Autonomous Robot Mapping with Preprocessed 2D Planar Layers

Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous robotic devices face challenges in navigating diverse environments due to slow real-time processing of sensor data, which limits their operational efficiency and requires significant time and effort for generating digital maps before operation.

Innovation Solution

The method involves obtaining three-dimensional environmental data using a distance sensor and generating mapping data with reduced data point resolution, comprising one or more planar layers of two-dimensional data, which is transmitted to the autonomous vehicle, allowing it to navigate effectively without overwhelming its memory or processing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If three-dimensional environmental data is processed in real-time using on-board sensors and processing units, then navigation accuracy is improved, but processing speed deteriorates causing slow vehicle operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing three-dimensional environmental data into two-dimensional mapping data with reduced data point resolution before it is loaded onto the autonomous vehicle. This preprocessing is performed externally (e.g., on a remote server or during setup), so that when the vehicle operates, it only needs to process the already-simplified two-dimensional data in real-time, thereby achieving both navigation accuracy and fast processing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential navigation information from the complete three-dimensional environmental data by generating two-dimensional mapping data with reduced data point resolution. This extraction removes redundant high-resolution details that are not critical for navigation, allowing the vehicle to operate with sufficient accuracy while significantly reducing the computational burden during real-time operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution three-dimensional mapping data is stored on the autonomous vehicle, then navigation accuracy is improved, but memory requirements and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemapping data accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential navigation information from the complete three-dimensional environmental data by generating two-dimensional mapping data with reduced data point resolution. This extraction removes redundant high-resolution details that are not critical for navigation, allowing the vehicle to operate with sufficient accuracy while significantly reducing the computational burden during real-time operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the data resolution parameter from high (three-dimensional) to low (two-dimensional with reduced data point resolution). This parameter transformation maintains the essential spatial relationships needed for navigation while dramatically reducing memory requirements and processing complexity on the autonomous vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If extensive on-site data processing is performed before operation, then mapping data quality is improved, but setup time and user effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemapping data qualityVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing three-dimensional environmental data into two-dimensional mapping data with reduced data point resolution before it is loaded onto the autonomous vehicle. This preprocessing is performed externally (e.g., on a remote server or during setup), so that when the vehicle operates, it only needs to process the already-simplified two-dimensional data in real-time, thereby achieving both navigation accuracy and fast processing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach enables autonomous vehicles to navigate efficiently and accurately in new environments without the need for extensive on-site data processing, reducing setup time and ensuring the vehicle is fully prepared for operation by a non-skilled user.

Implementation Method 1

obtain three-dimensional environmental data of an environment from a distance sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS11487013B2Creation and loading of mapping data on autonomous robotic devices

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 DIVERSEY INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for generating mapping data for an autonomous vehicle (e.g., robotic devices). The methods include obtaining three-dimensional environmental data of an environment from a distance sensor. The three-dimensional environmental data includes information relating to one or more objects in the environment. The method further includes identifying at least one planar layer of two-dimensional data from the three-dimensional environmental data to be included in mapping data based on one or more characteristics of an autonomous vehicle, generating mapping data comprising the at least one planar layer of two-dimensional data from the three-dimensional environmental data, and transmitting the mapping data to the autonomous vehicle for use during operation within the environment.