Virtual Boundary Mapping for Robotic Garden Tools Using Aerial Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating virtual boundaries for robotic garden tools are inefficient and burdensome, requiring users to manually capture images or move the robots within the operating area, which is time-consuming and may not accurately account for complex landscapes like lawns with water features or segmented areas.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using preexisting visual media files, such as aerial images, to generate virtual boundary coordinates by identifying property lines, barriers, and obstacles through image analysis, allowing for automated boundary creation without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users manually capture images or move robots within the operating area to create virtual boundaries, then the boundary creation process can be completed, but the process becomes time-consuming and burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The system retrieves preexisting visual media files (aerial images, maps) that were captured beforehand from external sources. These preexisting images already contain the operating area information needed, eliminating the need for users to capture images or move robots during boundary creation. The system processes these precaptured images to generate virtual boundary coordinates automatically.
2Reliability
If users manually create virtual boundaries through image capture or robot movement, then the process can be completed, but the user experience becomes burdensome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic image analysis and virtual boundary coordinate generation without requiring user intervention. The electronic processor autonomously retrieves preexisting visual media files, analyzes them to identify property lines and obstacles, and generates accurate virtual boundary coordinates. This self-service approach eliminates the burden of manual boundary creation while maintaining high accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to account for complex landscapes like lawns with water features or segmented areas, then accurate boundary definition is attempted, but the process becomes even more time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical processes (moving robots, capturing images, manually defining boundaries) with automated image processing and analysis. The electronic processor uses computational algorithms to analyze preexisting visual media files, automatically identify complex landscape features like water features and segmented areas, and generate accurate virtual boundary coordinates efficiently without physical robot movement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of creating a virtual boundary for a robotic garden tool includes receiving location coordinates of a location in which the robotic garden tool is intended to be operated. The method also includes retrieving, from a first server and based on the location coordinates, a preexisting visual media file of the location in which the robotic garden tool is intended to be operated. The preexisting visual media file includes metadata that includes coordinate information of the location shown in the preexisting visual media file. The method includes generating virtual boundary coordinates of the virtual boundary based at least partially on the preexisting visual media file and the coordinate information. The method includes controlling, with a first electronic processor of the robotic garden tool, the robotic garden tool to be confined by the virtual boundary to remain in an operating area during operation of the robotic garden tool.