Telepresence Robot Video Display With Wide-Angle Navigation View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telepresence robots struggle to provide a comprehensive view of their surroundings due to limited camera angles, making it difficult for operators to navigate and interact effectively with their environment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wide-angle image capturing apparatus capable of capturing 360-degree videos, which is displayed alongside traditional front or rear videos on a communication terminal, allowing operators to have a broader view of their surroundings while controlling the robot remotely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a single traditional camera is used on the telepresence robot, then the device complexity is low, but the view coverage is limited and operators cannot navigate effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the view coverage into multiple segments by using both a traditional camera and a wide-angle camera. Each camera captures a specific portion of the environment, and these segments are combined and displayed together on the terminal device, providing comprehensive coverage without requiring a single complex camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the viewing capability by incorporating a wide-angle camera that captures a broader field of view. This dimensional expansion in terms of angular coverage allows operators to see more of the environment simultaneously, transforming the limited single-perspective view into a multi-perspective comprehensive view.
2Loss of information
If multiple cameras are mounted on the robot to provide comprehensive view, then the view coverage improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the output streams from multiple cameras (traditional camera and wide-angle camera) into a unified display interface on the terminal device. By combining the video feeds and presenting them in an integrated manner, the system provides comprehensive surroundings information while managing the complexity through software-level integration rather than hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device serves multiple functions: it displays video from the traditional camera, displays video from the wide-angle camera, and provides operation buttons for controlling the robot. This multi-functional design allows the system to handle comprehensive view requirements and control operations through a single universal interface, reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If wide-angle camera is added to capture 360-degree videos, then the navigation capability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different camera types for different purposes: the traditional camera provides high-quality detailed views for specific directions, while the wide-angle camera provides lower-detail but comprehensive coverage for navigation. This differentiated approach optimizes each camera's contribution to navigation capability while managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between or combines views from the traditional camera and wide-angle camera based on navigation needs. The display can adaptively show different camera feeds or combine them, providing dynamic navigation assistance that responds to operational requirements without requiring permanent complex hardware configurations.
4Ease of operation
If traditional camera is used, then the device complexity is low, but the interaction effectiveness with environment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides enhanced feedback to operators by displaying multiple video streams simultaneously - both the traditional camera view and the wide-angle camera view. This multi-perspective feedback allows operators to better understand their interaction with the environment, see the effects of their actions from different angles, and make more informed operational decisions, thereby improving interaction effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication terminal is for communicating with a telepresence robot via a network. The communication terminal includes a transceiver that receives a first video and a second video from the telepresence robot. The first video and the second video are captured by the telepresence robot, and the second video has a wide-angle of view. The communication terminal includes a display device that displays, on a same display screen, the first video, the second video, and an operation button to remotely control the telepresence robot. The display device displays the first video on a first display area on the same display screen, the display device displays the second video on a second display area on the same display screen, and the display device displays the operation button on an area on the same display screen other than the second display area.