Telepresence Touchpad Interface for Precise Remote Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telemedicine technologies lack effective graphical user interfaces and touchpad driving interfaces for efficiently controlling and navigating telepresence devices in healthcare settings.
Innovation Solution
The development of a remote presence interface (RPI) that provides various graphical user interfaces and interactive controls for telepresence devices, allowing users to manually, semi-autonomously, or autonomously navigate these devices using touchpad inputs, vector-based driving, and other navigational modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If telepresence devices are used for remote healthcare services, then accessibility and remote patient care capability are improved, but device complexity and control interface requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is segmented into multiple operational modes (autonomous navigation mode where the device follows commands automatically, semi-autonomous mode with user oversight, and manual mode for direct control). This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate level of control complexity based on their needs, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchpad control mechanism serves multiple functions: it can issue basic navigation commands, adjust camera angles, control device speed, and switch between operational modes. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate controls into a single universal interface, reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If manual navigation control is provided for telepresence devices, then user control precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to complex interface requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems (multiple buttons, switches, and physical controls) with a touch-sensitive interface that detects finger position and movement on a flat surface. This substitution maintains precise control capability while dramatically improving ease of operation, as users can issue commands by simply touching and dragging their finger across the touchpad surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adapts to user input by interpreting the speed, direction, and pressure of touchpad gestures. Fast swipes can trigger quick movements or mode changes, while slower movements provide fine-grained control. This dynamic response allows the same interface to accommodate both rapid navigation and precise positioning without requiring different controls.
3Ease of operation
If autonomous navigation modes are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of user intent may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous visual feedback through the camera feed displayed on the user's device, allowing them to monitor the telepresence device's movement in real-time. This feedback loop enables users to verify that autonomous navigation is executing their intended commands and to intervene by switching to manual control if the system begins to deviate from the desired path, thus maintaining precision of user intent.
Solution Approach 2:
Before initiating autonomous navigation, the system allows users to pre-set destination points or navigation parameters. The device then autonomously executes the pre-planned path, reducing the need for continuous user input while maintaining accuracy through the预先 established parameters. Users can review and adjust these preliminary settings before execution.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes various aspects of remote presence interfaces (RPIs) for use on portable electronic devices (PEDs) to interface with remote presence devices. An RPI may allow a user to interact with a telepresence device, view a live video feed, provide navigational instructions, and/or otherwise interact with the telepresence device. The RPI may allow a user to manually, semi-autonomously, or autonomously control the movement of the telepresence device. One or more panels associated with a video feed, patient data, calendars, date, time, telemetry data, PED data, telepresence device data, healthcare facility information, healthcare practitioner information, menu tabs, settings controls, and/or other features may be utilized via the RPI.