Systems and methods for using robots to monitor environmental conditions in an environment

• US 9,830,798 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2014
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: X Development LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Poursohi, Arshan, Hickman, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US14/454,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20140350890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 340540
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/161 Hardware, e.g. neural networks, fuzzy logic, interfaces, processor
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1671 characterised by simulation, either to verify existing program or to create and verify new program, CAD/CAM oriented, graphic oriented programming systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/00 Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/39168 Multiple robots searching an object
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/008 based on physical entities controlled by simulated intelligence so as to replicate intelligent life forms, e.g. based on robots replicating pets or humans in their appearance or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/12 responsive to undesired emission of substances, e.g. pollution alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed for monitoring environmental conditions in one or more environments. In one embodiment, the method includes maintaining a plurality of environmental-condition thresholds, each of which corresponds to an environmental condition and is predetermined based on data corresponding to the environmental condition that is received from a plurality of robots. The method further includes receiving from a first robot first data corresponding to a first environmental condition in a first environment. The method may still further include making a first comparison of the first data and a first environmental-condition threshold corresponding to the first environmental condition and, based on the first comparison, triggering a notification. Triggering the notification may comprise transmitting to the robot instructions to transmit the notification to at least one of a call center and a remote device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving first data corresponding to an environmental condition in a first environment, wherein the first data is collected by a first remote sensor in the first environment;

making, by a remote network server, a first comparison of the first data and an environmental-condition threshold that corresponds to the environmental condition;

determining, by the remote network server and based on the first comparison, that the first data is indicative that the environmental condition in the first environment is at an unacceptable level; and

responsively causing a first robot to verify the first data corresponding to the environmental condition in the first environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the first robot to verify the first data comprises causing the first robot to:

relocate to a location of the first remote sensor;

collect second data at the location of the first remote sensor using an on-board sensor of the first robot; and

provide the second data to the remote network server.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

making a second comparison of the second data and the first environmental-condition threshold; and

based on the first comparison and the second comparison, triggering a notification.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the first robot to verify the first data comprises causing the first robot to:

collect second data from a second remote sensor in the first environment; and

provide the second data to the remote network server.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

making a second comparison of the second data and the first environmental-condition threshold; and

based on the first comparison and the second comparison, triggering a notification.

6. The method of claim 1:

wherein the first data is transmitted to the first robot by the first remote sensor, and

wherein the first data is received by the remote network server from the first robot.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental-condition threshold is determined based on data corresponding to the environmental condition that is received from a plurality of robots.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising triggering a notification based on the first comparison.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising transmitting the notification to at least one of an emergency call center and a remote device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining, by the remote network server, the environmental condition threshold based on data corresponding to the environmental condition that is received from a plurality of robots.

11. A remote network server, comprising:

at least one processor; and

data storage comprising instructions executable by the at least one processor to;

receive first data corresponding to an environmental condition in a first environment, wherein the first data is collected by a first remote sensor in the first environment,

make a first comparison of the first data and an environmental-condition threshold that corresponds to the environmental condition,

determine, based on the first comparison, that the first data is indicative that the environmental condition in the first environment is at an unacceptable level, and

responsively cause a first robot to verify the first data corresponding to the environmental condition in the first environment.

12. The remote network server of claim 11, wherein causing the first robot to verify the first data comprises causing the first robot to:

relocate to a location of the first remote sensor;

collect second data at the location of the first remote sensor using an on-board sensor of the first robot; and

provide the second data to the remote network server.

13. The remote network server of claim 11, wherein causing the first robot to verify the first data comprises causing the first robot to:

collect second data from a second remote sensor in the first environment; and

provide the second data to the remote network server.

14. The remote network server of claim 11, further comprising instructions executable by the at least one processor to trigger a notification based on the first comparison.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored therein instructions, that when executed by one or more processors of a remote network server, cause the remote network server to perform functions comprising:

receiving first data corresponding to an environmental condition in a first environment, wherein the first data is collected by a first remote sensor in the first environment;

making a first comparison of the first data and an environmental-condition threshold that corresponds to the environmental condition;

determining, based on the first comparison, that the first data is indicative that the environmental condition in the first environment is at an unacceptable level; and

responsively causing a first robot to verify the first data corresponding to the environmental condition in the first environment.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein causing the first robot to verify the first data comprises causing the first robot to:

relocate to a location of the first remote sensor;

collect second data at the location of the first remote sensor using an on-board sensor of the first robot; and

provide the second data to the remote network server.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein causing the first robot to verify the first data comprises causing the first robot to:

collect second data from a second remote sensor in the first environment; and

provide the second data to the remote network server.