Facility Display Control for Person-Robot Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for avoiding contact between a person and a mobile object in a facility do not account for interactions between individuals and autonomous mobile devices within the facility, lacking effective information dissemination for safe navigation.

Innovation Solution

A display control device that processes and outputs image information to display output devices within the facility, using acquired data on the positions, speeds, and directions of both people and autonomous mobile devices to provide visual cues for avoiding collisions, thereby enhancing safety by projecting relevant information onto structures or spaces visible to both parties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional techniques for avoiding contact between vehicles and pedestrians on roads are applied to facilities, then contact avoidance between mobile objects and persons can be achieved, but the specific characteristics of facility environments and autonomous mobile devices are not considered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact avoidance effectivenessVSAvoidadaptability to facility environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adapts the contact avoidance system to local facility characteristics by implementing environment-specific detection and display mechanisms. The system tailors its operation to facility layouts, traffic patterns, and user behaviors rather than applying generic road-based approaches, thereby achieving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies operational parameters such as detection ranges, display positions, and alert thresholds based on facility-specific conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to the facility environment, the system maintains effective contact avoidance while adapting to diverse facility contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If information is provided through mobile terminals carried by persons, then contact avoidance information can be delivered to individuals, but persons must carry additional devices and response time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation delivery to personVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces facility-based display devices as intermediaries between the autonomous mobile device and the person. Instead of requiring direct communication through mobile terminals, the system uses fixed displays in the facility environment to convey avoidance information, eliminating the need for persons to carry additional devices and reducing response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical approach of persons carrying and checking mobile terminals with an automated information delivery system. Display devices automatically present avoidance information to persons in their field of view, substituting the manual interaction required by mobile terminals with passive, immediate information presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If display devices are installed throughout the facility, then contact avoidance information can be provided to persons, but system complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation provision to personVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the facility into specific zones or locations where display devices are strategically installed rather than uniformly throughout. This segmented approach provides contact avoidance information where it is most needed while reducing overall system complexity and installation costs compared to comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display devices are designed to serve multiple functions: providing contact avoidance information, displaying facility navigation guidance, and presenting safety notifications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby lowering system complexity while maintaining reliable information provision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12175759B2Display control device, display system, and display control method

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

This display control device includes: a first mobile object information acquiring unit that acquires first mobile object information indicating the position, moving speed, and direction of movement of a first mobile object moving in a facility; a second mobile object information acquiring unit that acquires second mobile object information indicating the position, moving speed, and direction of movement of a second mobile object moving in the facility; an image acquisition unit that acquires, on the basis of the first mobile object information acquired by the first mobile object information acquiring unit and the second mobile object information acquired by the second mobile object information acquiring unit, image information indicating a display image to be displayed in a space in the facility by a display output device installed in the facility; and an image output unit that outputs the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit.