Robot Remote Control Lockout for Out-of-Area Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote control systems for lawn cutting robots lack safety and accuracy when operating outside their designated driving areas, due to limitations in communication and environmental factors, potentially leading to accidents.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that restricts remote control manipulation of a lawn cutting robot through a terminal if it is outside its designated driving area, requiring a preset authentication code input to unlock and enable safe and accurate operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If remote control is performed beyond a certain distance from the mover robot, then the operational range is extended, but the control exactness and safety deteriorate due to communication environment and external environment factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control rangeVSAvoidcontrol exactness and safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the operating space into two distinct zones: a driving area where the robot operates autonomously, and an area other than the driving area where remote control is restricted. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing unlimited remote control range while maintaining safety through zone-based access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authentication before allowing remote control operations in the area other than the driving area. By requiring authentication code input in advance, the system ensures that only authorized users can control the robot beyond the safe viewing range, thereby maintaining control exactness and safety even when extended range is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If remote control is restricted only within the viewing range of the manipulator, then control safety and exactness are maintained, but the operational flexibility and area coverage are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol safety and exactnessVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts remote control accessibility based on the robot's location and user authentication status. When the robot is in the driving area, autonomous operation applies. When in the area other than the driving area, remote control becomes accessible after authentication. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing both safety within viewing range and flexibility beyond it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication code serves as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between safety requirements and operational flexibility. It allows the system to transition from a restrictive safety-only model to a flexible model that permits extended operations while maintaining security through the authentication intermediary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If authentication procedures are implemented for remote control outside the driving area, then safety and exactness are improved, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and exactnessVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication mechanism is applied locally only to the area other than the driving area, not to the entire operating space. This localized application of authentication resolves the contradiction by adding safety measures only where needed (beyond viewing range) while keeping the overall system relatively simple in the autonomous driving area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3774203B1Remote control system of a robot and associated control method
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3774203B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3774203B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP3774203B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3c

AI summary

Disclosed are a mover robot system and a controlling method for the same, in which a manipulation of a control screen where a remote control is performed is restricted if a mover robot is located in an area other than a driving area, and a locked screen requesting an input of a preset use code is displayed on a terminal, whereby a display of the locked screen is maintained or released in accordance with the input code.