Automated and adjustable platform surface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10052764-B2
Application number	US-201615184869-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 16, 2016
Priority date	Jun 16, 2016
Publication date	Aug 21, 2018
Grant date	Aug 21, 2018

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus for an automated platform system. The automated platform system includes a docking station and a personal device connected to an automated robot platform. The automated robot platform includes one or more arms and an adjustable platform surface. The automated robot platform includes one or more imaging devices configured to receive imaging feedback and one or more transportation components coupled to the base. The one or more transportation components are configured to move in multiple directions. The automated robot platform includes one or more data processors that are configured to obtain imaging feedback. The one or more data processors are configured to operate the one or more transportation components to move in multiple directions to a first location based on the imaging feedback, and adjust the adjustable platform surface to a first height and a first angle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An automated robot platform, comprising:
a base;
one or more arms coupled to and extending from the base and having an actuator;
an adjustable level platform surface coupled to the actuator of the one or more arms;
one or more imaging devices configured to capture an image of a surrounding environment;
one or more transportation components coupled to the base, the one or more transportation components configured to move in a plurality of directions; and
one or more data processors that perform operations stored on a computer readable storage medium and are configured to:
obtain the image from the one or more imaging devices,
operate the one or more transportation components to move in the plurality of directions to a first location based on the image, and
control the actuator to position the adjustable level platform surface to a first height and a first angle when the first location is reached.

2. The automated robot platform system of claim 1 , wherein each arm of the one or more arms comprises:
a casing having a cavity; and
a screw disposed within the cavity of the casing, the screw configured to rotate in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation, and at least a portion of the screw surrounded by the casing.

3. The automated robot platform of claim 1 , wherein
the adjustable level platform surface includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the one or more arms include a first arm that has a first cavity and a first screw and a second arm that has a second cavity and a second screw, wherein the
first screw is disposed within the first cavity of the first arm and configured to move the first portion in a first direction along the first arm and the second screw is disposed within the second cavity of the second arm and configured to move the second portion in a second direction along the second arm.

4. The automated robot platform of claim 1 , wherein the one or more transportation components include one or more wheels or one or more treads.

5. The automated robot platform of claim 1 , further comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive a signal that includes location information from one or more beacons, wherein the one or more data processors are further configured to:
obtain the signal that includes the location information, and
operate the one or more transportation components to move in the plurality of directions based on the location information.

6. The automated robot platform of claim 1 , wherein to control the actuator to position the adjustable level platform surface to the first height and the first angle when the first location is reached is based on user input received from a personal device.

7. The automated robot platform of claim 1 , wherein
the one or more data processors are further configured to
operate the one or more transportation components to move in the plurality of directions to a second location.

8. The automated robot platform of claim 7 , wherein the one or more data processors are further configured to:
determine that the automated robot platform is at the second location; and
adjust the adjustable level platform surface to a second height and a second angle.

9. The automated robot platform of claim 1 , wherein the one or more data processors are configured to:
detect a position or action of an individual using at least one or more microphones or the one or more imaging devices;
determine that there is an activation event based on the position or action of the individual; and
operate the one or more transportation components to move in a direction toward a location of the individual.

10. The automated robot platform of claim 1 , wherein the automated robot platform is configured to collapse vertically into a compact form.

11. The automated robot platform of claim 1 , wherein the first angle is greater than 0degrees relative to the base.

12. The automated robot platform of claim 1 , wherein the first angle is greater than 0degrees and less than 90 degrees relative to the base.

13. An automated robot platform, comprising:
a base;
one or more arms coupled to and extending from the base and having an actuator;
an adjustable level platform surface coupled to the actuator of the one or more arms;
one or more imaging devices configured to capture an image of a surrounding environment;
one or more transportation components coupled to the base, the one or more transportation components configured to move in a plurality of directions including a first direction and a second direction; and
one or more data processors coupled to the actuator and the one or more imaging devices and configured to:
obtain the image from the one or more imaging devices,
operate the one or more transportation components to move in the first direction to a first location based on the image,
control the actuator to position the adjustable level platform surface to a first height and a first angle when the first location is reached,
operate the one or more transportation components to move in the second direction to a second location, and
control the actuator to position the adjustable level platform surface to a second height and a second angle when the second location is reached.

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America
• Toyota Motor Eng & Manufacutring North America Inc

Inventors

• Chelian Suhas E
• Wells Keith J
• Mcclain Robert D

Classifications

• Y10S901/01

  Mobile robot · CPC title

• B25J5/007

  mounted on wheels · CPC title

• B25J9/1664 Primary

  characterised by motion, path, trajectory planning · CPC title

• B25J9/1697

  Vision controlled systems · CPC title

• B25J13/006

  by means of a wireless system for controlling one or several manipulators · CPC title