Cleaning Robot Area Control Using Voice and Gesture Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning robots face inconvenience in setting restricted and focused cleaning areas, as they require manual manipulation and the use of entry prevention tapes, which are cumbersome to manage and change.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot equipped with a voice input unit, image capturing unit, and controller that detects user voice and motion instructions to determine restricted and focused cleaning areas, allowing for easy setup using a portable mobile terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entry prevention tape is attached to the floor to set restricted areas, then the cleaning robot can be prohibited from entering certain areas, but the user experiences discomfort and inconvenience when needing to change restricted areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical entry prevention tape system with a sensor-based detection system. The cleaning robot uses sensors (such as infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, or cameras) to detect and identify restricted areas through voice commands or visual markers, eliminating the need for physical tape attachment and allowing flexible, software-based area definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic restricted area definition where the cleaning robot can adjust and change restricted areas during operation based on user input. The system allows real-time modification of cleaning paths and restricted zones through voice commands or mobile app control, making the restricted area configuration flexible and adaptable rather than fixed.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual manipulation is used to move the cleaning robot to focused cleaning areas, then the robot can clean specific areas more intensely, but the user experiences inconvenience and additional操作步骤
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with automated navigation systems. The cleaning robot uses sensors, cameras, and navigation algorithms to automatically locate and move to focused cleaning areas designated by the user through voice commands or mobile app interface, eliminating the need for physical pushing or dragging of the robot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system (mobile application or voice recognition system) that mediates between the user and the cleaning robot. The user can designate focused cleaning areas through the intermediary interface, and the system automatically translates these commands into robot navigation and cleaning operations.
3Extent of automation
If the cleaning robot uses sensor-based detection to identify user instructions, then the robot can determine restricted and focused cleaning areas automatically, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functional sensors that serve multiple purposes. For example, the camera system is used both for navigation and for detecting user gestures or markers, while ultrasonic sensors serve both obstacle avoidance and area boundary detection. This reduces the need for separate specialized sensors and simplifies the overall system architecture.
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 the cleaning robot to automatically determine and adapt to user-defined cleaning areas without manual manipulation, enhancing user convenience and reducing the need for physical barriers.
Implementation Method 1
The image capturing unit may include a camera that captures a two-dimensional image of the user
Implementation Method 2
an infrared sensor that obtains distance information of the user captured by the camera
Implementation Method 3
The controller may estimate a position of a user based on a difference in times at which the user's voice instructions are input to the at least three microphones
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning robot that performs cleaning while travelling a space to be cleaned, the cleaning robot including: a travelling unit that moves the cleaning robot; a cleaning unit that cleans the space to be cleaned; an image capturing unit that captures an image viewed from the cleaning robot; a voice input unit to which a user's voice instructions are input; and a controller obtaining the user's motion instructions through the image capturing unit and determining a restricted area in which entry of the cleaning robot is prohibited and/or a focused cleaning area to be intensely cleaned by the cleaning robot based on the user's motion instructions or the user's voice instructions when the user's voice instructions are input through the voice input unit. The restricted area and the focused cleaning area may be input to the cleaning robot through the user's voice and motion.