Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a robot controller and particularly to a robot controller for an automated detection and cleaning of dust.
Description of Related Art
[002] In a quest for indoor cleanliness and hygiene automation, effective robot control is paramount. Traditional methods relying on human effort often fall short in consistently reaching and detecting dust in inaccessible areas. While Bluetooth wireless communication offers a convenient solution, its inherent limitations, such as low range, pose significant challenges. In vast indoor spaces, these limitations become glaring, restricting operational distance and reliability. Moreover, interference from other devices operating on the crowded 2.4 GHz band further exacerbates signal degradation, undermining the responsiveness of robot control robot controllers. Hence, there is a pressing need for innovative approaches to address these issues and ensure seamless robot operation in indoor environments.
[003] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced robot controller for automated detection and cleaning of dust that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[004] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a robot controller for an automated detection and cleaning of dust. The robot controller comprising: a mobile vacuum adapted to autonomously navigate in a premise. The mobile vacuum comprising: an ultrasonic sensor adapted to detect dusty locations in the premise. The mobile vacuum further comprising: a servo motor adapted to activate a driver Integrated Circuit (IC) to actuate a motion in wheels of the mobile vacuum. The motion in the wheels enables the mobile vacuum to arrive at the detected dusty location. The mobile vacuum further comprising: a communication unit adapted to be in communication with a cloud server. The cloud server stores an automated clean-up routine or a user-created clean-up routine to be followed by the mobile vacuum. The mobile vacuum further comprising: a control unit communicatively connected to the ultrasonic sensor, the servo motor, and the communication unit. The control unit is configured to: receive the detected dusty location from the ultrasonic sensor; enable a sensor node to map an obstacle-free route from a current location of the mobile vacuum to the received dusty location; actuate the servo motor to activate the driver Integrated Circuit (IC) for moving the wheels of the mobile vacuum on the mapped route; and activate a cleaning unit to clean the dusty location.
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for cleaning a premise using a robot controller for an automated detection and cleaning of dust. The method comprising steps of: receiving a detected dusty location from an ultrasonic sensor; enabling a sensor node to map an obstacle-free route from a current location of a mobile vacuum to the received dusty location; actuating a servo motor to activate a driver Integrated Circuit (IC) for moving wheels of the mobile vacuum on the mapped route; and activating a cleaning unit to clean the dusty location.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a robot controller for an automated detection and cleaning of dust.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a robot controller for an automated detection and cleaning of dust that is quick, fast, and accurate.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a robot controller for an automated detection and cleaning of dust that operates efficiently and without leaving traces of dirt and dust.
[009] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0010] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a robot controller for an automated detection and cleaning of dust, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit of the robot controller for automated detection and cleaning of dust, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for cleaning a premise using a robot controller for an automated detection and cleaning of dust, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0017] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0018] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a robot controller 100 for automated detection and cleaning of dust, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the robot controller 100 may be adapted to detect dust and dirt on a premise. Further, the robot controller 100 may empower a mobile vacuum 102 to approach the dusty location and clean the dust and dirt, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the robot controller 100 may comprise the mobile vacuum 102, a cloud server 114, a sensor node 120, and a user device 122.
[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile vacuum 102 may be adapted to autonomously navigate in the premise. The mobile vacuum 102 may further be adapted to clean the dusty locations in the premise, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the mobile vacuum 102 may comprise an ultrasonic sensor 104, a servo motor 106, a driver Integrated Circuit (IC) 108, wheels 110a-110n, a communication unit 112, a control unit 116, and a cleaning unit 118.
[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensor 104 may be adapted to detect the dusty location in the premise. The ultrasonic sensor 104 may be mounted on the mobile vacuum 102 in such a position that the ultrasonic sensor 104 may capture a wider view of the premise, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensor 104 may be adapted to rotate 180 degrees to 360 degrees to capture a complete view of the premise. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensor 104 may be an HC-SR04.
