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Visual navigation and obstacle avoidance structured light system

  • US 5,040,116 A
  • Filed: 06/20/1990
  • Issued: 08/13/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of generating navigation related information for a mobile robot, comprising the steps of:

  • projecting at least one structured, substantially planar radiation beam into an environment in front of and including a desired path of the robot, said radiation beam forming a linear pattern upon a surface disposed within the environment;

    generating a two-dimensional pixel image of the environment, said image including at least an image of said linear pattern which reflects from a surface, if any, within the environment;

    locating said image of said linear pattern within the two-dimensional pixel image of the environment of said robot;

    inferring from the located position of the linear pattern, within said image of the environment, a range and a bearing of the surface relative to the robot;

    generating a geometric map representation that includes a location of the surface, relative to a current location of said robot; and

    processing said geometric map representation to generate robot motion control signals to accomplish a forward motion of said robot through the environment.

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