2, United States Patent oy oy m my) ey @y on) Johnson et al. TECHNIQUE: CHARGING FOR MOBILE DEVICE ISING ROBOTIC DEVICE Applicant Amazon Technologies, Ine, Seattle, WA (US) Inventors: Joseph Edwin Johnson, Seattle, WA (US); Michael Brian Stoops, Seat WA (US): Benjamin Schwartz, Seat, WA (US): Nathan Eugene Masters, Redmond, WA (US): Shiblee Imtiaz Hasan, Seattle, WA (US) Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Ine, Seattle, Wa (Us) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the team ofthis, patent is extended or adjusted under 35 USC. 1540) by 154 days, Tis patent is subject to a terminal dis- claims, Appl. Now 141673,764 Filed: Mar. 30, 2015 Int. HOIM 104s (2006.01) HOIM 10/46 (2006.01) Hos 700 (2005.01) us. cL. crc Ho24 7/0084 (2013.01): NOEs 7003 (201301): H027 74082 (2013.01) Field of Classification Seareh CPC. H02I 7/0021; 1025 7/0026; #102 10028; 1025 7/355, 1102) 7/0042 spc 320/108, 109, 114, 115, Se application file for complet search histor ‘US00971 198581 (10) Patent No.: (4s) Date of Patent: US 9,711,985 BI *Jul. 18, 2017 66) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS. 502.958 A 611991 Tutobene 8236228 BL* $2014 Prot 02371028 9950555 BL 82015 Zhow S37K607 BL 62016 Wine tal Sagz.032 BI* 112016 Johnson BasI 964 poosiood7 81123000 Ane eta aono0n70388 AL '3009 Red aors0n%0s70 AL V2013 Shim tal. BOIROL6069 Al 62013 Meda ta aoiavo220st AL* 12018 Leven Asis 0 Coninved) (OTHER PUBLICATIONS US. Appl. No, 141673744, lod Ma. 30,2015, Tita Techniques {ir Mobile Device Charging Using Robtie Device, Primary Evaminer — Eadward Ts0 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP 6, ABSTRACT A method, apparatus, and/or system for proving an action ‘with respect to a mobile device sing robotic device that tracks the user In aocondance with at least one embodiment, ‘request to perform an aetion With respect Io an electronic ‘device is received, Information may’ be sent to one or more rubotie devices within a proximity ofthe electronic deview. 1 robotic deviee ofthe one or more robotie devices may be selected to perform the action. Aa indication may” be received from the robotic device that indicates thatthe user has interacted with the tobotc device. Instructions may be sent tothe robotic device to perform the action With respect to the electronic device. A location of the user may be ‘cocked while charging is performed by the robotic deviee Te robotie device may’be instcted to follow the usee ata threshold distance from the user, 24US 9,711,985 BL Page 2 66) References Cited USS. PATENT DOCUMENTS. 2o1sox7T847 AL* 912014 Cann 251007 mova 2OWWOMTOLT AL 11/2014. Sugano * cited by examinerU.S. Patent Jul. 18,2017 Sheet 1 of 13, US 9,711,985 B1 ‘CuaKus MaNsoengee Systiat 102 104 (Chuanaine CABLE 2 Use 106 (CHARGING RonOT LU ® N= 100 FIG. 1U.S. Patent Sul. 18, 2017 Sheet 2 of 13 US 9,711,985 B1 Processonis) 319 ‘- Se gt Device(s) 202 (CHARGING MANAGEMENT Syste 1 Cuanaine MANAGEMENT ENGINE 210 TO DEvicr(s) 224 no FIG. 2U.S. Patent Jul. 18, 2017 Sheet 3 of 13, US 9,711,985 B1 Power Sovnceis) 370 “K) _ Wnszess processive | }) Croce | ]Covmeneation| | | [L305 Usrats)308 || 375" | ff vreneace ane Kl H ‘ 1 1 j r i 1 0 1 302 ! If Ps Receiver | Lt Sy x MeNoRY 330 “OPERATING system 34 Drive UNI? 355 Dara 332 SENSORS) L1H Use INTERFACES) 30 [oseansrae "ACCELEROMETER(SY? Lasen(s) 314 MacRomiONES) Gvroscoreis) 312 Md —<_oN ‘SONAR DEVICE(S) 318 Auto 346 MAGnrTic DIVICHS) CAMPRACS) 316 Ju Teme Commoners. RFID Device(s) 317 Bas Rename ‘ChraReane: RomOr 110 FIG. 3U.S. Patent Jul. 18, 2017 Sheet 4 of 13 US 9,711,985 B1 136 42 (CHARGING MANAGEMENT ENGINE 210 Ei CHARGING Request ‘Gaamacar Use | INTERFACE ContENT SELECTION User Prone! | | aie ane Data Stor af 406 RoBor CooxpinaTion’ hae ‘CHARGING REQUEST Ls TvENToRY Dara STORE PAYMENT ENGINE 126 TRACKING Manaaex || Display Manson 28 Apveensenent AYA S10Re Survey Data S108 41s FIG. 4US 9,711,985 BL Sheet 5 of 13 Sul. 18, 2017 U.S. PatentU.S. Patent Sul. 18, 2017 Sheet 6 of 13 US 9,711,985 B1 «6 eo FIG. 6U.S. Patent Sul. 18, 2017 Sheet 7 of 13 US 9,711,985 B1 FIG. 7 706U.S. Patent Jul. 18, 2017 Sheet 8 of 13 US 9,711,985 B1 | Fenagaise 7 “Gaarane E Ropous) fo Maxaceaenr pte 0 Svsnse \ i 102 ; 1 [803 “Receive PP feance axouest HaKGE keQuESt INFORMATION | A896 - Sex msrRUCTIONS th seLecrED| ¢ same wr NavicaTe 8. ReouEST UN INFORMATION sh Provioe ose Hrxrouseation cr AuENTiCsTE. S10- Provine use | i F ste, BID: HResenr neveeacno i 5 | ornoys i i we oa fe etanne 814: SeN0 morcanow oF ‘ORWARD INDICATION OH USER Cala mrction PAN remeron —efunteescrion yO remeron | i i igeeties 844 - Provon cunaor | Acrionze — - Ginket ‘Sie Tine ELAPSt §20-/DisconTrsue CHARG f FIG. 8U.S. Patent Jul. 18, 2017 Sheet 9 of 13, US 9,711,985 B1 RECEIVING A REQUEST TO CHARGE ELECTRONIC DEVICE NL 902 ¥ SELECTING A ROBOTIC DEVICE OF A PLURALITY OF ROBOTIC DEVICES 10 PERFORM A CHARGE OF TRE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INDICATED BY THE REQUEST NL 9 ¥ SENDING INFORMATION RBLATED TO THB REQUEST TO THE SELECTED ROBOTIC DEVICE No DISPATCHING THE ROBOTIC DEVICE TO THE ELECTRONIC DEVIC RECEIVING, USING AN INTERFACE PRES BY THE ROBOTIC DEVICE, INDICATION OF A USER 910 INTERACTION WITHTHE ROBOTIC DEVICE — | AUTHORIZING THE CHARGING REQUEST BASED ON INDICATION OF TAE USER INTERACTION | Deincr communion oF me cuancin neguest — [X94 NL 9 | UPDATE INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROROTIC DEVICE ACCORDING TO THE COMPLETION OF THe CHARGING [\X_, 916 REQUEST FIG. 9U.S. Patent Jul. 18, 2017 Sheet 10 of 13 US 9,711,985 B1 Caary t : CHARGING } Rowse) | | swans Sto i Stes i i ae B, : Sex0 Cnanrineovst | [ioe Reeve + cox sequest 1004 - DeTeRanvE Loca TIONS OF Ronone nevice ToaF NAVIGATE 0 User LOCATION J00p - Presesrverenachiow 1 OPTIONS 1 Lt six xcaron de epee usta INEERACTION 2012 Sho smet099 7 ata “ Aviinuze Conner 1 i >! Tose | i vant 1016 - Sex InstmUCTIONs 10 RéBoTIC DEVICE i ' t I "TOMAINTAIN A THRESLOLD BISTANCEU.S. Patent Jul. 18, 2017 Sheet 11 of 13 US 9,711,985 B1 [RECEIVING 4 REQUEST TO CHARGE AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE OF 4 USER: K_ tion 1 ‘SELECTING, FRONT A PUURATIFY OF ROROTIC DEVICES WHTTIN A BROWMITY OF PAE LOCATION OF THE USER, A ROBOTIC DEVICE #0 PERFORM A CHARGE OF THE nos BLECTRONIC DEVICE DISPATCHING THRE ROBOTIC DBVICE TO THE LOCATION OF "HIE USER K_ tive 1 -s¥INDIEATION OF Use INTERACTION watt THE seLecEDROVOTIC Lj yog evict, 4 INSIRUCIING tit OBOE DEVICE TO PERFOROE THE CHARGE OF THK LECTRONE L449 DEVICE t "TRACKING THE LOCATION OF THE USER WHILE THE ROBOTIC DEVICE IS PERFORMING “THE CHARGE OF THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE Km ee InSTRUCTING THE ROROTIC DEVICE 0 FOLLOW THE USER ATA THRESHOLD DISTANCE FROM THE USER i RECEIVING FIG. 11 eiU.S. Patent Jul. 18, 2017 Sheet 12 of 13 US 9,711,985 B1 Ree VINO, FROM A USER AT A FIRST LOCATION, A REQUEST 10 LEASE AN ELDCTRONIC DEVICE K_ 202 i SENDING INFORMATION ELATED 10 THE REQUEST TO ONE ORMOREROBOTIC | 1254 DEVICES OF A PLURALITY OF ROBOTIC DEVICES AT THE FIRST LOCATION, TRECENING, SING AN INTERFACE PRESENTED 10 THE USER BY A FIRST HONOTIC DEVICE OF THEE PLURALITY OF ROROTIC DEVICES, INDICATION OF A USER INTERACTION K 1206 MVITH_A FIRST ROBOTIC DEVICE OF THE PLURALITY OF ROROTIC DEVICES SENDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FIRST ROBOTIC DEVICE TO PROVIDE THE ELECTRONIC 5 DEVICE TO THE USER SN” t RECEIVING FROM 4 USER ATA SECOND LOCATION. wEQUEST TO KETURN TIE} Y249 ELECTRONIC DEVICE PROVIDED BY THE FIRST ROBOTIC DEVICE SENDING INFORMATION RELATED TO THE RETURN REQUEST TO ONEOR MORE ROBOTIC 1212 DEVICES OF PLURALITY OF ROBOTIC DEVICES AVAILABLE AT THE SECOND LOCATION (een nn PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONS TO TUE USER TO RETURN Ti ELECTRONEC DEVICE TO A SECOND ROBOTIC DEVICE OF THE PLURALITY OF ROBOTIC DEVICES Ko | [RECEIVING AN INDICATION FROM THE SECOND ROBOT THAT THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE RAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE SECOND ROBOT. FIG. 12 aeU.S. Patent Jul. 18, 2017 Sheet 13 of 13 US 9,711,985 B1 RECEIVING, FROM A USER, 4 REQUEST TO PERFORM AN ACTION WITH RESPECT TO AN BLBCTRONIC DEVICE K_ 02 4 SENDING INFORMATION RTLATIO TO THE REQUNST TO ONT OR MORE ROROTIC {VICES OF 4 PLURALITY OF ROBOTIC DEVICES WITHIN PROXIMIZY OF A LOCATION K_ 1304 OF THE UseR DETERMINING THAT A ROROTIC DEVICE OF THE PLURALITY 6 RESPONDING 10 THE RFQU F ROBOTIC DEVICES TS S1-TO PERFORM THE ACTION WITH RES ELECERONIC DEVICE K_ 1306 6, oN THe Ronoricnevice aN NICATION THAT THE CNER EAS — | agp INTERACTED WITHTHE ROHOTIC DEVICE t _ SENDING INSTRUCTIONS 70 tHE ROBO DEVICE TO eERFORNETHE ACTIN wTtH 310 RESPECT TO THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE L100 FIG. 13US 9,711,985 BI 1 ‘TECHNIQUES FOR MOBILE DEVICE CHARGING USING ROBOTIC DEVICES (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED [APPLICATIONS ‘The present disclosure is related to and incorporates by reference forall purposes the fll disclosure of US. patent pplication Ser. No. 14/673.744 filed Mar. 30,2015, issued a8 USS. Pat. No. 9,492,922 on Nov. 15, 2016 and entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR’ MOBILE DEVICE CHARGING USING ROBOTIC DEVICES” BACKGROUND ‘The general public uses electronic mobile devices such as ‘ell phones tablets, laptops, or the Tike ro perform a myriad ‘of daily tasks. It ean be quite inconvenient to a user when ‘one of these dovices runs out of battery power. Ths is ‘specially tre ifthe user does not have an available chang ing adapter forthe device. Users may find themselves asking fiends, or even strangers © borrow a changing adapter. la some cases, there may not be any ehrging pors, or poser coutlets in the immediate vicinity, making charging the ‘device even more cumbersome. Even in cases where charg ing stations, ports, or outlets are available, a user may have to remain closet the device. For example, charging a phone jn a public place may require the user to remain in the teneral area of the phone to avoid theft. For the aforemen- tioned reasons, conventional techniques can make it dificult to charge electronic devices in a public or semi-publie space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS rious embodiments in accordance with the present «disclosure wll be described with reference to the drawings, in whieh FIG. 1 is a pictorial diggram illustrating an example ‘environment stable for implementing aspects ofa charging ‘management system that uilizes a robotic device to provide ‘charging capabilities to» mobile device, in accordance with at least one embodiment FIG, 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example archi- ‘eeture for a charging management system, in accordance with atleast one embodiment FIG, 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example archi tecture of the robotic device shown in FIG. 1 that is ‘configured to be utilized by the charging management sys- tem, in accordance with at least one embodiments FIG. 4 is a block digram illustrating an example com= puter architecture for a charging management engine that ‘may be implemented by the charging management system 0 ‘cary out various embodiments TG. 8 is pictorial diagram of an example robotic device to be utilized by the charging management system, in secordance with at least one embodiment FIG. 6 isa pictorial diagram of another example robotic device, in accordance with at least one embodiment, FIG. 7 is a pictorial diagram of yet another example robotic davies, in accordance with atleast ane embodiment: FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example tho 800 for providing electronie mobile device charging by a charging management system wsing a using a robotic sdovice managed by the charging management system, in ‘aeconlance with atleast one embodiment TIG, 9 isa flowchart illustrating another example method by which the charging management system interacts with @ 0 o 2 robotic deviee to providing charping to an electron mobile ‘device, in accordance with atleast one emboctiment; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustating yet another example method for providing electronic mobile device charging by a charging management system using a robot device, in accordance with atleast one embosiment; FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustating still one further example method for providing electronic mobile devi charging by a charging management system using @ robotic evice, in accordance with atleast one embodiment; FIG. 12 is lock diagram illustrating an example method {or leasing an clectronie device by a user using a chargin nanagement system and a robotic deviee, in accordant with at least one embodiment; and FIG. 13 js block diagram illustrating an example method {orperiorming an action with espocto an electronic devies, in accordance with atleast one embodiment, DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, various embodiments ofthe present disclosure will be described. For purposes of exp ‘ation, specific configurations and details are sot forth in order fo provide a thorough understanding of the embod- ‘ments. However, it wil also be appareat to one skilled i the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific dowils. Furthermore, well-known features may be ‘mitted or simplified in onter not to obscure the embodiment being described “Techniques deseribod herein are directed to a charging ‘management system that interacts with a robotic device to provide charging capabilities toa mobile device. In atleast ‘one example, a user may enter a public or semi-public space (ex, an airport, a shopping center, a health-care center, a hotel, a place of business, or an educational institution) While at, for instance, an airport, the user's mobile phone ‘may drop under a threshold of remaining battery power (e.g. 10%), The User may not have a charging cable with him or fe, andioe there may not be an electrical outlet nearby. Using a charging aplication on his or her mobile electronic device, eg. a smartphone, the user may request that 2 robotie device (hereinafter refered to as a “rabot") come charge his or her phone. In the following disclosure, a “robot” is meant to include an autonomous, or sem-autono- mows, electro-mechanical device that is guided by a com- puter program andor electronic circuitry. The request may Jclude at Teast one of a location of the mobile electron ‘device, a ype ofthe mobile electronic device, a charge Tevel fof the mobile electronic device, or a roquest time. The request may be received wirelessly by a charging manoge- ‘ment system that manages mobile device charging, via robots Tn response fo the request, the changing management system may select a robot fom a number of robots and ‘communicate instructions to the robot to eause the root to travel tothe location of the user. Upon ariving atthe wser's location, the robot may be instructed by the charging: man- ‘agement system to present the usee with a number of user activities vin a user interlace (ex, 2 touehsereen display. physical buttons located on the robot). "User activities,” as ‘sed herein, is meant to refer to actions eondueted by the user via the robot including, but isnot limited to, viewing an adverisement, participating in a survey, participating in a frowd-soureing. activity that uses human intelligence t0 perform a task that a computer is incapable of performing. brovising for an item and/or conducting a purchase of the item from an electronic marketplace, using the robot 10US 9,711,985 BI 3 ‘change the electronic device (eg. by attoching the electronic device to a port or oller portion of the robotic device), and/or using an interfee provided by the robot to pay a fee for charging the user's mobile electronic devies, or the like ‘The user may select a user activity option eomesponding to the user activity via the wser interlace and procoed with ‘conducting Various user interactions (eg, funer user inter- face selections, plugging an electronic device intoa charging port ofthe charging robot, oF the like) with the robot related to the selected user activity. In some cases, the user may select more than one user activity option “The user may participate in the selected user activity in ‘exchange for changing his oe her mobile electronic device ‘and/or for entertainment purposes. As used herein, “change” ‘or “charging” refers fo charging of an eleetronie device by ‘a charging robot, “charge” or “charging” is not intended (0 refer toa payment of 2 tee, ualess specifi otherwise. As an overview, an “item” may be a product, a sellable unit, 2 good, oF service. AS used herein, an “eletronie markel- place” includes a computer facilitated market for partici pants (eg, buyers and sellers) to conduct transsctions Including commercial and/or financial transactions. A usee ‘ay have an account with the charging management system and/or the electrnie marketplace, and may provide creden- tials that permit the user to utilize the charging features of the robot. Upon completion ofa least a portion ofthe user sctivity, the charging management system may instruct the robot to provide an interface (eg. a eable and/or a port) © a power source (eg. a battery with which the robot is ‘equipped to charge the user's mobile electronic device