Remote control scheduler and method for autonomous robotic device
AssigneeiRobot Corporation
InventorsZivthan A. Dubrovsky, Gregg W. Landry, Michael J. Halloran, James Lynch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of scheduling a robotic device enables the device to run autonomously based on previously loaded scheduling information. The method consists of a communication device, such as a hand-held remote device, that can directly control the robotic device, or load scheduling information into the robotic device such that it will carry out a defined task at the desired time without the need for farther external control. The communication device can also be configured to load a scheduling application program into an existing robotic device, such that the robotic device can receive and implement scheduling information from a user.
Claims24
A robotic system comprising:
- a stationary charging device;
- and
- an autonomous cleaning robot including a vacuum system, the autonomous cleaning robot configured to:
- initiate, according to scheduling information, a cleaning operation in which the autonomous cleaning robot autonomously navigates about a floor surface to clean the floor surface according to a vacuum power level;
- receive, from a user operable remote device, a command to initiate a docking operation in which the autonomous cleaning robot returns to the stationary charging device to dock at the stationary charging device;
- send a return signal, to the user operable remote device, upon receiving the command to initiate the docking operation;
- and
- initiate the docking operation in which the autonomous cleaning robot autonomously returns to the stationary charging device.
A method of controlling operations of an autonomous cleaning robot, the method comprising:
- wirelessly receiving, from a user operable remote device, information including a command to initiate a cleaning operation;
- initiating departure from a stationary charging device at which the autonomously cleaning robot is docked and navigating about a floor surface to clean the floor surface in accordance with the command to initiate the cleaning operation;
- wirelessly receiving, from the user operable remote device, a command to initiate a docking operation;
- initiating the docking operation to return the autonomous cleaning robot to the stationary charging device;
- and
- wirelessly sending, to the user operable remote device, a return signal upon receiving the command to initiate the docking operation.
An autonomous cleaning robot comprising:
- a vacuum system;
- and
- a communication device configured to:
- initiate, according to scheduling information, a cleaning operation in which the autonomous cleaning robot autonomously navigates about a floor surface to clean the floor surface according to a vacuum power level;
- receive, from a user operable remote device, a command to initiate a docking operation in which the autonomous cleaning robot returns to a stationary charging device to dock at the stationary charging device;
- send a return signal, to the user operable remote device, upon receiving the command to initiate the docking operation;
- and
- initiate the docking operation in which the autonomous cleaning robot autonomously returns to the stationary charging device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.