Mobile robot location determination employing error-correcting distributed landmarks
First Claim
1. A method, using at least one landmark within a predetermined space, each landmark displaying a pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern on a plane, with the pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern having a first plurality of rectangular cells, for determining a location of an autonomous vehicle, comprising:
- imaging at least one pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern;
generating, in response to imaging the pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern, a signal;
orienting a camera relative to the autonomous vehicle; and
determining, in response to the signal and to camera orientation, a position and an orientation of the autonomous vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for using specially designed landmarks to provide the position and orientation in three dimensions of an autonomous vehicle, such as a mobile robot. The landmarks are checkerboards of rectangular cells of contrasting colors that are arranged to create a pseudo-random pattern. The autonomous vehicle carries a recognition and measurement unit, for example including a camera and a digital computer that processes the output of the camera. A map stored in the recognition and measurement unit describes the position, orientation and dimensions of each pseudo-random checkerboard pattern. The recognition and measurement unit processes the image of a pseudo-random checkerboard pattern to identify the landmark on which the pattern is displayed and to calculate the position and orientation of the autonomous vehicle. The pseudo-randomness of each checkerboard pattern enables determination of the position and orientation determination of the autonomous vehicle even if partial errors are made in visual interpretation of the landmark.
162 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method, using at least one landmark within a predetermined space, each landmark displaying a pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern on a plane, with the pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern having a first plurality of rectangular cells, for determining a location of an autonomous vehicle, comprising:
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imaging at least one pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern; generating, in response to imaging the pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern, a signal; orienting a camera relative to the autonomous vehicle; and determining, in response to the signal and to camera orientation, a position and an orientation of the autonomous vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for determining a location of an autonomous vehicle, comprising:
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at least one landmark within a first predetermined space, each landmark displaying a pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern on a plane; camera means for imaging at least one pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern and for generating, responsive to the imaged pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern, a signal; relational means for orienting the camera means relative to the autonomous vehicle; and locating means, responsive to the signal and to the relational means, for determining a position and an orientation of the autonomous vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for determining the location of an autonomous vehicle, comprising:
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placing at least one landmark within a predetermined space, each landmark having a plane; displaying on the plane of each landmark a pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern; equipping the autonomous vehicle with; a camera for imaging at least one pseudo-random checkerboard pattern and for generating, in response to the imaged pseudo-random-checkerboard pattern, a signal; relational means for orienting the camera relative to the autonomous vehicle; and locating means, responsive to the signal and the relational means, for determining a position and an orientation of the autonomous vehicle.
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Specification