US5819008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mobile robot sensor system
Assignee: RIKEN
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Filing: 1996-06-14
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2016-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor system which can effect local communications suitable for exchanging information to avoid collisions between mobile robots. The sensor system also prevents collisions between the mobile robots and obstacles. The system is well-suited for a multi-robot environment where multiple mobile robots operate. The system includes infrared signal transmitters installed in each of the multiple mobile robots for sending transmission data via infrared signals. The system further includes infrared signal receivers installed in each of the multiple mobile robots for receiving the transmission data sent by the infrared signal transmitters. Each mobile robot includes a control unit. The control unit prepares transmission information which includes mobile robot identification information unique to the mobile robot. The transmission information is included in the transmission data sent from the infrared signal transmitter. The control unit also extracts transmission information which is received by the infrared signal receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Hajime Asama
- 👤 Hayato Kaetsu
- 👤 Shoji Suzuki
- 👤 Yoshikazu Arai
- 👤 Shin-ya Kotosaka
- 👤 Isao Endo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:37
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0287; G05D1/0289; G05D1/0231; G05D1/0242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A mobile robot system comprising: a plurality of mobile robots, each mobile robot including: an infrared transmitter for transmitting data; a infrared receiver for receiving data; and a controller for preparing data to be transmitted by said infrared transmitter and for interpreting data received by said infrared receiver, wherein said data includes identification information unique to the mobile robot transmitting said data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A mobile robot system comprising: a plurality of mobile robots, each mobile robot including: an infrared transmitter for transmitting data; a infrared receiver for receiving data; and a controller for preparing data to be transmitted by said infrared transmitter and for interpreting data received by said infrared receiver, wherein said data includes identification information unique to the mobile robot transmitting said data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mobile robot system of claim 1, wherein said data also includes travel information descriptive of movements for the mobile robot transmitting said data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mobile robot system of claim 2, wherein said travel information includes a direction of travel and a speed of travel for the mobile robot transmitting said data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
The mobile robot system of claim 3, wherein said data are in binary, each bit of said data being represented as either an "on" pulse representing a "1" or an "off" pulse representing a "0", and each bit of said data being preceded by an "on" pulse, having a width equal to a width of a bit of data, and being used for synchronization, and each bit of said data being followed by an "off" pulse, having a width equal to the width of a bit of data, and being used for detecting interference.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mobile robot system of claim 3, wherein each mobile robot is capable of moving and stopping arbitrarily.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile robot system of claim 5, wherein said transmitter, of each mobile robot, is a luminous element for transmitting infrared signals and said receiver, of each mobile robot, is a photoreceptive element for receiving infrared signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile robot system of claim 3, wherein said transmitter, of each mobile robot, is a luminous element for transmitting infrared signals and said receiver, of each mobile robot, is a photoreceptive element for receiving infrared signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
The mobile robot system of claim 2, wherein said data are in binary, each bit of said data being represented as either an "on" pulse representing a "1" or an "off" pulse representing a "0", and each bit of said data being preceded by an "on" pulse, having a width equal to a width of a bit of data, and being used for synchronization, and each bit of said data being followed by an "off" pulse, having a width equal to the width of a bit of data, and being used for detecting interference.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mobile robot system of claim 2, wherein each mobile robot is capable of moving and stopping arbitrarily.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile robot system of claim 9, wherein said transmitter, of each mobile robot, is a luminous element for transmitting infrared signals and said receiver, of each mobile robot, is a photoreceptive element for receiving infrared signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile robot system of claim 2, wherein said transmitter, of each mobile robot, is a luminous element for transmitting infrared signals and said receiver, of each mobile robot, is a photoreceptive element for receiving infrared signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
The mobile robot system of claim 1, wherein said data are in binary, each bit of said data being represented as either an "on" pulse representing a "1" or an "off" pulse representing a "0", and each bit of said data being preceded by an "on" pulse, having a width equal to a width of a bit of data, and being used for synchronization, and each bit of said data being followed by an "off" pulse, having a width equal to the width of a bit of data, and being used for detecting interference.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mobile robot system of claim 12, wherein each mobile robot is capable of moving and stopping arbitrarily.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile robot system of claim 12, wherein said transmitter, of each mobile robot, is a luminous element for transmitting infrared signals and said receiver, of each mobile robot, is a photoreceptive element for receiving infrared signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mobile robot system of claim 1, wherein each mobile robot is capable of moving and stopping arbitrarily.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile robot system of claim 15, wherein said transmitter, of each mobile robot, is a luminous element for transmitting infrared signals and said receiver, of each mobile robot, is a photoreceptive element for receiving infrared signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile robot system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter, of each mobile robot, is a luminous element for transmitting infrared signals and said receiver, of each mobile robot, is a photoreceptive element for receiving infrared signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The mobile robot system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter, of each mobile robot, includes a plurality of transmitters spaced around a periphery of the mobile robot, and said receiver, of each mobile robot, includes a plurality of receivers spaced around the periphery of the mobile robot.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mobile robot system of claim 18, wherein said plurality of transmitters equals eight and said plurality of receivers equals eight.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mobile robot system of claim 18, wherein each of said plurality of receivers is capable of receiving a data transmission from each of said plurality of transmitters, of another mobile robot.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |