Autonomous Robot and A Positioning Method Thereof

• US 20130024025A1
• Filed: 12/02/2011
• Published: 01/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ememe Robot Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Ememe Robot Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: HSU, Harry Chia-Hung
• Application Number:
  US13/309,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20130024025A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/259
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0044 by providing the operator with a computer generated representation of the environment of the vehicle, e.g. virtual reality, maps maps used for automatic navigation G05D1/0274; flight directors G01C23/005
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• 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 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30

Abstract

An autonomous robot and a positioning method thereof are disclosed. The autonomous robot includes an environment information detection device, a map construction module, a setting module, a path planning module, and a driving module. The environment information detection device is for detecting environment information about an environment where the autonomous robot is situated. An environment map is constructed based on the environment information detected by the environment information detection device. The setting module is used for setting a working boundary on the environment map. The path planning module is for planning a moving path in a working zone and is electrically connected to the setting module. The driving module for driving the autonomous robot to move along the moving path is electrically connected to the path planning module.

Claims

1. An autonomous robot capable of performing an assigned task in a working zone delineated by a working boundary comprising:

an environment information detection device for detecting working environment information about a working environment where the autonomous robot is situated;

a map construction module, electrically connected to the environment information detection device, for constructing an environment map based on the working environment information;

a setting module, electrically connected to the map construction module, for setting the working boundary on the environment map;

a path planning module, electrically connected to the setting module, for planning a working path in the working zone delineated by the working boundary for the autonomous robot; and

a driving module, electrically connected to the path planning module, for driving the autonomous robot to move along the working path.

2. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environment information detection device can be an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic range sensor, a laser sensor, a camera, or a video camera.

3. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 2, wherein while the autonomous robot is moving along the working path, the environment map is dynamically updated by the map construction module based on real-time working environment information detected by the environment information detection device.

4. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the autonomous robot comprises a memory unit, electrically connected to the setting module, for storing the environment map, the working boundary, and the working zone.

5. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 4, wherein the environment information detection device can be an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic range sensor, a laser sensor, a camera, or a video camera.

6. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 5, wherein while the autonomous robot is moving along the working path, the environment map is dynamically updated by the map construction module based on real-time working environment information detected by the environment information detection device.

7. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 4, wherein the autonomous robot comprises a display interface, electrically connected to the setting module, for displaying the environment map.

8. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 7, wherein the environment information detection device can be an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic range sensor, a laser sensor, a camera, or a video camera.

9. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 8, wherein while the autonomous robot is moving along the working path, the environment map is dynamically updated by the map construction module based on real-time working environment information detected by the environment information detection device.

10. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 7, wherein the autonomous robot comprises a communication module, electrically connected to the setting module, for communicating with an external electronic device via an external communication platform.

11. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 10, wherein the environment information detection device can be an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic range sensor, a laser sensor, a camera, or a video camera.

12. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 11, wherein while the autonomous robot is moving along the working path, the environment map is dynamically updated by the map construction module based on real-time working environment information detected by the environment information detection device.

13. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 10, wherein the working path is a Boustrophedon path.

14. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 13, wherein the environment information detection device can be an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic range sensor, a laser sensor, a camera, or a video camera.

15. The autonomous robot as claimed in claim 14, wherein while the autonomous robot is moving along the working path, the environment map is dynamically updated by the map construction module based on real-time working environment information detected by the environment information detection device.

16. A positioning method that can be applied to an autonomous robot for allowing the autonomous robot to perform an assigned task in a working zone delineated by a working boundary comprising the following steps:

determining whether an environment map is stored in the autonomous robot;

providing a display interface for displaying the environment map;

setting the working boundary on the environment map;

planning a working path in the working zone delineated by the working boundary for the autonomous robot; and

driving the autonomous robot to move along the working path and dynamically updating the environment map based on real-time working environment information detected by the environment information detection device.

17. The positioning method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the environment map is constructed using simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM).

18. The positioning method as claimed in claim 16, wherein if the environment map is not stored in the autonomous robot, the method implements the following steps:

detecting working environment information about a working environment where the autonomous robot is situated through an environment information detection device; and

constructing an environment map based on the working environment information.

19. The positioning method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the environment map is constructed using simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM).

20. A cleaning robot capable of performing a cleaning task in a working zone delineated by a working boundary comprising:

an environment information detection device for detecting working environment information about a working environment where the cleaning robot is situated;

a map construction module for constructing an environment map based on the working environment information;

a setting module, electrically connected to the map construction module, for setting the working boundary on the environment map;

a path planning module, electrically connected to the setting module, for planning a working path in the working zone delineated by the working boundary for the cleaning robot;

a driving module, electrically connected to the path planning module, for driving the cleaning robot to move along the working path;

a memory unit, electrically connected to the setting module, for storing the environment map, the working boundary, and the working zone;

a display interface, electrically connected to the setting module, for displaying the environment map; and

a communication module, electrically connected to the setting module, for communicating with an external electronic device via an external communication platform.