Electronic device for allocating charging tasks to moving objects, and operating method thereof

Abstract

An electronic device for allocating charging tasks to moving objects, and an operating method thereof are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the operating method of the electronic device comprises the steps of: monitoring battery states of a plurality of moving objects; on the basis of a charging policy for the plurality of moving objects, determining, from among the plurality of moving objects, a target moving object requiring to be controlled; and transmitting, to the target moving object, a control command according to the charging policy, wherein the charging policy can include a plurality of threshold values related to the battery states for determining the target moving object from among the plurality of moving objects and a predetermined condition for the plurality of threshold values.

Description

Electronic device for assigning charging tasks to mobile bodies and method of operating the same

[0001] An electronic device for assigning charging tasks to mobile bodies and a method of operating the same are disclosed.

[0002] Unmanned transport vehicles, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), are being used in a variety of industries. Examples include overhead hoist transport (OHTs) used within semiconductor wafer manufacturing facilities (fabs) and robots used to automate product transport in warehouses.

[0003] Unmanned transport vehicles (UAVs) can operate on batteries. If an UAV stops during a task due to battery drain, the entire operation can be significantly impacted. Therefore, a charging strategy may be needed to efficiently recharge the batteries of UAVs without disrupting the operation.

[0004] The background technology described above is possessed or acquired during the process of deriving the present disclosure, and cannot necessarily be said to be a publicly known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the present disclosure.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an electronic device and method for controlling mobile devices using a charging policy based on a plurality of thresholds related to a battery state.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an electronic device and method for controlling mobile devices using a charging policy based on workload.

[0007] According to one embodiment, an operating method of an electronic device includes a step of monitoring battery states of a plurality of mobiles, a step of determining a target mobile to be controlled among the plurality of mobiles based on a charging policy for the plurality of mobiles, and a step of transmitting a control command according to the charging policy to the target mobile, wherein the charging policy may include a plurality of threshold values ​​related to the battery states for determining the target mobile among the plurality of mobiles and a predetermined condition for the plurality of threshold values.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the plurality of threshold values ​​may include one or more threshold values ​​for selecting a target mobile device that needs to be charged among mobile devices performing a task, and one or more threshold values ​​for selecting a target mobile device that will stop charging and perform a task among mobile devices that are charging.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the plurality of threshold values ​​may include a threshold value for determining whether to stop charging based on whether a first predetermined condition is satisfied and a threshold value for determining whether to start charging based on whether a second predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the target mobile body may determine one of the plurality of mobile bodies, the battery status of which is lower than or equal to a first threshold value, as the first target mobile body, and the step of transmitting the control command may assign a charging task to the first target mobile body with the highest priority.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the method further includes a step of determining, as a second target mobile device, one of the mobile devices being charged at the charging station, the battery status of which is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, if a predetermined condition for the first threshold value is satisfied, and the step of transmitting the control command may further include a step of transmitting a charging stop command to the second target mobile device.

[0012] In one embodiment, the predetermined condition for the first threshold value may be whether all of the charging stations are in use and whether any one of the mobile devices being charged at the charging station has a value greater than or equal to the second threshold value.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the target mobile object may include determining one of the plurality of mobile objects whose battery status is lower than or equal to a first threshold value as the first target mobile object, and the step of transmitting the control command may include transmitting a standby command to the first target mobile object if a predetermined condition for the first threshold value is not satisfied.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the target mobile device may include, if there is one mobile device being charged at a charging station whose battery status is equal to or greater than a second threshold value and a predetermined condition for the second threshold value is satisfied, determining one of the mobile devices whose battery status is equal to or greater than the second threshold value as the target mobile device, and the step of transmitting the control command may transmit a charging stop command to the target mobile device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the predetermined condition for the second threshold may be whether all of the charging stations are in use and whether any one of the plurality of mobiles is less than or equal to the first threshold.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the target mobile device may include determining one of the mobile devices having a battery status equal to or greater than a third threshold value as the target mobile device if there is one among the mobile devices being charged at the charging station whose battery status equal to or greater than a third threshold value and a predetermined condition for the third threshold value is satisfied, and the step of transmitting the control command may transmit a charging stop command to the target mobile device and assign a new task to the target mobile device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the predetermined condition for the third threshold may be that the new task has been created and there is no idle mobile to which the new task can be assigned.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the method may further include controlling the plurality of threshold values ​​based on a user request related to charging or operation of the plurality of mobile devices and / or characteristics of the plurality of mobile devices.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the operation of controlling the plurality of threshold values ​​may set at least two of the plurality of threshold values ​​to be identical based on the user request and / or characteristics of the plurality of mobile objects.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the method may further include controlling the plurality of threshold values ​​based on user input entered through a user interface.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic device may include calculating an average number of tasks generated per hour and a number of tasks that a plurality of mobiles can process per hour, determining a number of mobiles to which a task is to be assigned based on the average number of tasks generated per hour and the number of tasks that the plurality of mobiles can process per hour, determining one or more target mobiles to which a charging task is to be assigned based on the number of mobiles to which the task is to be assigned, and allocating the charging task to the one or more target mobiles.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the number of mobiles to which the task is to be assigned may determine the number of mobiles to which the task is to be assigned such that the number of tasks that the mobiles to which the task is to be assigned can process per hour is equal to or greater than the average number of tasks generated per hour.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the step of assigning the charging task to the one or more target mobiles may, when the number of the one or more target mobiles is greater than the number of charging stations, assign the charging task preferentially to the target mobile with the lowest battery status among the one or more target mobiles.

[0024] According to one embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium can store one or more computer programs including instructions for executing any one of the methods described above.

[0025] According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a processor that controls a plurality of mobiles, wherein the processor monitors battery states of the plurality of mobiles, determines a target mobile to be controlled among the plurality of mobiles based on a charging policy for the plurality of mobiles, and transmits a control command according to the charging policy to the target mobile, wherein the charging policy may include a plurality of threshold values ​​related to the battery states for determining the target mobile among the plurality of mobiles and a predetermined condition for the plurality of threshold values.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the plurality of threshold values ​​may include one or more threshold values ​​for selecting a target mobile device that needs to be charged among mobile devices performing a task, and one or more threshold values ​​for selecting a target mobile device that will stop charging and perform a task among mobile devices that are charging.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an advanced charging strategy can be provided by controlling mobile devices using a charging policy based on a plurality of threshold values ​​related to battery status.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an advanced charging strategy can be provided by controlling mobile devices using a charging policy based on workload.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining an automation system using mobile bodies according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figures 2 and 3 are drawings for explaining a conventional charging policy.

[0031] FIGS. 4 to 10 are drawings for explaining a charging policy according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining a user interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a charging policy according to the number of tasks according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. The same reference numerals in each drawing represent the same components.

[0037] The embodiments described below may be modified in various ways. The embodiments described below are not intended to be limiting in their specific form, and should be understood to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives thereof.

[0038] While terms like "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, these terms should be understood only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a "first" component may be referred to as a "second" component, and similarly, a "second" component may also be referred to as a "first" component.

[0039] The terms used in the examples are used only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, each of the phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" and the like specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0041] In addition, when describing with reference to the attached drawings, identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. When describing embodiments, if a detailed description of a related known technology is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiment, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0043]

[0044] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining an automation system using mobile bodies according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, an automated system (100) that processes work using a plurality of moving bodies (131, 133, 135) is illustrated.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device (110) may include a processor (111), a memory (113), and a display (115). Only components related to the present embodiments are illustrated in the electronic device (110) illustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the electronic device (110) may further include other general components in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0047] The processor (111) may perform an overall function for controlling the electronic device (110). The processor (111) may control the electronic device (110) overall by executing programs and / or instructions stored in the memory (113). The processor (111) may be implemented as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application processor (AP), etc., provided in the electronic device (110), but is not limited thereto.

[0048] The memory (113) may be hardware that stores data processed and data to be processed within the electronic device (110). In addition, the memory (113) may store applications, drivers, etc. to be driven by the electronic device (110). The memory (113) may include volatile memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and / or nonvolatile memory.

[0049] The display (115) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (110). For example, the display (115) can display a screen capable of monitoring a plurality of moving objects (131, 133, 135). For example, the display (115) can display a screen capable of monitoring a plurality of moving objects (131, 133, 135) in an environment where the workspace is implemented in two dimensions (2D) or three dimensions (3D). For example, the display (115) can display a user interface for controlling the plurality of moving objects (131, 133, 135).

[0050] The electronic device (110) may be configured using a server or the like, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Furthermore, depending on the operating environment, the electronic device (110) may not be implemented as a separate device but may be configured in combination with one or more mobile devices.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of mobile devices (131, 133, 135) and an electronic device (110) can communicate via a network (120). The plurality of mobile devices (131, 133, 135) and the electronic device (110) can transmit and receive various data and / or commands via the network (120). For example, the electronic device (110) can receive battery status from the plurality of mobile devices (131, 133, 135). For example, the electronic device (110) can transmit a control command to the plurality of mobile devices (131, 133, 135). The network (120) can include a wired network and a wireless network. For example, the network (120) may include various communication networks such as a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), Bluetooth, and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi). However, the above-described network (120) is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic workspace (160) is illustrated in which a plurality of moving objects (131, 133, 135) perform a plurality of tasks (141, 145, 147). The workspace (160) may include a plurality of moving objects (131, 133, 135), a plurality of tasks (141, 145, 147), and a plurality of charging stations (170, 180). The workspace (160) may include a plurality of intersections (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159).

[0053] The plurality of mobile objects (131, 133, 135) may be automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). While the present disclosure describes the mobile objects as being automated guided vehicles or autonomous mobile robots that perform the task of transporting objects, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the mobile objects may be robots or autonomous vehicles that perform specific tasks.

[0054] The plurality of tasks (141, 145, 147) may have various meanings, such as objects requiring transport work or locations where specific tasks are performed. The plurality of tasks (141, 145, 147) may be assigned to a plurality of moving objects (131, 133, 135). For example, the task (141) may be assigned to the moving object (131). The plurality of moving objects (131, 133, 135) may be assigned the plurality of tasks (141, 145, 147) through various methods (i.e., various task assignment policies).

[0055] Multiple intersections (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159) may indicate points where the path of the moving object splits or merges into at least two.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, the paths in the workspace (160) are shown as unidirectional paths, but this is merely an example and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that they may also be bidirectional paths. The paths may be guide rails along which multiple moving objects (131, 133, 135) may move, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the paths may refer to spaces (e.g., roads, corridors, etc.) without separate rails installed along which multiple moving objects (131, 133, 135) may freely pass.

