Protection of ultraviolet (uv) light source on mobile device

Abstract

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a device of a mobile robot may include a motor to drive a drive system to move the mobile robot in an area, and a light source to output ultraviolet light. The device may include at least one first sensor to determine at least one of an orientation of the mobile robot, a location of the mobile robot, and/or when the light source is within a predetermined distance of an object in the area. The device may include a controller, communicatively coupled to the drive system, the light source, and the at least one first sensor to control the drive system so as to stop or move the mobile robot before the light source is within the predetermined distance of the object based on at least a signal received from the at least one first sensor.

1 . An autonomous mobile robot comprising:
 a base that includes an autonomous drive system to move the autonomous mobile robot in an area;   a light source to output ultraviolet light that is disposed over the base;   at least one sensor to detect at least one selected from the group consisting of: an object in the area, and at least one surface in the area; and   a controller, communicatively coupled to the autonomous drive system, the light source, and the at least one sensor to control the autonomous drive system to perform at least one selected from the group consisting of: (1) control the autonomous drive system to move the autonomous mobile robot within an area, and (2) stop or change the path of the autonomous mobile robot before at least the light source impacts the object based on at least a signal received from the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to controller is configured to control the light source to output ultraviolet light to disinfect one or more surfaces within the area, and wherein the controller is configured to track the one or more locations that the ultraviolet light is output; and   a communications interface, communicatively coupled to the controller, to transmit a report including at least one selected from the group consisting of: a path of operation of the autonomous mobile robot, and the one or more surfaces disinfected by the ultraviolet light.   
     
     
         2 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control an intensity of ultraviolet light output by the light source to disinfect the one or more surfaces within the area. 
     
     
         3 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to track the intensity of the ultraviolet light that is output, and one or more locations that the ultraviolet light is output. 
     
     
         4 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to turn on or off the light source to control the output of the ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         5 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfection of the one or more surfaces reduces the spread of at least one selected from the group consisting of: viruses, infectious diseases, bacteria, and organic microorganisms. 
     
     
         6 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a three-dimensional camera that is disposed on at least one selected from the group consisting of: over the light source, and on the base. 
     
     
         7 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a three-dimensional Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor that is disposed on at least one selected from the group consisting of: over the light source, and on the base. 
     
     
         8 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the first sensor is disposed over the light source, and the second sensor is disposed on the base. 
     
     
         9 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 8 , wherein the light source comprises a plurality of bulbs disposed in an array, each having a first end and a second end,
 wherein the first sensor is disposed over the first end of the bulbs, and the second end of the bulbs is disposed on the base and over the second sensor.   
     
     
         10 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a geometry of an object and determine that the object will impact the light source based on the detected geometry of the object and a path of movement of the mobile robot in the area and output a signal based on the determination. 
     
     
         11 . The autonomous mobile robot of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to control the autonomous drive system to stop or change the path of the mobile robot before the light source impacts the object based on at least the signal received from the at least one sensor.