IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,089,084
Granted Patent B2
US 7,089,084 · App. 10/447,075 · Granted Aug 8, 2006

Search robot system

Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,089,084
App. No.
10/447,075
Granted
Aug 8, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A search robot system first divides the entire area of disaster into a mesh cell of an appropriate size, and arranges a search robot for each mesh cell. A search is made for a route of travel from an outermost mesh cell to a casualty and to an adjacent mesh cell. The search robot immediately communicates with a mother robot when a casualty is found. The search robot also communicates with the mother robot when a route to an adjacent mesh cell is found. In the search robot system, a new search robot is arranged to search in an adjacent mesh cell. Accordingly, a rescue activity that is a matter of time can be carried out by a plurality of robots.

Claims (27)

1. A search robot system comprising:

at least one search robot,

a division unit dividing a search region into at least one mesh cell, and

an arrange unit arranging said search robot in said mesh cell,

wherein said search robot further includes a search region detection unit for detecting whether an obstacle has a cavity in which a search is to be conducted based on sonar information obtained from the surface of said obstacle.

2. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein a search is initiated from an outermost mesh cell in contact with a boundary between said search region and outside said search region.

3. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said arrange unit arranges another search robot differing from said arranged search robot for a search in an inner mesh cell not in contact with said boundary of said search region.

4. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said arranged search robot moves to a mesh cell adjacent to said mesh cell to continue said search.

5. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said arrange unit arranges another search robot differing from said arranged search robot for a search in a mesh cell adjacent to said mesh cell.

6. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein a search is conducted along a surface of an obstacle.

7. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said search robot includes a detection unit for detecting at least one of an obstacle and a surface of said obstacle using at least one of a sonar and an infrared ray.

8. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said search robot further includes a mapping unit for conducting mapping based on search information.

9. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said search robot further includes a first position information detection unit for detecting position information by at least one of an acceleration sensor and an angular acceleration sensor.

10. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said search robot further includes a second position information detection unit for detecting position information through a GPS.

11. The search robot system according to claim 1 , further comprising an output unit for providing route information, when an object of search is sensed, up to a site of said object.

12. The search robot system according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide unit for guiding said search robot, when an object of search is sensed, up to a site of said object.

13. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said search robot further includes a flight unit.

14. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said search robot further includes a first sensing unit for sensing a vital sign.

15. The search robot system according to claim 14 , wherein said search robot further includes a determination unit for determining whether a sensed object is a human being or another animal based on said vital sign sensed by said first sensing unit.

16. The search robot system according to claim 14 , wherein said search robot further includes a transmission unit for transmitting to an external source, when a human being or another animal alive is sensed by said first sensing unit, information thereof.

17. The search robot system according to claim 14 , wherein said search robot further includes a notification unit for notifying, when a human being alive is sensed by said first sensing unit, a presence of a search robot.

18. The search robot system according to claim 14 , wherein said search robot further includes a conversation unit for establishing, when a human being alive is sensed by said first sensing unit, conversation between said sensed human being alive and a searcher.

19. The search robot system according to claim 1 , wherein said search robot further includes a second sensing unit for sensing body heat.

20. The search robot system according to claim 19 , wherein said search robot further includes a determination unit for determining whether a sensed object is a human being or another animal based on the body heat sensed by said second sensing unit.

21. The search robot system according to claim 19 , wherein said search robot further includes a transmission unit for transmitting to an external source, when a human being or another animal alive is sensed by said second sensing unit, information of the sensed object.

22. The search robot system according to claim 19 , wherein said search robot further includes a notification unit for notifying, when a human being alive is sensed by said second sensing unit, a presence of a search robot.

23. The search robot system according to claim 19 , wherein said search robot further includes a conversation unit for establishing when a human being alive is sensed by said second sensing unit, conversation between said sensed human being alive and a searcher.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 19, 2003
From: OHTA, YOSHIJI; HAMAMOTO, MASAKI; HARA, KEITA
To: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 014406/0988 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2002-152559 · May 27, 2002 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040140404A1 · Jul 22, 2004