Robot Pattern Light Control for Safe 3D Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robot devices used in environments with people struggle to accurately recognize unpatterned objects due to the brightness and disturbance caused by constant pattern light irradiation, which is also inefficient in terms of power and safety.

Innovation Solution

A robot device with an irradiation unit, imaging unit, and control units that dynamically turn pattern light on or off based on environmental conditions, such as person detection, image acquisition status, and power consumption, to ensure safe and efficient three-dimensional measurement and object recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pattern light is constantly irradiated for three-dimensional measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but illumination intensity becomes too bright and causes harmful effects to persons nearby

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional measurement precisionVSAvoidbrightness harm to persons

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The irradiation unit alternates between irradiating pattern light for three-dimensional measurement and not irradiating, based on detection results. When a person is detected or texture/color recognition is needed, the pattern light is turned off. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by providing measurement precision only when necessary and safe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If pattern light is constantly irradiated for three-dimensional measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional measurement precisionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs three-dimensional measurement only when necessary (when no person is detected and when shape/position recognition is needed), alternating between measurement mode and standby mode. This reduces power consumption by the irradiation unit while maintaining measurement precision when actually required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If pattern light is constantly irradiated for three-dimensional measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but object recognition for texture or color cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape or position recognitionVSAvoidtexture or color information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The irradiation unit switches between irradiating pattern light and not irradiating based on recognition needs. When texture or color recognition is required, the pattern light is turned off to preserve color information. When shape or position recognition is needed, the pattern light is turned on. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by using pattern light only when shape/position measurement is the priority.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Productivity

If pattern light is constantly irradiated, then three-dimensional measurement can be performed, but the pattern light becomes bothersome and risky in environments with persons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional measurement capabilityVSAvoidbothersome and risky light

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The external environment recognition unit continuously monitors the environment and provides feedback to the irradiation determining unit. When a person is detected or when the environment indicates that pattern light should not be irradiated, the feedback triggers the irradiation unit to turn off the pattern light, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 safe and accurate recognition of unpatterned objects by controlling pattern light irradiation according to situational needs, reducing brightness issues and power consumption while ensuring safety and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging unit that acquires an image by imaging the external environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8797385B2Robot device and method of controlling robot device

Publication Date: 2014.08.05 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided a robot device including an irradiation unit that irradiates pattern light to an external environment, an imaging unit that acquires an image by imaging the external environment, an external environment recognition unit that recognizes the external environment, an irradiation determining unit that controls the irradiation unit to be turned on when it is determined that irradiation of the pattern light is necessary based on an acquisition status of the image, and a light-off determining unit that controls the irradiation unit to be turned off when it is determined that irradiation of the pattern light is unnecessary or that irradiation of the pattern light is necessary to be forcibly stopped, based on the external environment.