Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for decontaminating an environment, the system (100) comprising:
a user device (102) comprises a robot controlling application (108), wherein the robot controlling application (108) is configured to enable a user to provide an input associated with decontamination tasks to be performed and a specific area of the environment for performing the decontamination tasks; and
a robotic device (104) connected to the user device (102), wherein the robotic device (104) comprises:
a display unit (120) to display information selected from a battery information, a cleaning completion information, a sanitizing completion information, a sanitizer refilling information, a vacuuming completion information, or a combination thereof; and
a control unit (134) connected to the display unit (120), and configured to:
receive the input associated with the decontamination tasks to be performed and the specific area of the environment from the user device (102);
enable a location tracking unit (116) of the robotic device (104) to track a current position and generate a path for the received specific area;
actuate a motor (124) to enable a movement of wheels (142a-142d) of the robotic device (104) in one of, a direction selected from a left direction, a right direction, a forward direction, or a backward direction based on the generated path;
determine the decontamination task to be performed from the received input;
activate a vacuum cleaning device (136) provided at a base of the robotic device (104) for vacuuming the specific area for a first-time interval, when the decontamination task is vacuuming;
actuate a sanitizer pump (138) for a second-time interval to dispense a pre-defined quantity of sanitization solution from a sanitizer container (132), when the decontamination task is sanitizing; and
display the information associated with a completion of the decontamination task on the display unit (120).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the robotic device (104) comprises an ultrasonic sensor (110) to detect objects/obstacles coming in front of the robotic device (104) when the robotic device (104) is moving from a first place to a second place.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the robotic device (104) comprises a communication unit (118) to enable the robotic device (104) to communicate with the user device (102) over a communication network (106).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the communication unit (118) is selected from a Bluetooth, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), or a combination thereof.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit (120) is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the robotic device (104) comprises a battery (126) configured to supply a power to components of the robotic device (104).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the robotic device (104) comprises a dustbin (128) to receive dirt/dust collected by the robotic device (104).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (134) is configured to actuate the motor (124) to supply a power to brushes (140a-140b) to clean the specific area for a third-time interval, when the decontamination task is cleaning.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the robotic device (104) comprises a water tank space (130) provided to place a water tank holding a pre-defined amount of water used for washing the specific area of the environment.
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first-time interval, the second-time interval and the third-time interval are set by the user using a timer (122).

Date: 22 Nov, 2021
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DECONTAMINATING ENVIRONMENT BY ROBOTIC DEVICE

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: CHITKARA INNOVATION INCUBATOR FOUNDATION
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: SCO: 160-161, SECTOR – 9C, MADHYA MARG, CHANDIGARH – 160009, INDIA

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method of performing decontamination tasks in real-time and particularly to a system and method for decontaminating environment by a robotic device.
Description of Related Art
[002] Cleanliness is next to godliness. A cleaner environment leads to good health and an active lifestyle. It also plays a major role in keeping human beings physically fit and enhancing their life spans. However, in today’s fast-paced life, many people find it very hard to spare out a time for cleaning tasks. Many people prefer to hire a maid or a cleaner to keep their house clean so that they can relax and enjoy their life after work. On other hand, due to pandemic situation, a majority of people are working from home. To follow proper hygiene, they have to manage cleaning and appropriate sanitization of environment in addition to their job responsibilities. Due to lack of time and excess load, they failed to do so. As a result, they get infected and put their life in a risk.
[003] Conventionally, robotic devices were equipped with ultra violet (UV) lights to disinfect surfaces generally by shining UV light in all directions or spraying the surfaces with a disinfectant. However, UV rays are harmful to human body and are unable to operate in crowded environments, such as grocery stores, where cleaning and sanitization is critical for preventing a spread of pathogens.
