Contextual and user experience based mobile robot control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022015596-A1
Application number	US-202016933401-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 20, 2020
Priority date	Jul 20, 2020
Publication date	Jan 20, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A machine-readable medium can include instructions for presenting a user interface, which when executed by a processor, can cause the processor to display an image on the user interface representing a mobile cleaning robot that is in communication with the processor. The processor can also display lines representing an environment of the mobile cleaning robot, where the image and the lines can together be indicative of a status of the mobile cleaning robot.

First claim

1 . A machine-readable medium including instructions for presenting a user interface, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
display an image on the user interface representing a mobile cleaning robot that is in communication with the processor; and display lines representing an environment of the mobile cleaning robot, the image and the lines together indicative of a status of the mobile cleaning robot.

2 . The machine-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the image is an isometric or perspective view of representing the mobile cleaning robot, and wherein the isometric or perspective view indicates that the mobile cleaning robot has a ready status.

3 . The machine-readable medium of claim 2 , wherein the display lines are isometric or perspective lines of the representative environment, and wherein the isometric or perspective lines, together with the image representing the mobile cleaning robot, indicate that the mobile cleaning robot has a ready status.

4 . The machine-readable medium of claim 3 , wherein the image is top view representing the mobile cleaning robot, and wherein the top view indicates that the mobile cleaning robot has a mission status, and wherein the display lines are a top view of lines of the representative environment, and wherein the top view lines indicate that the mobile cleaning robot has a mission status.

5 . The machine-readable medium of claim 1 , the processor further configured to:
display an error indicator at least partially surrounding the image of the mobile cleaning robot, the error indicator indicative of an error of the mobile cleaning robot.

6 . The machine-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the error indicator is an image surrounding the image representing the mobile cleaning robot.

7 . The machine-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the error indicator is an image of concentric circles around the image representing the mobile cleaning robot.

8 . The machine-readable medium of claim 1 , the processor further configured to:
display a routine indication selectable to create a new routine; and communicate the new routine to the mobile cleaning robot following creation of the new routine.

9 . The machine-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the routine indication is located on the user interface near the image representing the mobile cleaning robot.

10 . The machine-readable medium of claim 1 , the processor further configured to:
display a text display field adjacent the image representing the mobile cleaning robot, the text display field configured to display text based on the status of the mobile cleaning robot; and display text on the text display field including user instructions for performing a required action with regard to the mobile cleaning robot based on the status of the mobile cleaning robot.

11 . The machine-readable medium of claim 10 , the processor further configured to:
determine whether the required action has been performed with regard to mobile cleaning robot; and display a text alert on the user interface based on the display text, based on the status of the mobile cleaning robot, and based on the determination of whether the required action was performed.

12 . The machine-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the alert includes a snooze component selectable to cause the processor to display the alert at a later time.

13 . The machine-readable medium of claim 12 , the processor further configured to:
actively sense when the user is home by interfacing with an internet of things device; and display the text alert only when the user is typically home.

14 . The machine-readable medium of claim 12 , the processor further configured to:
determine when the user is typically home; and display the text alert only when the user is typically home.

15 . A mobile cleaning robot system including a mobile cleaning robot, the system comprising:
a display configured to present a user interface; and processing circuitry in communication with the mobile cleaning robot and the
display, the processing circuitry configured to:
display a plurality of cleaning routine indications of different colors each selectable to create a cleaning routine;
display a selectable start routine indication including a play indication having a play color that matches the color of the selected cleaning routine; and
instruct the mobile cleaning robot to perform the selected cleaning routine when the start routine indication is selected.

16 . The mobile cleaning robot system of claim 15 , wherein the selectable start routine indication is located in a favorites shelf on the user interface.

17 . The mobile cleaning robot system of claim 16 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to display a second selectable start routine indication in the favorites shelf.

18 . The mobile cleaning robot system of claim 17 , wherein the second selectable start routine indication includes a second play indication having a second play color that is different from the play color.

19 . The mobile cleaning robot system of claim 15 , the processing circuitry configured to:
display an image on the user interface representing the mobile cleaning robot that is in communication with the processing circuitry indicative of a status of the mobile cleaning robot.

20 . The mobile cleaning robot system of claim 19 , the processing circuitry configured to:
display lines representing an environment of the mobile cleaning robot, the image and the lines together indicative of a status of the mobile cleaning robot.

21 . The mobile cleaning robot system of claim 20 , wherein the image is an isometric or perspective view representing the mobile cleaning robot, and wherein the isometric or perspective view indicates that the mobile cleaning robot has a ready status.

22 . The mobile cleaning robot system of claim 20 , wherein the display lines are isometric or perspective lines of the representative environment, and wherein the isometric or perspective lines, together with the image of the mobile cleaning robot, indicate that the mobile cleaning robot has a ready status.

23 . A method of operating a mobile cleaning robot system including a mobile cleaning robot and a display device, the method comprising:
displaying a first image on a user interface of the display device, the first image indicative of a ready status of the mobile cleaning robot that is in communication with the display device; transmitting instructions to the mobile cleaning robot to commence a cleaning mission; and displaying a second image on the user interface after transmitting the instructions, the second image indicative of a mission status of the mobile cleaning robot.

24 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising:
displaying lines representing an environment of the mobile cleaning robot, the first image and the lines together indicative of a ready status of the mobile cleaning robot.

25 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising:
displaying a second set of lines after transmitting the instructions, the second set of lines and the second image together indicative of the mission status of the mobile cleaning robot.

26 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising:
displaying an error indicator at least partially surrounding the image or the second image representing the mobile cleaning robot, the error indicator indicative of an error o

Assignees

• Irobot Corp

Inventors

• White Cory
• Hong Sam
• Butterworth Craig Michael
• Foster Michael

Classifications

• A47L11/4011

  Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor · CPC title

• A47L2201/06

  Control of the cleaning action for autonomous devices; Automatic detection of the surface condition before, during or after cleaning · CPC title

• A47L9/2857 Primary

  User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays · CPC title

• A47L11/4066

  Propulsion of the whole machine · CPC title

• A47L11/4008

  Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like · CPC title