Two-Stage Object Determining System for Robot Cleaners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sweetness meters require users to manually set the object type, leading to incorrect sweetness level calculations, and conventional robot cleaners lack the ability to determine objects in their path, resulting in potential damage or inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An object determining system employing two-stage sensing steps, utilizing a first stage sensor (such as a depth or thermal sensor) for initial object detection and a second stage sensor (like an image or thermal sensor) for detailed object kind identification, with line and area light sources to generate appropriate light for each stage, enabling automatic object kind acquisition and appropriate operation selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional sweetness meter is used to measure sweetness level, then the sweetness level can be calculated based on reflected light spectrum, but the user must manually set the object type which may lead to incorrect calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-identification of object type through automated sensing and recognition, eliminating the need for manual user input. The sensor captures spectral information and the processor automatically identifies the object type and calculates sweetness level without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of setting object type is replaced by an automated optical sensing and electronic processing system. The sensor and processor work together to automatically identify objects and determine sweetness levels, substituting human operation with electronic automation.
2Productivity
If a robot cleaner is used to clean floors, then it can automatically navigate and clean, but it cannot determine objects in its path which may cause damage or inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into two stages: first stage uses a depth sensor to detect object presence and basic characteristics, second stage uses an image sensor to identify object type. This segmentation allows the robot to efficiently detect objects at a distance and then classify them for appropriate response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects in the robot's path before the robot reaches them. The depth sensor detects objects at a distance, allowing the robot to plan avoidance or interaction strategies in advance, preventing collisions and improving cleaning efficiency.
3Extent of automation
If a two stage sensing system is implemented with depth sensor and image sensor, then object kind can be automatically determined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex detection task is divided into two stages with different sensor types. The depth sensor handles initial object detection and distance measurement, while the image sensor performs detailed object classification. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuit serves multiple functions: it processes data from both the depth sensor and image sensor, performs object identification, determines object characteristics, and controls robot responses. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, simplifying the overall system architecture.
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
The system accurately determines object kinds and elements, allowing electronic apparatuses to select proper operations, thereby resolving issues of incorrect calculations and unintended interactions with objects, such as avoiding obstacles for robot cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
a first stage object sensor, configured to generate a first stage object sensing result of an object
Implementation Method 2
a first stage object sensor, configured to generate a first stage object sensing result of an object
Implementation Method 3
a second stage object sensor, configured to generate a second stage object sensing result of the object
Data Source
AI summary
An object determining system, comprising: a processing circuit; a first stage object sensor, for generating a first stage object sensing result of an object; and a second stage object sensor, for generating a second stage object sensing result of the object if the processing circuit determines the object exists in a predetermined range based on the first stage object sensing result, wherein the processing circuit further determines an object kind of the object based on the second stage object sensing result; a line light source; and an area light source. The first stage object sensor generates the first stage object sensing result based on the line light. The second stage object sensor generates the second object detecting result based on the plane light. The first stage object sensor is a depth sensor or a thermal sensor. The second stage object sensor is an image sensor or a thermal sensor.