Overhead Camera Navigation for Virtual-Route Unmanned Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unmanned transport systems require physical flow lines to be re-installed when destination locations change, leading to a heavy workload, especially in environments where pallet sizes and layouts frequently shift, and pose safety risks due to autonomous vehicles navigating through shared spaces with humans.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned transport system that uses cameras to create and manage virtual flow lines, allowing vehicles to travel autonomously based on real-time imaging and video processing, without physical infrastructure, incorporating detection, position grasping, and control signals to navigate safely and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical flow lines (tape) are used for unmanned transport vehicles, then the vehicles can travel along designated paths, but the flow lines must be re-installed when destination locations change, leading to heavy workload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical tape flow lines with virtual flow lines represented by coordinate data stored in storage units. The control device generates control signals based on these virtual coordinates, eliminating the need for physical re-installation when routes change. The unmanned transport vehicle follows the virtual flow line by navigating to specified coordinate points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical tape-based flow line system with an electronic coordinate-based system. Instead of physically guiding the vehicle along tape markers, the system uses stored coordinate data and electronic control signals to guide the vehicle, replacing mechanical infrastructure with digital information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous traveling vehicles navigate freely in shared spaces with humans, then flexibility in path selection is improved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic route adjustment capability where the control device can generate alternative control signals when obstructions are detected. The vehicle adapts its path in real-time by selecting different coordinate sequences from storage units, allowing flexible navigation around obstacles while maintaining safety through controlled, predictable movement patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates detection devices that provide feedback about obstructions and environmental conditions. The control device receives this feedback and adjusts control signals accordingly, enabling the vehicle to respond to changing conditions while maintaining safe operation in shared spaces through continuous monitoring and adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned transport system is configured to transport a weight object by traveling on a designated virtual flow line to a designated destination location and comprises: an unmanned transport vehicle configured to travel unmanned according to a control signal; one or more cameras configured to image a field on which the unmanned transport vehicle is to travel from above the field to generate a still image or video; and an operation control unit configured to generate the control signal for controlling such that the unmanned transport vehicle travels on the virtual flow line based on the still image or video. The operation control unit comprises: a detecting portion configured to detect the unmanned transport vehicle from the still image or video; a position grasping portion configured to grasp a position of the unmanned transport vehicle in the field without being based on a sensor equipped with the unmanned transport vehicle using a result of a detection by the detecting portion; and a control portion configured to generate the control signal based on the position of the unmanned transport vehicle which the position grasping portion grasps.