초록 ▼

The invention disclosed with this Application is a autonomous mobile system comprising: a means of achieving mobility, a means of navigating, a means of providing autonomous power, and a means of providing general purpose computing. In some embodiments, the system comprises a base unit capable of se

The invention disclosed with this Application is a autonomous mobile system comprising: a means of achieving mobility, a means of navigating, a means of providing autonomous power, and a means of providing general purpose computing. In some embodiments, the system comprises a base unit capable of sensing its environment and computing navigation instructions to direct the system to move to particular locations and execute particular functions, as directed by a set of programmed instructions. In some embodiments, a coupling exists on the base unit to attach additional structures and mechanisms. These structures may comprise a means for carrying packages or other items, robotic manipulators that can grab and move objects, interactive audio and video displays for telepresence applications, a means for serving food and drink, etc. These extensions may be designed to be detachable and interchangeable, or may be designed to be permanently attached to the base unit.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A robotic system comprising: a power source;a means to move through a designated environment having a ceiling upon which reference patterns are placed;an attached computing device;a navigation system to direct the motion of the apparatus through the designated environment; anda means for coupling

1. A robotic system comprising: a power source;a means to move through a designated environment having a ceiling upon which reference patterns are placed;an attached computing device;a navigation system to direct the motion of the apparatus through the designated environment; anda means for coupling a first additional accessory comprising a connector for providing power from the power source to the first additional accessory;said navigation system comprising:an imaging camera aimed towards the ceiling to detect reference patterns distributed throughout the designated environment, andan image processing system to match images of said reference patterns to a pre-stored electronic map;and in whicha second additional accessory that transmits audio and video signals has been coupled to the apparatus,said second additional accessory further comprisinga means to display audio and video transmissions originating from a remote location. 2. The system of claim 1, additionally comprising a structure for delivering at least one item. 3. The system of claim 2, in which the item is a container. 4. The system of claim 3, in which the container is a cup. 5. The system of claim 2, in which the item is a measured quantity of a soft drink. 6. The system of claim 2 in which the item is a measured quantity of a mixed drink. 7. The system of claim 2, further comprising a means for delivering a marketing message. 8. The system of claim 7, in which the means for delivering a marketing message is a display attached to the structure. 9. The system of claim 8, in which the means for delivering a marketing message also comprises a video display. 10. The system of claim 1, in which the means for coupling comprises at least one item selected from the group consisting of: clamps, bolts, screws, and pegs. 11. The system of claim 1, in which the means for coupling comprises at least one set of holes in a configuration that corresponds to a first accessory with a set of attachment devices. 12. The system of claim 11, in which the attachment devices are selected from the group consisting of: clamps, bolts, screws, and pegs. 13. The system of claim 1, in which the first additional accessory is a structure for carrying packages. 14. The system of claim 1, in which the first additional accessory comprisesat least one robotic manipulator. 15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means to communicate with a wireless communication network. 16. The system of claim 1, in which the power source provides the motive force for moving through the designated environment. 17. The system of claim 1, in which the power source comprises a battery selected from the group consisting of:a lead acid battery, a deep cycle lead acid battery, a sealed lead acid battery, an AGM lead acid battery, a gel lead acid battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal-hydride battery, a lithium battery, a silicon-mediated lithium battery, a lithium ion battery, and an alkaline battery. 18. The system of claim 1, in which the power source comprises a common power conversion system selected from the group consisting of consisting of:a fuel cell, a hydrogen fuel cell, a hydrocarbon powered heat engine, a microwave transmission energy power source, an inductive energy source, a flywheel, a flywheel energy storage system, and a Carnot engine. 19. The system of claim 1, in which the computing device comprises at least one microprocessor. 20. The system of claim 1, in which the computing device directs the activity of the means to move through a designated environment. 21. The system of claim 1, in which the navigation system utilizes the attached computing device. 22. The system of claim 1, in which the means to move through a designated environment comprises wheels. 23. The system of claim 22, in which at least one of the wheels comprises a brushless DC hub motor. 24. The system of claim 1, in which the navigation system comprises at least one LIDAR system. 25. The system of claim 1, in which the first additional accessory comprises a means to deliver consumables. 26. The system of claim 25, in which the consumables are soft drinks. 27. A robotic apparatus comprising: a power source;a means to move through a designated environment having a ceiling upon which reference patterns are placed;an attached computing device;a navigation system to direct the motion of the apparatus through the designated environment;a means for coupling a first additional accessory comprising a connector for providing power from the power source to the first additional accessory; andadditionally comprising a computer readable medium, upon which are stored instructions that direct the activities of the robot in a pre-determined sequence;said navigation system comprising:an imaging camera aimed towards the ceiling to detect reference patterns distributed throughout the designated environment, andan image processing system to match images of said reference patterns to a pre-stored electronic map;and in whicha second additional accessory that transmits audio and video signals has been coupled to the apparatus,said additional accessory further comprisinga means to display audio and video transmissions originating from a remote location. 28. The system of claim 1, additionally comprising: a connector for communicating data between the robotic system and the first additional accessory. 29. The system of claim 27, additionally comprising: a connector for communicating data between the robotic system and the first additional accessory.