Master Robot Coordination for Server Communication Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robots in indoor spaces face service disruptions due to communication errors with external servers, preventing smooth task allocation and service provision.
Innovation Solution
A robot system that autonomously designates a master robot based on type and state information of other robots, allowing them to collaborate and continue providing services without external server intervention by planning and correcting movement routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robots communicate with an external server for task allocation, then service provision can be coordinated, but service disruption occurs when communication errors happen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master robot as an intermediary between other robots and the external server. When communication with the server fails, the master robot locally receives task information and allocates it to other robots, eliminating the need for direct server communication and ensuring service continuity during communication errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-designates a master robot among multiple robots before communication errors occur. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the external server becomes unreachable, the master robot is already positioned and authorized to perform local task allocation, avoiding service disruption without requiring complex real-time decision-making mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a master robot is designated to allocate tasks locally, then service continuity is maintained during communication errors, but robot system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master robot performs multiple functions: it acts as a regular robot executing tasks, serves as a local server receiving task information from the external server, and functions as a task allocator for other robots. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while maintaining service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the external server and the master robot. The master robot combines task reception, task allocation, and task execution capabilities in a single unit, simplifying the system architecture compared to having separate entities for each function while still providing reliable service during communication errors.
3Productivity
If robots autonomously collaborate without external server intervention, then service smoothness improves during communication errors, but coordination difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master robot autonomously receives task information from the external server and performs task allocation to other robots without requiring their active participation or complex negotiation. Other robots simply receive and execute allocated tasks, enabling smooth service provision through a simple self-service mechanism rather than complex mutual coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes: a communication interface, a memory, and a processor configured to: transmit identification information and state information of the robot to an external server; based on receiving, from the external server, first information including identification information, type information and state information of at least one other robot, store the first information in the memory, based on identifying that an error occurred in communication with the external server, determine whether the robot is to operate as a master robot by comparing the type information and the state information of the at least one other device with type information and first state information of the robot; based on the robot operating as the master robot, plan a movement route of the at least one other robot based on task information of the at least one other robot, and transmit he planned movement route to the at least one other robot.