ROBOT SYSTEM THAT OPERATES THROUGH A NETWORK FIREWALL
A remote controlled robot system that includes a robot and a remote control station that communicate through a communication network. Communication with the robot is limited by a firewall coupled to the communication network. A communication server establishes communication between the robot and the remote control station so that the station can send commands to the robot through the firewall.
1 . A remote controlled robot system that is coupled to a communication network by a firewall, comprising:
a remote control station that transmits a robot control command;
a robot that is coupled to the communication network by the firewall, the robot including a camera and a monitor, the camera is configured to move in response to the control command;
a communication server that establishes a communication between the remote control station and the robot through the firewall.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication server instructs the remote control station and the robot to transmit information to each other.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the robot periodically polls the communication server.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication server allows communication between the remote control station and the robot for a designated time period.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the remote control station and the robot communicate with UDP packets.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the robot control command is sent to the communication server from the remote control station, and then retransmitted from the communication server to the robot.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the robot includes a camera and a monitor that move together in at least two degrees of freedom.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the robot includes a camera that moves in accordance with a closed loop control scheme.
9 . A remote controlled robot system that is coupled to a communication network, comprising:
a remote control station that transmits a robot control command;
a robot that includes a monitor and a camera, the camera is configured in response to the robot control command;
a communication server that establishes a communication between the remote control station and the robot for a designated time period.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the communication server instructs the remote control station and the robot to transmit information to at least one designated port of the communication server.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the robot periodically polls the communication server.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the remote control station and the robot communicate with UDP packets.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the robot control command is sent to the communication server from the remote control station, and then retransmitted from the communication server to the robot.
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the robot includes a camera and a monitor that move together in at least two degrees of freedom.
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the robot includes a camera that moves in accordance with a closed loop control scheme.
16 . A method for remotely controlling a robot that has a camera and a monitor, and being coupled to a communication network by a firewall, comprising:
establishing a communication between the robot and a remote control station through the firewall;
transmitting robot control commands from the remote control station to the robot; and,
moving the robot in accordance with the robot control command.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the robot periodically polls a communication server that establishes the communication between the robot and the remote control station.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the communication between the remote control station and the robot is limited to a designated time period.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the robot control command is sent to a communication server from the remote control station, and then retransmitted from the communication server to the robot.
20 . A communication server for controlling communication to a robot controlled by a remote control station through a communication network, communication between the robot and the communication network being controlled by a firewall, comprising:
a communication server with at least one processor and software that establish a communication between the remote control station and the robot.