Virtual Boundary Creation for Robotic Garden Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic garden tools lack effective methods for creating and maintaining virtual boundaries within an operating area, leading to inefficiencies and potential boundary breaches during operation.

Innovation Solution

A communication system involving a robotic garden tool and an external device that utilizes satellite location signals and calibration information to generate and maintain a virtual boundary, with the robotic tool acting as a base station during boundary creation and operation, and the external device aiding in determining and storing waypoints to define the boundary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a robotic garden tool operates without physical boundary constraints, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential boundary breaches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation without physical constraintsVSAvoidboundary confinement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical boundary constraints (mechanical system) with a virtual boundary system based on satellite location signals and electronic processors. The robotic garden tool uses GPS/ GNSS receivers and electronic processors to detect and maintain position within a virtual boundary defined by waypoints, eliminating the need for physical wires or barriers while ensuring reliable boundary confinement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If satellite location signals are used for boundary detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboundary detection systemVSAvoidlocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external device as an intermediary to enhance measurement precision. The external device receives the same satellite location signals and generates corrected location information by comparing signals from multiple satellites. This corrected information is then transmitted to the robotic garden tool, improving location accuracy without requiring the tool itself to have complex signal processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of location information from raw satellite signals to corrected location data. The external device processes satellite signals to generate corrected location information that accounts for signal variations and improves precision. This transformed parameter is then used by the robotic tool for more accurate boundary detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the robotic tool acts as a base station during boundary creation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboundary creation processVSAvoiddual functionality requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic garden tool is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an operating device and as a base station during boundary creation. The tool includes electronic processors and communication systems that enable it to receive satellite signals, generate corrected location information, and transmit this data to the external device. This universal design allows the same device to perform both mowing operations and boundary definition functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables precise and efficient navigation of the robotic garden tool within the operating area, ensuring it remains confined and effectively performs tasks without physical boundary constraints.

Implementation Method 1

a first electronic processor that may be configured to receive a first location signal from a satellite

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSatellite location signal reception and processing:

Implementation Method 2

The first electronic processor may be configured to transmit the calibration information via a first radio frequency transceiver of the robotic garden tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency transmission:

Data Source

PatentEP4270137B1Creation of a virtual boundary for a robotic garden tool

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP

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AI summary

A communication system may include a robotic garden tool and an external device. The robotic garden tool may be configured to receive a first location signal from a satellite, and to transmit calibration information regarding the first location signal to the external device. The robotic garden tool may be configured to remain stationary to act as a first base station with respect to the external device that is moved in an operating area during creation of a virtual boundary by the external device. The external device may be configured to determine, based on (i) the first location signal that is also received by the external device from the satellite and (ii) the calibration information from the robotic garden tool, a plurality of locations of the external device to be used as waypoints to generate the virtual boundary as the external device is moved within the operating area.