Robot confinement

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction signal is no longer detected.

1 . A robot confinement system, comprising: 
 a. a portable barrier signal transmitting device that includes at least a primary emitter, said primary emitter being operative to emit a confinement beam primarily along an axis, said axis of said emitted confinement beam defining a directed barrier;    b. a mobile robot;    c. said mobile robot comprising: means for turning in a least one direction; a detector operative to detect said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam; and a control unit controlling said means for turning;    d. whereby the control unit runs an algorithm for avoiding said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam upon detection of said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam, said algorithm being operative to turn the robot in a chosen direction until said directed barrier formed by said emitted confinement beam is no longer detected.    
     
     
         2 .- 19 . (canceled)