The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 26, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 14, 1997
Russell G Nelson, Cane Hill, AR (US);
Other;
Abstract
An improved automated, self propelled lawn mower (14) utilizing a rotating directional loop antenna (36) that determines its position within the cutting area by measuring the angle between transmitters(20A, B, & C) placed in a known configuration beyond the cutting area, and by calculating the solution of simultaneous circle equations (96 & 98) defined by that configuration. Orientation is determined by comparing present and previous positions. Stored path information is compared with the calculated position to determine steering signals which direct the mower to move directly toward the next point in the desired path. When the mower reaches that point the next coordinates are retrieved from memory and the process is repeated similarly for all successive points in the path. The simplicity of programming the path makes this automated lawn mower very versatile and flexible.