Position-recognizing system for self-moving robot

• US 20060261772A1
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Young-Gie
• Granted Patent: US 7,274,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/587
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0225 involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay parking aids B62D15/027
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0261 using magnetic plots

Abstract

Disclosed is a position-recognizing system of a self-moving robot. A position-recognizing system of a self-moving robot includes: a floor in which a magnet is inserted; and a self-moving robot provided with a magnetic sensor that can sense the magnet while the robot is moving on the floor. According to this, a magnet mounted in a floor is sensed through the magnetic sensor, and thusly a current location of the self-moving robot can be accurately recognized, so that the self-moving robot can be precisely controlled.

Claims

1. A position-recognizing system of a self-moving robot comprising:

a floor in which a magnet is inserted; and

a self-moving robot provided with a magnetic sensor that can sense the magnet while the robot is moving on the floor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the floor is formed of a wood flooring material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a disposition structure of the magnet comprises:

an outer edge identification portion formed at an outer edge of the floor in order to indicate limits of an moving area of the robot; and

a center identification portion formed at a central portion in order to indicate the center of the floor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the disposition structure of the magnet comprises:

an entrance identification portion formed toward an entrance of a certain space in order to induce the robot into the space.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the disposition structure of the magnet comprises:

a charging identification portion formed in front of a connection terminal so as to identify the connection terminal for recharging the robot.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the self-moving robot is a robot for cleaning.

7. A position-recognizing system for a self-moving robot comprising:

a floor formed of a wood flooring material, in which a magnet is inserted; and

a self-moving robot including a body case, ultrasonic wave transmitter and receptor installed inside the body case, and a magnetic sensor installed on the bottom of the body case for sensing the magnet.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein a disposition structure of the magnet comprises:

an outer edge identification portion formed at an outer edge of the floor in order to indicate limits of a moving area of the robot;

a center identification portion formed at a central portion in order to indicate the center of the floor;

an entrance identification portion formed toward an entrance of a certain space in order to induce the robot into the space; and

a charging identification portion formed in front of the connection terminal in order to identify a connection terminal for recharging the robot.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the center identification portion is formed in one of cross or diamond shapes.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the entrance identification portion is formed of one magnet, two separate magnets, three magnets separately disposed in a line shape, or four magnet units separately arranged in a T-shape.

11. A position-recognizing system of a self-moving robot comprising:

a floor formed of a wood flooring material, in which a magnet is inserted in a line or cross form; and

a self-moving robot including a body case, ultrasonic wave transmitter and receptor installed inside the body case, a plurality of magnetic sensors installed at an edge of the bottom of the body case at regular intervals therebetween for sensing the magnet, and a control unit processing a signal received from the magnetic sensors.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein a disposition structure of the magnet comprising:

an outer edge identification portion formed at an outer edge of the floor in a line form in order to display limits of a moving area of the robot;

a center identification portion formed at a central portion in a cross form in order to indicate the center of the floor;

an entrance identification portion formed towards an entrance of a certain space in order to induce the robot into the certain space; and

a charging identification portion formed in front of the connection terminal in order to identify a connection terminal for recharging the robot.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the center identification portion is formed in one of cross and diamond forms.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the entrance identification portion is formed of one magnet, two separate magnets, three magnets separately disposed in a line shape, or four magnets separately arranged in a T-shape.