Method for carrying out a service function

Abstract

A method is specified for performing a service function on a service system (100) comprising a domestic appliance (12) and a service station (11) integrated in or on the domestic appliance (12), wherein the service station (11) is provided to provide the service function for a cleaning task of a mobile, self-propelled appliance, and wherein the cleaning task or the service function and a program task of the domestic appliance (11) are coordinated with one another, comprising the following method steps: receiving a start command for performing the cleaning task, for performing the service function or for performing the program task; communicating between the appliance or the service station (11) and the domestic appliance (12) in order to use at least one generated resource of the domestic appliance (12) when performing the cleaning task or the service function;wherein, for the mutual benefit of the generated resource, the execution of the cleaning task, the execution of the service function and / or the execution of the program task are delayed if necessary until another one is executed;

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for performing a service function on a service system for a mobile, self-propelled device comprising a household appliance and a service station integrated in or on the household appliance, a service system, a computer program product and a computer-readable data carrier.

[0002] Robot cleaners are designed to clean floors as autonomously as possible. This not only relieves the user of the actual cleaning task, but also minimizes the amount of maintenance required by the user. Recharging the robot cleaner's battery, emptying its full dust bin, filling its water tank, and cleaning and drying its mop pads can now be performed automatically at dedicated service stations. Users no longer need to worry about the robot cleaner itself, but only the service station, changing its dust bags, filling the fresh water tanks, and emptying the waste water tanks.To further reduce the effort for users, some service stations can be connected to fixed water connections, so that the service stations can obtain the fresh water required to fill the cleaning robot's water tank themselves and dispose of the resulting dirty water themselves via the wastewater connection.

[0003] In order to make the increasingly large service stations of cleaning robots more discreet due to their expanded range of functions, while also utilizing existing fixed water connections, it is common practice to combine the service stations with other household appliances. For example, the service station of a vacuum-mop robot is integrated into a washer-dryer, allowing the use of a shared fresh water and wastewater connection.

[0004] What has so far been overlooked is that some household appliances recycle resources that could also be used in the same way by a cleaning robot. For example, washing machines and dishwashers heat water for the wash cycle. This water could be used by a robot mop to clean with warm water, which would be more effective against dirt than using only cold water. While known approaches demonstrate the spatial integration or combination of the appliances, they continue to perform their respective tasks separately and independently of one another. In order to utilize resources in both appliances, a process is necessary and useful for coordinating the two devices (e.g., in terms of time).

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an improved method for performing a service function on a service system, in which the tasks of a household appliance, a service station for a cleaning robot and / or a cleaning robot are coordinated with one another in order to enable a joint and thus energy-saving use of resources.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method for performing a service function on a service system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] According to the invention, a method for performing a service function on a service system comprising a household appliance and a service station integrated in or on the household appliance, wherein the service station is provided to provide the service function for a cleaning task of a mobile, self-propelled appliance, and wherein the cleaning task or the service function and a program task of the household appliance are coordinated with one another, comprises the following method steps: receiving a start command to perform the cleaning task, to perform the service function, or to perform the program task; communicating between the appliance or the service station and the household appliance in order to use at least one generated resource of the household appliance when performing the service function or the cleaning task;wherein, for the mutual benefit of the generated resource, the execution of the cleaning task, the execution of the service function and / or the execution of the program task are delayed if necessary until another one is executed;

[0008] A computer-implementable method is presented in which the program tasks of a household appliance and the cleaning tasks of a cleaning robot, whose service station has been integrated into the household appliance, are coordinated with each other in order to be able to use the resources generated by the household appliance in the cleaning robot or in its service station.

[0009] The following advantages can be achieved: The household appliance and the cleaning robot can be operated more energy-efficiently because the generated resources are used by both devices. The size of the cleaning robot's service station can be reduced because elements (e.g., a heater) of the household appliance can be shared. By using individual components of the household appliance (e.g., a heater), the number of components required for the service station is also reduced compared to a separately installed service station. This can reduce costs. The maintenance of the respective networked devices is reduced, benefiting the customer, because they supply each other with resources or use their byproducts.

