Autonomous cleaner

• US 20060238374A1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Saeki, Ryo
• Application Number:
  US11/407,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20060238374A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.720
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

An autonomous cleaner that can be operated with a remote controller without using a dedicated component such as an antenna that receives a signal from the remote controller is provided. The cleaner main body 1 includes eight infrared sensors 11 for detecting obstacles such as furniture. The remote controller 3 outputs an infrared signal corresponding to the pushed key 31. The reflected light from the obstacle and the infrared signal (remote controller signal) from the remote controller are both received at the infrared sensor 11. The light receiving part of the infrared sensor 11 has a function of receiving the signal by the reflected light from the obstacle and receiving the remote controller signal, which signals are identifiable at a micro-computer 22. The cleaner main body 1 can thus be operated with a remote controller 3 using the infrared sensor 11 without arranging a dedicated component such as an antenna.

Claims

1. An autonomous cleaner comprising:

a main body including a suction means for suctioning dust on a cleaning surface;

a moving means for moving the main body;

an infrared sensor including a light emitting part and a light receiving part for detecting an obstacle; and

a controlling means for controlling at least one of the suction means and the moving means based on either an output signal of the light receiving part or a signal transmitted by a remote controller, wherein

the remote controller transmits a plurality of the same infrared signals at a predetermined time interval when one operation is performed so that at least one infrared signal is transmitted when the light emitting part is not emitting light,

the infrared signal and a reflected light irradiated from the light emitting part and reflected at the obstacle are received by the light receiving part, and

the controlling means;

assumes that the output signal of the light receiving part is from the infrared signal when the output signal of when the light emitting part is emitting light exceeds a threshold value, and again have the light emitting part emit light when assumed that a new infrared signal is not received, and determines that the obstacle is present when the output signal of the light receiving part exceeds the threshold value;

receives the infrared signal received at the light receiving part when the light emitting part is not emitting light; and

controls at least one of the suction means and the moving means based on the result of determination and reception.

2. An autonomous cleaner comprising:

a main body including a suction means for suctioning dust on a cleaning surface;

a moving means for moving the main body;

an infrared sensor including a light emitting part and a light receiving part for detecting an obstacle; and

a controlling means for controlling at least one of the suction means and the moving means based on either an output signal of the light receiving part or a signal transmitted by a remote controller, wherein

a signal transmitted by the remote controller is an infrared signal,

the infrared signal and a reflected light irradiated from the light emitting part and reflected at the obstacle are received at the light receiving part, and

the controlling means identifies the infrared signal and the signal from the reflected light received at the light receiving part, and controls at least one of the suction means and the moving means based on the identified result.