WO2016108104A1

WO2016108104A1 - Power machine system and usage planning method

Info

Publication number: WO2016108104A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/059326
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew ALBINGER; Jonathan Funk; Nick SCHOMER
Original assignee: Husqvarna Ab
Priority date: 2014-12-29
Filing date: 2015-12-03
Publication date: 2016-07-07

Abstract

An outdoor power machine system configured to determine a preferred time to operate the outdoor power machine (17) includes: at least one outdoor environment sensor (11) configured to monitor an environmental condition at a subject property to be maintained; and a processing device (14) operably connected to the at least one outdoor environment sensor (11) and configured to receive data therefrom indicative of the environmental condition, to determine a preferred time to operate the outdoor power machine (17), and to produce a scheduling output to a user informing the user of the preferred time.

Description

POWER MACHINE SYSTEM AND USAGE PLANNING METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to outdoor power machines and more particularly to a system and method of planning and scheduling the use of power machines to provide preferred conditions for maintaining a property.

[0002] Outdoor tasks, such as grooming and maintaining property, are commonly performed using various outdoor power machines that are configured for the performance of corresponding specific tasks. As used herein an "outdoor power machine" is defined generally as any machine having a prime mover driving a component, implement, or attachment which is operable for material removal and/or material handling. Nonlimiting examples of outdoor power machines include lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, blowers, and hand-held trimmers. Outdoor power machines, such as riding lawn mowers, walk behind lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, and the like are used to maintain a yard while outdoor power machines such as snow blowers are used to maintain driveways, sidewalks, and the like during the winter months when snow accumulates thereon.

[0003] The convenience and versatility of these outdoor power machines makes them very popular among consumers; however, despite the popularity of these outdoor power machines, consumers still can have difficulties with proper use. For example, one of the problems those consumers often face when using a lawn mower is that the grass is too tall or too wet. As a result, the lawn mower struggles to cut the grass and leaves grass clumps throughout the yard. These clumps not only produce a non-pleasing appearance, but can also cause damage to the lawn if not removed.

[0004] In the case of snow accumulation, consumers often wait too long to remove snow. This results in the consumer struggling with snow removal equipment which can lead to damage of the equipment and frustration to the consumer.

[0005] Accordingly, there remains a need for a system and usage planning method that provides consumers with preferred conditions for using outdoor power machines. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This need is addressed by the present invention, which provides a system and method configured to provide a user with a preferred time and preferred condition for operating an outdoor power machine.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, an outdoor power machine system configured to determine a preferred time to operate the outdoor power machine includes at least one outdoor environment sensor configured to monitor an environmental condition at a subject property to be maintained and a processing device operably connected to the at least one outdoor environment sensor. The processing device is configured to receive data therefrom indicative of the environmental condition, to determine a preferred time to operate the outdoor power machine, and to produce a scheduling output to a user informing the user of the preferred time.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, an outdoor power machine usage method includes the steps of collecting data relevant to material removal at a subject property, processing the data and determining a preferred time to operate an outdoor power machine configured to remove a pre-determined amount of material from the subject property, and communicating the preferred time to a user.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, an outdoor power machine usage method includes the steps of collecting data suitable for determining a preferred time to operate an outdoor power machine configured to remove a pre-determined amount of material from a subject property, using a processor to process the data and determine a preferred time to operate the outdoor power machine, determining if an external control system is employed at the subject property and modifying the control system's operation schedule such that the control system's operation schedule does not conflict with the preferred time, and scheduling a calendar event for the preferred time and communicating the calendar event to a user.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, an outdoor power machine usage method includes the steps of collecting data relevant to material removal at a subject property, processing the data and determining a preferred time to operate an outdoor power machine configured to remove a pre-determined amount of material from the subject property, and communicating the preferred time to an autonomous outdoor power machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic of a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic of the system according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0014] Figure 3 is a schematic of a processing device;

[0015] Figure 4 is a schematic of a property mapped by sensors;

[0016] Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] Figure 6 is a schematic showing types of data processed by the processing device; and

[0018] Figure 7 is a flow diagram of the method of Figure 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views, Figure 1 illustrates a networked system according to an embodiment of the invention and is shown generally at reference numeral 10. As used herein, the term "networked" refers to a plurality of devices interconnected to enable data exchange between such devices. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the devices are connected via a wireless network. The wireless network may be formed via short-range UHF (e.g. BLUETOOH), Wi-Fi, cellular, and/or any other suitable wireless technology.

