초록 ▼

The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier s

The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected.

대표청구항 ▼

The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier s

The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected. e robot confinement system of claim 1 wherein said portable barrier signal transmitting device further comprises a reflection detector, wherein said primary emitter is operative to emit at least first and second confinement beams, said primary emitter being operative to emit the second confinement beam upon failure of said reflection detector to detect the first emitted confinement beam. 14. The robot confinement system of claim 1, wherein the robot has a predetermined turning radius, and wherein said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam has a width as least as wide as the turning radius of the robot. 15. A robot confinement system, comprising: a. a portable barrier signal transmitting device that includes at least a primary emitter, said primary emitter being operative to emit a confinement beam primarily along an axis, said axis of said emitted confinement beam defining a directed barrier; b. a mobile robot; c. said mobile robot comprising: means for turning in at least one direction; a detector operative to detect said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam; and a control unit controlling said means for turning; d. whereby the control unit runs an algorithm for avoiding said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam upon detection of said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam, said algorithm being operative to reverse direction at which the robot most recently traveled until said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam is no longer detected. 16. A method of confining a robot using a directed barrier, comprising the steps of: a. providing a portable barrier signal transmitting device that includes a primary emitter that is operative to emit a confinement beam to provide said directed barrier that is primarily linear; b. providing a sensor positioned on the robot, said sensor being operative to detect said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam; c. providing mobility means on the robot, such that the robot can turn in at least one direction; d. avoiding said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam upon detection of said said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam by said sensor by implementing an algorithm to move the robot in a chosen direction. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam emitted by said primary emitter is a modulated signal in an infrared frequency. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein operation of said directed barrier sensor is substantially omni-directional. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the robot has a predetermined turning radius and wherein said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam has a width at least as wide as the turning radius of the robot.