METHOD FOR OPERATING A MOBILE, SELF-PROPELLED DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a mobile, self-driving device, in particular a robotic lawnmower or a floor cleaning device, such as a vacuuming, sweeping and / or mopping robot, in which the device can be operated in different communication modes.

[0002] Mobile, self-driving devices, such as robotic vacuum cleaners, are designed to autonomously remove dust from floors, ensuring thorough cleaning across the entire floor area. They operate on battery power, which can be recharged at a base station as needed. To communicate with a user, the robot can connect to an available wireless (local) network (WLAN, WiFi) using a communication unit. This connection allows the robot to notify the user of error messages or other malfunctions. User commands and cleaning tasks can be transmitted to the robot in this way. Ideally, user input is provided via a mobile device, such as a cell phone or smartphone.

[0003] These types of robots can typically be operated in two different communication modes. In the first mode, the network module is permanently deactivated. This results in lower standby power consumption for the robot, but the disadvantage is that the user cannot control the robot via an app, send it commands, or retrieve information or the robot's status. In the second mode, a continuous connection to the network or internet is maintained, allowing for the fastest possible response to user commands at all times. However, this negatively impacts the robot's power consumption. The user can choose between the first and second modes.

[0004] The robots are often permanently connected to the internet to await user commands. However, the robot usually executes predefined tasks without user intervention. The user often activates a second mode to receive notifications from the robot, such as: the robot is stuck, the battery is empty, the dustbin is full, and similar issues. A method for operating a mobile, self-driving device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, for example, from US patent A-2022129000.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an improved method for operating a mobile, self-driving device, in particular a robotic lawnmower or a floor cleaning device, such as a vacuuming, sweeping and / or mopping robot, which is characterized by reduced power consumption while simultaneously ensuring information transmission.

[0006] This problem is solved by a method for operating a mobile, self-driving device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] According to the invention, in a method for operating a mobile, self-propelled device, in particular a robotic lawnmower or a floor cleaning device, such as a vacuuming, sweeping and / or mopping robot or a robotic lawnmower, the device can be operated in a first communication mode, in a second communication mode, and in a third communication mode. The first communication mode is an offline mode. The second communication mode is an online mode. The third communication mode is a mixed mode in which the device is at least temporarily offline and at least temporarily online.

[0008] In this case, at least in mixed mode, the device's network connection is managed in a defined and controlled manner. This can advantageously reduce the device's power consumption, especially in standby mode. A mixed operation, or controlled and / or automated operation of the network connection, is provided. This allows for an optimal combination of power consumption and functionality. In mixed mode, the user receives notifications from the device, such as: the device is stuck, the battery is empty, or similar. However, these messages are not continuously transmitted. Depending on the mode, they are sent either as error messages outside of defined times (which can be sent at any time) or continuously during defined times via the wireless network (WLAN, WiFi).If an error message is sent outside the defined time, the device briefly connects to the network, sends the message, and then disconnects. This reduced energy consumption not only saves power but also reduces battery cycles, thus extending the overall lifespan of the device's battery.

[0009] A mobile, self-propelled device is understood to be, in particular, a floor cleaning device that can autonomously clean floor surfaces, for example, in the household. This includes, among other things, vacuuming, sweeping, and / or mopping robots. For example, the mobile, self-propelled device is a combination device that can perform both dry and wet cleaning. During operation (cleaning mode), the devices preferably operate without or with minimal user intervention. For example, the device automatically moves to a designated room to clean the floor according to a predefined and programmed cleaning strategy. Robotic lawnmowers designed to mow lawns in gardens are also considered mobile, self-propelled devices within the meaning of the invention.

[0010] To take all individual environmental characteristics into account, an exploratory drive with the mobile, self-propelled device is preferably carried out. An exploratory drive is understood to be, in particular, a reconnaissance drive suitable for exploring a soil area to be cultivated, looking for obstacles, spatial layout, and similar features. The aim of an exploratory drive is, in particular, to be able to assess and / or document the conditions of the soil cultivation area to be worked.

[0011] After the exploration run, the mobile, self-driving device knows its surroundings and can share this information with the user in the form of an environmental map, for example, in an app (cleaning app) on a mobile device. The user can then interact with the mobile, self-driving device via this environmental map. The user can conveniently view information in the environmental map and, if necessary, modify and / or adjust it.

[0012] A site map is understood to be any map suitable for depicting the area surrounding the soil cultivation area, including all its obstacles and objects. For example, the site map shows the soil cultivation area, including any furniture, carpets, and walls within it, in a sketchy manner.

[0013] The map of the environment, including obstacles, is preferably displayed in the app on a portable accessory. This serves, in particular, to visualize potential user interaction. For the purposes of this discussion, an accessory is understood to be any device that is portable by a user, located outside the mobile, self-driving device, and in particular external to and / or separate from the mobile, self-driving device, and capable of displaying, providing, transmitting, and / or transferring data, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, and / or computer or laptop.