for a predetemined amount of time (¢g., 30 minutes). Upon ‘completion of the predetermined charging time, the robot ‘may cease charging automatically, or be instructed by the user andr the charging manggement system fo cease chary- ing. ‘As an illustrative example, a user may arrive at an airport, to catch a fight. Once there, his laptop may run low on battery power. Asa result ofthe battery power falling below f threshold amount, an application on the laptop may transmit a charging request to the charging management system responsible for managing mobile device changing by ‘charging robots in the atpor. A charging request, as used herein, may include but is not limited to, a location of an ‘eleciconie device, infoemation associated with the electronic device (e, device features, deviee configuration, ete.) a ‘charging duration, an tem request, an item for purchase ‘accesible to the charging robot), and a start time. A pre ction that the artery level will fll below a threshold within a period of time may also trigger transmission of the ‘charging request In a non-limiting example, the prediction may be determine based on the user's travel itinerary. Por ‘example, the user's travel itinerary may indicate thatthe user Js about to embark on aS-hour fight: however, the user may ‘only have 3 hours of battery fe remaining. Plsetronic travel, itinerary information may be obtained via an application running on the laptop, via sser input ofthe itinerary infor: ‘ation, or any suitable method for obtaining such informa- tion. Given a determination that the remaining battery Tie is Jess than the expected flight time, the application on the Japiop may transmit a charging request to the charging ‘management system. The charging request may be atively placed by the user, or may be transmitted eutomatically based on a setting (configuration) ofthe lapop (eg, without ‘input from the user). "The charging management system may transmit the ‘charging request to a numberof robots, at leat one of which may’ be selected to assist the user in charging the user's 0 o 4 laptop. The robots may communicate with one another direlly or through the charging management system, 10 selet the bot dati best suited (ew, is not curently busy fulfilling another charging request, has a requisite amount of battery power available to fill atleast a threshold amonnt of the charging request, is loested within a thesbold prox: Smityto the use, is located at location that i a shortest path to the user with respect fo other robots, o the like) to assist the user andlor charge the user's mobile device. Altema- tively, the charging management device selects the robot best suited to assist he user. In some embexdimens, the eobot nearest the user is selected de to its proximity tothe user In other embodiments, the robot having the most battery power in reserve is selected. Allematively, a robot that does ‘ot have the most battery power, bt at least enough batter power to fulfill the charging request, may be selected. In yet ther embodiments, some robots change a same, or dierent, set of electronic devices as other robots. Accordingly, the robots that charge a set of electronic devices of which the Jpop is a member, may be first identified. The robot that is nearest the user may then be selected from the robots that charge such electronic devices “Assuming the nearest robot is best suited to charge the user's laptop, the nearest robot may make its way tothe user based on the location ofthe Iapiop that was included in the charging request. The robot may ulilize various sensors 10 navigate through the sitport to the location of the laptop. Once there, the robot may be ufilized to charge the user's laptop. As mentioned above, the obot may presenta power source interface to which the user can attach his or her own charging adaptor. However, in other embodiments, the robot ‘may cary. in a compartment located on the robot, a number cof charging adaptors. The user may then wilize one of the adaptors to charge his or her laptop directly from the eobot fr from a nearby power source (e-.. a nearby electrical ‘outlet, The user may then ecu the adaptor to the same oF dilorent robot, or toa rum station. Altematively, fora feo, ‘the user may Keep the adaptor and submit paynent for the {ee vie the application referenced above or via the robot. la yet another example, the adaptor is configured fora single- use, and thus, may be disposed of in a recycling or other isposal container. In some embodiments, the user may be assessed a fee for utilizing the robot to charge his or her mobile electronic device and may submit payment of the fee via the appica- sion referenced above of via the robot, However, in at least fone embodiment, the fee may be waived or otherwise reduced or credited in exchange for conducting a user interaction withthe robot andior the application referenced above. For example, the fee may be waived or reduced in exchange Jor viewing an advertisement, participating in a survey, et. via the user interface (eg, touchsereen display) ‘ofthe robot In some embodiments, once the user interaction js conchided and the fee assessodiwaived (or at another suitable time), the robot may then be utilized to charge the tser's mobile electtonie device. ‘As another example, a user may arrive at a shopping center. Once ther, the user's tablet PC may drop below a {threshold amount of remaining battery power. The vser may issue a charging request to the charging management system responsible for managing mobile charging by robots at the shopping center. robot may be sent tothe user as desribed inthe examples above, none example, the user may’choose to take par in a survey presented via a touchsereen display of the robot in exchange for 30 minutes of charging time. ‘Once the survey is completed, the user may pig her tablet PC into the robot to begin charging the tablet PC. The robotUS 9,711,985 BI 5 ‘may then alert the charging management system tht eharg- ing of the tablet PC. has commenced. In at least one ‘embodiment, che charging management sysfem may respond to the robot with instrations to “follow” the user (ifthe user aves to another location(s) ata threshold distance forthe ‘duration ofthe charging time or for another stitable period ‘of time. The robot may “follow” the user at a threshold distance or al approximately a threshold distance away. Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts, FIG. 1is a pictorial diagram ‘ustating an example environment 100 stable for inple- menting aspects of a charging management system 102, in ‘aeconiance with atleast one embostiment. A user 106, upon ‘occupying & portion of public space managed by charging ‘management system 102, may utilize, for example, an ‘electronic device (ex. tablet PC 104) on network 108, In at least one example, the user 106 notices that her ‘electronic device, in this example, tablet PC 104, isin ned ‘of charging. At such time, user 106 may navigate, on tablet PC 104, to an application running on tablet PC 104, Using the application, user 106 may request charging from the ‘charging management system 102. Charging. management system 102, in communication via network 108, may deter mine a charging robot 110 to carry out the user's request FIG. 2js-a block diagram illustrating an example archi tecture 200 for the charging management system 102, accordance with at least one embodiment. In architecture 200, one of more users 202 may utlize user computing devices 204(1)-(N) (eg. the tablet PC of FIG. 1) to access ‘charging application 206 andior a charging management ‘engine 210 of the charging management system 102 via one ‘or more networks 208. The charging management system 102 may include one or more computers that bost, manage. and/or otherwise provide computing resources. The chang Jing management system 102 may, in some examples, pro- vide computing resources suet a, but uot limited to, client ‘entities, low latency data storage, durable data storage, data ‘access, management, virtualization, hosted computing (@, cloud”) based software solutions, clectronic content per formance management, ee. The charging management Sy3- tem 102 may also be opemble to provide weh hosting, ‘computer application development, and/or implementation platforms, combinations of the foregoing, or the like to the ‘one oe more users 202, in aditon to the charging manage rent features described herein. The charging mangement system 102 may include any suitable type of computing devices such as, but not Himited to, mobile phone a sma phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, ‘a desktop computer, a server computer, a thin-lien device, a tablet PC, ete. The multiple devices of the charging ‘management system 102 may be arranged in a cluster of servers, as a server farm, or a6 individual servers not associated with one another, These servers may implement the charging management described herein as part of an integrated, distributed computing, environment. Alterna- tively or in addition, the charging management system 102 ‘may’he implemented with one more virtual machines imple- ‘mented in a hosted computing environment. The hosted ‘computing envionment may inelude one or more rapidly provisioned and released computing resources, which com Puting resources may include eomputing, networking, and! fr storage devices. A hosted computing environment may ‘also be referred to a8 a “cloud computing environment Tn some examples, the charging management system 102, may be in comuneation With the user computing devices 204 andlor other service providers via the networks 208 oF via other network connections. In some examples, the nel- 0 o 6 ‘works 208 (e.g the network 108 of FIG. 1) may inelude ny fone oF a combination of many diferent types of networks Such as cable networks, the Ineret, wireless networks, cellular networks, and other private andlor public networks, While the istated example represents the users 202 accessing the changing managcient system 102 over the networks 208 the described techniques may equally apply dn instances where the users 202 inferact withthe changing ‘management system 102 vi the one or more user computing devices 204 over a landline phone, via kiosk. or in any father suitable manner It should be appreciated tht the Geseribed techniques may apply in other clienlserver arrangements (¢, set-top boxes, ete.) a8 wel 2 in pon Client/Server arrangements (eg. loaly stored applications, peeeao-per arrangements, te) Client application 206, operating on user computing devices 204, may enable the Users 202 to interact with the curing managemeat system 102 such ast access info. ‘mation associated withthe robots managed by charging ‘management stem 102 andor the electronic devices being charged by the robots. The client application 206 may be capable of handling requests from many users 202 and prccoting, in response, various wir interfaces that can be Fendere ithe user computing devices 204. For example tient application 206 may present information related to clurgiag robots (eg, tbe charging robot 110) such as locaton, charging capabilities, charging eapscity, item pur efase availabilig, user activiy aailabiis, display infor ‘maton or the like. Client application 206 may present sich {nfoemston to the users 202 vi a graphical user interface 38 wel as process and transmit scr sntraction information related 10 actions taken by the user with respect 10 the friphicel wae intefoes. The charging management systrn 102 may case client application 206 to present any suitable