[004] There is thus a need for an advanced and more effective system and method for decontaminating the environment that can administer the drawbacks faced by the conventional systems.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a system for decontaminating an environment. The system comprising: a user device comprises a robot controlling application. The robot controlling application is configured to enable a user to provide an input associated with decontamination tasks to be performed and a specific area of the environment for performing the decontamination tasks. The system further comprising: a robotic device connected to the user device. The robotic device comprises: a display unit adapted to display information selected from a battery information, a cleaning completion information, a sanitizing completion information, a sanitizer refilling information, a vacuuming completion information, or a combination thereof. The robotic device further comprises: a control unit connected to the display unit. The control unit is configured to: receive the input associated with the decontamination tasks to be performed and the specific area of the environment from the user device; enable a location tracking unit of the robotic device to track a current position and generate a path for the received specific area; actuate a motor to enable a movement of wheels of the robotic device in one of, a direction selected from a left direction, a right direction, a forward direction, or a backward direction based on the generated path; determine the decontamination task to be performed from the received input; activate a vacuum cleaning device provided at a base of the robotic device for vacuuming the specific area for a first-time interval, when the decontamination task is vacuuming; actuate a sanitizer pump for a second-time interval to dispense a pre-defined quantity of sanitization solution from a sanitizer container, when the decontamination task is sanitizing; and display the information associated with a completion of the decontamination task on the display unit.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a robotic device that sanitizes an entire area automatically to preserve hygiene.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present invention may provide a robotic device that is connected to a user device through a Bluetooth and/or Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) to receive instructions associated with decontamination tasks.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present invention may provide a robotic device that is provided with a timer to enable a user to set a time interval so that the robotic device sanitizes environment after every pre-set time interval.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present invention may provide a robotic device that is provided with a display unit to display information such as, a low battery, a completion of cleaning task, a completion of sanitizing task, and so forth.
[0010] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0011] 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
[0012] 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:
[0013] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram depicting a system for decontaminating environment by a robotic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1B illustrates components of the robotic device of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom view of the robotic device of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a control unit of the robotic device of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for decontaminating the environment by the robotic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] 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
[0019] 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 spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram depicting a system 100 for decontaminating an environment by a robotic device 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may be configured to enable the robotic device 104 to perform decontamination tasks such as, but not limited to, vacuuming, cleaning, sanitizing, and so forth in the environment within a short period of time. The environment may comprise houses, offices, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a user device 102 and the robotic device 104. The user device 102 and the robotic device 104 may be connected to each other through a communication network 106.
[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication network 106 may be a data network such as, but not limited to, the Internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the data network, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In another embodiment of the present invention, the communication network 106 may be a wireless network, such as, but not limited to, a cellular network, and may employ various technologies including an Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the wireless network, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] The user device 102 may be a device used by a user to provide an input associated with the decontamination tasks to the robotic device 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. The user device 102 may also be used by the user to provide a specific area of the environment to be cleaned and/or sanitized and/or vacuumed, in an embodiment of the present invention. The user device 102 may be, but not limited to, a mobile device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a portable computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a smart device, and so forth. Embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 102 may comprise software applications such as, but not limited to, a navigation application, a camera application, a media player application, a social networking application, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user device 102 may comprise a robot controlling application 108 that may be a computer readable program installed on the user device 102 for controlling operations of the robotic device 104. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the user may provide the input of performing the decontamination tasks by providing login details. In such embodiment of the present invention, the login details may be, but not limited to, a user identifier, a passcode, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the login details that may be associated with the user.
[0026] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, components of the robotic device 104 may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C.
[0027] FIG. 1B illustrates the components of the robotic device 104 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components may be, but not limited to, an ultrasonic sensor 110, an infrared sensor 112, a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) sensor 114, a location tracking unit 116, a communication unit 118, a display unit, 120, a timer 122, a motor 124, a battery 126, a dustbin 128, a water tank space 130, a sanitizer container 132, and a control unit 134.
