Docking Station Identification Surface Curvature for Robot Pose Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic systems face challenges in efficiently detecting and navigating towards docking stations due to the lack of distinctive features on their identification surfaces, which limits their operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an identification surface on the docking station with curvatures that vary at a substantially constant rate of change along multiple dimensions, allowing robots to detect and match the surface using depth maps and sensor data, enabling precise navigation and coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the docking station uses a flat or simple identification surface, then the manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the robot's ability to detect and navigate towards the docking station is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocking station detection reliabilityVSAvoididentification surface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification surface incorporates continuous curvature variations in multiple dimensions, transforming a flat surface into a three-dimensional curved surface with specific geometric properties. This curvature allows the robot's sensors to detect the surface from various angles and determine the robot's pose relative to the docking station, significantly improving detection reliability without adding mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the identification surface by introducing controlled curvature variations characterized by constant rates of change along different dimensions. This parameter modification enables the surface to provide rich sensor data for pose estimation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the curvature can be achieved through standard fabrication processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the identification surface has distinctive curvature features, then the robot can detect and navigate towards the docking station more efficiently, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobot navigation efficiencyVSAvoidcurvature fabrication precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous curvature of the identification surface provides distinctive geometric features that enable efficient robot detection and navigation. The curvature variations create a unique signature that the robot's sensors can recognize and use for pose estimation, significantly improving navigation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

By defining the curvature with constant rates of change along orthogonal dimensions, the patent establishes precise but achievable manufacturing specifications. This mathematical characterization of the curvature provides clear fabrication guidelines that balance the need for distinctive features with practical manufacturing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the identification surface has constant rate of change in curvature, then the robot can accurately determine pose and navigate, but the surface design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepose determination precisionVSAvoidsurface geometry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous curvature of the identification surface provides distinctive geometric features that enable efficient robot detection and navigation. The curvature variations create a unique signature that the robot's sensors can recognize and use for pose estimation, significantly improving navigation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

By defining the curvature with constant rates of change along orthogonal dimensions, the patent establishes precise but achievable manufacturing specifications. This mathematical characterization of the curvature provides clear fabrication guidelines that balance the need for distinctive features with practical manufacturing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11426885B1Robot docking station identification surface

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 X DEVELOPMENT LLC

AI summary

A docking station is provided that includes at least one component configured to couple to a robot and an identification surface. The identification surface includes a first curvature that varies at a first substantially constant rate of change along a first dimension the identification includes a second curvature that varies at a second substantially constant rate of change along a second dimension. The second dimension is orthogonal to the first dimension. The identification surface includes a third curvature that varies at a third substantially constant rate of change along a third dimension. The third dimension is orthogonal to the first dimension and the second dimension.