The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 1987
Filed:
Feb. 20, 1985
Applicant:
Inventor:
Terry A Perdue, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Assignee:
Heath Company, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F / ; G05D / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
364513 ; 364424 ; 364460 ; 318587 ; 180167 ; 901-1 ; 901 46 ; 901 47 ;
Abstract
An opto/acoustic navigation system allows a mobile robot to detect and mate with a floating plug-equipped charging unit upon detection of the need for recharging of the robot's storage battery. A plurality of infrared (IR) emitters and sensors located on the robot and adjacent to the charger in combination with the robot's acoustic sensors allow the robot to locate the charger, move to within a predetermined distance of the charger, maneuver to a position directly in front of the charger, and then back into engagement with the charger's floating plug.
Published as: