Reconfigurable Robotic Kit Servo Discovery and Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic figures for toy and educational markets are not reconfigurable, lacking user control and programming capabilities, especially for those with limited programming skills or experience.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable robotic system comprising digital servo modules with servo position sensors, elemental building blocks, and a central controller that enables users to construct and program robotic figures through various configurations, using a communication protocol for serial and quasi-parallel data transmission, and includes voice command recognition and virtual remote app functionality for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reconfigurable robotic system with multiple digital servo modules is implemented, then user control and programming capability are improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple communication channels and discovery processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the robotic figure into multiple independent digital servo modules, each with its own communication channel. This segmentation allows the central controller to manage complexity by interacting with individual modules through standardized channels rather than managing a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a discovery process as an intermediary mechanism between the central controller and digital servo modules. This discovery process automatically identifies and maps communication channels, serving as a mediator that simplifies the interaction complexity by handling channel registration and configuration automatically.
2Reliability
If serial data transmission configuration is used during discovery, then communication reliability is improved, but data transmission speed decreases compared to parallel transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the communication configuration from serial to parallel based on the operational phase. During the discovery phase, serial transmission is used for reliability. After discovery is complete, the system transitions to parallel transmission for faster data communication, making the communication mode adaptive to current needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic switching between serial and parallel transmission modes based on the operational stage. Serial transmission is used periodically during discovery, then parallel transmission is used periodically during normal operation, creating a rhythm of communication mode changes that balances reliability and speed requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hot-swappable digital servo modules are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but system stability may be affected during reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery process provides feedback mechanisms that monitor the system configuration state. When modules are added or removed, the system receives feedback about the changed topology and automatically re-executes the discovery process to update its internal model, ensuring stability through continuous verification of system state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary discovery and configuration actions before allowing full operational mode. By pre-establishing the communication topology and verifying module identities through the discovery process, the system prepares the configuration in advance, reducing instability risks when hot-swapping occurs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A system includes digital servo modules and building blocks that are assemblable in several permutations to construct robotic figures. A central controller communicates with the modules via communication channels, each subdivided into subchannels. The system utilizes a discovery process wherein the central controller periodically transmits a discovery signal in each sub-channel until a newly attached module transmits a reply to the discovery signal. The central controller transmits position commands to the recognized servo modules and receives position feedback from the recognized modules. The system enables someone to easily program a robotic figure via: a learned motion mode, wherein joints are manipulated and the central controller records a trajectory for each servo module; a user motion capture mode, wherein user motions are captured via camera to generate servo trajectories; and an animation builder mode, wherein a virtual representation of the robotic figure can be manipulated on screen to generate servo trajectories.