Apparatus and method for locating a service object based on a label
A service rendering system locates a service object based on a label. A controller of the service rendering system receives an image captured by a camera coupled to the controller, processes the image to identify a label image in the image, identifies a label in the label image as corresponding to the service object, and obtains a service point location encoded in the label, where the service point location comprises a location relative to a location of the label. The controller calculates a label position of the label using the image of the label and calculates a service point position using the service point location and the label position.
1. A method for locating a service object by a service rendering system, comprising:
(a) receiving, by a controller of the service rendering system, an image captured by a camera coupled to the controller;
(b) processing, by the controller, the image to identify a label image in the image;
(c) identifying, by the controller, a label in the label image as corresponding to the service object;
(d) obtaining, by the controller, a service point location encoded in the label, wherein the service point location comprises a location relative to a location of the label;
(e) calculating, by the controller, a label position of the label using the image of the label; and
(f) calculating, by the controller, a service point position using the service point location and the label position.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
(g) issuing, by the controller, instructions to move the service rendering system to the service object at the service point position.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the service rendering system comprises a mechanical arm, wherein the issuing (g) comprises:
(g1) issuing, by the controller, the instructions to move the mechanical arm to the service object at the service point position.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the label comprises controller readable code, the controller readable code comprising one or more of the following: a bar code; a Quick Response (QR) code; a 2-dimensional bar code; a 3-dimensional bar code; a pattern; a colored pattern; a black-and-white pattern; a colored blob; a sequence of one or more characters; a product code; and a serial number.
5. The method of 1 , wherein the service rendering system comprises a mechanical arm, wherein the method further comprises:
(g) obtaining, by the controller, a service request encoded in the label; and
(h) issuing, by the controller, instructions for the mechanical arm to render a service at the service point position according to the service request.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the issuing (h) comprises:
(h1) issuing, by the controller, the instructions for the mechanical arm to physically couple to the service object at the service point position.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the service object comprises a lock, wherein the issuing (h1) comprises:
(h1i) issuing, by the controller, the instructions for the mechanical arm to perform a lock operation on the lock according to the service request.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the service object comprises a physical item, wherein the issuing (h1) comprises:
(h1i) issuing, by the controller, the instructions for the mechanical arm to perform a physical item operation on the physical item according to the service request.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the mechanical arm comprises one or more sensors, wherein the issuing (h) comprises:
(h1) issuing, by the controller, the instructions for the mechanical arm to perform a sensor operation at the service point position using the one or more sensors.
10. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable program code embodied therein for locating a service object by a service rendering system, wherein when executed by a processor of the service rendering system, causes the processor to:
(a) receive an image captured by a camera coupled to the processor;
(b) process the image to identify a label image in the image;
(c) identify a label in the label image as corresponding to the service object;
(d) obtain a service point location encoded in the label, wherein the service point location comprises a location relative to a location of the label;
(e) calculate a label position of the label using the image of the label; and
(f) calculate a service point position using the service point location and the label position.
11. The medium of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further caused to:
(g) issue instructions to move the service rendering system to the service object at the service point position.
12. The medium of claim 11 , wherein the service rendering system comprises a mechanical arm, wherein the issue (g) comprises:
(g1) issue the instructions to move the mechanical arm to the service object at the service point position.
13. The medium of claim 10 , wherein the label comprises processor readable code, the processor readable code comprising one or more of the following: a bar code; a Quick Response (QR) code; a 2-dimensional bar code; a 3-dimensional bar code; a pattern; a colored pattern; a black-and-white pattern; a colored blob; a sequence of one or more characters; a product code; and a serial number.
14. The medium of 10 , wherein the service rendering system comprises a mechanical arm, wherein the processor is further caused to:
(g) obtain a service request encoded in the label; and
(h) issue instructions for the mechanical arm to render a service at the service point position according to the service request.
15. The medium of claim 14 , wherein the issue (h) comprises:
(h1) issue the instructions for the mechanical arm to physically couple to the service object at the service point position.
16. The medium of claim 15 , wherein the service object comprises a lock, wherein the issue (h1) comprises:
(h1) issue the instructions for the mechanical arm to perform a lock operation on the lock according to the service request.
17. The medium of claim 15 , wherein the service object comprises a physical item, wherein the issue (h1) comprises:
(h1) issue the instructions for the mechanical arm to perform a physical item operation on the physical item according to the service request.
18. The medium of claim 14 , wherein the mechanical arm comprises one or more sensors, wherein the issue (h) comprises:
(h1) issue the instructions for the mechanical arm to perform a sensor operation at the service point position using the one or more sensors.
19. A service rendering system, comprising:
a controller;
a camera coupled to the controller; and
a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable program code embodied therein for locating a service object, wherein when executed by the controller, causes the controller to:
(a) receive an image captured by the camera;
(b) process the image to identify a label image in the image;
(c) identify a label in the label image as corresponding to the service object;
(d) obtain a service point location encoded in the label, wherein the service point location comprises a location relative to a location of the label;
(e) calculate a label position of the label using the image of the label; and
(f) calculate a service point position using the service point location and the label position.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the controller is further caused to:
(g) issue instructions to move the service rendering system to the service object at the service point position.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the service rendering system further comprises a mechanical arm, wherein the issue (g) comprises:
(g1) issue the instructions to move the mechanical arm to the service object at the service point position.
22. The system of claim 19 , wherein the label comprises controller readable code, the controller readable code comprising one or more of the following: a bar code; a Quick Response (QR) code; a 2-dimensional bar code; a 3-dimensional bar code; a pattern; a colored pattern; a black-and-white pattern; a colored blob; a sequence of one or more characters; a product code; and a serial number.
23. The system of 19 , wherein the service rendering system further comprises a mechanical arm, wherein the controller is further caused to:
(g) obtain a service request encoded in the label; and
(h) issue instructions for the mechanical arm to render a service at the service point position according to the service request.
24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the issue (h) comprises:
(h1) issue the instructions for the mechanical arm to physically couple to the service object at the service point position.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the service object comprises a lock, wherein the issue (h1) comprises:
(h1) issue the instructions for the mechanical arm to perform a lock operation on the lock according to the service request.
26. The system of claim 24 , wherein the service object comprises a physical item, wherein the issue (h1) comprises:
(h1) issue the instructions for the mechanical arm to perform a physical item operation on the physical item according to the service request.
27. The system of claim 23 , wherein the mechanical arm comprises one or more sensors, wherein the issue (h) comprises:
(h1) issue the instructions for the mechanical arm to perform a sensor operation at the service point position using the one or more sensors.