Robot Camera Certification Using In-View LED Latency Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of uncertified depth cameras in safety-critical applications like autonomous mobile robotics is hindered by performance gaps such as glitches due to latency, inadequate throughput, and lack of processing capability, which are not addressed by existing technologies, leading to increased costs when certified cameras are substituted.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a light source, such as an LED, to irradiate the field of view of a depth camera, with a processing system to monitor and assess camera performance against safety-certified protocols, ensuring real-time data integrity and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uncertified depth cameras are used in autonomous mobile robots, then cost is reduced, but reliability and safety performance deteriorate due to glitches from latency, inadequate throughput, and insufficient processing capability
Solution Approach 1:
A certification system acts as an intermediary between uncertified cameras and safety-critical applications. The system includes a processing system that monitors camera performance metrics (latency, throughput, processing capability) and a certification module that verifies these metrics meet safety standards, enabling uncertified cameras to be used reliably in autonomous robots
Solution Approach 2:
The certification system implements continuous feedback monitoring of camera performance parameters including latency, throughput, and processing capability. This feedback loop allows real-time assessment of whether the camera meets safety-certified performance standards, enabling dynamic adjustment or shutdown when performance degrades
2Reliability
If safety-certified cameras are used in autonomous mobile robots, then reliability and safety performance are improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces expensive safety-certified cameras with cheaper uncertified cameras by implementing a virtual certification layer. The certification software and monitoring systems provide the necessary safety guarantees without requiring expensive hardware certification, effectively making the camera system disposable or upgradable without significant cost
3Device complexity
If uncertified cameras are used without certification, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and performance monitoring capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system serves multiple functions: it processes camera data for navigation, monitors performance metrics (latency, throughput, processing capability), and performs safety certification. This multi-functionality avoids adding separate dedicated monitoring hardware, maintaining low device complexity while achieving precise performance measurement
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows the use of uncertified cameras in safety-critical systems by ensuring they meet safety-certified performance standards, reducing costs and enabling wider application of autonomous robots.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source resident on the robot body proximate to the sensing camera such that the at least one light source is capable of at least partially irradiating a field of view (FoV) of the sensing camera
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system and method of for certifying a sensor that at least partially navigates an autonomous mobile robot. The apparatus may include at least a robot body; at least one light source resident on the robot body proximate to the sensing camera such that the at least one light source is capable of at least partially irradiating a field of view (FoV) of the sensing camera, wherein the at least one light source has characteristics substantially mated to the sensing camera; and at least one processing system that provides the at least partial navigation. The at least one processing system may execute the steps of: actuating the at least one light source at a predetermined time and for a predetermined duration; monitoring data from the sensing camera for confirmation of the actuating; calculating at least one of the latency, throughput, and reactivity of the sensing camera based on the monitoring; and at least partially navigating based on the calculating.