Scheduling and control system for autonomous robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous cleaning robots lack efficient scheduling and control systems that allow users to dynamically adjust cleaning missions and parameters in real-time, particularly in terms of room order and cleaning parameters, which can lead to incomplete or inefficient cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application and controller system that enables users to create, modify, and monitor a mission timeline for autonomous cleaning robots, allowing for real-time adjustments to the sequence of rooms to be cleaned, cleaning parameters, and operational events, with features like editable timelines, map visualization, and remote control of the robot's cleaning operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users can dynamically adjust cleaning missions and parameters in real-time, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile application serves as an intermediary between the user and the autonomous cleaning robot, providing a user-friendly interface for creating, modifying, and monitoring cleaning missions. The application handles complex scheduling logic and communicates with the robot controller, shielding users from underlying system complexity while enabling real-time adjustments to cleaning parameters and room sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control of the cleaning robot with an automated electronic control system. The controller autonomously navigates the robot and executes cleaning operations based on digital mission parameters, while the mobile application provides remote monitoring and adjustment capabilities through wireless communication, eliminating the need for direct physical interaction with the robot.
2Loss of information
If the system provides detailed monitoring and feedback on cleaning progress, then information completeness is improved, but loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where the robot controller monitors cleaning progress, operational events, and status information in real-time. The mobile application receives and displays this data through visual indicators on a mission timeline and map interface, providing users with comprehensive information about cleaning status without requiring manual intervention or causing significant time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application creates a digital representation (copy) of the cleaning mission and robot status, displaying it through graphical interfaces including mission timelines and facility maps. This visual copy allows users to monitor cleaning progress and make adjustments without directly interfering with the robot's real-time operations, minimizing time loss while maintaining complete information visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous cleaning robot including a drive configured to move the cleaning robot across a floor surface in an area to be cleaned and a controller. The controller is configured to receive data representing an editable mission timeline including data representing a sequence of rooms to be cleaned, navigate the cleaning robot to clean the rooms following the sequence, track operational events occurring in each of the rooms, and transmit data about time spent navigating each room included in the sequence.