Autonomous Vehicles – Mark J. Chiappetta, iRobot Corp

Abstract for “Celestial navigation system to an autonomous vehicle”

A navigation control system for autonomous vehicles consists of a transmitter and an autonomous car. The transmitter includes an emitter that emits at least one signal, power source to power the emitter, a device to capture wireless energy and a printed circuit board to convert the wireless energy into a form suitable for charging the power supply. An autonomous vehicle can operate within a defined area. It includes a receiver that detects the at least one signal from the emitter and a processor that determines the relative position of the vehicle within the area using the signal emitted.

Background for “Celestial navigation system to an autonomous vehicle”

Robotic devices, including autonomous vehicles, are increasingly common today. They are used to perform tasks that were once considered routine, tedious, or dangerous. Robotic devices are becoming more popular as programming technology advances. They can navigate in complex environments or work spaces with minimal or no human assistance.

“Autonomous vehicles, along with associated controls, navigation system, and other similar systems, are being developed. U.S. Pat. No. No. 6,594,844 describes a Robot Obstacle Detection System. This disclosure is hereby incorporated in its entirety. Additional robot control and navigation systems and related systems are described in the PCT Published Patent No. WO 2004/025947 and U.S. Pat. Nos. Nos.

“Many autonomous vehicles can navigate a space by randomly moving until they encounter an obstacle. These vehicles usually have on-board obstacle detections such as bump sensors and similar devices that register contact with obstacles. Command routines can be used to direct the autonomous vehicle away from an obstacle once contact has been made. These systems are useful in obstacle avoidance but are not able to track an autonomous vehicle’s location within a room. Some systems are used with bump sensors, as they detect obstacles and walls nearby. They then direct the vehicle to avoid them or follow them. However, these systems are limited in their ability for autonomous vehicles to navigate in complex environments. They only permit the vehicle to identify objects within its immediate vicinity.

An autonomous vehicle may have an infrared transmitter or another type of transmitter that directs infrared patterns horizontally around it. A stationary receiver can detect these patterns by placing it near the boundary of the work space, such as a wall. The information generated by the receiver can be used by a microprocessor to determine where the autonomous vehicle is at any given time. The vehicle can navigate across an entire area using such systems. These systems are best used in areas where there are few objects that could interfere with the patterns of infrared light.

“The limitations of the above navigation systems make it difficult to create a highly autonomous autonomous vehicle capable of navigating in complex environments.”

“The present teachings describe a navigation control system that can be used to drive an autonomous vehicle. The system includes a transmitter and an independent vehicle. The transmitter includes an emitter that emits at least one signal, power source to power the emitter, and a device to capture wireless energy to charge it. A printed circuit board converts the wireless energy into a form suitable for charging the power supply. An autonomous vehicle can operate within a defined area. It includes a receiver that detects the emitter’s signal and a processor that determines the relative position of the vehicle within the area.

The present teachings provide a transmitter that can be used in a navigation system for an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter includes an emitter that emits at least one signal, power source to power the emitter, a device to capture wireless energy to charge it, and a printed circuit board to convert the wireless energy into a form suitable for charging the power supply.

“The present teachings also provide a method to control navigation of an autonomous car within one or more work areas.” This method involves emitting one or several signals from a transmitter and receiving them on an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter is then powered with a power source and wirelessly charged. Finally, the autonomous car can be localized with respect to the transmitter and navigate the vehicle within the designated work areas.

“Additional benefits and objects of the present teachings” will be described in part. Part of this description will be apparent from the description. The remainder will be evident through practice. The elements and combinations specifically mentioned in the claims will help you realize and attain the objects and benefits of the present teachings.

“It is important to understand that the above general description and the detailed description are only exemplary and informative and not intended to limit the teachings of the present teachings as claimed.”

“The accompanying drawings are included in and constitute part of this specification and illustrate various embodiments of present teachings. They, along with the description, help to explain the principles behind the present teachings.”

Summary for “Celestial navigation system to an autonomous vehicle”

Robotic devices, including autonomous vehicles, are increasingly common today. They are used to perform tasks that were once considered routine, tedious, or dangerous. Robotic devices are becoming more popular as programming technology advances. They can navigate in complex environments or work spaces with minimal or no human assistance.

“Autonomous vehicles, along with associated controls, navigation system, and other similar systems, are being developed. U.S. Pat. No. No. 6,594,844 describes a Robot Obstacle Detection System. This disclosure is hereby incorporated in its entirety. Additional robot control and navigation systems and related systems are described in the PCT Published Patent No. WO 2004/025947 and U.S. Pat. Nos. Nos.

“Many autonomous vehicles can navigate a space by randomly moving until they encounter an obstacle. These vehicles usually have on-board obstacle detections such as bump sensors and similar devices that register contact with obstacles. Command routines can be used to direct the autonomous vehicle away from an obstacle once contact has been made. These systems are useful in obstacle avoidance but are not able to track an autonomous vehicle’s location within a room. Some systems are used with bump sensors, as they detect obstacles and walls nearby. They then direct the vehicle to avoid them or follow them. However, these systems are limited in their ability for autonomous vehicles to navigate in complex environments. They only permit the vehicle to identify objects within its immediate vicinity.

An autonomous vehicle may have an infrared transmitter or another type of transmitter that directs infrared patterns horizontally around it. A stationary receiver can detect these patterns by placing it near the boundary of the work space, such as a wall. The information generated by the receiver can be used by a microprocessor to determine where the autonomous vehicle is at any given time. The vehicle can navigate across an entire area using such systems. These systems are best used in areas where there are few objects that could interfere with the patterns of infrared light.

“The limitations of the above navigation systems make it difficult to create a highly autonomous autonomous vehicle capable of navigating in complex environments.”

“The present teachings describe a navigation control system that can be used to drive an autonomous vehicle. The system includes a transmitter and an independent vehicle. The transmitter includes an emitter that emits at least one signal, power source to power the emitter, and a device to capture wireless energy to charge it. A printed circuit board converts the wireless energy into a form suitable for charging the power supply. An autonomous vehicle can operate within a defined area. It includes a receiver that detects the emitter’s signal and a processor that determines the relative position of the vehicle within the area.

The present teachings provide a transmitter that can be used in a navigation system for an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter includes an emitter that emits at least one signal, power source to power the emitter, a device to capture wireless energy to charge it, and a printed circuit board to convert the wireless energy into a form suitable for charging the power supply.

“The present teachings also provide a method to control navigation of an autonomous car within one or more work areas.” This method involves emitting one or several signals from a transmitter and receiving them on an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter is then powered with a power source and wirelessly charged. Finally, the autonomous car can be localized with respect to the transmitter and navigate the vehicle within the designated work areas.

“Additional benefits and objects of the present teachings” will be described in part. Part of this description will be apparent from the description. The remainder will be evident through practice. The elements and combinations specifically mentioned in the claims will help you realize and attain the objects and benefits of the present teachings.

“It is important to understand that the above general description and the detailed description are only exemplary and informative and not intended to limit the teachings of the present teachings as claimed.”

“The accompanying drawings are included in and constitute part of this specification and illustrate various embodiments of present teachings. They, along with the description, help to explain the principles behind the present teachings.”

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