Robot Hand Sensor Integration for Command Input
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robots face limitations in interacting with humans due to inadequate speech recognition and the need for additional input devices like touch screens or keyboards, which increase manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A robot hand equipped with a sensor unit, such as encoders, gyro sensors, touch sensors, strain gauges, or torque sensors, that functions as a keyboard, allowing users to input commands through mechanical or electric displacements, which are translated into messages using a command reading unit and generated by a character and message generation unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If speech recognition technology is applied to enable interactive communication between user and robot, then the robot can interactively talk with users, but the speech understanding capability is restricted and insufficient to supply various services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines speech recognition with a keyboard function integrated into the robot hand. The keyboard is formed by arranging sensors (e.g., capacitive, resistive, or inductive sensors) on the palm and fingers of the robot hand, allowing the user to type commands by touching the robot hand while maintaining speech interaction capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot hand serves multiple functions: it maintains its primary function of manipulating objects while also incorporating a keyboard function for command input. The same hand structure and sensors used for object manipulation are utilized for detecting keyboard input through touch displacement.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated input devices such as touch screens, keyboards or wireless input devices are equipped to the robot for command input, then users can input commands effectively, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the keyboard function with the robot hand structure itself. The keyboard is not a separate dedicated device but is integrated into the hand by placing sensors on the palm and fingers, eliminating the need for separate keyboards or touch screens and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot hand is designed to perform both its original manipulation function and a new command input function. The same physical structure and sensor components serve dual purposes: detecting object contact for manipulation and detecting finger displacement for keyboard input.
3Ease of operation
If dedicated input devices are equipped to the robot for command input, then users can input commands effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the keyboard function with the existing robot hand structure, eliminating the need for separate input devices. The keyboard is formed by integrating sensors into the palm and fingers, reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot hand is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both manipulation tasks and command input. The same sensors and structural elements used for object interaction are repurposed for detecting keyboard input, reducing system complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are mounted to joints of the robot hand to detect mechanical displacements, then displacement signals can be generated for keyboard function, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors mounted on the robot hand joints and surface serve dual purposes: they detect mechanical displacements for the keyboard function and provide data for object manipulation control. This multi-functional use of sensors reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot hand's existing sensor system, designed for manipulation tasks, is utilized to provide keyboard input capability. The sensors automatically detect finger and palm displacements and generate keyboard signals without requiring separate dedicated sensing mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective command input for robots, enhancing user interaction and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for dedicated input devices, while improving the friendliness and convenience of robot-human interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor unit may include an encoder or a gyro sensor mounted to joints of the robot hand
Implementation Method 2
The sensor unit may include any one of a touch sensor, a strain gauge and a torque sensor mounted to a surface of the robot hand
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a robot generating a message using a robot hand, and a control method thereof. When a user types characters using a robot hand, a hand body part and a finger part of the robot hand output displacement signals and a command reading unit accordingly generates a message corresponding to the displacement signals. The message is transmitted to a robot controlling unit. In addition, the message is outputted by sound or displayed to be easily checked by the user.