GARDEN MAPPING AND PLANNING VIA ROBOTIC VEHICLE

• US 20170345210A1
• Filed: 10/19/2015
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Original Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Inventors: Grufman, Stefan, Mannefred, Bjrn, Willgert, Mikael, Mattsson, Anders, Reigo, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 10,643,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0219 ensuring the processing of the whole working surface
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• 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 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A method for mapping and planning a parcel or garden may include receiving information indicative of position data of a robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel. The method may further include generating a base-map of the parcel based on the information received and providing a graphical representation of the parcel based on the base-map. The method may further include enabling an operator to generate a modified-map.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving information indicative of position data of a robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel;

generating a base-map of the parcel based on the information received;

providing a graphical representation of the parcel based on the base-map; and

enabling an operator to generate a modified-map.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein enabling the operator to generate the modified-map comprises enabling an operator to interact with the graphical representation to virtually remove one or more existing objects identified on the base-map, populate the base-map with one or more virtual content objects, or both to provide the modified-map.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified-map comprises a landscaping plan for the parcel.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the operator to interact with the graphical representation to view one or more content items associated with respective ones of the one or more locations.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual content objects comprise vegetation including grass, bushes, trees, flowers, plants, or any combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual content objects comprise one or more building structures.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the base-map based on supplemental image data or supplemental location information received from an external device, the graphical representation being provided based on the base-map after updating.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the base-map comprises generating the base-map at a charge station or a remote device relative to the robotic vehicle responsive to the information received being received from the robotic vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the graphical representation comprises generating a two dimensional or three dimensional interactive representation of the parcel.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the graphical representation comprises providing an event log defining a series of events in association with the respective ones of the one or more locations.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the event log includes a plurality of images associated with the respective ones of the one or more locations at a selected time or range of times.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the event log further includes sensor data gathered at the respective ones of the one or more locations at the selected time or range of times.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein enabling the operator to interact with the graphical representation comprises enabling the operator to define an area within the parcel and associate one or more virtual content objects to be located therein.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a modified-graphical representation of the parcel based on the modified-map.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the base map comprises generating the base map based on aggregating data regarding objects surrounding the robotic vehicle from multiple sensors on the robotic vehicle.

6. (canceled)

17. An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured for:

receiving information indicative of position data of a robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel;

generating a base-map of the parcel based on the information received;

providing a graphical representation of the parcel based on the base-map; and

enabling an operator to generate a modified-map.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured for enabling the operator to generate the modified-map comprising enabling the operator to interact with the graphical representation to virtually remove one or more existing objects identified on the base-map, populate the base-map with one or more virtual content objects, or both to provide the modified-map.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the modified-map comprises a landscaping plan for the parcel.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured for enabling the operator to interact with the graphical representation to view one or more content items associated with respective ones of the one or more locations.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured for updating the base-map based on supplemental image data or supplemental location information received from an external device, the graphical representation being provided based on the base-map after updating.

21-23. -23. (canceled)

25-32. -32. (canceled)