Robotic Tool Display for Remote Start Point Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic garden tools lack an efficient method for controlling and monitoring start points, leading to inefficiencies in operating within defined areas.

Innovation Solution

An external device with a display, network interface, and processor is used to communicate with robotic garden tools, allowing for the display of a start point screen that includes an initiate setup button and an add start point button. This enables the robotic tool to travel along a perimeter, gather position data, and establish start points remotely from the dock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the robotic tool travels along the perimeter to establish start points, then the start point positioning precision is improved, but the setup time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestart point positioning precisionVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary perimeter traversal to map the operating area boundaries before actual gardening operations. The robotic tool travels along the perimeter during setup to collect position data and establish boundary coordinates, which are stored for future operations. This preliminary action enables precise start point positioning without requiring repeated perimeter traversals during operational setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple start points are established along the perimeter, then the operational versatility is improved, but the device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operating area perimeter is divided into multiple discrete start point locations, each independently configurable and selectable. The system segments the continuous perimeter into specific positions where the robotic tool can begin operations, allowing users to choose different start points based on operational needs such as access points, obstacle locations, or efficiency optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If real-time position data is collected during perimeter traversal, then the measurement precision is improved, but the processing complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements real-time feedback during perimeter traversal by continuously collecting position data from sensors and odometry units. This data is processed and stored as the robotic tool moves along the boundary, enabling dynamic adjustment and verification of the mapped perimeter. The feedback mechanism ensures accurate position recording while providing options for post-processing or real-time display of boundary information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The solution allows for precise control and monitoring of start points, enabling the robotic garden tool to operate efficiently within defined areas by accurately determining and adjusting start points based on user input.

Implementation Method 1

the first robotic garden tool includes an odometry unit, which, while the first robotic garden tool travels along the boundary of the operating area, gathers data indicative of the position of the first robotic garden tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOdometry:

Data Source

PatentEP4310621B1Display for controlling robotic tool
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
  • EP4310621B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4310621B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4310621B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An external device for use with one or more robotic tools, the external device including a display and an electronic processor, where when an initiate setup button is selected by a first user input, the processor is configured to send a signal to the first robotic garden tool to travel from a dock and along a perimeter of an operating area. When the add start point button is selected by a second user input, the processor is configured to retrieve a first position of the first robotic garden tool, the first position being indicative of a first start point remote of the dock, and where the first robotic garden tool is configured to return to the dock after traveling along the perimeter and to communicate a calculated boundary length based on the data gathered by the odometry unit to the processor.