Automated secure door for robotic mower
First Claim
1. A doorway system for a robotic vehicle that accesses a separated area through a barrier having a doorway formed therethrough, comprising:
- a wireless transmitter that transmits an electronic signal from the robotic vehicle;
a door movably disposed within the doorway, between a closed position and an open position;
a doorway device coupled to the barrier adjacent said door, having a wireless receiver coupled to a controller that is coupled to a locking mechanism configured to selectively engage and lock said door at said closed position, and operable to unlock said door upon receipt of said electronic signal by said wireless receiver, and whereinmovement of the robotic vehicle toward said doorway device enables communication of said electronic signal from said wireless transmitter to said wireless receiver such that said controller unlocks said door to thereby enable movement of said door to said open position;
a magnet disposed between said door and said doorway device to encourage said door towards said closed position;
a Hall effect sensor positioned adjacent said door to provide a position signal to said controller to confirm said door is at said closed position, and whereinupon passage of said robotic vehicle through the doorway to the separated area, and return of said door to said closed position with the assistance of said magnet, and upon receipt of said position signal from said Hall effect sensor, said controller controls said locking mechanism to engage and lock said door.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A doorway system for a robotic vehicle that accesses a separated area through a barrier that has a doorway formed through it. The system includes a wireless transmitter that transmits an electronic signal from the robotic vehicle, and a door movably disposed within the doorway, between a closed position and an open position. A doorway device with a wireless receiver that is coupled to a locking mechanism is configured to selectively engage and lock the door at the closed position, and unlock the door upon receipt of the electronic signal by the wireless receiver. Movement of the robotic vehicle toward the doorway device enables communication of the electronic signal from the wireless transmitter to the wireless receiver. Upon passage of the robotic vehicle through the doorway to the separated area, and return of the door to the closed position, the controller controls the locking mechanism to engage and lock the door.
28 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A doorway system for a robotic vehicle that accesses a separated area through a barrier having a doorway formed therethrough, comprising:
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a wireless transmitter that transmits an electronic signal from the robotic vehicle; a door movably disposed within the doorway, between a closed position and an open position; a doorway device coupled to the barrier adjacent said door, having a wireless receiver coupled to a controller that is coupled to a locking mechanism configured to selectively engage and lock said door at said closed position, and operable to unlock said door upon receipt of said electronic signal by said wireless receiver, and wherein movement of the robotic vehicle toward said doorway device enables communication of said electronic signal from said wireless transmitter to said wireless receiver such that said controller unlocks said door to thereby enable movement of said door to said open position; a magnet disposed between said door and said doorway device to encourage said door towards said closed position; a Hall effect sensor positioned adjacent said door to provide a position signal to said controller to confirm said door is at said closed position, and wherein upon passage of said robotic vehicle through the doorway to the separated area, and return of said door to said closed position with the assistance of said magnet, and upon receipt of said position signal from said Hall effect sensor, said controller controls said locking mechanism to engage and lock said door. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of controlling access to a separated area by a robotic vehicle through a barrier that has a doorway formed therethrough where a door is movably disposed within the doorway, between a closed position and an open position, and using a doorway device coupled to the barrier adjacent the door, having a wireless receiver coupled to a locking mechanism for selectively engaging and locking the door at the closed position, and wherein a magnet is disposed between the door and the doorway device, and wherein a Hall effect sensor positioned adjacent said door, and selectively unlocking the door in response to receiving the electronic signal, comprising the steps of:
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moving the robotic vehicle toward the doorway device, thereby enabling communications of electronic signals to the wireless receiver; transmitting an electronic signal from the robotic vehicle using a wireless transmitter; unlocking the door by the unlocking mechanism in response to receiving the electronic signal, thereby enabling movement of the door to the open position; passing the robotic vehicle through the doorway to the separated area; returning the door to the closed position, and cooperatively assisting gravity, by the magnet, thereby to encouraging the door towards said closed position, and providing a position signal by the Hall effect sensor to confirm the door is at the closed position, and engaging and locking the door by the locking mechanism after the robotic vehicle as passed through the doorway. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification