Robot Sensor Mode Switching for Low-Power Environmental Perception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robots face challenges in environments where camera data is unreliable or prohibited, such as in poor lighting, dusty conditions, or due to privacy concerns, leading to reduced confidence in environmental perception and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A robot is configured to operate in two modes: a first operational mode using non-camera sensor data and a second operational mode using camera data. The robot determines a confidence factor based on sensor data and switches to the second mode when the confidence factor falls outside a predetermined range, thereby enhancing environmental perception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If camera data is used for environmental perception, then information richness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental perception informationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between camera-based and sensor-based operational modes based on confidence factor thresholds. The processor monitors environmental perception confidence and transitions to camera mode only when non-camera sensors cannot provide sufficient confidence, creating a dynamic adaptation that reduces power consumption while maintaining information quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter (data source) from camera data to non-camera sensor data based on environmental conditions. By monitoring confidence factors and switching data sources, the system optimizes the balance between information richness and power consumption, using camera data only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If camera data is used for environmental perception, then information richness is improved, but reliability deteriorates in certain environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental perception informationVSAvoidperception reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Non-camera sensors serve as intermediary data sources that can operate reliably in environments where camera data fails. The system uses these sensors as a fallback mechanism when camera data is unavailable or unreliable, ensuring continuous environmental perception across diverse conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects the appropriate data source based on environmental conditions and confidence factors. By switching between camera and non-camera sensors, the system maintains reliable environmental perception across varying conditions, using each sensor type when it provides the most reliable data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If camera data is used for environmental perception, then information richness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental perception informationVSAvoidsensor management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic mode switching between camera-based and sensor-based operation, managed by a processor that monitors confidence factors. This dynamic approach allows the system to handle multiple data sources without permanent complexity, activating camera processing only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If non-camera sensor data is used exclusively, then power consumption is reduced, but confidence in environmental perception deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidperception confidence

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from confidence factor monitoring to determine when to switch modes. Non-camera sensors operate the system in low-power mode, and when their confidence falls below thresholds, the system activates camera data to restore perception confidence, creating a feedback-driven power optimization strategy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12348860B2Robot sensor data management

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A robot may include a processor, configured to operate according to a first operational mode or a second operational mode, wherein the first operational mode comprises performing an environmental perception operation using first sensor data, wherein the first sensor data comprise no camera data, and wherein the second operational mode comprises performing the environmental perception operation using second sensor data, wherein the second sensor data comprise camera data; while operating according to the first operational mode, determine a confidence factor representing a confidence of the environmental perception operation; determine whether or not the confidence factor is outside of a range; and if the confidence factor is outside of the range, operate according the second operational mode.