Autonomous Mobile Agents Detecting Surface Layout via Machine-Readable Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic toys lack the ability to sense and interact intelligently with their environment, adjust behavior in response to other toys, and are often physically constrained to specific tracks or slots, limiting their motion and interaction.
Innovation Solution
A system of mobile agents equipped with motors, imaging systems, and wireless transceivers that read machine-readable codes on modular track segments, allowing them to autonomously explore and map their environment, move accordingly, and interact with other agents in a coordinated manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If toys are constrained to slot or track systems, then their motion is restricted, but their physical structure is simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical slot/track constraints with visual code-based guidance systems. Mobile agents read machine-readable codes on the surface to determine their path and behavior, substituting mechanical guidance with optical recognition and computational decision-making, thereby enabling free movement without physical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile agents autonomously navigate and interact with the environment by reading codes and making decisions independently. Each agent self-determines its motion path and interaction targets without external control, enabling complex multi-agent behavior without proportional increase in system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If toys lack sensing and interaction capabilities, then their simplicity is maintained, but their intelligence is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal code-based communication system that enables mobile agents to perform multiple functions: navigation, identification, interaction coordination, and environmental mapping. A single code-reading mechanism supports diverse behaviors including following paths, avoiding obstacles, and coordinating with other agents
Solution Approach 2:
Machine-readable codes serve as an intermediary language between mobile agents and the environment. Instead of direct complex sensing and processing, agents interact with the world through reading and writing codes that encode spatial, identity, and behavioral information, simplifying the interaction interface
3Loss of information
If a virtual representation of the drivable surface is constructed, then the system's awareness of environment is improved, but the computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary exploration and mapping of the drivable surface before main gameplay begins. Mobile agents systematically traverse the surface to discover and record its layout, creating a complete virtual representation in advance, so that during gameplay the system can operate with pre-known environmental information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical drivable surface that mirrors its geometry, segments, and codes. This digital twin allows the system to simulate, plan, and coordinate agent movements computationally without requiring real-time complex environmental sensing during actual operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables toys to freely move on configurable tracks, detect changes, and interact intelligently, providing a seamless user experience with enhanced motion and interaction capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging system for taking images of the machine-readable codes
Implementation Method 2
at least one motor for imparting motive force to the mobile agent
Data Source
AI summary
A drivable surface includes a plurality of segments that can be arranged according to any desired configuration. One or more mobile agents are configured to automatically explore the drivable surface so as to ascertain the positions, orientations, and/or configurations of the various segments, as well as how they are connected to one another. The information collected during such exploration can be transmitted to a host device or other location, where a virtual representation of the drivable surface can be constructed based on the collected information.