Cleaning device with data acquisition unit

Abstract

A cleaning device for an object to be cleaned comprises a receiving device (16) that is configured to exchange data at close range with autonomous units (30) permanently installed in the object to be cleaned and to receive data (34) from the autonomous units; a data acquisition unit (18) which is suited to acquire the data received from the receiving device (16) and to supply it in an appropriate form to a data processing unit (20), with the data processing unit (20) comprising an evaluation software for processing the supplied data. The cleaning device further comprises an output unit (22) which preferably comprises a display and particularly preferably comprises a display with a touchscreen, with the output unit being in an information connection with the data processing unit (20) and being suited to output information and/or handling instructions to the user of the cleaning device (12).

Claims

1. Cleaning system, comprising: at least one autonomous unit permanently installed in an object, comprising a signal transmitter, a microchip as well as preferably a sensor system; and a cleaning device for an object to be cleaned, the cleaning device comprising: a receiving device that is configured to exchange data at close range with the autonomous unit permanently installed in the object to be cleaned and to receive data from the autonomous unit; a data acquisition unit which is suited to acquire the data received from the receiving device and to supply it in an appropriate form to a data processing unit; the data processing unit comprising evaluation software for processing the supplied data; and a splash-proof output unit preferably comprising a display, and particularly preferably comprising a display with a touchscreen, the output unit being in an information connection with the data processing unit and being suited to output information and/or handling instructions to the user of the cleaning device.

2. Cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is a cleaning trolley preferably having at least one lockable wheel.

3. Cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device is additionally configured to exchange data with and to receive data from further autonomous units, the further autonomous units comprising a cleaning device.

4. Cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit comprises a data memory for storing the supplied data.

5. A cleaning system according to claim 1 further comprising a data interface for transmitting the data to an external reader.

6. Cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation software accesses working plans stored electronically in a data memory of the cleaning device.

7. Cleaning system according to claim 1, further comprising an input device for data input by the user.

8. Cleaning system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of autonomous units having signal transmitters that are adapted to wirelessly connect to the cleaning device as soon as the cleaning device is respectively within the range of one of the signal transmitters, the signal transmitter sending messages to the cleaning device after a wireless connection has been established.

9. Cleaning system according to claim 1, at least one autonomous unit comprising a sensor system, the sensor system preferably numerically detecting, electronically processing and storing a movement or operation.

10. Cleaning system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor system detects a movement or activation above a predetermined trigger threshold.

11. Cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous unit or at least one of the autonomous units can be adhered to an object.

12. Cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning system comprises at least one second cleaning device which collects data as a mobile autonomous unit.

13. Cleaning system according to claim 1, further comprising a Personal Digital Assistant which is able to be coupled to the cleaning apparatus.

14. Cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one autonomous unit comprises a beacon, tracker, fitness tracker or a passive HF-RFID-TAG.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The following figures show

[0033] FIG. 1 schematically a cleaning device that communicates with an autonomous unit permanently installed in the object to be cleaned; and

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a cleaning device which according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is additionally in data exchange with a further autonomous unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] In FIG. 1, a cleaning trolley 12 is schematically shown which represents the cleaning device for an object to be cleaned, carries various further cleaning devices, and is moved by a user through the object to be cleaned. In the cleaning trolley 12 there is a computer unit 14 which comprises a receiving device 16, a data acquisition unit 18, a data processing unit 20 as well as an output unit in the form of a display. In the present case, the autonomous unit permanently installed in the object to be cleaned is formed as a towel dispenser which has an electronic component 32 which can contact and communicate with the receiving device 16 of the cleaning trolley via a near-field communication 34.

