Autonomous machine for docking with a docking station and method for docking

Abstract

An autonomous robot is designed for docking in a docking station. The autonomous robot is configured such that it will locate the docking station and dock therein, before its battery power is exhausted. The docking is such that the autonomous robot is automatically charged, such that its batteries will be fully powered for the subsequent operation.

1 . An autonomous robot comprising: 
 a movement system for moving the robot over a surface;    a power system for providing power to the robot, the power system including at least one sensor for detecting power levels;    at least one sensor for detecting at least one signal from a docking station; and    a control system in communication with the movement system, the power system, and the at least one sensor, the control system including a processor programmed to: 
 monitor the power level of the power system;  
 initiate a docking process for the robot to return to the docking station when the power level has fallen to a first a predetermined level;  
 cause the movement system to move the robot for the at least one sensor to detect the at least one signal from the docking station.  
   
   
   
       2 . The robot of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is additionally programmed to: continue the docking process until the power level has fallen to a second predetermined level, the second predetermined level being less than the first predetermined level.  
   
   
       3 . The robot of  claim 2 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: causing the robot to move into contact with the docking station.  
   
   
       4 . The robot of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is additionally programmed to cause the robot to stop if the power level has fallen to at least the second predetermined level.  
   
   
       5 . The robot of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor for detecting at least one signal from the docking station is configured for detecting a docking beam, from the docking station.  
   
   
       6 . The robot of  claim 5 , wherein the processor is additionally programmed to: 
 receive a first signal from the at least one sensor that docking beam has been detected and receiving a second signal from the at least one sensor confirming the detection of the docking beam.    
   
   
       7 . The robot of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a plurality of sensors.  
   
   
       8 . The robot of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sensors include infrared light receivers.  
   
   
       9 . The robot of  claim 1 , additionally comprising: at least one electrical contact in communication with the power system and the control system for contacting at least one corresponding contact on a docking station and receiving electricity therethrough for charging the power system.  
   
   
       10 . The robot of  claim 9 , wherein the power system includes at least one battery.  
   
   
       11 . The robot of  claim 4 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: causing the robot to move toward an obstacle.  
   
   
       12 . The robot of  claim 11 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: causing the robot to move along the obstacle to a point proximate the docking station.  
   
   
       13 . The robot of  claim 12 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: causing the robot to perform at least one wiggle movement toward the docking station.  
   
   
       14 . The robot of  claim 3 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process is additionally programmed to: cause the docking process to terminate and cease movement of the robot when a signal corresponding to a docking contact with a docking station is made.  
   
   
       15 . The robot of  claim 1 , wherein the processor programmed to monitor the power level of the power system includes monitoring battery voltage.  
   
   
       16 . The robot of  claim 1 , configured for vacuum cleaning.  
   
   
       17 . The robot of  claim 1 , configured for lawn mowing.  
   
   
       18 . A docking station for an autonomous robot comprising: at least one transmitter for transmitting a docking signal, the docking signal including at least a first portion of a first range and a second portion of a second range; and at least one contact member configured for receiving a corresponding contact member on a robot in a docking contact.  
   
   
       19 . The docking station of  claim 18 , additionally comprising: a charging system for transporting electricity to the robot when the docking contact is made.  
   
   
       20 . The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the first range is a short range transmission.  
   
   
       21 . The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the second range is a long range transmission.  
   
   
       22 . An autonomous robot comprising: 
 a movement system for moving the robot over a surface;    at least one sensor for detecting a signal for a docking station;    a power system for providing power to the robot, the power system including at least one sensor for detecting power levels; and    a control system in communication with the movement system, the at least one sensor for detecting the docking station signal, and the power system, the control system including a processor programmed to: 
 monitor the power level of the power system;  
 initiate a docking process for the robot to return to a docking station when the power level has fallen to a first a predetermined level; and  
 continue the docking process including:  
 receiving at least one signal from the at least one sensor that a signal for a docking station has been detected; and  
 responding to the received at least one signal by causing the movement system to move the robot toward the docking station.  
   
   
   
       23 . The robot of  claim 22 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: operating the robot until the power level has fallen to a second predetermined level, the second predetermined level being less than the first predetermined level.  
   
   
       24 . The robot of  claim 22 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: causing the robot to move into contact with the docking station.  
   
   
       25 . The robot of  claim 23 , wherein the processor is additionally programmed to cause the robot to stop if the power level has fallen to at least the second predetermined level.  
   
   
       26 . The robot of  claim 22 , wherein the receiving at least one signal includes: receiving a first signal from the at least one sensor that a signal for a docking station has been detected, and receiving a second signal from the at least one sensor confirming the detection of the signal for the docking station.  
   
   
       27 . The robot of  claim 22 , additionally comprising: at least one electrical contact in communication with the power system and the control system for contacting at least one corresponding contact on a docking station and receiving electricity therethrough for charging the power system.  
   
   
       28 . The robot of  claim 22 , wherein the power system includes at least one battery.  
   
   
       29 . The robot of  claim 23 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: causing the movement system of robot to move toward an obstacle.  
   
   
       30 . The robot of  claim 29 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: causing the robot to move along the obstacle to a point proximate the docking station.  
   
   
       31 . The robot of  claim 30 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: causing the robot to perform at least one wiggle movement toward the docking station.  
   
   
       32 . The robot of  claim 24 , wherein the processor programmed to continue the docking process includes: causing the docking process to terminate and cease movement of the robot when a signal corresponding to a docking contact with a docking station is made.  
   
   
       33 . The robot of  claim 22 , wherein the processor programmed to monitor the power level of the power system includes monitoring battery voltage.  
   
   
       34 . The robot of  claim 22 , configured for vacuum cleaning.  
   
   
       35 . The robot of  claim 22 , configured for lawn mowing.  
   
   
       36 . The robot of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a plurality of sensors.  
   
   
       37 . The robot of  claim 36 , wherein the plurality of sensors include infrared light receivers.