Thin Mobile Terminal Visual Navigation for Autonomous Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thin mobile communication terminals that can operate as robots face challenges in implementing automatic charging configurations using existing OS or applications, making it difficult to guide them back to a charger for recharging.

Innovation Solution

A thin mobile communication terminal with a rectangular enclosure, rotary arms, an imaging unit, and a controller that searches for and moves towards a charger by adjusting its angle of view and position, utilizing wireless charging to recharge the battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a thin mobile communication terminal is driven as a robot with automatic charging capability, then the terminal can autonomously locate and recharge itself, but it requires significant modifications to existing software and communication protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic recharging capabilityVSAvoidsoftware modification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal autonomously performs charging by itself through image recognition and navigation. The controller automatically controls the rotary motor to adjust the imaging unit's angle of view, determines charger location based on captured images, and navigates to the charger without human intervention, enabling the system to serve itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex communication-based guidance systems with an image recognition and visual navigation system. Instead of using communication protocols to guide the terminal to the charger, the imaging unit captures images and the controller processes these images to determine charger location and navigate, substituting mechanical/optical detection for complex software communication protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If the terminal uses a communication-based guidance system to locate the charger, then automatic charging can be achieved, but it requires compliance with existing communication devices which limits adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic charging guidanceVSAvoidcompatibility with existing communication protocols

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging unit serves multiple functions: it captures images for charger detection, provides visual navigation information, and enables the terminal to adapt to different charger locations and orientations. This universal visual detection approach replaces specialized communication protocols, making the system more adaptable to various charging scenarios without requiring protocol compliance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging unit acts as an intermediary between the terminal and the charger, providing visual information that the controller uses to navigate. Instead of direct communication between terminal and charger, the imaging unit mediates the interaction by capturing visual data about the charger's location and appearance, enabling indirect but effective guidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal maintains a fixed imaging angle, then the structure remains simple, but it cannot locate the charger in different positions and orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharger detection capabilityVSAvoidimaging unit control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging unit's angle of view is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the imaging unit's orientation based on the detected charger position, allowing the system to adapt to different charger locations. This dynamic adjustment is achieved through the rotary motor which rotates the imaging unit to track and locate the charger

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control where the imaging unit captures images of the environment, the controller analyzes these images to determine charger location, and then adjusts the imaging unit's angle accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the terminal to continuously adapt its imaging direction based on real-time visual information about the charger's position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230311332A1Thin mobile communication terminal, and control method and control program thereof

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 ROBOGARAGE SINGAPORE PTE LTD

AI summary

A thin mobile communication terminal includes: a rectangular enclosure; two arms wherein one end of each arm is rotationally supported by a rotary shaft against corresponding one of both side surfaces of long sides of the enclosure; a hand at another end of each arm; a leg provided on one side surface of short sides of the enclosure in an independently movable manner; a rotary motor for rotating the rotary shaft that supports corresponding one of the two arms on one end of the corresponding one of the arms; an imaging unit provided on a main surface of the enclosure; and a controller that controls the rotary motor.