Variable Reflectivity Base Station for Low-Cost Robot Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing localization methods for autonomous mobile work systems are unreliable, expensive, and complex, making them unsuitable for consumer products, and satellite-based positioning systems are inadequate due to environmental degradations and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost localization system using variable reflectivity base stations that change their optical or electromagnetic reflectivity in response to commands or schedules, allowing autonomous mobile work devices to determine their position through distance calculations with these base stations, employing sensors and wireless communication for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional localization methods (satellite-based positioning, inertial navigation systems, active beacons) are used, then positioning capability is provided, but the system becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive satellite-based positioning systems and inertial navigation systems with inexpensive passive reflective base stations. The mobile device uses low-cost sensors (camera, microphone, or radar) to detect reflections from these simple stationary reflectors, achieving reliable localization without complex infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes active electromagnetic positioning systems with passive optical or acoustic reflection systems. Instead of using active transmitters and complex receivers, the system uses passive reflective base stations that reflect existing environmental signals (light, sound, or radar waves) back to the mobile device for position determination.
2Measurement precision
If variable reflectivity base stations are used, then localization accuracy is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base stations periodically change their reflectivity state (e.g., switching between reflective and non-reflective modes) in a time-varying pattern. The mobile device detects these periodic changes and uses temporal analysis to determine position, which simplifies computations compared to analyzing complex spatial patterns from multiple simultaneous reflectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The base stations modulate their reflectivity properties (analogous to color changes in optical systems) to encode position information. By changing their reflective characteristics in recognizable patterns, the base stations enable the mobile device to identify their locations and calculate position through relatively simple pattern matching rather than complex mathematical optimization.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used for localization, then positioning reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device uses a single multi-functional sensor system that can operate in different modes (optical camera, acoustic microphone, or radar) depending on the type of base station and environmental conditions. This universal approach provides reliable localization across diverse scenarios without requiring separate specialized sensors for each modality, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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
This system provides a reliable, cost-effective means of localizing autonomous mobile work systems within user-defined areas, reducing computational power requirements and eliminating the need for complex infrastructure, while being extensible and adaptable for larger coverage areas.
Implementation Method 1
a variable reflectivity base station, the base station being configured to change its reflectivity
Implementation Method 2
an autonomous mobile work device including at least one sensor wherein: the work system further comprises a fixed object; the variable reflectivity base station comprises a radar reflector having a variable radar cross section
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous mobile work system for performing work in a designated area includes a variable reflectivity base station configured to change its reflectivity, an autonomous mobile work device including at least one sensor, and a fixed object. The variable reflectivity base station includes a radar reflector having a variable radar cross section. The autonomous mobile work system is configured to provide a location of the variable reflectivity base station, and a location of the fixed object, to the autonomous mobile work device. The autonomous mobile work device is configured to calculate a distance to the variable reflectivity base station, and a distance to the fixed object, and to determine a location of the autonomous mobile work device based on the provided locations and the calculated distances.