Mobile Camera Pickup Robot for Blind-Spot-Free Article Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article pickup systems using fixed cameras above the floor face challenges in capturing entire areas due to limited range and blind spots caused by furniture, leading to inefficient article retrieval, and increasing costs with multiple high-resolution cameras.
Innovation Solution
A mobile camera system integrated with a robot that captures images and specifies article positions, allowing the robot to move and pick up articles efficiently, reducing the need for multiple cameras and minimizing blind spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple high-resolution fixed cameras are installed on the ceiling to capture the entire room area, then the capturing coverage is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static ceiling-mounted cameras to a dynamic mobile robot platform with integrated camera. The robot moves autonomously throughout the room, dynamically changing the camera's position and orientation to capture images of articles from multiple locations, thereby achieving complete coverage without requiring multiple fixed cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot serves multiple functions: it acts as a mobile platform for the camera, provides autonomous navigation capabilities, performs image processing, and executes article pickup operations. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems (multiple cameras, navigation system, pickup mechanism) into a single integrated platform.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution fixed cameras are used to capture tiny toys on the floor, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using high-resolution fixed cameras mounted on the ceiling with a mobile robot platform that physically moves closer to articles. This substitution allows the use of lower-resolution cameras while maintaining recognition precision, as the robot can position itself optimally near each article for capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot performs preliminary navigation and positioning actions to approach articles before capturing images. By pre-positioning itself close to the target article, the system can use lower-resolution cameras while still achieving sufficient image quality for recognition, thereby reducing camera system complexity.
3Productivity
If fixed cameras are installed in each room to enable pickup processing, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static, room-specific fixed camera installations with a dynamic mobile robot that can operate across multiple rooms. The robot's mobility allows it to adapt to different room layouts and environments, providing pickup processing capability in multiple locations without requiring pre-installed camera infrastructure in each room.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot is self-contained with all necessary components (camera, navigation system, control unit, pickup mechanism) integrated into a single autonomous platform. It can independently navigate to different rooms, detect articles, and perform pickup operations without requiring external camera installations or additional infrastructure in each environment.
Data Source
AI summary
The article pickup system includes: a camera that is provided in a mobile body capable of moving in an environment where a plurality of articles to be picked up are present and that acquires image data by capturing the plurality of articles; and an article pickup robot that moves in the environment and picks up the plurality of captured articles. The article pickup robot includes: a camera position acquisition unit that detects the camera and then acquires position information of the camera; an article position specification unit that specifies positions of the plurality of articles based on the position information of the camera; a mobile unit that moves to the specified positions; and a pickup unit that picks up the plurality of articles at the positions to which the mobile unit has moved.