[0057] A plurality of mobile objects (131, 133, 135) can move by using batteries. In order to maintain a state in which the plurality of mobile objects (131, 133, 135) can perform a task, a plurality of charging stations (170, 180) may need to be placed on one side of the work space (160). When the plurality of mobile objects (131, 133, 135) are assigned a charging task, they can visit the plurality of charging stations (170, 180) to charge their batteries. The assignment of the charging task to the plurality of mobile objects (131, 133, 135) can be performed by the electronic device (110) via the network (120). The electronic device (110) can utilize a charging policy to assign the charging task while minimizing the impact on the task.

[0058] Below, we will explain the conventional charging policy.

[0059]

[0060] Figures 2 and 3 are drawings for explaining a conventional charging policy (200).

[0061] Referring to FIG. 2, a charging policy (200) for controlling a mobile device based on its battery status is illustrated. The conventional charging policy (200) could assign a charging task when the battery status of the mobile device is below a threshold value, and could stop charging when the battery status of the mobile device is below the threshold value.

[0062] For example, the electronic device could monitor the battery status of multiple mobile devices and assign a charging command to a mobile device having a battery status below a charging start threshold (220). The electronic device could stop charging and assign another task if the battery status of the mobile device being charged is above a charging completion threshold (210).

[0063] Below, Fig. 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 2.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of workspaces (300, 310) managed according to a conventional charging policy (200) are illustrated. For convenience of explanation, the plurality of moving bodies (311, 313, 315) will be assumed to move along a guide rail. Furthermore, although the electronic devices controlling the plurality of moving bodies (311, 313, 315) are not illustrated, it should be understood that overall control of the plurality of moving bodies (311, 313, 315) is performed by the electronic devices.

[0065] Referring to the work space (300), a plurality of mobile bodies (311, 313, 315) may be arranged. The battery status of the plurality of mobile bodies (311, 313, 31) arranged in the work space (300) may exceed a charging start threshold value (220). The plurality of mobile bodies (311, 313, 315) may be assigned tasks. For example, the mobile body (313) may be assigned a task (320). The mobile bodies (311) and (315) may be in an idle state without being assigned a task. In other words, the mobile bodies (311) and (315) may be idle mobile bodies. The mobile bodies (311) and (315) may be in a waiting state until a task is assigned to them in order to reduce battery consumption.

[0066] The battery status of multiple mobile bodies (311, 313, 315) may decrease as a task is performed. For example, the battery status of the mobile bodies (313) and (315) may decrease below a charging start threshold value (220). The electronic device may assign a charging task to the mobile bodies (313) and (315) whose battery status has decreased below the charging start threshold value (220). The mobile bodies (313) and (315) assigned with the charging task may move to a charging station (330) and a charging station (340), respectively. The mobile bodies (313) and (315) being charged may not be assigned any task other than charging until the battery status becomes equal to or higher than a charging completion threshold value (210).

[0067] While the mobile unit (313) and the mobile unit (315) are charging, multiple tasks (351, 353, 355) may be generated. Since only the mobile unit (311) can be assigned tasks, the mobile unit (311) may have to process all of the multiple tasks (351, 353, 355). Consequently, if only the mobile unit (311) processes all tasks, the task time may increase, reducing task efficiency. In other words, system performance may decrease.

[0068] Therefore, even for vehicles currently charging, advanced charging policies may be needed, such as suspending charging and assigning tasks when certain conditions are met. Below, we will explain these advanced charging policies.

[0069]

[0070] FIGS. 4 to 10 are drawings for explaining a charging policy according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 4, a charging policy (400) is illustrated that allocates charging tasks based on the battery status of a mobile device. The battery status may include at least one or more indicators indicating the status of the battery, such as the state of charge (SoC), the state of health (SoH), and the dead of discharge (DoD).

[0072] An electronic device can monitor the battery status of multiple mobile devices. The electronic device can determine a target mobile device requiring control among the multiple mobile devices based on a charging policy (400). The target mobile devices requiring control may include a mobile device requiring charging and / or a mobile device whose charging is to be stopped. The electronic device can transmit a control command to the target mobile device based on the charging policy. The control command may include a task assignment command and a charging stop command.

[0073] The charging policy (400) may include a plurality of threshold values ​​and predetermined conditions for the plurality of threshold values. The charging policy (400) may include threshold values ​​A (410), B (420), C (430), D (440), and E (450). The values ​​of the threshold values ​​are not fixed to a single value and may be controllable. For example, the values ​​of the threshold values ​​may be controlled based on a user request and / or the characteristics of the plurality of mobile devices. For example, the values ​​of the threshold values ​​may be controlled based on user input entered through a user interface. The control of the threshold values ​​will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

[0074] As described below, a plurality of threshold values ​​of a charging policy can be used to select a vehicle that requires charging or a vehicle that will stop charging. Accordingly, the plurality of threshold values ​​can include one or more threshold values ​​for selecting a target vehicle that requires charging from among vehicles performing a task, and one or more threshold values ​​for selecting a target vehicle that will stop charging and perform a task from among vehicles that are charging. In addition, the plurality of threshold values ​​can be used to determine whether to start or stop charging based on predetermined conditions. Accordingly, the plurality of threshold values ​​can include a threshold value for determining whether to stop charging based on whether a first predetermined condition is satisfied, and a threshold value for determining whether to start charging based on whether a second predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0075] Below, we will explain the meaning of each threshold and the predetermined conditions for each threshold.

[0076] The electronic device may assign a charging task as a top priority to a mobile device having a battery status lower than or equal to a threshold value A (410). A mobile device having a battery status lower than or equal to the threshold value A (410) may be a mobile device that is about to discharge and urgently needs to be charged. The electronic device may not assign any task other than the charging task to a mobile device having a battery status lower than or equal to the threshold value A (410). In other words, the electronic device may determine a mobile device having a battery status lower than or equal to the threshold value A (410) as the first target mobile device requiring the charging task.

[0077] Additionally, the electronic device can further determine whether a mobile body having a battery state lower than or equal to a threshold value A (410) exists and satisfies a predetermined condition for the threshold value A (410), and perform the following operations.

[0078] A predetermined condition for threshold A (410) may be whether all charging stations are in use and whether there is a mobile device among the mobile devices being charged at the charging station that has a battery state higher than threshold C (430).

[0079] If none of the charging stages are in use, the first target vehicle can move to an empty charging stage and begin charging.

[0080] The electronic device may determine one of the mobiles satisfying the predetermined condition (i.e., mobiles being charged at the charging station and having a battery state greater than or equal to the threshold C (430)) as the second target mobile, when all charging stations are in use and there is a mobile among the mobiles being charged at the charging station (i.e., a predetermined condition for the threshold A (410) is satisfied). The electronic device may determine the mobile among the mobiles being charged at the charging station having the most charged battery as the second target mobile. The electronic device may transmit a charging stop command to the second target mobile. The second target mobile that receives the charging stop command may leave the charging station and be assigned another task. The first target mobile may move to the charging station where the second target mobile was being charged and begin charging.

[0081] The electronic device may transmit a standby command to the first target mobile device if there is no mobile device having a battery status equal to or higher than a threshold value C (430) among the mobile devices being charged at the charging station (i.e., the predetermined condition for the threshold value A (410) is not satisfied), even if all charging stations are in use. The electronic device may not assign a separate task other than the charging task to the first target mobile device. While the first target mobile device is waiting, the electronic device may encounter a mobile device having a battery status equal to or higher than the threshold value C (430) among the mobile devices being charged at the charging station. In this case, the electronic device operates in the same manner as when the predetermined condition for the above-described threshold value A (410) is satisfied, and thus, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] An electronic device may assign a charging task to a mobile device having a battery state lower than or equal to a threshold value B (420). The electronic device may determine that a mobile device having a battery state lower than or equal to the threshold value B (420) may not have a sufficient battery state but may not need to be charged immediately. However, the electronic device may not always assign a charging task to a mobile device having a battery state lower than or equal to the threshold value B (420). The electronic device may assign a charging task based on whether a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the threshold value B (420). For example, even if a mobile device having a battery state lower than or equal to the threshold value B (420) exists, the electronic device may not assign a charging task to the mobile device if all charging stations are in use. For example, even if a mobile device having a battery state lower than or equal to the threshold value B (420) exists, the electronic device may not assign a charging task if there are tasks remaining assigned to the mobile device.

[0083] The electronic device may determine one of the charging mobiles as a target mobile if, among the charging mobiles, there is one whose battery status is equal to or greater than a threshold value C (430) and a predetermined condition for the threshold value C (430) is satisfied. Among the charging mobiles, the mobile whose battery status is equal to or greater than the threshold value C (430) may be a mobile that is not fully charged but is charged enough to perform the work of a mobile that urgently needs to be charged. The predetermined condition for the threshold value C (430) may be whether all charging stations are in use and there is one of the plurality of mobiles whose battery status is equal to or less than a threshold value A (410).

[0084] If a predetermined condition for a threshold value C (430) is satisfied, the electronic device may determine one of the mobile devices being charged, whose battery status is equal to or greater than the threshold value C (430), as the target mobile device. The electronic device may determine the mobile device having the most fully charged battery among the mobile devices being charged as the target mobile device. The electronic device may transmit a charging stop command to the target mobile device.

[0085] The electronic device may determine, as a target mobile device, any one of the mobile devices having a battery status equal to or greater than the threshold value D (440) among the mobile devices being charged, if any one of the mobile devices having a battery status equal to or greater than the threshold value D (440) exists and satisfies a predetermined condition for the threshold value D (440). Among the mobile devices being charged, the mobile device having a battery status equal to or greater than the threshold value D (440) may be a mobile device that is charged enough to be able to operate for a long period of time even if it performs a task immediately. The predetermined condition for the threshold value D (440) may be that a new task is created and there is no idle mobile device to which the new task can be assigned.

[0086] If a predetermined condition for threshold D (440) is satisfied, the electronic device may determine one of the mobile devices being charged, whose battery status is equal to or greater than the threshold D (440), as a target mobile device. The electronic device may transmit a charging stop command to the target mobile device. The electronic device may assign a new task to the target mobile device.

[0087] The electronic device may transmit a charging stop command to a mobile device among the mobile devices being charged, the battery status of which has reached a threshold value E (450). A mobile device that has reached the threshold value E (450) may be in a substantially fully charged state.

[0088] Below, we will briefly explain the predetermined conditions for threshold A (410), threshold B (420), and threshold D (440) using the workspace.

[0089]

[0090] Referring to FIG. 5, a workspace (500) is illustrated in which a plurality of mobile bodies (511, 513, 515) and a plurality of charging stations (521, 523) are arranged. For convenience of explanation, electronic devices are not illustrated, but the plurality of mobile bodies (511, 513, 515) can operate according to control commands received from the electronic devices.

[0091] The electronic device can monitor the battery status of multiple mobile devices (511, 513, 515). The electronic device can control charging of the multiple mobile devices according to the charging policy (400) described above in FIG. 4.

