Virtual wall system

• US 20060259194A1
• Filed: 07/08/2005
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Infinite Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Infinite Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Chiu, Ting-Yin
• Application Number:
  US11/176,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20060259194A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/245
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/725 Marker, boundary, call-sign or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93

Abstract

A virtual wall system includes a mobile robotic device having a steering unit for steering itself, a steering control unit connected with the steering unit for controlling the steering of the steering unit, at least one signal transmitter mounted thereon for emitting a signal, and a sonic receiver for receiving a sonic signal; and a virtual wall generator having at least one signal receiver for receiving the signal, at least one sonic transmitter for emitting a sonic signal, and a signal controller for identifying the signal and controlling the emission of the sonic transmitter. While the mobile robotic device is moving, the signal controller controls the sonic transmitter to emit the sonic signal after the signal receiver receives the signal emitted by the signal transmitter and then the sonic receiver receives the sonic signal, enabling the steering control unit to control the steering unit to steer the mobile robotic device.

Claims

1. A virtual wall system comprising:

A mobile robotic device having a steering unit for steering toward at least one direction, a steering control unit connected with said steering unit for controlling the steering of said steering unit, a signal transmitter mounted thereon for emitting a signal, and a sonic receiver for receiving a sonic signal; and

at least one virtual wall generator mounted on a planar surface that said mobile robotic device moves, said virtual wall generator having a signal receiver for receiving the signal emitted by said signal transmitter, a sonic transmitter for emitting a sonic signal toward a predetermined direction, and a signal controller for identifying the signal received by said signal receiver and controlling the emission of said sonic transmitter;

whereby said signal controller controls said sonic transmitter to emit the sonic signal while said signal receiver receives the signal and said mobile robotic device is moving, and then said sonic receiver receives the sonic signal and said control unit controls said steering unit to steer.

2. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein said virtual wall generator has at least one cavity, said cavity being taper-shaped to be defined between two sloped sidewalls and a bottom sidewall and having an opening facing sideward, a distance between said two sloped sidewalls of said cavity being increasing from said bottom sidewall to said opening;

said signal receiver and said sonic transmitter are mounted in said cavity.

3. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 2, wherein said virtual wall generator includes two cavities located back to back.

4. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 2, wherein said virtual wall generator includes two cavities located at the right angle.

5. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein said virtual wall generator includes a power module for supplying electricity.

6. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 5, wherein said power module is a battery.

7. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein the signal emitted by said signal transmitter is a light signal.

8. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sonic signal emitted by said sonic transmitter is an ultrasonic signal.

9. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein said signal transmitter is mounted on a side of said mobile robotic device.