IP Library Granted Patent US 10,448,565
Granted Patent B2
US 10,448,565 · App. 15/318,055 · Granted Oct 22, 2019

Garden visualization and mapping via robotic vehicle

Inventors: Björn Mannefred (Jönköping, SE); Stefan Grufman (Bankeryd, SE); Mikael Willgert (Spånga, SE)
Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
A01D34/008G05D1/0016G05D1/0044G05D1/0234A01D2101/00G05D2201/0208
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,448,565
App. No.
15/318,055
Granted
Oct 22, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for creating a visualization of a parcel or garden may include receiving information indicative of position data of a robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel. The method may further include generating a model of the parcel based on the information received, providing a graphical representation of the parcel based on the model, and enabling an operator to interact with the graphical representation to view one or more content items associated with respective ones of the one or more locations.

Claims (38)

1. A method comprising:

receiving information from a robotic vehicle, the information being indicative of position data of the robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel;

identifying an object in the corresponding image data;

estimating a distance to the identified object from the robotic vehicle to determine if the identified object is located within a boundary of the parcel;

generating a model of the parcel based on the information received;

providing a graphical representation of the parcel and the identified object based on the model,

in response to the identified object being located outside of the boundary of the parcel, masking or obstructing the identified object in the graphical representation of the parcel; and

enabling an operator to interact with the graphical representation to view one or more content items associated with respective ones of the one or more locations on the parcel.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising updating the model based on supplemental image data or supplemental location information received from an external device, the graphical representation being provided based on the model after updating.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the model comprises generating the model at a charge station or a remote device relative to the robotic vehicle responsive to the information received being received from the robotic vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein providing the graphical representation comprises generating a two dimensional or three dimensional interactive representation of the parcel.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the graphical representation comprises providing an event log defining a series of events in association with the respective ones of the one or more locations.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the event log includes a plurality of images associated with the respective ones of the one or more locations at a selected time or range of times.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the event log further includes sensor data gathered at the respective ones of the one or more locations at the selected time or range of times.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein enabling the operator to interact with the graphical representation comprises enabling the operator to define an area within the parcel and associate a task to be executed by the robotic vehicle within the area.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing images taken at different times at a same location to identify a change based on the images compared.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising notifying the operator of the change automatically in response to identification of the change.

11. An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to:

receive information from a robotic vehicle, the information being indicative of position data of the robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel;

identify an object in the corresponding image data;

estimate a distance to the identified object from the robotic vehicle to determine if the identified object is located within a boundary of the parcel;

generate a model of the parcel based on the information received;

provide a graphical representation of the parcel and the identified object based on the model

in response to the identified object being located outside of the boundary of the parcel, mask or obstruct the identified object in the graphical representation of the parcel; and

enable an operator to interact with the graphical representation to view one or more content items associated with respective ones of the one or more locations on the parcel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to update the model based on supplemental image data or supplemental location information received from an external device, the graphical representation being provided based on the model after updating.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein generating the model comprises generating the model at a charge station or a remote device relative to the robotic vehicle responsive to the information received being received from the robotic vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein providing the graphical representation comprises generating a two dimensional or three dimensional interactive representation of the parcel.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein providing the graphical representation comprises providing an event log defining a series of events in association with the respective ones of the one or more locations.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the event log includes a plurality of images associated with the respective ones of the one or more locations at a selected time or range of times, and

wherein the event log further includes sensor data gathered at the respective ones of the one or more locations at the selected time or range of times.

17. A method comprising:

receiving information from a robotic vehicle, the information being indicative of position data of the robotic vehicle transiting a parcel and corresponding image data captured by the robotic vehicle at one or more locations on the parcel;

identifying an object in the corresponding image data;

estimating a distance to the identified object from the robotic vehicle to determine if the identified object is located within a boundary of the parcel;

providing a graphical representation of the parcel and the identified object at a remote device in real-time,

in response to the identified object being located outside of the boundary of the parcel, masking or obstructing the identified object in the graphical representation of the parcel; and

enabling an operator to interact with the graphical representation to direct operation of the robotic vehicle in real-time.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2016
From: MANNEFRED, BJÖRN; GRUFMAN, STEFAN; WILLGERT, MIKAEL
To: HUSQVARNA AB
Reel/Frame 041130/0344 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170127607A1 · May 11, 2017
Cited By (14)
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