Patent · US Active

Management of resources for SLAM in large environments

US9250081B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
34References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 9, 2012
Grant dateFeb 2, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 30, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S901/47
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Vector Field SLAM is a method for localizing a mobile robot in an unknown environment from continuous signals such as WiFi or active beacons. Disclosed is a technique for localizing a robot in relatively large and/or disparate areas. This is achieved by using and managing more signal sources for covering the larger area. One feature analyzes the complexity of Vector Field SLAM with respect to area size and number of signals and then describe an approximation that decouples the localization map in order to keep memory and run-time requirements low. A tracking method for re-localizing the robot in the areas already mapped is also disclosed. This allows to resume the robot after is has been paused or kidnapped, such as picked up and moved by a user. Embodiments of the invention can comprise commercial low-cost products including robots for the autonomous cleaning of floors.

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