Telepresence Robot Mapping Interface for Tag-Guided Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telepresence robots lack effective navigation and control systems that integrate real-time mapping and tagging capabilities, limiting their ability to navigate complex environments and provide precise control to users.
Innovation Solution
A telepresence robot system that includes a local terminal with a processor capable of retrieving and displaying a plan view map, integrating tags with annotations, and overlaying three-dimensional renditions of these tags on video feeds to guide the robot's actions, allowing users to control the robot's movements and actions through a user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If telepresence robots use basic navigation systems without integrated mapping and tagging, then device complexity is reduced, but navigation precision and environmental understanding deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple subsystems (mapping module, tagging system, navigation module, and control system) into an integrated telepresence robot system. The mapping module generates plan view maps, tags are placed on the map to mark locations, and the navigation system uses both to guide the robot, creating a unified navigation architecture that improves precision while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary mapping of the environment before navigation tasks. The mapping module pre-generates plan view maps of the operating surface, and tags are pre-placed on the map to mark important locations. This preliminary preparation allows the navigation system to operate more efficiently during actual tasks by referencing pre-established spatial information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If telepresence robots implement real-time mapping and tagging integration, then navigation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system is designed to be multi-functional, supporting multiple navigation modes (manual control, autonomous navigation following tags, and path planning). The same mapping and tagging infrastructure serves both manual navigation assistance and autonomous navigation tasks, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring separate subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The plan view map serves as an intermediary data structure that bridges the physical environment and the robot's navigation system. Tags placed on the map provide abstract representations of physical locations, allowing the robot to navigate by referencing the map rather than directly processing complex sensor data from the environment.
3Loss of information
If the system displays multiple tags with annotations on plan view map and video feed, then information completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays tag information in multiple dimensions simultaneously: tags are shown on the two-dimensional plan view map and also overlaid on the three-dimensional video feed from the robot's camera. This multi-dimensional presentation allows users to correlate map coordinates with visual reality, providing comprehensive information while maintaining intuitive understanding through spatial correspondence.
4Measurement precision
If the robot system processes and displays three-dimensional renditions of tags, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of processing and displaying complex three-dimensional models of tags, the system creates simplified two-dimensional representations (copies) of tag information that convey the essential location and identification data. The plan view map displays tags as 2D markers with annotations, and the video feed overlay shows tag information as 2D graphics, reducing computational requirements while maintaining sufficient precision for navigation purposes.
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.