Autonomous Mobile Device and Method for Navigating the Same to a Base Station
First Claim
1. A method for navigating an autonomous mobile device to a base station that sends out a main navigating signal, the autonomous mobile device including a movable case, a main detector disposed on the case, and a control unit for controlling movement of the case, said method comprising the following steps of:
- a) when the main detector detects the main navigating signal, configuring the control unit to rotate the case in a first direction until the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, and configuring the control unit to set a first time point when the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal;
b) configuring the control unit to rotate the case in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, and configuring the control unit to set a second time point when the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal;
c) configuring the control unit to compute a calibration time according to the first and second time points;
d) configuring the control unit to rotate the case in the first direction by the calibration time so as to make the main detector substantially point toward the base station; and
e) configuring the control unit to move the case toward a direction pointed by the main detector.
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Abstract
A method of navigating an autonomous mobile device to a base station is provided. In the method, when a detector detects a navigating signal sent out by the base station, the mobile device rotates in a first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a first time point is set at this time. Then, the mobile device rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the detector fails to detect the navigating signal, and a second time point is set at this time. Afterward, the mobile device rotates in the first direction by a time computed based on the first and second time points to make the detector face the base station, and then, moves toward a direction pointed by the detector.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for navigating an autonomous mobile device to a base station that sends out a main navigating signal, the autonomous mobile device including a movable case, a main detector disposed on the case, and a control unit for controlling movement of the case, said method comprising the following steps of:
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a) when the main detector detects the main navigating signal, configuring the control unit to rotate the case in a first direction until the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, and configuring the control unit to set a first time point when the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal; b) configuring the control unit to rotate the case in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, and configuring the control unit to set a second time point when the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal; c) configuring the control unit to compute a calibration time according to the first and second time points; d) configuring the control unit to rotate the case in the first direction by the calibration time so as to make the main detector substantially point toward the base station; and e) configuring the control unit to move the case toward a direction pointed by the main detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An autonomous mobile device capable of docking on a base station that sends out a main navigating signal, said autonomous mobile device comprising:
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a movable case; a main detector disposed on said case; and a control unit for controlling movement of said case, and operable to implement a method for navigating said autonomous mobile device to the base station, the method including the following steps of i) when said main detector detects the main navigating signal, rotating said case in a first direction until said main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, and setting a first time point when said main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, ii) rotating said case in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, and setting a second time point when said main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, iii) computing a calibration time according to the first and second time points, iv) rotating said case in the first direction by the calibration time so as to make said main detector substantially point toward the base station, and v) moving said case toward a direction pointed by said main detector. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system comprising:
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a base station for sending out a main navigating signal; and an autonomous mobile device capable of docking on said base station, and including a movable case, a main detector disposed on said case, and a control unit for controlling movement of said case, and operable to implement a method for navigating said autonomous mobile device to said base station, the method including the following steps of A) when said main detector detects the main navigating signal, rotating said case in a first direction until said main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, and setting a first time point when said main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, B) rotating said case in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, and setting a second time point when said main detector fails to detect the main navigating signal, C) computing a calibration time according to the first and second time points, D) rotating said case in the first direction by the calibration time so as to make said main detector substantially point toward said base station, and E) moving said case toward a direction pointed by said main detector.
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Specification