Lawnmower Scheduling Server for Virtual Zone Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lawn-mowing systems face inefficiencies and potential collisions between lawnmowers of different work efficiencies, particularly when combining low-efficiency, small-sized lawnmowers with high-efficiency, large-sized lawnmowers.

Innovation Solution

A server device divides a work area into virtual zones and schedules time ranges for each type of lawnmower to operate within these zones, avoiding simultaneous operation to prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple lawnmowers of different sizes and speeds are used to improve work efficiency, then productivity increases, but the risk of collision between lawnmowers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The work area is divided into multiple virtual zones, and each lawnmower is assigned to specific zones with scheduled time ranges. This segmentation of space and time allows different lawnmowers to operate simultaneously without collision, resolving the contradiction between improved productivity through multiple machines and reduced collision risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If large-sized, high-speed lawnmowers are used to improve work efficiency, then productivity increases, but they are unsuitable for detailed work in confined spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidsuitability for detailed work
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different types of lawnmowers (large/high-speed and small/low-speed) are assigned to different virtual zones based on their characteristics. Large lawnmowers handle open areas for high productivity, while small lawnmowers handle confined spaces for detailed work. This local assignment of machine types to specific zones resolves the contradiction between productivity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4305940B1Server device
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4305940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4305940B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4305940B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A server device 100 includes an area setting unit 111 which sets a first area AR1 in which a first lawnmower MW1 executes first lawn-mowing work in a work area AR and a second area AR2 in which a second lawnmower MW2 executes second lawn-mowing work in the work area AR, a zone dividing unit 112 which divides the work area AR into plural virtual zones VZN (N = 1 to M), a time range setting unit 113 which sets a first time range TZ1N in which the first lawnmower MW1 executes the first lawn-mowing work in each of the virtual zones VZN included in the plural virtual zones VZN and a second time range TZ2N in which the second lawnmower MW2 executes the second lawn-mowing work in each of the virtual zones VZN included in the plural virtual zones VZN (N = 1 to M), and a notification unit 116 which notifies the first time range TZ1N and the second time range TZ2N to a smartphone 200 connected to be capable of communication. Consequently, a user can check a possibility of contact between the first lawnmower MW1 and the second lawnmower MW2.