Celestial navigation system for an autonomous vehicle
AssigneeiRobot Corporation
InventorMark J. Chiappetta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A navigation control system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a transmitter and an autonomous vehicle. The transmitter comprises an emitter for emitting at least one signal, a power source for powering the emitter, a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source, and a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source. The autonomous vehicle operates within a working area and comprises a receiver for detecting the at least one signal emitted by the emitter, and a processor for determining a relative location of the autonomous vehicle within the working area based on the signal emitted by the emitter.
Claims20
A navigation control system for an autonomous vehicle, the system comprising:
- a transmitter comprising:
- an emitter for emitting at least one signal;
- a power source for powering the emitter;
- a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source;
- and
- a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source;
- and
- an autonomous vehicle operating within a working area, the autonomous vehicle having a receiving system comprising:
- a receiver for detecting the at feast one signal emitted by the emitter;
- and
- a processor for determining, a relative location of the autonomous vehicle within the working area based on the signal emitted by the emitter.
A transmitter for use in a navigation control system far an autonomous vehicle, the transmitter comprising:
- an emitter for emitting, at least one signal;
- a power source for powering the emitter;
- a device for capturing wireless energy to charge the power source;
- and
- a printed circuit board for converting the captured wireless energy to a form for charging the power source.
A method for controlling navigation of an autonomous vehicle within one or more work areas, the method comprising:
- emitting one or more signals from a transmitter;
- receiving the one or more signals on the autonomous vehicle;
- powering the transmitter with a power source;
- charging the power source wirelessly;
- localizing the autonomous vehicle with respect to the transmitter;
- and
- navigating the autonomous vehicle within the one or more work areas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.