Robot Confinement Method

• US 20110040437A1
• Filed: 07/07/2010
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Lynch
• Original Assignee: James Lynch
• Inventors: Lynch, James
• Application Number:
  US12/832,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20110040437A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/23
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/04 Automatic control of the travelling movement; Automatic obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals

Abstract

A confinement device for a mobile robot. A confinement device for a mobile robot preventing the robot from entering a space or region in which the user would like to safeguard or to keep the robot bound within a given space eliminating travel into sensitive or dangerous areas. The confinement device comprises materials used to absorb

Claims

1. A system for controlling the movement of a mobile electronic device comprising:

a light source capable of emitting light energy, wherein said light energy emanates from said mobile electronic device;

a light energy receiver, wherein said light energy receiver is capable of receiving said light energy;

a light energy inhibitor, wherein said light energy inhibitor interacts with said light energy;

a set of instructions, wherein said set of instructions may be at least in part affected by the receiving of said light energy by said light energy receiver; and

a control unit, wherein said control unit may utilize said set of instructions and wherein said control unit may at least in part control the movement of said mobile electronic device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said light energy comprises a light direction and wherein said light direction corresponds with said movement of said mobile electronic device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said light energy may be emanated a first distance and wherein said first distance is ahead of the mobile electronic device relative to said movement.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said light inhibitor further comprises at least one inhibitor strip, and wherein said inhibitor strip inhibits the reflection of light energy.

5. The system of claim 4 where said light energy is emanated and received is used as a cliff or stair detection system.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said inhibitor strip is substantially linear.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein said inhibitor strip is substantially non-linear.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein said light energy comprises infrared light.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein said light energy comprises visible light energy.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the receiving of light creates a cliff detection condition.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said cliff detection condition affects said set of instructions and wherein said set of instructions affects said control unit and wherein said control unit controls said mobile electronic device with a cliff detection control.

12. A system for controlling the movement of a mobile electronic device comprising:

a light source capable of emitting infrared light energy, wherein said light energy emanates from said mobile electronic device in a forward direction relative to said movement;

a light energy receiver connected to said mobile electronic device, wherein said light energy receiver is capable of receiving said infrared light energy, and wherein the receiving of said infrared light energy may affect a set of movement instructions and wherein said light energy receiver may communicate said set of movement instructions;

a light energy inhibitor strip, wherein said light energy inhibitor strip inhibits reflection of said infrared light energy;

a control unit, wherein said control unit may receive the communication of said set of movement instructions from said light energy receiver and said control unit may utilize said set of movement instructions to control the movement of said mobile electronic device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the receiving of said infrared light energy further comprises a cliff detection condition and wherein said cliff detection condition may affect said set of movement instructions and wherein said control unit controls said mobile electronic device in response to said set of movement instructions.

14. A confinement device for mobile robots to inhibit robot operation from desired areas, said device comprising:

A material that inhibits the reflection of light energy from a light source attached to a mobile robot.

15. The confinement device of claim 14 where the light energy absorbed is infrared light.

16. The confinement device of claim 14 where the light energy absorbed is visible light.

17. The confinement device of claim 14 where the material may be cut into a rectangle.

18. The confinement device of claim 14 where the material may be cut into a square.

19. The confinement device of claim 14 where the material may be cut into a circle.