Texas Instruments had two patents in robotics during Q4 2023. The system described in the patent abstract uses multiple photoemitters at different heights to create depth maps for various objects and obstacles. This technology can be integrated into an autonomous robot’s navigation system to identify overhanging objects, obstacles, and cliffs/drop-offs for safe navigation. GlobalData’s report on Texas Instruments gives a 360-degreee view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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Texas Instruments grant share with robotics as a theme is 50% in Q4 2023. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Recent Patents
Application: Optical time of flight sensor for navigation systems in robotic applications (Patent ID: US20230341528A1)
The patent filed by Texas Instruments Inc. describes a system that includes a photosensor and a controller. The system utilizes three different photoemitters to transmit modulated light onto objects at varying heights, allowing the controller to determine depth maps for each height based on phase differences between the transmitted and reflected light. This system is particularly useful in an autonomous robot's navigation system, where it can identify overhanging objects, obstacles in the navigation route, and cliffs or drop-offs in the ground surface in front of the robot by analyzing the depth maps obtained at different heights.
The system's controller is designed to adjust the amplitude of the modulated light signal based on the amplitude of the reflected light signal, ensuring accurate depth mapping. Additionally, the system can control a navigation system that makes adjustments to the robot's route based on the information gathered from the depth maps at different heights. By utilizing light emitting diodes as the photoemitters, this system provides a reliable and efficient way to enhance the navigation capabilities of autonomous robots, making them more adept at avoiding obstacles and navigating complex environments with overhanging structures and varying ground surfaces.
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