Robotic toy with posable joints

US6454624B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Xerox Corporation · US

Inventors

• David G. Duff · Woodside, US
• Mark H. Yim · Palo Alto, US
• Samuel B. Homans · Oakland, US
• Kimon Roufas · Mountain View, US
• John Suh · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 24, 2002
• Expiry date: Aug 24, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S414/128
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An assemblage of robotic modules includes a plurality of robotic modules, with each robotic module having memory capability, an actuator, a joint position sensor, and communication means. The assemblage of robotic modules also includes a distributed control unit, which is defined at least in part by a plurality of individual central processing units, with each robotic joint module having at least one central processing unit.