Multi-Device Environment Mapping for Autonomous Self-Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for navigating and self-localizing autonomously moving processing devices are limited by the need for on-board data processing and memory in auxiliary devices, which can restrict computing power and storage capacity, and do not effectively combine environmental data from different perspectives to create a comprehensive and realistic map of the surroundings.

Innovation Solution

A method where an auxiliary device transmits environmental data to an external server for processing, combining it with data from the processing device to create a comprehensive map, allowing for different types of data to be recorded and processed, enabling more accurate navigation and self-localization by combining data from various perspectives, and allowing the auxiliary device to follow the processing device for continuous data recording.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If environmental data is processed on-board in the auxiliary device, then the processing device can navigate autonomously, but the computing power and storage capacity are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous navigation capabilityVSAvoidon-board processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data processing function from the auxiliary device and relocates it to an external server. The auxiliary device only needs to record environmental data and transmit it to the server, while the server performs the computationally intensive tasks of creating and updating the environmental map. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining autonomous navigation capability while eliminating the need for complex on-board processing hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an external server as an intermediary between the auxiliary device and the processing device. The server receives environmental data from the auxiliary device, processes it to create the environmental map, and transmits the map to the processing device. This intermediary architecture allows the auxiliary device to have minimal processing capabilities while still enabling autonomous navigation through the server's computational power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a single device records environmental data, then the system is simpler, but the map lacks comprehensive representation from different perspectives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental map accuracyVSAvoidmulti-device coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the environmental data collection task between two devices: the auxiliary device records data from a first perspective (e.g., aerial or remote viewpoint), while the processing device records data from a second perspective (e.g., ground-level or operational viewpoint). The server then integrates these segmented data sets into a comprehensive environmental map that combines multiple perspectives, thereby improving map accuracy without requiring a single complex device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges environmental data from multiple sources recorded by different devices. The server combines the environmental map created from the auxiliary device's data with additional environmental data recorded by the processing device itself, creating a unified comprehensive map that incorporates diverse perspectives and improves overall measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3559773B1Method for the navigation and self-location of an autonomously moving processing device
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3559773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3559773B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3559773B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the navigation and self-location of an autonomously moving processing device (1) using an environment map within an environment (2), wherein environment data of the environment (2) are collected and processed to form an environment map. According to the invention, to support the navigation and self-location of the processing device (1) advantageously, an additional autonomously moving device (3) collects environmental data of the environment (2) for the processing device (1), and environmental data are transmitted to the processing device (1). The invention also relates to a system (5) consisting of an autonomously moving processing device (1) and an additional autonomously moving device (3).