Cleaning Robot Recharge Path Using Optical Beacon Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning robots face challenges in accurately returning to a charging station due to the low accuracy of direction identification using wireless signal intensity, leading to potential collisions and failed recharging.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning robot system equipped with an image sensor and processor that captures light from multiple positioning beacons to calculate relative distance and angle, enabling precise navigation back to the charging station, with the option to adjust the charging station's direction for accurate alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If wireless signal intensity is used for direction identification, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of position and direction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidposition identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wireless signal-based position identification with an optical imaging system. The image sensor captures images of positioning beacons, and the processor calculates precise position and direction by analyzing the relative positions of multiple beacons in the image, substituting the mechanical/electromagnetic signal detection method with an optical measurement system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces positioning beacons as intermediary objects between the cleaning robot and the charging station. These beacons serve as reference points that the image sensor can detect, enabling indirect but precise position and direction measurement through image processing rather than direct wireless signal measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If wireless signal intensity is used for direction identification, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of returning to charging station deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidrecharging reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the unreliable wireless signal intensity method with an optical image-based positioning system. By capturing images of multiple positioning beacons and calculating relative positions, the system achieves reliable direction identification and ensures the cleaning robot can accurately return to the charging station without collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image sensor continuously monitors the positions of positioning beacons, and the processor adjusts the cleaning robot's movement based on calculated position and direction information. This closed-loop control ensures reliable navigation to the charging station by constantly correcting the path based on real-time visual feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If wireless signal intensity is used for position identification, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of direction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoiddirection identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple wireless signal detection with an optical imaging system that automatically captures images of positioning beacons. The processor then automatically processes these images to calculate precise direction information, maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving direction identification accuracy through visual rather than signal-based measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system ensures accurate and reliable recharging by determining the correct recharge path based on beacon images, improving the robot's ability to return to the charging station without collisions, compared to conventional methods relying on wireless signal intensity.

Implementation Method 1

an image sensor...configured to capture light generated by the multiple positioning beacons on the charging station and generate an image frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11712143B2Cleaning robot and recharge path determining method therefor

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

There is provided a cleaning robot system including a charging station and a cleaning robot. The charging station includes multiple positioning beacons. The cleaning robot includes an image sensor and a processor. The image sensor is used to acquire light generated by the multiple positioning beacons on the charging station and generate an image frame. The processor is electrically connected to the image sensor, and used to calculate a relative position with respect to the charging station according to beacon images of the multiple positioning beacons in the image frame to determine a recharge path accordingly.