Spherical Rolling Camera for Stable Upward Remote Surveillance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation technologies for entertainment and security services lack the ability to provide remote, efficient, and versatile control of self-propelled devices that can maintain a consistent orientation and upward field of view, limiting their effectiveness in various environments and applications.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled device equipped with a controller, drive system, networking modules, sensors, and a vision system that allows remote control via wireless communication, maintaining a constant orientation and upward view through the use of internal gimbals and a rigid support structure, enabling it to be used as a remote-controlled toy or security device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device uses a spherical housing with internal componentry for compactness and mobility, then the device can be easily maneuvered and transported, but the internal components (especially vision system and controller) become constrained in positioning and orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: spherical outer housing, internal platform, vision system, controller, and drive system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compactness and maneuverability within the spherical form factor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device is equipped with remote control capabilities via networking modules for versatile applications, then the device can be controlled from distance, but the communication reliability and response time may be affected by wireless interference
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback from sensors and vision system to automatically adjust device orientation and position, ensuring reliable operation despite wireless communication delays or interference. The feedback loop enables real-time corrections to maintain desired behavior.
3Measurement precision
If the device maintains a constant upward field of view using internal gimbals and rigid support structure, then the vision system can provide stable surveillance, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses dynamic control through the controller to maintain constant upward field of view by adjusting the orientation of the vision system based on device motion data from sensors, rather than relying solely on heavy mechanical gimbals. This dynamic approach reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical gimbal stabilization with a hybrid system that uses sensor data and controller algorithms to achieve field of view stability, reducing dependence on complex mechanical gimbal mechanisms and their associated weight and complexity.
4Productivity
If the drive system is integrated within the spherical housing for self-propelled motion, then the device can move autonomously, but the force distribution and traction control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system uses feedback from sensors to monitor device motion and adjust force distribution across the spherical housing, enabling autonomous movement while maintaining stable traction control despite the challenging geometry of the spherical form factor.
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
Enables remote control and surveillance capabilities with a consistent upward view, enhancing entertainment and security applications by allowing the device to be controlled and maneuvered effectively in various directions while maintaining a fixed orientation relative to gravity.
Implementation Method 1
The drive system causes a spherical outer shell to roll or to move
Implementation Method 2
maintaining a constant orientation and upward view through the use of internal gimbals and a rigid support structure
Data Source
AI summary
A spherical, self-propelled device responds to remote controls from a user. The self-propelled device has an internal drive system and an internal vision system. The vision system remains in a constant orientation with respect to the spherical, self-propelled device. As the spherical, self-propelled device rolls along a surface, the internal vision system captures video data from an upward field of view.