Mobile Robot Glyph Command Interface via Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile robots have limited user interfaces, making it difficult for users to provide complex commands, especially for network configuration, due to their restricted surface area and lack of input devices like QWERTY keyboards or touchscreens.
Innovation Solution
A method using a computing device to generate and display glyphs, such as QR codes, which are captured by the robot's image capture device, allowing the robot to decode and execute commands for scheduling, network configuration, and other settings, thereby overcoming the limitations of its limited interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile robots are equipped with limited user interfaces (on/off switch and small LED screen), then the robot structure remains simple and compact, but the capability to receive complex commands and perform configuration tasks is severely restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary between the user and the mobile robot. The computing device displays glyphs that the robot's image capture device can read, enabling complex command transmission without adding physical input devices to the robot. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by externalizing the interface complexity to a separate device while keeping the robot itself simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical input devices (keyboards, touchscreens) with an optical communication system. Instead of requiring physical input mechanisms on the robot, the system uses image capture devices to read glyphs displayed on a computing device, substituting mechanical interaction with optical data transmission. This enables complex commands to be received without adding mechanical complexity to the robot.
2Ease of operation
If no physical input devices (QWERTY keyboards, touchscreens) are provided on the robot, then the robot design remains simple and compact, but the ease of providing complex commands to the robot is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device serves as a mediator that handles the complexity of command input. Users interact with the computing device's display to select and send commands via glyphs, while the robot simply captures and processes these glyphs. This intermediary approach makes operation easy for users while avoiding the need to configure physical input devices on the robot.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual copying of command information through glyphs displayed on the computing device. Instead of requiring physical input devices, the robot captures an image copy of the command data displayed as a glyph, which is then decoded and executed. This copying mechanism enables easy command input without adding physical input complexity to the robot.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robot relies solely on basic user interface elements, then the robot's hardware remains simple, but the ability to perform network configuration and customization tasks becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical configuration interfaces with optical glyph recognition. Network configuration, customization, and other complex setup tasks are performed by displaying corresponding glyphs on a computing device, which the robot then captures and processes. This substitution enables comprehensive configuration capabilities without requiring physical input devices on the robot, maintaining hardware simplicity while dramatically improving configuration ease and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary that handles all configuration task complexity. Users perform network configuration and customization by interacting with the computing device's glyph display, while the robot's role is reduced to capturing and executing these glyphs. This intermediary approach provides full configuration capability while keeping the robot's hardware simple and the operation easy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a robot includes receiving image data from an image capture device of the robot. The image data is representative of a glyph viewed by the image capture device on the display of a computing device within a field of view of the image capture device. The method further includes determining, at a controller, a command message based on the glyph represented in the image data and issuing a command to at least one resource or component of the robot based on the command message.