type of network site that sopports user interaction “The user computing devices 204 may be any suitable type of computing device sh as, but at Timed to, a mobile phone, 8 smart phone, 2 personal digital assistant (PDA), a Inpiop computer. deskgp computer a thine! devie, a tablet PC, an electronic book (e-book) reader, et, In some ccamples the wer computing devices 204 may be in com rnigtion withthe cherging management system 102 via the networks 208, or vis oer network eonnoctions. Addi ‘nally. the user computing devices 204 may be part of @ Gsuibuted system managed by, cantlled by or etherwise part ofthe charging management system 102, Tove iustaive configuration, the user computing devices 204 may incde atleast one memory 212 and one br more processing units (or processors) 214. The proces Sorts) 214 may'be implemented s appropriate in hardware, Timvare, or as hardware or frawareiasplemeating com. puterexecutableinsirutions executed by bardvare, fim Ware oF ab hanlware oF fnaware executing computer {xocitable oF machine-sxceuable nsirstions writen in fy suitable programming lange o perfor the various Tinetions deveribed ‘The memory 212 may store program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processors) 214, a6 wel as data generated during the execution of these programs Depending on the configuration and type of user computing device, the memory 212 may be volatile (uch as random access memory (RAM)) andor non-volatile (sich as read ‘nly memory (ROM), Nash memory, ete). The user com: Piting devices 204 may also include additonal removable Some andioe noa-removable storage including, but not Timited to, magnetic storge, optical disks, andor wpe storage. The disk drives sd Uni associated non-teansitoryUS 9,711,985 BI 1 ‘computerreadable media may provide non-volatile storage ‘of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data forthe computing devices. In some implementations, the memory 212 may include multiple regarded in an illustrative rater than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and ‘changes may he made thereunto without depacting from the broader spirit and scope of the embodiments asset forth in the claims, In the description above, various embodiments of the present disclosure have heen deseribed, For purposes of ‘explanation, specific configurations and details have been se forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe ‘embodiments. However, it will also be apparent 10 one skilled in the art that the embodiments may’ be prveticed ‘without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known fea- tures may have been omitted of simplified in order not 10 ‘obscure the embodiment being described, ‘Other variations are within the spisit of the present disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed tcchnigues are suscep tible to various modifications and alternative constrictions, certin illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the ‘drawings aad have been deseribed above in detail. It should be understood, however, tht there is no tention wo init the disclosure to the spocitie form oF forms dselosed, but on the ‘contrary, the intention isto cover all modifications, alter tive eonsimetions and equivalents falling within the spirit ‘and scope of the disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. ‘omic or all of the process described above may be performed under the eontrol of one or more computer systems configured with specific computerexecutable insiructons and may be implemented as code (e.2, exectt- able instructions, one or more computer programs or one oF ‘more applications) executing collectively on one oF more processors, by hardware or combinations thereof. The code may be stored on a non-transitory computer-teadable slorage medium, for example, in the form of a computer program including a plurality of instructions executable by one oF more processors, The computer-readable storage medium may be non-transitory. “The use of he terms “a” and “an” and “tho” and simiae referents in the context of describing the disclosed emboxt- ‘ments (especially inthe context of the following claims) are to be consinied to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by 0 32 context, The terms “comprising.” “having,” “including,” fand “containing” are to he construed as open-ended tems (e., meaning “including, but not Iimited to") unless oth- tenvise noted. The term “connected” isto be construed as parly or wholly contained within, stached to, of joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation ‘of ranges of values herein are merely intended Io serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and cach separste value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individvally rected herein, AID sicthods described herein ean be performed in any stable ‘order unless otherwise indicated herein or athersse clearly ‘contradicted by context, The use oF any and all examples, oF exemplary language (e, “soch as") provided herein, is fended merely to beter illuminate embodiments of the ielosure and does not pose a imitation on the seope ofthe disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating. any’ non- claimed element a essential tothe pructce ofthe disclosure, Disjunctive language such as the phrase“at last onc of X, Y, or Z," unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood within the context as used in general to present that an item, term, ete, may be either X. Y. or Z, or any combination thereof (ea, X, ¥, andor Z). ‘Thus, such disjunctive language i not generally intended t, and should ‘ot, imply that certain embodiments require atleast one of X, atleast one of Y, or at least one of Z for each tobe present. Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, inchuding the best mode Knows to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary sail inthe at upon reading the foregoing deseripion. The iventors expect skilled artisans to employ sue variations ‘as appropriate aad the inventors intend for the embodiments to be practiced otherwise than as specifically desribed herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifiea- tions and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. ‘Moreover, any combination ofthe above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context Al references, including publications, patent applica. sions, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were sot forth in its entirety herein, ‘What is claimed is 1. A computer-implemented method for managing elee- tronie device charging, comprising receiving a request to charge an electronic device of a user, the request including @ locaton of the user: selecting, from 2 plurality of robotic deviees within a ‘proximity ofthe location of the user, a robot devi to perform a charge ofthe electron device; ispatehing the robotic device to the locaton of the user receiving, from the robotie device, an indication thatthe user bas interacted withthe robotie device: in response to receiving the indication thatthe user has ieracted with the robotic device, instructing the robotic device to perform the charge ofthe electronic doviee, and insiracting the robotic device to follow the ser at ‘approximately threshold distance from the user. 2. The compusterimplemented method for managing elec teonie device charging of claim 1, wherein the location oftheUS 9,711,985 BI 33 user is obtained from an application program executing or the electronic device, from location daa associated with the ‘electronie device or from user-specified data ineluded inthe rexuest to charge the electronic device. '3. The computerimplemented method for managing elec tronic device charging of claims 1, further comprising: ‘racking the location ofthe user while the robotic device is perfoming the charge of the electronic device, ‘wherein tracking the location of the user while the robotie device is performing the charge of the elee- twonie device comprises: receiving sensor data from the robotic devi inating ‘movement of the user and dermining the threshold distance based at lest ia past ‘om the sensor data and the location of the user. 4. The computer-implemented method for managing elec twonie device charging of claim 1, wlerein the instructing the robotic deviee to perform the charge ofthe electronic device Jurther comprises instructing the robotic device to charge the ‘electronic device lor a period of time. §. The computer-implemented method for managing eee tronic device charging of claim 4, further comprising: determining that the period of time has elapsed; and ‘nsircting the robotic device to cease charging the elec- tronic device 6, An electronic device charging management system ‘comprising: plurality of robotic devices, wherein each robotic device of the plurality of robotic devices includes: 4 power source for changing electronic devices 1 sensor for collecting Sensor data; 4 user interface that enables user interaction with the robotic device; «4 communication interface that communicates d ‘network: and 4 processing unit in communication with the power sone and the use interface; and «4 computing system in communication with each robotic device ofthe plurity of robotic devices via the ael- work, the computing system configured to atleast receive a request to charge an electronic device, dispatch a robotic device of the plumity of robotic ‘devices to a location where a user is located: receive, via the network from the robotic device responding 10 the request 10 change the electronic vice, an indication of a user interaction with the robotic device: receive sensor data associated with the user from the robotic device: and send instructions that eause the robotic device to main- ‘win a dhreshold distance from the wee. 17. The electronic device charging management system of ‘claim 6, wherein the each mbotie device further includes a mage capture component, and wherein the computing sys- tem is further configured to at least receive video fee data related tothe user; and track the location of the user based on the video feed data, 8, The elecironic device charging management system of ‘claim 7, whterein the each robotie device father includes one ‘or more sensors for collecting sensor data, whorein the sensor data includes information related to an obstacle between the user and the robotie device. 9, The electronic device charging management system of ‘lai 8, wherein the computing system is further configured to at least: 0 o 34 send, based at leat in parton the sensor data, nstructos that cause the robot device to alter a taversal path 10 avoid the obstacle, 10, The clecttonic device charging management system of claim 6, wherein the computing system is further configured to at least: ‘oblain an electronic representation ofan area surrounding the location of the user; and demnine instructions that cause the robotic device 10 ‘maintain a threshold distance from the user based on the electronic representation of the area surrounding the location of the user 11, The electronic device charging management system of lama 10, wherein detennining the instructions that cause the rmbotie device to maintain the threshold distance from the user comprises ddetemnining a speed and 2 heading of the robotic device: periodically reesiving sensor data indicating navigation information of the user, and ‘modifying the sped or the heading ofthe robotic deview ‘base on the reeived sensor data, 12, Theclecttonic device charging management system of claim 11, wherein modifying the