Patent US529532A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6507773B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-functional robot with remote and video system
Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLC
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Filing: 2001-06-14
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Granted: 2003-01-14
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Expires: 2021-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A robot which incorporates a body, two arms, two legs, several sensors, an audio system, a light assembly, and a video device. The sensors located throughout the body of the robot combined with an edge detection sensor allows the robot to interact with objects in the room, and prevents the robot from traveling off an edge or bumping into obstacles. The audio system allows the robot to detect and transmit sounds. The video device allows a user to remotely view the area in front of the robot. Additionally, the robot may operate in a plurality of modes which allow the robot to operate autonomously. The robot may operate autonomously in an automatic mode, a security mode, a greet mode, and a monitor mode. Further, the robot can be manipulated remotely.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew J. Parker
- 👤 Edward C. McKinney, Jr.
- 👤 Tristan M. Christianson
- 👤 Richard J. Thalheimer
- 👤 Shek Fai Lau
- 👤 Mark Duncan
- 👤 Charles E. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06N; G06N3/00; G06N3/004; G06N3/008; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S294/00; Y10S294/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot, the robot comprising: a body; at least one arm connected with the body, whereby said arm may be positioned in a plurality of positions, and further contains a hand-grip device; at least one leg connected with the body, whereby each said leg contains a drive mechanism to move the robot; a plurality of sensors to identify obstacles in front of the robot, thus allowing the robot to interact with objects in the vicinity of the robot and further to prevent the robot from traveling off an edge; at least one audio system to detect and transmit sound, whereby the audio system contains a memory element to store vocabulary; a light assembly for illuminating an area in front of the robot; at least one video device to allow a user to remotely view an area in front of the robot; whereby the robot may operate in a plurality of modes; and whereby a user may remotely manipulate the robot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot, the robot comprising: a body; at least one arm connected with the body, whereby said arm may be positioned in a plurality of positions, and further contains a hand-grip device; at least one leg connected with the body, whereby each said leg contains a drive mechanism to move the robot; a plurality of sensors to identify obstacles in front of the robot, thus allowing the robot to interact with objects in the vicinity of the robot and further to prevent the robot from traveling off an edge; at least one audio system to detect and transmit sound, whereby the audio system contains a memory element to store vocabulary; a light assembly for illuminating an area in front of the robot; at least one video device to allow a user to remotely view an area in front of the robot; whereby the robot may operate in a plurality of modes; and whereby a user may remotely manipulate the robot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 1 , whereby the plurality of sensors includes at least one of the following: an ambient light sensor, an active infrared sensor, a passive infrared sensor, a motor sensor, a tilt sensor and an edge sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 2 , whereby the ambient light sensor determines if an ambient area is below a minimum threshold so that an infrared mode of the video device may be activated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 2 , whereby the robot contains a plurality of infrared sensors to identify obstacles or edges in front of the robot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 4 , whereby the robot contains three stationary emitters located on each leg of the robot and one sensor which rotates located on the front of the body of the robot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 5 , whereby a signal receiving device is located on the front of the robot's body to receive emitted infrared signals from the stationary infrared emitters located on each leg of the robot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 5 , whereby the sensor that rotates is a passive infrared sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 2 , whereby the motor sensor senses current surges to motors located within the body of the robot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 2 , whereby the tilt sensor indicates that the robot is not standing upright.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 2 , whereby the edge sensor senses that the robot is proximate to an edge of a surface, thus preventing the robot from traveling off an edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 1 , whereby the drive mechanism located in each leg can move the robot forward, reverse, left and right in both forward and reverse directions, and can further spin the robot in place.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 1 , whereby each arm can rotate incrementally to a pre-set serving position or may rotate continuously.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 1 , whereby the hand grip device of each arm allows the robot to grip and hold objects.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 13 , whereby the hand-grip device will not apply more than five pounds pressure to an object held by the hand-grip device to avoid damaging the object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 1 , whereby the robot's body further contains a mouth and a rotatable platform, both covered by a protective surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 15 , whereby the rotatable platform contains the video device and at least two eyes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 15 , whereby the mouth is comprised of a plurality of lights, such that the lights may be activated to convey multiple expressions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 15 , whereby the mode settings includes a remote control mode, a monitor mode, an automatic mode, a security mode, a greet mode and a demonstration mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 18 , whereby when the automatic mode is selected, the robot will begin moving the use the active infrared emitters to avoid obstacles, while occasionally turning the rotatable platform toward a detected object and speaking.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 18 , whereby when the security mode is selected, the robot stand still and when a microphone on the robot detects noise, the rotatable platform turns toward the noise source and a passive infrared sensor begins to scan.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 20 , whereby if a heat source is detected, the robot turns on a headlight and makes an announcement from a security vocabulary, and further sends an alarm signal to a remote control device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 18 , whereby when the greet mode is selected, the robot scans with a passive infrared sensor to search for a detectable object.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 22 , whereby if a heat source is detected, the robot turns the rotatable platform toward the source and makes an announcement from a greeting vocabulary.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 18 , whereby when the demonstration mode is selected, the robot enters a demonstration routine of sounds and motions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 18 , whereby when the remote control mode is selected, the robot is manipulated by a remote control device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 18 , whereby when the monitor mode is selected, the drive mechanism of the robot is disabled so that the robot cannot move, and further allows the robot to transmit audio and video signals to a remote control device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 15 , whereby the rotatable platform can rotate approximately 135° to the left and right from a center position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 1 , whereby the user may remotely manipulate the robot through a remote control device or the Internet.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A multi-function remote controlled robot according to claim 1 , whereby the body can tilt approximately 180° forward and 30° rearward.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
