Patent · US Expired

Diagnostic port between independent robots

US6480759B1 · kind B1 · utility

19Cited by
19References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 23, 2000
Grant dateNov 12, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 23, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S707/99948
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An automated storage library structure, a structure of at least one robot operating within the automated storage library, and a method of connecting the robot to test equipment to facilitate testing is disclosed. The robot is operative to move about the automated storage library on a guide structure. The test equipment is disposed in a diagnostics center associated with the automated storage library. Communication between the robot and the diagnostics center may be provided through a main connector, disposed adjacent to the guide structure at a predetermined position and electrically connected to the diagnostics center, and a test connector mounted on the robot's chassis and electrically connected to the robot's electronics. A second robot may be used to support testing of a sick robot. Support includes pushing or pulling a sick robot to the mating connector, providing an alternate communication path between the sick robot and the diagnostics center exclusive of the main connector, and conducting tests on the sick robot in place of the diagnostics center. Test equipment at the diagnostics center may include optical test equipment as well as electrical.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.