Remote Robot Camera System Zoom Recall Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote controlled robot systems for teleconferencing and teleoperation lack the ability to easily switch between wide-angle and zoom views, and do not have memory functions to return to preset camera positions, limiting user control and situational awareness.
Innovation Solution
A remote controlled robot system with a mobile robot and a remote control station that allows users to switch between zoom and non-zoom images, and stores camera positions for easy recall, using a graphical user interface and camera systems with wide-angle and zoom capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a zoom lens function is provided to obtain closer views, then image detail capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between zoom and non-zoom modes based on user interaction. The graphical user interface allows users to highlight regions of interest, and the system responds by activating the zoom lens function only when needed, rather than maintaining constant zoom capability. This dynamic activation reduces the effective complexity while preserving measurement precision when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameter (zoom level) based on user input. When a user highlights a region on the displayed image, the system adjusts the lens zoom parameter to provide a closer view of that specific area. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain simple default operation while providing detailed viewing capability on demand.
2Productivity
If multiple camera positions are stored for recall, then operational efficiency is improved, but memory function complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically storing camera positions and images at key moments during operation. When the robot captures an image, the system proactively saves the camera position and image data to memory, so that these positions can be quickly recalled later without requiring manual recording or complex memory management interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by automatically managing camera position memory. The graphical user interface includes functionality that automatically records and stores camera positions and associated images, eliminating the need for manual intervention to track positions. This self-service approach improves operational efficiency while keeping the memory function relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If a graphical user interface with zoom switching is provided, then ease of operation is improved, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface acts as an intermediary between the user and the complex camera control functions. Instead of requiring direct manipulation of zoom mechanisms or camera parameters, the user interacts with a simplified visual interface where highlighting an area on the displayed image automatically triggers the appropriate zoom action. This intermediary layer simplifies operation while managing the underlying complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the camera field of view on the graphical user interface display. Users can see the current camera view and highlight regions of interest on this copy, which then translates to actual camera zoom actions. This visual copying approach makes the interface intuitive and easy to operate, as users interact with a representation of what they see rather than abstract control parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
A remote controlled robot system that includes a mobile robot and a remote control station. A user can control movement of the robot from the remote control station. The mobile robot includes a camera system that can capture and transmit to the remote station a zoom image and a non-zoom image. The remote control station includes a monitor that displays a robot view field. The robot view field can display the non-zoom image. The zoom image can be displayed in the robot view field by highlighting an area of the non-zoom field. The remote control station may also store camera locations that allow a user to move the camera system to preset locations.