IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,947,437
Granted Patent B2
US 11,947,437 · App. 16/942,071 · Granted Apr 2, 2024

Assignment of robotic devices using predictive analytics

Inventors: Willie L. Scott, II (Austin, TX); Charu Pandhi (Round Rock, TX); Seema Nagar (Bangalore, IN); Kuntal Dey (New Delhi, IN)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
G06F11/3438B25J9/0084G06F9/5011G06N20/00G16H10/60G16H40/63B25J11/009
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,947,437
App. No.
16/942,071
Filed
Jul 29, 2020
Granted
Apr 2, 2024
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3664
USPC
700/248
Abstract

Provided is a method, computer program product, and system for automatically assigning robotic devices to users based on need using predictive analytics. A processor may monitor activities performed by one or more users. The processor may determine, based on the monitoring, a set of activities that require assistance from a robotic device when being performed by the one or more users. The processor may match the set of activities to a set of capabilities related to a plurality of robotic devices. The processor may identify, based on the matching, a first robotic device that is capable of assisting the one or more users in performing a first activity of the set of activities. The processor may deploy the first robotic device to assist the one or more users in performing the first activity.

Claims (58)

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

monitoring activities performed by one or more users;

determining, based on the monitoring, a set of activities that require assistance from a robotic device when being performed by the one or more users;

matching the set of activities to a set of capabilities related to a plurality of robotic devices, wherein the matching comprises:

generating a bipartite graph for matching the one or more users with the plurality of robotic devices;

determining a score for each of the set of capabilities based on a suitability of each of the plurality of robotic devices performing each of the set of activities;

comparing the score for each of the set of capabilities to a best fit threshold related to performing each of the set of activities; and

matching, using the bipartite graph, the one or more users with one or more robotic devices from the plurality of devices if the score for each of the set of capabilities exceeds the best fit threshold;

identifying, based on the matching, a first robotic device that is capable of assisting the one or more users in performing a first activity of the set of activities; and

deploying the first robotic device to assist the one or more users in performing the first activity.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein matching the set of activities to the set of capabilities related to the plurality of robotic devices is continuously performed when one of the set of activities has been completed.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:

monitoring a performance of the first robotic device when assisting the one or more users with the first activity;

determining the first activity has been completed;

identifying, based on the matching and a current availability of the plurality of robotic devices, a second robotic device that is capable of assisting the one or more users in performing a second activity of the set of activities; and

deploying the second robotic device to assist the one or more users in performing the second activity.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the current availability is determined by monitoring a workload of each of the plurality of robotic devices.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein determining the first activity has been completed utilizes a user feedback model.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein monitoring the activities performed by the one or more users is done by one or more observation devices.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the one or more observation devices are selected from a group consisting of: a wearable health monitor; an Internet of Things (IoT) camera; a smart watch; a smart sensor; and a smart speaker.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the set of activities includes analyzing historical data records related to the one or more users.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the historical data records are electronic health records.

10. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the processor and storing program instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

monitoring activities performed by one or more users;

determining, based on the monitoring, a set of activities that require assistance from a robotic device when being performed by the one or more users;

matching the set of activities to a set of capabilities related to a plurality of robotic devices, wherein the matching comprises:

generating a bipartite graph for matching the one or more users with the plurality of robotic devices;

determining a score for each of the set of capabilities based on a suitability of each of the plurality of robotic devices performing each of the set of activities;

comparing the score for each of the set of capabilities to a best fit threshold related to performing each of the set of activities; and

matching, using the bipartite graph, the one or more users with one or more robotic devices from the plurality of devices if the score for each of the set of capabilities exceeds the best fit threshold;

identifying, based on the matching, a first robotic device that is capable of assisting the one or more users in performing a first activity of the set of activities; and

deploying the first robotic device to assist the one or more users in performing the first activity.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein matching the set of activities to the set of capabilities related to the plurality of robotic devices is continuously performed when one of the set of activities has been completed.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises:

monitoring a performance of the first robotic device when assisting the one or more users with the first activity;

determining the first activity has been completed;

identifying, based on the matching and a current availability of the plurality of robotic devices, a second robotic device that is capable of assisting the one or more users in performing a second activity of the set of activities; and

deploying the second robotic device to assist the one or more users in performing the second activity.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the current availability is determined by monitoring a workload of each of the plurality of robotic devices.

14. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

monitoring activities performed by one or more users;

determining, based on the monitoring, a set of activities that require assistance from a robotic device when being performed by the one or more users;

matching the set of activities to a set of capabilities related to a plurality of robotic devices, wherein the matching comprises:

generating a bipartite graph for matching the one or more users with the plurality of robotic devices;

determining a score for each of the set of capabilities based on a suitability of each of the plurality of robotic devices performing each of the set of activities;

comparing the score for each of the set of capabilities to a best fit threshold related to performing each of the set of activities; and

matching, using the bipartite graph, the one or more users with one or more robotic devices from the plurality of devices if the score for each of the set of capabilities exceeds the best fit threshold;

identifying, based on the matching, a first robotic device that is capable of assisting the one or more users in performing a first activity of the set of activities; and

deploying the first robotic device to assist the one or more users in performing the first activity.

15. The computer program product of claim 14 , wherein matching the set of activities to the set of capabilities related to the plurality of robotic devices is continuously performed when one of the set of activities has been completed.

16. The computer program product of claim 14 , wherein the method performed by the processor further comprises:

monitoring a performance of the first robotic device when assisting the one or more users with the first activity;

determining the first activity has been completed;

identifying, based on the matching and a current availability of the plurality of robotic devices, a second robotic device that is capable of assisting the one or more users in performing a second activity of the set of activities; and

deploying the second robotic device to assist the one or more users in performing the second activity.

17. The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the current availability is determined by monitoring a workload of each of the plurality of robotic devices.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2020
From: SCOTT, WILLIE L., II; PANDHI, CHARU; NAGAR, SEEMA; DEY, KUNTAL
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 053343/0789 →
Continuity (1)
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