Method for overcoming obstructions of a robotic device

Abstract

Provided is a method for a robotic device to autonomously overcome obstructions hindering the operational capacity of the robotic device. When a robotic device encounters an obstruction, the robotic device may enact one of a number of predetermined responses to overcome the obstruction without requiring the intervention of an outside entity to assist the robotic device with overcoming the obstruction.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for a robotic device to overcome obstructions hindering the operations of the robotic device, the method comprising:
 providing a robotic device, the robotic device comprising:
 one or more processors; 
 a chassis including a set of wheels; 
 a motor for driving the set of wheels; 
 a rechargeable battery for providing power to the robotic device; 
 a control system module for controlling the movement of the robotic device; 
 a set of sensors; 
 a screen with graphical user interface; and 
 a motor for providing increased power to modules of the robotic device when the modules become obstructed; 
   the robotic device encountering an obstruction; and   the robotic device autonomously enacting one or more predetermined responses to attempt to overcome the obstruction.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a wheel of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is to provide additional power to the wheel by a motor of the robotic device to overcome the obstruction by spinning at a higher rotational speed.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a wheel of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is for the wheel to reverse direction for overcoming the obstruction and the robotic device thereby navigates in a reverse direction for overcoming the obstruction.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the wheels of the robotic device are omnidirectional wheels, and as such when they become obstructed, the predetermined response is for the wheels to turn in order to navigate the robotic device in a direction such that the wheels become unobstructed.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a side brush of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is that the side brush reverses the direction it is spinning in for overcoming the obstruction.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a side brush of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is to provide additional power to the side brush by a motor of the robotic device to overcome the obstruction by spinning at a higher rotational speed.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a side brush of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is for the robotic device to navigate in a predetermined direction in order to overcome the obstruction.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a wheel of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is to provide additional power to the wheel by a motor of the robotic device to overcome the obstruction by spinning at a higher rotational speed.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a main brush of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is to provide additional power to the main brush by a motor of the robotic device to overcome the obstruction by spinning at a higher rotational speed.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a main brush of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is for the main brush to reverse the direction it is spinning in for overcoming the obstruction.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a main brush of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is for the robotic device to navigate in a predetermined direction in order to overcome the obstruction.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a comb with a serrated edge is provided on the main brush of the robotic device, a motor providing power to the comb with serrated edge such that the comb with serrated edge navigates along the surface of the main brush by sliding over it.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 when the main brush becomes entangled with an obstruction along the bristles of the main brush, the predetermined response is for the comb with serrated edge to navigate along the surface of the main brush such that the serrated edges of the comb slice through and free away the obstruction.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a vacuuming module of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is for a motor to provide additional power to the module such that a higher rate of suction is achieved in order to overcome the obstruction.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a vacuuming module of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the predetermined response is for the module to reverse the airflow such that the module is blowing air in order to overcome the obstruction.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when a robotic device encounters an obstruction of which the robotic device is unable to overcome, the robotic device makes an alert by any of: generating a sound, generating an audio message, via a message of a screen with graphical user interface of the robotic device, via an application with graphical user interface of a communications device, or by display of a light.   
     
     
         17 . A system wherein a robotic device overcomes an obstruction, the system comprising:
 providing a robotic device, the robotic device comprising:
 one or more processors; 
 a chassis including a set of wheels; 
 a motor for driving the set of wheels; 
 a rechargeable battery for providing power to the robotic device; 
 a control system module for controlling the movement of the robotic device; 
 a set of sensors; 
 a screen with graphical user interface; and 
 a motor for providing increased power to modules of the robotic device when the modules become obstructed; 
   
       The robotic device encountering an obstruction; and 
       the robotic device autonomously enacting one or more predetermined responses to overcome the obstruction. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein when a wheel of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the response of the robotic device is any of: providing additional power to the wheel by a motor of the robotic device, reversing the direction in which the wheel spins, the robotic device navigating in a direction other than the direction in which the robotic device was navigating when the wheel of the robotic device became obstructed. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein when a main brush of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the response of the robotic device is any of: providing additional power to the main brush by a motor of the robotic device, reversing the direction in which the main brush spins, operating a comb with serrated edge along the surface of the main brush such that the comb with serrated edge dislodges any obstruction from the main brush. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein when a side brush of the robotic device becomes obstructed, the response of the robotic device is any of: providing additional power to the main brush by a motor of the robotic device, reversing the direction in which the main brush spins, operating a comb with serrated edge along the surface of the main brush such that the comb with serrated edge dislodges any obstruction from the main brush.