[0010] A mobile, self-propelled device is understood in particular to be a floor cleaning device that can autonomously clean floors, for example in a household. This includes, among others, vacuum and / or sweeping and / or mopping robots. During operation (cleaning mode), the devices preferably work without or with as little user intervention as possible. For example, the device moves automatically into a specified room to clean the floor according to a predetermined and programmed process strategy. The device is a cleaning robot that has a dry cleaning unit (suction nozzle, possibly a brush roller, a suction fan, a dust box, possibly a side brush) and / or a wet cleaning module (fresh water tank, pump, mop pad, possibly actuators for mop pad movement, possibly a dirty water tank).The device carries out cleaning tasks autonomously and returns to the service station after completing its task or to empty its dust box, fill its fresh water tank or empty its dirty water tank.

[0011] The device's controller is responsible for evaluating its sensors, planning a cleaning mission (cleaning task), planning the routes to be traveled, and controlling the actuators. A drive enables the robot to move in a targeted manner. A communication module allows the robot to exchange data with an app on the user's mobile device or with other household appliances.

[0012] The device has a service station with service functions (e.g. emptying the robot dust box by vacuuming, filling the robot water tank with water, cleaning the robot mop pads by rinsing), which is integrated into the household appliance or can be combined with it.

[0013] The device, the service station, and / or the household appliance each have a communication interface with which they can exchange data and information, for example, about generated resources or the execution of tasks, both with each other and with the control app on a user's mobile device. A communication interface is understood in particular to be any interface that enables communication between the individual devices. The communication interface is preferably a wireless or contactless interface. The device's communication interface is suitable, for example, for receiving requests from the service station and / or the household appliance and sending a corresponding response, and vice versa.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the device and / or the service station and the household appliance communicate with each other directly or via a smart home environment.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the service station and the household appliance share common domestic water and power connections.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, the generated resource is made available by the service station to the device for carrying out the cleaning task.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, the generated resource is heated fresh water from the household appliance, which is passed on via the service station to the appliance for wet cleaning a floor or for cleaning components of the appliance.

[0018] In this case, the shared resource is the fresh water heated / warmed in the household appliance. This water can be passed on to the appliance's service station and / or the appliance itself, if the timing is appropriate. If the appliance receives the heated water shortly before the start of a cleaning cycle, it can use it during its wet cleaning job to remove dirt more effectively. If the service station receives the heated water shortly before or after the end of a cleaning cycle, it can use it to clean the appliance's mop pads, for example, to remove germs more hygienically.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, the execution of the service function and / or the cleaning task to be performed by the device is delayed if the program task to be performed is scheduled within a predetermined time period. Likewise, the execution of the program task can be delayed if the service function to be performed and / or the cleaning task to be performed by the device is scheduled within a predetermined time period. In a further advantageous embodiment, the delay is effected such that the program task, the service function, and / or the cleaning task start substantially simultaneously.

[0020] In order to coordinate the tasks of the appliances, the start of a task on one appliance will be delayed until the other is also running. For example, the appliance will only start a wet cleaning task when the household appliance (washing machine or dishwasher) is also started - if a task is foreseeable for it. When the appliance returns to its service station, the still warm water in the household appliance can also be used to clean the appliance's mop pads. On the other hand, the start of the household appliance (washing machine / dishwasher) can also be delayed if it is foreseeable that a cleaning task is foreseeable for the appliance (e.g., in the form of a scheduled task).

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, no time delay occurs if the program task to be performed, the service function to be performed, or the cleaning task to be performed falls outside the predetermined time period. The method can be expanded to include a check to determine whether the waiting phase of one device falls within the predetermined time period. If the device has to wait too long for the other device to start, the delay is bypassed and an immediate start is initiated.

[0022] There are various scenarios for synchronization, one in which only one of the devices or both devices have their own scheduled tasks. If scheduled tasks are planned for both devices, the devices can communicate with each other and immediately determine whether a delayed start for one device makes sense. Furthermore, a user can be given information as to whether adjustments to the start times would lead to improved interaction between the two devices. If scheduled tasks are only planned for one of the devices, a check can be carried out when the other device is started manually to determine whether a delayed start makes sense. If, for example, a washing machine is started manually, the washing machine (household appliance) and the cleaning robot (device) can compare whether there is a scheduled cleaning task for the cleaning robot that is about to start. If this task is within the next 90 minutes, for example, the start of the washing machine is delayed.Only in good time before the cleaning robot begins its cleaning task does the washing machine start heating the water that can be fed to the cleaning robot.

