System and method for preventing depletion of a robotic energy source

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10754346-B2
Application number	US-201815911104-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 3, 2018
Priority date	Mar 3, 2018
Publication date	Aug 25, 2020
Grant date	Aug 25, 2020

Abstract

A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source includes: a mobile robot; a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot; a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot; and a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source, comprising:
a mobile robot;
a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot, the server further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot for a sign of low energy, wherein the low-energy sign comprises a critical disruption of the communication system, the server further configured to send a robot that shows the low-energy sign a replenishment message ordering the robot to do one or more of reduce its activity and shut down;
a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor a status of the communication system for the critical disruption, the controller located inside the robot;
a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; and
a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source,
wherein the server sends the replenishment message to the charging station.

2. A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source, comprising:
a mobile robot;
a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot, the server further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot for a sign of low energy, wherein the low-energy sign comprises a critical disruption of the communication system, the server further configured to send a robot that shows the low-energy sign a replenishment message ordering the robot to do one or more of reduce its activity and shut down;
a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor a status of the communication system for the critical disruption, the controller located inside the robot;
a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; and
a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source,
wherein the server sends the replenishment message to a user.

3. A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source, comprising:
a mobile robot;
a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot, the server further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot for a sign of low energy, wherein the low-energy sign comprises a critical disruption of the communication system, the server further configured to send a robot that shows the low-energy sign a replenishment message ordering the robot to do one or more of reduce its activity and shut down;
a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor a status of the communication system for the critical disruption, the controller located inside the robot;
a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; and
a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source,
wherein the server sends the replenishment message to a second robot in a position to assist the mobile robot in charging.

4. A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source, comprising:
a mobile robot;
a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot, the server further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot for a sign of low energy, wherein the low-energy sign comprises a critical disruption of the communication system, the server further configured to send a robot that shows the low-energy sign a replenishment message ordering the robot to do one or more of reduce its activity and shut down;
a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor a status of the communication system for the critical disruption, the controller located inside the robot;
a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; and
a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source,
wherein the controller is further configured to determine if the robot's energy level is less than the critical energy level,
wherein the controller is further configured, upon determining that the robot's energy level is less than the critical energy level, to send the replenishment message,
wherein the controller sends the replenishment message to the robot,
wherein the controller determines a charging station to which the replenishment message sends the robot.

5. A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source, comprising:
a mobile robot;
a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot, the server further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot for a sign of low energy, wherein the low-energy sign comprises a critical disruption of the communication system, the server further configured to send a robot that shows the low-energy sign a replenishment message ordering the robot to do one or more of reduce its activity and shut down;
a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor a status of the communication system for the critical disruption, the controller located inside the robot;
a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; and
a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source,
wherein the controller is further configured to determine if the robot's energy level is less than the critical energy level,
wherein the controller is further configured, upon determining that the robot's energy level is less than the critical energy level, to send the replenishment message,
wherein the controller sends the replenishment message to the charging station.

6. A system to prevent depletion of a robotic energy source, comprising:
a mobile robot;
a server operably connected to the robot via a communication system, the server configured to manage the robot, the server further configured to monitor an energy level of the robot for a sign of low energy, wherein the low-energy sign comprises a critical disruption of the communication system, the server further configured to send a robot that shows the low-energy sign a replenishment message ordering the robot to do one or more of reduce its activity and shut down;
a controller operably connected to the robot, the controller operably connected to the server, the controller configured to control the robot, the controller further configured to monitor a status of the communication system for the critical disruption, the controller located inside the robot;
a robotic energy source configured to provide energy to the robot; and
a charging station configured to operably connect to the energy source, the charging station further configured to replenish the energy source,
wherein the controller is further configured to determine if the robot's energy level is less than the critical energy level,
wherein the controller is further configured, upon determining that the robot's energy level is less than the critica

Assignees

• Fetch Robotics Inc

Inventors

• Ferguson Michael
• King Edward S

Classifications

• G05D1/0276

  using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle (involving a plurality of vehicles G05D1/0287; automatically controlling vehicle speed responsive to externally generated signals B60K31/0058) · CPC title

• Y10S901/01

  Mobile robot · CPC title

• B25J9/162

  Mobile manipulator, movable base with manipulator arm mounted on it · CPC title

• G05D1/0297

  by controlling means in a control room · CPC title

• G05D1/0282

  generated in a local control room · CPC title