Robot Charging Station Relay for Remote Scheduling Commands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sending scheduling information to robotic devices are limited by the status of the robot or the position of the communication device, dock, or robot, requiring users to be inconveniently present for command issuance and storage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a charging station to store and relay scheduling commands to a robotic device via a second wireless communication channel, allowing for remote issuance and storage regardless of the robot's status or location, utilizing a first wireless communication channel for cloud service interaction and a second for RF communication with the robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If scheduling commands are sent directly to the robotic device via cloud service, then real-time control is achieved, but the robot must be within Wi-Fi range and free of operation which limits user convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station serves as an intermediary device between the cloud service and the robotic device. It receives scheduling commands from the cloud service and stores them locally, then transmits them to the robot when the robot is available. This mediator approach allows users to send commands at any time without requiring the robot to be immediately available, resolving the contradiction between user convenience and robot status independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having the docking station store scheduling commands in advance before the robot is ready to execute them. Users can issue commands remotely at any time, and the docking station holds these commands until the robot is available to receive and process them, eliminating the need for real-time robot availability.
2Ease of operation
If the robot must be within Wi-Fi range to receive commands, then real-time communication is possible, but users must be physically present which reduces convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station acts as a reliable intermediary that maintains communication reliability by storing commands locally. Users can operate the robot remotely from anywhere with internet access, and the docking station ensures reliable delivery of commands to the robot when it comes within range, resolving the contradiction between remote operation capability and communication reliability.
3Productivity
If commands are sent only when the robot is idle, then command execution reliability is ensured, but users must wait which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by allowing users to issue commands at any time without waiting for the robot to be idle. The docking station stores these commands in advance and transmits them to the robot when appropriate, eliminating user waiting time while ensuring the robot processes commands reliably when ready, thus resolving the contradiction between command issuance efficiency and waiting time.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for sending scheduling information to a mobile robotic device from an application of a communication device. The application of the communication device generates at least one scheduling command and transmits the at least one scheduling command to a router using a first wireless communication channel. The router is configured to transmit and receive the at least one scheduling command to and from at least one cloud service. A charging station of the robotic device receives the at least one scheduling command from the router using the first wireless communication channel and stores the at least one scheduling command on the charging station. The charging station transmits the at least one scheduling command to a processor of the robotic device using a second wireless communication channel and the processor of the robotic device modifies its scheduling information based on the at least one scheduling command.