Method for operating a mobile self-propelled device

Abstract

A method for operating a mobile, self-propelled device (10), in particular a robotic lawnmower or a floor cleaning device, such as a vacuuming, sweeping and / or mopping robot, is described, in which the device (10) can be operated in a first communication mode, a second communication mode and 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 (10) is at least temporarily offline and at least temporarily online.

Description

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

[0002] Mobile, self-driving devices such as robot vacuum cleaners are designed to autonomously remove dust from the floor, ideally 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 use a communication unit to establish a connection to an available wireless (local) network (WLAN, WiFi). Error messages or other malfunctions can be communicated to the user via this connection. User commands and cleaning tasks can thus be transmitted to the robot. User input is preferably performed on a mobile device, such as a cell phone or smartphone.

[0003] Such robots can typically be operated in two different communication modes. In the first mode, the network module is permanently deactivated. This advantageously results in low standby power consumption for the robot. However, the disadvantage is that the user cannot operate 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 established, allowing the system to respond to user commands as quickly as possible at any time. However, this has a negative impact on the robot's power consumption. The user can choose between the first and second mode.

[0004] Robots are often permanently connected to the internet to wait for user commands. However, the robot usually completes defined tasks without requiring any user intervention. Users often have the second mode activated to receive notifications from the robot, such as: the robot is stuck, the battery is empty, the dust container is full, and the like.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an improved 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 wiping robot, which is characterized by reduced power consumption while simultaneously ensuring information transmission.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method for operating a mobile, self-propelled device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[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, a second communication mode, and 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, a defined and controlled control of the device's network connection takes place. This can advantageously reduce the device's power consumption, especially in standby mode. Mixed operation or controlled and / or automated operation of the network connection is provided. An optimal combination of power consumption and functionality is advantageously possible. 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 sent continuously; depending on the mode, they are sent outside the defined time as error messages (these can be sent at any time) or continuously during the defined time via the wireless network (WLAN, WiFi).If an error message is sent outside of the defined time, the device briefly connects to the network, sends the message, and then disconnects. Lower energy consumption not only saves power but also reduces battery cycles, thus increasing the overall battery life of the device.

[0009] A mobile, self-propelled device is understood in particular to be a floor cleaning device that can autonomously clean floor surfaces, for example in a household. This includes, among others, vacuuming and / or 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 work without or with as little user intervention as possible. For example, the device moves automatically into a specified area to clean the floor according to a predetermined and programmed process strategy. Robotic lawnmowers, which are intended to mow the lawn in the garden, are also understood to be mobile, self-propelled devices within the meaning of the invention.

[0010] In order to take any specific environmental characteristics into account, an exploratory drive with the mobile, self-propelled device is preferably carried out. An exploratory drive is understood to be a reconnaissance drive suitable for checking the area of ​​land to be worked for obstacles, spatial layout, and similar features. The goal of an exploratory drive is, in particular, to be able to assess and / or represent the conditions of the soil cultivation area to be worked.

[0011] After the exploratory drive, the mobile, self-driving device is familiar with its surroundings and can communicate this information to the user in the form of a map, for example, in an app (e.g., a cleaning app) on a mobile device. The map can provide the user with the opportunity to interact with the mobile, self-driving device. The user can advantageously view information in the map and change and / or adapt it as needed.

[0012] An environmental map is understood to mean any map suitable for depicting the surroundings of the tillage area, including all its obstacles and objects. For example, the environmental map shows a sketch of the tillage area, including the furniture, carpets, and walls within it.

[0013] The environmental map with the obstacles is preferably displayed in the app on a portable additional device. This serves, in particular, to visualize a possible interaction for the user. In this context, an additional device is understood to mean any device that is portable by a user, that is located outside the mobile, self-driving device, in particular, that is external and / or separate from the mobile, self-driving device, and that is suitable for displaying, providing, transmitting, and / or transmitting data, such as a cell phone, a smartphone, a tablet, and / or a computer or laptop.

[0014] The app, in particular the cleaning app, is installed on the portable attachment. This app serves to communicate between the mobile, self-propelled device and the attachment and, in particular, enables visualization of the floor-treatment area, in particular the living space or apartment or living area to be cleaned, for example, the interior. The app preferably shows the user the area to be cleaned as a map of the surrounding area.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, a user can choose between communication modes. This gives the user 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 temporarily connect, 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 after the first time interval the device connects online to a network. Preferably, after the first time interval, the device connects online for a second time interval and, after the second time interval, disconnects from the network offline again for the first time interval. For example, the device connects every hour for the first time interval and then goes offline for the second time interval, in order to go 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, can be set in the cleaning app.

[0017] In addition to the time intervals, the user can also select different performance classes for the device in the cleaning app. For example, the following options are available: hourly (0.6 Wh / day) bi-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 in the third communication mode is online at the beginning and / or end of a cleaning job, and offline during the cleaning process. In this case, the device is 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 in the first communication mode and / or in the third communication mode switches to the second communication mode when an error message occurs or at least temporarily connects online to a network. If an error occurs during the cleaning process, the device can automatically connect briefly to the network in order 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, it is then possible for the device to remain connected to the network, for example for further diagnostics with the camera and remote control mode to manually free the device from a situation, or for the device to disconnect from the network again after the error message has been sent. This can advantageously extend the device's standby time in the event of an error.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device in the first communication mode and / or in the third communication mode switches to the second communication mode upon a user command or at least temporarily connects online to a network. If, for example, the user is at home and has an urgent request for the device that cannot wait, because they have spilled something that needs to be vacuumed up promptly, the user has the option of establishing a network connection directly by pressing a button on the device in order to be able to retrieve new user commands. In the third communication mode, the planned second time intervals in which the device automatically goes online are retained. The user command therefore adds another, previously unplanned online mode between the offline modes.