[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the servo motor 106 may be adapted to activate the driver Integrated Circuit (IC) 108 to actuate a motion in wheels 110a-110n of the mobile vacuum 102. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driver Integrated Circuit (IC) 108 may be an L298N. Further, the motion in the wheels 110a-110n may enable the mobile vacuum 102 to arrive at the detected dusty location in the premise.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 112 may be adapted to be in communication with the cloud server 114. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 112 may be, but not limited to, an Internet, a Bluetooth, a ZigBee, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 114 may be adapted to store an automated clean-up routine or a user-created clean-up routine to be followed by the mobile vacuum 102.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 116 may be connected to the ultrasonic sensor 104, the servo motor 106, and the communication unit 112. The control unit 116 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the robot controller 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 116 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning unit 118 may be adapted to clean the detected dusty location. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning unit 118 may be, but not limited to, a vacuum, a broom, a fan, a mop, a sticky pad, and so forth.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor node 120 may be adapted to map a route between a current location of the mobile vacuum 102 to the detected dusty location in the premise. Further, the sensor node 120 may be adapted for obstacle detection and avoidance, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the route mapped by the sensor node 120 for the mobile vacuum 102 may avoid and circumvent the obstacles in the premise, and hence the mapped route may be an obstacle-free route.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 122 may be a device used by the user to upload the user-created clean-up routine onto the cloud server 114.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the control unit 116 of the robot controller 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 116 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200, a routing module 202, an actuation module 204, and an activation module 206.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the detected dusty location from the ultrasonic sensor 104. Further, the detected dusty location may be transmitted to the routing module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the routing module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the detected dusty location from the data receiving module 200. The routing module 202 may be configured to enable the sensor node 120 to map the obstacle-free route from the current location of the mobile vacuum 102 to the received dusty location, in an embodiment of the present invention. After mapping of the obstacle-free routes, the routing module 202 may transmit an actuation signal to the actuation module 204, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation module 204 may be activated upon receipt of the actuation signal from the routing module 202. The actuation module 204 may be configured to actuate the servo motor 106 to activate the driver Integrated Circuit (IC) 108 for moving the wheels 110a-110n of the mobile vacuum 102 on the mapped route, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the movement of the wheels 110a-110n may enable the mobile vacuum 102 to traverse the mapped route for arrival at the received dusty location. After the arrival of the mobile vacuum 102 at the received dusty location, the actuation module 204 may transmit an activation signal to the activation module 206.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the activation module 206 may be activated upon receipt of the activation signal from the actuation module 204. The activation module 206 may be configured to activate the cleaning unit 118 to clean the dusty location, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for cleaning the premise using the robot controller 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] At step 302, the robot controller 100 may receive the detected dusty location from the ultrasonic sensor 104.
[0035] At step 304, the robot controller 100 may enable the sensor node 120 to map the obstacle-free route from the current location of the mobile vacuum 102 to the received dusty location.
[0036] At step 306, the robot controller 100 may actuate the servo motor 106 to activate the driver Integrated Circuit (IC) 108 for moving the wheels 110a-110n of the mobile vacuum 102 on the mapped route.
[0037] At step 308, the robot controller 100 may activate the cleaning unit 118 to clean the dusty location.
[0038] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0039] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or robot controllers and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. A robot controller (100) for automated detection and cleaning of dust, the robot controller (100) comprising:
a mobile vacuum (102) adapted to autonomously navigate in a premise, the mobile vacuum (102) comprising:
an ultrasonic sensor (104) adapted to detect dusty locations in the premise;
a servo motor (106) adapted to activate a driver Integrated Circuit (IC) (108) to actuate a motion in wheels (110a-110n) of the mobile vacuum (102), wherein the motion in the wheels (110a-110n) enables the mobile vacuum (102) to arrive at the detected dusty location;
a communication unit (112) adapted to be in communication with a cloud server (114), wherein the cloud server (114) stores an automated clean-up routine or a user-created clean-up routine to be followed by the mobile vacuum (102); and
a control unit (116) communicatively connected to the ultrasonic sensor (104), the servo motor (106), and the communication unit (112), characterized in the control unit (116) is configured to:
receive the detected dusty location from the ultrasonic sensor (104);
enable a sensor node (120) to map an obstacle-free route from a current location of the mobile vacuum (102) to the received dusty location;
actuate the servo motor (106) to activate the driver Integrated Circuit (IC) (108) for moving the wheels (110a-110n) of the mobile vacuum (102) on the mapped route; and
activate a cleaning unit (118) to clean the dusty location.
2. The robot controller (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic sensor (104) is an HC-SR04.
3. The robot controller (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driver Integrated Circuit (IC) (108) is an L298N.
4. The robot controller (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit (118) comprises a vacuum, a broom, a fan, a mop, a sticky pad, or a combination thereof.
5. The robot controller (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user-created clean-up routine is created and uploaded onto the cloud server (114) using a user device (122).
6. The robot controller (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication unit (112) is selected from an Internet, a Bluetooth, a ZigBee, or a combination thereof.
7. A method (300) for cleaning a premise using a robot controller (100) for automated detection and cleaning of dust, the method (300) is characterized by steps of:
receiving a detected dusty location from an ultrasonic sensor (104);
enabling a sensor node (120) to map an obstacle-free route from a current location of a mobile vacuum (102) to the received dusty location;
actuating a servo motor (106) to activate a driver Integrated Circuit (IC) (108) for moving wheels (110a-110n) of the mobile vacuum (102) on the mapped route; and
activating a cleaning unit (118) to clean the dusty location.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ultrasonic sensor (104) is an HC-SR04.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the driver Integrated Circuit (IC) (108) is an L298N.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cleaning unit (118) comprises a vacuum, a broom, a fan, a mop, a sticky pad, or a combination thereof.
Date: May 28, 2024
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)