Mobile Robot Navigation Using Embedded Code Targets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing navigation systems for sensor-equipped mobile platforms require complex programming and external localization processes, making it challenging to use general-purpose robots effectively in navigating environments.

Innovation Solution

The system employs imaging targets with machine-readable codes that include navigation vector data, allowing the mobile platform to capture images in different illumination states, generate difference images, locate the targets, and extract navigation data to direct the platform through the environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If navigation data is held internally in robot memory and registered with environment through separate localization processes, then navigation functionality is achieved, but device complexity and programming requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of navigationVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines navigation data and localization information into a single integrated imaging target (machine-readable code) placed in the environment. The mobile platform captures images of these targets, which contain both localization and navigation instructions, eliminating the need for separate localization processes and internal navigation data storage. This merging reduces programming complexity while maintaining navigation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging targets in the environment self-serve by containing embedded navigation vector data that directly guides the mobile platform. The targets provide their own localization and navigation information without requiring the robot to store or process separate navigation datasets, simplifying the system operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If separate localization processes are used to register navigation data with the environment, then navigation accuracy is achieved, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidtime for localization process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Navigation vector data is pre-encoded into the imaging targets before deployment in the environment. The mobile platform simply needs to capture and decode this pre-prepared data from the targets, eliminating time-consuming runtime localization processes while maintaining navigation accuracy through the embedded reference information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If general purpose robots are used without specialized navigation programming, then versatility is maintained, but navigation capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobot general-purpose capabilityVSAvoidnavigation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging target system serves multiple functions: it provides localization, navigation guidance, and path information simultaneously through a single machine-readable code. This universal approach allows general-purpose mobile platforms to perform reliable navigation without specialized hardware or complex programming, maintaining versatility while achieving navigation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simplifies navigation by eliminating the need for detailed path programming and external localization, enabling robots to follow high-level commands and adapt to changes in the environment with minimal programming, while providing robust and accurate tracking.

Implementation Method 1

capturing a first image in a first state of illumination; capturing a second image in a second state of illumination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11614743B2System and method for navigating a sensor-equipped mobile platform through an environment to a destination

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method for navigating a sensor-equipped mobile platform through an through an environment to a destination, the method including: capturing a first image in a first state of illumination; capturing a second image in a second state of illumination; generating a difference image from said first image and said second image; locating an imaging target based on said difference image, said imaging target including a machine-readable code embedded therein, said machine-readable code including navigation vector data; extracting said navigation vector data from said machine-readable code; and using said extracted navigation vector data to direct the navigation of the mobile platform through the environment to a destination.