Method for operating a mobile self-propelled appliance at a service station

A method for operating a mobile self-propelled appliance at a servicing station, the servicing station being configured to charge a rechargeable battery of the appliance and to offer at least one service function, the method comprising:

• detecting whether or not the appliance is docked at the servicing station by conducting a charging current via two charging contacts of the appliance and two corresponding mating contacts of the servicing station;
• checking of the servicing station for a presence of a communication interface of the appliance;
• automatically starting, by the servicing station, the at least one service function at predetermined times or, if the communication interface of the appliance is absent, after predefined actions of the appliance.