Robot Movement Boundary Mapping With Base Station Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling the movement range of self-moving robots lack precision and universality, requiring cumbersome marker arrangements and are not accurate in delimiting boundaries.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the setup of three or more base stations to establish a coordinate system, measuring signal transmission times to determine coordinates, and delimiting boundaries using sample points gathered by the robot or manually, allowing for precise regional division.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing regional division methods (Satellite Positioning, Marker Setting-up, Spatial Infrared Signal Guidance) are used, then the robot can have its movement restricted, but the precision is low and marker arrangement is cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboundary delimitation precisionVSAvoidmarker arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the boundary definition function from complex marker arrangements and separates it into a simple coordinate system framework. By using base stations to establish coordinates and manually defining boundaries through sample points, the system removes the need for complex physical markers while maintaining boundary restriction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal boundary delimitation system that can work with any robot type and movement area configuration. The coordinate system-based approach with sample point boundary definition is not limited to specific environments or robot types, making it broadly applicable across different scenarios without requiring environment-specific customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing methods are used to delimit movement boundaries, then regional division is achieved, but accuracy is low and universality is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemethod universalityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic boundary definition system where boundaries are not fixed physically but are defined through coordinate data that can be easily modified. The sample point-based boundary definition allows flexible adjustment of movement areas without physical reconfiguration, enabling the system to adapt to different working scenarios while maintaining high positioning accuracy through the coordinate system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If three or more base stations are set up to establish a coordinate system, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidbase station configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary setup by establishing the coordinate system through base stations and defining boundaries through sample points before actual robot operation. This preliminary configuration is done once and then reused, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations during robot operation and simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining high positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides accurate and convenient boundary delimitation for self-moving robots, enhancing precision and flexibility in defining working areas.

Implementation Method 1

measuring signal transmission times to determine coordinates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal transmission time measurement: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4345564B1Method to determine a movement boundary for a self-moving robot
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP4345564B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4345564B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4345564B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

In a self-moving robot movement boundary delimiting method, in step 100: setting up three or more base stations in a movement area of a self-moving robot, and establishing a coordinate system; in step 200: artificially planning a movement path in the movement area of the self-moving robot, gathering sample points on the path, and determining the coordinates of the sample points in the coordinate system; and in step 300: delimiting a boundary according to the coordinates of the gathered sample points, and setting the self-moving robot to work inside or outside the boundary. The present invention achieves a regional division by distance measurement and positioning based on stationary base stations, thus improving accuracy and convenience compared to the prior art.