Autonomous Cleaning Device Radio Mapping for Stable Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing autonomous cleaning devices face challenges in maintaining reliable data transmission in processing environments with inhomogeneous radio network coverage, leading to potential disruptions and increased user intervention.

Innovation Solution

The device determines suitable locations for data transmission by analyzing signal properties and position data, using threshold values to identify areas with sufficient signal strength, and moves to these locations for data exchange, ensuring stable communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the cleaning device operates autonomously in processing environments with inhomogeneous radio network coverage, then the device can perform work tasks in all areas, but data transmission may be disrupted in areas with poor signal coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous operationVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs a mapping run before normal operation to detect and store signal properties at various locations in advance. This preliminary action creates a map of suitable data transmission locations, allowing the device to later navigate to these predetermined locations when data transmission is needed, thus ensuring reliable communication without disrupting autonomous work tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the device moves to maintain data connection in areas with sufficient signal strength, then data transmission reliability improves, but the device leaves the processing environment and cannot perform work tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata connection reliabilityVSAvoidwork task completion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system identifies specific local areas within the processing environment that possess the quality of sufficient signal coverage. By creating a map of these localized suitable areas and navigating to them only when data transmission is required, the device maintains work productivity while ensuring reliable data connection at the needed locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Extent of automation

If the device stores map and route data locally, then it can operate independently without continuous connection, but data transmission cannot be performed in areas with limited signal coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operationVSAvoiddata transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary detection and storage of signal property maps during a mapping run, then uses this pre-acquired information to navigate to suitable transmission locations when needed, ensuring both independent operation and data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stored map of suitable locations acts as an intermediary between the device's independent operation mode and data transmission requirements. This intermediary information allows the device to bridge the gap by navigating to predetermined locations that guarantee transmission capability while maintaining overall autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the device continuously monitors signal quality and adjusts route, then data transmission reliability improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal quality reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring and adjustment, the system performs signal detection in advance during a mapping run and stores the results. This preliminary action eliminates the need for continuous complex monitoring and real-time route adjustment, reducing device complexity and energy consumption while maintaining transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4372510B1Work device and method for operating a work device
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP4372510B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4372510B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4372510B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a work device (1), in particular a cleaning device, with at least one radio interface (2) for data transmission, wherein the work device (1) is at least designed and equipped to move autonomously in a processing environment (3) and to detect at least one signal characteristic of at least one radio network (4) suitable for data transmission at different locations in the processing environment (3) and to generate signal position data (12) by linking it with the position data of the respective location.A work device (1), in particular for commercial applications, which enables operation as autonomously as possible with minimal user interaction, is realized by the fact that the work device (1) is further designed and equipped to determine at least one location (7) in the processing environment (3) suitable for data transmission via the radio network using at least one threshold value regarding the signal property and/or to provide the signal position data (12) for determining at least one location (7) suitable for data transmission via the radio network (4) in the processing environment (3) using at least one threshold value regarding the signal property by means of a data processing device (13) at the radio interface (2) and to receive data on at least one determined location (7).