Mobile robot navigation control under coded light

The increasing use of computer controlled mobile robots in various tasks has created a growing technological need for efficient low cost means and methods for mobile robot guidance. This work presents a robot navigation and guidance system that consists of a directional light sensor and a set of at least three uniquely coded light sources, The three light sources provide distinct light fields in the operating area of the robot. The light sensor, mounted on a mobile robot, is used to measure the angle of the direction of origin of each of the three light: sources with respect to the robot reference frame. The local room coordinates of the robot can then be determined by an on-board microprocessor system. The planar position and orientation of the robot can be used to control the drive and steering mechanisms to reach a given target position or track a prescribed trajectory. Control methods for robot guidance are discussed.