VIRTUAL WALL SYSTEM

• US 20100222926A1
• Filed: 05/06/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Infinite Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Infinite Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: CHIU, Ting-Yin
• Application Number:
  US12/774,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20100222926A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/253
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/725 Marker, boundary, call-sign or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2201/0215 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A virtual wall system is composed of a mobile robotic device and at least one virtual wall generator. The mobile robotic device includes a steering unit for steering itself toward at least one direction, a steering control unit connected with the steering unit for controlling the steering of the steering unit, and at least one sonic receiver mounted to one side thereof for receiving sonic signals. The at least one virtual wall system generator is placed on a planar surface where the mobile robotic device moves, having a sonic emitter and a taper-shaped hole facing sidewards. The taper-shaped hole increasingly expands from inside out. The sonic emitter is to emit sonic signals that are directive subject to the taper-shaped hole. The at least one virtual wall system generator further includes a power module as power supply.

Claims

1. A virtual wall system comprising:

a mobile robotic device having a steering unit for steering itself toward at least one direction, a steering control unit connected with said steering unit for controlling the steering of said steering unit, and at least one sonic receiver mounted to a side thereof for receiving at least one sonic signal; and

at least one virtual wall generator mounted on a planar surface that said mobile robotic device moves on, the virtual wall generator having a taper-shaped hole increasingly expanding from inside out and having an opening facing sideward, a sonic emitter for emitting at least one sonic signal which is directive subject to the taper-shaped hole, and a power module as a power supply;

whereby while the mobile robotic device is moving and the sonic receiver receives the at least one sonic signal from the sonic emitter, the steering control unit controls the steering of the steering unit.

2. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein the power module is a battery.

3. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein the power module is a rechargeable battery;

the virtual wall generator comprises a solar panel electrically connected with the power module, the solar panel being shined by the sun to generate electric energy for charging the power module.

4. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein the taper-shaped hole is conic.

5. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one sonic signal emitted by the virtual wall generator is consecutive.

6. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one sonic signal emitted by the virtual wall generator is plural and intermittent.

7. The virtual wall system as defined in claim 6, wherein an interval between each two sonic signals is less than or equal to one second.