Patent Application
20200254982
The present disclosure relates in general to a field of providing a cleaning service for a vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as a method, a system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for providing a cleaning service for a vehicle.
An aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide an unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as a method, a system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for providing a cleaning service for a vehicle.
In accordance with a first example embodiment of the present disclosure, a method implemented by at least one unmanned aerial vehicle for providing a cleaning service for a vehicle is provided, comprising: cleaning the vehicle, wherein the cleaning comprises a washing process comprising: flying according to a first path; and washing the vehicle using a washing module while flying according to the first path, wherein the first path is based on 3D shape data of the vehicle.
In an example of the present embodiment, the first path: is further calculated based on the 3D shape data; or is further received from a device, wherein the device calculates the first path based on the 3D shape data.
In another example of the present embodiment, the method may further comprise before the cleaning: resting in a compartment of the vehicle or another; and flying out of the compartment when a preset condition is satisfied.
In another example of the present embodiment, the method may further comprise before the cleaning: arriving at a vicinity of the vehicle based on positioning and/or identifying the vehicle, wherein the identifying is based on the 3D shape data.
In another example of the present embodiment, the method may further comprise before the cleaning: detecting a dirty level and/or a dirt distribution of the vehicle and determine a scheme for the cleaning according to the dirty level and/or the detected dirt distribution.
In another example of the present embodiment, the method may further comprise before the cleaning: checking whether a door and/or a window of the vehicle is closed; and if the door and/or the window is not closed, sending a notification to a user and waiting the door and/or the window to be closed; or controlling the door and/or the window to be closed, wherein the checking is based on the 3D shape data.
In another example of the present embodiment, the cleaning may further comprise a pre-washing process before the washing process, wherein the pre-washing process comprises: detecting an object on the vehicle that needs to be removed before the washing process; flying according to a second path; and removing the object using a pre-washing module while flying according to the second path.
In another example of the present embodiment, the cleaning may further comprise a drying process after the washing process, wherein the drying process comprises: flying according to a third path; and drying the vehicle using at least one rotor of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle while flying according to the third path.
In another example of the present embodiment, the method may further comprise after the cleaning: sending a report to a user to indicate completion of the cleaning, wherein the report includes: one or more pictures/videos that captured after the cleaning; or one or more pictures/videos that captured before and after the cleaning.
In another example of the present embodiment, the method may further comprise sending status of the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle and/or a progress of providing the cleaning service to a user.
In another example of the present embodiment, the method may further comprise receiving a command from a user and starting to provide the cleaning service after receiving the command.
In another example of the present embodiment, the positioning may be performed based on LoRa and/or WiFi positioning technology.
In accordance with a second example embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing a cleaning service for a vehicle is provided, comprising: a control device receiving a reservation for the cleaning service from a user; if the reservation is confirmed, the control device assigning at least one unmanned aerial vehicle to provide the cleaning service; and the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle cleaning the vehicle comprising: flying according to a first path; and washing the vehicle using a washing module while flying according to the first path, wherein the first path is based on 3D shape data of the vehicle.
In an example of the present embodiment, the first path may be further calculated by the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle based on the 3D shape data, wherein the 3D shape data is sent by the control device to the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle; or may be further received by the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle from the control device, wherein the control device calculates the first path based on the 3D shape data and sends the first path to the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle.
In accordance with a third example embodiment of the present disclosure, a method implemented by at least one unmanned aerial vehicle for providing a cleaning service for a vehicle is provided, comprising: receiving a reservation for a cleaning service from the vehicle or another; confirming the reservation; and starting to clean the vehicle when a preset condition is satisfied, wherein the cleaning comprising: flying according to a first path; and washing the vehicle using a washing module while flying according to the first path, wherein the first path is based on 3D shape data of the vehicle.
In accordance with a fourth example embodiment of the present disclosure, an unmanned aerial vehicle for providing a cleaning service for a vehicle is provided, comprising: a main body; an aircraft module configured to fly according to a first path; a washing module, attached to the main body removably, configured to wash the vehicle while flying according to the first path; and a calculating module configured to calculate the first path based on 3D shape data of the vehicle.
In an example of the present embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle may further comprise at least one of: an identifying module configured to identify the vehicle based on the 3D shape data; a checking and notifying module configured to check whether a door and/or a window of the vehicle is closed based on the 3D shape data and send a notification to a user if the door and/or the window is not closed; a pre-washing module, attached to the main body removably, configured to remove an object on the vehicle that needs to be removed before washing while the aircraft module is flying according to a second path; a rotor configured to dry the vehicle while the aircraft module is flying according to a third path; a waxing module, attached to the main body removably, configured to wax the vehicle while the aircraft module is flying according to a fourth path; and a reporting module configured to send a report to the user to indicate completion of the cleaning service.
In another example of the present embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle may further comprise a distance sensor configured to sense the distance between the vehicle and the unmanned aerial vehicle.
In another example of the present embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle may further comprise two or more distance sensors attached onto the bottom of the unmanned aerial vehicle with pre-determined distanced there between, wherein the two or more distance sensors are configured to enable the unmanned aerial vehicle to keep a specific attitude by sensing the distance between each of the sensors and the vehicle.
In accordance with a fifth example embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for providing a cleaning service for a vehicle is provided, comprising: a control device configured to: receive a reservation for the cleaning service from a user; and if the reservation is confirmed, assign at least one unmanned aerial vehicle to provide the cleaning service, and the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle configured to: fly according to a first path; and wash the vehicle using a washing module while flying according to the first path, wherein the first path is based on 3D shape data of the vehicle.
In an example of the present embodiment, the first path may be further calculated by the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle based on the 3D shape data, wherein the 3D shape data is sent by the control device to the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle; or may be further received by the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle from the control device, wherein the control device calculates the first path based on the 3D shape data and sends the first path to the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle.
In accordance with a sixth example embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for providing a cleaning service for a vehicle is provided, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories configured to store a series of computer executable instructions, wherein the series of computer executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the above mentioned method.
In accordance with a eighth example embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to perform the steps of the above mentioned method is provided.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present subject will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The above and other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of example embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the present disclosure. Note that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the described example embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other example embodiments, well known structures or process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the present disclosure.
The term “vehicle” used through the specification refers to a car, an airplane, a helicopter, a ship, or the like.
The term “unmanned aerial vehicle” or “UAV” used through the specification refers to a machine able to fly, including an unmanned drone, an unmanned helicopter, an unmanned robot, an unmanned aerial system, or the like. The UAV according to the present disclosure may have functions of unmanned ground vehicles or unmanned water vehicles. The UAV according to the present disclosure may pilot itself or be piloted by a control apparatus or an operator. The UAV according to the present disclosure may have a wing/wings or have no wing. The wing of the UAV according to the present disclosure may be fixed or rotary.
The term “clean” used through the specification refers to making something cleaner by washing, flushing, brushing, wiping, vacuuming, blowing, or the like.
The term “wash” used through the specification refers to making something cleaner with or without water, soap, detergent, or the like.
The term “attitude” used through the specification refers to a posture or a gesture of a UAV, e.g., an orientation or a tilt angle of the UAV with respect to another entity.
The term “rest” used through the specification refers to being in a position where something is supported or accommodated rather than not doing anything.
The term “door” used through the specification refers to a component that may move to open and close an entrance to a compartment of a vehicle, comprising a side door, a rear door, a trunk lid of a vehicle, and the like.
The term “attached to” used through the specification refers to attaching directly or via an intermediate component. The attaching according to the present disclosure may be mechanically or magnetically.
The term “A or B” used through the specification refers to “A and B” and “A or B” rather than meaning that A and B are exclusive, unless otherwise specified.
The term “and/or” used through the specification refers to any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The terms “vertical”, “horizontal” and similar expression used through the specification are intended for the purposes of illustration only.
Referring first to
In some embodiments, the at least one UAV may receive a command from a user and start method 100 once receiving the command, so the user may trigger the UAV to start cleaning. The user may be, for example, a person, a device (e.g., a mobile device, a smart phone, a remoter control, or the like), or an autonomous vehicle that made a reservation for the cleaning service. In some embodiments, the user may be an owner or a supervisor of the vehicle which may be a person, a device, or a vehicle. In some embodiments, the user may be a controller of the vehicle.
At step 110, flying according to a first path may be performed. At step 120, the at least one UAV may wash the vehicle using a washing module while flying according to the first path. The first path may be suitable for the shape of the vehicle. In some cases, the first path may also be suitable for the characteristic of the washing model, e.g. the shape, size, operating status (e.g., traveling distance and rotating angle), or the like. In some embodiments, the first path may be calculated by the UAV based on 3D shape data of the vehicle, which may be obtained in advance. In some embodiments, the first path may be calculated also by at least one characteristic of the washing module. In some embodiments, the first path may be received from another entity, for example, the control device to be described hereinafter. Wherein the entity calculates the first path based on the 3D shape data. In some embodiments, method 100 may be performed by a plurality of UAVs in cooperation with each other. Each of the plurality of UAVs may have an individual first path. The individual first path may be calculated by the each of the plurality of UAVs itself or be received from another entity. The entity may calculate a plurality of first paths for the plurality of UAVs and may send each of the plurality of first paths to each of the plurality of UAVs respectively.
The 3D shape data mentioned above may be a CAD model, which can be obtained e.g. from other entities, or may be stored in a storage device of a UAV.
The washing module may include at least one of a water tank, a foam tank, a detergent tank, a sprayer, a shower, a nozzle, a vacuum, a brush, and a wiper. The washing model may travel and rotate with respect to a main body of the UAV. The operating status of the washing model may be adjusted by travelling and/or rotating with respect to the main body. The washing module may be a part of the UAV, one or more devices placed in a compartment of the vehicle or another vehicle, or one or more devices placed in a station (e.g., a service station, a charging station, a docking station, or the like) for the cleaning service. In some embodiments, the washing module may be replaced for example if the water tank is empty, the wiper is dirty, or the like.
In some embodiments, the UAV may detect a dirty level and/or a dirt distribution of the vehicle before the cleaning and determine a scheme for the cleaning according to the dirty level and/or the dirt distribution detected. For example, the UAV may take some pictures or videos for the vehicle via a camera before the cleaning and detect the dirty level and/or the dirt distribution of the vehicle according to the pictures or videos. The scheme of the cleaning may include a number of times and/or a speed for the cleaning, a focused region of the vehicle to be cleaned, amount of detergent, water, or battery power to be consumed, or the like. For example, if the dirty level detected is above a first threshold, the UAV may determine that the cleaning will be performed more than once, in a lower speed, with more detergent and/or water, or the like. For example, if the dirt distribution detected indicates that a side surface of the vehicle is dirtier than other regions, the UAV may determine to clean the side surface more than once, in a lower speed, with more detergent and/or water, or the like. For example, the UAV may calculate amount of water, detergent, or battery power to be consumed according to the dirty level and/or the dirt distribution detected, so as to determine if a whole cleaning service may be provided based on amount of water, detergent, or battery power of the UAV. If it is determined a whole cleaning service may not be provided, the UAV may send a notification to a user.
In some embodiments, the UAV may send status of the UAV and/or a progress of the cleaning service to the user. For example, the UAV may send status of the UAV to the user in real time, in near real time, or periodically. The status of the UAV may include remaining power of the battery, remaining amount of water in the water tank, remaining amount of detergent in the detergent tank, damage status, dirt status, or wear status of the brushes or wipers, failure status of the cleaning, or the like. In some embodiments, the user may recharge or replace the battery, refill the water tank or the detergent tank, replace the brushes or wipers, restart or reset the UAV manually according to the received status. In some embodiments, the UAV may send a progress of the cleaning service. For example, the progress may include the UAV is ready for the cleaning service, the cleaning service is started, the pre-washing process is performing, the washing process is performing, the drying process is performing, the waxing process is performing, the cleaning is completed, the cleaning failed, and so on. The progress of the cleaning service may be updated in real time, in near real time, or periodically, so that the user may learn the progress of the cleaning service at any time.
Referring to
As shown in
In another example embodiment of the present disclosure, resting in a station (e.g., a service station, a charging station, a docking station, or the like) may be performed alternatively at step 210.
At step 220, whether a preset condition is satisfied may be determined. In some embodiments, the preset condition may be a time to depart or to start the cleaning service. In some embodiments, the preset condition may be a period, e.g. 3 hours from a certain time. In some embodiments, the preset condition may be a condition or an event, e.g., after snowing or after a sand storm. In some embodiments, the preset condition may be a command (e.g., in a form of a message, a signal, or the like) from another entity, e.g., from a user who make a reservation for the cleaning service or the target vehicle.
At steps 230 and 240, flying out of the compartment of the vehicle may be performed when the preset condition is satisfied. In some embodiments, when the preset condition is satisfied, the UAV may send a command to the vehicle in which the UAV is resting. The vehicle may, in response to the command, open a door, a lid, and/or a window to let the UAV out.
At step 250 the UAV may clean the vehicle. Step 250 may be the same as method 100 or 700, and thus, the details are omitted here.
Referring to
As shown in
At step 320, whether a door and/or a window of the target vehicle is closed may be checked. Step 320 may be performed based on the 3D shape data, i.e., the UAV may check whether a door and/or a window of the target vehicle is closed based on the 3D shape data of the target vehicle. In some embodiments, the 3D shape data may present the target vehicle with all doors and all windows closed. The UAV may perform the checking by comparing an outline or an appearance of the target vehicle detected by the UAV with the 3D shape data, especially at a region of a door and/or a window. In some embodiments, the checking may be performed by a distance sensor (e.g., an ultrasound sensor) detecting at the region of a door and/or a window. The region of a door and/or a window may be determined via the 3D shape data of the target vehicle.
At steps 330 and 340, a notification may be sent to a user if the door and/or the window is not closed. In some embodiments, the user may be a person, a device or an autonomous vehicle that made a reservation for the cleaning service. In some embodiments, the user may be an owner or a supervisor of the target vehicle which may be a person, a device, or a vehicle. In some embodiments, the user may be a controller of the target vehicle. After receiving the notification, the user may control the target vehicle to close the door and/or the window.
At step 350, the UAV may check whether the door and/or the window is closed periodically and go forward to step 360 if the door and/or the window is closed. In some embodiments, the user may notify the UAV that the door and/or the window has been closed and thus step 350 may be omitted in this case.
In some embodiments, the UAV may control the door and/or the window to be closed by itself. In this case, a pairing (e.g., Bluetooth pairing) may be finished before or an authorization may be obtained before. Thus the UAV may control the door and/or the window automatically even if there are some safety barriers.
Step 360 may be the same as method 100 or 700, and thus, the details are omitted here.
Referring to
As shown in
Step 420 may be the same as method 100 or 700, and thus, the details are omitted here.
At step 430, one or more pictures or videos may be captured after completion of step 420.
At step 440, a report that indicates completion of the cleaning may be sent to a user. In some embodiments, the user may be a person, a device, or an autonomous vehicle that made a reservation for the cleaning service. In some embodiments, the user may be an owner or a supervisor of the target vehicle which may be a person, a device, or a vehicle. In some embodiments, the user may be a controller of the target vehicle.
In some embodiments, the report may include the one or more pictures or videos captured at step 430. The user may review the pictures to learn how clean the target vehicle may currently be. If the user is not satisfied with the clean degree of the target vehicle, the user may request the UAV to clean the target vehicle again. Step 420 may be re-performed to make the target vehicle much cleaner.
In some embodiments, the report may further include one or more pictures or videos captured at step 410, such that the user may learn the status (or dirty status, dirty distribution, or the like) of the vehicle before the cleaning visually. Thus the user may further know the differences between the target vehicle before cleaning and that after cleaning by comparison of the pictures or videos.
In some embodiments, the report may not include any picture or video and thus both step 410 and step 430 may be omitted in this case.
Referring to
As shown in
At step 520, the reservation may be confirmed by the control device. In some embodiments, if there is at least one UAV capable of doing the cleaning service at a certain time that the reservation indicates, the reservation may be confirmed.
At step 530, at least one UAV capable of doing the cleaning service may be assigned by the control device to provide the cleaning service.
At step 540, the at least one UAV may perform one of methods 100 to 400 and 700 or the combination thereof.
Referring to
As shown in
At step 620, the reservation may be confirmed by the UAV. In some embodiments, if the UAV is capable of do the cleaning service for the neighboring vehicle at a certain time that the reservation indicates, the reservation may be confirmed.
Steps 630, 640, and 660 may be the same as steps 220, 230, and 250 respectively, and thus, the details are omitted here.
Referring to
As shown in
The pre-washing process 710 may comprise detecting an object that needs to be removed before the washing process 720; flying according to a second path; and removing the object using a pre-washing module while flying according to the second path. In some embodiments, the object may be dust, sand, stone that may scratch the target vehicle. In this case, the pre-washing module may be a flusher, a vacuum, air nozzle, or the like. In some embodiments, the object may be an unwanted mark, drawings, or the like. The pre-washing module may be a wiper or a bush with foam, soap, detergent, or the like. The pre-washing module may be a part of the UAV, one or more devices placed in a compartment of the vehicle or another vehicle, or one or more devices placed in a station (e.g., a service station, a charging station, a docking station, or the like) for the cleaning service. In some embodiments, the second path may be suitable for the shape of the target vehicle. In some cases, the second path may also be suitable for the position of the object and/or the characteristic of the pre-washing model. The second path may be calculated by, e.g., the UAV based on 3D shape data of the target vehicle, or may be received from other entities. In some embodiments, the pre-washing process 710 may be performed by a plurality of UAVs in cooperation with each other. Each of the plurality of UAVs may have an individual second path.
The washing process 720 may comprise: flying according to the first path described above; and washing, using a washing module, the target vehicle while flying according to the first path. The first path may be suitable for the shape of the target vehicle. In some cases, the first path may also be suitable for the characteristic of the washing model. In some embodiments, the first path may be calculated by, e.g., the UAV based on 3D shape data of the target vehicle, or may be received from other entities. In some embodiments, the washing process 720 may be performed by a plurality of UAVs in cooperation with each other. Each of the plurality of UAVs may have an individual first path. The individual first path may be calculated by the each of the plurality of UAVs itself or be received from another entity. The entity may calculate a plurality of first paths for the plurality of UAVs and may send each of the plurality of first paths to each of the plurality of UAVs respectively. The washing module may comprise at least one of a water tank (e.g., which may contain water or other liquid for leaning), a detergent tank (e.g., which may output foam, soap, or the like), a shower, a flusher, a vacuum, air nozzle, a wiper (e.g., which may shake or vibrate to wipe a surface of the target vehicle), a bush (e.g., which may shake, vibrate or rotate to brush a surface of the target vehicle), or the like. The washing module may be a part of the UAV, one or more devices placed in a compartment of the vehicle or another vehicle, or one or more devices placed in a station (e.g., a service station, a charging station, a docking station, or the like) for the cleaning service.
The drying process 730 may comprise flying according to a third path and drying the target vehicle while flying according to the third path. In some embodiments, the UAV may have at least one rotor, and drying the target vehicle may be performed using the at least one rotor. The at least one rotor may compel air to flow and thus lift the UAV up. The drying process 730 may utilize the flowing air to blow the target vehicle after the washing process 720 to make it dry faster. The UAV may fly according to the third path suitable for the shape of the target vehicle (sometimes also suitable for the characteristic of the at least one rotor). The third path may be calculated by, e.g., the UAV based on 3D shape data of the target vehicle, or may be received from other entities. In some embodiments, the drying process 730 may be performed by a plurality of UAVs in cooperation with each other. Each of the plurality of UAVs may have an individual third path.
The waxing process 740 may comprise flying according to a fourth path and waxing the target vehicle using a waxing module while flying according to the fourth path. The waxing module may comprise a vehicle wax tank, a sprayer and a wiper for the wax, or the like. The waxing module may be a part of the UAV, one or more devices placed in a compartment of the vehicle or another vehicle, or one or more devices placed in a station (e.g., a service station, a charging station, a docking station, or the like) for the cleaning service. The fourth path may be suitable for the shape of the target vehicle. In some cases, the fourth path may also be suitable for the characteristic of the waxing model. The fourth path may be calculated by, e.g., the UAV based on 3D shape data of the target vehicle, or may be received from other entities. In some embodiments, the waxing process 740 may be performed by a plurality of UAVs in cooperation with each other. Each of the plurality of UAVs may have an individual fourth path.
Any one of the first path, the second path, the third path and the fourth path described above may be the same with or different from another one.
In some embodiments, any of the methods described above may be accomplished with one or more additional steps or processes not described, and/or without one or more of the steps or processes discussed. Additionally, the order in which the steps or processes of the methods are illustrated in the figure and described as below is not intended to be limiting. In some embodiments, the methods may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more modules executing some or all of steps or processes of the methods in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing modules may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of steps or processes of the methods.
Referring to
The aircraft module 810 may fly under its own power to a location in an unmanned manner and may also fly according to a path, e.g. the first path. The first path may be suitable for the shape of the target vehicle and sometimes may also be suitable for the characteristic of the washing model. In some embodiments, the first path may be calculated by, e.g., the UAV based on 3D shape data of the target vehicle, or may be received from other entities. In some embodiments, the washing process 720 may be performed by a plurality of UAVs in cooperation with each other. Each of the plurality of UAVs may have an individual first path. The individual first path may be calculated by the each of the plurality of UAVs itself or be received from another entity. The entity may calculate a plurality of first paths for the plurality of UAVs and may send each of the plurality of first paths to each of the plurality of UAVs respectively.
The washing module 820 may comprise at least one of a water tank (e.g., which may contain water or other liquid for leaning), a detergent tank (e.g., which may output foam, soap, or the like), a sprayer, a shower, a flusher, a vacuum, air nozzle, a wiper (e.g., which may shake or vibrate to wipe a surface of the target vehicle), a bush (e.g., which may shake, vibrate or rotate to brush a surface of the target vehicle), or the like. In some embodiments, the washing model 820 may travel and rotate with respect to a main body of the UAV as shown in
The washing module 820 may attach to the main body removably, therefore the washing module 820 may be removed and replace with another module.
The calculating module 840 may calculate the path based on the 3D shape data of the target vehicle and sometimes also based on at least one characteristic of the washing module. The calculating module 840 may be any kinds of processing devices that can implement data computing.
Referring to
The UAV 900 may further comprise at least one of: an identifying module 950 configured to identify the target vehicle based on the 3D shape data; a checking and notifying module 940 configured to check whether a door and/or a window of the vehicle is closed based on the 3D shape data and send a notification to a user if the door and/or the window is not closed; a pre-washing module 960, attached to the main body removably, configured to remove an object on the vehicle that needs to be removed before washing while the aircraft module 910 flying according to a second path; a rotor 970 configured to dry the vehicle while the aircraft module 910 flying according to a third path; a waxing module 980, attached to the main body removably, configured to wax the vehicle while the aircraft module 910 flying according to a fourth path; and a reporting module 990 configured to send a report to the user to indicate completion of the cleaning service.
The identifying module 950 may perform the identifying based on the shape, size, color, license number of the target vehicle, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the identifying module 950 may identify the target vehicle based on the 3D shape data, e.g., a CAD model. Shape information (e.g., a CAD model), size information, color information, license number information of the target vehicle may be obtained in advance, and the identifying module 950 may use these information to identify the target vehicle and thus arrive at the vicinity of the target vehicle. Please note that the identifying module 950 may use a camera to detect the shape, size, color, license number of a vehicle.
The checking and notifying module 940 may check whether a door and/or a window of the target vehicle is closed and may send a notification to a user if the door and/or the window is not closed. The checking and notifying module 940 may perform the checking based on the 3D shape data of the target vehicle. In some embodiments, the 3D shape data presenting the target vehicle with all doors and all windows closed. The checking and notifying module 940 may perform the checking by comparing an outline or an appearance of the target vehicle with the 3D shape data, especially at a region of a door and/or a window. The outline or an appearance of the target vehicle may be detected via a camera. In some embodiments, the checking and notifying module 940 may perform the checking by a distance sensor (e.g., an ultrasound sensor) detecting at the region of a door and/or a window. The region of a door and/or a window may be determined by the checking and notifying module 940 based on the 3D shape data of the target vehicle. The checking and notifying module 940 may send a notification to a user if the door and/or the window is not closed. In some embodiments, the user may be a person, a device, or an autonomous vehicle that made a reservation for the cleaning service. In some embodiments, the user may be an owner or a supervisor of the target vehicle which may be a person, a device, or a vehicle. In some embodiments, the user may be a controller of the target vehicle. After receiving the notification, the user may control the target vehicle to close the door and/or the window.
The pre-washing module 960 may remove an object on the vehicle that needs to be removed before washing while the aircraft module 910 flying according to a second path, i.e., perform the pre-washing process 710. In some embodiments, the second path may be suitable for the shape of the target vehicle. In some cases, the second path may also be suitable for the position of the object and/or the characteristic of the pre-washing model. The second path may be calculated by, e.g., the UAV based on 3D shape data of the target vehicle, or may be received from other entities. In some embodiments, the pre-washing process 710 may be performed by a plurality of UAVs in cooperation with each other. Each of the plurality of UAVs may have an individual second path.
The pre-washing module 960 may detect an object that needs to be removed before the washing process 720 and remove the object using the pre-washing module 960. In some embodiments, the object may be dust, sand, stone that may scratch the target vehicle. In this case, the pre-washing module 960 may be a flusher, a vacuum, air nozzle, or the like. In some embodiments, the object may be an unwanted mark, drawings, or the like. The pre-washing module 960 may be a wiper or a bush with foam, soap, detergent, or the like. The pre-washing module 960 may attach to the main body removably, therefore the pre-washing module 960 may be removed and replace with another module.
The rotor 970 may be able to dry the target vehicle while the aircraft module 910 flying according to a third path, i.e., perform the drying process 730. The rotor 970 may compel air to flow and thus lift the UAV up. The flowing air compelled by the rotor 970 may blow the target vehicle after the washing process 720 to make it dry faster. In some embodiments, the third path may be suitable for the shape of the target vehicle. In some cases, the third path may also be suitable for the characteristic of the at least one rotor. The third path may be calculated by, e.g., the UAV based on 3D shape data of the target vehicle, or may be received from other entities. In some embodiments, the drying process 730 may be performed by a plurality of UAVs in cooperation with each other. Each of the plurality of UAVs may have an individual third path.
