Robot cleaner system having external charging apparatus and method for docking with the charging apparatus
First Claim
1. A robot cleaner system comprising:
- an external charging apparatus and a robot cleaner, the external charging apparatus comprising a power supply terminal connected to a wire through which a utility power is supplied, and a terminal stand for supporting the power supply terminal and fixing the external charging apparatus to a predetermined location, the robot cleaner comprising a driving unit for moving a cleaner body, an upper camera disposed on the cleaner body for photographing a ceiling, a charging battery disposed in the cleaner body for being charged by power supplied from the power supply terminal, a bumper disposed along an outer circumference of the cleaner body and outputting a collision signal when a collision with an obstacle has been detected, and a charging terminal disposed at the bumper to be connected with the power supply terminal and being connected to the charging battery, wherein, prior to starting an operation, the robot cleaner photographs an upward-looking image using the upper camera, calculates the location information of the external charging apparatus, and stores the location information in the state of being connected to the external charging apparatus, and, when returning to the external charging apparatus, the robot cleaner calculates a return path based on the current location information calculated from an image photographed by the upper camera and the stored location information of the external charging apparatus and returns to the external charging apparatus along the return path.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A robot cleaner system capable of accurately docking with an external charging apparatus and a method for docking with an external charging apparatus comprising a power supply terminal connected to a supply of utility power, an external charging apparatus including a terminal stand for supporting the power supply terminal and fixing the external charging apparatus at a predetermined location, a driving unit for moving a cleaner body, an upper camera disposed on the cleaner body, for photographing a ceiling, a charging battery disposed in the cleaner body, for being charged by power supplied from the power supply terminal, a bumper disposed along an outer circumference of the cleaner body and outputting a collision signal when a collision with an obstacle is detected, and a robot cleaner disposed at the bumper to be connected with the power supply terminal and including a charging terminal connected to the charging battery, wherein, prior to starting on operation, the robot cleaner photographs an upward-looking image using the upper camera, calculates location information of the external charging apparatus, and stores the location information of the external charging apparatus, and, when returning to the external charging apparatus, the robot cleaner calculates a return path, based on the current location information calculated from an image photographed by the upper camera and the stored location information of the external charging apparatus, and returns to the external charging apparatus along the return path.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A robot cleaner system comprising:
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an external charging apparatus and a robot cleaner, the external charging apparatus comprising a power supply terminal connected to a wire through which a utility power is supplied, and a terminal stand for supporting the power supply terminal and fixing the external charging apparatus to a predetermined location, the robot cleaner comprising a driving unit for moving a cleaner body, an upper camera disposed on the cleaner body for photographing a ceiling, a charging battery disposed in the cleaner body for being charged by power supplied from the power supply terminal, a bumper disposed along an outer circumference of the cleaner body and outputting a collision signal when a collision with an obstacle has been detected, and a charging terminal disposed at the bumper to be connected with the power supply terminal and being connected to the charging battery, wherein, prior to starting an operation, the robot cleaner photographs an upward-looking image using the upper camera, calculates the location information of the external charging apparatus, and stores the location information in the state of being connected to the external charging apparatus, and, when returning to the external charging apparatus, the robot cleaner calculates a return path based on the current location information calculated from an image photographed by the upper camera and the stored location information of the external charging apparatus and returns to the external charging apparatus along the return path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
a battery charge detecting part for detecting the amount of electrical power available in the charging battery; and
a control unit for controlling the driving unit to stop the operation and return the robot cleaner to the external charging apparatus when a charge requesting signal is received from the battery charge detecting part.
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4. The robot cleaner system of claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the driving unit to return the robot cleaner to the external charging apparatus when the commanded work is completed.
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5. The robot cleaner system of claim 1, wherein the terminal stand is formed to enclose a portion of the outer circumference of the bumper of the robot cleaner.
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6. A method of docking a robot cleaner with an external charging apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a work command signal;
when a work command signal is received with the robot cleaner being connected with the external charging apparatus, calculating location information of the external charging apparatus based on an upward-looking image photographed by an upper camera and storing the location information;
performing the work commanded in the work command signal while the robot cleaner travels from one area to another;
when a charging command signal is received, calculating a return path to the external charging apparatus based on the current location information calculated from the upward-looking image photographed by the upper camera and the stored location information of the external charging apparatus, and then returning along the return path;
after the reception of a collision signal from a bumper, determining whether a contact signal is received or not, the contact signal indicating contact of a charging terminal of the robot cleaner with a power supply terminal of the external charging apparatus;
when it is determined that the contact signal is not received after the collision signal is received from the bumper, adjusting the angle of travel of the robot cleaner by a predetermined angle to determine whether reception of the contact signal has been completed; and
when it is determined that the contact signal is not received after a predetermined number of adjustments of the angle of travel, retreating the robot cleaner by a predetermined distance and then performing the steps of calculating the return path and returning. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification