Robotic Motion Coordination via Projected Light Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inventory systems face challenges in managing robotic devices that operate in overlapping spaces, leading to conflicts and delays due to the inability of robotic arms to view each other's movements, resulting in reduced throughput and efficiency in storage facilities.
Innovation Solution
A management module coordinates the motion of robotic devices by using light information projected onto a surface within the storage facility, allowing devices to compute the motion of other robotic arms even without a direct line of sight, enabling them to avoid collisions and optimize task execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robotic devices wait for a period of time before attempting to utilize contended space again, then collision avoidance is achieved, but throughput and task completion speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where robotic devices receive real-time information about the motion and position of other robotic devices through projected light patterns. This feedback allows devices to make informed decisions about space utilization without arbitrary waiting periods, resolving the contradiction between collision avoidance and throughput by enabling continuous operation with active collision prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system using projected light information as a mediator between robotic devices. This intermediary allows devices to share motion intent and status without direct line-of-sight, enabling coordinated movement through contended spaces while maintaining high throughput and preventing collisions through informed decision-making.
2Device complexity
If robotic devices operate independently in overlap areas, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to avoid conflicts and optimize task execution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each robotic device independently processes the projected light information to determine the motion and intent of other devices. This self-service approach maintains device independence and low complexity while enabling effective conflict avoidance and optimized task execution through autonomous decision-making based on shared information.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If robotic devices require direct line of sight to observe other devices, then measurement and detection is simplified, but operational flexibility and coordination capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from direct line-of-sight optical detection to a different dimensional approach by projecting light patterns onto surfaces within the workspace. This allows robotic devices to detect motion and position information indirectly through surface projections, eliminating the requirement for direct line-of-sight while maintaining detection capability and enhancing coordination flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the need for waiting periods and enhances operational efficiency by allowing robotic devices to determine the current and planned actions of other devices, thereby minimizing conflicts and optimizing the use of operational overlap areas.
Implementation Method 1
upon receipt of a set of instructions, or at another suitable time, a robotic device may be instructed to project or otherwise provide light information (e.g., a picture, a pattern including a group of lighted points/shapes, a pictorial representation of a motion vector, etc.) utilizing a surface of the storage area (e.g., a projection area such as a projection screen, a wall, a ceiling, a floor, etc.) within the storage facility
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided herein for coordinating motion between components of an inventory system. A first set of instructions associated with a first task to be performed by a first robotic device may be received. A second set of instructions associated with a second task to be performed by a second robotic device may be received. The first and second robotic devices may be configured to utilize corresponding operational areas that may overlap to define an area of overlap. Light information representative of the spatial condition of at least one of the robotic devices may be projected onto a projection surface. The light information may be utilized to determine that at least one of the first and second robotic devices is utilizing the area of overlap. A remedial action may be performed to coordinate motion of the first and second robotic devices within the area of overlap.