Managing limited safe mode operations of a robotic vehicle

US10671067B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• QUALCOMM Incorporated · US

Inventors

• William Henry Von Novak, III · San Diego, US
• Vincent Kemler · San Diego, US
• Cody Burton Wheeland · San Diego, US
• Layne Thomas · Coronado, US
• Courtney Cooley · Poway, US
• Donald Bolden Hutson · San Diego, US
• Mark S. Caskey · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 15, 2018
• Grant date: Jun 2, 2020
• Expiry date: Oct 14, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T70/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments include devices and methods for maintaining control of a robotic vehicle when control signals from a main controller are lost. A detector circuit may monitor signals from the main controller to an electronic speed controller (ESC) to detect a loss of valid control signals. The detector circuit may cause an auxiliary controller to begin issuing motor control signals to the ESC in response to detecting a loss of valid control signals. The auxiliary controller may be configured to issue motor control signals to the ESC according to a pre-loaded set of motor control instructions. The pre-loaded set of motor control instructions may be received from the main controller and/or may be configured to cause the auxiliary controller to issue motor control signals to the ESC that control motors in a manner that causes the robotic vehicle to enter a safe mode of operation or execute a particular maneuver.