Visually distinguishable robots and methods to manufacture the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11731059-B2
Application number	US-201815937536-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2018
Priority date	Mar 27, 2018
Publication date	Aug 22, 2023
Grant date	Aug 22, 2023

Abstract

Visually distinguishable robots and methods to manufacture the same are disclosed. An example kit for constructing a robot includes a first component for a framework of the robot, a second component for the framework, and a connector to secure the first and second components in a spatial relationship of a plurality of possible spatial relationships. The spatial relationship is to cause the robot to have a humanly perceptible identity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A robot, comprising:
a first panel for a framework of the robot;
a second panel for the framework separate from the first panel, the first and second panels to correspond to distinct regions of an exterior surface of the framework;
a rigid connector to secure the first and second panels in a first permanently fixed spatial relationship or a second permanently fixed spatial relationship of a plurality of possible spatial relationships, the first spatial relationship defining a gap between a first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second panel, the first edge adjacent the second edge, the rigid connector coupled to the first edge and the second edge, the first panel immovable relative to the second panel when secured by the rigid connector, the first spatial relationship to cause the robot to have a first appearance that is visually distinguishable by a human from a second appearance of a second robot, the second appearance caused by the second robot being constructed with third and fourth panels secured in the second spatial relationship, the third and fourth panels having a same shape as the first and second panels; and
an eye assembly to attach to the framework, the eye assembly having a base and an image sensor, the image sensor moveable relative to the base in at least one of a vertical direction or a horizontal direction.

2. The robot as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first spatial relationship defines at least one of a distance between the first and second panels or an angular offset between and the first and second panels.

3. The robot as defined in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of possible spatial relationships is defined based on a range of variability of a corresponding anatomical feature.

4. The robot as defined in claim 1 , further including a filler material to fill in the gap and provide structural reinforcement.

5. The robot as defined in claim 1 , wherein the robot is a humanoid robot, and the framework is for a head of the humanoid robot.

6. The robot as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first and second appearances are such that the robot and the second robot are to have a humanly perceptible resemblance.

7. The robot as defined in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of possible spatial relationships correspond to different spatial relationships between the first and second edges of the first and second panels.

8. The robot of claim 1 , wherein an area of the gap is smaller than a surface area of the first panel.

9. The robot as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are nonparallel when the first and second panels are in the first spatial relationship.

10. A robot comprising:
a first panel for a framework of the robot
a second panel for the framework separate from the first panel, the first and second panels to correspond to distinct regions of an exterior surface of the framework;
a rigid connector to secure the first and second panels in a first permanently fixed spatial relationship or a second permanently fixed spatial relationship of a plurality of possible spatial relationships, the first spatial relationship defining a gap between a first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second panel, the first edge adjacent the second edge, the rigid connector coupled to the first edge and the second edge, the first panel immovable relative to the second panel when secured by the rigid connector, the first spatial relationship to cause the robot to have a first appearance that is visually distinguishable by a human from a second appearance of a second robot, the second appearance caused by the second robot being constructed with third and fourth panels secured in the second spatial relationship, the third and fourth panels having a same shape as the first and second panels; and
a nose assembly attachable to the framework in a first position or a second position, the robot appearing to have a longer nose when the nose assembly is in the first position than when the nose assembly is in the second position.

11. A robot as defined in claim 1 , further including comprising:
a first panel for a framework of the robot
a second panel for the framework separate from the first panel, the first and second panels to correspond to distinct regions of an exterior surface of the framework;
a rigid connector to secure the first and second panels in a first permanently fixed spatial relationship or a second permanently fixed spatial relationship of a plurality of possible spatial relationships, the first spatial relationship defining a gap between a first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second panel, the first edge adjacent the second edge, the rigid connector coupled to the first edge and the second edge, the first panel immovable relative to the second panel when secured by the rigid connector, the first spatial relationship to cause the robot to have a first appearance that is visually distinguishable by a human from a second appearance of a second robot, the second appearance caused by the second robot being constructed with third and fourth panels secured in the second spatial relationship, the third and fourth panels having a same shape as the first and second panels; and
a mouth assembly having an upper portion and a lower portion, at least one of the upper portion or the lower portion being vertically moveable relative to the framework.

12. The robot as defined in claim 11 , wherein at least one of the upper portion or the lower portion is vertically moveable relative to the other of the upper portion or the lower portion.

13. A robot comprising:
a first panel for a framework of the robot, wherein the robot is a humanoid robot, and the framework is for a head of the humanoid robot;
a second panel for the framework separate from the first panel, the first and second panels to correspond to distinct regions of an exterior surface of the framework;
a rigid connector to secure the first and second panels in a first permanently fixed spatial relationship or a second permanently fixed spatial relationship of a plurality of possible spatial relationships, the first spatial relationship defining a gap between a first edge of the first panel and a second edge of the second panel, the first edge adjacent the second edge, the rigid connector coupled to the first edge and the second edge, the first panel immovable relative to the second panel when secured by the rigid connector, the first spatial relationship to cause the robot to have a first appearance that is visually distinguishable by a human from a second appearance of a second robot, the second appearance caused by the second robot being constructed with third and fourth panels secured in the second spatial relationship, the third and fourth panels having a same shape as the first and second panels;
a first leg having a first segment; and
a second leg having a second segment, the first segment and the second segment corresponding to a same portion of the first and second legs, the second segment being shorter than the first segment to cause the robot to exhibit at least one of a humanly recognizable stance, a humanly recognizable posture, or a humanly recognizable gait.

14. A robot having an individualized appearance that is visually perceptible to a human, the robot comprising:
at least one processor;
a motor; and
a housing including:
a first structural component;
a second structural component separate from the first structural component, the first and second structural components corresponding to first and second panels defining a shape of an outer surface of the housing, the first pa

Assignees

• Intel Corp

Inventors

• Vaughn Robert

Classifications

• A63H3/48 Primary

  Mounting of parts within dolls, e.g. automatic eyes {or parts for animation (self-moving A63H13/00)} · CPC title

• A63H3/36

  Details; Accessories · CPC title

• A63H3/365

  allowing a choice of facial features, e.g. to change the facial expression (change of expression through animation A63H3/48, self-moving A63H13/005; movable eyes A63H3/40) · CPC title

• A63H3/40

  movable · CPC title

• A63H9/00

  Special methods or compositions for the manufacture of dolls, toy animals, toy figures, or parts thereof · CPC title