Movable Apparatus Mapping With Object-Type Analysis for Pose Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for generating environment maps in movable apparatuses, such as AGVs and AMRs, inaccurately include temporary obstacles, leading to reduced position and posture measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that includes a sensor information acquisition unit, an object analysis unit, and an environment map generation unit to analyze the type of objects around the movable apparatus and generate or update the environment map based on the object's staying value, distinguishing between objects likely to stay and those in motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all detected obstacles are added to the environment map, then the environment map contains comprehensive obstacle information, but temporary obstacles reduce position and posture measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironment map reliabilityVSAvoidposition and posture measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different obstacle types within the environment map. Static obstacles are permanently registered to provide stable reference features for measurement, while dynamic obstacles are temporarily registered only when needed for collision avoidance. This selective registration strategy ensures that the environment map maintains high reliability for position and posture measurement through static features, while still providing comprehensive obstacle information including temporary dynamic obstacles when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the environment map is updated frequently to include current obstacle information, then the environment map reflects current surroundings accurately, but position and posture measurement accuracy deteriorates due to temporary obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironment map adaptabilityVSAvoidposition and posture measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by creating a dual-layer environment map system that adapts to different operational requirements. The static environment map layer maintains permanent features for stable position and posture measurement, while the dynamic overlay layer temporarily registers moving obstacles during their presence. This dynamic structure allows the environment map to be updated frequently to reflect current surroundings without compromising measurement accuracy, as the static reference features remain unchanged while temporary obstacles are added only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12422272B2Information processing apparatus, movable apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.09.23 CANON KK
  • US12422272B2 patent drawing
  • US12422272B2 patent drawing
  • US12422272B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An information processing apparatus that controls the movement of a movable apparatus acquires information regarding surroundings of the movable apparatus, analyzes the type of an object that is present around the movable apparatus by using the acquired sensor information, and generates or updates an environment map that is surrounding information of the movable apparatus on the basis of the analyzed type of the object.