Robotic vacuum cleaner
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for autonomous operation over an area comprising:
- a drive system; and
a controller in communication with said drive system, said controller including a processor programmed to;
provide at least one scanning pattern for a first portion of said area;
analyze said first portion for an opening to a second portion of said area; and
signal said drive system to move along a path at least proximate the periphery of said first portion to and through said opening to said second portion of said area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An autonomous robot, that is for example, suitable for operations such as vacuuming and surface cleaning includes a payload configured for vacuum cleaning, a drive system including a steering system, a navigation system, and a control system for integrating operations of the aforementioned systems.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus for autonomous operation over an area comprising:
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a drive system; and
a controller in communication with said drive system, said controller including a processor programmed to;
provide at least one scanning pattern for a first portion of said area;
analyze said first portion for an opening to a second portion of said area; and
signal said drive system to move along a path at least proximate the periphery of said first portion to and through said opening to said second portion of said area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for autonomous operation over an area comprising:
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a drive system; and
a controller in communication with said drive system, said controller including a processor programmed to;
provide at least one scanning pattern for a portion of said area from a first point;
signal said drive system to move along a path at least proximate the periphery of the scanned portion to a second point, said second point at a different location than said first point; and
provide at least one scanning pattern for a portion of said area from said second point. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A nozzle for suction of particulates comprising:
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a body, said body including a first end and a second end, said first end including a neck, and said second end including an upper edge and a lower edge defining an opening therebetween;
a lip extending at least substantially parallel to said opening along said upper edge and extending at least partially beyond said lower edge of said opening, said lip tapering upward from a portion of greater thickness to portions of lesser thickness, said lip configured for creating a flow cavity to be formed with the floor or surface over which said nozzle traverses. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for area coverage by an autonomous machine comprising:
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scanning a first portion of said area in accordance with at least one scanning pattern;
analyzing said first portion for an opening to a second portion of said area; and
moving along a path at least proximate to the periphery of said first portion to and through said opening to said second portion of said area. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for area coverage by an autonomous machine comprising:
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scanning a portion of said area in accordance with at least one scanning pattern, from a first point;
moving along a path at least proximate the periphery of said scanned portion to a second point, said second point at a different location than said first point; and
scanning a portion of said area in accordance with at least one scanning pattern, from said second point. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. An obstacle detection system for an autonomous cleaning machine comprising:
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a control system;
a nozzle, said nozzle including a first end for receiving particulate inflow, and a second end for communicating with a suction generating unit, said second end including arms;
a height adjustment system coupled to said first end of said nozzle, said height adjustment system in communication with said control system; and
receiver portions configured for receiving said arms in a pivotal engagement, at least one of said arms and said respective receiver portions and said arms including first electrically conducting portions in electronic communication with said control system; and
at least one of said arms mounted in said respective receiver portion so as to define an open circuit when said at least one arm is at a first position in said respective receiver portion, and defining a closed circuit when said at least one arm is at a second position, where said first electrically conducting portions are in contact with each other. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An obstacle detection system for an autonomous cleaning machine comprising:
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a control system;
a nozzle, said nozzle including a first end for receiving particulate inflow, and a second end for communicating with a suction generating unit, said second end including arms;
a height adjustment system coupled to said first end of said nozzle, said height adjustment system in communication with said control system; and
receiver portions configured for receiving said arms in a pivotal engagement, at least one of said arms and said respective receiver portions and said arms including first electrically conducting portions in electronic communication with said control system; and
at least one of said arms mounted in said respective receiver portion so as to define a closed circuit when said arm is at a first position in said respective receiver portion, and defining an open circuit when said at least one arm is at a second position, where said first electrically conducting portions are out of contact with each other. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification