Autonomous coverage robot navigation system
US8606401B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/50
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A navigation beacon controls movement of a mobile robot in first and second areas. The navigation beacon includes a portable housing, a power source, and an emitter. The emitter is operable to emit a gateway marking emission when the robot is within a field of detection that extends between the areas. The gateway marking emission is detectable by the robot and prevents the robot from moving from one of the areas, through the field of detection, to the other of the areas. A switch is operable to switch the navigation beacon to be in an OFF mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in an OFF state, a confinement mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in an ON state, and a navigation mode in which the gateway beacon emitter is in the ON state and automatically switches to the OFF state in response to a predetermined condition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.