AUTONOMOUS HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

Abstract

Described herein are an autonomous household appliance (112) configured for performing at least one household task, a household system (110), a method (130) for temporarily augmenting the functionality of an autonomous household appliance (112), and a computer program. The autonomous household appliance (112) includes at least one task unit (116) arranged for performing the household task and an interface element (118) having at least one wire-bound coupling means (120), where the interface element (118) is configured for releasably and temporarily coupling the autonomous household appliance (112) to at least one smart device (114), where the autonomous household appliance (112) is configured for accessing at least one sensor device (122) of the at least one smart device (114) via the interface element (118) and for making use of at least one item of sensor information retrieved by the sensor device (122) when performing the household task.

Claims

1. An autonomous household appliance (112) configured for performing at least one household task, wherein the autonomous household (112) appliance comprises at least one task unit (116) arranged for performing the household task, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) further comprises an interface element (118) having at least one wire-bound coupling means (120), wherein the interface element (118) is configured for releasably and temporarily coupling the autonomous household appliance (112) to at least one smart device (114), wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) is configured for accessing at least one sensor device (122) of the at least one smart device (114) via the interface element (118) and for making use of at least one item of sensor information retrieved by the sensor device (122) when performing the household task.

2. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) is operable optionally or electively with and without the smart device (114) being coupled to the autonomous household appliance (112).

3. The autonomous household appliance (112) according claim 1, wherein the task unit (116) comprises at least one processor (124), wherein the processor (124) is configured by software for controlling the at least one household task.

4. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 3, wherein the processor (124) is configured for determining if the smart device (114) is coupled to the interface element (118).

5. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) comprises at least one onboard sensor (126), wherein the at least one onboard sensor (126) is configured for determining at least one parameter.

6. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) is configured for using the at least one onboard sensor (126) in combination with the at least one sensor device (122) of the smart device (114).

7. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 1, wherein a map is created from the combination of at least one function of the onboard sensor (126) and the sensor information retrieved by the sensor device (122).

8. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 7, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) is configured to add the at least one parameter determined by the onboard sensor (126) to the map.

9. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 7, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) is configured for using the map in combination with the at least one parameter determined by the onboard sensor (126) to navigate.

10. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) comprises at least one smart device holder (128) for holding the smart device (114), wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) further comprises motion means configured to move one or both of the smart device (114) and the smart device holder (128).

11. A household system (110), the household system (110) comprising at least one autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 1, wherein the household system (110) further comprises at least one smart device (114) configured for being coupled to the autonomous household appliance (112).

12. The household system (110) according to claim 11, wherein the smart device (114) comprises at least one sensor device (122) and at least one smart device interface (123) reversibly couplable with the interface element (118) of the autonomous household appliance (112), the smart device (114) being configured for providing at least one item of sensor information retrieved by the sensor device (122) to the autonomous household appliance (112) via the smart device interface (123).

13. A method (130) for temporarily augmenting the functionality of an autonomous household appliance (112) by using additional functionality of at least one smart device (114) the method (130) comprising: i) providing (132) an autonomous household appliance providing an autonomous household appliance, the autonomous household appliance (112) configured for performing at least one household task, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) comprises at least one task unit (116) arranged for performing the household task, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) further comprises an interface element (118) having at least one wire-bound coupling means (120); ii) providing (134) at least one smart device (114); iii) releasably and temporarily coupling (136) the autonomous household appliance (112) to the smart device (114) by using the interface element (118); iv) accessing (138) at least one sensor device (122) of the smart device (114) via the interface element (118) by the autonomous household appliance (112); and v) making use (140) of at least one item of sensor information retrieved by the sensor device (122) when performing the household task.

14. A method (130) of using the autonomous household appliance (112) or the household system (110) according to claim 11, the method comprising using the autonomous household appliance (112) or the household system (110).

15. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by an autonomous household appliance (112) cause the autonomous household appliance (112) to carry out steps iv) and v) of the method (130) according to claim 13.

16. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 7, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) is configured for using the map in combination with the at least one parameter determined by the onboard sensor (126) to determine travel routes.

17. The autonomous household appliance (112) according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) comprises at least one smart device holder (128) for holding the smart device (114), wherein the autonomous household appliance (112) further comprises motion means configured to bend, tilt or rotate one or both of the smart device (114) and the smart device holder (128).

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0076] Further optional features and embodiments will be disclosed in more detail in the subsequent description of embodiments, preferably in conjunction with the dependent claims. Therein, the respective optional features may be realized in an isolated fashion as well as in any arbitrary feasible combination, as the skilled person will realize. The scope of the invention is not restricted by the preferred embodiments. The embodiments are schematically depicted in the Figures. Therein, identical reference numbers in these Figures refer to identical or functionally comparable elements.

[0077] In the Figures:

[0078] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a household system performing a task; and

[0079] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for temporarily augmenting the functionality of an autonomous household appliance by using additional functionality of at least one smart device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0080] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a household system 110 comprising at least one autonomous household appliance 112 and at least one smart device 114 configured to be coupled to the autonomous household appliance 112. The autonomous household appliance 112 is configured for performing at least one household task, such as for example cleaning, specifically floor cleaning, more specifically vacuum cleaning or wet mopping; maintenance; surveillance, specifically image or video based surveillance, or the like. Thus, the autonomous household appliance 112 may specifically be an autonomously moving robot, such as a mowing robot, a cleaning robot, for example a robotic vacuum cleaner and/or a wet-mopping robot, or a combination thereof.

[0081] The autonomous household appliance 112 may be operable optionally or electively with and without the smart device 114 being coupled to the autonomous household appliance 112. Thus, the autonomous household appliance 112 may specifically be operable without the smart device 114 being coupled to the autonomous household appliance 112. Additionally or alternatively, the autonomous household appliance 112, specifically as household system 110, may be operable with the smart device 114 being coupled to the autonomous household appliance 112. The autonomous household appliance 112 may for example actively select to operate, in particular to perform the household task, with or without the smart device 114.

[0082] The autonomous household appliance 112 comprises at least one task unit 116 arranged for performing the household task. The autonomous household appliance 112 further comprises an interface element 118 having at least one wire-bound coupling means 120. The interface element 118 is configured for releasably and temporarily coupling the autonomous household appliance 112 to the at least one smart device 114. The autonomous household appliance 112 is configured for accessing at least one sensor device 122 of the at least one smart device 114 via the interface element 118 and for making use of at least one item of sensor information retrieved by the sensor device 122 when performing the household task.

[0083] The smart device 114 may comprise at least one sensor device 122. Further, the smart device 114 may comprise at least one smart device interface 123 reversibly couplable with the interface element 118 of the autonomous household appliance 112. The smart device 114 may be configured for providing the at least one item of sensor information retrieved by the sensor device 122 to the autonomous household appliance 112 via the smart device interface 123.

[0084] The task unit 116 may for example comprise at least one processor 124. The processor 124 may specifically be configured by software for controlling the at least one household task. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 124, specifically by software, may be configured for determining if the smart device 114 is coupled to the interface element 118, particularly to the autonomous household appliance 112. The processor 124 may, in case a coupling of the smart device 114 to the interface element 118 is detected, for example be configured for accessing the at least one item of sensor information and for making use of the at least one item of sensor information in the controlling of the household task.

[0085] The at least one sensor device 122 of the smart device 114 may for example be a camera, specifically an imaging device for taking two dimensional or three dimensional images or videos. Thus, the item of sensor information may for example be an image or video taken by the camera.

[0086] The autonomous household appliance 112 may further comprise at least one onboard sensor 126. The onboard sensor 126 may specifically be configured for determining at least one parameter. As an example, the onboard sensor 126 may be a WiFi sensor, specifically a WiFi receiver, more specifically a WiFi signal strength sensor; a LiFi sensor, specifically a LiFi receiver, more specifically a LiFi signal strength sensor; a NFC sensor, specifically a NFC receiver, more specifically a NFC signal strength sensor; a Bluetooth sensor, specifically a Bluetooth receiver, more specifically a Bluetooth signal strength sensor; an ultrasonic sensor; a drop sensor; a compass; an odometrical sensor; an atmospheric pressure sensor.

[0087] The autonomous household appliance 112 may for example be configured for using the at least one onboard sensor 126 in combination with the at least one sensor device 122 of the smart device 114. Specifically, a map, such as a map of an environment of the autonomous household appliance 112, may be created from the combination of the onboard sensor 126 and the sensor device 122, specifically from the combination of a function of the onboard sensor 126 and the sensor information retrieved by the sensor device 114. Thus, as an example, the smart device 114, e.g. a smartphone, may be used for localization and mapping. In particular, the sensor device 122, e.g. a 2D or 3D camera of the smartphone, may be used in combination with a SLAM algorithm to create a map of the environment.

[0088] Further, the autonomous household appliance 112 may be configured to add the at least one parameter determined by the onboard sensor 126 to the map. Thus, as an example, the parameter, specifically further parameters recorded by the at least one onboard sensor 126, may be added to the map, e.g. recorded by the map. Specifically, parameters of sensors, especially low cost sensors, incorporated in the robot, such as WiFi or Bluetooth receivers recording signal strengths or directions, atmospheric pressure sensors, odometrical sensors, ultrasonic sensors, drop sensors, compass, or the like, may be added to the map.

