Natural Human to Robot Remote Control via Depth Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control applications for robotic devices are overly complex, making it difficult for users to control them in a straightforward and intuitive manner.
Innovation Solution
Using image and depth cameras to capture user movements and facial expressions, processing the data into skeletal and image data to control robotic components such as expressions, head movements, and manipulator operations, allowing for natural and intuitive control of robotic devices during telepresence sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control applications are used for robotic devices, then comprehensive control functions are available, but the control interface becomes overly complex and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control interfaces (buttons, joysticks, complex menus) with a camera-based optical sensing system. The image and depth cameras capture user movements and expressions, which are then processed into skeletal data to control robot components, substituting physical interaction mechanisms with optical field-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces skeletal data as an intermediary layer between the user and the robot control system. The skeletal data, derived from camera captures of user movements, serves as a mediating representation that translates natural human motions into robot control commands, simplifying the user's interaction while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive control functions are provided, then the robot can perform diverse operations, but the control application overwhelms the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control interface where a single camera-based system can control multiple robot components including drive train, head movements, manipulators, and expression systems. The skeletal data generated from user movements can be mapped to various control functions, allowing one interface to perform multiple control roles without requiring separate specialized controls for each function.
3Ease of operation
If natural movement capture is implemented, then intuitive control is achieved, but real-time processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of camera data to generate skeletal information in advance of the actual control action. By continuously capturing and processing user movements into skeletal data representations before they are needed for robot control, the system prepares control commands ahead of time, reducing latency and enabling real-time responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
The subject disclosure is directed towards controlling a robot based upon sensing a user's natural and intuitive movements and expressions. User movements and/or facial expressions are captured by an image and depth camera, resulting in skeletal data and/or image data that is used to control a robot's operation, e.g., in a real time, remote (e.g., over the Internet) telepresence session. Robot components that may be controlled include robot “expressions” (e.g., audiovisual data output by the robot), robot head movements, robot mobility drive operations (e.g., to propel and/or turn the robot), and robot manipulator operations, e.g., an arm-like mechanism and/or hand-like mechanism.