[0014] The portable accessory has an app installed, specifically the cleaning app, which facilitates communication between the mobile, self-driving device and the accessory. This app enables visualization of the cleaning area, particularly the living space or apartment / apartment to be cleaned, for example, the interior. The app preferably displays the area to be cleaned as a map to the user.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, a user can choose between communication modes. The user is thus given the option, for example in the cleaning app or via buttons on the device itself, to select whether a permanent network connection to the device is necessary, whether it is sufficient for the device to connect temporarily, synchronize tasks and the like from the backend, and then go offline again, or whether the device should not go online at all and remain offline continuously.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, a first time interval can be selected in the mixed mode, during which the device is offline, and the device connects to a network online after the first time interval. Preferably, the device connects online for a second time interval after the first time interval and then disconnects from the network again for the first time interval. For example, the device connects hourly for the first time interval and then goes offline for the second time interval, before going online again for the first time interval after the second time interval. The time intervals alternate regularly. The first and / or second time interval can be changed by the user at any time, for example, by setting it in the cleaning app.

[0017] The user can preferably select different performance levels of the device in the cleaning app, in addition to the time intervals. For example, the user has the following options: hourly (0.6 Wh / day) two hourly (0.3 Wh / day) period or periods from X to Y o'clock (with estimate of additional energy consumption in kWh) user-specific value.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device is online in the third communication mode at the beginning and / or end of a cleaning job, and offline during the cleaning process. In this case, the device is therefore only online at the beginning and end of the cleaning process. During cleaning, the device is in offline mode.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device switches to the second communication mode in the first and / or third communication modes upon receiving an error message, or at least connects to a network temporarily. If an error occurs during the cleaning process, the device can automatically connect briefly to the network to send the error message directly to the user's app or via the backend to the user's app, which can then forward it to the user's app. Depending on the error or user settings, the device can then remain connected to the network, for example, for further diagnostics using the camera and remote control mode, to manually free the device from a situation, or it can disconnect from the network after sending the error message. This can advantageously extend the device's standby time in the event of an error.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device switches to the second communication mode or at least temporarily connects to a network when a user command is issued in the first and / or third communication mode. For example, if the user is at home and has an urgent request for the device that cannot wait, such as spilling something that needs to be vacuumed up immediately, the user can establish a network connection directly by pressing a button on the device to retrieve new user commands. The planned second time intervals, during which the device automatically goes online, remain in effect in the third communication mode. The user command thus adds another, previously unplanned online mode between the offline modes.

[0021] It is understood that, in addition to the method, a computer program comprising commands that, when executed by a mobile, self-driving device, cause it to execute the method according to the invention, is also part of the scope of this invention. Likewise, a computer-readable medium on which such a computer program is stored is part of the scope of this invention.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following examples. These examples show: Figures 1A, 1B, 1C: each schematic views of an embodiment of an operating method according to the invention in different communication modes, and Figure 2: flowchart of an embodiment of an operating method according to the invention with the different communication modes.

[0023] The Figures 1A to 1CThe figures describe an operating method of a mobile, self-driving device 10, in particular a robotic vacuum cleaner, in which the robotic vacuum cleaner operates in different communication modes during its cleaning task. A user has the option of selecting between the individual communication modes during the operation of the robotic vacuum cleaner and, in particular, during its pending cleaning task.

[0024] Figure 1AThe image shows the robot vacuum operating in a second communication mode, which is primarily an online mode. In this second communication mode, the robot vacuum maintains a constant network or internet connection, for example, connection 1a to a router 2 of a home network. In this communication mode, the robot vacuum maintains a continuous connection to the network via router 2, even during its cleaning task, in order to respond to user commands as quickly as possible. The robot vacuum is therefore constantly available due to its persistent connection 1a. User commands can be sent, for example, from a smartphone 3 to router 2 of the home network via connection 1b, which then simultaneously forwards these commands to the robot vacuum via the persistent connection 1a.

[0025] Figure 1BThis shows the robot vacuum cleaner operating in a first communication mode, which is essentially an offline mode. In this first communication mode, the network module is permanently deactivated. Therefore, in this communication mode, the robot vacuum cleaner has no network or internet connection to a router (2) of a home network. Ideally, the robot vacuum cleaner should never (i.e., at any time interval) have a connection to the network during its cleaning task. The permanent connection (1a) of the Figure 1AThis first communication mode does not exist. Therefore, the robot vacuum cleaner is never controllable online by the user, for example via their smartphone 3. This results in low standby power consumption for the robot vacuum cleaner, but has the disadvantage that the user cannot operate the robot vacuum cleaner via their smartphone 3, which, for example, remains connected to the router 2 of the home network 1b, or retrieve information or a status update for the robot vacuum cleaner.

