METHOD FOR OPERATING A MOBILE SELF-PROPELLED APPLIANCE AND MOBILE SELF-PROPELLED APPLIANCE

Abstract

A method operates a mobile self-propelled appliance, in particular a floor cleaning appliance, such as a robot vacuum cleaner and/or robot sweeper and/or robot mopping appliance. The mobile self-propelled appliance has at least one tactile sensor, which is provided for collision detection of the mobile self-propelled appliance with obstacles and which, in addition to the collision detection, triggers at least one user command if a user presses against the tactile sensor n times in a predetermined time period, wherein n>1.

Claims

1. A method for operating a mobile self-propelled appliance having at least one tactile sensor, being provided for collision detection of the mobile self-propelled appliance with obstacles, which comprises the step of: triggering at least one user command if a user presses against the at least one tactile sensor n times in a predetermined time period, wherein n>1.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tactile sensor is a bumper.

3. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises setting the predetermined time period so that collision events with the obstacles are ruled out.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one user command cancels a cleaning job.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one user command cancels a cleaning job in a current room.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one user command begins a programmed cleaning job.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein different user commands are executed in each case depending on a number n of presses of the at least one tactile sensor.

8. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises executing different user commands in each case depending on a tactile sensor area that is pressed.

9. The mobile self-propelled appliance according to claim 1, wherein the mobile self-propelled appliance is a floor cleaning appliance, a robot vacuum cleaner, a robot sweeper or a robot mopping appliance.

10. A mobile self-propelled appliance, comprising: a tactile sensor configured to trigger at least one user command in addition to collision detection if a user presses against said tactile sensor n times in a predetermined time period, wherein n>1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile self-propelled appliance which is operated according to the method in accordance with the invention; and

[0038] FIGS. 2A, 2B are flowcharts relating to an exemplary embodiment of an operating method in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a three-dimensional view of a mobile self-propelled appliance 10, in particular a robot vacuum cleaner, which has an appliance housing 1 that has a D-shape. In particular, the housing body 1 has a front straight shape and a rear round or curved shape. In a rear region, a lidar sensor 2 is placed on the housing body 1, in particular centrally. Using the lidar sensor 2, the robot vacuum cleaner can measure a horizontal plane approximately 10 cm above the ground with a 360? field of view. In particular, the lidar sensor detects walls, obstacles and other items and integrates them into an environment map.

[0040] Obstacles that have only a low height cannot be detected or identified by the lidar sensor 2. In order to detect obstacles and items at a low height of in particular less than 10 cm above the ground, a tactile sensor 3, for example an impact sensor, in particular a bumper, is used. This is placed in the form of a bumper bar on the straight front of the robot vacuum cleaner. When the bumper comes into contact with objects, items and obstacles, small tactile detectors are activated, which indicate a collision. This results in collision detection. During a cleaning journey of the appliance 10, in particular small/low obstacles in the surrounding area can therefore be identified and driven around by means of a collision at the bumper.

[0041] In accordance with the invention, the bumper of the appliance 10 assumes a further function in addition to collision detection. In particular, the bumper triggers a programmed user command if the user taps the bumper n times (n>1). In particular, a smartphone on which the user activates their command, is not necessary in order to transmit the programmed user command. For example, the user can give the appliance 10 a go-away signal with the foot or initiate a cleaning process by actuating the bumper in a targeted manner.

[0042] Each of FIGS. 2A, 2B illustrate a flowchart of an operating method of a mobile self-propelled appliance, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A illustrates a sequence method if a user feels disturbed by the appliance and cancels the cleaning of the current room or the entire cleaning job by tapping against the bumper.

[0043] In step 100, the robot vacuum cleaner starts a cleaning job that includes at least one room. One after the other, the rooms of the cleaning job are cleaned by the robot vacuum cleaner (step 101). In one of the rooms, the user feels disturbed by the robot vacuum cleaner due to its cleaning activity (point 102) and would like to end it. For this purpose, the user taps the bumper of the robot vacuum cleaner twice in succession (step 103a). Due to this user command, the robot vacuum cleaner cancels the cleaning of the room currently to be cleaned and moves to the next room in the processing list (step 104b). If the user wants to end not only the cleaning of the current room, but the entire current cleaning job for all rooms, they tap the bumper of the robot vacuum cleaner three times in succession in step 103b. The robot vacuum cleaner then cancels the entire cleaning job and travels directly back to its base station (step 104b).

[0044] In the present case, the user can therefore influence the further course of action of the robot vacuum cleaner via various tapping or pressing sequences. The intervals between the tapping actions of the user must be kept short, so that the robot vacuum cleaner can distinguish between alleged collisions with obstacles and user commands.

[0045] FIG. 2B illustrates a sequence method in which the user wants to start a cleaning process in as uncomplicated a manner as possible without using their smartphone, and this is realized by tapping the bumper. Initially, the robot vacuum cleaner is at its base station and is at a standstill (step 200). At the point in time 201, the user would like to start a cleaning job, for example, because the floor is dirty or something has been spilled. If the user now taps against the center of the bumper of the robot vacuum cleaner twice in succession in step 202a within a certain small time period, the robot vacuum cleaner receives the signal to start a cleaning job for the entire home (step 203a). If, on the other hand, the user taps the side of the bumper of the robot vacuum cleaner twice in succession in step 202b within a certain small time period, the robot vacuum cleaner receives the signal to start a cleaning job only for the current room (step 203b).

[0046] Depending on the tapping sequence (2 times/3 times/n times) as well as depending on the tapping area on the bumper (center/side), different user commands can be triggered. For this purpose, the user can preferably be given the opportunity, for example via settings within the cleaning app, to determine which order or which command is to be executed when tapping against the center or the right/left bumper area n times, whereby the user commands can be individually adapted to the user needs.