Home Robot Path Planning Around Privacy Zones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robot devices operating in domestic environments face challenges in maintaining privacy by restricting movement and sensor operation within privacy zones to prevent data leakage.
Innovation Solution
A robot device equipped with a sensor, memory, and processor that identifies user position and zones, adjusting movement paths and sensor operations to avoid privacy zones, and provides visual feedback to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot device moves throughout multiple spaces in the house to perform functions, then the productivity and service capability are improved, but the risk of privacy violation increases when entering privacy zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the house space into multiple zones including privacy zones and non-privacy zones. The robot device segments its operation by identifying these zones and applying different operation rules to each zone, allowing it to service non-privacy zones while avoiding privacy zones where users are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (sensors and processors) that detects user presence and mediates the robot's movement decisions. This intermediary system acts as a buffer between the robot's service function and the user's privacy, enabling the robot to adjust its behavior based on detected conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the robot device operates sensors continuously to detect environment, then the measurement precision and navigation capability are improved, but the privacy risk increases when sensors capture data in privacy zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensor operation dynamic rather than static. The robot device continuously adjusts sensor activation and detection ranges based on real-time zone identification and user presence detection. Sensors are activated in non-privacy zones for navigation and deactivated or restricted in privacy zones to prevent data capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different sensor operation qualities to different spatial locations. In non-privacy zones, sensors operate with full capability for accurate environment detection. In privacy zones, sensor operation is restricted or deactivated to prevent capturing private information, creating location-specific sensor behavior.
3Ease of operation
If the robot device enters privacy zones to service users, then the ease of operation and user service are improved, but the reliability of privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary zone identification and user presence detection before the robot enters any area. The system pre-identifies privacy zones and establishes operation restrictions before potential privacy violations can occur, ensuring privacy protection is in place before service operations begin in sensitive areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot device includes: a sensor; a memory storing map information corresponding to a predetermined space and including a plurality of zones; and a processor that identifies a position of user, identifies whether the user is positioned in a first zone among the plurality of zones, based on the identified position of the user and the map information, and based on identifying that the user is positioned in the first zone, identifies a movement path of the robot device based on remaining zones except for the first zone among the plurality of zones.