Robot obstacle detection system
First Claim
1. A robot obstacle detection system comprising:
- a robot housing which navigates with respect to a surface;
a sensor subsystem having a defined relationship with respect to the housing and aimed at the surface for detecting the surface, the sensor subsystem including;
an optical emitter which emits a directed beam having a defined field of emission, and a photon detector having a defined field of view which intersects the field of emission of the emitter at a finite region; and
a circuit in communication with the detector for redirecting the robot when the surface does not occupy the region to avoid obstacles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A robot obstacle detection system including a robot housing which navigates with respect to a surface and a sensor subsystem having a defined relationship with respect to the housing and aimed at the surface for detecting the surface. The sensor subsystem includes an optical emitter which emits a directed beam having a defined field of emission and a photon detector having a defined field of view which intersects the field of emission of the emitter at a region. A circuit in communication with a detector redirects the robot when the surface does not occupy the region to avoid obstacles. A similar system is employed to detect walls.
423 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A robot obstacle detection system comprising:
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a robot housing which navigates with respect to a surface;
a sensor subsystem having a defined relationship with respect to the housing and aimed at the surface for detecting the surface, the sensor subsystem including;
an optical emitter which emits a directed beam having a defined field of emission, and a photon detector having a defined field of view which intersects the field of emission of the emitter at a finite region; and
a circuit in communication with the detector for redirecting the robot when the surface does not occupy the region to avoid obstacles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A robot wall detection system comprising:
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a robot housing which navigates with respect to a wall;
a sensor subsystem having a defined relationship with respect to the housing and aimed at the wall for detecting the presence of the wall, the sensor subsystem including;
an emitter which emits a directed beam having a defined field of emission, and a detector having a defined field of view which intersects the field of emission of the emitter at a region; and
a circuit in communication with the detector for redirecting the robot when the wall occupies the region. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A sensor subsystem for an autonomous robot which rides on a surface, the sensor subsystem comprising:
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an optical emitter which emits a directed optical beam having a defined field of emission;
a photon detector having a defined field of view which intersects the field of emission of the emitter at a region; and
a circuit in communication with the detector for providing an output when an object is not present in the region.
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22. A sensor subsystem comprising:
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an optical emitter which directs an optical beam having a defined field of emission; and
a photon detector having a defined field of view which intersects the field of emission of the emitter at a finite predetermined region. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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23. An autonomous robot comprising:
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a housing which navigates in at least one direction on a surface;
a first sensor subsystem aimed at the surface for detecting obstacles on the surface; and
a second sensor subsystem aimed at least proximate the direction of navigation for detecting walls, each said subsystem including;
an optical emitter which emits a directed beam having a defined field of emission and a photon detector having a defined field of view which intersects the field of emission of the emitter at a finite, predetermined region.
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Specification