The waxing module 980 may wax the target vehicle while the aircraft module 910 flying according to a fourth path, i.e., perform the waxing process 740. The waxing module 980 may comprise a vehicle wax tank, a sprayer and a wiper for the wax, or the like. The waxing module 980 may attach to the main body removably, therefore the waxing module 980 may be removed and replace with another module. The fourth path may be suitable for the shape of the target vehicle. In some cases, the fourth path may also be suitable for the characteristic of the waxing model. The fourth path may be calculated by, e.g., the UAV based on 3D shape data of the target vehicle, or may be received from other entities. In some embodiments, the waxing process 740 may be performed by a plurality of UAVs in cooperation with each other. Each of the plurality of UAVs may have an individual fourth path.
The reporting module 990 may send a report to the user to indicate completion of the cleaning service. In some embodiments, the user may be a person, a device, or an autonomous vehicle that made a reservation for the cleaning service. In some embodiments, the user may be an owner or a supervisor of the target vehicle which may be a person, a device, or a vehicle. In some embodiments, the user may be a controller of the target vehicle. In some embodiments, the report may include the one or more pictures captured by a camera. The user may review the pictures to learn how clean the target vehicle may currently be. If the user are not satisfied with the clean degree of the target vehicle, the user may request the UAV to clean the vehicle again. In some embodiments, the report may further include the one or more pictures captured before the cleaning. Thus the user may know the differences between the target vehicle before cleaning and that after cleaning by comparison. In some embodiments, the report may not include any picture.
In some embodiments, the UAV may comprise a distance sensor, for example, an ultrasound sensor. The distance sensor may be configured to sense the distance between the UAV and the vehicle. Such that the UAV may keep a pre-determined distance from the vehicle. The UAV may obtain the distance from the vehicle with centimeter accuracy by using the ultrasound sensor. In some cases, the distance sensor may be configured to sense the distance between the UAV and the ground, the barrier or any other object.
In some embodiments, the UAV may comprise two or more distance sensors. The two or more distance sensor may be attached onto the bottom of the UAV and arranged in a pre-determined distance between each other. The two or more distance sensors are configured to enable the UAV to keep a specific attitude by sensing the distance between each of the sensors and the vehicle. For example, the distance sensor may be an ultrasound sensor, which may sense a distance with centimeter accuracy. Referring to
Any of the modules described above may communicate with each other and with other external entities.
Referring to
The control device 1020 may be configured to: receive a reservation for a cleaning service from a user; assign, if the reservation is confirmed, at least one unmanned aerial vehicle to perform the cleaning service; and send 3D shape data of a target vehicle to the at least one unmanned aerial vehicle. The control device 1020 may be implemented as cloud-based services and storage.
The control device 1020 may receive a reservation for a cleaning service. The reservation for the cleaning service may be made by a user for a target vehicle. The user may be a person, a device, or an autonomous vehicle. In some embodiments, the user may be an owner (e.g. a person or a device) of the target vehicle. In this case, the user may make a reservation for the vehicle owned by the user or for other vehicles. In some embodiments, the user may be a supervisor of the target vehicle. In this case, the user may make a reservation for the vehicle supervised by the user or for other vehicles. In some embodiments, the user may be a controller (e.g. a control center of an autonomous vehicle) of the target vehicle. In this case, the user may make a reservation for the vehicle controlled by the controller or for other vehicles.
The control device 1020 may confirm the reservation. In some embodiments, if there is, in system 1000, at least one UAV 1010 capable of doing the cleaning service at a certain time that the reservation indicates, the control device 1020 confirm the reservation.
The control device 1020 may assign at least one UAV 1010 capable of doing the cleaning service to provide the cleaning service. The at least one UAV 1010 may perform one of methods 100 to 400 or the combination thereof.
The control device 1020 may send 3D shape data, e.g., a CAD model, of a target vehicle to the at least one UAV 1010. In some embodiments, the control device 1020 may further send at least one flying path that calculated based on the 3D shape data for the cleaning service to the at least one UAV 1010 respectively.
The at least one UAV 1010 may configured to fly according to a first path; and wash the vehicle using a washing module while flying according to the first path, wherein the first path is based on 3D shape data of the vehicle and sometimes also based on at least one characteristic of the washing module. The first path may be calculated by the at least one UAV 1010 or be received by the at least one UAV 1010 from the control device 1020. The at least one UAV 1010 may be the same as the aforementioned UAV 800 or UAV 900, and thus the details are omitted here.
