Robot cleaning management method and robot cleaning management device

Abstract

To provide a robot cleaning management method and a robot cleaning management device that can cause a robot to start cleaning after a cleaning target suspended in the air has fallen to the floor.SOLUTION: A robot cleaning management method includes a step of receiving a security notification signal notifying that the area has been set to security mode as a result of the last person leaving the area by a processor, and a step of causing the robot to start cleaning the area after a waiting time corresponding to the object to be cleaned has elapsed from the time the security notification signal has been received by the processor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning management method for a robot and a cleaning management device for a robot. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, systems have been known that cause a robot to start cleaning after there are no more people in an area of a building. For example, in the system described in Patent Document 1, when a main control device receives an input operation from the last person to leave, it monitors the output of a security sensor and an open / close sensor for a certain period of time, and if a notification signal and a detection signal are not output, it switches the operation mode to security mode and displays that fact on the operation panel. The last person to leave confirms that the switch to security mode has been completed by the display on the operation panel and leaves the office. When the operation mode is security mode, the autonomous robot vacuum cleaner starts up, dispatches from the charging station, and starts cleaning. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-205917 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, after the last person to leave the room, cleaning objects such as dust may still be floating in the air. If the robot starts cleaning immediately after the last person to leave the room, the cleaning objects will not fall to the floor and will not be removed.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a robot cleaning management method and a robot cleaning management device that can cause a robot to start cleaning after an object to be cleaned floating in the air has fallen to the floor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The robot cleaning management method disclosed herein includes a step in which a processor receives a security notification signal indicating that the area has been set to security mode due to the last person leaving the area, and a step in which the processor causes the robot to start cleaning the area after a waiting time corresponding to the object to be cleaned has elapsed from the time the security notification signal was received.

[0007] The robot cleaning management method disclosed herein includes the steps of: a processor receiving a security notification signal indicating that the area has been set to security mode due to the last person leaving the area; and a processor causing the robot to start cleaning the area at a time after the time the security notification signal is received and a predetermined cleaning time before the expected time the security mode is released the next day.

[0008] The cleaning management device for a robot disclosed herein includes a communication device and a processor that receives a security notification signal through the communication device, notifying the robot that the area has been set to security mode due to the last person leaving the area. After a waiting time corresponding to the object to be cleaned has elapsed since the time the security notification signal was received, the processor transmits a signal to the robot through the communication device to start cleaning the area.

[0009] The robot cleaning management device disclosed herein includes a communication device and a processor that receives a security notification signal through the communication device, notifying the robot that the area has been set to security mode when the last person to leave the area has left. The processor sends a signal to the robot through the communication device to start cleaning the area at a time after the time the security notification signal is received and a specified cleaning time before the expected time when security mode will be deactivated the next day. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to make the robot start cleaning after the object to be cleaned that is floating in the air has fallen to the floor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a robotic cleaning management device 1 that cooperates with a system within a building or apartment building. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an indoor condition DB (Database) 7. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a cleaning start condition table 5. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a floor map. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between dust and cleaning time for the floor. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cleaning start waiting time table. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for starting cleaning by the cleaning robot of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for starting cleaning by the cleaning robot of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for starting cleaning by the cleaning robot of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a robotic cleaning management device 1 that cooperates with a system within a building or apartment building.

[0014] An entrance / exit control system 12 or a home security system 14 is installed in the building or apartment building.

[0015] The entrance / exit control system 12 includes a lighting / air conditioning linked security set status DB 13. The home security system 14 includes an away mode status DB 15.

[0016] The robot cleaning management device 1 includes a communication device 3, a processor 4, and a memory 2.

[0017] The memory 2 stores a room condition DB 7, a cleaning start condition table 5, a cleaning start waiting time table 6, and a program.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the indoor state DB7.

[0019] The indoor status DB7 indicates the indoor status and the update time of the indoor status for each area of the building. The building area is represented by the building name, floor number, and room name. The indoor status indicates whether the security set is ON or OFF.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of cleaning start condition table 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a floor map.

[0021] The cleaning start condition table 5 indicates the cleaning start condition, the cleaning robot to perform cleaning, the current cleaning availability status, and the last time the cleaning availability status was changed for each area of the building. The area of the building is indicated by the building name, floor number, and name of the area to be cleaned.

[0022] For example, the cleaning start conditions for cleaning target area "201" are recorded as follows: area "201" is an exited area, cleaning robot A will perform the cleaning, it is currently set to be available for cleaning, and it was set to be available for cleaning at 6:25 on September 29th. The cleaning start conditions for cleaning target area "North Corridor" are recorded as follows: areas "202" and "203" are exited areas, cleaning robot D will perform the cleaning, it is currently set to be available for cleaning, and it was set to be available for cleaning at 19:56 on September 29th.

[0023] The cleaning start waiting time table 6 defines the cleaning start waiting time for the object to be cleaned.