[0023] In another advantageous embodiment, resource-independent service functions, program tasks, or cleaning tasks are started without a time delay. This ensures that the device can also perform cleaning tasks that are independent of the household appliance. For example, a cleaning robot (device) can start a vacuuming task without synchronization with a washing machine (household appliance), where no shared resources are interchangeable.

[0024] The invention further relates to a service system for carrying out a method as described. It is understood that, in addition to the method and the service system, a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a service system to execute the method according to the invention is also within the scope of this invention. A computer-readable medium on which such a computer program is stored is also within the scope of this invention.

[0025] Any features, configurations, embodiments and advantages relating to the method also apply in connection with the service system, computer program and computer-readable medium according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0026] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following embodiments, which are merely examples. They show: Figures 1A, 1B: each show a schematic view of an embodiment of a mobile, self-propelled device which is provided for the method according to the invention at a service station, Figure 2: a schematic view of an embodiment of a mobile, self-propelled device which is provided for the method according to the invention at a service station, Figure 3: a schematic view of an embodiment of a service system which is provided for the method according to the invention, and Figure 4: a flow chart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0027] In Figure 1A a mobile, self-propelled device, in particular a cleaning robot 10, is shown in plan view. Figure 1B shows the cleaning robot 10 of the Figure 1AView from below. The cleaning robot 10 comprises a suction inlet 1 into which a brush roller 2 is integrated. Furthermore, the cleaning robot 10 has a side brush 3 with side brush arms at a front lateral position of its housing. The side brush 3 is designed to transport dust and dirt, particularly on walls and corners, to the suction inlet 1 of the cleaning robot.

[0028] The cleaning robot 10 also has navigation sensors that can detect the surroundings of the cleaning robot 10. For example, the cleaning robot has a LIDAR sensor 4 on the housing of the cleaning robot 10. A controller of the cleaning robot 10 can, among other things, use the sensor data from the LIDAR sensor 4 to interpret which room or type of room the cleaning robot 10 is currently in. The cleaning robot 10 can infer the type of room from the furnishings and furniture.

[0029] In addition to its dry cleaning unit (brush roller, suction fan, dust box, side brush), the cleaning robot 10 has a wet cleaning module 5 (fresh water tank, pump, wiping pad, if necessary actuators for wiping pad movement).

[0030] In Figure 2 is the cleaning robot 10 of the Figure 1A shown in a simplified representation. In the cleaning robot, a controller 6 is responsible for evaluating the sensors, planning a cleaning mission, planning the routes to be traveled, and controlling the actuators. A drive 7 enables the robot to move in a targeted manner. A communication interface 8 allows the robot to exchange data with an app on the user's mobile device, with its service station, or with other household appliances.

[0031] As in Figure 3As shown, the cleaning robot 10 has a service station 11 with service functions (e.g., emptying the robot dust box by vacuuming, filling the robot water tank with water, cleaning the robot fresh mop pads by rinsing), which is integrated into or combined with a household appliance 12, thereby forming a service system 100. Service station 11 and household appliance 12 share common household water and power connections and can communicate with each other directly or, for example, via a smart home environment.

[0032] In this case, the program tasks of the household appliance 12 and the cleaning tasks of a cleaning robot 10 (appliance), whose service station 11 is integrated into the household appliance 12, are coordinated to enable the resources generated by the household appliance 12 to be used in the cleaning robot 10 or its service station 11, thereby enabling energy-efficient use of these resources. The service station 11 of the cleaning robot 10 and the household appliance 12 thus share resources.

[0033] An example of a shared resource could be the fresh water heated / warmed in the household appliance 12. This water can be passed on to the service station 11 of the cleaning robot 10 and / or the cleaning robot 10 itself if the timing is appropriate. If the cleaning robot 10 receives the heated water shortly before the start of a cleaning cycle, it can use it during its wet cleaning job to remove dirt more effectively. If the service station 11 receives the heated water shortly before or after the end of a cleaning cycle of the cleaning robot 10, it can use it to clean the mop pads of the cleaning robot 10, for example, to remove germs more hygienically.