[0092] The mobile body (513) and the mobile body (515) may be charging at the charging station (521) and the charging station (523), respectively. The battery state of the mobile body (511) may be below the threshold value A. The battery state of the mobile body (513) may be above the threshold value C. The battery state of the mobile body (515) may be below the threshold value C.

[0093] The electronic device can determine the mobile device (511) among multiple mobile devices (511, 513, 515) as the first target mobile device. The electronic device can assign a charging task to the mobile device (511) with the highest priority.

[0094] The electronic device can determine whether a predetermined condition for threshold A is satisfied. In other words, the electronic device can determine whether all of the plurality of charging stations (521, 523) are in use and whether any of the mobile devices being charged at the charging station has a battery condition greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0095] The electronic device may determine the mobile body (513) as the second target mobile body if a predetermined condition for threshold A is satisfied. The electronic device may transmit a charging stop command to the mobile body (513).

[0096] The mobile body (513) may receive a charging stop command and exit the charging station (521) to be assigned another task. The mobile body (511) may move to the charging station (521) and begin charging.

[0097]

[0098] Referring to FIG. 6, a workspace (600) is illustrated in which a plurality of moving objects (611, 613, 615) and a plurality of charging stations (621, 623) are arranged. For convenience of explanation, electronic devices are not illustrated, but the plurality of moving objects (611, 613, 615) can operate according to control commands received from the electronic devices.

[0099] The electronic device can monitor the battery status of multiple mobile devices (611, 613, 615). The electronic device can control charging of the multiple mobile devices according to the charging policy (400) described above in FIG. 4.

[0100] The mobile body (613) and the mobile body (615) may be charging at the charging station (621) and the charging station (623), respectively. The battery status of the mobile body (613) may be above the threshold value D. The battery status of the mobile body (515) may be below the threshold value A.

[0101] The electronic device can determine whether any one of the mobile devices being charged at the charging station has a battery condition greater than or equal to a threshold value D and whether a predetermined condition for the threshold value D is satisfied.

[0102] A predetermined condition for threshold D may be that a new task (633) is created and there are no idle vehicles to assign the new task to.

[0103] A new task (633) is created, and since the mobile (611) has already been assigned the task (631), there may be no idle mobile. In other words, the predetermined condition for the threshold D may be satisfied.

[0104] The electronic device can determine, among the mobile devices being charged, one of the mobile devices whose battery status is above the threshold value D as the target mobile device. That is, the electronic device can determine the mobile device (613) as the target mobile device. The electronic device can transmit a charging stop command to the mobile device (613). Then, the electronic device can assign a new task (633) to the mobile device (613).

[0105] A mobile body (613) that receives a charging stop command can stop charging and move to process a new task (633) in response to the assignment of a new task (633).

[0106] Below, we will describe a plurality of threshold values ​​controlled based on user requests and / or the characteristics of multiple mobile devices (611, 613, 615).

[0107]

[0108] Referring to FIGS. 7 through 10, a charging policy having multiple thresholds whose values ​​are controlled based on user requests and / or the characteristics of multiple mobile devices is illustrated. Even if the values ​​of the multiple thresholds are controlled, the meanings of the thresholds described above in FIG. 4 and the predetermined conditions for the thresholds can remain the same. Below, the control of multiple thresholds given a specific scenario will be described. However, the scenarios described below are merely examples and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, there may be more scenarios than the four scenarios below. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that multiple thresholds may be controlled in different ways even within the same scenario.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary charging policy (700) is illustrated for minimizing instances where mobile devices are unable to perform tasks due to being charged. Upon receiving a user request to minimize instances where mobile devices are unable to perform tasks due to being charged, the electronic device may control multiple thresholds.

[0110] The electronic device may lower the threshold value D (720) in response to a user request. For example, the electronic device may set the threshold values ​​D (720) and B (710) to be the same. By lowering the threshold value D (720), more mobile devices can be secured to stop charging and assign new tasks when a new task is created. That is, according to the charging policy (700), the electronic device can immediately stop charging and assign tasks if there are not enough mobile devices to assign tasks even while charging.

[0111] Referring to Figure 8, an exemplary charging policy (800) is illustrated for a case where a charging station is located far from the workspace and a user desires to fully charge the device in a single charge. The electronic device may control multiple thresholds upon receiving a user request for a sufficient charge in a single charge while the device is located far from the workspace. For example, this may be the case where the charging station is located a threshold distance from the main workspace.

[0112] The electronic device may increase the threshold value D (820) in response to a user request. For example, the electronic device may set the threshold value D (820) and the threshold value E (810) to be the same. By increasing the threshold value D (820) to be the same as the threshold value E (810), the electronic device may wait without assigning a task when a new task occurs but there is no mobile device to perform the task. In other words, the electronic device may wait without assigning a task until the battery status of any of the mobile devices being charged reaches the threshold value D (820) (i.e., the threshold value E (810)). That is, according to the charging policy (800), the electronic device may not transmit a charging stop command until the battery status of the mobile devices being charged reaches the threshold value D (820) (i.e., the threshold value E (810)).

[0113] Referring to FIG. 9, an exemplary charging policy (900) is illustrated for a case where the characteristics of multiple mobile devices discharge more quickly as their battery status decreases. The electronic device can control multiple thresholds based on the characteristics of multiple mobile devices that discharge more quickly as their battery status decreases.