[0024] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between dust and cleaning time on a floor. As shown in Fig. 5, the time it takes for dust to fall to the floor varies depending on the type of dust. Since the cleaning robot 11 cleans the floor, it is necessary to start cleaning after the time the dust falls to the floor.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cleaning start waiting time table.

[0026] A start waiting time is set for each cleaning object so that the cleaning robot 11 can start cleaning after the cleaning object falls to the floor. For example, if the cleaning object is house dust, the start waiting time is set to "3 minutes." After the cleaning robot 11 becomes ready to clean, it starts cleaning the "house dust" for "3 minutes."

[0027] The communication device 3 communicates with the entrance / exit control system 12, the home security system 14, and the cleaning robot 11.

[0028] The processor 4 executes a program stored in the memory 2. The processor 4 receives a security notification signal from the entrance / exit management system 12 or the home security system 14 via the communication device 3, notifying that the area has been set to security mode due to the last person leaving the area. The processor 4 causes the cleaning robot 11 to start cleaning the area after a waiting time corresponding to the object to be cleaned has elapsed since the time the security notification signal was received. The waiting time is the time it takes for the floating object to be cleaned to fall to the floor.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for starting cleaning by the cleaning robot according to the first embodiment.

[0030] In step S101, when the last person to leave the area in the building turns on the security set, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0031] In step S102, the entrance / exit control system 12 updates the lighting and air conditioning linked security set status DB 13 to indicate that the security set for the area in the building has been turned on (set to security mode).

[0032] In step S103, the entrance / exit management system 12 transmits a security notification signal to the cleaning management device 1 of the robot.

[0033] In step S104, the processor 4 of the robot cleaning management device 1 receives the security notification signal through the communication device 3.

[0034] In step S105, the processor 4 of the robot cleaning management device 1 updates the indoor state DB7 to indicate that the security set for the area in the building has been turned on. For example, when the security set for area "202" is turned on at 19:56:02 on September 29, such information is recorded in the indoor state DB7 of FIG. 2.

[0035] In step S106, the processor 4 of the robot's cleaning management device 1 updates the cleaning start condition table 5 to indicate that the cleaning status of the area has become available for cleaning. For example, in the cleaning start condition table 5 of Fig. 3, it is recorded that area "202" became available for cleaning at 19:56 on September 29th. Furthermore, it is recorded that area "North Corridor" became available for cleaning at 19:56 on September 29th because areas "202" and "203" have been exited.

[0036] In step S107, processor 4 of robot cleaning management device 1 selects an object to be cleaned. For example, a cleaning manager may select an object to be cleaned, or an object to be cleaned may be determined for each day of the week. For example, if the current day of the week is Tuesday and "bacteria" is determined as the object to be cleaned on Tuesday, "bacteria" is selected as the object to be cleaned.

[0037] In step S108, processor 4 of the robot's cleaning management device 1 refers to cleaning start wait time table 6 to identify the cleaning start wait time corresponding to the selected cleaning target object and set the cleaning start time. In the cleaning start wait time table of FIG. 6, the cleaning start wait time corresponding to "bacteria" is identified as "20 minutes." As a result, the cleaning start time for area "202" and area "north corridor" is set to September 29, 20:16, 20 minutes after September 29, 19:56.

[0038] In step S109, if the cleaning start time has arrived, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0039] In step S110, the processor 4 of the robot cleaning management device 1 transmits a cleaning start signal to the cleaning robot 11 via the communication device 3. For example, the cleaning start signal is transmitted to robot B, which is responsible for cleaning area "202," and robot D, which is responsible for cleaning area "north corridor."

[0040] In step S111, the cleaning robot 11 receives a cleaning start signal. For example, robot B and robot D receive the cleaning start signal.

[0041] In step S112, the cleaning robot 11 starts cleaning. For example, robot B and robot D start cleaning.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, the robot can be made to start cleaning after the object to be cleaned that is floating in the air has fallen to the floor.

[0043] Embodiment 2 Processor 4 receives a security notification signal from entrance / exit management system 12 or home security system 14 via communication device 3, notifying that the area has been set to security mode due to the last person leaving the area. Processor 4 causes cleaning robot 11 to start cleaning the area at a time that is after the time when the security notification signal is received and that is a predetermined cleaning time before the expected time when security mode will be released the next day.

[0044] 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for starting cleaning by the cleaning robot of embodiment 2. The procedure of embodiment 2 differs from the procedure of embodiment 1 in that step S207 is provided instead of steps S107 and S108.

[0045] In step S207, processor 4 of the robot's cleaning management device 1 sets the cleaning start time to a time that is a specified cleaning time before the predicted time the security set will be turned off (security mode deactivated) the next day. For example, the predicted time the security set will be turned off the next day can be set to the predicted value of the earliest arrival time of a person who will be working the next day. The predicted value of the earliest arrival time can be, for example, the average of the earliest arrival times over the past few months, or the earliest arrival time over the past few months. For example, if the specified cleaning time is three hours and the predicted time the security set will be turned off the next day is 6:42, the cleaning start time is set to 3:42, three hours before.