[0021] It is understood that, in addition to the method, a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a mobile, self-driving device, cause the device to carry out 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.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following embodiments, which are merely examples. They show: Figures 1A, 1B, 1C: each show 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 1Cshow an operating method of a mobile, self-propelled device 10, in particular a vacuum robot, in which the vacuum robot is operated in different communication modes during its cleaning task. A user has the option of choosing between the individual communication modes during the operation of the vacuum robot and in particular during its upcoming cleaning task.

[0024] Figure 1Ashows the robot vacuum cleaner in operation in a second communication mode, which is specifically an online mode. In this second communication mode, the robot vacuum cleaner has a permanent network connection or internet connection, for example a connection 1a to a router 2 of a home network. In this communication mode, the robot vacuum cleaner therefore has a continuous connection to the network via router 2, even while it is cleaning and while carrying out its cleaning task, in order to be able to respond to user commands as quickly as possible at any time. The robot vacuum cleaner is therefore constantly on call due to its permanent connection 1a. The user can send the user commands, for example, via their smartphone 3 to router 2 of the home network via a connection 1b, which then simultaneously forwards these user commands to the robot vacuum cleaner via the permanent connection 1a.

[0025] Figure 1Bshows the vacuum robot operating in a first communication mode, which is in particular an offline mode. In this first communication mode, the network module is permanently deactivated. In this communication mode, the vacuum robot therefore has no network connection or Internet connection to a router 2 of a home network. Preferably, during its cleaning task, the vacuum robot is never connected to the network (i.e., at any time interval). The permanent connection 1a of the Figure 1Adoes not exist in this first communication mode. The robot vacuum cleaner can therefore never be controlled 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 or retrieve information or the status of the robot vacuum cleaner via their smartphone 3, which, for example, remains connected to the router 2 of the home network 1b.

[0026] Figure 1Cshows the robot vacuum cleaner in operation in a third communication mode, which is specifically a hybrid between online mode and offline mode. Hybrid mode therefore involves hybrid operation or controlled, automated operation. This allows the user to tailor the vacuum cleaner behavior to their needs, providing the user with an optimal combination of power consumption and functionality. The user's smartphone 3 is usually connected to the home network's router 2 via a connection 1b. The robot vacuum cleaner, on the other hand, is only connected to the home network's router 2 via one or more short connections 1c. Afterward, or in between, the connection 1c is disconnected, and the robot vacuum cleaner's network module is switched off. A short connection setup is sufficient to forward notifications from the robot vacuum cleaner and / or the user.These messages are not sent continuously, but only at the designated second time interval. Such messages could indicate, for example, that the robot vacuum is stuck, that the battery is empty, that the dust container is full, or that the cleaning job is canceled or changed.

[0027] In mixed mode, for example, the robot vacuum connects to the home network only briefly every hour to synchronize new tasks or messages from the backend. The connection establishment time interval can preferably be changed by the user at any time, for example, via their smartphone. Different performance classes can also be advantageously added here. For example, the connection establishment time interval (second time interval) extends to the beginning and end of the scheduled cleaning process, with no network connection in between (first time interval). The robot vacuum is therefore only online at the beginning and end of its cleaning task and offline in between while it is executing its cleaning task.

[0028] If an error occurs with the robot vacuum during a cleaning job in offline mode, the robot vacuum 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 remains online or disconnects connection 1c after the error message is sent, thereby extending the robot vacuum's standby time.

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

[0030] Figure 2shows a flowchart of the individual communication modes of the robot vacuum's operating procedure. When selecting the cleaning task on the user's 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 if an error message occurs (step 201) or the user presses a button on the robot vacuum cleaner (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), if an error message occurs (step 201) or the user presses a button on the robot vacuum cleaner (step 202), the robot vacuum cleaner can switch to online mode (step 301). After data transmission, the robot vacuum cleaner can go offline again (step 401) to complete its cleaning task (step 700), or the robot vacuum cleaner can remain online until the end of the cleaning task (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 task is completed (step 700). This allows the robot vacuum cleaner 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 mixed mode between online mode and offline mode. For example, at the beginning of its cleaning job, the robot vacuum goes online in a second time interval (step 203) to receive user commands. After the second time interval, the robot vacuum goes offline for a first time interval (step 303). After the first time interval, the second time interval in which the robot vacuum goes online follows (step 601), which is preferably at the end of the cleaning job in order to end the cleaning job (step 700). If an error message from the robot vacuum occurs during the first time interval (step 402) or the user presses a button on the robot vacuum (step 403), the robot vacuum goes online unscheduled before the end of the first time interval (step 501).This online mode can then remain 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 lawnmower or a floor cleaning device, such as a vacuuming, sweeping and / or wiping robot, 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, and - the third communication mode is a mixed mode in which the device (10) is at least temporarily offline and at least temporarily online.

2. The method of 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 a first time interval is selectable in which the device (10) is offline, and wherein the device (10) connects online to a network after the first time interval.

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

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 at an end of a cleaning job, and is offline during the cleaning process.

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 upon a user command or at least temporarily connects online to a network.

8. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a mobile, self-propelled device (10), cause the device (10) to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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