With reference to
The hardware environment 1100 may comprise elements that are connected with or in communication with a bus 1102, possibly via one or more interfaces. For example, the hardware environment 1100 may comprise the bus 1102, and one or more processors 1104, one or more input devices 1106 and one or more output devices 1108. The one or more processors 1104 may be any kinds of processors, and may comprise but are not limited to one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors (such as special processing chips). The input devices 1106 may be any kinds of devices that can input information to the hardware environment 1100, and may comprise but are not limited to a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen, a microphone and/or a remote control. The output devices 1108 may be any kinds of devices that can present information, and may comprise but are not limited to display, a speaker, a video/audio output terminal, a vibrator and/or a printer. The hardware environment 1100 may also comprise or be connected with non-transitory storage devices 1110. The non-transitory storage devices 1110 may be any storage devices that are non-transitory and can implement data stores and may comprise but are not limited to a disk drive, an optical storage device, a solid-state storage, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, a magnetic tape or any other magnetic medium, a compact disc or any other optical medium, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a cache memory and/or any other memory chip or cartridge, and/or any other medium from which a computer may read data, instructions and/or code. The non-transitory storage devices 1110 may be detachable from an interface. The non-transitory storage devices 1110 may have data/instructions/code for implementing the methods and steps which are described above. The hardware environment 1100 may also comprise a communication device 1112. The communication device 1112 may be any kind of device or system that can enable communication with external apparatuses and/or with a network and may comprise but are not limited to a modem, a network card, an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device and/or a chipset such as a Bluetooth™ device, 1302.11 device, WiFi device, WiMax device, cellular communication facilities, and/or the like.
When the hardware environment 1100 is used as an on-vehicle device, it may also be connected to external device, for example, a GPS receiver, sensors for sensing different environmental data such as an acceleration sensor, a wheel speed sensor, a gyroscope, and so on. In this way, the hardware environment 1100 may, for example, receive location data and sensor data indicating the travelling situation of the vehicle. When the hardware environment 1100 is used as an on-vehicle device, it may also be connected to other facilities (such as an engine system, a wiper, an anti-lock Braking System or the like) for controlling the traveling and operation of the vehicle.
In addition, the non-transitory storage device 1110 may have map information and software elements so that the processor 1104 may perform route guidance processing. In addition, the output device 1106 may comprise a display for displaying the map, the location mark of the vehicle and also images indicating the travelling situation of the vehicle. The output device 1106 may also comprise a speaker or interface with an ear phone for audio guidance.
The bus 1102 may include but is not limited to Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. For an on-vehicle device, the bus 1102 may also include a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or other architectures designed for application on an automobile.
The hardware environment 1100 may also comprise a working memory 1114, which may be any kind of working memory that may store instructions and/or data useful for the working of the processor 1104 and may comprise but is not limited to a random access memory and/or a read-only memory device.
Software elements may be located in the working memory 1114, including but are not limited to an operating system 1116, one or more application programs 1118, drivers and/or other data and codes. Instructions for performing the methods and steps described in the above may be comprised in the one or more application programs 1118, and the modules of the aforementioned UAV 800, 900 may be implemented by the processor 1104 reading and executing the instructions of the one or more application programs 1118. More specifically, the function of the calculating module 840, 940 of the aforementioned UAV 800, 900 may, for example, be implemented by the processor 1104 when executing an application 1118 having instructions to perform calculating the flying path. In addition, the function of the identifying module 950 of the aforementioned UAV 900 may, for example, be implemented by the processor 1104 when executing an application 1118 having instructions to perform identifying the target vehicle. Other modules of the aforementioned UAV 800, 900 may also, for example, be implemented by the processor 1104 when executing an application 1118 having instructions to perform one or more of the aforementioned respective steps. The executable code or source code of the instructions of the software elements may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the storage device (s) 1110 described above, and may be read into the working memory 1114 possibly with compilation and/or installation. The executable code or source code of the instructions of the software elements may also be downloaded from a remote location.
Those skilled in the art may clearly know from the above embodiments that the present disclosure may be implemented by software with necessary hardware, or by hardware, firmware and the like. Based on such understanding, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in-part in a software form. The computer software may be stored in a readable storage medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk or a flash memory of the computer. The computer software comprises a series of instructions to make the computer (e.g., a personal computer, a service station or a network terminal) execute the method or a part thereof according to respective embodiment of the present disclosure.
The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/CN2017/111077, filed Nov. 15, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/CN2017/111077 | Nov 2017 | US |
| Child | 16845341 | US |