[0046] As described above, according to this embodiment, by delaying the cleaning start time of the cleaning robot 11 as much as possible, it is possible to increase the probability that the object to be cleaned floating in the air will have fallen to the floor at the time of cleaning start.

[0047] Embodiment 3 Processor 4 receives a security notification signal from entrance / exit management system 12 or home security system 14 via communication device 3, notifying that the area has been set to security mode due to the last person leaving the area. After a waiting time corresponding to the object to be cleaned has elapsed since the time when the security notification signal was received, processor 4 activates cleaning robot 11 and starts cleaning the area.

[0048] 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for starting cleaning by the cleaning robot of embodiment 3. The procedure of embodiment 3 differs from the procedure of embodiment 1 in that steps S310 to S313 are provided instead of steps S110 to S112.

[0049] In step S310, the processor 4 of the robotic cleaning management device 1 transmits an activation signal to the cleaning robot 11 through the communication device 3.

[0050] In step S311, the cleaning robot 11 receives an activation signal.

[0051] In step S312, the cleaning robot 11 starts up.

[0052] In step S313, the cleaning robot 11 starts cleaning.

[0053] In this embodiment, the cleaning robot 11 is started after the floating object to be cleaned has fallen to the floor, thereby preventing the floating object to be cleaned from being blown up again by the fan of the cleaning robot 11 or the like while the floating object to be cleaned has fallen to the floor.

[0054] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the following additional notes.

[0055] (Appendix 1) receiving, by a processor, an armed notification signal indicating that the area has been set to armed mode due to the last person leaving the area; A robot cleaning management method comprising: a step in which the processor causes the robot to start cleaning the area after a waiting time corresponding to the object to be cleaned has elapsed from the time the security notification signal is received.

[0056] (Appendix 2) 2. A robot cleaning management method according to claim 1, wherein the waiting time is the time it takes for the floating object to be cleaned to fall to the floor.

[0057] (Appendix 3) 2. A robot cleaning management method as described in Appendix 1, wherein the step of starting the cleaning includes a step in which the processor starts the robot after the waiting time has elapsed and then starts the cleaning.

[0058] (Appendix 4) receiving, by a processor, an armed notification signal indicating that the area has been set to armed mode due to the last person leaving the area; The cleaning management method for a robot includes a step in which the processor causes the robot to start cleaning the area at a time that is after the time when the security notification signal is received and that is a predetermined cleaning time before the predicted time when the security mode is released the next day.

[0059] (Appendix 5) a communication device; a processor that receives, via the communication device, a security notification signal that notifies that the area has been set to security mode due to the last person leaving the area; A robot cleaning management device in which the processor sends a signal to the robot via the communication device to start cleaning the area after a waiting time corresponding to the object to be cleaned has elapsed from the time the security notification signal is received.

[0060] (Appendix 6) a communication device; a processor that receives, via the communication device, a security notification signal that notifies that the area has been set to security mode due to the last person leaving the area; The processor transmits a signal to the robot via the communication device to start cleaning the area at a time after the time the security notification signal is received and a specified cleaning time before the expected time when security mode will be released the next day.

[0061] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 cleaning management device, 2 memory, 3 communication device, 4 processor, 5 cleaning start condition table, 6 cleaning start waiting time table, 7 indoor state DB, 11 cleaning robot, 12 entrance / exit management system, 13 lighting / air conditioning linked security set state DB, 14 home security system, 15 away mode state DB.

Claims

1. receiving, by a processor, an armed notification signal indicating that the area has been set to armed mode due to the last person leaving the area; The processor selects an object to be cleaned; a step in which the processor moves the robot after a waiting time corresponding to the selected object to be cleaned has elapsed since the time the security notification signal was received, and then causes the robot to start cleaning the area; A cleaning management method for a robot, wherein the waiting time is the time it takes for the floating object to be cleaned to fall to the floor.

2. A robot cleaning management method as described in claim 1, wherein the processor selects the object to be cleaned based on the selection of the cleaning manager.

3. A robot cleaning management method as described in claim 1, wherein the processor selects the object to be cleaned based on the day of the week.

4. A cleaning management method for a robot as described in claim 1, wherein the selectable cleaning objects include bacteria.

5. a communication device; a processor that receives, via the communication device, a security notification signal that notifies that the area has been set to security mode due to the last person leaving the area; The processor selects an object to be cleaned; the processor, after a waiting time corresponding to the selected object to be cleaned has elapsed since the time the security notification signal was received, transmits a signal to the robot via the communication device to start cleaning the area; A robot cleaning management device, wherein the waiting time is the time it takes for the floating cleaning object to fall to the floor.

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