[0020] The system 10 is designed to collect data and provide an output indicative of the preferred time to use a particular outdoor power machine such as a lawn machine (e.g., a riding lawn mower, walk behind lawn mower, autonomous (i.e. robotic) mower, or other suitable grass cutting machine) or snow removal machine (e.g., a walk behind snow blower and/or autonomous snow removal machine). As used herein, autonomous refers to an outdoor power machine operable to execute or carryout actions, such as communications, movement, and/or material removal without human intervention. The system 10 collects and processes data and includes a plurality of environmental sensors 11 to collect environmental data; an Internet connection 12 to download data such as weather forecast models (local and national), comparison/predictive tables, and any other suitable data for determining a preferred time to use the power machine; a plurality of power machine sensors 13 to collect power machine data; and a processing device 14.

[0021] Referring to Figure 3, the processing device 14 may be any device operable to execute programmed instructions. Examples of processing devices include standalone computers such as desktop/server and/or laptop computers and mobile general-purpose computing devices such as tablets and/or smart phone devices loaded with an app. For purposes of this application, an "app" is a specialized, self-contained program or piece of software designed to fulfill a particular purpose.

[0022] As illustrated in Figure 3, the processing device 14 may include a known type of microprocessor or simply a "processor" 16 operably connected to memory 18, a communications device 19, and a user interface 20.

[0023] The communications device 19 includes one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with external devices. For example, a known type of network interface chip or card including a wireless transceiver may use known wireless protocols to receive and/or transmit data. [0024] In Figure 1, one possible processing device is shown as a conventional desktop computer at 14. Another possibility is a smart phone, shown at 14'. Yet another possibility is for the processing device to be a self-contained device associated with an outdoor power machine 17, shown at 14", Figure 2. By incorporating the processing device 14" into the power machine 17, data such as nameplate data, last use data, and any other suitable data associated with the power machine 17 is automatically stored in the memory 18.

[0025] The user interface 20 is operable to receive user inputs at the user interface 20 to provide an audible, visual, and/or other output to the user. In the desktop computer 14 shown in Figure 1, the user interface 20 comprises a computer display and user input devices such as a conventional keyboard and pointing device (e.g. a mouse). In the smart phone 14' shown in Figure 1, the user interface 20' comprises a touch-screen display 15 which serves both input and output functions.

[0026] The environmental sensors 11 may include material accumulation sensors, such as rain sensors to determine the amount of rain fall over a specified period of time, ground moisture sensors to determine the amount of moisture contained in the ground of the subject property, temperature sensors to determine temperatures throughout a specified period of time (for example temperature for each hour of the day), material height sensors to monitor grass height or snow height on the subject property, and/or any other suitable sensor for providing data relevant to the external environment to the processing device 14.

[0027] The number and type of sensors employed may vary based on the complexity of the system and/or the accuracy desired. For example, a single temperature sensor may be used to monitor air temperature at the property in combination with a plurality of ground moisture sensors positioned about the property to provide ground moisture data at multiple locations around the property. While it is likely that air temperature will not vary greatly around the property, it is very possible that the property will have varying ground moisture content due to areas receiving less sun light, low areas where moisture collects, etc. Thus, collecting ground moisture data from multiple locations around the property can "MAP" the property and inform the user of locations that should be avoided, Figure 4. For example, a user mowing a lawn may want to avoid mowing areas of the lawn that have a ground moisture content above a specified threshold to prevent grass clumps, clogging of a mower deck, and/or ruts in the lawn created by tires of a riding lawn mower or the user may want to avoid areas that are too dry to prevent further damage to the lawn.

[0028] The outdoor power machine sensors 13 are operably connected to the outdoor power machine 17 and provide power machine data such as when the power machine 17 was last operated and/or in the case of a lawn mower - the mower deck cut height setting, as well as, any other suitable power machine data to the processing device 14.

[0029] In general, the processing device 14 collects the data from the sensors and Internet and processes the data to determine preferred times to use selected power machines. Once the data has been processed, the preferred time is output to a user as an alert and/or as a calendar scheduled event. For example, if a separate processing device 14 is used to process the data, an alert may be communicated via the communications device 19 (i.e., audible, text message, email, etc.) to a user's phone and/or email account. In the case where the processing device 14 is a smart phone running an app, the smart phone can automatically provide an alert on the screen of the phone, access the user's calendar and schedule a power machine usage event, and/or email a calendar event to a user's software calendar application (e.g. MICROSOFT OUTLOOK or GOOGLE Calendar). Additionally, the system 10 is configured to interact with other control systems such as sprinkler systems 25 to provide a control mechanism to further reinforce the preferred time for use of the power machine 17. For example, the system 10 may intermittently change the program used for a sprinkler system such that the sprinklers do not turn on and wet the grass during a mowing day.

[0030] In more detail, the system 10 allows a user to customize a schedule for using a selected power machine at preferred times. The following examples are used for illustrative purposes only.

Example 1 - Lawn Maintenance [0031] When mowing grass, several factors determine a preferred time to mow. Some of those factors include ground moisture, desired grass height, type of grass being mowed, amount of rain fall since last mowing, amount of water provided to the lawn since last mowing by sprinkler systems, time of day sprinkler systems provided water, hourly temperatures since last mowing, days of sunshine since last mowing, days of cloudy skies since last mowing, last time lawn was fertilized, and any other suitable factors.

[0032] Once data for some or all of the listed factors is collected by the system 10, the data is processed by the processing device 14 to determine a preferred time to mow the lawn again. This can be done with a minimal set of data or a combination of data points. For example, a grass height sensor could be used to measure the height or length of the grass to determine if the grass exceeds a pre-determined height, for example, 7.62 cm (3 in.). If the height exceeds the pre-determined height, then the grass height sensor sends a signal to the processing device 14 notifying the processing device 14 that the grass needs mowed. The processing device 14 then instructs the communications device 19 to send an alert to the user. Alternatively, the system 10 could use the grass height sensor in combination with a ground moisture sensor to send an alert that the grass has exceeded the desired height but the ground is too wet to mow.

[0033] In the case where advanced notice is desired to provide a scheduling event, the system 10 may use a combination of data points to predict the preferred time to mow. For example, the system 10 may use downloaded forecast models to determine when a warm sunny day will occur in the future and how many sunny days have occurred; use the environmental sensors 11 to determine the amount of rain fall that has occurred, the amount of moisture in the ground, and hourly temperatures; and inputted data such as type of grass being mowed to predict a growth rate for the grass being mowed and the capabilities of the lawn mower to make sure that the mower is not mowing more grass than it can handle.

[0034] Once the system 10 has predicted a preferred time to mow the grass, the system 10 may provide an alert to a user via text message and/or email. The system 10 may also access the user's calendar software and schedule a mowing event on the calendar. Example 2 - Snow Removal

[0035] Handling requirements for snow removal machines are of utmost importance when removing snow. As such, it is important that snow removal machines be used at the appropriate time. For example, some factors that may be considered include the amount of snow accumulation, the type of snow accumulation (wet or powdery), and the handling capacity of the snow removal machine.

[0036] Like lawn maintenance, when performing snow removal, the system 10 can provide an immediate alert to a user or use scheduling. In its simplest form, environmental sensors 11 may be used to determine snow accumulation on a surface, such as a driveway, and once a threshold amount of accumulation is reached, the environmental sensors 11 provide a signal to the processing device 14 and the processing device 14 uses the communications device 19 to send an alert to the user that snow removal is required. The alert may be by text message, email, and/or any other suitable method.

