Simulated Robot Sensor Signals via Smartphone Localization

Solution Overview

Problem

Upgrading robots with new sensing functionalities is expensive and time-consuming, as it typically requires shipping robots back to manufacturers for hardware and software modifications, and existing sensors can be unreliable due to factors like sunlight interference and non-linear outputs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that use an external sensor and a mobile device to generate simulated sensor signals for robots, allowing for the calculation and transmission of simulated sensor signals to the robot, thereby enhancing or replacing existing sensors without hardware changes, using a processing unit and memory separate from the robot, and conditioning the signals to match robot sensor parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional hardware and software modifications are made to upgrade robot sensors, then sensing functionality is improved, but upgrade cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing functionalityVSAvoidupgrade time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simulated sensor that copies the electrical output characteristics of a real sensor without physically replicating the sensor hardware. The simulation unit generates signals that mimic the voltage output, timing signals, and frequency responses of actual sensors like line-following sensors and obstacle detection sensors, allowing the robot to function with enhanced sensing capabilities through software-based signal generation rather than hardware modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical sensor hardware system with a software-based simulation system. Instead of modifying the robot's physical sensor components, the invention uses a processing unit with software algorithms to generate simulated sensor signals, substituting mechanical/electrical sensor systems with computational signal generation that produces identical electrical outputs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional hardware and software modifications are made to upgrade robot sensors, then sensing functionality is improved, but upgrade cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing functionalityVSAvoidupgrade cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simulated sensor that copies the electrical output characteristics of a real sensor without physically replicating the sensor hardware. The simulation unit generates signals that mimic the voltage output, timing signals, and frequency responses of actual sensors like line-following sensors and obstacle detection sensors, allowing the robot to function with enhanced sensing capabilities through software-based signal generation rather than hardware modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical sensor hardware system with a software-based simulation system. Instead of modifying the robot's physical sensor components, the invention uses a processing unit with software algorithms to generate simulated sensor signals, substituting mechanical/electrical sensor systems with computational signal generation that produces identical electrical outputs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If existing sensors are used, then hardware simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to sunlight interference and non-linear outputs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware simplicityVSAvoidsensor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simulated sensor that copies the electrical output characteristics of a real sensor without physically replicating the sensor hardware. The simulation unit generates signals that mimic the voltage output, timing signals, and frequency responses of actual sensors like line-following sensors and obstacle detection sensors, allowing the robot to function with enhanced sensing capabilities through software-based signal generation rather than hardware modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the sensing system by replacing physical sensor measurements with computationally generated signals. The simulation unit produces outputs with controlled voltage levels, timing characteristics, and frequency responses that match ideal sensor behavior, eliminating the non-linearities and environmental sensitivities of physical sensors while maintaining hardware simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10675762B2Systems and methods for using an external sensor and a mobile device to simulate real sensors for a robot

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A computer-implemented system and method for using certain simulated sensors constructed with an accurate localization sensor and a mobile phone to replace/enhance many existing real-life sensors. By using “simulated sensor” to convert localization sensor measurement to real signal outputs that are similar to real distance-sensor outputs, real direction sensor outputs, or real line following sensor outputs, one or more embodiments of the invention may be used to upgrade traditional robots by plugging these simulated outputs to robots' corresponding sensor inputs without the need to rewire or add customized hardware.