Remote control scheduler and method for autonomous robotic device

Abstract

A method of scheduling a robotic device enables the device to run autonomously based on previously loaded scheduling information. The method consists of a communication device, such as a hand-held remote device, that can directly control the robotic device, or load scheduling information into the robotic device such that it will carry out a defined task at the desired time without the need for further external control. The communication device can also be configured to load a scheduling application program into an existing robotic device, such that the robotic device can receive and implement scheduling information from a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A mobile robotic device comprising:
 a cleaning system operable to clean a floor surface on which the mobile robotic device is movable; and   a memory storage element, wherein the mobile robotic device is configured to:
 store, in the memory storage element, scheduling information for operating the mobile robotic device, 
 store, in the memory storage element, updated scheduling information representing an update of the scheduling information based on a pattern of user behavior, and 
 initiate, according to the updated scheduling information stored in the memory storage element, a cleaning operation in which the mobile robotic device navigates about the floor surface as the cleaning system cleans the floor surface. 
   
     
     
         7 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 6 , wherein the mobile robotic device is configured to generate the updated scheduling information. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 6 , further comprising a wireless communicator configured to receive the scheduling information from a remote communication device,
 wherein a configuration of the mobile robotic device to store the scheduling information comprises a configuration to store the scheduling information in response to receiving, by the wireless communicator, the scheduling information from the remote communication device.   
     
     
         9 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 6 , wherein the scheduling information is indicative of a day and time to operate the mobile robotic device. 
     
     
         10 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 9 , wherein the scheduling information is indicative of a mission or task to be carried out by the mobile robotic device at the day and time. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 10 , wherein the scheduling information is indicative of a power level for operating the mobile robotic device at the day and time. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 10 , wherein the scheduling information is indicative of an area within a room, the area to be cleaned by the mobile robotic device at the day and time. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile robotic device is operable in a home environment comprising the floor surface, and the day and time is selected such that the mobile robotic device is operated when a user is absent from the home environment. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 6 , wherein the scheduling information is indicative of a user-defined schedule for operating the mobile robotic device. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 6 , wherein the memory storage element stores a learning program configured to generate the updated scheduling information. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 15 , wherein the learning program is configured to generate a map of a room and store information indicative of locations of objects in the room. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 6 , further comprising a wireless communicator configured to, during performance of the cleaning operation, receive a user command to perform a task from a remote communication device,
 wherein the mobile robotic device is configured to, in response to the user command, cease the performance of the cleaning operation and perform the task.   
     
     
         18 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 6 , further comprising a wireless communicator configured to, during performance of the cleaning operation, receive a user command to perform a task from a remote communication device, wherein the mobile robotic device is configured to, in response to the user command, overrule the user command and continue the performance of the cleaning operation. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 6 , further comprising a signal generator to provide a visual or audio signal in response to storing the scheduling information in the memory storage element. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 19 , wherein the signal generator comprises a status light, and the visual or audio signal corresponds to an illumination of the status light. 
     
     
         21 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 6 , wherein the mobile robotic device is configured to adjust the updated scheduling information based on a time of year. 
     
     
         22 . A mobile robotic device comprising:
 a cleaning system operable in an environment to clean a floor surface on which the mobile robotic device is movable; and   a memory storage element configured to store a schedule for operating the mobile robotic device to clean the floor surface, wherein the mobile robotic device is configured to adapt the schedule based on a prior pattern of user behavior in the environment.   
     
     
         23 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 22 , wherein the schedule is indicative of a day and time for operating the mobile robotic device to clean the floor surface. 
     
     
         24 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 23 , wherein the schedule is indicative of a power level for operating the mobile robotic device at the day and time. 
     
     
         25 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 23 , wherein the schedule is indicative of an area of the floor surface, the area to be cleaned by the mobile robotic device at the day and time. 
     
     
         26 . The mobile robotic device of  claim 23 , wherein the mobile robotic device is operable in a home environment comprising the floor surface, and the day and time is selected such that the mobile robotic device is operated when a user is absent from the home environment.