[0037] In a more complex form, the system 10 may use multiple data points to provide a snow removal schedule based on a predictive analysis or to control an autonomous (i.e. robotic) snow removal machine. For example, the system 10 could monitor snow fall rates to predict the amount of snow that will accumulate per hour, use temperature sensors to determine the type of snow (wet or powdery) falling, use nameplate data to determine handling capabilities of the snow removal machine, and based on the data determine a preferred schedule for snow removal. Once the schedule is determined, the schedule can then be sent to a user via email, text message, and/or other communications means. In the case of an autonomous snow removal machine, the system 10 transmits the schedule to the snow removal machine and instructs the autonomous snow removal machine when to remove snow material.

[0038] Referring to Figure 5, an exemplary method of planning and scheduling the use of power machines will now be discussed in more detail. The system 10 starts by collecting information, block 30. As shown in Figure 6, the information being collected comes in multiple forms. For example, the system 10 collects measured data from environmental sensors (rain sensors, ground moisture sensors, temperature sensors, growth sensors, etc.), measured data from the outdoor power machine (last time operated, power machine settings, etc.), third party data (local forecast data, national forecast data, global positioning data (GPS), predictive tables, etc.), and/or manually inputted data (types of plants being groomed, location of property, growing zone, last time fertilized, nameplate information for the power machine being used, user preferences, etc.). User preferences include, but are not limited to, desired material removal rate (i.e. removal of one-third of grass blade length) and black out days or times the user does not want to perform the task. The collected data is downloaded to the processing device 14 to determine a preferred time for material removal, block 31, and to perform an action, block 32.

[0039] The step of determining a preferred time for material removal may be user specified to accommodate a homeowner, commercial mower, and/or grounds keepers from golf courses, etc. For example, a homeowner may have a lawn of Fescue grass and simply wants to cut the grass when it reaches a height of four inches. In this case, the step of determining a preferred time to mow would use data from a grass height sensor to alert a user when the grass height reaches a height of 10.16 cm (4 in.) - no further data would be used.

[0040] On the other hand a more complex or nuanced determination may be desired. For example, a user may want the system 10 to predict and schedule a preferred time to run the power machine. In this case, the system 10 may use multiple data sets to predict grass growth rates or accumulation rates in the case of snow and then set up a schedule for the user or autonomous machine.

[0041] As illustrated in Figure 7, the processing device 14 analyzes the collected data and checks to see if immediate action is needed, block 40. For example, the processing device 14 may use data provided by a growth/height sensor to determine if the amount of material or the height of the material exceeds a pre-determined threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, the processing device 14 may use the communication device 19 to send an immediate alert to a user. As used herein, an alert may be a text message, an email message, a calendar event reminder, an audible sound, etc., or any combination of alerts. In addition, the alert may be sent to any networked device such as a watch, cell phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, etc.

[0042] Before sending an immediate alert, the processing device 14 checks to see if there is an override condition, block 41. An override condition, as used herein, is any condition that may change the action output by the processor 16. For example, if the material exceeds the threshold, but it is raining outside, then the alert that is sent to the user might be "lawn needs mowed - wet, mow tomorrow". If there is no override condition, then the alert might be "lawn needs mowed immediately". The processing device 14 will send the immediate alert, block 42, until the processing device 14 determines that immediate action is no longer needed. Alternatively, the user may turn the immediate alert off until action has been taken.

[0043] If an immediate action is not needed, then the processing device 14 begins analyzing data to perform a predictive analysis, block 43, of the data to determine when an action is needed. For example, in the case of lawn care, the processing device 14 might use power machine data (last time operated) in combination with environmental data (temperature, ground moisture, and rain amount) to predict when the next mowing of the lawn should take place. Thus, in this scenario, the processing device 14 would have access to data about when the lawn was last mowed, would have access to data recording the average temperature and rain fall during a specified time period, and would have access to data recording the ground moisture content. With this data, the processor 16 could also use third party data, such as predictive tables like Table 1 to predict an average growth rate for grass.

Table 1

Fescue 26.7 °C (80 °F) 1.27 cm (0.5 in.) 0.254 cm (0.1 in.)