[0034] This method enables the tasks of devices 10, 11, and 12 to be coordinated. For this purpose, the start of the program for one device can be delayed until the other is also running. For example, the cleaning robot 10 only starts a wet cleaning cycle once the household appliance 12 (washing machine or dishwasher) has also been started—if a task is foreseeable for it. When the cleaning robot 10 returns to its service station 11, the still warm water in the household appliance 12 can also be used to clean the mop pads of the cleaning robot 10. On the other hand, the start of a household appliance 12 (washing machine / dishwasher) can also be delayed if it is foreseeable that a cleaning task from the cleaning robot 10 is imminent (e.g., in the form of a scheduled task).

[0035] Preferably, the method also checks whether the waiting phase of one device is within a predetermined time period. If one device has to wait too long for the other device to start, the delay is bypassed and an immediate start is initiated.

[0036] Synchronization can be achieved in various scenarios, where only one of the devices (10, 12) or both devices have their own scheduled tasks. If scheduled tasks are planned for both devices (10, 12), the devices (10, 12) exchange information and immediately determine whether a delayed start of one device makes sense. Furthermore, the user is given preferential advice on whether adjustments to the start times would lead to improved interaction between the two devices (10, 12).

[0037] If scheduled tasks are only intended for one of the devices, a check is performed when the other device is started manually to determine whether a delayed start is appropriate. For example, if a washing machine (household appliance 12) is started manually, the washing machine and the cleaning robot 10 check whether there is a scheduled task for the cleaning robot 10 that is about to start. If this task is within the predetermined time period, e.g., within the next 90 minutes, the start of the washing machine is delayed. The washing machine only begins heating the water that is supplied to the cleaning robot 10 in good time before the cleaning task of the cleaning robot 10 begins.

[0038] If the cleaning robot 10 performs cleaning tasks that are not dependent on the household appliance 12, the cleaning robot 10 starts moving without synchronization with the household appliance 12, for example for a pure vacuuming task in which no shared resources are exchanged.

[0039] In Figure 4A flowchart for the method according to the invention is shown. In step 101, one of the devices 10, 12 (inquiring device) receives the command (manual or scheduled task) for a program start. This (inquiring) device 10, 12 then queries the other device 10, 12 (queried device) whether it also has a scheduled program start (step 102). The queried device 10, 12 replies as to whether and, if so, when a scheduled program start is pending (step 103). The inquiring device 10, 12 checks whether the scheduled program start is within a predetermined time period (step 104). If the answer is yes, the inquiring device 10, 12 delays its program start in order to begin at the same time as the scheduled program start of the requested device.

Claims

1. A method for performing a service function on a service system (100) comprising a household appliance (12) and a service station (11) integrated in or on the household appliance (12), wherein the service station (11) is provided to provide the service function for a cleaning task of a mobile, self-propelled appliance, and wherein the cleaning task or the service function and a program task of the household appliance (11) are coordinated with one another, comprising the following method steps: - receiving a start command for performing the cleaning task, for performing the service function or for performing the program task; - communicating between the appliance or the service station (11) and the household appliance (12) in order to use at least one generated resource of the household appliance (12) when performing the cleaning task or the service function;where - for the common benefit of the generated resource, if necessary, the execution of the cleaning task, the execution of the service function and / or the execution of the program task are delayed until another is executed; 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device or the service station (11) and the household appliance (12) communicate with each other directly or via a smart home environment.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the service station (11) and the household appliance (12) share common domestic water and electricity connections.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generated resource is made available by the service station (11) to the device for carrying out the cleaning task.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generated resource is heated fresh water of the household appliance (12), which is passed on via the service station (11) to the appliance for wet cleaning a floor or for cleaning components of the appliance.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the execution of the service function and / or the cleaning task to be carried out by the appliance is delayed if the program task to be carried out by the household appliance (12) is scheduled to take place within a predetermined time period.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the execution of the program task is delayed if the service function to be performed and / or the cleaning task to be performed by the device is scheduled for a predetermined period of time.

8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein no time delay occurs if the program task to be performed, the service function to be performed or the cleaning task to be performed lies outside the predetermined time period.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the program task, the service function and / or the cleaning task start substantially simultaneously due to the delay.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein resource-independent service functions, program tasks or cleaning tasks are started without time delay.

11. Service system (100) suitable for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

12. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed, cause a service system (100) to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10.

13. A computer-readable data carrier on which the computer program according to claim 12 is stored.

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