Mobile Robot Waypoint Fitting for Precise Ground Marking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual pre-marking and marking processes for roadways and sports fields are time-consuming, dangerous, and require workers to be positioned on the road, posing risks and inefficiencies, especially when pre-existing markings are not visible.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a mobile robot that interactively receives manual input to position waypoints on a ground surface, computes the best fit for a geometric figure based on these waypoints, and marks the figure, thereby eliminating the need for workers to be on the road and reducing the time and workforce required for marking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual pre-marking and marking processes are used, then workers can position and mark roadways and sports fields, but the process becomes time-consuming and dangerous requiring workers to be positioned on the road
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot performs marking operations autonomously by navigating to waypoints, computing geometric figures, and executing marking tasks without human intervention, thereby eliminating worker exposure to road hazards while maintaining high marking efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical marking operations with an automated mobile robot system that uses computational geometry and automated navigation to perform positioning and marking tasks, substituting human labor with robotic automation
2Manufacturing precision
If manual pre-marking is performed to ensure correct marking placement, then marking accuracy is improved, but the overall process time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot performs preliminary positioning by collecting waypoints and computing the best-fit geometric figure before executing the actual marking operation, ensuring accurate marking placement while streamlining the process through automated computational geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses collected waypoint data to compute and verify the best-fit geometric figure, providing feedback validation that ensures marking accuracy before the actual marking execution, thereby eliminating the need for separate manual pre-marking verification steps
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual tools like tape, strings, and spray cans are used for pre-marking, then flexibility in marking various geometries is achieved, but the process requires substantial workforce and time
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot system performs multiple functions including autonomous navigation, waypoint collection, geometric figure computation, and marking execution within a single integrated platform, replacing multiple manual tools and workforce requirements with one versatile robotic system
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile robot and method for interactively providing waypoints to a mobile robot for use in the marking of a geometric figure on a ground surface including the steps of: i) Selecting a control function accepting manual positioning of a mobile robot at two or more target locations on a ground surface; ii) Positioning the mobile robot in proximity to a first target location to be marked on a surface, and directing a position determining device of the mobile device to said first target location to be marked; iii) Instructing the mobile robot to store the first target location as a first waypoint; iv) Repeating steps ii)-iii) to obtain at least a second waypoint; v) Selecting a control function accepting manual selection of a geometric figure for being marked on said ground surface; vi) Instructing the mobile robot to compute the best fit for the selected geometric figure on the surface based on the two or more waypoints; vii) Instructing the mobile robot to compute waypoint coordinates of the geometric figure for being marked from the fitted position of said geometric figure; and viii.a) Instructing the mobile robot to store the computed waypoint coordinates of the geometric figure; or viii.b) Instructing the mobile robot to mark the geometric figure on the surface.