[0089] In particular, the autonomous household appliance 112, e.g. the robot, may be configured to use the parameter retrieved by the onboard sensor 126, specifically in combination with the map for orientation. Thus, the autonomous household appliance 112 may for example use the parameter in combination with a previously recorded map for finding a shortest travelling distance from its current location to, for example, a charging station of the autonomous household appliance 112, e.g. a short route into a room with a charging station.

[0090] Additionally or alternatively, the autonomous household appliance 112 for example coupled to the smart device 114, e.g. the robot augmented by the smartphone, may be used for recording images or videos of an environment of the autonomous household appliance 112. Thus, the autonomous household appliance 112 may be used for maintenance and/or surveillance purposes.

[0091] The autonomous household appliance 112 may comprise at least one smart device holder 128, specifically a mechanical holder, for holding the smart device 114. Thus, as an example, the robot may incorporate a mechanical holder for holding the smartphone. Further, the autonomous household appliance 112 may comprise motion means configured to move, specifically bend, tilt or rotate, the smart device 114 and/or the smart device holder 128. Thus, as an example, the robot may particularly incorporate means to bend, tilt, rotate, etc. the smartphone and/or its holder.

[0092] Specifically, the autonomous household appliance 112, for example, being configured for using the at least one onboard sensor 126 in combination with the at least one sensor device 122 of the smart device 114, may allow recording odometry data of the autonomous household appliance 112 while taking a video of the environment or surroundings of the autonomous household appliance 112, e.g. when performing the household task. In particular, the odometry data which may be retrieved by the onboard sensor 126 of the autonomous household appliance 112 may be used in combination with the video of the environment taken by the sensor device 122 of the smart device 114, e.g. by the camera of the smartphone. Specifically, the video data may be transformed into 3D-data using algorithms such as a shape-from-motion algorithm, for example a shape-from-motion algorithm known from the art. The 3D-data may for example be more accurate, when the odometry data is used for estimating the traveled distance. Additionally or alternatively, the odometry sensors may for example be calibrated using the distances estimated from the shape-from-motion algorithm.

[0093] As an example, the household system 110, specifically the autonomous household appliance 112 and the smart device 114, may for example be used for recording data when not performing the household task. Thus, the autonomous household appliance 112 and the smart device 114 coupled to the autonomous household appliance 112 may for example be used for creating a map of an apartment, such as a 2D and/or 3D map. In particular, the map, e.g. the 3D-map, may be recorded for virtual reality or augmented reality applications. Thus, the autonomous household appliance 112 may be used for generating current room pictures, for example in order to avoid collision of the user with objects within an augmented reality. Additionally or alternatively, the map, e.g. the 3D map, generated by the autonomous household appliance 112 may be used for redecorating purposes. Specifically, a user may be able to walk through his/her home with VR glasses on, wherein all real objects, as detected by the household system 110, e.g. by the autonomous household appliance 112 and the smart device 114, may be integrated into the augmented reality.

[0094] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method 130 for temporarily augmenting the functionality of an autonomous household appliance 112 by using additional functionality of at least one smart device 114. The method 130 comprises the following steps: [0095] i) providing (method step 132) an autonomous household appliance 112, the autonomous household appliance 112 configured for performing at least one household task, wherein the autonomous household appliance 112 comprises at least one task unit 116 arranged for performing the household task, wherein the autonomous household appliance 112 further comprises an interface element 118 having at least one wire-bound coupling means 120; [0096] ii) providing (method step 134) at least one smart device 114; [0097] iii) releasably and temporarily coupling (method step 136) the autonomous household appliance 112 to the smart device 114 by using the interface element 118; [0098] iv) accessing (method step 138) at least one sensor device 122 of the smart device 114 via the interface element 118 by the autonomous household appliance 112; and [0099] v) making use (method step 140) of at least one item of sensor information retrieved by the sensor device 122 when performing the household task.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0100] 110 household system [0101] 112 autonomous household appliance [0102] 114 smart device [0103] 116 task unit [0104] 118 interface element [0105] 120 wire-bound coupling means [0106] 122 sensor device [0107] 123 smart device interface [0108] 124 processor [0109] 126 onboard sensor [0110] 128 smart device holder [0111] 130 method for temporarily augmenting the functionality of an autonomous household appliance by using additional functionality of at least one smart device [0112] 132 step i) providing an autonomous household appliance [0113] 134 step ii) providing at least one smart device [0114] 136 step iii) [0115] 138 step iv) [0116] 140 step v)