Patent ID: 7856290

Claim:
A recharging system, comprising: a nesting station having a first connector for a self-mobile device, said first connector being contained by the nesting station and configured in such a manner that self-mobile devices can self-position into a charging position for charging; a plurality of self-mobile devices, each of said plurality of self-mobile devices having a capability to self-propel into the charging position with said first connector of the nesting station; a first communications device associated with said nesting station and a plurality of second communication devices associated with respective ones of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby said nesting station has two-way communications capability with said plurality of self-mobile devices; a first protocol for negotiating and utilizing respective charging times for said plurality of self-mobile devices, said protocol being negotiated by said nesting station and each of said plurality of self-mobile devices, whereby human intervention is not necessary for charging of said plurality of self-mobile devices wherein said protocol comprises: establishing a communications link between said nesting station and one of said plurality of self-mobile devices that needs charging; providing an indication of whether the charge of a battery of said one of said plurality of self-mobile devices has dropped below a given level; if said the charge of said battery has dropped below a given level, assigning said one of said plurality of self-mobile devices a time at to report to said nesting station for charging, wherein said assigning is performed by said nesting station.