Autonomous Robot Virtual Perimeter Control Without Boundary Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous lawn mowing robots face challenges in defining and maintaining a confined area of operation, leading to inefficient coverage and potential safety issues due to failures in physically defined perimeters such as wires or beacons.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robot system that uses a location tracking unit and central processing unit to map and record location points, defining a closed-geometry perimeter within a memory device, and includes capacitive touch sensors to prevent operation outside the designated area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physically defined perimeters (wires, beacons, barriers) are used to confine the autonomous robot, then the area of confinement is clearly defined, but the system becomes complex and prone to failures (broken wires, sunken wires, beacon failures)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical perimeter definition system (wires, beacons, barriers) with an electronic/software-based system. The robot uses location tracking units (GPS, dead reckoning, vision systems) and a central processing unit to virtually define and enforce the perimeter through software algorithms, eliminating the need for physical perimeter infrastructure and its associated failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy or digital representation of the perimeter within the robot's memory device. Instead of relying on physical markers in the environment, the system stores location points and generates a digital perimeter model that the robot can reference and follow, effectively copying the perimeter concept into the digital domain where it is more reliable and flexible.
2Productivity
If physically defined perimeters are used, then the robot can operate autonomously, but coverage becomes non-optimal when perimeter failures occur causing the robot to leave the designated area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback mechanisms where the robot's location tracking unit constantly monitors the robot's position relative to the stored perimeter points. The central processing unit compares real-time location data with the digital perimeter model and provides feedback control to steer the robot back within bounds, ensuring optimal coverage even when physical perimeter markers fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot performs self-contained perimeter definition and monitoring without relying on external physical infrastructure. The location tracking unit and central processing unit work together to autonomously determine the robot's position and enforce perimeter constraints through software, making the system self-sufficient and immune to external perimeter failures.
3Ease of operation
If physically defined perimeters are used, then the confinement area is established, but safety risks increase due to potential failures that may cause the robot to leave the designated area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vulnerable physical perimeter structures with a software-based virtual perimeter system. By using electronic location tracking and digital perimeter definition stored in memory, the system eliminates safety hazards associated with broken or failed physical markers, while maintaining ease of operation through programmable perimeter definition.
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
Ensures optimal coverage and safe operation within the defined area by accurately tracking and maintaining the perimeter, preventing the robot from leaving the designated area and reducing the risk of accidents or damage.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive touch sensor operably coupled to the central processing unit and to the housing, the memory device storing a baseline capacitance value of the capacitive touch sensor; wherein at least a portion of the housing is operably coupled to the capacitive touch sensor, the portion of the housing comprising an electrically conductive material; wherein upon an object having a capacitance value contacting the portion of the housing while the autonomous robot is activated, the capacitive touch sensor detects an increase in capacitance value relative to the baseline capacitance value
Data Source
AI summary
A method of establishing an area of confinement and an autonomous robot for performing a task within the area of confinement. In one aspect, the invention can be a method of defining an area of confinement for an autonomous robot comprising: a) positioning the autonomous robot at a first location point P1, the autonomous robot comprising a location tracking unit, and recording the first location point P1 within a memory device; b) moving the autonomous robot from the first location point P1 to a plurality of location points P2-N and recording each of the plurality of location points P2-N within the memory device; and c) defining, with a central processing unit, a first closed-geometry comprising the first location point P1 and the plurality of location points P2-N as a perimeter of the area of confinement within the memory device.