Robot Elevator Navigation Using Optical Floor Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in enabling robots to use elevators without electronic interaction with elevator controllers, particularly in determining the correct floor without knowing the height of the floor, while minimizing interference with human users.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows a robot to detect elevator components using sensors, prompt humans to select the desired floor, and navigate within the elevator to ensure safe and efficient transportation across multiple floors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the robot uses electronic interaction with the elevator controller to determine the floor, then the floor identification accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic communication with optical detection. Instead of using electronic interfaces to communicate with the elevator controller, the robot uses a camera to optically detect and recognize floor information displayed on the elevator's display panel. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electronic wiring and protocols while achieving accurate floor identification through image processing and pattern recognition algorithms.
2Productivity
If the robot autonomously operates the elevator without human interaction, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces human users as intermediaries in the elevator operation process. The robot detects when human users are present in the elevator, allows them to operate the floor selection buttons, and uses their floor selection actions as signals for the robot's navigation. This intermediary approach simplifies the robot's operation by leveraging human capability while maintaining autonomous productivity through automated detection and response to human actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot enables itself to use the elevator by detecting and responding to human users' actions. Instead of requiring complex autonomous button-pressing mechanisms, the robot observes human users selecting floors and autonomously interprets these actions to determine its destination. The system serves itself by converting human operational inputs into robot navigation commands through automated visual detection and pattern recognition.
3Reliability
If the robot monitors human users in the elevator, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera system multi-functional by using it for both floor identification and human user detection. The same optical sensor that captures floor display information also detects the presence and actions of human users in the elevator. This universal use of the detection system eliminates the need for separate safety monitoring hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety through integrated observation capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a method and a system for conveying a mobile robot in an elevator involving the monitoring of elevator operating components and of persons surrounding the elevator and operating the elevator by selecting a floor to which the mobile robot is to move. In one aspect an inertial sensor is used to learn or determine the number of floors. The robot may also have methods implemented to assess the floor space inside the elevator or to position itself in front of the elevator in such a way that it can, for example, monitor the operation of elevator operating components without being perceived as an obstacle from the elevator users' perspective.