Service robot and method of operating same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9603499-B2
Application number	US-201414487860-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 16, 2014
Priority date	Jan 28, 2008
Publication date	Mar 28, 2017
Grant date	Mar 28, 2017

Abstract

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a service robot, such as a robotic cleaner, can be configured to more effectively service an environment. The service robot can include one or more sensors that sense its location, the location of objects, or both, and can also include noise reduction elements. The service robot can determine that it is under a “furnishing” and implement a different servicing pattern.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of performing a robotic service, the method comprising:
navigating a service robot through an environment according to a servicing route to perform a service, using automatic self-control by the robot;
sensing at least one object in the environment while navigating according to the servicing route;
collecting data regarding the at least one object in the environment along the service route;
storing a location of at least one of the at least one object and the service robot determined using the data; and
based on the data, tailoring the servicing route to enable the service robot to optimally service a plurality of environments.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
the robot stopping and waiting in response to sensing a living being.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing is accomplished by a set of sensors including one or more photosensors.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
the service robot wirelessly communicating with one or more of a control system, database system, other robots, wireless devices, and external sensors.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing a controller, the controller:
assigning functional labels to each of a plurality of service locations; and
associating one or more of the service locations with specific events for times of the day to indicate when the servicing should be performed.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the navigating is performed using one or more electronic maps of the environment stored in a memory.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
electronically updating the one or more electronic maps using camera data.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
electronically updating the electronic maps using still image data as sensor data from the camera data.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
determining and storing location information from the sensor data.

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
electronically updating the electronic maps using video data as sensor data from the camera data.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
determining and storing location information from the sensor data.

12. A method of performing a robotic service, the method comprising:
navigating a service robot through an environment according to a servicing route to perform a service, using automatic self-control by the robot;
sensing at least one object in the environment while navigating according to the servicing route;
collecting data regarding the at least one object in the environment along the service route;
storing a location of at least one of the at least one object and the service robot determined using the data; and
based on the data indicating that a first navigation route conflicts with the at least one object, tailoring the servicing route from the first navigation pattern to a second navigation pattern that avoids contact with the at least one object.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
electronically storing the second navigation pattern in a storage media for later use.

14. A service robot system comprising:
a service robot platform;
a navigation controller and a drive mechanism, the navigation controller configured to navigate the service robot platform through an environment according to a servicing route to perform a service;
a data collection apparatus configured to collect data regarding at least one object in the environment along the servicing route;
data storage media configured to store location information of at least one of the at least one object and the service robot platform determined using the data;
a processor system configured to tailor the servicing route, based on the data, to enable the service robot platform to optimally service the environment.

15. The service robot system of claim 14 , wherein the data collection apparatus includes at least one sensor configured to determine the location information of the at least one object relative to the data collection apparatus.

16. The service robot system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a communication module; and
a control system remote from the service robot platform;
the communication module configured to communicate with the control system.

17. The service robot system of claim 16 , wherein the data storage media is included in the control system.

18. The service robot system of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the at least one sensor is positioned on the service robot platform.

19. The service robot system of claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to alter the servicing route based on changes in the location information.

20. The service robot system of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the at least one sensor is positioned remote from the service robot platform.

Assignees

• Seegrid Corp

Inventors

• Friedman Scott Justin-Marl
• Moravec Hans Peter

Classifications

• G05D1/0246

  using a video camera in combination with image processing means · CPC title

• G05D1/0255

  using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals (sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93) · CPC title

• A47L9/2894

  Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners · CPC title

• A47L9/009 Primary

  Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles · CPC title

• G05D2201/0215

  Physics · mapped topic