Autonomous Robot Remote Control With Secure Connection Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous mobile service robots face challenges in secure and reliable remote monitoring and control, particularly due to susceptibility to unauthorized access and the inability for users to promptly address issues when not physically present, such as a robot unable to clean a room due to a closed door.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables communication between a mobile terminal and an autonomous robot using both local wireless and indirect internet-mediated connections, with a communication server facilitating communication and allowing for connection switching if one fails, and includes a method for user interaction confirmation before executing commands, and the robot determining user location to adjust information sharing and task management based on user presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the robot communicates with the mobile terminal via a local wireless connection, then the communication speed and responsiveness are improved, but the security and reliability deteriorate due to susceptibility to unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that mediates communication between the mobile terminal and the robot. When remote access is required, the server acts as a secure gateway, receiving requests from the mobile terminal and forwarding them to the robot through established secure channels. This intermediary structure allows fast local communication when available while providing secure remote access through the server when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between communication speed and security.
2Loss of information
If the robot sends information to the user remotely, then the user awareness of robot status is improved, but the user's ability to take immediate action deteriorates due to physical distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic communication connection switching based on the user's physical location and the robot's operational state. When the user is locally present, the system establishes a direct local wireless connection enabling real-time control and immediate response. When the user is remotely located, the system switches to server-mediated communication for status monitoring while maintaining the capability for remote command execution. This dynamic adaptation of communication modes ensures both continuous user awareness and minimized response time regardless of physical distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the robot continuously monitors its operational state and communicates status information to the user through the appropriate communication channel. When issues are detected (such as a closed door blocking cleaning operations), the robot sends notifications to the user's mobile terminal. The system then waits for user responses or commands, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains user awareness and enables timely corrective actions even when the user is not physically present.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides remote control capability, then the user's ability to control the robot from any location is improved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple communication protocols and connection management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication architecture where the server component serves multiple functions: it acts as a secure gateway for remote access, a message broker for status notifications, a command router for controlling the robot, and a connection manager for coordinating between local and remote communication modes. The mobile terminal application also implements multi-functionality by supporting both local direct communication and remote server-mediated communication within a single unified interface. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple specialized components into versatile ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as a universal intermediary that handles all complex communication protocols and connection management tasks, shielding the robot and mobile terminal from complexity. The server manages authentication, establishes and maintains communication channels, routes messages between different components, and handles connection failures and reconnections. By centralizing these complex functions in the server intermediary, the robot and mobile terminal can use simpler communication interfaces while still achieving sophisticated remote control capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system comprising a mobile autonomous robot and at least two mobile devices for controlling the robot is described. According to one embodiment, the mobile devices are configured to communicate with the robot. The robot is configured to allow one of the mobile devices to modify information stored within it and to transmit information about these modifications to at least one other mobile device.