Per Day

Fescue 32.2 °C (90 °F) 0.254 cm (0.1 in.) 0.127 cm (0.05 in.)

Per Day

[0044] In addition, the processing device 14 can store daily data from prior lawn care seasons in memory 18 that is specific to the property to allow the processing device 14 to compare prior season data with current data and provide greater reliability for the particular property being cared for.

[0045] In the case where handling capabilities are of utmost importance, i.e., snow removal, the processing device 14 uses nameplate data from the power machine to determine material removal capabilities and then correlate those capabilities to environmental data being recorded by environmental sensors. For example, if a user needs to maintain a driveway in the middle of winter, the processing device 14 could use temperature data to determine the type of snow falling. For temperatures above - 1.1°C (30°F), it could be assumed that the snow is a "wet snow" and for temperatures below -1.1°C (30°F), it could be assumed that the snow is a "powder snow". Since "wet snow" is heavier than "powder snow", the snow removal machine will need to remove "wet snow" more frequently.

[0046] The processing device 14 could also use an accumulation sensor to determine the average amount of snow fall per minute to determine time intervals for snow removal. For example, if the snow removal machine is configured to remove 7.62cm (3in) of snow material and the average snow fall rate is 7.62cm (3in) per hour, then based on this data point alone, the processing device 14 might determine that the user would need to remove snow every forty-five to sixty minutes. However, if the temperature is above -1.1°C (30°F), the processing device 14 would determine that the snow is a "wet snow", and determine that the user needs to remove snow material every thirty minutes. [0047] Once the processing device 14 has analyzed the data, the processing device 14 determines an appropriate schedule for performing a task (lawn care, snow removal, etc.) and schedules an event on the user's calendar, block 44. For example, if the system 10 determines that Saturday is an ideal time to mow the lawn, then the system 10 accesses the user's calendar and schedules the event. In the case of snow removal or other last minute type events, the processing device 14 can set up multiple reminders for transmission to the user or in the case of an autonomous power machine, download instructions to the machine for action.

[0048] When accessing the user's calendar and scheduling an event, the system 10 first determines the ideal time for action, i.e., Saturday at noon, and then checks the user's preferences and calendar to see if the ideal time works for the user. For example, a user might use the user interface 20 to tell the system 10 that he/she does not want to do lawn care work on Saturday before 3pm. Thus, the system 10 will automatically move the event to a time after 3pm. The system 10 also looks to see if the user already has something scheduled for that day and adjusts accordingly. For example, if the ideal time to schedule a lawn care event is Saturday, but the user's calendar shows that the user is in a meeting all day Saturday, then the system 10 will look to see if time is available on a day prior to Saturday or after Saturday and schedule the lawn care event. Additionally, the system 10 downloads weather forecast information to determine if the weather for the scheduled day will be acceptable for performing the desired task. The system 10 monitors the weather forecast continuously and then makes adjustments to the calendar if necessary.

[0049] Once the system 10 has scheduled the event on the user's calendar, block 44, it checks, block 46, to see if other equipment is installed on the property, such as a sprinkler system, that may need controlled. The system 10 then interfaces with the equipment and sets parameters, block 47, for the equipment to make sure that the conditions for performing the task are acceptable. For example, in the case of mowing a lawn, if the property has a sprinkler system, the system 10 will interface with the sprinkler system and temporarily adjust the sprinkler system's schedule to prevent the sprinkler system from watering the lawn prior to (for example 24 hours before) or during the scheduled time that the lawn is to be mowed. [0050] On the day of the scheduled event, the system 10 checks for any conditions that may override the scheduled event, block 48. The override check is performed at predetermined intervals prior to the scheduled event (i.e., 24 hours, 12 hours, 6 hours, and 2 hours before). Example override conditions include but are not limited to, ground moisture conditions are above a specified threshold, ground moisture conditions indicate that the ground is too dry, temperature is too hot, currently raining, etc. In the event that an override condition exists, the system 10 reschedules the event, block 49, and sends an alert to the user, block 50, notifying the user that the event has been rescheduled. In the event that an override condition does not exist, the system 10 sends a reminder of the scheduled event, block 51, to the user. The system 10 can send a single reminder or multiple reminders depending on user preferences. For example, a reminder can be sent for each override check or at pre-determined intervals set-up by the user.

