SENSOR-BASED DETECTION OF SERVICE EVENT CONDITION WITHIN A SINGLE DEFINED SERVICE AREA BY A SERVICE ROBOT
A method and system for a reconfigurable robotic platform through a plurality of interchangeable service modules and adapted to engage in both autonomous and interactive maintenance and monitoring of a service area, the robotic platform configured to execute a stored service plan for a service area, the service plan comprising a service plan sequence comprising a service treatment to a surface of the service area, identify a special treatment area utilizing the surface sensor, alter the service plan sequence based on identifying the special treatment area in the service area, wherein the altering of the service plan sequence includes providing an additional service to the special treatment area, and resume execution of the service plan.
1 . A robotic device comprising:
a propulsion mechanism to move the robotic device;
at least one position sensor adapted for tracking a location of the robotic device as it moves through a service area;
a surface sensor adapted to monitor a surface of the service area for a cleanliness-based surface characteristic as part of a service task, wherein the service task is performed as the robotic device moves through the service area;
a processing facility comprising a processor and a memory, the processing facility storing a set of instructions that, when executed, cause the robotic device to:
execute a stored service plan for a service area, the service plan comprising a service plan sequence comprising a service treatment to a surface of the service area,
identify a special treatment area utilizing the surface sensor,
alter the service plan sequence based on identifying the special treatment area in the service area, wherein the altering of the service plan sequence includes providing an additional service to the special treatment area, and
resume execution of the service plan.
2 . The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the surface sensor is an imaging sensor for sensing anomalous stains.
3 . The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the cleanliness-based surface characteristic is one of a stain on a floor and a high level of soiling on the floor.
4 . The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the cleanliness-based surface characteristic is a user-marked or spot-treated area of a floor.
5 . The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the service plan is a floor cleaning plan for a room and the service plan sequence is a sequence of cleaning steps to clean the room.
6 . The robotic device of claim 5 , wherein the special treatment area is an area of the floor that requires additional cleaning, and the set of instructions that, when executed, cause the robotic device to apply a further cleaning to the special treatment area as part of the additional service.
7 . The robotic device of claim 6 , wherein the further cleaning comprises applying more pressure to a cleaning tool.
8 . The robotic device of claim 6 , wherein the further cleaning comprises slowing down a speed of the robotic device to increase an amount of service treatment provided.
9 . The robotic device of claim 6 , wherein the further cleaning comprises going over the special treatment area a second time.
10 . The robotic device of claim 1 , wherein the service treatment is one of vacuuming or washing.
11 . The robotic device of claim 1 , the robotic device further comprising a main robotic device portion and a service module portion, the service module portion adapted to perform the service plan, wherein the service module portion is removable from the main robotic device portion.
12 . A method comprising:
executing a stored service plan for a service area with a robotic device, the service plan comprising a service plan sequence comprising a service treatment to a surface of the service area, wherein the robotic device comprises a propulsion mechanism, at least one position sensor adapted for tracking a location of the robotic device as it moves through a service area, and a surface sensor adapted to monitor a surface of the service area for a cleanliness-based surface characteristic as part of a service task;
identifying a special treatment area utilizing the surface sensor;
altering the service plan sequence based on identifying the special treatment area in the service area, wherein the altering of the service plan sequence includes providing an additional service to the special treatment area; and
resuming execution of the service plan.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the surface sensor is an imaging sensor for sensing anomalous stains.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the cleanliness-based surface characteristic is one of a stain on a floor and a high level of soiling on the floor.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the cleanliness-based surface characteristic is a user-marked or spot-treated area of a floor.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the service plan is a floor cleaning plan for a room and the service plan sequence is a sequence of cleaning steps to clean the room.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the special treatment area is an area of the floor that requires additional cleaning, and the robotic device applies a further cleaning to the special treatment area as part of the additional service.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the further cleaning comprises applying more pressure to a cleaning tool.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the further cleaning comprises slowing down a speed of the robotic device to increase an amount of service treatment provided.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the further cleaning comprises going over the special treatment area a second time.
21 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the service treatment is one of vacuuming or washing.
22 . The method of claim 12 , the robotic device further comprising a main robotic device portion and a service module portion, the service module portion adapted to perform the service plan, wherein the service module portion is removable from the main robotic device portion.