Virtual Barrier Confinement for Robotic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic systems face challenges in efficiently confining robotic devices within specific areas without the need for physical barriers, which can encumber movement and reduce autonomy, as they may inadvertently transition between areas or collide with objects undetected by sensors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses time-stamped signals from beacons to create virtual barriers, allowing processors to calculate distances and restrict or permit robotic movement, thereby preventing unwanted transitions and collisions by synchronizing clocks and adjusting movement paths based on elapsed time values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical barriers are used to confine the robotic device, then the device is prevented from entering restricted areas, but the barriers encumber routine movement and reduce system autonomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical barriers with a virtual barrier system based on electromagnetic signals. The beacon transmits time-stamped signals that the robotic device receives and processes to calculate distance and determine virtual barrier status, eliminating the need for physical obstruction while maintaining confinement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic signals as an intermediary between the confinement system and the robotic device. The beacon transmits time-stamped signals that serve as a mediator to communicate barrier information to the device, enabling non-contact confinement without physical barriers.
2Reliability
If physical barriers are used to confine the robotic device, then the device is prevented from entering restricted areas, but substantial extra equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical barrier structures with a simple beacon device that transmits electromagnetic signals. This substitution dramatically reduces system complexity while maintaining confinement reliability, as the beacon and signal processing requirements are far simpler than physical barrier installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical barrier concept in the electromagnetic domain. Instead of implementing actual physical walls or barriers, the system creates a virtual representation of the barrier through signal transmission and processing, eliminating the need for substantial extra equipment.
3Ease of operation
If the robotic device operates without confinement, then movement autonomy is maintained, but the device may collide with undetected objects or transition to restricted areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing virtual barriers before the robotic device can potentially collide with objects or enter restricted areas. The beacon continuously transmits signals that define safe operating boundaries, allowing the device to maintain autonomy while being proactively guided away from harmful situations through elapsed time calculations.
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
This approach enables efficient and autonomous confinement of robotic devices within designated areas, reducing the risk of collisions and enhancing user control over their movement, without the need for physical barriers, thus maintaining system autonomy.
Implementation Method 1
determine distance to the one or more beacons by measuring time of flight of transmitted signals from the one or more beacons
Implementation Method 2
acquire, at the robotic device, one or more time-stamped signals transmitted by a beacon; generate, using the acquired one or more time-stamped signals, a measure of distance of the robotic device from the beacon
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a system and/or method to create or otherwise define one or more virtual barriers for confining or controlling an autonomous robotic device substantially within one or more portion of one or more selected working areas, for example, to prohibit entrance of certain areas. The system and/or method may use a set of beacon transmitters that emit time-stamped signals, which are received by one or more robots and used to calculate the robotic device's distance from such beacons.