Forward-Facing Camera for Autonomous Robot Rug Navigation Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous cleaning robots face challenges in navigating and operating effectively on diverse floor surfaces, particularly area rugs, due to the risk of ingesting debris or experiencing errors.
Innovation Solution
The use of a forward-facing camera on autonomous cleaning robots to capture imagery of the floor surface, allowing the robot to detect obstacles and features such as area rugs, and adjust its movement patterns to reduce the risk of errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the robot uses sensor-based obstacle detection, then the robot can avoid obstacles, but the robot cannot distinguish floor surface types (e.g., area rugs) and may ingest debris or experience errors when moving over rugs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function by using multiple sensors: a camera for visual floor surface analysis and texture identification, and separate obstacle detection sensors for hazard avoidance. This segmentation allows the robot to distinguish between rugs (which it should navigate carefully) and actual obstacles (which it should avoid), thereby improving reliability while maintaining adaptability to different floor surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives data from both the camera and obstacle sensors, analyzes floor surface types, and generates appropriate navigation commands. This intermediary layer translates raw sensor data into context-aware navigation decisions, enabling the robot to adapt to rugs versus hard floors while maintaining reliable operation
2Reliability
If the robot initiates obstacle avoidance behavior at a longer distance, then the robot can avoid obstacles more safely, but the robot covers less area and experiences more error conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic obstacle avoidance distance adjustment based on real-time environmental context. The robot uses the camera to identify open spaces versus constrained areas, and dynamically modifies its avoidance distance parameter accordingly. In open areas, the robot maintains longer avoidance distances for safety; in constrained spaces, it reduces the distance to improve coverage efficiency, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the obstacle avoidance distance parameter dynamically based on environmental analysis. When the camera detects favorable conditions (e.g., clear paths, adequate space), the robot reduces the avoidance distance to improve productivity. When unfavorable conditions are detected (e.g., narrow passages, proximity to hazards), the robot increases the distance to maintain safety, thus adapting the parameter to resolve the contradiction
3Reliability
If the robot uses a forward-facing camera to detect floor surface types, then the robot can navigate rugs more safely, but the robot requires additional processing time and computational resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary floor surface analysis by having the camera continuously capture and pre-process images of upcoming areas before the robot reaches them. The system identifies rug boundaries, textures, and characteristics in advance, allowing the robot to prepare appropriate navigation parameters ahead of time. This preliminary action reduces real-time processing demands while maintaining high navigation safety over rugs
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial image processing by focusing computational resources only on critical regions of the captured images, such as area rug boundaries and texture transitions, rather than processing entire images in full detail. This selective processing approach maintains adequate rug detection accuracy while significantly reducing processing time and computational overhead
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive system to support the autonomous cleaning robot above a floor surface, an image capture device positioned on the autonomous cleaning robot to capture imagery of a portion of the floor surface forward of the autonomous cleaning robot, and a controller operably connected to the drive system and the image capture device. The drive system is operable to maneuver the autonomous cleaning robot about the floor surface. The controller is configured to execute instructions to perform operations including initiating, based on a user-selected sensitivity and the imagery captured by the image capture device, an avoidance behavior to avoid an obstacle on the portion of the floor surface.