[0026] Figure 1CThe video shows the robot vacuum operating in a third communication mode, which is essentially a hybrid mode between online and offline operation. In this hybrid mode, the robot operates in a controlled, automated manner. This allows the user to customize the robot vacuum's behavior to their needs, providing an optimal combination of power consumption and functionality. The user's smartphone (3) is typically connected to the home network's router (2) via connection (1b). The robot vacuum, on the other hand, connects to the home network's router (2) only via one or more brief connections (1c). Afterward, or even in between, connection (1c) is disconnected, and the robot vacuum's network module is deactivated. A brief connection is sufficient to relay notifications from the robot vacuum and / or the user.These messages are not sent continuously, but only at the designated second time interval. Such messages might include, for example, that the robot vacuum is stuck, that the battery is empty, that the dustbin is full, or that the cleaning job is canceled or changed.

[0027] In mixed mode, the robot vacuum cleaner connects to the home network briefly, for example, only once an hour, to synchronize new tasks or messages from the backend. Ideally, the connection interval should be adjustable by the user at any time, for example, via their smartphone. Different performance levels can also be added to this setting. For instance, the connection interval (second time interval) could cover the beginning and end of the scheduled cleaning process, with no network connection in between (first time interval). The robot vacuum cleaner is therefore only online at the start and end of its cleaning task and offline during the cleaning process itself.

[0028] If an error occurs during a cleaning task while the robot vacuum is offline, it can connect to the router via connection 1c to send the error message to the backend, which then forwards it to the user's smartphone 3 via connection 1b. Depending on the error or user settings, the robot vacuum either remains online or disconnects connection 1c after sending the error message, thus extending the robot vacuum's standby time.

[0029] If the user has an urgent request in another direction that cannot wait and needs to be transmitted to the robot vacuum, the user can preferably, for example, establish connection 1c of the robot vacuum to the router 2 by pressing a button on the robot vacuum, in order to retrieve new user commands that have been transmitted to the router via connection 1b using the smartphone 3.

[0030] Figure 2This shows a flowchart of the individual communication modes of the robot vacuum's operating procedure. When selecting a cleaning task on their smartphone, the user can simultaneously select the desired communication mode (step 100).

[0031] If the user selects the first communication mode (step 101), the robot vacuum cleaner operates in offline mode. Even in the event of an error message (step 201) or a button press on the robot vacuum cleaner by the user (step 202), the robot vacuum cleaner remains in offline mode (step 302) until it has completed its cleaning task (step 700). Alternatively, even in offline mode (step 101), an error message (step 201) or a button press on the robot vacuum cleaner by the user (step 202) can cause the robot vacuum cleaner to switch to online mode (step 301). After data transmission, the robot vacuum cleaner can either go offline again (step 401) to complete its cleaning task (step 700), or it can remain online until the cleaning task is finished (step 700).

[0032] If the user selects the second communication mode (step 102), the robot vacuum cleaner operates continuously in online mode during its cleaning task until the cleaning task is completed (step 700). This allows the robot vacuum to respond to commands and / or error messages as quickly as possible at any time.

[0033] If the user selects the third communication mode (step 103), the robot vacuum operates in a hybrid mode, combining online and offline operation. For example, at the beginning of its cleaning cycle, the robot vacuum goes online for a second time interval (step 203) to receive user commands. After this second interval, the robot vacuum goes offline for a first time interval (step 303). Following this first time interval, the robot vacuum goes online again for a second time interval (step 601), preferably at the end of the cleaning cycle to complete it (step 700). If the robot vacuum displays an error message (step 402) or the user presses a button on the robot vacuum during the first time interval (step 403), the robot vacuum will go online unexpectedly before the end of the first time interval (step 501).This online mode can then remain in place until the cleaning job is completed (step 700), or alternatively switch back to offline mode (step 502) to complete the cleaning job (step 700).

Claims

1. Method for operating a mobile, self-propelled device (10), in particular a robotic lawn mower or a floor cleaning device, such as a robotic vacuum cleaner, sweeper and / or mop, in which the device (10) can be operated in a first communication mode, in a second communication mode and in a third communication mode, wherein - the first communication mode is an offline mode, - the second communication mode is an online mode, characterised in that the third communication mode is a mixed mode, in which the device (10) is at least temporarily offline and at least temporarily online.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein a user can choose between the communication modes.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the mixed mode, it is possible to choose a first time interval in which the device (10) is offline, and wherein the device (10) connects online to a network after the first time interval.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the device (10) connects online after the first time interval for a second time interval, and disconnects offline from the network after the second time interval for the first time interval again.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) in the third communication mode is online at a start and / or an end of a cleaning task, and is offline during the cleaning procedure.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) in the first communication mode and / or in the third communication mode switches to the second communication mode in the event of an error message, or at least temporarily connects online to a network.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) in the first communication mode and / or in the third communication mode switches to the second communication mode in the event of a user command, or at least temporarily connects online to a network.

8. Computer program, comprising commands which, when the program is executed by a mobile, self-propelled device (10), prompt it to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Computer-readable data carrier, on which the computer program according to claim 8 is stored.