Multi-Color Code Card Robot Sensor System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coding methods for robots using single-color cards are limited in the number of instructions they can convey, and multi-color cards with separate sensors increase production costs and restrict card size and shape flexibility.
Innovation Solution
Multi-color code cards with a starting color, middle color portions, and a base color, where the sequence of colors is recognized by a single color sensor to increase the number of codes and allow for various shapes and sizes, reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If single-color cards are used for coding, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the number of instructions that can be conveyed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The card surface is segmented into multiple color regions (starting color portion, middle color portions, base color portion) that can be detected in sequence. This segmentation allows a single card to convey multiple instructions through color sequences, dramatically increasing the number of possible instructions while keeping the card structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The coding system transitions from using only color (single dimension) to using color sequences over time (adding temporal dimension). By detecting the sequence of colors as the card is inserted and withdrawn, the system can distinguish between multiple instructions using the same colors in different orders, exponentially increasing the number of possible instructions
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-color sensors are installed to detect multi-color cards, then the number of codes can be increased, but the production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single-color sensor is made universal by using it to detect color sequences rather than requiring multiple sensors for multiple colors. The same sensor detects different colors at different time points during card insertion/withdrawal, making one sensor perform the function of multiple sensors would have been needed
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple physical sensors simultaneously, the system uses one sensor to take sequential 'copies' of color information at different time points. The temporal sequence of color detections creates a unique signature for each instruction, achieving the same coding capacity as multiple sensors would provide
3Measurement precision
If card insertion holes are installed to distinguish bottom plate color, then color recognition accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The starting color portion is designed to be detected first during card insertion, serving as a preliminary signal that triggers the coding recognition process. This preliminary detection ensures the sensor is ready and the card is properly positioned before the actual instruction colors are detected, improving recognition accuracy without requiring separate alignment structures
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-color card itself provides the alignment and identification function through its color sequence design. The starting color portion and base color portion act as self-identifying markers that enable the sensor to automatically recognize the card type and orientation through color detection, eliminating the need for separate mechanical alignment features like card insertion holes
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
This solution allows for a significant increase in the number of codes that can be used by robots, reduces production costs, and enables the use of multi-color code cards with various shapes and sizes, while avoiding malfunctions due to identical colors.
Implementation Method 1
when a user pushes the starting color portion 11 of each multi-color code card below a single-color sensor 10 on the bottom of the robot, operations corresponding to the codes of combined colors of the at least one of middle color portions 12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3 and the base color portion 13 recognized by the robot are stored
Data Source
AI summary
A robot using multi-color code cards having a starting color portion, at least one of middle color portions, and a base color portion. The starting color portion indicates a start of each multi-color code card, the at least one of middle color portions has colors different from one another and from the color of the starting color portion, the base color portion has a color different from the starting color portion and different from the adjacent one of the middle color portions, codes corresponding to combined colors of the at least one of middle color portions and the base color portion are allotted, and when pushing the starting color portion below a single-color sensor, operations corresponding to the codes of combined colors of the at least one of middle color portions and the base color portion recognized by the robot are stored.