Conveyor Control Signals for Priority-Based Robot Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems fail to effectively manage the priorities of both human and robot passengers, leading to inefficiencies and frustration due to the lack of consideration for different types of passengers in service delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a control entity within the conveyor system receives and processes service calls from robots, determining their priority based on tasks and generating control signals to manage service delivery according to a priority order, which may include comparing robot priorities with those of human passengers and other robots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveyor system serves all passengers equally without priority differentiation, then the system operation is simple, but the service efficiency and productivity deteriorate due to increased waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a priority parameter that differentiates between robot passengers and human passengers. The control entity assigns priority levels (e.g., high priority for robots, normal priority for humans) and uses this parameter to dynamically adjust service order, thereby improving productivity without requiring fundamental system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having robots indicate their priority needs in advance when making service calls. The control entity receives and processes this priority information before dispatching the conveyor car, allowing proactive scheduling that optimizes service efficiency while maintaining straightforward control logic
2Productivity
If the conveyor system implements priority-based service for robots, then the service delivery is optimized, but the complexity of managing multiple passenger types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated service treatment specifically for robot passengers while maintaining standard service for human passengers. The control entity applies priority-based scheduling locally to robot service calls without fundamentally changing the overall conveyor system operation or human passenger service protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements segmentation by separating the service management into distinct categories: robot passengers with priority indicators and human passengers with standard service. The control entity processes service calls independently based on passenger type, simplifying the management of multiple passenger types while achieving optimized service delivery
3Loss of time
If the conveyor system processes service calls in first-come-first-served order, then the control logic is simple, but the waiting time for high-priority robots increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the service call processing order flexible rather than fixed. The control entity dynamically adjusts the service sequence based on the priority parameter indicated by robot passengers, allowing high-priority robots to be served ahead of lower-priority passengers while maintaining simple processing logic through priority-based sorting
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a control signal to a conveyor system, the conveyor system configured to serve at least a plurality of robots, includes receiving, in a control entity, a service call for a first robot, the service call being associated with a priority of the first robot; determining, by the control entity, the priority of the first robot; and generating, by the control entity, a control signal to the conveyor system to serve the service call for the first robot in accordance with the determined priority of the first robot. A control entity, a robot and a system are also provided.