Remote control device for a robot cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot cleaners lack precise relative position measurement between users and devices, leading to inconvenient and imprecise operation, especially when used wirelessly without direct line of sight, resulting in limited functionality and user satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A remote control device that generates mapping information between actual and virtual regions using camera-based image information, allowing for intuitive touch input control and location-based services, enabling precise wireless operation and maintaining an original design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot cleaner is operated wirelessly without direct line of sight, then the user can control the robot from different regions, but the operation precision and reliability deteriorate due to lack of visual feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the real cleaning environment displayed on the remote control device screen. This virtual region mapping allows the user to see and control the robot's position and movements remotely without direct line of sight, while maintaining operational precision through visual feedback of the virtual environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the camera on the robot cleaner and the display on the remote control device. This intermediary visual feedback system transmits real-time images of the cleaning environment to the user, enabling precise wireless control without direct observation of the robot.
2Reliability
If the user must be in the same region as the robot cleaner to control it, then operation reliability is maintained through visual feedback, but the user's mobility and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual representation of the physical environment on the remote control device screen. This virtual copy allows the user to control the robot from any location with network connectivity, eliminating the constraint of being in the same physical region while maintaining operational reliability through visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the control interface from physical space (user must be physically near the robot) to digital space (user can be anywhere with network access). This dimensional change allows the user to control the robot remotely while maintaining visual feedback through the screen display.
3Device complexity
If conventional remote control with direction keys is used, then the device complexity is low, but the operational efficiency and precision deteriorate due to delayed response
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing images with the robot's camera and pre-processing them for display on the remote control device. This preliminary preparation of visual information allows the user to control the robot more efficiently without manual delays, while the control interface remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback system where the robot's camera continuously captures images of the cleaning environment and displays them on the remote control device screen. This real-time visual feedback allows the user to see the robot's position and adjust control commands more efficiently, reducing operational delays compared to conventional direction key controls.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a robot cleaner system comprising a robot cleaner configured to perform cleaning, while driving automatically; a recharging base for the robot cleaner; and a remote control device configured to perform remote-control of the robot cleaner, wherein the remote control device generates mapping information between an actual region and a virtual region based on image information generated by a camera on the robot cleaner and a region near the robot cleaner or image information generated by a camera on the recharging base and a region near the recharging base.