[0036] Within the towel dispenser 30, the electronic component 32 is functionally linked to the operation of the towel dispenser, for example by counting the number of operations that can be transmitted to the cleaning trolley via near-field communication. The number of activations detected by the receiving device 16 in the present embodiment example is fed to the data acquisition device 18 and in turn to the data processing unit 20. In the data processing unit 20, a comparison can be made with the information stored therein, after how many activations the paper supply in the towel dispenser 30 is to be refilled. Via the output unit 22, the user can be informed if and when this is likely to be the case. In this case, the user could decide whether a refilling of the paper stack or the use of a new paper roll is necessary before the next cleaning cycle. In the same way, however, the data processing unit may also issue specific instructions for action via the output unit 22, which give instructions to the user and leave no discretion in assessing the situation.

[0037] In the present example, if the user has been informed that a new roll is to be inserted into the towel dispenser, the user may simultaneously enter via the output unit 22 that this activity has been performed after the activity has been performed. A touchpad is suitable for this purpose, which enables both the function of the output unit 22 and the acceptance of inputs by the user.

[0038] The electronic component 32 can preferably be a beacon which in turn contains software that records the vibration of the towel dispenser housing by means of acceleration sensors (not shown) and uses a compare pattern to determine whether this is an operation of the towel dispenser. The value is stored in the beacon and can be transmitted to the cleaning trolley for further evaluation as described above.

[0039] The compare pattern shall be made for each autonomous unit permanently installed in the building and the electronic components, such as the beacon described above, shall be placed in a suitable location. The advantage of a beacon is that no constructive modification of the towel dispenser or another autonomous unit is required. For example, a beacon can also be attached to a door, which makes it possible to see how often the door has been operated, from which conclusions can be drawn about the frequency of washrooms or also meeting rooms.

[0040] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2 there is a further autonomous unit 40 in the form of a mop 42 which is moved by a schematically depicted user. In the handle 44 of the mop 42 there preferably is in turn an electronic component 32 configured as a beacon, which comprises an integrated software. Via the sensors and the software, the beacon determines whether it is in motion or not. The computer unit 14 in the cleaning trolley 12 evaluates this information as described above and can thus determine how long the autonomous unit 40 has been used.

[0041] In the case of autonomous cleaning devices that are either in use or are carried in the cleaning trolley 12, the computer unit 14 must be able to differentiate whether the autonomous unit itself is in motion or is only moved together with the trolley. This adjustment can be carried out in different ways. In the most general case, there is an additional motion sensor 46 on the cleaning trolley 12. As soon as the beacon 32 transmits a motion pattern to the computer unit 14, which corresponds to the motion pattern detected by the motion sensor 46, this motion of the mop 42 is suppressed since it was not in the cleaning operation. Another possibility in the case of certain cleaning devices is also to identify the specific cleaning patterns of these cleaning devices. Thus, for example, a further motion sensor can be located on the handle of a mop at a distance from the electronic component 32, and the typical handling of a mop can identified from the relative motion of the two motion sensors and distinguished from the transportation in a cleaning trolley.

[0042] The overall concept explained using simple embodiment examples can be as complex as desired with a corresponding number of sensors, evaluation tools and data stored in a memory of the computer unit. Thus, by a storing a precise cleaning plan, the cleaning staff can be provided with the area to be cleaned in a 3D view and the fastest route to the next cleaning location can be indicated within the framework of an indoor navigation. By means of a quick overview it can be displayed which rooms are still to be cleaned or have already been completed, or which rooms are not to be cleaned due to missing occupancy. For example, these can be meeting rooms that have not been occupied since the last cleaning, as can be established from a query about the operation of doors.

[0043] In the same way, however, it can also be documented that certain special activities have been carried out by means of indoor navigation, but also the operation of special autonomous cleaning devices, which can be used to prove that certain special tasks have been completed.

[0044] The evaluated data can also be used in the context of continuously performed cleaning processes in order to optimize cleaning processes and reconfigure them for individual users. In the same way, fault messages can be detected so that the building management is informed about the cleaning personnel which are located in all parts of the building during the cleaning processes, accepts fault messages and enters them into the system, which are automatically fed into a central system when approaching certain data communication nodes.