Cleaning system and method for operating a cleaning system

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning system, comprising a cleaning cart and an external accessory device, wherein the cleaning cart comprises a frame having rollers for moving on a ground surface, at least one receptacle for receiving and/or carrying cleaning utensils, and an interaction device having a hand-actuatable interaction element, wherein the accessory device is portably configured and a user application program for processing cleaning-related information is executably stored on the accessory device and/or operable via the accessory device, wherein the interaction device and the accessory device are coupleable with one another via a communication connection, and wherein, depending on an actuation of the interaction element by the user, input information for operation of the user application program is transmittable from the interaction device to the accessory device and is processable by the accessory device. The invention further relates to a method for operating a cleaning system.

1 . Cleaning system, comprising a cleaning cart and an external accessory device, wherein the cleaning cart comprises a frame having rollers for moving on a ground surface, at least one receptacle for at least one of receiving and carrying cleaning utensils, and an interaction device having a hand-actuatable interaction element, wherein the accessory device is portably configured with a user application program for processing cleaning-related information being at least one of executably stored on the accessory device and operable via the accessory device, wherein the interaction device and the accessory device are coupleable with one another via a communication connection, and wherein, depending on an actuation of the interaction element by the user, input information for operation of the user application program is transmittable from the interaction device to the accessory device and is processable by the accessory device. 
     
     
         2 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the accessory device comprises at least one output unit in the form of a display unit, an audible output unit or a haptic output unit. 
     
     
         3 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the accessory device is a smartphone or a tablet computer. 
     
     
         4 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein output information of the user application program is transmittable from the accessory device to the interaction device and wherein the interaction device comprises an indication unit for outputting indications to the user depending on the output information. 
     
     
         5 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the indication is at least one of a visual, audible and a haptic indication unit. 
     
     
         6 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the interaction element comprises or forms the indication unit. 
     
     
         7 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the interaction element is a rotary knob or comprises a rotary knob. 
     
     
         8 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the interaction element is or comprises a push button or a toggle button. 
     
     
         9 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning cart comprises a handle device having at least one handle element for guiding the cleaning cart by a user. 
     
     
         10 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the interaction element is arranged at or comprised by the handle device. 
     
     
         11 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the handle device is releasably fixable to the frame of the cleaning cart. 
     
     
         12 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning cart comprises a receiving unit having a receptacle for receiving the accessory device. 
     
     
         13 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the receptacle is arranged at or comprised by the handle device. 
     
     
         14 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the receptacle is variable in size. 
     
     
         15 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the receiving unit comprises a blocking element for securing the accessory device against removal from the receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein a charging unit for charging the accessory device is arranged at the receiving unit or wherein the receiving unit comprises a charging unit. 
     
     
         17 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning cart comprises an energy storage device for providing electrical energy for at least one of the interaction device and the accessory device. 
     
     
         18 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning system comprises a data processing device which is spatially remotely arranged from the cleaning cart and from the accessory device and which is, or is bringable, in communication connection with the accessory device, and wherein cleaning-related information of the user application program is transferable from the accessory device to the data processing device and/or vice versa. 
     
     
         19 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a cleaning plan is stored in the user application program, in which cleaning plan at least one of the following is stored:
 information on spaces that are to be cleaned;   space-related information on items to be cleaned in at least one space;   space-related information on the type of cleaning of least one item to be cleaned in a space;   information pertaining to the equipment of the cleaning cart for executing the cleaning plan.   
     
     
         20 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein, in execution of the cleaning plan, instructions for the user are providable on at least one of the accessory device and an indication unit of the interaction device. 
     
     
         21 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein, in execution of the cleaning plan, inputs by the user are processable via the interaction element for performing the cleaning plan. 
     
     
         22 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the cleaning plan is changeable, in particular after execution has started. 
     
     
         23 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning system or the cleaning cart comprises a sensor device with which a space in which the cleaning cart is positioned is identifiable. 
     
     
         24 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein depending on the identified space, instructions for cleaning the space are providable, depending on a cleaning plan stored in the user application program. 
     
     
         25 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein indicating elements are arranged on at least one of receptacles of the cleaning cart and receptacles for cleaning utensils, which indicating elements are activatable depending on the identified space, in particular depending on a cleaning plan stored in the user application program for the space. 
     
     
         26 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning system or the cleaning cart comprises a sensor device with which at least one of the accessory device of the user and an authorization carrier of the user is detectable. 
     
     
         27 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning system or the cleaning cart comprises a sensor device with which cleaning utensils that are carried on the cleaning cart are detectable. 
     
     
         28 . Cleaning system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning system or the cleaning cart comprises a sensor device with which the inventory of consumables that are carried on the cleaning cart is detectable. 
     
     
         29 . Method for operating a cleaning system, the cleaning system comprising a cleaning cart which is movable via rollers on a ground surface and is configured for at least one of receiving and carrying cleaning utensils, wherein the cleaning cart comprises an interaction device having a hand-actuatable interaction element, the method comprising:
 detecting an actuation of the interaction element;   transmitting input information for a user application program from the interaction device to a portable external accessory device;   processing the input information for operating the user application program.