Transferable Robot Controller for Shared Intelligence Across Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and redundancy of control electronics and sensors in robotic devices lead to increased costs for consumers and manufacturers, as well as limited modularity and upgradeability, resulting in higher support costs and limited technology transfer across different robotic products.
Innovation Solution
A modular Transferable Intelligent Control Device (TICD) with a platform architecture and communication protocol that allows for compatibility across multiple robotic devices, enabling the reuse of control electronics and software, and facilitating the transfer of intelligence and functionality between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each robotic device includes dedicated control electronics and sensors, then the device can operate independently and reliably, but the cost of each device increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control platform that can be shared across multiple robotic devices. The controller is designed with generic interfaces and a operating system that can manage different device types, allowing one controller to perform multiple functions across vacuum cleaners, mops, and other robotic devices, thereby reducing per-device costs while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the robotic system into modular components: a reusable controller platform and device-specific functional modules. This segmentation allows the expensive control electronics to be shared while device-specific functions (cleaning mechanisms, sensors) remain separate, reducing overall system cost while maintaining operational reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If consumers purchase separate robotic devices for different tasks, then each device is optimized for its specific function, but the total cost increases due to redundant control electronics and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a universal platform capable of managing multiple device types through generic interfaces and configurable software. A single controller can be shared across vacuum cleaners, mopping devices, and other robotic products, eliminating redundant control electronics and sensors while maintaining task-specific optimization through device-specific functional modules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple device types into a single universal controller. By combining navigation, sensor processing, and actuation control capabilities into one platform that can serve multiple device types, the system eliminates redundant components across different robotic products while maintaining specialized functionality for each task
3Device complexity
If robotic devices use integrated control electronics and sensors, then the device structure is simplified, but upgrading and replacement costs increase due to lack of modularity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the robotic system into a reusable controller platform and replaceable device-specific modules. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity by providing a unified interface while enabling easy replacement of individual components such as cleaning mechanisms, batteries, or sensors without replacing the entire controller, thereby reducing repair and upgrade costs
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated intelligent system includes a first intelligent electronic device, a second intelligent electronic device, a transferable intelligent control device (TICD) and a cross product bus. The first intelligent electronic device performs a first function and the second intelligent electronic device performs a second function. The cross product bus couples the first intelligent electronic device to the transferable intelligent control device. The TICD partially controls behaviors of the intelligent electronic device by sending commands over the cross product bus to the first intelligent electronic device and the TICD partially controls behaviors of the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function. The TICD is first attached to the first intelligent electronic device to partially control the behaviors of the first electronic device, then detached from the first electronic device, and then attached to the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function.