[0051] The foregoing has described a system and method of planning and scheduling the use of power machines. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0052] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0053] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An outdoor power machine system configured to determine a preferred time to operate the outdoor power machine, comprising:

(a) at least one outdoor environment sensor configured to monitor an environmental condition at a subject property to be maintained; and

(b) a processing device operably connected to the at least one outdoor environment sensor and configured to receive data therefrom indicative of the environmental condition, to determine a preferred time to operate the outdoor power machine, and to produce a scheduling output to a user informing the user of the preferred time.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outdoor environment sensor is a ground moisture sensor configured to determine the moisture content in the ground at the subject property.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outdoor environment sensor is a temperature sensor configured to determine an outside air temperature at the subject property.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outdoor environment sensor is a material height sensor configured to determine a height of material to be removed at the subject property.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system includes a plurality of outdoor environment sensors configured to provide the processing device with a plurality of data points, the plurality of outdoor environment sensors being selected from the group consisting of outdoor temperature sensors, ground moisture sensors, material height sensors, outdoor power machine sensors, and accumulation sensors.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing device is operably connected to external control systems located at the subject property, the processing device being configured to change an operation schedule of the control systems such that during the preferred time to operate the outdoor power machine, the control systems do not operate.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing device is operably connected to the Internet to allow the processing device to download data specific to the subject property.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the data specific to the subject property includes weather forecasts, growing zone data, global positioning data, and predictive tables.

9. The system according to claim 1, further including outdoor power machine sensors configured to monitor operational parameters of the outdoor power machine.

10. The system according to claim 1, further including a user interface configured to permit a user to manually enter data and to receive the scheduling output.

11. An outdoor power machine usage method, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting data relevant to material removal at a subject property;

(b) processing the data and determining a preferred time to operate an outdoor power machine configured to remove a pre-determined amount of material from the subject property; and

(c) communicating the preferred time to a user.

12. The method according to claim 1 1, wherein the data being collected includes measured data from environmental sensors, measured data from outdoor power machine sensors, manually inputted data, and third party data.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of processing the data further includes the steps of:

(a) determining if immediate removal of material is needed; and

(b) if immediate removal is not needed, performing a predictive analysis to determine a future time to remove the material.

14. The method according to claim 11, further including the steps of:

(a) scheduling a calendar event for removal of the material;

(b) determining if an external control system is employed at the subject property and modifying the control system's operation schedule; and

(c) sending a reminder of the calendar event to the user.

15. The method according to claim 14, further including the steps of:

(a) checking to see if an override event is present on the day of the calendar event; and

(b) in response to an override event, rescheduling the calendar event.

16. The method according to claim 11, further including the step of instructing the user to operate the outdoor power machine at the preferred time.

17. An outdoor power machine usage method, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting data suitable for determining a preferred time to operate an outdoor power machine configured to remove a pre-determined amount of material from a subject property;

(b) using a processor to process the data and determine a preferred time to operate the outdoor power machine;

(c) determining if an external control system is employed at the subject property and modifying the control system's operation schedule such that the control system's operation schedule does not conflict with the preferred time; and

(d) scheduling a calendar event for the preferred time and communicating the calendar event to a user.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of determining a preferred time further includes the step of determining if immediate removal of material is needed.

19. The method according to claim 17, further including the step of performing a predictive analysis to determine the preferred time.

20. The method according to claim 17, further including the step of determining if an override exists during the preferred time and, in the event that an override does exist, rescheduling the calendar event.

21. An outdoor power machine usage method, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting data relevant to material removal at a subject property;

(c) communicating the preferred time to an autonomous outdoor power machine.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the step of communicating the preferred time further includes the step of transmitting a schedule to the autonomous outdoor power machine for material removal.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the step of communicating the preferred time further includes the step of transmitting a command to the autonomous outdoor power machine to begin material removal.