Photo-Based Area Selection for Autonomous Room Cleaning Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling an automatically movable device for room cleaning require users to manually navigate and select areas to be cleaned or avoided, which is imprecise and time-consuming, especially for inexperienced users, as they need to interpret camera images and maps with different perspectives.
Innovation Solution
The user selects a sub-area by taking a photo, which is compared to the device's map, allowing the device to autonomously determine the precise location and plan a route for cleaning or avoidance, eliminating the need for manual remote control and map navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the user manually navigates and selects areas to be cleaned using remote control or map interpretation, then the device can reach the desired sub-area, but the process becomes time-consuming and imprecise especially for inexperienced users
Solution Approach 1:
The user takes a photo (copy) of the desired area with their mobile device camera. This photo serves as a reference that the system compares against the pre-created map to automatically identify and locate the target sub-area, eliminating the need for manual navigation and interpretation of complex map interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of steering the device with remote control or manually selecting areas on a digital map is replaced by an automated image recognition and comparison system. The system automatically processes the photo, compares it with the map data, and determines the target location without user intervention.
2Extent of automation
If the user interprets camera images and maps with different perspectives to select areas, then the device can identify the sub-area, but the process becomes complex and difficult especially for inexperienced users
Solution Approach 1:
The user creates a visual copy (photo) of the target area using their mobile device, which naturally captures the scene from their perspective. This eliminates the need to interpret or translate between different map perspectives and camera views, as the system works directly with the user's natural visual reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs the complex task of comparing the user's photo with the map data and identifying the corresponding sub-area. This self-service automation handles the perspective matching and location determination without requiring the user to understand or navigate complex spatial relationships.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional remote control functionality is provided for manual navigation, then the device can be controlled to reach specific areas, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device's camera and existing photo-taking capability are utilized for a new function (area selection and location identification). This multi-functional approach allows the device to serve both as a cleaning robot and as a system that can interpret visual references from the user's mobile device, eliminating the need for specialized remote control interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cleaning or processing a room using an automatically movable device (1). So that a user no longer has to search for a section (2) of the room that the device (1) should approach or avoid in a targeted manner on a map of the room, it is proposed that the user select a section (2) of the room using a Photo (3) of the sub-area (2) created and transmitted to a computer unit. A method is thus created that is more time-saving and more convenient for the user to carry out.