139results about "Control initiation means" patented technology

An autonomous multi-platform robot system (100, 1100) for performing at least one functional task in an environment is provided. The system includes at least one navigator platform (110, 1110) providing mapping, localization, planning, and control functions for itself and at least one other platform within the environment and at least one functional robot platform (120, 1120) in communication with one or more navigator platforms for performing one or more functional tasks. In one embodiment, one or more navigator platforms (1110) are stationary and include sensors (202) for sensing information about the environment. In another embodiment, one or more functional robot platforms (1120) include sensors (304) for sending information about the environment. In still another embodiment, the system includes one or more stationary platforms (124) with sensors (310) for sensing information about the environment.

The present invention is an improvement of methods and systems using mobile and distributed data stream mining algorithms for mining continuously generated data from different components of a vehicle. The system is designed for both on-board and remote mining and management of the data in order to (1) detect the effect of various engine parameters on fuel consumption behavior, (2) predictive classification of driving patterns and associative indexing of driver performance matrix, (3) resource-constrained anomaly detection for onboard health monitoring, (4) vehicle-to-vehicle social networking and distributed data mining, (5) adaptive placement of advertisements based on vehicle performance profile and (6) onboard emissions analytics computation for wireless emissions monitoring and smog test.

An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.

A system for power generation comprises a wing, a turbine, a tether, and a tether tension sensor. The wing is for generating lift. The turbine is coupled to the wing and is used for generating power from rotation of a propeller or for generating thrust using the propeller. One end of the tether is coupled to the wing. The tether tension sensor is for determining a tension of the tether.

Various robotic devices and related medical procedures are disclosed herein. Each of the various robotic devices have an agent delivery component. The devices include mobile robotic devices and fixed base robotic devices as disclosed herein. The agent delivery component can have at least one agent reservoir and a discharge component in fluidic communication with the at least one reservoir.

A method of driving mine vehicles in a mine, and a transport system. A plurality of mine vehicles is arranged in succession and driven in convoy between working areas. A master vehicle in the convoy is driven manually, and slave vehicles follow the master, provided with no mechanical connection. In the working areas, the convoy is disassembled, since single vehicles are each driven separately. When assigned tasks in the working areas have been completed, the vehicles are reassembled into a convoy so as to be driven to a next working area.

A method and apparatus for conducting proximity operations is disclosed. The method called inverser proximity operations includes maneuvering an active vehicle into general proximity to a target vehicle, transmitting from the target vehicle to the active vehicle data representing relative position and velocity between the target vehicle and the active vehicle, and maneuvering the active vehicle in accordance with the data to effect a desired proximity operation. Another method called distributed proximity operations includes maneuvering a carrier vehicle into general proximity to a target vehicle, releasing one or more active vehicles from the carrier vehicle, transmitting from the carrier vehicle to the active vehicle(s) data representing relative position and velocity between the target vehicle and the active vehicle, and maneuvering the active vehicle(s) in accordance with the data to effect a desired proximity operation. The proximity operations are similarly suitable for aeronautical systems, such as when using an active aircraft to re-fuel a target aircraft, such as a drone. Whether for space, air, or other environments, the proximity operations described can be used for re-fueling, repairing, and replacing components and / or systems.

A series type hybrid electric vehicle and method including a generator set having an internal combustion engine and a generator, a battery array and at least one electric motor includes a controller for controlling propulsion of the vehicle. The controller generates a second signal having a value proportional to the value of a first signal, indicative of user demand, and indicative of a demand of the at least one electric motor, determines if the value of the first signal is larger than the value of the second signal, increases the value of a command signal to the at least one electric motor, if the value of the first signal is not larger than the value of the second signal, and decreases the value of the command signal, if the value of the first signal is larger than the value of the second signal.

A method and an electronic search system for operating an automatic device, preferably an automatic lawnmower. The system comprises at least one first electrical cable (1,4,5,6) connected to at least one first signal generator (3,7,8) and at least one sensing system arranged on said device. Said sensing system detects at least one magnetic field being transmitted via said cable (1,4,5,6) and propagating through the air, the sensing system transmitting a processed signal to at least one driving element which contributes to the movements of said device in relation to a surface.

A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a height adjust mechanism disposed on the housing and a height adjust motor, disposed within said housing that controls a height of the height adjust mechanism. A position element is mounted to said housing. A sensor processor, mounted to said housing, is in communication with the position element to provide a signal that relates to a position of the height adjust mechanism based at least in part upon data received from the position element. A controller processor, mounted to said housing, is in communication with the sensor processor for selectively controlling a height of the height adjust mechanism relative to a subjacent surface on which the vacuum cleaner is positioned. A height adjust mechanism height motor controller is in communication with the controller processor, for driving the height adjust motor to locate the height adjust mechanism in an appropriate position relative to the subjacent surface.

