Systems for mimicking arm and hand movement

Abstract

An example system includes a manipulation device, a sensor device and a control module. The control module may be configured to receive information from the sensor to accurately control movement of the manipulation device. The control module may also mimick functionality of a human arm and hand to allow a user to perform a variety of tasks that the user usually does with his own arms and hands.

1 . A system comprising:
 a manipulation device;   a sensor device; and   a control module, wherein (i) the control module is configured to receive information from the sensor to accurately control movement of the manipulation device, and (ii) the system mimicks functionality of a human arm and hand to allow a user to perform a variety of tasks that the user usually does with his own arms and hands.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system enhances safety of the user in a hazardous working environment by limiting manual intervention by the user. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system reduces dependency from others of the user living with physical disability. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system increases productivity of the user by assisting the user to perform a physical activity. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the physical activity comprises a housekeeping task selected from the group consisting of toilet cleaning, floor cleaning, dish cleaning, and kitchen cleaning. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the physical activity comprises washing, ironing clothes and folding clothes. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the physical activity comprises maintaining baby and infant hygiene. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the physical activity comprises hand washing. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system reduces or prevents the spread of contagious diseases by protecting the user from contact of human waste while using or maintaining a sanitation apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sanitation apparatus comprises a urinal. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sanitation apparatus comprises a toilet. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sanitation apparatus comprises a sink or a shower. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sanitation apparatus comprises a bathtub. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 a manipulation device configured to be mounted to a body cleaning apparatus, the manipulation device comprising:
 a first arm mechanism, 
 a second arm mechanism, 
 a first articulating joint mechanically coupling the first arm mechanism to the second arm mechanism, 
 a grasping mechanism, and 
   a second articulating joint mechanically coupling the second arm mechanism to the grasping mechanism;   a touch-sensitive detection sensor configured to monitor contact of the manipulation device with an object or a physical environment; and   a control module communicatively coupled to the manipulation device and configured to control the manipulation device to perform:   a first and second cleaning phases to cleanse a user's body; and   a third cleaning phase to cleanse the body cleaning apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the body cleaning apparatus comprises a sink or a shower. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the control module is configured to operate the manipulation device according to a first cleaning phase, wherein during the first cleaning phase the manipulation device is configured to:
 apply a portion of soap onto a body of a user using the grasping mechanism; and   rub the body of the user with the grasping mechanism.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the control module is configured to operate the manipulation device according to a second cleaning phase, wherein during the second cleaning phase the manipulation device is configured to:
 grasp a towel using the grasping mechanism;   position the towel against the user's body using the grasping mechanism;   rub the towel against the body of the user one or more times using the grasping mechanism.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the control module is configured to operate the manipulation device according to a third cleaning phase, wherein during the third cleaning phase the manipulation device is configured to:
 grasp a cleaning tool with the grasping mechanism;   apply a cleaning agent to the cleaning tool; and   drag the cleaning tool one or more times across one or more surfaces of the body cleaning apparatus.