Patent · US Active

Time-of-flight localization

US10025304B1 · kind B1 · utility

10Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 2017
Grant dateJul 17, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 3, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S901/01
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Robotic units may operate in a workspace that is shared with human workers. In order to safeguard the workers, operation of a robotic unit may be inhibited when a worker is near the robotic unit. In order to determine the position of the worker and thereby determine the proximity of the worker and the robotic unit, a time-of-flight measurement is performed to determine the distance of the worker from each of multiple reference locations within or about the workspace. A circular bounding area is defined around each reference location based on the determined distances. A bounded position area is identified as the intersection of the circular bounding areas. The worker is then indicated as being within the bounded position area.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.