Mobile Object Return Range Mapping From Remaining Energy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to accurately predict the extent to which a mobile object, such as a drone, can be moved based on remaining battery charge, leading to potential unexpected stops during return journeys.

Innovation Solution

A mobile object system that includes a remaining energy amount acquisition unit and a range specifying unit to determine a movement range within which the object can return to a predetermined position based on its energy levels, displayed on a map image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the user is notified of the remaining battery charge and operable time, then the user is prompted to avoid unexpected stops, but the user cannot intuitively grasp the service limit and movement range of the mobile object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unexpected stopVSAvoidintuitive understanding of movement range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the one-dimensional battery charge notification into a two-dimensional spatial representation by displaying the movement range as an area on a map. This allows users to intuitively understand not just how much energy remains, but also where the mobile object can safely return, converting abstract energy data into concrete spatial information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system calculates and displays the movement range in advance before the mobile object actually needs to return. By showing the user the safe return area beforehand, the user can make informed decisions about whether to continue operations or return now, preventing unexpected stops rather than reacting to them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the mobile object is returned using remaining battery charge or operable time as an index, then the return decision is made, but the mobile object may fail to reach the desired return point due to energy constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereturn decision efficiencyVSAvoidsuccessful return to position

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the movement range based on current energy levels before the return decision is executed. This advance calculation ensures that the return destination is within the safe energy budget, preventing situations where the mobile object cannot reach the intended return point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user about the calculated movement range and safe return areas. This feedback loop allows the user to understand the energy constraints and make informed return decisions, while the system can also use this information to automatically adjust or suggest appropriate return destinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12619247B2Mobile object, information processing method, information processing system, and computer program

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A mobile object includes: a remaining energy amount acquisition unit that acquires the amount of energy remaining in the mobile object; and a range specifying unit that specifics, on the basis of the amount of energy remaining in the mobile object, a movement range in which the mobile object can return from the current position to the return position.