Automated battery and data delivery system

摘要

Systems and methods are provided that use a mobile robotic device to transport rechargeable batteries between a base station, which charges the batteries, and a battery operated device, such as battery powered kiosk or signage system, which uses a charged battery as a power source. After traveling to a battery operated device, the mobile robotic device removes any discharged batteries from the battery operated device and installs a charged battery. The mobile robotic device then travels to the base station and attaches the discharged battery to the base station for recharging. The mobile robotic device may be configured to perform other transfers, such as data transfers and paper transfers. In addition, the mobile robotic device may be configured to perform a photographic and spatial survey of the isles, retail shelves, and surrounding environment for various purposes, such as generating three-dimensional store models and remote viewing.

主权项

1. An automated battery exchange system for exchanging a discharged battery coupled to a battery operated device with a charged battery, comprising:
a battery operated device positioned within an operating environment characterized by areas accessible to retail customers, the battery operated device comprising a display for presenting data to one or more retail customers in the operating environment and a rechargeable battery for powering the battery operated device; a base station remotely located from the battery operated device, the base station electrically coupled to a power source and configured to charge a discharged rechargeable battery to provide a charged rechargeable battery; and an autonomous mobile robotic device comprising:
a transportation system for moving the autonomous mobile robotic device between the battery operated device and the base station,a storage platform for supporting a set of rechargeable batteries that includes at least one charged battery, anda battery exchange system configured to:
autonomously decouple from the battery operated device the discharged rechargeable battery and include it as a discharged member of the set of rechargeable batteries supported on the storage platform,autonomously couple to the battery operated device the at least one charged battery from the set of rechargeable batteries supported on the storage platform,autonomously decouple from the base station the charged rechargeable battery, andautonomously couple to the base station the discharged member of the set of rechargeable batteries supported on the storage platform, wherein the autonomous mobile robotic device is configured to travel between the battery operated device and the base station so that the battery exchange system can autonomously exchange the discharged rechargeable battery from the battery operated device with the at least one charged battery from the set of rechargeable batteries supported on the storage platform after the autonomous mobile robotic device travels to the battery operated device and autonomously exchange the charged rechargeable battery from the base station with the discharged member of the set of rechargeable batteries supported on the storage platform after the autonomous mobile robotic device travels to the base station.