Charging system for mobile robot, method for searching charging station, mobile robot, connector, and electrical connection structure
US6764373B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63H2200/00
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A charging system for a mobile robot includes the mobile robot that is battery-driven and moves in a self-controlled way within a work space, and a charging station for accommodating the mobile robot for a battery charging operation. The charging system includes visible recognition data arranged in a predetermined location of the charging station, an image pickup unit mounted on the mobile robot, a calculating unit for calculating a range and a bearing from the mobile robot to the charging station, based on an image picked up by the image pickup unit, and a searching unit for causing the mobile robot to search for the charging station, based on the calculation result provided by the calculating unit. Since the mobile robot searches for the charging station using a camera for recognizing the visible recognition data, a charging operation is automated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.