speed or the heading ofthe robotie devices is further hased on the electronic represen- ‘ation of the area surrounding the location ofthe user. 13, The electronic device charging management system of claim 6, wherein the computing system is further configured to at least: deremnine a period of time to charge the electronic device: ddetennine thatthe period of time has elapsed send insiructions to the robotic device that cause the robotic device to halt the charging of the electronic device, and send instructions that cause the robotic device to alert the user thatthe charging of the electronie device is halted 14, A non-iransitory computerreadable storage medi having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor 10 perform operations comprising: receiving request to perform an action with respect to an ‘lecttonic device: selecting, from 2 plunity of robotic devices within 3 proximity of « location of the electronic deviee, obotie device to perform the action instructing the robotie device to navigate to the location of the eletronie devices receiving, from the robotic device, an indication that a user bas interacted withthe robotic device: Jn response to receiving the indication thst the user has intercted with the robotic device. instructing the robotic device to perform the action with respect to the electronic deviee: and insirating the robotic device to maintain a threshold ‘stance From the electmnic device. 15, The non-transitory computerreadable stornge medium of claim 14, having. stored thereon computer ‘executable instructions that, when executed by'a processor, ceause the processor to perform operations comprising sending instructions to the robotic device to present the user with one or more user activity options; and receiving information from the raboie deviee indicating ‘ono oF more ser interetions with the robotic deview 16, The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium of claim 14, having stored thereon computer- ‘excctable instrctions tha, when executed by a procesto, ceause the processor to perform operations comprisingUS 9,711,985 BI 35 receiving tracking information associated with the elec: ‘wonie device while the robotie device is performing the action; and Providing updated instructions to the robotic device 10 ‘mginain the threshold distance from the electronic device, 17. The non-ransitory computerreadable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the tacking information is collected by one or more sensors foeated on the robotic device. 18, A robotic device for managing electric device ‘charging, comprising: 1 power source for changing electronic devices; ‘one oF more sensors for collecting information elated 10 surundings of the mbotie device: ‘4 user interface that enables user interaction with the botie devi 4 communication interface that communicates data via 3 ‘networks and processing unit in communication with the power Source, the user interface and the communication inter- face, the processing unit configured to at least receive, ftom a computing system that s external othe robatie device, a request to charge an. electronic device at given location receive, via the wser interface, an indication of @ user interaction with the robotic device; in response to the indication of the user interaction, send, via the communication interface, a request © the extemal computing system for authorization t0 charge the electronic device; receive, via the communication interface, authorization from the extemal computing system to charge the electronic device; enable charging of the electronic device ofthe user via the power source; and. instruct the robotic device to navigate w within a ‘threshold of the user based on the given location, 19. The robotic device of claim 18, wherein the process- ing unit i further configured to at lest 36 calculate a navigational path 10 the electronic device hased on the given loeation ofthe electronic device and 2 locaton of the robotic device; and instract the robotic device to tnvel along the calculated navigational path, 20, The robotic device of claim 18, wherein the pocest- ing unit i further configured 10 atleast ‘eemnine thatthe electronic deviee is located at a new location; calculate # new navigational path to the electtonie device based on the new location of the electronic device; and instruct the robotic device to execute operations that ease the robotic device to travel slong the new navigation path 211 The robotic device of claim 18, wherein the process: ing uit is furtber configured to at least receive, rom the one for more sensors, biometric authentication information related to the user 22, The robotic device of claim 18, wherein the process ing unit i further eonfigured to atleast ‘receiv, fom one or more additional robotic devices, est ‘capability information relate tothe one of more ad- tional robotic devices compare second capability information of the robotic device tothe frst capability information of the one or ‘more additional robotic devices; and detentne tat the robotic deviee is optimally suited, with ‘respect wo the one or more additonal rabolie devices, charge the electronic device based on the eomparison, 23, The robotic device of claim I, wherein the process ing unit is further configured to at eat receive, from the computing system, navigational infor- ration associated withthe robotic device, and wherein, instructing the robotic device to navigate to within the threshold of the user is based on the navigational information received from the computing system, 24, The robotic device of claim 18, wherein the one or mone sensors for collecting information related (0 the sur- oundings of the robotic device include at east oneof a laser sensor, a sonar sensor, or a Video camera