Telepresence Robot Interface With Map-Video Tag Overlay Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telepresence robots lack an integrated system for real-time navigation and communication that effectively overlays navigational data and video feeds, limiting their ability to dynamically adapt to changing environments and user inputs.
Innovation Solution
A telepresence robot system comprising a local terminal with a processor and memory that retrieves and displays plan view maps, video feeds, and tag information, allowing for dynamic rendering of tags and navigation paths, and enables communication with remote robots to execute actions based on tag annotations and user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If telepresence robots use traditional navigation systems without integrated overlay display, then the robot can move autonomously, but the user cannot effectively monitor and control robot position relative to environmental features in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the video feed from the robot's imaging system with the plan view map and tag annotations into a single integrated display interface. This merging allows users to simultaneously view the robot's real-time camera perspective and its position overlaid on the navigable area map with tag locations, eliminating the need to switch between separate displays and improving situational awareness without requiring multiple independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent overlays two-dimensional tag annotations and navigation data directly onto the video feed or plan view map, adding informational layers that provide depth and context. This dimensional approach allows navigation information, robot position, and environmental features to be displayed together in a unified visual space, enabling users to comprehend spatial relationships more effectively than with separate traditional displays
2Adaptability or versatility
If telepresence robots rely on pre-defined paths without dynamic tag recognition, then navigation is simpler, but the robots cannot adapt to changing environments or user-specific navigation needs
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system automatically detects tags in the environment using its imaging system and autonomously generates navigation paths based on tag coordinates and annotations, without requiring external intervention to pre-program routes. The system serves itself by independently identifying navigational features, calculating optimal paths, and adapting to environmental changes, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity through automated functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the environment for tags, receives user inputs through the interface, and dynamically adjusts navigation paths in response to detected tags and user preferences. This feedback loop enables the robot to adapt to changing environments and user needs in real-time, transforming a static navigation system into a versatile, responsive system that learns from environmental cues and user interactions
3Loss of information
If the system displays detailed tag annotations and navigation paths overlaid on video feed, then user awareness of environment is improved, but processing and rendering complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system selectively displays tag annotations and navigation paths based on user preferences, robot position, and relevance to current navigation tasks, rather than rendering all possible information simultaneously. This partial display approach maintains comprehensive environmental awareness by showing only the most relevant tags and path segments, reducing computational overhead while preserving essential navigational context
Data Source
AI summary
A telepresence robot may include a drive system, a control system, an imaging system, and a mapping module. The mapping module may access a plan view map of an area and tags associated with the area. In various embodiments, each tag may include tag coordinates and tag information, which may include a tag annotation. A tag identification system may identify tags within a predetermined range of the current position and the control system may execute an action based on an identified tag whose tag information comprises a telepresence robot action modifier. The telepresence robot may rotate an upper portion independent from a lower portion. A remote terminal may allow an operator to control the telepresence robot using any combination of control methods, including by selecting a destination in a live video feed, by selecting a destination on a plan view map, or by using a joystick or other peripheral device.