Remote Cleaning Robot Control With Real-Time State and Recall
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of rich and autonomous behavior of household mobile robots with Internet of Things connectivity remains unmet, as existing technologies struggle to effectively manage and control these robots in unpredictable and variable environments, particularly in terms of scheduling, cleaning strategies, and real-time monitoring and control.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for remote control and monitoring of a cleaning robot, featuring a user interface with control elements for launch, cleaning strategies, and recall functions, allowing users to schedule and initiate cleaning operations, receive real-time robot states, and manage remediation actions, enabling efficient and flexible operation of mobile robots in living spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If household mobile robots are equipped with autonomous behavior and multiple sensor inputs for navigating unpredictable environments, then the robot's adaptability and cleaning effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of integration with Internet of Things connectivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the autonomous mobile robot and the Internet of Things network. The gateway receives commands from remote devices, translates them into robot-specific control signals, and relays sensor data back to remote devices. This intermediary layer shields the complex robot system from direct Internet connectivity requirements, simplifying integration while preserving autonomous capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the autonomous robot unit with sensors and actuators, the gateway device for protocol translation and command routing, and remote client devices for user interaction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the complexity burden on the robot itself while maintaining high adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If the robot provides real-time status reporting and responds to remote commands over the Internet, then the ease of operation and user control are improved, but the loss of information and reliability may increase due to network dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements bidirectional feedback loops where the robot's sensors continuously monitor environmental conditions and robot status, transmitting this data through the gateway to remote devices. Meanwhile, user commands sent through the gateway are translated and executed by the robot. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate information transfer while allowing for error detection and correction, reducing data loss risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device incorporates buffer and queue mechanisms to handle network interruptions and data transmission delays. Commands and sensor data are temporarily stored and retransmitted when network conditions improve, cushioning against information loss due to network instability while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the robot operates autonomously in variable household environments with multiple sensors, then the productivity and cleaning efficiency are improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot employs periodic sensing and intermittent communication rather than continuous operation. Sensors are activated at regular intervals to detect environmental changes, and the robot communicates status updates periodically through the gateway rather than maintaining constant connectivity. This periodic action maintains cleaning efficiency while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous sensing and communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot's autonomous navigation and cleaning algorithms enable it to operate independently without constant remote monitoring or control. The robot makes real-time decisions based on sensor inputs, optimizing its cleaning path and behavior autonomously. This self-service capability maximizes productivity while minimizing the energy required for external communication and control.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for receiving user commands for a remote cleaning robot and sending the user commands to the remote cleaning robot, the remote cleaning robot including a drive motor and a cleaning motor, includes displaying a user interface including a control area, and within the control area: a user-manipulable launch control group including a plurality of control elements, the launch control group having a deferred launch control state and an immediate launch control state; at least one user-manipulable cleaning strategy control element having a primary cleaning strategy control state and an alternative cleaning strategy control state; and a physical recall control group including a plurality of control elements, the physical recall control group having an immediate recall control state and a remote audible locator control state. The method further includes: receiving user input via the user-manipulable control elements; responsive to the user inputs, displaying simultaneously within the same control area a real-time robot state reflecting a unique combination of control states; and commanding the remote cleaning robot to actuate the drive motor and cleaning motor to clean a surface based on the received input and unique combination of control states.