Mobile Cleaning Robot Privacy Mode for Image Stream Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous mobile cleaning robots raise privacy concerns due to the use of cameras for obstacle detection and navigation, as users may feel uncomfortable with image capture in private areas and worry about unauthorized access to image streams.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a privacy mode that allows users to disable or restrict the imaging stream in specific locations or schedules, enabling the robot to navigate using alternative sensors, thus maintaining cleaning operations without visual data in privacy-enabled zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a camera is used for obstacle detection and navigation, then the robot's operational capability is improved, but user privacy is compromised due to image capture in private areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operational environment into private zones and non-private zones using geographic fencing technology. The camera system is selectively activated or deactivated based on the robot's location within these segmented zones, allowing obstacle detection in public areas while preventing image capture in private areas like bathrooms or bedrooms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the camera system by adjusting its operational state in real-time based on location data. The camera transitions between active and inactive states dynamically as the robot moves between private and non-private zones, rather than using a fixed on/off configuration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the camera is disabled in privacy mode, then user privacy is protected, but the robot's navigation and obstacle detection capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple sensing modalities including cameras, LIDAR, ultrasonic sensors, and infrared sensors to achieve navigation and obstacle detection. When the camera is disabled in private zones, other sensors continue to provide environmental perception capabilities, ensuring the robot maintains its navigation functionality through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the sensing system by switching between different sensor types and modes depending on location. In private zones, the system transitions from camera-based vision to alternative sensor-based detection, adjusting the operational parameters to maintain navigation capability while protecting privacy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are used for navigation, then the robot can operate without camera in privacy mode, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing technologies (LIDAR, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors) into an integrated sensor system that works cooperatively. This combined approach allows the robot to achieve comprehensive environmental perception through a unified system rather than separate independent systems, managing complexity through integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a mobile cleaning robot includes receiving a privacy mode setting from a user interface, where the privacy mode setting is based on a user selection between at least two different privacy mode settings for determining whether to operate the mobile cleaning robot in an image-capture-restricted mode. An image stream of an image capture device of the mobile cleaning robot is permitted in an absence of a user-selection of a more restrictive one of the privacy settings. At least a portion of the image stream is restricted or disabled based at least in part on a user-selection of a more restrictive one of the privacy settings.