Collaborative Robot Projection Interface for In-Region Visual Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collaborative robots rely on rudimentary and non-specific methods for interacting with humans, such as acoustic signals and warning lights, which are ineffective in noisy environments and inaccessible to individuals with hearing impairments, limiting their ability to collaborate efficiently and safely with machines.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a camera and projector with a fixed geometric relationship to project context-related information directly into the work region, allowing for visual communication and adaptive projection to enhance human-machine interaction, including gesture recognition and safety warnings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If acoustic signals are used for robot-human communication, then information can be transmitted, but the signals are lost in noisy environments and inaccessible to individuals with hearing impairments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic communication (mechanical wave-based) with optical projection communication (light-based). The projector displays visual information directly in the work region, eliminating dependence on acoustic signals that are affected by noise and hearing capabilities. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing a communication medium that is neither lost in noisy environments nor inaccessible to individuals with hearing impairments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from auditory communication (one-dimensional acoustic space) to visual-spatial communication (two-dimensional projection plane in three-dimensional work space). By projecting information directly into the work region where the human colleague operates, the system adds a spatial dimension to communication, allowing information to be perceived without diverting attention from the work process.
2Loss of information
If warning lights are used for robot communication, then visual information can be provided, but the person's attention must be diverted from the work process to the robot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by projecting information precisely into the specific work region where the human colleague is already focused attention. Rather than using general warning lights that require attention diversion, the projection is localized to the immediate work area, allowing the colleague to perceive information within their existing visual focus without shifting attention away from the work process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the work region itself as an intermediary medium for communication. Instead of using separate warning lights that compete for attention, the projection system uses the work region as the communication canvas, integrating information delivery into the existing work context. This eliminates the need for attention diversion while maintaining effective information transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera and projector are moved together on a movable component, then the relevant work region can be continuously monitored and information projected, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the camera and projector into a single integrated unit that is collectively mounted on the movable component. This combination ensures that both devices maintain a fixed geometric relationship with each other while moving together, simplifying the control system compared to independently controlling multiple devices. The merged unit tracks the work region as a unified system, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a fixed geometric relationship between the camera and projector during their installation on the movable component. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the component moves, both devices automatically maintain proper alignment and spatial relationship without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms. The preliminary setup reduces operational complexity while preserving tracking capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a collaborative robot includes the collaborative robot monitoring a spatial region by means of a camera and wherein the collaborative robot projects information into a projection region, which is at least a partial region of the spatial region monitored by the camera, by means of a projector which has a fixed geometric relationship with the camera. A collaborative robot for carries out the method, wherein the collaborative robot has a camera for monitoring a spatial region and a projector which is designed and configured to project information into a projection region, which is at least a partial region of the spatial region monitored by the camera, wherein the camera and the projector are arranged so as to have a fixed geometric relationship with one another in or on a component.