Method and device for accommodating items
A device and method are provided, the method including providing a device capable of at least semi-autonomous operation and enabling the device to autonomously gather at least one item and secure that item against unauthorized access while providing selective authorized access to the item while the item is in possession of the device.
1. A method for transporting an item, comprising:
receiving the item with a self-contained, autonomous mobile robot at a second node of a pneumatic conveying system, the item received within a compartment of the mobile robot, wherein the item was transported by the pneumatic conveying system from a first node of the pneumatic conveying system to the second node of the pneumatic conveying system;
autonomously securing the item within the compartment of the mobile robot using a security system of the mobile robot to prevent unauthorized access to the secured item, wherein the security system includes a lock configured to prevent unauthorized access to the item within the compartment of the mobile robot;
autonomously moving the mobile robot and the item secured within the compartment of the mobile robot from a pickup location to a drop off location using a drive system of the mobile robot, the mobile robot configured for independent navigation between the pickup location and the drop off location without need for physical or electromechanical guidance devices in an operating environment within which the mobile robot moves between the pickup location and the drop off location;
autonomously communicating at least one signal between the mobile robot and a mobile robot docking station at the drop off location, wherein the at least one signal communicates at least one security criteria between the mobile robot and the docking station in order to enable transferring of the item from the mobile robot to the docking station; and
autonomously transferring the item from the compartment of the mobile robot to a compartment of the docking station in response to the at least one signal communicated between mobile robot and the docking station;
the docking station configured to autonomously secure the item within the compartment of the docking station using a security system of the docking station to prevent unauthorized access to the secured item, and the security system including a lock configured to prevent unauthorized access to the item within the compartment of the docking station.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the item is capable of being moved from the first node of the pneumatic conveying system to the drop off location without requiring an intended recipient of the item to be at the second node of the pneumatic conveying system at a specific time to give the item to the mobile robot or requiring the intended recipient of the item to be at the drop off location at a specific time to obtain the item from the mobile robot.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the autonomously transferring comprises autonomously delivering the item to the docking station using a manipulator system of the mobile robot.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the autonomously transferring further comprises autonomously receiving the item from the mobile robot using a loading system of the docking station.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the autonomously transferring comprises autonomously receiving the item from the mobile robot using a loading system of the docking station.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wirelessly communicating comprises sending the at least one signal from the mobile robot to the docking station to communicate the at least one security criteria from the mobile robot to the docking station.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wirelessly communicating comprises sending the at least one signal from the docking station to the mobile robot to communicate the at least one security criteria from the docking station to the mobile robot.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile robot includes a cabinet with an automated door, the compartment in which the item is secured is located within the cabinet, and the receiving of the item comprises opening the automated door using an actuator of the mobile robot.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile robot includes a cabinet with an automated drawer, the compartment in which the item is secured is located within the drawer, and the receiving of the item comprises opening the automated drawer using an actuator of the mobile robot.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising operating the docking station to provide an intended recipient of the item access to the secured item upon receiving at least one security criteria from the intended recipient of the item.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one security criteria is indicative of a unique biological characteristic of the intended recipient of the item.