Multi-Purpose Robot Fleet Configuration for Task-Specific Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The proliferation of data from IoT sensors and other sources in value chain networks overwhelms traditional centralized data collection methods, leading to complexity and inefficiencies in data transmission and decision-making.

Innovation Solution

A method for processing queries in a distributed database using edge devices, which store queries on a dynamic ledger, generate approximate responses based on summary data, and transmit these responses, leveraging technologies like blockchain and neural networks for efficient data management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If centralized data collection methods are used to gather data from IoT sensors and other sources, then data can be collected from multiple sources, but the system becomes overwhelmed by the volume and complexity of data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata volumeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized data collection system into distributed edge devices that operate autonomously. Each edge device segments the data processing tasks, handling local data collection, processing, and decision-making independently. This segmentation reduces the burden on centralized systems and prevents overwhelming data transmission while maintaining the ability to collect data from multiple IoT sensors and sources across the value chain network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If all raw data is transmitted to centralized systems for processing, then complete data is available for analysis, but data transmission time and processing delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary data processing and analysis at the edge devices before data is transmitted to centralized systems. Edge devices perform initial filtering, aggregation, and processing of raw data from IoT sensors, preparing summarized and relevant information in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when data is transmitted to centralized systems, the complete and necessary information is already prepared, reducing transmission time and enabling faster decision-making without losing critical data completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If traditional centralized data processing is used, then data can be processed uniformly, but the system cannot provide real-time insights and responses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing uniformityVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic architecture where edge devices operate autonomously with real-time processing capabilities, while centralized systems provide uniform oversight and coordination. Edge devices dynamically respond to local conditions and events immediately, providing real-time insights and responses. The centralized system maintains uniform data processing standards and policies across the network. This dynamic structure enables both real-time responsiveness at the edge and uniform processing governance centrally, resolving the contradiction between processing uniformity and response speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20230219230A1Fleet Management Platform for Multi-Purpose Robots
Publication Date: 2023.07.13 STRONG FORCE VCN PORTFOLIO 2019 LLC
  • US20230219230A1 patent drawing
  • US20230219230A1 patent drawing
  • US20230219230A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A robot fleet management platform includes a robot inventory that indicates robots that can be assigned to a robot fleet and, for each robot, a set of baseline features and a status. A components inventory indicates different components that can be provisioned to one or more multi-purpose robots and, for each component, a set of extended capabilities and a status. The platform receives a request for a robotic fleet to perform a job and determines a job definition data structure defining a set of tasks. The platform determines a respective configuration for each assigned multi-purpose robots based on the respective set of tasks that is assigned to the one or more assigned multi-purpose robots and the components inventory. The platform configures the more assigned multi-purpose robots based on the respective configuration. The platform deploys the robotic fleet including the one or more assigned multi-purpose robots to perform the job.