Robot Vacuum Photo-Based Area Selection for Room Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling autonomously mobile devices for room cleaning require users to manually direct the device to specific subareas, which is time-consuming and inconvenient, especially for users with little experience, as they need to locate and select the subarea on a map using remote controls or mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A method where users create a photograph of the desired subarea and transmit it to a processing unit, which compares the image with the room's map to plan a route for the device to clean or avoid that area, eliminating the need for manual navigation and additional remote controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user manually directs the device to a specific subarea using a remote control or mobile device, then the device can be steered to the desired location, but the process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient, especially for users with little experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a photograph (optical copy) of the desired subarea taken by the user with their mobile device camera as the input method. Instead of requiring users to navigate complex maps or use directional controls, they simply capture an image of the target area. The processing unit then compares this photograph with the stored map data to automatically identify and locate the subarea, transforming a complex manual navigation task into a simple photographing action.
2Measurement precision
If the user must locate and select the subarea on a map displayed on a mobile end device, then the device can be directed to the correct location, but the process is complex and requires user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of map navigation and subarea selection with an automated image recognition and comparison system. The processing unit automatically compares the photograph taken by the user with the location data in the stored map, using algorithms to identify the subarea without requiring the user to manually navigate maps or understand coordinate systems. This substitution of manual mechanical interaction with automated computational processing reduces both complexity and the experience required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional remote controls or mobile devices are used for manual navigation, then the device can be directed to specific areas, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the user's existing mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as both the mapping tool (capturing photographs of the room and subareas) and the control interface (transmitting the photograph to the processing unit for subarea identification). This eliminates the need for separate remote controls or specialized control devices, as the universal mobile device handles both mapping and control tasks, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining control flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cleaning or processing a room uses an autonomously mobile device. In order the relieve the user of the task of finding the exact subarea to which the device must travel, or avoid, on a map of the room, the user in order to select a subarea takes a photograph of the subarea and transmits it to a processing unit. In this way a method is provided that is less time-consuming and more convenient for the user.