Pull-Rod Camera Layout for Obstruction-Resistant Smart Luggage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current self-driving luggage designs face limitations due to cameras with narrow viewing ranges and susceptibility to obstruction, which hampers their ability to effectively navigate and follow users in crowded environments.
Innovation Solution
A smart luggage system equipped with cameras installed in the pull rod handle, featuring upper cameras for user recognition and lower cameras for proximity sensing, allowing for improved navigation and the ability to take photographs and videos, which are then sent to personal user devices for enhanced user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cameras are installed on the body of the luggage for proximity sensing, then the luggage can detect obstacles, but the cameras have narrow viewing range and are easily obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates cameras from the horizontal plane on the luggage body to the vertical dimension on the pull rod handle, specifically positioning them above the user's hand. This dimensional change allows the cameras to capture a wider field of view including areas above and around the user, overcoming the narrow viewing range limitation of body-mounted cameras while maintaining obstacle detection functionality.
2Extent of automation
If cameras are installed on the body of the luggage, then the system can provide basic navigation, but the cameras are easily obstructed in crowded places
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the pull rod handle as an intermediary structure to mount the cameras at a position that is less susceptible to obstruction. By placing cameras above the user's hand rather than on the luggage body, the system gains a better vantage point that is less likely to be blocked by the user's body or surrounding objects in crowded environments, thereby maintaining autonomous navigation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are installed in the pull rod handle, then the viewing range and user recognition capability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional camera system where the same cameras mounted on the pull rod handle serve multiple purposes: user recognition, obstacle detection, navigation, and photography. This universal approach allows the system to achieve enhanced adaptability and user recognition capability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single camera installation supports multiple functions simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
A smart luggage system includes a piece of luggage configured to store items for transport and a handle coupled to the luggage. The handle includes a pull rod coupled to a connecting rod. One or more cameras are disposed in a top portion of the pull rod and configured to take a photograph and/or video. One or more cameras are coupled to the luggage and/or the handle and configured to take a photograph and/or video.