140results about "Control initiation means" patented technology

A robot cleaner, a system thereof, and a method for controlling the same. The robot cleaner system includes a robot cleaner that performs a cleaning operation while communicating wirelessly with an external device. The robot cleaner has a plurality of proximity switches arranged in a row on a lower portion of the cleaner body. A guiding plate is disposed in the floor of the work area, the guiding plate having metal lines formed in a predetermined pattern, the metal lines being detectible by the proximity switches. Since the recognition of the location and the determination of traveling trajectory of the cleaner within a work area becomes easier, performance of the robot cleaner is enhanced, while a burden of having to process algorithms is lessened.

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.

A self-propelled robot is disclosed for movement over a surface to be treated. The robot has a power supply and a pair of wheels driven by motors for moving the robot over the surface. A mechanism is provided for controllably depositing a fluent material on to the surface. Navigation sensors provide signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the surface and one or more detectors detect the presence of the material on the surface and provide signals indicative of its presence. A control system receives the signals from the sensors and detectors and controls the motors and the depositing mechanism in dependence upon the signals received from the sensors and detectors.

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.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a robotic system for systematically moving about an area to be covered. The system includes at least one boundary marker (48) located along the outer edge of the area to be covered, a robot (40) with a navigation system (41) and a sensor unit (43). The navigation system (41) navigates the robot (40) in generally straight, parallel lines from an initial location and turns the robot (40) when the robot (40) encounters one of the boundary markers (48), thereby to systematically move about the area to be covered. The sensor unit (43) senses proximity to one of the at least one boundary marker (48).

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 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 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.

A device, method, computer program and computer readable medium allowing for vehicle to vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure communication. An ignition key radio technology may used in addition to WLAN-based communication in a vehicle in order to communicate with other vehicles or infrastructure. The ignition key radio technology is used to send only selected data which have been altered significantly. The remaining data are not sent or kept for the WLAN communication.

Morphing an aerodynamic body's geometry in situ can optimize its aerodynamic properties, increasing range, reducing fuel consumption, and improving many performance parameters. The aerodynamic load exerted on the body by the flow is one such parameter, typically characterized as lift or drag. It is the aim of the present disclosure to teach the use of passive adaptive morphing structures to manage these aerodynamic loads.

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.

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 method of calibrating a vision based robotic system. The method includes engaging a calibration pin with a robotic tool and moving the calibration pin to a calibration block that includes at least one set of optical sensors having an optical transmitter to transmit an optical beam and an optical receiver to receive the optical beam. Further, the transmitted optical beam includes a center point. The method further includes: moving the calibration pin to the center point of the transmitted optical beam; determining a calibration pin center position relative to the robotic tool; and commanding a machine vision assembly having a camera to capture an image of a plurality of camera reading points of the calibration block and to determine a camera center 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.

In a vehicle backward movement assisting apparatus for in-line parking, at a stop position of a vehicle, a seesaw switch is manipulated until an in-line guide line is superimposed on a target point which is a corner of a frame of a parking space, and a steering wheel is turned until the vehicle space mark is superimposed on the parking space, and the vehicle is moved backward while the steering angle of the steering wheel is held. When an eye mark is superimposed on the parking space, the vehicle is stopped, and the steering angle of the steering wheel is made maximum and the vehicle is moved backward, to thereby complete the in-line parking at the parking space.

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.

Pilot health monitoring systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided. A pilot health monitoring system is configured to collect information regarding the pilot's physiological and / or physical characteristics, and information regarding a state of the aircraft; analyze the information; determine a health condition of the pilot and / or a state of the aircraft; and / or provide warnings and / or commands as a function of the information.

In the vehicle of the invention, when the temperature of an inverter 42 for driving a motor MG2 linked to front wheels 62a and 62b reaches or exceeds a preset restriction start temperature, the drive control of the invention controls the inverters 42 and 43 to gradually decrease the output torque of the motor MG2 simultaneously with a gradual increase in output torque of a motor MG3, which is linked to rear wheels 64a and 64b. Such torque control ensures output of a torque demand required for the vehicle. When the temperature of the inverter 42 reaches or exceeds a preset frequency switchover temperature, which is higher than the restriction start temperature, the drive control of the invention controls the inverters 42 and 43 to lower a switching frequency of transistors T1 to T6 in the inverter 42 and to ensure output of the torque demand. Such drive control effectively relieves the load of the inverter 42, while decreasing the frequency of lowering the switching frequency of the inverter 42. This arrangement thus desirably attains both prevention of overheat of the inverter 42 and reduces the switching noise.

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.