Mobile Robot User Initialization With Face-Guided Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer-level robots lack effective initial interaction mechanisms with users, relying on printed instructions and lacking intuitive methods for wireless network access, user recognition, and data sharing.
Innovation Solution
The robot employs wireless network scanning, voice and gesture recognition, facial recognition, and cloud connectivity to facilitate initial user interaction, allowing password input through various interfaces and enabling data sharing and updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot uses traditional printed instructions for initial setup, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of intuitive interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs self-introduction and guides the user through setup procedures autonomously, eliminating the need for traditional printed instructions. The robot captures images, identifies users, and walks them through network connection and account setup without external assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical interaction (printed manuals, physical buttons) with optical (camera-based face recognition, display screens) and acoustic (speaker audio guidance, microphone voice commands) systems to create more intuitive user interaction.
2Ease of operation
If the robot implements multiple interaction methods (voice, gesture, facial recognition), then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot integrates multiple interaction modalities (face recognition, voice recognition, gesture recognition, touch screen, remote control) into a single system that can adaptively select the most appropriate method based on the situation, making the robot universally accessible to different user preferences and abilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives inputs from multiple sensor systems (camera, microphone, gesture sensors), processes them through unified logic, and coordinates the appropriate responses, managing complexity through centralized intelligence rather than distributed independent systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robot performs comprehensive environmental scanning and user identification, then the adaptability improves, but the loss of time increases during initial setup
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs environmental scanning and user identification procedures during the initial setup phase, capturing images and gathering information in advance. This preliminary action enables the robot to adapt to the environment and recognize users quickly in future interactions, sacrificing some initial time for long-term efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot uses real-time feedback from camera images, audio inputs, and sensor data during setup to adjust its behavior and guide the user through the process. The system continuously monitors user responses and environmental conditions, adapting its initialization sequence to minimize perceived setup time while ensuring comprehensive adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
Initial interaction between a mobile robot and at least one user is described herein. The mobile robot captures several images of its surroundings, and identifies existence of a user in at least one of the several images. The robot then orients itself to face the user, and outputs an instruction to the user with regard to the orientation of the user with respect to the mobile robot. The mobile robot captures images of the face of the user responsive to detecting that the user has followed the instruction. Information captured by the robot is uploaded to a cloud-storage system, where information is included in a profile of the user and is shareable with others.