Light indicator system for an autonomous mobile robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous mobile robots lack effective visual indicators to communicate their status and service conditions to users, leading to difficulties in user interaction and error resolution.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a light indicator system on autonomous mobile robots, which uses a pattern of illumination along a continuous loop to convey information about the robot's status, including operation progress, battery life, and error locations, synchronized with audio outputs and remote device displays for intuitive user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional status indication methods are used, then the robot can provide basic status information, but user interaction and error resolution remain difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses different colors of light (e.g., green, yellow, red) to indicate different operational statuses and error conditions of the robot. This visual color-coding system enables users to quickly understand the robot's state without complex interfaces, directly improving ease of operation while effectively communicating status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The status indication system is segmented into multiple independent light sources positioned at different locations on the robot. Each light source or group of light sources can independently indicate specific status information or error locations, allowing users to quickly identify and resolve issues by looking at the illuminated position.
2Loss of information
If multiple light sources are used to provide detailed status information, then communication effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light indicator system serves multiple functions: indicating operational status, signaling error conditions, and pinpointing error locations. By using a standardized set of light sources that can represent multiple meanings based on their illumination pattern and position, the system achieves comprehensive status communication without requiring separate indicator systems for each function, thus controlling complexity.
3Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to the robot, then user feedback and interaction improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light indicator system is integrated into the robot's existing housing or casing structure. The light sources are positioned within recesses or channels in the housing, and the housing itself serves as the light guide or diffuser. This merging of the indicator system with the structural housing eliminates the need for separate indicator components and simplifies the assembly process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user interaction by providing clear and intuitive visual cues about the robot's status and operation, facilitating easier error identification and management, and creating a consistent user experience across devices.
Implementation Method 1
light sources each being positioned to direct light through a portion of the plate to a portion of the continuous loop
Implementation Method 2
light sources positioned within the light pipe. The light sources are configured to direct light through the inner surface of the light pipe toward the outer surface of the light pipe and onto the recessed portion of the top surface of the body
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous mobile robot includes a body, a drive supporting the body above a floor surface, a light-propagating plate positioned on the body and having a periphery defining a continuous loop, light sources each being positioned to direct light through a portion of the plate to a portion of the continuous loop, and a controller to selectively operate the light sources to provide a visual indicator of a status or service condition of the autonomous mobile robot. The drive is configured to maneuver the mobile robot about the floor surface.