IP Library Granted Patent US 12662163
Granted Patent B2
US 12662163 · App. 18/540,185 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Definition of boundary for a robotic work tool

Inventors: Jakob Malm (Huskvarna, SE); Herman Jonsson (Huskvarna, SE); Stefan Granno (Huskvarna, SE)
Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
B60W60/0025B60W2300/15B60W2754/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12662163
App. No.
18/540,185
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A robotic work tool system comprising a robotic work tool ( 100 ) arranged to operate in an operational area ( 205 ), the robotic work tool system comprising controller ( 110, 240 A) being configured to receive ( 410 ) a map of the operational area, receive ( 420 ) a first temporary boundary ( 220 - 1 - 4 ), receive ( 430 ) a second temporary boundary ( 220 - 1 - 4 ), and generate ( 440 ) a composite boundary ( 220 C) encompassing the first and the second temporary boundaries ( 220 - 1 - 4 ), wherein the composite boundary ( 220 C) is the boundary ( 220 ) for the robotic work tool ( 100 ) when operating in the operational area ( 205 ).

Claims (30)

1 . A method for use in a robotic work tool system comprising a robotic work tool arranged to operate in an operational area, wherein the method comprises:

receiving a map defined by a graphical representation of the operational area,

receiving a first temporary boundary,

receiving a second temporary boundary, and

generating a composite boundary encompassing the first and the second temporary boundaries, wherein the composite boundary is a boundary for the robotic work tool when operating in the operational area,

wherein at least a portion of one of the first temporary boundary or the second temporary boundary is defined by user input as a drawing of the portion on a display at which the map is displayed.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises receiving the first and second temporary boundary by receiving user input defining the first temporary boundary and receiving user input defining the second temporary boundary.

3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises receiving the user input for a temporary boundary as a drawing of at least a segment of the temporary boundary.

4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the method further comprises connecting drawn segments.

5 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises receiving the user input for a temporary boundary as an indication of a corner for at least a segment of the temporary boundary.

6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the method further comprises connecting corners.

7 . The method according to claim 4 , wherein the method further comprises connecting drawn segments and corners.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first temporary boundary is of a type indicating a use, wherein the use indicates a work area, a transport path or a stay-out area.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the first temporary boundary is of a same type or a different type as the second temporary boundary.

10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises generating the composite boundary at one or more safety distances from the first and second temporary boundaries.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein a first of the one or more safety distances relating to the first temporary boundary is the same as or different from a second of the one or more safety distances relating to the second temporary boundary.

12 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the method comprises determining at least one of the one or more distances based on one or more capabilities of the robotic work tool.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the capabilities relate to the size of the robotic work tool, or a size of a work tool of the robotic work tool.

14 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the capabilities relate to a speed of the robotic work tool.

15 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the capabilities relate to a capability to detect obstacles of the robotic work tool.

16 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises determining at least one of the one or more distances: based on a terrain, a topology or a condition of the topology of the operational area, as an absolute distance, as a relative distance, or based on user input.

17 . A computer-readable medium carrying computer instructions that when loaded into and executed by a controller of a robotic work tool or a server enables the robotic work tool or the server to implement the method according to claim 1 , and

wherein the robotic work tool is a robotic lawnmower.

18 . A robotic work tool system comprising a robotic work tool arranged to operate in an operational area, the robotic work tool system comprising controller being configured to

receive a map defined by a graphical representation of the operational area,

receive a first temporary boundary,

receive a second temporary boundary, and

generate a composite boundary encompassing the first and the second temporary boundaries, wherein the composite boundary is a boundary for the robotic work tool when operating in the operational area,

wherein at least a portion of one of the first temporary boundary or the second temporary boundary is defined by user input as a drawing of the portion on a display at which the map is displayed.

19 . The robotic work tool system according to claim 18 , wherein the robotic work tool or a server comprises the controller, and wherein the robotic work tool is a robotic lawnmower.