[0028] The ultrasonic sensor 110 may be disposed inside the robotic device 104 to detect objects/obstacles coming in front of the robotic device 104 when the robotic device 104 is moving from a first place to a second place, in an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic sensor 110 may be, but not limited to, a high frequency type ultrasonic sensor, an open structure type ultrasonic sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the ultrasonic sensor 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] The infrared sensor 112 may be disposed inside the robotic device 104 to emit infrared radiations in order to detect the objects/obstacles in the environment. The infrared sensor 112 may be, but not limited to, an active infrared sensor, a passive infrared sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the infrared sensor 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] The LDR sensor 114 may be disposed inside the robotic device 104, to measure an intensity of light in the environment, in an embodiment of the present invention. The LDR sensor 114 may be, but not limited to, intrinsic photo resistors, extrinsic photo resistors, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the LDR sensor 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] The location tracking unit 116 may be disposed inside the robotic device 104, to receive the specific area of the environment to be cleaned/ and/or sanitized and/or vacuumed from the user device 102 through the communication unit 118. The location tracking unit 116 may be configured to track a current position of the robotic device 104. Further, the location tracking unit 116 may be configured to generate a path for the specific area based on the tracked current location and map information stored in a storage unit of the location tracking unit 116. The location tracking unit 116 may be configured to transmit the generated path to the control unit 134, in an embodiment of the present invention. The location tracking unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location tracking unit 116 may be a Global Positioning System (GPS). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the location tracking unit 116, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 118 may be configured to enable the robotic device 104 to communicate with the user device 102 over the communication network 106. Examples of the communication unit 118 may be, but not limited to, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), a Bluetooth, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] The display unit 120 may be disposed at the robotic device 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. The display unit 120 may be configured to display information such as, but not limited to, a battery information, a cleaning completion information, a sanitizing completion information, a sanitizer refilling information, a vacuuming completion information, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the information. The display unit 120 may be, but not limited to, a 8-bit display, a 16-bit display, a 32-bit display, a 64-bit display, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 120 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] The timer 122 may be disposed on the robotic device 104, to enable the user to set a time interval for each of the decontamination tasks, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the timer 122 may enable the user to set a first-time interval for vacuuming. The first-time interval may be, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and so forth. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the timer 122 may enable the user to set a second-time interval for sanitizing the specific area. The second-time interval may be, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and so forth. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the timer 122 may enable the user to set a third-time interval for cleaning. The third-time interval may be, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and so forth.
[0035] Further, the timer 122 may also enable the user to set an interval of time for sanitizing the environment after every pre-set interval of time. In an embodiment of the present invention, the timer 122 may be set to the interval of time such as, but not limited to, 1 hour, 2 hours, and so forth. Further, the timer 122 may be a Real Time Clock (RTC) that may be provided to measure a passage of time, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] The motor 124 may be actuated to enable a movement of the robotic device 104 in one of, a direction such as, but not limited to, a left direction, a right direction, a forward direction, or a backward direction. The motor 124 may be actuated to move the robotic device 104 based on an output generated by the control unit 134. The motor 124 may be an electric motor such as, but not limited to, a Direct Current (DC) motor, an Alternate Current (AC) motor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the motor 124, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] The battery 126 may be configured to supply a power to the components such as, the motor 124, a vacuum cleaning device 136 (as shown in FIG. 1C), and so forth of the robotic device 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery 126 may be, but not limited to, a dry battery, a rechargeable battery, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the battery 126, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0038] The dustbin 128 may be provided to receive dirt/dust collected by the robotic device 104, in an embodiment of the present invention. The dustbin 128 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic, a steel, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the dustbin 128, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the water tank space 130 may be provided to place a water tank holding a pre-defined amount of water. The robotic device 104 may use the water for washing the specific area of the environment, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] The sanitizer container 132 may be a hollow container and a refillable container that may be having a sanitizer inlet (not shown) to receive a sanitization solution from the user, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sanitization solution may be, but not limited to, an alcohol-based fluid, an alcohol-based gel, and so forth. The alcohol-based fluid may be, but not limited to, an ethyl alcohol, an ethanol, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the alcohol-based fluid, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The alcohol-based gel may be, but not limited to, Purell®, Sterillium®, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the alcohol-based gel, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sanitization solution, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0040] The sanitizer container 132 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a rubber, the plastic, the metal, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the sanitizer container 132, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, the sanitizer container 132 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, a square, a cylindrical, a tube-shaped structure, a rectangle, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the sanitizer container 132, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0041] The control unit 134 may include suitable logic, instructions, circuitry, interfaces, and/or codes for executing the various operations, such as displaying the information through the display unit 120. The control unit 134 may be configured to perform the operations associated with the system 100 by communicating commands and/or instructions. The control unit 134 may be, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 134 may be a microcontroller. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 134 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, components of the control unit 134 may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0042] The memory (not shown) may be a non-transitory data storage medium that may be configured to store the logic, the instructions, the circuitry, the interfaces, and/or the codes of the control unit 134 for executing the various operations associated to the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The memory may be, but not limited to, a Random-Access Memory (RAM) device, a Read Only Memory (ROM) device, a flash memory, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom view of the robotic device 104 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The robotic device 104 may further comprise a vacuum cleaning device 136, a sanitizer pump 138, brushes 140a-140b (hereinafter referred to as the brushes 140), and wheels 142a-142d (hereinafter referred to as the wheels 142). The vacuum cleaning device 136 may be located at a base of the robotic device 104 to vacuum the specific area of the environment. In an embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum power of the vacuum cleaning device 136 may be controllable through the user device 102 (as shown in the FIG. 1A). The vacuum cleaning device 136 may be operated based on the output generated by the control unit 134 (as shown in the FIG. 1B). The vacuum cleaning device 136 may be, but not limited to, a wet vacuum, a dry vacuum, a rotary floor machine, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the vacuum cleaning device 136, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0044] The sanitizer pump 138 may be in-built within the base of the robotic device 104. The sanitizer pump 138 may be activated and/or deactivated based on the output received from the control unit 134. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sanitizer pump 138 may be connected to a sanitizer motor (not shown) and an outlet of the sanitizer container 132 (as shown in the FIG. 1B). Further, the sanitizer pump 138 may be actuated to dispense the sanitization solution from the outlet of the sanitizer container 132 at a pre-defined pressure.
