EP0774702A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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A boundary detection system for an automated robot
Assignee: Friendly Robotics Ltd
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Filing: 1996-11-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A boundary detection system for an automated robot operating within an enclosed area is provided. The boundary detection system includes a magnetic sensor mounted on the automated robot, an outer boundary placed along the perimeter of the working area and an inner boundary placed along the perimeter of each area enclosed in the working area in which it is desired that the robot should not operate. The inner and outer boundaries are formed of passive magnetic means detectable by the magnetic sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Ehud Peless
- 👤 Shai Abramson
- 👤 Gideon Dror
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:06
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0231; G05D1/0234; G05D1/0212; G05D1/0219; G05D1/0227; G05D1/0259; G05D1/0261; G05D1/0263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A boundary detection system for an automated robot which is to operate within an enclosed area, the boundary detection system comprising: a. a magnetic sensor mounted on said automated robot; b. an outer boundary placed along the perimeter of the working area; and c. an inner boundary placed along the perimeter of each area enclosed in the working area in which it is desired that the robot should not operate, wherein said inner and outer boundaries are formed of passive magnetic means detectable by said magnetic sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said passive magnetic means comprises a plurality of pins having magnets therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said passive magnetic means comprises a multiplicity of magnets each shaped into the form of pins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
A boundary detection system for an automated robot which is to operate within an enclosed area, the boundary detection system comprising: a. a contrast pattern code reader mounted on said automated robot; b. an outer boundary placed along the perimeter of the working area; and c. an inner boundary placed along the perimeter of each area enclosed in the working area in which it is desired that the robot should not operate, wherein said inner and outer boundaries are formed of contrast means detectable by said contrast pattern code reader.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein the boundary comprises a two color guide wire having patterns of a first color at fixed distances thereon and a second color for the non-patterned portions of the guide wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein the boundary comprises a multiplicity of pins each having a contrast pattern thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A boundary detection system for an automated robot which is to operate within an enclosed area, the boundary detection system comprising: a. a radiometer reader mounted on said automated robot; b. an outer boundary placed along the perimeter of the working area; and c. an inner boundary placed along the perimeter of each area enclosed in the working area in which it is desired that the robot should not operate, wherein said inner and outer boundaries are formed of radioactive means detectable by said radiometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the boundary comprises a guide wire having a radioactive unit placed at fixed distances thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the boundary comprises a multiplicity of pins each having a radioactive unit thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
A boundary detection system for an automated robot which is to operate within an enclosed area, the boundary detection system comprising: a. a resonance tag meter mounted on said automated robot; b. an outer boundary placed along the perimeter of the working area; and c. an inner boundary placed along the perimeter of each area enclosed in the working area in which it is desired that the robot should not operate, wherein said inner and outer boundaries are formed of a multiplicity of pins having at least one coil-capacitive circuit therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A boundary detection system for an automated robot which is to operate within an enclosed area, the boundary detection system comprising: a. a transceiver mounted on said automated robot; b. an outer boundary placed along the perimeter of the working area; and c. an inner boundary placed along the perimeter of each area enclosed in the working area in which it is desired that the robot should not operate, wherein said inner and outer boundaries are formed of a multiplicity of pins having at least one transceiver therein.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for automatically cutting a lawn, the method characterized by comprising the steps of: a. providing a lawnmower with a robot and at least a plurality of lawn height sensors; b. cutting a first swath of lawn in a first direction; c. performing a maneuver, under control of said robot and in response to output of said lawn height sensors, in a second direction generally opposite of said first direction to bring said lawnmower to a location parallel to but overlapping said first swath by a predetermined percentage as indicated by the different output of said lawn height sensors; d. cutting a second swath of lawn parallel to said first swath while continually monitoring the lawn height output of said lawn height sensors thereby to ensure that the percentage of overlap is generally maintained; e. repeating said steps of performing a maneuver and cutting a second swath for further swaths of lawn, wherein the previously cut lawn is denoted by said first swath of lawn and the swath to be cut is denoted by said second swath of lawn.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
A grass height sensor comprising: a. a housing; b. a rotatable wing against which grass can push, said wing having a pin attached thereto; c. a fixed second pin, connected to said housing; d. a spring attached around said pin, wherein the ends of said spring press against opposite sides of said wing and opposite sides of said fixed pin; and e. means for measuring the angle of rotation of said rotatable wing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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