Appeal No. 2000-0431 Page 19
Application No. 08/789,127
between a forward path and a backward path in a zig zag pattern
based on the parameters of a region and a stopping point.
Bancroft’s robot also determines a distance between a
forward path and a backward path in a zig zag pattern based on
the parameters of a region and a stopping point. As mentioned
regarding the first point of contention, “during the first phase
[the robot] quickly determines the area to be cleaned and a path
for accomplishing the cleaning.” Col. 1, ll. 40-43. Determining
the area to be cleaned involves determining a region, viz., the
width of the area. Specifically, “[t]he robot repeatedly senses
a distance to the right boundary, a distance to the left
boundary. . . . These distances are stored in memory means.”
Col. 1, ll. 56-58.
The reference’s determination of the area to be cleaned also
involves determining a stopping point, viz., the length of the
area. Specifically, as Bancroft’s robot travels from a near wall
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