System and method for guiding heading of a mobile robotic device
First Claim
1. A method for maintaining or correcting a heading of a robotic device relative to surfaces in a work environment comprising:
- in a first step, projecting a light pattern from a light emitting unit positioned on a robotic device in a plane with a preset relationship to a heading of the robotic device onto surfaces substantially opposite the light emitting unit;
in a second step, capturing an image of the projected light pattern by a camera positioned on the robotic device in a plane parallel to the plane of the light emitting unit;
in a third step, processing the image with a processor provided on the robotic device to virtually divide the image in half vertically and determine whether the image has reflection symmetry about a vertical centerline; and
in a fourth step, if the image does not have reflection symmetry, adjusting the heading of the robotic device and repeating the first through fourth steps until such a time as a captured image is determined to have reflection symmetry.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention introduces a method for guiding or directing the heading of a mobile robotic device. A light pattern is projected from a light emitting unit disposed on a robotic device. The angle of the plane of the projection of the light pattern with respect to a heading of the robotic device is preset, but may be any angle as desired by a manufacturer or operator. A camera positioned in a plane parallel to the plane of the light pattern projection captures images of the projected light pattern on surfaces substantially opposite the light emitting unit. Images are processed to check for reflection symmetry about a vertical centerline of the images. Upon detecting an image that does not have reflection symmetry, the robotic device turns to adjust its heading with relation to the surfaces in the environment on which the light pattern is projected. Turning amounts and directions are provided to the controller and may be based on analysis of the last image captured.
53 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method for maintaining or correcting a heading of a robotic device relative to surfaces in a work environment comprising:
-
in a first step, projecting a light pattern from a light emitting unit positioned on a robotic device in a plane with a preset relationship to a heading of the robotic device onto surfaces substantially opposite the light emitting unit; in a second step, capturing an image of the projected light pattern by a camera positioned on the robotic device in a plane parallel to the plane of the light emitting unit; in a third step, processing the image with a processor provided on the robotic device to virtually divide the image in half vertically and determine whether the image has reflection symmetry about a vertical centerline; and in a fourth step, if the image does not have reflection symmetry, adjusting the heading of the robotic device and repeating the first through fourth steps until such a time as a captured image is determined to have reflection symmetry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A heading-correcting robotic device comprising:
-
a chassis including a set of wheels; a motor to drive the wheels; a battery to provide power to the robotic device; a controller in communication with the motor and wheels, the controller including a processor operable to control the motor and wheels to steer movement of the robotic device; a light emitting unit for projecting a predetermined light pattern onto surfaces substantially opposite the light emitting unit; a camera for capturing images of the projected light pattern; and an image processor for processing the captured images to determine whether they have reflection symmetry; wherein, upon detecting that an image has less than a threshold amount of reflection symmetry, the robotic device adjusts its heading by turning in a left or right direction. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
and a turning direction and degree for adjusting the heading is determined by; consulting a reference table saved in a memory unit of the robotic device, the reference table comprised of asymmetry amounts and corresponding rotation amounts, each rotation amount in the table aimed at correcting the heading of the robotic device with respect to opposing surfaces according to a preset desired heading.
-
-
11. The heading-correcting robotic device of claim 10 wherein the robotic device is further configured to:
-
repeat the process for assessing reflection symmetry to find a second asymmetry amount; and
,if the absolute value of the second asymmetry amount is greater than a predetermined threshold, adjust the reference table rotation amounts by a function of the absolute value of the second asymmetry amount.
-
-
12. A method for maintaining or correcting a heading of a robotic device relative to a surface in a work environment comprising:
-
projecting a light pattern from a light emitting unit disposed on a robotic device, the light pattern being projected in a plane with a preset relationship to a heading of the robotic device onto surfaces substantially opposite the light emitting unit; capturing an image of the projected light pattern by a camera disposed on the robotic device in a plane parallel to the plane of the light emitting unit; processing the image with a processor disposed on the robotic device to determine whether the image has reflection symmetry about a vertical centerline of the image; and if the image has less than a threshold amount of reflection symmetry, adjusting the heading of the robotic device and repeating the process until such a time as a captured image is determined to have at least the threshold amount of reflection symmetry. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification