Abstract:
A method for enabling communication and collaboration between robotic device. Robotic devices exchange wireless signals to connect to one another and enter an authentication phase. After authenticating, robotic devices add new devices to a network containing all authenticated robotic devices. Robotic devices within a network may send or receive information or instructions to and from other robotic devices in the network. Robotic devices that are out of direct signal range of other robotic devices may communicate them via other robotic devices within the network that form a bridge to forward the signals to the intended target.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/129,667, filed Mar. 6, 2015 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to robotic devices that perform tasks, and more particularly, robotic device work groups. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. patent Documents 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Pat. No. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 7,346,429 
                 B2 
                 Mar. 18, 2008 
                 Engineering Services Inc 
               
               
                 6,611,120 
                 B2 
                 Aug. 26, 2003 
                 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd 
               
               
                 7,609,753 
                 B1 
                 Oct. 27, 2009 
                 Rockwell Collins Inc 
               
               
                 7,953,110 
                 B1 
                 May 31, 2011 
                 Boeing Co 
               
               
                 6,484,083 
                 B1 
                 Nov. 19, 2002 
                 Sandia Corp, Sandia 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 National Laboratories 
               
               
                 8,515,577 
                 B2 
                 Aug. 20, 2013 
                 Yulun Wang, Charles S. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Jordan, Keith Philip Laby, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Jonathan Southard 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Robotic devices have become increasingly common for carrying out routine tasks. With advances in technology, robotic devices have become useful for carrying out more complex tasks or replace humans in carrying out dangerous work. Communication between robotic devices is necessary in systems that utilize more than one entity. A need exists for improved methods for robotic devices to communicate and share information with one another to more efficiently complete work. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is a goal of the present invention to provide a method for robotic devices working to accomplish a common task or related tasks to communicate with one another in order to more efficiently complete work. 
     The aforementioned goal is accomplished by exchanging wireless signals between robotic devices to connect and authenticate them. Robotic devices maintain a database of authenticated robotic devices in their network. Within a network, information regarding the environment gathered from sensors or tools on different robotic devices may be shared with other network members. Instructions or information may be pushed or pulled from one robotic device to another to more efficiently execute the tasks assigned to the group. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the process of forming a connection between two robotic devices embodying features of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the authentication process embodying features of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a network of robotic devices embodying features of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention proposes a collaborative robotic device work group in which a group of synchronized robotic devices exchange signals to complete a task in the most efficient way possible. Robotic devices, as referred to herein, may be actuated or non-actuated, but must have a means for transmitting, receiving and processing wireless signals. Any available type of wireless communication may be used, including radio waves, bluetooth, and wifi signals. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the process of establishing a connection between two robotic devices is illustrated. In a first step  100 , a robotic device broadcasts signals to indicate that it is present and monitors for incoming signals from outside robotic devices. If the robotic device receives an incoming signal in a next step  101 , the method proceeds to a next step  102 . (If no incoming signals are received, the method repeats step  100 ). In step  102 , the robotic device sends its unique identifier to the outside robotic device. If a robotic device receives a unique identifier from an outside robotic device in a step  103 , the method proceeds to a next step  104  to confirm receipt of the unique identifier and send its own unique identifier to the outside robotic device. The robotic devices have thus been identified to each other. 
     In the preferred embodiment, connection between two robotic devices further includes an encryption negotiation phase to determine whether they will encrypt the information that they exchange. In a next step  105 , the robotic devices transmit to one another a list of the encryption methods of which each device is capable. In a next step  106 , the devices select a common encryption method, if one exists, for encrypting all exchanged going forward. 
     In some embodiments, if no common encryption method exists, the connection is canceled and communication is halted. In some embodiments, if no common encryption method exists, communication will continue unencrypted (in plain text). 