94 words
A remote control device to control a robot, the remote control device comprising: a locomotion control device; a video display for remotely viewing objects in front of the robot; a plurality of controls to manipulate the robot; at least one microphone so that a user may speak at the remote control device, wherein the user's voice is transmitted from the robot; at least one speaker so that a user can monitor sounds surrounding the robot; and whereby a transmitter/receiver located on the remote control device sends and receives signals required to operate the robot.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
94 words
A remote control device to control a robot, the remote control device comprising: a locomotion control device; a video display for remotely viewing objects in front of the robot; a plurality of controls to manipulate the robot; at least one microphone so that a user may speak at the remote control device, wherein the user's voice is transmitted from the robot; at least one speaker so that a user can monitor sounds surrounding the robot; and whereby a transmitter/receiver located on the remote control device sends and receives signals required to operate the robot.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
A remote control device according to claim 30 , whereby the locomotion control device is a joystick, with a height suitable for use with a single thumb of a user.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
A remote control device according to claim 31 , whereby the joystick has eight compass points to translate to motion of the robot, the eight encompass points including left forward, straight forward, right forward, spin left, spin right, left backward, straight backward and right backward.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
A remote control device according to claim 32 , whereby when any forward position of the joystick is engaged for more than three seconds, the robot will increase speed in the direction engaged.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
A remote control device according to claim 30 , whereby the plurality of controls enable: moving the robot; tilting a body; rotating and locking arms; activating a hand grip; adjusting an intensity of lights; turning a rotatable platform; voice control; mode settings; and volume control.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
A remote control device according to claim 34 , whereby one of the plurality of controls allows a user to tilt the body an between approximately 180° forward and 30° rearward.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
A remote control device according to claim 34 , whereby one of the plurality of controls allows a user to rotate the rotatable platform between approximately 135° left and right of center.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
A remote control device according to claim 34 , whereby the volume control allows a user to adjust the volume of a speaker located on the robot.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
A remote control device according to claim 34 , whereby the mode settings include a remote control mode, a monitor mode, an automatic mode, a security mode, a greet mode and a demonstration mode, each of which can be selected using the remote control device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
48 words
A remote control device according to claim 38 , whereby when the automatic mode is selected by a user of the remote control device, the robot will begin moving and use its sensors to avoid obstacles, while occasionally turning the rotatable platform toward a detected object and speaking.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
53 words
A remote control device according to claim 28 , whereby when the security mode is selected by a user of the remote control device, the robot stands still and when a microphone on the robot detects noise, the rotational platform turns toward the noise source and a passive infrared sensor begins to scan.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
45 words
A remote control device according to claim 40 , whereby if a heat source is detected, the robot turns on at least one oft he lights and makes an announcement from a security vocabulary, and further sends an alarm signal to the remote control device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
38 words
A remote control device according to claim 38 , whereby when the greet mode is selected by a user of the remote control device, the robot scans with a passive infrared sensor to search for a detectable object.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
A remote control device according to claim 42 , whereby if a heat source is detected, the robot turns the rotatable platform toward the source and makes an announcement from a greeting vocabulary.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
A remote control device according to claim 38 , whereby when the demonstration mode is selected by a user of the remote control device, the robot enters a demonstration routine of sounds and motions.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
A remote control device according to claim 38 , whereby when the remote control mode is selected by a user of the remote control device, the robot is manipulated by the remote control device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
54 words
A remote control device according to claim 38 , whereby when the monitor mode is selected by a user of the remote control device, a drive mechanism of the robot is disabled so that the robot cannot move, and further allows the robot to transmit audio and video signals to the remote control device.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
44 words
A remote control device according to claim 34 , whereby the remote control device allows a user to remotely rotate the arms of the robot incrementally to a pre-set serving position, and further allows a user to rotate the arms of the robot continuously.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
33 words
A remote control device according to claim 34 , whereby the remote control device allows a user to remotely open and close the hand grip of the robot to grip and hold objects.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
56 words
A remote control device according to claim 34 , whereby the remote control device allows a user to remotely adjust the intensity of the lights of the robot to illuminate an area in front of the robot, thus allowing a user to view objects via the video display that would not be visible without additional lighting.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
A remote control device according to claim 49 , whereby the remote control device allows a user to set the lights to a momentary, high, low and off setting.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
A remote control device according to claim 34 , whereby the voice control scrambles the user's voice before transmitting the user's voice to the robot.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
A remote control device according to claim 30 , whereby the remote control device may separately manipulate two robots simultaneously.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
A remote control device according to claim 30 , whereby the transmitter/receiver operates at two separate frequencies.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
39 words
A remote control device according to claim 53 , whereby the signals from the robot to the remote control device travel at 2.4 GHz, and the signals from the remote control device to the robot travel at 900 MHz.
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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) | 2006-01-13 | 2006-07-15 | 2007-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | 2011-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-13 | 2014-07-15 | 2015-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |