Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Motion-Based Control for Intuitive User Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern robotic vacuum cleaners have limited and non-intuitive user interfaces, making it cumbersome for users to input instructions, and existing solutions do not effectively allow users to provide instructions without operating the UI.
Innovation Solution
A robotic cleaning device equipped with an inertia measurement unit (IMU) and a controller that senses user-induced displacements to determine characteristics, allowing the device to switch operational modes without using the UI, such as resetting or starting over by shaking the device, and enabling wireless setup by flipping it upside down.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional user interface (UI) is used for input instructions, then the device can receive user commands, but the interface becomes cumbersome and non-intuitive to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing interface with motion-based control through an IMU sensor. Users provide instructions by physically moving or shaking the device, and the IMU detects these motions to interpret commands. This substitution eliminates the need for a complex UI while maintaining command input functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own motion sensors to detect user intentions through physical manipulation. The IMU continuously monitors device movement, and the controller interprets specific motion patterns (such as shaking or flipping) as commands. This self-service approach allows the device to understand user instructions without requiring external UI interaction, simplifying the operating process while preserving full control capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the user interface size is reduced, then the device becomes more compact, but data input becomes more cumbersome for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for a large physical keyboard or display by replacing mechanical input methods with motion detection. The IMU sensor captures user gestures and movements, which the controller translates into commands. This allows the device to maintain a compact form factor while actually improving ease of operation, as users can issue commands through natural hand movements rather than navigating a small, cramped interface.
3Ease of operation
If motion sensing is added to detect user instructions, then user input becomes more intuitive, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the IMU's existing multi-functionality for navigation and positioning to also serve as the input detection mechanism. The same sensor that tracks the device's movement during cleaning operations is repurposed to detect user gestures for command input. This universal use of the IMU avoids adding separate sensing hardware, thereby maintaining device complexity at acceptable levels while enabling intuitive motion-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the navigation sensing function and the user input detection function into a single integrated system. The IMU data processing pipeline handles both autonomous navigation requirements and user gesture recognition using the same hardware and control algorithms. This merging eliminates redundant components and simplifies the overall system architecture, resolving the contradiction between intuitive operation and device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If operational modes are changed through user actions, then user control is enhanced, but accidental mode changes during normal operation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires specific, pronounced motion patterns (such as vigorous shaking or deliberate flipping) to trigger mode changes, rather than responding to any minor movement. This partial action threshold ensures that only intentional user gestures are recognized as commands, while normal operational vibrations or minor displacements are ignored. The controller distinguishes between deliberate user actions and routine operational movements through motion intensity and pattern analysis, preventing accidental mode changes while preserving user control capability.
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
Facilitates user instruction input without UI operation, enhancing user convenience and allowing wireless setup through intuitive user actions, while avoiding accidental mode changes during normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a displacement of the robotic cleaning device, determining a characteristic of the displacement of the robotic cleaning device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a robotic cleaning device and a method of controlling the robotic cleaning device. The robotic cleaning device (10) comprising an inertia measurement unit (24) and a controller (16). The inertia measurement unit (24) is arranged to sense a displacement of the robotic cleaning device (10) and the controller (16) is arranged to determine a characteristic of the displacement of the robotic cleaning device (10), and to set the robotic cleaning device (10) in an operational mode being associated with the determined characteristic of the displacement.