[0114] The electronic device can control the threshold value A (910) to be higher. The electronic device can control the threshold value C (930) to be lower than the threshold value B (920). According to the charging policy (900), the electronic device can always assign a charging task first to mobile devices having a battery state lower than the threshold value A (910). In addition, according to the charging policy (900), as the threshold value C (930) is lowered, the number of cases in which a standby command is transmitted to mobile devices having a battery state lower than the threshold value A (910) can be reduced.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 10, an exemplary charging policy (1000) is illustrated for a case in which mobile devices are to perform charging when there is no work, but are to respond immediately when a task is created. The electronic device can control multiple thresholds upon receiving a user request to have mobile devices perform charging when there is no work, but are to respond immediately when a task is created.

[0116] In the charging policy (1000), the electronic device can control the threshold B (1020) to be very high and the threshold D (1010) to be very low. For example, the electronic device can set the threshold B (1020) and the threshold E (1030) to be the same and set the threshold D (1010) to be slightly higher than the threshold A. According to the charging policy (1000), the electronic device can assign a charging task to mobile devices having a battery state lower than or equal to the threshold B (1020) when there is no task. According to the charging policy (1000), when a new task occurs, the electronic device can immediately stop charging and assign a task to mobile devices being charged having a battery state higher than or equal to the threshold D (1010).

[0117] Below, a user interface for controlling multiple thresholds is illustrated.

[0118]

[0119] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining a user interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 11, a user interface (1100) is illustrated illustrating multiple thresholds of a charging policy.

[0121] In one embodiment, the electronic device may receive user input via a user interface (1100). The electronic device may control multiple thresholds based on the user input. For example, if the electronic device receives a user input to change the threshold value E to 100, the electronic device may change the threshold value E to 100 in response.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the user interface (1000) may further include a scenario selection window (1110). When the electronic device receives a user input for the scenario selection window (1110), the electronic device may display scenarios (1120). For example, when the electronic device receives a user input, the electronic device may display scenarios such as a basic scenario, a work priority scenario, a charging priority scenario, a discharge minimization scenario, and a constant charging scenario. The work priority scenario may be a scenario to which the charging policy (700) of FIG. 7 is applied. The charging priority scenario may be a scenario to which the charging policy (800) of FIG. 8 is applied. The discharge minimization scenario may be a scenario to which the charging policy (900) of FIG. 9 is applied. The constant charging scenario may be a scenario to which the charging policy (1000) of FIG. 10 is applied. When the electronic device receives a command to apply a specific scenario among the scenarios (1020), the electronic device may apply a default value for the charging policy corresponding to the specific scenario to threshold values. For example, if a task priority scenario is selected, the electronic device may set threshold B and threshold D to be equal, but less than threshold C.

[0123] Additionally, the electronic device may provide the user with modifications to thresholds that have default values ​​for charging policies corresponding to specific scenarios.

[0124]

[0125] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0126] In the following embodiments, the steps may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of the steps may be changed, and at least two steps may be performed in parallel. Steps (1210) to (1230) may be performed by at least one component of the electronic device.

[0127] In step (1210), the electronic device can monitor the battery status of a plurality of mobile devices.

[0128] In step (1220), the electronic device can determine a target mobile device that needs to be controlled among a plurality of mobile devices based on a charging policy for the plurality of mobile devices.

[0129] In step (1230), the electronic device can transmit a control command according to a charging policy to the target mobile device.

[0130] Since the matters described above through FIGS. 1 to 11 are applied to each step illustrated in FIG. 12, a more detailed description is omitted.

[0131]

[0132] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0133] An electronic device can predict a workload and, based on the predicted workload, determine the number of target vehicles among multiple vehicles. Below, a method for predicting a workload and determining the number of target vehicles based on the predicted workload will be described.

[0134] In the following embodiments, the steps may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of the steps may be changed, and at least two steps may be performed in parallel. Steps (1310) to (1340) may be performed by at least one component of the electronic device.

[0135] In step (1310), the electronic device can predict the average number of tasks per hour and the number of tasks that the plurality of mobile devices can process per hour.

[0136] Electronic devices can predict the average number of tasks per hour using various methods. For example, the electronic device can predict the average number of tasks per hour using Equation 1 below, which is based on the average number of tasks that occurred in the past. However, the method of predicting the average number of tasks per hour using Equation 1 is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device can predict the average number of tasks per hour using an artificial intelligence model trained to predict the average number of tasks per hour.

[0137]

[0138] can be the average number of jobs generated per hour. t can be time.

[0139] t can be a day (i.e., 24 hours) or the previous 15 minutes. If t is long, the number of target vehicles may not fluctuate significantly. On the other hand, if t is short, the number of target vehicles may fluctuate significantly. For example, if we assume that the number of tasks that occurred in 15 minutes is 10, then λ can be 40 ( ).

[0140] Electronic devices can predict the number of tasks that multiple mobile devices can process per hour using various methods. For example, the electronic device can predict the number of tasks that multiple mobile devices can process per hour using Equation 2 below. However, this is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device can predict the number of tasks that multiple mobile devices can process per hour using an artificial intelligence model trained to predict the number of tasks that multiple mobile devices can process per hour.

[0141]

[0142] can be the number of tasks that multiple moving objects can process per hour. can be the number of mobile units processing a task. CT can be the average cycle time of the mobile units (i.e., the average time it takes to process one task). For example, if there are 5 mobile units and CT is 6 minutes, can be 50 days ( ).

