Telepresence Robot Mobile Access With Adaptive Video Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic tele-presence systems are limited by the requirement for users to have access to computers, which is not always feasible, especially in time-sensitive medical situations, and do not allow for seamless communication through cellular devices with lower video resolution.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system that enables communication and control via cellular phones, allowing audio and video transmission, with the robot adjusting its camera resolution to match the phone's capabilities, and allowing users to maneuver the robot using accelerometer data and touchscreen inputs, while also supporting access through laptops or personal computers with both cellular and LAN links for robust data delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users access the robot through cellular phones, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but video resolution and communication quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts video resolution based on the accessing device type. When a cellular phone is detected as the accessing device, the robot automatically reduces video resolution to match the phone's display capabilities, ensuring smooth real-time communication while maintaining accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the video transmission parameter (resolution) according to the device being used. Cellular phone access triggers lower resolution settings, while computer access enables higher resolution, optimizing the balance between quality and accessibility for each device type
2Measurement precision
If the robot transmits high-resolution video data, then communication quality is improved, but data transmission speed and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The video resolution is dynamically adjusted based on network conditions and device capabilities. The system monitors transmission performance and automatically adapts resolution levels to maintain both quality and transmission speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes video transmission parameters in real-time, reducing resolution when transmission speed becomes critical and increasing it when network conditions permit, optimizing the trade-off between quality and speed
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robot supports multiple access devices (cellular phones, laptops, PCs), then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system is designed with universal access capabilities, supporting multiple device types (cellular phones, laptops, personal computers) through a unified communication interface. The system automatically detects and adapts to the accessing device, providing consistent functionality across different platforms without requiring separate systems for each device type
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 communication of robots through cellular phones, ensuring rapid and reliable data transmission, particularly important for medical applications, by adapting to lower video resolutions and ensuring uninterrupted communication and control of robotic systems in various settings.
Implementation Method 1
The phone may include an accelerometer that senses movement, and movement commands are then sent to the robot to cause a corresponding robot movement
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system with a robot that has a camera, a monitor, a microphone and a speaker. A communication link can be established with the robot through a cellular phone. The link may include an audio only communication. Alternatively, the link may include audio and video communication between the cellular phone and the robot. The phone can transmit its resolution to the robot and cause the robot to transmit captured images at the phone resolution. The user can cause the robot to move through input on the cellular phone. For example, the phone may include an accelerometer that senses movement, and movement commands are then sent to the robot to cause a corresponding robot movement. The phone may have a touch screen that can be manipulated by the user to cause robot movement and/or camera zoom.