Tethered robot system for cell sites and towers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12461505-B2
Application number	US-202217860337-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 8, 2022
Priority date	Apr 14, 2015
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to robot systems configured to operate on a cell tower to inspect, install, reconfigure, and repair cellular equipment. The present disclosure provides a robot for performing tasks on cell towers. The robot includes a body portion configured to hold various electronic components of the robot including monitoring equipment disposed thereon, one or more arms extending from the body portion adapted to manipulate components of a cell tower and to facilitate movement of the robot on the cell tower, a tethering system adapted to prevent the robot from falling off of the cell tower, and wireless interfaces adapted to allow wireless control of the robot. The robot is configured to be controlled by one of a user in a remote location, a user at the cell tower site, and autonomously via direct programing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A robot for performing tasks on cell towers, the robot comprising:
a body portion configured to hold various electronic components of the robot further comprising monitoring equipment disposed thereon; one or more arms extending from the body portion adapted to manipulate components of a cell tower and to facilitate movement of the robot on the cell tower; a tethering system adapted to prevent the robot from falling off of the cell tower; wireless interfaces adapted to allow wireless control of the robot; and one or more processors adapted to implement a Machine Learning (ML) model to learn and improve the robot's ability to perform tasks on the cell tower over time.

2 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the one or more arms further comprise claws adapted to grip tools and components of the cell tower.

3 . The robot of claim 2 , wherein the claws comprise image sensors disposed on a distal end of the claws for capturing image data of difficult to reach areas of the cell tower.

4 . The robot of claim 1 , further comprising magnets disposed on the body portion, wherein the magnets are one of permanent magnets and selectively enabled magnets adapted to secure the robot to the cell tower.

5 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the body portion further comprises storage compartments configured to hold tools and equipment.

6 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the robot is adapted to operate in adverse weather conditions.

7 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the body portion further comprises elongated compartments, and wherein the one or more arms are configured to stow within the elongated compartments.

8 . The robot of claim 1 , wherein the robot is configured to be controlled by one of a user in a remote location, a user at the cell tower site, and autonomously via direct programing.

9 . A robot for performing tasks on cell towers, the robot comprising:
a body portion configured to hold various electronic components of the robot comprising monitoring equipment disposed thereon; one or more arms extending from the body portion adapted to manipulate components of a cell tower and to facilitate movement of the robot on the cell tower; a tethering system adapted to prevent the robot from falling off of the cell tower; wireless interfaces adapted to allow wireless control of the robot; a processor coupled to the wireless interfaces; and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
process commands to position the robot on the cell tower to perform a task chosen from a plurality of operations to the cell tower;
process commands to capture data associated with components being audited based on the task being performed;
process the data collected to verify whether the component being audited is in a predetermined condition; and
utilize a Machine Learning (ML) model to learn and improve the robot's ability to work on cell over time.

10 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of operations include any of inspecting and monitoring a component of the cell tower, performing repair, and installing components of the cell tower.

11 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the robot is configured to be controlled by one of a user in a remote location, a user at the cell tower site, and autonomously via direct programing.

12 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the one or more arms further comprise claws adapted to grip tools and components of the cell tower.

13 . The robot of claim 12 , wherein data is captured by image sensors disposed on a distal end of the claws.

14 . The robot of claim 9 , further comprising magnets disposed on the body portion, wherein the magnets are one of permanent magnets and selectively enabled magnets adapted to secure the robot to the cell tower, and wherein the instructions further cause the processor to control the selectively enabled magnets.

15 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the body portion further comprises storage compartments configured to hold tools and equipment.

16 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the robot is adapted to operate in adverse weather conditions.

17 . The robot of claim 9 , wherein the body portion further comprises elongated compartments, and wherein the one or more arms are configured to stow within the elongated compartments.

18 . A method comprising the steps of:
positioning a robot on a cell tower to perform a task chosen from a plurality of operations to the cell tower; capturing data associated with components being audited based on the task being performed; processing the data collected to verify whether the component being audited is in a predetermined condition; and utilizing a Machine Learning (ML) model to learn and improve the robot's ability to work on the cell tower over time.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of operations include any of inspecting and monitoring a component of the cell tower, performing repair, and installing components of the cell tower.

Assignees

• Etak Systems Llc

Inventors

• Priest Lee

Classifications

• B64U2101/30

  for imaging, photography or videography · CPC title

• B64U10/13

  Flying platforms · CPC title

• B64U2101/60

  for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons · CPC title

• B25J15/0608

  with magnetic holding means · CPC title

• H04W24/02

  Arrangements for optimising operational condition · CPC title