Robot Remote Control Using External Cameras for Blind Spot Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot control systems struggle to provide accurate and intuitive remote management and control, particularly in identifying the location of robots and their surrounding environments, due to limitations in camera-based identification methods.
Innovation Solution
A robot control method and system that utilizes external cameras placed in a space to receive location information from robots, specify relevant cameras based on driving direction and angle of view, and output images from these cameras to a display unit, along with images from the robot's camera, to provide comprehensive environmental information and enhance remote control accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If only robot-mounted cameras are used to identify surroundings, then the robot's self-view is captured, but location information and blind spot coverage are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces external cameras positioned in the space as intermediary devices to capture robot location and surrounding environment information. These external cameras act as mediators between the robot and the control system, providing comprehensive views including blind spots without requiring additional cameras on the robot itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The external cameras serve multiple functions: they capture robot location information, provide surrounding environment views, cover blind spots, and enable both monitoring and control functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices for each function.
2Reliability
If multiple external cameras are deployed to cover all areas, then complete surrounding coverage is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions external cameras at specific locations within the space to optimize coverage of critical areas and robot pathways. Rather than uniform distribution, cameras are strategically placed to provide local quality coverage where it is most needed for robot monitoring and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a limited number of external cameras that provide sufficient coverage for robot control purposes, rather than attempting to capture every possible angle. This partial action approach achieves adequate reliability without the complexity of complete 360-degree coverage.
3Loss of information
If real-time images from multiple cameras are displayed, then comprehensive view is provided, but information processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and displays only the most relevant images from multiple camera sources based on robot location and control needs. Rather than processing and displaying all camera feeds simultaneously, the system selectively extracts pertinent visual information to reduce processing load while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system processes and displays a subset of camera images that are most relevant to current robot operations, rather than processing all available camera data. This partial processing approach provides sufficient environmental information without the excessive computational burden of complete real-time processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot control method includes receiving, from a robot located in a space, location information of the robot; specifying, based on the received location information, at least one external camera from among a plurality of external cameras located in the space, the at least one external camera being located at a first location in the space, the first location corresponding to the received location information; receiving a robot image and at least one a space image, the robot image being an image obtained by a robot camera included in the robot and the at least one space image including at least one image obtained by the specified at least one external camera; and outputting the received robot image and at least one space image to a display unit.