Mobile Robot Idle-Time Task Execution Under Central Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized task assignment to autonomous or semi-autonomous mobile robots can lead to suboptimal usage and increased computational burden on the server, as robots may remain idle waiting for further tasks after completing assignments quickly or encountering obstructions.
Innovation Solution
Mobile robots are equipped with a local repository of self-assigned task definitions, allowing them to determine idle criteria and independently initiate execution of self-assigned tasks when local activity metrics meet certain conditions, thereby increasing utilization time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If centralized task assignment is used, then task distribution is simplified, but robot utilization time decreases and computational burden on server increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized task assignment system into two parts: the central server maintains overall task distribution, while individual robots are equipped with local repositories of self-assigned task definitions. This segmentation allows robots to independently execute tasks from their local repositories during idle periods, improving utilization time without completely abandoning centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables robots to serve themselves by autonomously selecting and executing tasks from their local repositories when idle. The robot's processor independently determines idle criteria, selects appropriate self-assigned tasks, and executes them without requiring continuous server intervention, thereby improving productivity while reducing server computational burden.
2Ease of operation
If centralized task assignment is used, then task management is centralized, but computational burden on server increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the task selection and execution decision-making process from the central server and places it locally on each robot. The robot's processor locally determines whether idle criteria are met, selects tasks from the local repository, and executes them independently. This extraction reduces the computational burden on the server while maintaining centralized task management for non-self-assigned tasks.
3Reliability
If robots wait for server-assigned tasks, then task assignment is controlled, but idle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing robots to execute self-assigned tasks from their local repositories during idle periods. Instead of remaining stationary waiting for server assignments, robots continuously perform useful work by selecting and executing appropriate self-assigned tasks, thereby eliminating idle time while maintaining overall task assignment control through the server.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: storing, at a mobile robot, a local repository of self-assigned task definitions; determining, at a processor of the mobile robot, that a local activity metric associated with tasks assigned to the mobile robot by a central server meets an idle criterion; in response to determining that the local activity metric meets the idle criterion, selecting, by the processor, one of the self-assigned task definitions from the local repository; and initiating execution of a self-assigned task corresponding to the selected self-assigned task definition at the mobile robot.