[0045] The brushes 140 may be provided at the base of the robotic device 104, for cleaning purpose. The brushes 140 may be electronic brushes that may be operated by the motor 124 (as shown in the FIG. 1B) to clean an object and/or a surface of the specific area, in an embodiment of the present invention. The brushes 140 may be adapted to operate based on the output received from the control unit 134, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] Further, the wheels 142 may be provided to enable the movement of the robotic device 104 in one of, the direction, in an embodiment of the present invention. The wheels 142 may be operated by the motor 124, in an embodiment of the present invention. The wheels 142 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, steel wheels, alloy wheels, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the wheels 142, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates the components of the control unit 134 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components may be, an input receiving module 200, a location tracking module 202, a motor control module 204, a task determination module 206, a vacuum control module 208, a pump control module 210, a brush control module 212, and an output module 214.
[0048] The input receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the input associated with the decontamination tasks from the user device 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. The input receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the input from the user device 102 through the robot controlling application 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the input receiving module 200 may also be configured to receive the specific area of the environment to be cleaned and/or sanitized and/or vacuumed from the user device 102. The input receiving module 200 may be configured to transmit the received specific area to the location tracking module 202. The input receiving module 200 may further be configured to transmit the input associated with the decontamination tasks to the task determination module 206, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] The location tracking module 202 may be configured to enable the location tracking unit 116 to track the current position and generate the path for the received specific area based on the map information stored in the storage unit. The generated path may comprise a directional instruction to be followed by the robotic device 104 to reach at the specific area. The location tracking module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated path to the motor control module 204.
[0050] The motor control module 204 may be configured to actuate the motor 124 to enable the movement of the wheels 142 in one of, the direction selected from the left direction, the right direction, the forward direction, the backward direction, and so forth. The motor control module 204 may be configured to actuate the motor 124 to enable the movement of the wheels 142 in one of, the direction based on the generated path.
[0051] The task determination module 206 may be configured to determine the decontamination task to be performed from the received input, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the task determination module 206 may be configured to generate a vacuum cleaner activation signal, when the task determination module 206 determines that the decontamination task provided by the user is vacuuming. In such embodiment of the present invention, the task determination module 206 may be configured to transmit the generated vacuum cleaner activation signal to the vacuum control module 208.
[0052] In another embodiment of the present invention, the task determination module 206 may be configured to generate a pump activation signal, when the task determination module 206 determines that the decontamination task provided by the user is sanitizing. The task determination module 206 may be configured to transmit the generated pump activation signal to the pump control module 210.
[0053] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the task determination module 206 may be configured to generate a cleaning signal, when the task determination module 206 determines that the decontamination task provided by the user is cleaning. In such embodiment of the present invention, the task determination module 206 may be configured to transmit the generated cleaning signal to the brush control module 212.
[0054] The vacuum control module 208 may be configured to activate the vacuum cleaning device 136 by supplying the vacuum power based on the received vacuum cleaner activation signal. The vacuum control module 208 may be configured to activate the vacuum cleaning device 136 for the first-time interval set by the user on the timer 122 for vacuuming the area. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the vacuum control module 208 determines that a vacuum time reaches the first-time interval set for vacuuming, then the vacuum control module 208 may be configured to restrict the supply of the vacuum power and may generate a vacuum completion signal. The vacuum control module 208 may be configured to transmit the generated vacuum completion signal to the output module 214.
[0055] The pump control module 210 may be configured to actuate the sanitizer pump 138 based on the received pump activation signal, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the pump control module 210 may be configured to actuate the sanitizer pump 138 to dispense a pre-defined quantity of the sanitization solution from the sanitizer container 132 through the outlet onto the specific area to be sanitized. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pump control module 210 may be configured to actuate the sanitizer pump 138 for the second-time interval set by the user for sanitizing. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the pump control module 210 determines that a sanitizing time reaches the second-time interval, then the pump control module 210 may be configured to generate a sanitization completion signal. The pump control module 210 may be configured to transmit the generated sanitization completion signal to the output module 214.
[0056] The brush control module 212 may be configured to actuate the motor 124 to supply the power to the brushes 140 based on the received cleaning signal, in an embodiment of the present invention. The brush control module 212 may be configured to actuate the motor 124 to supply the power to the brushes 140 to clean the provided area. The brush control module 212 may be configured to supply the power to the brushes 140 for the third-time interval set by the user for cleaning. In an embodiment of the present invention, if the brush control module 212 determines that a cleaning time reaches the third-time interval set by the user for cleaning, then the brush control module 212 may be configured to deactivate the motor 124 and generate a cleaning completion signal. The brush control module 212 may be configured to transmit the cleaning completion signal to the output module 214.
[0057] The output module 214 may be configured to generate the information based on the signal received from one of, the vacuum control module 208, the pump control module 210, or the brush control module 212. In an embodiment of the present invention, the output module 214 may be configured to generate the sanitizing completion information based on the received sanitization completion signal. The output module 214 may be configured to display the generated sanitizing completion information on the display unit 120, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the output module 214 may be configured to transmit the generated sanitizing completion information to the user device 102.
[0058] In another embodiment of the present invention, the output module 214 may be configured to generate the vacuuming completion information based on the received vacuum completion signal. The output module 214 may be configured to display the generated vacuuming completion information on the display unit 120, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the output module 214 may be configured to transmit the generated vacuuming completion information to the user device 102.
[0059] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the output module 214 may be configured to generate the cleaning completion information based on the received cleaning completion signal. The output module 214 may be configured to display the generated cleaning completion information on the display unit 120, in an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the output module 214 may be configured to transmit the generated cleaning completion information to the user device 102.
[0060] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for decontaminating the environment by the robotic device 104, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] At step 302, the robotic device 104 may receive the input associated with the decontamination tasks and the specific area for performing the decontamination tasks from the user device 102.
[0062] At step 304, the robotic device 104 may track the current position and generate the path for the received specific area based on the map information stored in the storage unit.
[0063] At step 306, the robotic device 104 may actuate the motor 124 to enable the movement of the wheels 142 in one of, the direction selected from the left direction, the right direction, the forward direction, the backward direction, and so forth based on the generated path.
[0064] At step 308, if the robotic device 104 determines that the decontamination task provided by the user is vacuuming, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 314.
[0065] At step 310, if the robotic device 104 determines that the decontamination task provided by the user is sanitizing, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 316.
[0066] At step 312, if the robotic device 104 determines that the decontamination task provided by the user is cleaning, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 318.
[0067] At the step 314, the robotic device 104 may activate the vacuum cleaning device 136 for vacuuming the area and may proceed to a step 320.
[0068] At the step 316, the robotic device 104 may actuate the sanitizer pump 138 to dispense the pre-defined quantity of the sanitization solution from the sanitizer container 132 through the outlet onto the specific area to be sanitized and may proceed to a step 322.
[0069] At the step 318, the robotic device 104 may actuate the motor 124 to supply the power to the brushes 140 to clean the provided area and may proceed to a step 324.
[0070] At the step 320, the robotic device 104 may determine if the vacuum time reaches the first-time interval, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 326. Otherwise, the method 300 may continue with the step 314.
[0071] At the step 322, the robotic device 104 may determine if the sanitizing time reaches the second-time interval, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 328. Otherwise, the method 300 may continue with the step 316.
[0072] At the step 324, the robotic device 104 may determine if the cleaning time reaches the third-time interval, then the method 300 may proceed to a step 330. Otherwise, the method 300 may continue with the step 318.
[0073] At the step 326, the robotic device 104 may display the vacuuming completion information on the display unit 120.
[0074] At the step 328, the robotic device 104 may display the sanitizing completion information on the display unit 120.
[0075] At the step 330, the robotic device 104 may display the cleaning completion information on the display unit 120.
[0076] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. 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 spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0077] 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 systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope 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.