Mobile Device Touch Control for Cleaning Robot Precise Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning robots are difficult to control precisely and troubleshoot, as they lack efficient methods for navigating to desired locations and communicating their status to users, often requiring manual intervention and reference to manuals.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device is used to control the cleaning robot's path through touch inputs, recognizing markers on the robot using image processing, and sharing its status, including battery state, dust levels, and sensor information, enabling real-time feedback and correction of navigation errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional remote control methods (infrared or short-range communication) are used to control the cleaning robot, then the robot can be controlled to move in basic directions (straight, backward, turn left/right), but the robot cannot be easily and quickly moved to a specific position desired by the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of controlling robot to desired positionVSAvoidtime to move robot to desired position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a camera and image processing system as an intermediary between the user and the robot. The user captures an image of the target location, and the system automatically processes the image to extract position and orientation information, eliminating the need for manual navigation commands and quickly directing the robot to the desired position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control (remote control operations) with automated image-based control. Instead of the user repeatedly sending directional commands, the system uses image processing to automatically determine the robot's target position and orientation, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated visual recognition and calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the cleaning robot provides alarming indications or sounds for malfunction, then the user is notified of the problem, but the user must still manually look up the manual to figure out the status of the robot

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of troubleshooting robot statusVSAvoidtime to diagnose robot problem
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback system where the robot's status information (including sensor data and malfunction details) is automatically transmitted to the user's mobile device. The system provides real-time feedback about the robot's condition, eliminating the need for the user to manually check manuals and enabling quick diagnosis and troubleshooting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication system and mobile device as intermediaries between the robot and the user. Instead of direct manual inspection, the user receives automated status information and diagnostic data through the mobile device, which acts as an intermediary that translates robot sensor data into user-friendly information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the user uses a normal remote controller to control the cleaning robot, then the control method is simple, but the control precision and ability to navigate to specific locations is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of robot positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses image processing and coordinate transformation algorithms as intermediaries to bridge the simple camera input and precise robot positioning. The system processes the captured image through homography matrix transformation to calculate the exact position and orientation of the target location, achieving high precision without requiring complex manual control operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the physical environment through image capture and processing. By generating a homography matrix from the captured image, the system creates a virtual representation of the target location that can be precisely translated into robot navigation commands, achieving accurate positioning through digital copying rather than manual measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3149862B1Mobile device, robot cleaner, and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3149862B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3149862B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4(d)
  • EP3149862B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a mobile device, cleaning robot, and method for controlling the cleaning robot. The mobile device includes a capturing unit; a display for displaying an image of a cleaning robot obtained from the capturing unit and receiving a touch; and a controller for controlling the cleaning robot to move to a location that corresponds to the input touch.