Method and apparatus for docking a robotic device with a charging station

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 8352114
APP PUB NO 20120296511A1
SERIAL NO

13112537

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Abstract

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A docking system includes a mobile robotic device and a charging station to which the robotic device is to dock. The robotic device is comprised of sensors to capture a homing signal emitted by the charging station, docking logic that processes the homing signal so that it can be used to control the movements of the robotic device towards and dock with the charging station, and it is comprised of a mechanism for receiving a cylindrical charging post. The charging station is comprised of a circular platform in the center of which is located the charging post that is generally cylindrical in shape. The charging post includes a charging contact, ground contacts and an IR emitter. The geometry of the receiver mechanism elements and the shape of the charging post and geometry of the charging station generally permits the robotic device to approach the charging station and to dock with the charging station from any angle.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
NVIDEON INC3170 SUGARPLUM ROAD ATLANTA GA 30345

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Johnston, David Westford, US 140 3344
More, Grinnell Nashua, US 13 469
Root, Timothy Nashua, US 10 180
Wolber, Barret Franklin, US 4 65

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