[0143] In step (1320), the electronic device can determine the number of mobile units to which tasks will be assigned based on the predicted average number of tasks per hour and the predicted number of tasks that can be processed per hour.

[0144] The electronic device can determine the number of mobile devices to which to assign tasks using the mathematical expression 3 below.

[0145]

[0146] In other words, the electronic device can determine the number of mobile units to which the task is to be assigned so that the number of tasks that the mobile units can process per hour is equal to or greater than the average number of tasks generated per hour.

[0147] For example, if 10 jobs are created in 20 minutes and the average cycle time of a mobile is 10 minutes, the number of mobiles to which the jobs will be assigned is 5 ( ) can be determined as above. In other words, the electronic device can determine the number of mobiles to be greater than or equal to 5. The electronic device can determine the number of mobiles to be assigned to work to be greater than 5 in order to prepare for situations such as mobile device failure. In other words, the electronic device can prepare for situations by having spare mobiles by determining the number of mobiles to be assigned to work to be greater than 5.

[0148] In step (1330), the electronic device may determine one or more target mobiles to which the charging task will be assigned based on the number of mobiles to which the task will be assigned.

[0149] The electronic device may determine one or more target mobiles based on the number of mobiles to which the task is assigned, calculated in step (1320). For example, if the number of mobiles to which the task is assigned, determined in step (1320), is 5 or more and is determined to be 7 (5 mobiles to which the task is assigned and 2 spare mobiles), the mobiles exceeding 7 among the plurality of mobiles may be determined as target mobiles. In other words, if the total number of mobiles is 15, and the number of mobiles to which the task is assigned is determined to be 7, the target mobiles may be determined to be 8.

[0150] At step (1340), the electronic device can assign a charging task to one or more target mobiles.

[0151] If the number of charging stations is greater than the number of one or more target mobiles, one or more target mobiles assigned a charging task can move to a charging station and begin charging.

[0152] If the number of charging stations is less than the number of one or more target mobiles, the electronic device can assign charging tasks to the target mobiles with the lowest battery status first.

[0153] If all mobiles other than those being charged are assigned tasks and processing the tasks, and no mobile is completing the task within n seconds, the electronic device can stop charging the mobile with the largest remaining battery capacity among the charging mobiles and assign the task.

[0154]

[0155] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a charging policy according to the number of tasks according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 14, a drawing schematically illustrating a method for predicting the workload of FIG. 13 and determining a target mobile object based on the predicted workload is shown.

[0157] The electronic device can monitor the workload. The electronic device can perform the operations described in FIG. 13 based on the monitoring. For example, the electronic device can perform the operations described in FIG. 13 when the number of tasks decreases or increases. When the number of tasks decreases, the average number of tasks generated per hour decreases, thus reducing the number of mobiles to which tasks are assigned. When the number of tasks increases, the average number of tasks generated per hour increases, thus increasing the number of mobiles to which tasks are assigned. Charging tasks can be assigned to mobiles exceeding the number of mobiles to which tasks are assigned (i.e., target mobiles).

[0158] Electronic devices can efficiently allocate tasks to mobile devices by adaptively determining the number of mobile devices to which tasks are assigned based on the number of tasks. By controlling the number of mobile devices to which tasks are assigned based on the number of tasks, electronic devices can process more tasks more quickly.

[0159] The operating method of the electronic device described above with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 may be a method for determining the number of mobiles to which a charging task is to be assigned in a workspace. Accordingly, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the charging policies described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11, which determine mobiles to which a charging task is to be assigned based on a battery status, may be applied simultaneously. In other words, FIGS. 13 and 14 may be charging policies for determining how many of a plurality of mobiles will be assigned a charging task. FIGS. 2 to 13 may be charging policies for determining which of a plurality of mobiles will be assigned a charging task based on a battery status. Therefore, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the two charging policies may be applied simultaneously.

[0160]

[0161] Meanwhile, the method according to the present invention can be written as a program that can be executed on a computer and implemented in various recording media such as a magnetic storage medium, an optical reading medium, and a digital storage medium.

[0162] Implementations of the various technologies described herein may be implemented as digital electronic circuitry, or as computer hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof. Implementations may be implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., a machine-readable storage medium (computer-readable medium) or a radio signal, for processing by the operation of a data processing device, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers, or for controlling the operation thereof. A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described above, may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and may be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may be deployed to be processed on one computer or multiple computers at a single site, or to be distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communications network.

[0163] Processors suitable for processing a computer program include, for example, both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Typically, a processor will receive instructions and data from read-only memory or random-access memory, or both. Components of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer may include, or be coupled to receive data from, transmit data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices, such as magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks, for storing data. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include, for example, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital video disks (DVD), magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), etc. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or included in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0164] Additionally, the computer-readable medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, and may include both computer storage media and transmission media.

[0165] While this specification contains details of a number of specific implementations, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be unique to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features described herein in the context of individual embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments, either individually or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although features may operate in a particular combination and may initially be described as being claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be excluded from that combination, and the claimed combination may be modified into a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0166] Likewise, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that those operations be performed in the particular or sequential order depicted to achieve desired results, or that all depicted operations be performed. In certain instances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of the various device components of the embodiments described above should not be construed as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the program components and devices described may generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0167] Meanwhile, the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this specification and drawings are merely specific examples presented to aid understanding and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications based on the technical concepts of the present invention are possible in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. In the method of operating an electronic device, A step of monitoring the battery status of multiple mobile devices; A step of determining a target mobile device that requires control among the plurality of mobile devices based on a charging policy for the plurality of mobile devices; and A step of transmitting a control command according to the charging policy to the target mobile device. Including, The above charging policy is: A plurality of threshold values ​​related to the battery status for determining the target mobile device among the plurality of mobile devices, and a predetermined condition for the plurality of threshold values, How it works.

2. In paragraph 1, The above multiple threshold values ​​are: One or more threshold values ​​for selecting a target mobile that requires charging among the mobiles performing the task; and One or more thresholds for selecting a target vehicle among the charging vehicles to stop charging and perform a task. including, How it works.

3. In paragraph 1, The above multiple threshold values ​​are A threshold for determining whether to stop charging based on whether a first predetermined condition is satisfied; and A threshold for determining whether to start charging based on whether a second predetermined condition is satisfied. including, How it works.

4. In paragraph 1, The step of determining the target mobile object is Among the plurality of mobiles, one of which has a battery status lower than or equal to a first threshold value is determined as the first target mobile. The step of transmitting the above control command is: Assigning charging work as a top priority to the first target mobile body; How it works.

5. In paragraph 4, If a predetermined condition for the first threshold value is satisfied, a step of determining one of the mobile devices being charged at the charging station whose battery status is higher than the second threshold value as the second target mobile device Including more, The step of transmitting the above control command is: A step of transmitting a charging stop command to the second target mobile body A method of operation, further comprising:

6. In paragraph 5, The predetermined condition for the above first threshold is: Whether all of the above charging stations are in use and whether there is any one of the mobile devices charging at the charging station that is greater than or equal to the second threshold value. How it works.

7. In paragraph 1, The step of determining the target mobile object is Among the plurality of mobiles, one of which has a battery status below a first threshold value is determined as the first target mobile, The step of transmitting the above control command is: If a predetermined condition for the first threshold value is not satisfied, a standby command is transmitted to the first target mobile device. How it works.

8. In paragraph 1, The step of determining the target mobile object is: If there is one among the mobile devices being charged at the charging station whose battery status is higher than or equal to a second threshold value and a predetermined condition for the second threshold value is satisfied, one of the mobile devices whose battery status is higher than or equal to the second threshold value is determined as a target mobile device, The step of transmitting the above control command is: Transmitting a charge stop command to the target mobile device; How it works.

9. In paragraph 8, The predetermined conditions for the above second threshold are: Whether all of the above charging stations are in use and whether any one of the plurality of mobiles is below the first threshold value exists; How it works.

10. In paragraph 1, The step of determining the target mobile object is: If there is one among the mobile devices being charged at the charging station whose battery status is higher than a third threshold value and a predetermined condition for the third threshold value is satisfied, then one of the mobile devices whose battery status is higher than the third threshold value is determined as a target mobile device. The step of transmitting the above control command is: Transmitting a charge stop command to the target mobile body and assigning a new task to the target mobile body, How it works.

11. In paragraph 10, The predetermined conditions for the above third threshold are: If the above new task is created and there is no idle mobile to assign the new task to, How it works.

12. In paragraph 1, An operation of controlling the plurality of threshold values ​​based on a user request related to charging or operation of the plurality of mobile devices and / or characteristics of the plurality of mobile devices. Including more, How it works.

13. In paragraph 12, The operation of controlling the above multiple threshold values ​​is as follows: At least two of the plurality of thresholds are set to be the same based on the user request and / or the characteristics of the plurality of mobile devices. How it works.

14. In paragraph 1, An operation of controlling the plurality of threshold values ​​based on user input entered through a user interface. A method of operation, further comprising:

15. In the method of operating an electronic device, A step of predicting the average number of tasks per hour and the number of tasks that can be processed per hour by multiple mobile units; A step of determining the number of mobile units to which tasks are to be assigned based on the predicted average number of tasks per hour and the predicted number of tasks that can be processed per hour; A step of determining one or more target mobiles to which a charging task is to be assigned based on the number of mobiles to which the task is to be assigned; and A step of assigning the charging task to one or more target mobile objects. A method of operation, comprising:

16. In paragraph 15, The step of determining the number of mobile objects to which the above task will be assigned is: The number of mobile units to which the task is to be assigned is determined so that the predicted number of tasks that can be processed per hour by the mobile unit to which the task is to be assigned is equal to or greater than the predicted average number of tasks per hour. How it works.

17. In paragraph 15, The step of assigning the charging task to the one or more target mobiles is: If the number of the one or more target mobiles is greater than the number of charging stations, the charging task is assigned first to the target mobile with the lowest battery status among the one or more target mobiles. How it works.

18. A computer-readable recording medium storing one or more computer programs including commands for executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. In electronic devices, The electronic device includes a processor that controls a plurality of moving objects, The above processor, Monitor the battery status of a plurality of mobiles, determine a target mobile that needs to be controlled among the plurality of mobiles based on a charging policy for the plurality of mobiles, and transmit a control command according to the charging policy to the target mobile. The above charging policy is: A plurality of threshold values ​​related to the battery status for determining the target mobile device among the plurality of mobile devices, and a predetermined condition for the plurality of threshold values, Electronic devices.

20. In paragraph 19, The above multiple threshold values ​​are: One or more threshold values ​​for selecting a target mobile that requires charging among the mobiles performing the task; and One or more thresholds for selecting a target vehicle among the charging vehicles to stop charging and perform a task. including, Electronic devices.

Images