Color-Sensing Self-Propelled Toy Control With Hysteresis Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled devices face challenges in reliably detecting color transitions on surfaces due to noise and variations, which can lead to incorrect interpretations and ineffective performance of associated activities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optical sensor system that uses a hysteresis band and color instability measurements to stabilize color readings, allowing the device to accurately detect transitions and perform associated activities by differentiating between color changes on tiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data filtering is applied to sensor readings, then noise is reduced, but important information may be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of color detection by implementing a hysteresis band mechanism that compares current color readings against previous readings with a threshold offset. This allows the system to filter out minor color variations (noise) while still detecting significant color transitions (important information), resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and information preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing current optical sensor readings with previous readings and using this comparison to determine whether a color transition has occurred. The hysteresis band creates a feedback mechanism where the detection threshold depends on the previous state, allowing the device to reliably detect genuine color changes while ignoring transient noise
2Productivity
If the device responds to every color change detected, then responsiveness is high, but false responses due to noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hysteresis parameter (threshold offset) that modifies the detection criterion for color transitions. By requiring the color reading to change by more than this threshold, the system filters out minor variations that would trigger false responses while still detecting genuine color transitions, thus maintaining high reliability while executing activities appropriately
Solution Approach 2:
The hysteresis band acts as an intermediary mechanism between the raw sensor data and the activity execution decision. It mediates by introducing a threshold comparison step that filters out noise-induced variations while preserving genuine color transitions, ensuring that activities are executed only for meaningful color changes
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
This approach enables the self-propelled device to reliably detect color transitions and perform intended actions, such as movement and audio responses, by filtering out noise and ensuring stable color readings, thereby improving its operational effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor configured to detect a color of a surface on which the self-propelled device operates
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are presented for operating a self-propelled device. In examples, an indication of a surface color on which the self-propelled device operates is received from one or more optical sensors. A color transition from a first color to a second color may be determined based on the received indication. Based on the determined color transition, an activity may be determined. For example, an activity may cause the self-propelled device to move, emit a sound, or illuminate a light, such as an LED. The determined activity may then be performed. In some examples, a hysteresis band may limit the effects of noise and other variations in the color signal. Accordingly, a color transition may occur when color values associated with the surface color indicated are within a first area but not within a second area.