System and method for returning robot cleaner to charger
First Claim
1. A system for returning a robot to a charger, the system comprising:
- a homing signal transmitter, including at least first, second, and third signal transmitters, each adapted to be provided at a front side of the charger and to respectively transmit signals which are different from each other in at least one of a code and a transmission distance, and at least two fourth signal transmitters adapted to be provided on opposite lateral sides of the charger and to transmit a signal which is different from the signals of the first, second, and third transmitters in code;
a homing signal receiver adapted to be provided at the robot and to receive at least one signal transmitted from the homing signal transmitter; and
a controller adapted to identify the at least one signal and to control the robot to return to the charger based at least in part on the at least one signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for returning a robot to a charger includes: a homing signal transmitter, including at least first, second, and third signal transmitters, each adapted to be provided at a front side of the charger and to respectively transmit signals which are different from each other in at least one of a code and a transmission distance, and a fourth signal transmitter, adapted to be provided on at least one lateral side of the charger and to transmit a signal which is different from the signals of the first, second, and third transmitters in code; a homing signal receiver provided at the robot and to receive at least one signal transmitted from the homing signal transmitter; and a controller adapted to identify the at least one signal and to control the robot to return to the charger based at least in part on the at least one signal.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for returning a robot to a charger, the system comprising:
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a homing signal transmitter, including at least first, second, and third signal transmitters, each adapted to be provided at a front side of the charger and to respectively transmit signals which are different from each other in at least one of a code and a transmission distance, and at least two fourth signal transmitters adapted to be provided on opposite lateral sides of the charger and to transmit a signal which is different from the signals of the first, second, and third transmitters in code; a homing signal receiver adapted to be provided at the robot and to receive at least one signal transmitted from the homing signal transmitter; and a controller adapted to identify the at least one signal and to control the robot to return to the charger based at least in part on the at least one signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for returning a robot to a charger, the method comprising:
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detecting a return command signal at the robot; traveling while searching to locate at least one of a first, a second, and a third infrared signal transmitted from a front side of the charger and a fourth infrared signal transmitted from opposite lateral sides of the charger; receiving at least one of the at least first, second, third, and fourth infrared signals transmitted from the charger; locating the charger based at least in part on the at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth infrared signals received from the charger; traveling toward an area in front of the charger while searching for the third infrared signal when the at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth infrared signals received from the charger is not the third infrared signal; and docking at the charger when the third infrared signal is detected, thereby enabling the robot to charge. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification