Medical tele-robotic system

Abstract

A robotic system that includes a remote controlled robot. The robot may include a camera, a monitor and a holonomic platform all attached to a robot housing. The robot may be controlled by a remote control station that also has a camera and a monitor. The remote control station may be linked to a base station that is wirelessly coupled to the robot. The cameras and monitors allow a care giver at the remote location to monitor and care for a patient through the robot. The holonomic platform allows the robot to move about a home or facility to locate and/or follow a patient.

1 - 85 . (canceled) 
   
   
       86 . A robot system that communicates through a broadband network, comprising:
 a robot that has a camera and a monitor, said robot generates at least one robot status command that is transmitted through the broadband network;   a remote station that has a camera and a monitor, said remote station generates at least one control command that is transmitted through the broadband network, and receives the status command from said robot; and,   an arbitrator that control access to said remote station.   
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the robot status and control commands are transmitted through the broadband network in a TCP format. 
   
   
       88 . A robot system, comprising:
 a broadband network;   a robot that has a camera and a monitor, said robot generates at least one robot status command that is transmitted through said broadband network;   a remote station that has a camera and a monitor, said remote station generates at least one control command that is transmitted through said broadband network, and receives the reporting command from said robot; and,   an arbitrator that controls access to said remote station.   
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 88 , wherein the robot status and control commands are transmitted through said broadband network in a TCP format. 
   
   
       90 . A method for controlling a robot through a broadband network, comprising:
 generating at least one control command at a remote station that has a camera and a monitor;   transmitting the control command through a broadband network;   receiving the control command at a robot that has a camera and a monitor;   generating at least one robot status command at the robot;   transmitting the robot status command through the broadband network;   receiving the robot status command at the remote station; and,   arbitrating access to the robot.   
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein the reporting and control commands are transmitted through the broadband network in a TCP format.