Robot vacuum with boundary cones

• US 20050273967A1
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew Heninger, Andrew J. Parker, Charles E. Taylor, Eric C. Blair, Eric Ng, Shek Fai Lau
• Original Assignee: Andrew Heninger, Andrew J. Parker, Charles E. Taylor, Eric C. Blair, Eric Ng, Shek Fai Lau
• Inventors: Parker, Andrew J., Taylor, Charles E., Lau, Shek Fai, Ng, Eric, Heninger, Andrew, Blair, Eric C.
• Application Number:
  US11/104,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20050273967A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/319
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0227 using mechanical sensing means, e.g. for sensing treated area
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/024 in combination with a laser lasers per se H01S
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0251 extracting 3D information from a plurality of images taken from different locations, e.g. stereo vision stereoscopic image analysis H04N13/00; depth recovery from images G06T7/593
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0257 using a radar radar systems designed for anti-collision purposes between land vehicles or between land vehicle and fixed obstacles G01S13/931
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/027 comprising intertial navigation means, e.g. azimuth detector inertial navigation G01C21/16; inertial navigation combined with non-inertial navigation instruments G01C21/165
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0272 comprising means for registering the travel distance, e.g. revolutions of wheels measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, e.g. using odometers G01C22/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30

Abstract

The invention pertains to a robot cleaning system that includes a robotic cleaner having a tactile sensor and a barrier unit, wherein the barrier unit is such that the tactile sensor on the robot cleaner is triggered by contact with the barrier unit. As a result the robot changes directions. The barrier unit can be adapted to avoid sliding, such as when the robot comes into contact with it. The anti-slide element can be projections such as hooks or rubber grommets and the like.

Claims

1. A robot cleaning system comprising:

a robot cleaner including a tactile sensor; and

a barrier unit, the barrier unit including an anti-slide element, wherein the barrier unit is such that the tactile sensor on the robot cleaner is triggered by contact with the barrier unit, the triggering of the tactile sensor of the robot cleaner resulting in the robot cleaner changing direction.

2. The robot cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the anti-slide element is a rubber element.

3. The robot cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the anti-slide element includes projections on the bottom of the barrier unit.

4. The robot cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the projections are on the bottom of the anti-slide element.

5. The robot cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the anti-slide element includes hooks on the bottom of the barrier unit.

6. The robot cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the robot cleaner is a robot vacuum.

7. The robot cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the robot cleaner is directed by a processor.

8. The robot cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the tactile sensor is a bumper sensor.

9. A method of operating a robot cleaner comprising:

placing a barrier unit, the barrier unit being weighted at bottom portion of the barrier unit and the barrier unit including an anti-slide element;

cleaning a room with a robot cleaner including a tactile sensor, wherein the barrier unit is such that the tactile sensor on the robot cleaner will trigger before a barrier unit is pushed substantially backwards by the robot cleaner, the triggering of the tactile sensor of the robot cleaner resulting in the robot cleaner changing direction.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the robot cleaner is directed by processor.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the robot cleaner does serpentine clean.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the tactile sensor is triggered by contacting the barrier unit.

13. A barrier unit adapted to be used with a robot cleaner, the barrier unit comprising:

a weighted bottom portion; and

an anti-slide element, wherein the barrier unit is such that the tactile sensor on the robot cleaner is triggered by contact with the barrier unit, the triggering of the tactile sensor of the robot cleaner resulting in the robot cleaner changing direction.

14. The barrier unit of claim 13, wherein the anti-slide element is a rubber element.

15. The barrier unit of claim 13, wherein the rubber element is a rubber grommet.

16. The barrier unit of claim 13, wherein the anti-slide element includes projections on the bottom of the barrier unit.

17. The barrier unit of claim 13, wherein projections are on the bottom of the anti-slide element.

18. The barrier unit of claim 13, wherein the anti-slide element includes hooks on the bottom of the barrier unit.

19. The barrier unit 13, wherein the barrier unit is a cone.

20. The barrier unit of claim 19, wherein the cone defines a hollow center.