Single Optical Sensor Switching for Mobile Robot Multi-Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning robots require multiple sensors to perform obstacle avoidance, positioning, and object recognition, leading to high computation loading, power consumption, and low recognition correctness.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot utilizing a single optical sensor with different light sources activated at various times to capture image frames, allowing for obstacle avoidance, visual simultaneous localization and mapping, and object recognition, thereby reducing computation and power consumption while improving recognition accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to perform obstacle avoidance, positioning and object recognition, then detection functions are improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single optical sensor to perform multiple detection functions (obstacle avoidance, positioning, and object recognition) that traditionally required separate sensors. The sensor alternates between different lighting conditions (laser illumination for obstacle detection and ambient light for positioning and recognition) to achieve diverse functions with one device, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges obstacle avoidance detection, positioning, and object recognition functions into a single optical sensor system. By combining these previously separate functions into one integrated sensor that operates under different lighting conditions, the system reduces the total number of components while preserving all necessary detection capabilities
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to perform different detecting functions, then detection coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating the optical sensor between two operational modes: capturing images under laser illumination for obstacle avoidance, and capturing images under ambient light for positioning and object recognition. This time-division multiplexing allows the single sensor to perform multiple functions sequentially, reducing power consumption compared to having multiple sensors operating simultaneously while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The single optical sensor is designed to be universal, capable of performing obstacle avoidance, positioning, and object recognition by switching between different lighting conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple dedicated sensors, thereby significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining full detection coverage
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for different detecting functions, then detection accuracy is improved, but computation loading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single optical sensor to perform multiple detection functions (obstacle avoidance, positioning, and object recognition) by alternating between laser illumination and ambient light conditions. This approach reduces computation loading by processing images from one sensor rather than integrating data from multiple sensors, while still achieving accurate recognition through context-aware image processing based on the current lighting condition
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables multiple detecting functions with a single optical sensor, reducing computational and power requirements while enhancing recognition accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
performs the obstacle avoidance according to the image frame captured by an optical sensor when a laser diode is emitting light
Implementation Method 2
performs the visual simultaneous localization and mapping (VSLAM) according to the image frame captured by the optical sensor when a light emitting diode is emitting light
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a mobile robot that performs the obstacle avoidance, positioning and object recognition according to image frames captured by the same optical sensor. The mobile robot includes an optical sensor, a light emitting diode, a laser diode and a processor. The processor identifies an obstacle and a distance thereof according to image frames captured by the optical sensor when the laser diode is emitting light. The processor further performs the positioning and object recognition according to image frames captured by the optical sensor when the light emitting diode is emitting light.