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 robotic system, comprising:
 a robot that includes a camera and a microphone; and,   a control station that controls said robot, said control station includes a speaker that is coupled to said robot microphone and generates a stereophonic sound.   
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein said robot includes a monitor and said control station includes a camera coupled to said monitor. 
   
   
       88 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein said control station includes a monitor that displays information regarding a patient. 
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein said robot includes a mobile platform. 
   
   
       90 . A method for operating a robot, comprising:
 transmitting commands from a control station to a robot that has a camera and a microphone; and,   moving the robot in response to the commands;   capturing sound with the robot microphone;   transmitting the captured sound from the robot to the control station; and,   generating a stereophonic sound from the transmitted captured sound at a control station speaker.   
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 90 , further comprising capturing an image of an operator with a control station camera, transmitting the captured operator image to the robot and displaying the transmitted captured operator image on a robot monitor. 
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 90 , further comprising displaying patient information on a control station monitor.