Distributed Robotic Guidance

Abstract

The different illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus that includes a computer system, a number of structured light generators, and a number of mobile robotic devices. The computer system is configured to generate a path plan. The number of structured light generators is configured to project the path plan. The number of mobile robotic devices is configured to detect and follow the path plan.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 a computer system configured to generate a path plan; and   a number of structured light generators configured to be controlled by the computer system and project the path plan.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the computer system further comprises:
 a user interface;   a mapping, planning, and execution process configured to generate a path plan;   a behavioral codes process configured to be accessed by the mapping, planning, and execution process; and   a monitoring process configured to monitor execution of the path plan by a number of mobile robotic devices.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein each structured light generator in the number of structured light generators further comprises:
 a processor unit having a structured light generator process and a monitoring process;   a number of cameras configured to take a number of images of a contained area, wherein the number of images are sent to the monitoring process;   a communications unit; and   a projector configured to project structured light.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the mapping, planning, and execution process controls the number of structured light generators to project the path plan to control the number of mobile robotic devices. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the number of mobile robotic devices follow the path plan projected by the number of structured light generators. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the path plan is at least one of a line path and a number of behavior codes. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the path plan is used for at least one of guiding a number of mobile robotic devices, projecting decorative displays on a contained area, and providing instructions for the number of mobile robotic devices to continue guidance when the path plan is no longer visible. 
     
     
         26 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A computer program product comprising:
 a computer recordable media;   computer usable program code, stored on the computer recordable media, for controlling a structured light generator to project a path plan for a mobile robotic device to follow.   
     
     
         31 . The computer program product of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 computer usable program code, stored on the computer recordable media, for generating a map for the structured light generator to use in projecting the path plan to control the mobile robotic device as the mobile robotic device follows the path plan.   
     
     
         32 . The computer program product of  claim 31 , wherein the map is a three-dimensional map. 
     
     
         33 . The computer program product of  claim 31 , wherein the step of generating the map further comprises:
 computer usable program code, stored on the computer recordable media, for identifying a number of umbral areas and creating a number of umbral guides for the number of umbral areas, wherein the path plan includes the number of umbral guides.   
     
     
         34 . The computer program product of  claim 30 , wherein the path plan is projected onto a contained area. 
     
     
         35 . A computer program product comprising:
 a computer recordable media;   computer usable program code, stored on the computer recordable media, for controlling a structured light generator to project a path plan and generating a projected code within the path plan that provides guidance instructions to a mobile robotic device.   
     
     
         36 . The computer program product of  claim 35 , wherein the projected code is generated and projected while the path plan to guide the mobile robotic device is visible. 
     
     
         37 . The computer program product of  claim 36 , wherein the mobile robotic device continues to follow the guidance instructions after the path plan is no longer visible.