Method and apparatus for obtaining observation data of an environment
AssigneeInterDigital CE Patent Holdings, SAS
InventorsFabien Servant, Olivier Bureller, Philippe Robert, Pierrick Jouet
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A robot (20) includes a base (203, 204) and a detachable probe (205). The probe (205) includes at least one sensor of a least one type. Propulsion of the probe is provided by an ejection mechanism (204, 302) in the base. When the probe is ejected by the base, the probe captures data using its sensor(s) during its trajectory, according to an observation plan established by the base. The probe is recaptured by the base, probe data is transferred to the base, and the probe (205) is configured for a new observation.
Claims24
A method for obtaining observation data of an environment, wherein the method is implemented by a device having a base and a detachable probe, the probe comprising at least one three-dimensional (3D) depth sensor for observation of the environment, the probe being passive with regard to its orientation in the environment, the method comprising:
- determining, by the base, a trajectory for the probe;
- configuring, by the base, a probe ejection mechanism comprised in the base, according to the determined trajectory for the probe and features of the probe according to probe type, comprising configuring probe ejection force and ejection orientation;
- ejecting the probe by the probe ejection mechanism, as a function of the configuration of the probe ejection mechanism, the probe, during the determined trajectory, triggering at least one observation using the at least one 3D depth sensor after the probe is ejected to obtain a 3D mapping of the environment;
- and
- receiving, by the base, the 3D mapping from the at least one observation performed by the probe during the determined trajectory.
A device for obtaining observation data of an environment, the device comprising:
- a base;
- a probe ejection mechanism in the base for ejecting a probe, the probe comprising at least one three-dimensional (3D) depth sensor for observation of the environment, the probe being passive with regard to its orientation in the environment;
- the base comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to:
- determine a trajectory for the probe;
- configure the probe ejection mechanism according to the determined trajectory for the probe and features of the probe according to probe type, the configuration comprising configuring probe ejection force and ejection orientation;
- eject the probe via the probe ejection mechanism, as a function of the configuration of the probe ejection mechanism, the probe, during the determined trajectory, triggering at least one observation using the at least one 3D depth sensor after the probe is ejected to obtain a 3D mapping of the environment;
- and
- receive, by the base, the 3D mapping from the at least one observation performed by the probe during the determined trajectory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.