Patent ID: 7729801

Claim:
A docking system comprising: a docking station for location on a surface, the docking station configured for accommodating a robot in at least a docking engagement, the docking station including a first transmission part for at least transferring energy and configured for electrical communication with a voltage source associated with the docking station; and a robot configured for movement over the surface and automatically docking with the docking station in a docking engagement, the robot including a movement system, a second transmission part, and a control system in electrical communication with the second transmission part, the second transmission part configured for at least receiving energy from the first transmission part when the first transmission part is in electrical contact with the second transmission part when the robot is docked in the docking station, and the docking station verifies that a docking engagement is achieved when the first transmission part and the second transmission part are in at least a substantially horizontal alignment and the control system detects passing of at least a threshold voltage from the docking station as received through the second transmission part.