Patent · US Active

Self-propelled device implementing three-dimensional control

US9395725B2 · kind B2 · utility

39Cited by
52References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 28, 2015
Grant dateJul 19, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 28, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S901/01
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A self-propelled device can include a spherical housing, an internal drive system, and an inertial measurement unit. The self-propelled device can determine an initial frame of reference for the self-propelled device in a three-dimensional coordinate system. The self-propelled device can further receive control inputs from a controller device, translate the control inputs into commands to maneuver the self-propelled device, and implement the commands on the internal drive system to cause the spherical housing to rotate about each axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system. Utilizing the IMU, the self-propelled device can maintain an awareness of an orientation of the spherical housing relative to the initial frame of reference as the spherical housing rotates about each axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system.

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