Lawn Mower Map Boundary Editing With On-Path Start Point Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for modifying lawn mower maps are inefficient and inaccurate, often requiring the entire map to be deleted and redrawn for partial modifications, or result in boundaries that do not correspond to the actual scenario when adjustments are made through applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for modifying maps by controlling a lawn mower to travel from a starting point to an ending point along an original target element, with starting and ending points determined by user instructions, ensuring the mower remains on the original target element, allowing for intuitive and accurate modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the entire map is deleted and redrawn for partial modifications, then the map can be completely updated, but the time consumption and work efficiency deteriorate significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemap modification accuracyVSAvoidmap modification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the map modification process into segments: the original map is retained and only the specific region requiring modification is updated. The boundary determination unit identifies the precise area needing changes, allowing partial rather than complete map redrawing, thus reducing time consumption while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing reference points and determining boundary regions before executing the actual map modification. The starting point determination unit and boundary determination unit prepare the modification area in advance, enabling efficient localized updates without redundant work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the map boundary is adjusted manually through an application, then the modification can be made quickly, but the modified boundary may not correspond to the actual scenario

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemap modification efficiencyVSAvoidboundary accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining the boundary of the region to be modified based on the starting point and travel direction. The boundary determination unit calculates the boundary region using the lawn mower's travel trajectory and orientation, eliminating the need for manual boundary adjustment while ensuring the modified boundary accurately corresponds to the actual scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the lawn mower's position, travel direction, and orientation. The boundary determination unit uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust and accurately determine the modification boundary, ensuring it matches the actual physical scenario rather than relying on manual estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the lawn mower is not constrained to travel along the original target element, then the travel path is more flexible, but the position accuracy for map modification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel flexibilityVSAvoidmower position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by allowing the lawn mower flexible travel within the boundary region while maintaining dynamic constraints. The guidance control unit dynamically adjusts the travel path based on real-time position and orientation data, ensuring the mower stays within the modification area while adapting to actual travel conditions, thus balancing flexibility and position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4667871A1Map modification method and apparatus, electronic device, storage medium, and program product
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 WILLAND (BEIJING) TECH CO LTD
  • EP4667871A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4667871A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4667871A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A map modification method and apparatus, an electronic device, a storage medium, and a program product. The method is applied to a control assembly of a mower, and comprises: receiving a first control instruction, and according to the first control instruction, controlling a mower to travel from a first start point to a second start point along an original target element (S201); receiving a start point confirmation instruction, and according to the start point confirmation instruction, taking the second start point as a start point for modifying the original target element (S202); and receiving a second control instruction, controlling, according to the second control instruction, the mower to travel from the second start point to an end point, and determining an updated target element according to a traveling trajectory from the second start point to the end point (S203). A position point is always attached on the original target element, so that the position point is not separated from the original target element, the step of re-adjusting the second start point to the original target element is omitted, a modification process is more visual and can correspond to an actual scenario, and the determined second start point is more accurate, thereby improving the accuracy of map modification.