Mowing Robot Visual Positioning Using Dual Identification Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual servo mowing robots have a complex and costly positioning method, which is inefficient for target tracking and location determination.
Innovation Solution
A visual identification positioning system using first and second positioning members with identification features, a visual identification unit, and a computation unit to calculate coordinates and define ranges, allowing the mowing robot to determine its current location without satellite positioning, and restrict its movement within defined boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual servo method with rotary camera and angle computation is used for target tracking, then the mowing robot can continuously track the target point, but the positioning method becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses identification features (patterns, markers, or symbols) as simplified copies of positioning information instead of complex visual servo computations. The robot captures images of these features and determines position based on feature recognition rather than continuous angle measurement and computation, significantly simplifying the positioning method while maintaining tracking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential positioning information from the environment by using distinct identification features placed at specific locations. Instead of processing continuous visual servo data including angles and camera orientation, the system extracts discrete position information from identified features, reducing computational complexity while preserving target tracking capability
2Measurement precision
If visual servo method with rotary camera is used for positioning, then the mowing robot can determine its location, but the positioning cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive identification features (such as printed patterns, colored markers, or simple symbols) that can be easily manufactured and deployed in the environment. These features serve as low-cost positioning references compared to expensive satellite positioning systems or complex visual servo hardware, achieving accurate location determination at reduced cost
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive satellite positioning infrastructure or complex visual servo systems, the patent creates simplified positional references through identification features that can be recognized by standard image processing. This copying approach uses inexpensive visual markers to represent position information, significantly reducing system cost while maintaining measurement precision
3Measurement precision
If satellite positioning is used for mowing robot location, then global positioning is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts local positioning information from the immediate environment using identification features rather than relying on global satellite positioning. By taking out only the necessary positional references from the local area, the system achieves sufficient positioning accuracy with simpler, more cost-effective methods suitable for localized mowing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive satellite positioning infrastructure with inexpensive environmental markers (identification features) that can be easily placed and recognized. These cheap visual references provide adequate positioning capability for the mowing robot without the complexity and cost of satellite-based systems
Data Source
AI summary
A visual identification positioning system includes a first positioning member, a second positioning member, and a mowing robot. The mowing robot has a visual identification unit and a computation unit. The visual identification unit identifies a first identification feature of the first positioning member and a second identification feature of the second positioning member to generate first and second signals to the computation unit. The computation unit computes a first coordinate, a second coordinate, a first distance between the mowing robot and the first coordinate, and a second distance between the mowing robot and the second coordinate according to the first and second signals, and defines first and second ranges with the first and second coordinates as centers according to the first and second distances, and computes a coordinate of an intersection of the first and second ranges as a current location coordinate of the mowing robot.