1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to control of a mobile robotic device, and more particularly, to a virtual wall system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional mobile robotic device, like a mobile robot, a mobile carrier, or a mobile robotic vacuum cleaner, is based on a predetermined path or visual recognition for identification of the direction, speed, and distance of movement. For example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0,111,184, a mobile robotic vacuum cleaner enables a light beam to function as a virtual wall by its light transmitting unit thereof mounted on a predetermined position for emitting the light beam toward a predetermined direction and its light receiving unit provided for receiving the light beam. While moving to receive the light beam, the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner emits a signal of diversion to keep itself within a working area defined by the light beam to further effect the virtual wall.
However, while operated, the light transmitting unit must keep emitting the light beam to ensure the light receiving unit to receive the light beam while the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner passes by it, thus keeping consuming the power energy. If the power energy of the light transmitting unit is supplied by the battery, the consumption of the power energy will run fast. If the power energy of the light transmitting unit is supplied by the mains electricity, the user may forget to pull the plug to incur danger of burnout or the wire connected between the mains supply and the vacuum cleaner may interrupt the movement of the vacuum cleaner.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a virtual wall system, which generates a virtual wall for altering movement activity of a mobile robotic device operating in a defined working area by a manner different from the prior art.
The secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a virtual wall system, which is more power saving than the prior art.
The foregoing objectives of the present invention are attained by the virtual wall system, which is composed of a mobile robotic device and at least one virtual wall system. The mobile robotic device includes a steering unit for steering itself toward at least one direction, a steering control unit connected with the steering unit for controlling the steering of the steering unit, at least one signal transmitter mounted thereon for emitting a signal, and a sonic receiver for receiving a sonic signal. The virtual wall generator includes at least one signal receiver for receiving the signal emitted by the signal transmitter, at least one sonic transmitter for emitting a sonic signal toward a predetermined direction, and a signal controller for identifying the signal received by the signal receiver and controlling the emission of the sonic transmitter. While the mobile robotic device is moving, the signal controller controls the sonic transmitter to emit the sonic signal after the signal receiver receives the signal emitted by the signal transmitter and then the sonic receiver receives the sonic signal, enabling the steering control unit to control the steering unit to steer the mobile robotic device.
Referring to
The mobile robotic device 11 includes a steering unit 12 for steering itself toward at least one direction, a steering control unit 14 connected with the steering unit 12 for controlling the steering of the steering unit 12, at least one signal transmitter 16 mounted on a side thereof for emitting a (light) signal towards a direction against the mobile robotic device 11, and a sonic receiver 18 provided for receiving a sonic signal.
The virtual wall generator 21 is mounted on a planar surface that the mobile robotic device 11 moves, like the ground, including at least one cavity 22, a signal receiver 24, a sonic transmitter 26, a signal controller 28, and a power module 29. The cavity 22 is taper-shaped to be defined between two sloped sidewalls and a bottom sidewall, having an opening facing sideward. The distance between the two sloped sidewalls of the cavity 22 is increasing from the bottom sidewall to the opening. The signal receiver 24 is mounted in the cavity 22 for receiving the signal emitted into the cavity 22 by the signal transmitter 16. The sonic transmitter 26 is mounted in the cavity 22 for emitting a sonic signal toward the opening of the cavity 22, wherein the sonic signal is an ultrasonic signal in this embodiment. The signal controller 28 is provided for identifying the signal received by the signal receiver 24 and controlling the emission the sonic transmitter 26. The power module 29, such as battery, is provided for supplying the mobile robotic device 11 with electricity.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
As indicated above, the present invention is operated by that the mobile robotic device 11 emits a signal toward a predetermined direction, and then the virtual wall generator 21 receives the signal to emit a sonic signal to enable the mobile robotic device 11 to steer. The difference between the present invention and the prior art lies in that the virtual wall generator 21 emits the sonic signal after receiving the signal as required not keeps emitting the signal. Therefore, the present invention is more power saving than the prior art.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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94114966 | May 2005 | TW | national |