초록 ▼

A system. The system includes an apparatus and a server. The apparatus is configured for securely transporting an item from a first location to a second location, and includes a mobile robot and a cart. The cart is coupled to the mobile robot and includes at least one secure storage area. The server

A system. The system includes an apparatus and a server. The apparatus is configured for securely transporting an item from a first location to a second location, and includes a mobile robot and a cart. The cart is coupled to the mobile robot and includes at least one secure storage area. The server is communicably connected to the apparatus and includes a module. The module is configured to maintain a chain of custody record for the item.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system, comprising: an apparatus configured for securely transporting an item from a first location within a facility to a second location within the facility, the apparatus comprising: a mobile robot; anda cart coupled to the mobile robot, wherein: the cart comprises: a biometric reader; andat

1. A system, comprising: an apparatus configured for securely transporting an item from a first location within a facility to a second location within the facility, the apparatus comprising: a mobile robot; anda cart coupled to the mobile robot, wherein: the cart comprises: a biometric reader; andat least one secure storage area having the item stored therein;the cart is configured to automatically unlock the at least one secure storage area; andthe mobile robot is configured to autonomously advance the cart from the first location to the second location; anda server communicably connected to the apparatus, wherein the server is configured for: receiving information transmitted from the apparatus, wherein the received information comprises: information associated with a person who loaded the item into the at least one secure storage area at the first location;information associated with a position of the cart within the facility; andinformation associated with a person who removed the item from the at least one secure storage area at the second location; andgenerating and maintaining a chain of custody record for the item based on the received information, wherein the chain of custody record comprises: the information associated with a person who loaded the item into the at least one secure storage area at the first location;the information associated with the position of the cart within the facility; andthe information associated with a person who removed the item from the at least one secure storage area at the second location. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile robot comprises a computing device. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mobile robot further comprises a plurality of sensors connected to the computing device. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the mobile robot further comprises a power source connected to the computing device. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the computing device further comprises a motor connected to the battery. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the cart further comprises an input device. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the cart further comprises a radio-frequency identification tag reader. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the cart further comprises a bar code reader. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the cart is electrically and mechanically coupled to the mobile robot. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a post configured to couple the mobile robot with the cart. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the mobile robot defines a receptacle configured for receiving the post. 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising an interface connected to the cart, wherein the interface is configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other automated device. 13. A method for securely transporting an item, the method comprising: identifying an item placed into a secured storage area of a cart at a first location within a facility;utilizing a biometric reader to identify a person who placed the item into the secured storage area of the cart;transmitting placement information regarding the identified item to a server;autonomously advancing the cart from the first location to a second location within the facility;transmitting information regarding a position of the cart within the facility to the server;automatically unlocking the secured storage area of the cart at the second location;identifying the item when it is removed from the secured storage area of the cart at the second location; andtransmitting removal information regarding the identified item to the server. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying the item comprises identifying the item with a radio-frequency identification tag reader. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying the item comprises identifying the item with a bar code reader. 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising maintaining a chain of custody record associated with the item.