Domestic robotic system and method
First Claim
1. A domestic robotic system comprising:
- a robot comprising;
a payload configured for performing a task within a working area within which said robot moves to perform said task, said working area associated with a predetermined boundary;
a plurality of sensors, including;
one or more local environment sensors that are configured to receive signals from external sources local to said robot;
data storage configured for storing data including boundary data which defines said predetermined boundary associated with said working area; and
,at least one processor in communication with the plurality of sensors and the data storage, the at least one processor of the robot programmed to calculate a reference trail using said boundary data, such that said reference trail is spaced apart from said predetermined boundary, and to operate in modes including;
(i) a reference trail data recording mode, wherein;
the robot moves along said reference trail, while the at least one processor receives sensor data from said plurality of sensors; and
,the at least one processor is programmed to obtain reference trail data from said sensor data; and
the at least one processor is programmed to cause the storing of said reference trail data in the data storage; and
,(ii) a navigation mode, wherein the robot moves within said working area, the at least one processor programmed to control navigation of the robot by;
receiving sensor data from said plurality of sensors; and
,when said robot is at a location that is proximate to said reference trail, comparing a portion of said sensor data associated with said location with said stored reference trail data in order to determine a current position of the robot.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A domestic robotic system including a robot having a payload for carrying out a domestic task within a working area. The robot also includes a plurality of sensors, including one or more local environment sensors that are configured to receive signals from exterior sources local to the robot. The system further includes data storage, which is operable to store boundary information that defines the path of a predetermined boundary within which the robot is permitted to move. The robot is programmed to operate in at a reference trail recording mode and a navigation mode. In the reference trail recording mode, the robot moves along a reference trail while receiving sensor information from its sensors, with the path of the reference trail being calculated by the system based on the stored boundary information so as to be spaced apart from the path of the predetermined boundary. Also in the reference trail recording mode, the system stores reference trail information corresponding to a first plurality of points along the reference trail. This reference trail information is derived from the sensor information corresponding to the first plurality of points. In the navigation mode, the robot moves within the working area and navigates by: receiving current sensor information from its sensors; and, when it is in the vicinity of the reference trail, comparing the current sensor information with the reference trail information in order to determine its current position.
44 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A domestic robotic system comprising:
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a robot comprising;
a payload configured for performing a task within a working area within which said robot moves to perform said task, said working area associated with a predetermined boundary;a plurality of sensors, including;
one or more local environment sensors that are configured to receive signals from external sources local to said robot;data storage configured for storing data including boundary data which defines said predetermined boundary associated with said working area; and
,at least one processor in communication with the plurality of sensors and the data storage, the at least one processor of the robot programmed to calculate a reference trail using said boundary data, such that said reference trail is spaced apart from said predetermined boundary, and to operate in modes including; (i) a reference trail data recording mode, wherein; the robot moves along said reference trail, while the at least one processor receives sensor data from said plurality of sensors; and
,the at least one processor is programmed to obtain reference trail data from said sensor data; and the at least one processor is programmed to cause the storing of said reference trail data in the data storage; and
,(ii) a navigation mode, wherein the robot moves within said working area, the at least one processor programmed to control navigation of the robot by; receiving sensor data from said plurality of sensors; and
,when said robot is at a location that is proximate to said reference trail, comparing a portion of said sensor data associated with said location with said stored reference trail data in order to determine a current position of the robot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification