Method and apparatus for returning cleaning robot to charge station
First Claim
1. A method for returning a cleaning robot to a charge station, comprising the steps of:
- (a) measuring a battery usable time, a running speed, and an actual return distance of a cleaning robot during a cleaning operation;
(b) calculating an allowable return distance on the basis of the battery usable time and the running speed;
(c) comparing the actual return distance with the allowable return distance; and
(d) returning the cleaning robot to the charge station when the actual return distance is larger than the allowable return distance as a result of the comparison.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are a method and apparatus for ensuring a cleaning robot to return to a charge station. The method includes the steps of: (a) measuring a battery usable time, a running speed, and an actual return distance of a cleaning robot during a cleaning operation; (b) calculating an allowable return distance on the basis of the battery usable time and the running speed; (c) comparing the actual return distance with the allowable return distance; and (d) returning the cleaning robot to the charge station when the actual return distance is larger than the allowable return distance as a result of the comparison. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cleaning robot from being not returned to the charge station, thereby providing convenience to a user.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for returning a cleaning robot to a charge station, comprising the steps of:
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(a) measuring a battery usable time, a running speed, and an actual return distance of a cleaning robot during a cleaning operation; (b) calculating an allowable return distance on the basis of the battery usable time and the running speed; (c) comparing the actual return distance with the allowable return distance; and (d) returning the cleaning robot to the charge station when the actual return distance is larger than the allowable return distance as a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for returning a cleaning robot to a charge station comprising the steps of:
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(a) measuring a battery usable time when a cleaning robot is booted; (b) determining whether the cleaning robot is connected to the charge station when the measured battery usable time is less than a battery usable reference time; (c) starting to return to the charge station when the cleaning robot is not connected to the charge station, and measuring a running speed of the cleaning robot and an actual return distance; (d) calculating an allowable return distance on the basis of the battery usable time and the running speed; (e) comparing the actual return distance with the allowable return distance; and (f) generating an alarm when the actual return distance is larger than the allowable return distance as a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for returning a cleaning robot to a charge station, comprising:
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a battery detection part for measuring a battery usable time of a cleaning robot; a running speed detection part for measuring a running speed of the cleaning robot; a return distance detection part for measuring an actual return distance of the cleaning robot; and a controller for comparing the actual return distance with an allowable return distance, and returning the cleaning robot to the charge station when the actual return distance is larger than the allowable return distance. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for returning a cleaning robot to a charge station, comprising:
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a battery detection part for measuring a battery usable time of the cleaning robot when the cleaning robot is booted; a running speed detection part for measuring a running speed of the cleaning robot; a return distance detection part for measuring an actual return distance of the cleaning robot; and a controller for calculating an allowable return distance on the basis of the battery usable time and the running speed when the battery usable time is less than a battery usable reference time and the cleaning robot is not connected to the charge station, and outputting an alarm when the actual return distance is larger than the allowable return distance.
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Specification