Robot-Built IoT Status Maps for Spatial Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating the autonomous behavior of household mobile robots with IoT device functionality is challenging due to their unpredictable and variable environment interactions and the need for autonomous decision-making based on numerous sensor inputs, especially when interacting with network-connected and non-connected devices of varying manufacturers and communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a mobile robot to collect occupancy data and display a visual representation of the operating environment, including spatial locations and operating states of electronic devices, allowing for conditional instructions to control device operations based on spatial locations, relative context, and operating conditions, using a user terminal and computing device to manage and coordinate the interaction of various devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a mobile robot navigates and collects data in an operating environment, then occupancy data and spatial information are obtained, but the system complexity and difficulty of integrating with IoT devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the mobile robot and IoT devices. The gateway receives occupancy data from the robot, processes it, and uses it to generate control signals for IoT devices. This mediator architecture allows the robot to function without direct complex integration with each IoT device, reducing system complexity while maintaining effective data collection and control capabilities.
2Extent of automation
If the robot makes autonomous decisions based on numerous sensor inputs, then autonomous behavior is achieved, but the challenge of coordinating with network-connected devices of varying manufacturers and protocols increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is designed with universal communication capabilities that support multiple protocols and manufacturers. It can receive various types of sensor data from the robot and translate/coordinate this information with different IoT device protocols. This universal interface allows autonomous robot behavior to be effectively coordinated with diverse network-connected devices without requiring device-specific integration for each manufacturer or protocol.
3Loss of information
If visual representation displays spatial locations and operating states of multiple devices, then comprehensive environment awareness is provided, but the data processing and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs preliminary processing of occupancy data and device status information before presenting it in the visual representation. It pre-coordinates the robot's sensor data with IoT device states, organizing this information in advance so that the user terminal receives already-processed, structured data. This preliminary action reduces the real-time data processing burden and improves efficiency while maintaining comprehensive environment awareness in the displayed visual representation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a user terminal includes receiving occupancy data for an operating environment responsive to navigation of the operating environment by a mobile robot, and displaying a visual representation of the operating environment based on the occupancy data. The method flintier includes receiving information identifying a plurality of electronic devices that are local to the operating environment and respective operating states thereof, and populating the visual representation of the operating environment with visual indications of respective spatial locations of the electronic devices in the operating environment and status indications of the respective operating states of the electronic devices. Related methods for controlling the electronic devices based on their respective spatial locations and the relative spatial context of the operating environment are also discussed.