured to autonomously secure a gathered item against unauthorized access while the item is in possession of the mobile robot;
an arm member for autonomously grasping at least one item from a first location within the designated area, transporting the item to a position on the mobile robot for securing by the first security system to prevent unauthorized access while the item is in possession of the mobile robot and for transporting the item from the position on the mobile robot to a second location within the designated area;
a second security system at the second location configured to autonomously secure the item against unauthorized access while the item is at the second location;
and
a control system for autonomously moving the mobile robot via the drive system to a position proximate the first location so that the arm member can reach a desired item, activating the arm member to grasp and transport the item to a position on the mobile robot, securing the item against unauthorized access while the item is in possession of the mobile robot via the first security system, moving the mobile robot via the drive system to a position proximate the second location within the designated area so that the arm member can reach the second location, grasping the item on the mobile robot, releasing the item from the control of the first security system, moving the item via the arm member to the second location, autonomously communicating at least one signal between the mobile robot and the second security system at the second location, the at least one signal communicating at least one security criteria between the mobile robot and the second security system in order to enable transferring of the item from the mobile robot to the second location, releasing the item from the grasp of the arm member, and securing the item at the second location via the second security system.

3 more elements