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 method for recharging a mobile robot, comprising:
 moving a mobile robot that has a cameral and a microphone in response to instruction provided by a remote control station; and,   moving the mobile robot to a battery recharging station.   
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the mobile robot moves autonomously. 
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 87 , further comprising sensing when a battery power falls below a threshold level before autonomously moving the mobile robot. 
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 86 , further comprising transmitting an image of a user from the remote control station to a monitor of the mobile robot. 
   
   
       90 . The method of  claim 86 , further comprising wirelessly recharging the mobile robot. 
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 86 , further comprising recharging the mobile robot by direct contact with a power source. 
   
   
       92 . A robot system, comprising:
 a remote station that provides robot instructions;   a battery recharging station; and,   a mobile robot that moves in response to said robot instructions and moves to said battery recharging station.   
   
   
       93 . The system of  claim 92 , wherein said mobile robot moves autonomously. 
   
   
       94 . The system of  claim 92 , wherein said mobile robot autonomously moves the robot. 
   
   
       95 . The system of  claim 92 , wherein said mobile robot includes a monitor that is coupled to a camera of said remote control station. 
   
   
       96 . The system of  claim 92 , wherein said battery recharging station recharges said mobile robot wirelessly. 
   
   
       97 . The system of  claim 92 , wherein said battery recharging station recharges said mobile robot through direct contact. 
   
   
       98 . The system of  claim 92 , further comprising a broadband network that couples said remote control station to said mobile robot. 
   
   
       99 . The system of  claim 95 , wherein said monitor and said camera move together in at least two degrees of freedom.