     In the preferred embodiment, robotic devices are further assigned tags that identify them as belonging to various subgroups. Tags may be based on the model of the robotic device, a unique identifier, a country of origin, a manufacturer, a firmware version, a software version, an operating system, functions, or any other parameter of the device. Robotic devices compare tags to determine if they share common parameters. If the robotic devices share at least one common tag, they proceed to an authentication phase. (In embodiments with no tag comparison process, robotic devices may proceed directly from the prior step to the authentication phase.) 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the authentication process is illustrated. In a first step  200 , two robotic devices that have identified each other exchange hash codes. Hash codes are based on an original shared preset passcode. If the hash codes match in a next step  201 , the method proceeds to a next step  202  to compare lists of permissions. Permissions shall be assigned during manufacture to designate what specific information from the local robotic device may be accessed by outside robotic devices. In a next step  203 , the robotic devices establish a list of sharable information containing all information categories that may be shared according to the permissions lists. In a next step  204 , the robotic devices compare lists of restrictions. Restrictions shall be assigned during manufacture to limit specific information from the local robotic device that may not be accessed by outside robotic devices. In a next step  205 , the robotic devices remove any restricted information from the sharable information list. At this point, authentication is complete and the method may proceed to a final step  206  to open access between the robotic devices to all the identified sharable information. 
     Authenticated robotic devices form a network of all robotic devices that have been authenticated. Robotic devices maintain a database of other robotic devices in the network, which is shared with robotic devices of the network, so that when a first robotic device authenticates a second robotic device, other robotic devices already in the network may also share information and connect with the second robotic device. In the preferred embodiment, robotic devices also store specifications regarding each robotic device in the network in the database. Specifications may include location of the robotic device, model, type, functionality, role, operating system, software version, tags, and any other characteristics. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an overhead view of a network of authenticated robotic devices is illustrated. The database permits a first robotic device that is out of signal range from a second robotic device to exchange information with the second robotic device through signals relayed from other robotic devices that form a bridge to the second robotic device. Robotic device  300  has a signal range ending at the dashed line  301 . Robotic device  302  is outside the signal range of robotic device  300 , so robotic device  300  would not be able to send a signal directly to robotic device  302 . However, if both robotic devices are authenticated within the network of robotic devices comprised of robotic devices  300 ,  302 ,  303 , then robotic devices  300  and  302  are aware of one another and may exchange information by sending a signal from robotic device  300  to robotic device  303 , which forwards the signal to robotic device  302 . Signals from one robotic device in a network may be forwarded through any number of other robotic devices to reach the target robotic device. All signals transmitted in the system shall contain one or more targets which identify the intended recipient of the signal. Robotic devices receiving a signal read the target to determine whether the signal should be applied to the local device or forwarded to another device in the network or both. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the presence of each robotic device in a network&#39;s database is verified at periodic intervals through keepalives. If more than a predetermined number of keepalives are missed, a robotic device may be removed from the database. 
     In the preferred embodiment, signals sent between robotic devices may comprise either environmental or operational data. Environmental data is data gathered by sensors positioned on a robotic device regarding the environment. Environmental data may include the location of obstacles, the type of surface in the work area, the location of a charging station, or any other information regarding the surroundings. Operational data is data related to the activity or functions of a robotic device. Operational data may include instructions, the status of various functions of a robotic device, the current task of a robotic device, the completed tasks of a robotic device, next tasks of a robotic device, etc. 
     In some embodiments, robotic devices are additionally assigned rankings during an initial set-up phase that dictate what signals may be distributed to and from certain robotic devices. Some robotic devices may be assigned a ranking that disallows them from assigning instructions to other robotic devices. Some robotic devices may be assigned rankings that permit them to delegate tasks to other robotic devices. Rankings may also be used to resolve conflicts between robotic devices carrying out conflicting tasks. 
     In some embodiments, pairs of robotic devices may be assigned master and slave roles and work together to complete a task. A master robotic device may provide instructions to a slave robotic device, the slave robotic device being configured to accept and execute instructions provided by a master robotic device.