Reflective Cell Matrix Markers for Compact Robot Distance Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile robot systems using signal-emitting beacons require extensive wiring and increased installation and maintenance costs, while marker-based systems face challenges in accurate identification and distance measurement, especially in compact environments like factories and distribution warehouses.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and mobile robot control system utilizing a detection object with alternating light-reflecting and non-reflecting cells arranged in a matrix, allowing for accurate identification and distance measurement using an illuminator, imager, and calculator to determine the traveling direction of the mobile robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a signal-emitting beacon is used to guide mobile robots, then the robot can perform movement control, but the installation cost and maintenance cost increase due to required power sources and wiring works
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source and signal generation function from the beacon, replacing it with a passive marker that contains only reflective elements and identification information. The active beacon is divided into a passive marker (attached to the robot) and an external illuminator, eliminating the need for continuous power supply to the beacon itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a reflective marker that copies the identification function of the active beacon without requiring power. The marker contains identification information in the form of reflective patterns that can be read by external imaging devices, creating a passive copy of the beacon's identification capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a marker with characteristic shape or pattern is used for identification, then the system can operate without power source, but the reading accuracy is insufficient for compact environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the marker into a matrix of discrete reflective and non-reflective cells arranged in an a×a or a×b pattern. This segmentation creates a high-contrast, structured pattern that is easily distinguishable by imaging devices, improving reading accuracy while maintaining compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses reflective and non-reflective cells that create high-contrast visual patterns under illumination. The reflective cells appear bright while non-reflective cells appear dark, creating a high-contrast binary pattern that significantly improves reading accuracy compared to conventional low-contrast markers.
3Measurement precision
If the marker size is increased to improve reading accuracy for unmanned conveyance vehicles, then the reading accuracy improves, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the marker by using reflective and non-reflective cells that create high-contrast patterns under active illumination. This allows the marker to maintain high reading accuracy at smaller physical sizes, as the contrast and structure of the pattern compensate for the reduced area.
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
Enables accurate identification and distance measurement with a compact marker, reducing installation space requirements and costs, and allowing for efficient system configuration with either beacons or markers.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminator emitting light
Implementation Method 2
first cells capable of reflecting emitted light and second cells incapable of reflecting the emitted light
Data Source
AI summary
This image processing device includes: a detection object including cells having first cells capable of reflecting emitted light and second cells incapable of reflecting the emitted light, the cells being squares or rectangles, the first cells and the second cells being arranged in an a×a or a×b (where a, b=3, 4, 5, 6, . . . ) matrix on a two-dimensional plane; and a detector including: an illuminator emitting light; imagers imaging, by a camera, light reflected from the first cells after the first cells and the second cells constituting the detection object are illuminated with the light emitted from the illuminator; and a calculator obtaining information set on the detection object 11, based on imaged data items taken by the imagers. Such a configuration can accurately identify a compact marker and measure the distance, and achieve a system inexpensively.