Mobile Robot Client Notification for Reliable Service Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for clients to confirm whether their service requests have been received by mobile robots, especially when there are multiple potential clients, as existing systems lack direct notification methods that do not rely on communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot system with a receiving unit to detect service requests, a notifying unit that provides direct client notification through visual, auditory, or combined methods, and an autonomous movement control unit to move towards the client, ensuring clear request acknowledgment and service delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile robot uses network-based notification methods to inform clients of request receipt, then communication coverage can be extended, but reliability deteriorates when communication networks are unavailable or unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple intermediary notification methods (display devices, audio output devices, lighting devices) that act as mediators between the mobile robot and the client. These intermediaries provide redundant communication channels that do not depend on network connectivity, ensuring that at least one notification method remains reliable when network-based communication fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making notification methods location-dependent and context-aware. The system selects and activates notification methods based on the local environment (e.g., using display devices when the client is visually accessible, audio devices when auditory notification is appropriate). This ensures reliable notification adapted to local conditions without requiring complex centralized control.
2Ease of operation
If the mobile robot notifies all detected clients of service requests, then client satisfaction improves, but energy consumption increases due to multiple notification operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by notifying only the necessary subset of clients rather than all detected clients. The system prioritizes notification to clients who are most likely to be the intended recipients based on proximity, historical data, or contextual cues. This selective notification approach maintains high client service accessibility while significantly reducing the number of notification operations and associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the notification process adaptive and adjustable in real-time. The system dynamically selects which clients to notify and which notification methods to use based on current conditions such as client location, robot battery level, and environmental factors. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between service accessibility and energy consumption during robot operation.
3Productivity
If the mobile robot moves autonomously to the designated client, then service delivery efficiency improves, but positioning accuracy may deteriorate in environments with multiple similar clients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the client identification process into multiple independent stages: initial client detection, client verification through unique identifiers, and final confirmation before service delivery. Each stage acts as a separate filter that reduces the set of potential targets. This segmented approach maintains high service delivery efficiency by enabling quick autonomous movement while ensuring high client identification accuracy through progressive filtering of similar clients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing client identification and verification operations before the robot begins its autonomous movement to the client. The system预先 (in advance) confirms the correct client target using unique identifiers or verification codes, so that once movement begins, there is no ambiguity about the destination. This preliminary verification ensures measurement precision is maintained while productivity is improved through efficient autonomous navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot includes a receiving unit that receives a request for providing a service, a notifying unit that notifies a client that the request is received by performing an operation oriented toward the client who has made the request, a moving unit that moves toward a user designated as a receiver of the service in accordance with the request, and a providing unit that provides the service.