A vehicle backward movement assist device includes a vehicle path determining means for determining a path from a current position of the vehicle moved at a moving amount detected by a vehicle moving amount detecting means to a first target position or a second target position, the vehicle path determining means determining the path by repeatedly calculating the path, and a displaying means for displaying an image of a rear view from a captured by an image capturing means, the displaying means superimposing the first or second target position of the vehicle moved based upon the first or second target position and the detected moving amount on the image of the rear view from the vehicle, the second target position calculated by updating the first target position.

Conception introduced for performing powered flight of aircraft by performing work against gravity force, using gliding wing as steady support, namely “flying elevator” conception, and aircraft developed, based on cyclorotor scheme with elaborated steering solution, continuing in flexible handling and control. Said aircraft correctly and optimally implements said conception after presented detailed modeling, simulation and analyzing, having ability for flight with exceptionally high propulsion efficiency, moderate lift to drag ratio and short takeoff and landing. Additionally, it has ability for recuperative descent and deceleration, utilizing direct driving from high torque electrical engines, which can optionally hybridized with combustion engine, and covers speed range up to limits of subsonic flight.

The present disclosure relates to an arrangement and an electronic navigational control system for a self-propelling device (5), preferably a lawn-mowing robot. The system comprises at lease one navigational control system (3) connected to at least one signal generator (1) and a sensing unit arranged at the self-propelling device (5). The sensing unit senses at least one, in the air medium propagating, time and space varying magnetic field, at least transmitted via the navigational control station (3) and in turn retransmits at least one signal processed by the unit to at least one driving source which contributes to the device's movements across the surface. The system comprises structure by which the signal generator (1) sends a current through the navigational control station (3), the current generating the time and space varying magnetic field, whereby the sensing unit comprises structure by which the device (5) is maneuvered based on the properties of the sensed magnetic field.

A robot control apparatus allows a plurality of mobile robots to carry out tasks at a reduced or minimized cost as a whole with consideration given to costs derived from an encounter with an obstacle is provided. An action optimization controller provided in the robot control apparatus generates an instruction for optimizing actions of the plurality of mobile robots so that the plurality of mobile robots carry out the tasks at a minimized cost, based upon locomotion plan information indicative of locomotion plans of the plurality of mobile robots. A possibility that any robots have an encounter with an obstacle is determined by comparing distances from the robots to the obstacles. A locomotion plan implementation cost is calculated with consideration given to the possibility of encounter, and thus an optimum route is selected based upon the locomotion plan implementation cost with the encounter-derived cost. In accordance with the optimum route, the locomotion plan for the robot is modified.

A flight control system for an aircraft, intended for controlling a plurality of actuators adapted for actuating control surfaces of the aircraft from information supplied by piloting members and / or sensors of the aircraft. The system includes a primary control system adapted for controlling a first set of control surface actuators and a secondary control system adapted for controlling a second set of control surface actuators, the primary and secondary systems being respectively powered by independent energy sources of different types.

An electric power management system of a vehicle may interconnect a power plant, a propeller drive unit, and a battery via a bus. A controller may direct the operation of the power plant and the propeller drive unit. In a slow control mode, the propeller drive unit may react slowly to small throttle change requests. In the slow control mode, the propeller drive unit may draw power completely or substantially from the power plant. Upon a throttle request to rapidly change propeller drive unit speed more than a threshold amount, the controller may direct that the propeller drive unit quickly obtain the requested speed by drawing power required from the battery in excess of that being generated from the power plant. Subsequently, the controller may direct that the power plant increase power generation to maintain the propeller drive unit at the new speed, and recharge or float the battery.

A vehicle backward movement assist device includes a vehicle path determining means for determining a path from a current position of the vehicle moved at a moving amount detected by a vehicle moving amount detecting means to a first target position or a second target position, the vehicle path determining means determining the path by repeatedly calculating the path, and a displaying means for displaying an image of a rear view from a captured by an image capturing means, the displaying means superimposing the first or second target position of the vehicle moved based upon the first or second target position and the detected moving amount on the image of the rear view from the vehicle, the second target position calculated by updating the first target position.

A method and apparatus for at least semi-autonomously controlling a vehicle so as to avoid collisions are provided. A sensor is utilized to scan an area proximate the vehicle for a potential object of collision. The apparatus calculates navigational states of the potential object of collision relative to the vehicle to determine that the vehicle is on a course to enter within a predetermined miss distance relative to the potential object of collision. The apparatus alters the course of the vehicle based on the calculated navigational states.

Provided are a method and apparatus for ensuring a cleaning robot to return to a charge station. The method includes the steps of: (a) measuring a battery usable time, a running speed, and an actual return distance of a cleaning robot during a cleaning operation; (b) calculating an allowable return distance on the basis of the battery usable time and the running speed; (c) comparing the actual return distance with the allowable return distance; and (d) returning the cleaning robot to the charge station when the actual return distance is larger than the allowable return distance as a result of the comparison. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cleaning robot from being not returned to the charge station, thereby providing convenience to a user.