Virtual Barriers for Remotely Operated Equipment Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remotely operated equipment lacks effective methods to avoid objects within a remote work environment, posing risks such as contact with hazardous objects or environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing virtual barriers within the control system of remotely operated robotic devices to identify and alert operators of potential collisions, allowing for automated or manual control to adjust movements and display virtual barriers as overlays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If remotely operated equipment is used to work in hazardous environments, then human operators are removed from dangerous areas, but the equipment may collide with objects in the remote environment causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing virtual barriers around hazardous objects before the remotely operated equipment approaches them. The control system proactively defines protected zones and monitors equipment position relative to these zones, preventing collisions before they occur rather than reacting after contact is made.
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual barriers serve as an intermediary between the remotely operated equipment and hazardous objects. These software-defined boundaries act as a mediating layer that the equipment interacts with through the control system, providing a safety buffer without requiring physical barriers in the remote environment.
2Reliability
If virtual barriers are implemented in the control system, then collision prevention is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies or representations of physical barriers through software-defined virtual barriers. Instead of implementing complex physical barrier mechanisms in the remote environment, the system uses digital models that replicate barrier functionality within the control system, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical or physical barrier systems with a software-based virtual barrier implementation. The control system uses computational methods to monitor and enforce barrier boundaries rather than relying on mechanical sensors, physical fences, or complex hardware intervention mechanisms.
3Loss of information
If visual representations of virtual barriers are displayed as overlays, then operator awareness of barriers is improved, but the operator interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses visual display techniques where virtual barriers are represented as color-coded overlays on the operator interface. Different colors indicate different barrier types, hazard levels, or proximity states, providing intuitive visual information about barrier status without requiring complex textual or symbolic representations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a visual dimension to barrier information by displaying virtual barriers as graphical overlays on the operator interface. Instead of presenting barrier data through traditional one-dimensional text or numerical displays, the system uses two-dimensional visual representations that spatially map barrier locations and statuses, enhancing operator perception.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for establishing and utilizing virtual barriers for remotely operated equipment. Remotely operated equipment may be used to perform operations within a remote operating environment based on control inputs from an operator at a distinct location from the remote operating environment. The virtual barriers are established within a control system of the remotely operated equipment to alert the operator or modify operation based on proximity of the remotely operated equipment to the virtual barriers.