Robot cleaner system and control method thereof

• US 7,787,991 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Myeong-ho, Ko, Jang-youn, Jeung, Sam-jong, Lee, Ju-sang, Song, Jeong-gon, Kim, Kyoung-woung, Lee, Hak-bong
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Figueroa; Jaime
• Application Number:
  US11/805,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20080140254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 700/245, 700/255, 700/258, 901/2, 901/1, 318/587, 180/167, 15/491, 153/19
• US Class Current: 700/245
• 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 1/0227 using mechanical sensing means, e.g. for sensing treated area

Abstract

A robot cleaner system is disclosed. The robot cleaner system includes a robot cleaner to carry out a cleaning operation while automatically traveling around along a surface to be cleaned, and a charging station connectable with the robot cleaner to charge a charging battery mounted in the robot cleaner with electricity. The charging station includes a setting switch to selectively set up a value of threshold height. The robot cleaner includes a control unit to receive the value of threshold height set up at the charging station from the charging station, to store the received value of threshold height in a memory, to compare a value of threshold height detected by a height sensor of the robot cleaner in traveling of the robot cleaner with the value of threshold height stored in the memory, to control the robot cleaner to travel while crossing over a threshold when the detected value of threshold height is the same as and less than the stored value of threshold height and to control the robot cleaner to travel after backing up and rotating when the detected value of threshold height exceeds the stored value of threshold height.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a robot cleaner, comprising:

setting up a first value of threshold height;

storing the first value of threshold height in a memory of a robot cleaner;

comparing a second value of threshold height detected in traveling of the robot cleaner with the first value of threshold height; and

moving the robot cleaner in a direction corresponding to a compared result,

wherein the setting up step comprises setting the first value of threshold height through a setting switch installed on a charging station for charging the robot cleaner with electricity by a user before the robot cleaner is operated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving step, comprises:

traveling the robot cleaner to cross over a threshold when the second value of threshold height is the same as and less than the first value of threshold height;

backing up and rotating the robot cleaner when the second value of threshold height exceeds the first value of threshold height; and

traveling the robot cleaner.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the storing step, comprises:

transmitting the first value of threshold height;

comparing the first value of threshold height with a third value of threshold height previously stored in the memory of the robot cleaner;

substituting the third value of threshold height by the first value of threshold height; and

storing the first value of threshold height when the first value of threshold height and the third value of threshold height do not coincide with each other.

4. A method of controlling a robot cleaner, comprising:

setting up a first value of threshold height;

storing the first value of threshold height in a memory of a robot cleaner;

comparing a second value of threshold height detected in traveling of the robot cleaner with the first value of threshold height; and

moving the robot cleaner in a direction corresponding to a compared result, wherein the setting-up step comprises setting up a first value of threshold height through a setting switch installed on the robot cleaner by a user before the robot cleaner is operated.

5. A robot cleaner system, comprising:

a robot cleaner to carry out a cleaning operation while automatically traveling along a surface to be cleaned; and

a charging station connectable with the robot cleaner to charge a charging battery mounted in the robot cleaner with electricity;

wherein the charging station comprises a setting switch for selectively setting up a first value of threshold height by a user before the robot cleaner is operated;

wherein the robot cleaner comprises a control unit for receiving the first value of threshold height, the control unit for storing the first value of threshold height in a memory, the control unit for comparing a second value of threshold height detected by a height sensor of the robot cleaner in traveling with the first value of threshold height, the control unit for controlling the robot cleaner to travel while crossing over a threshold when the second value of threshold height is the same as and less than the first value of threshold height, the control unit for controlling the robot cleaner to travel after backing up and rotating when the second value of threshold height exceeds the first value of threshold height.

6. The robot cleaner system of claim 5, wherein the setting switch comprises one of a dual inline package (DIP) switch and a rotary switch.

7. A robot cleaner system, comprising:

a robot cleaner to carry out a cleaning operation while automatically traveling along a surface to be cleaned; and

a charging station connectable to the robot cleaner, the charging station for charging a charging battery mounted in the robot cleaner with electricity;

wherein the robot cleaner comprises a setting switch for selectively setting a first value of threshold height by a user before the robot cleaner is operated;

wherein the robot cleaner comprises a control unit to store the first value of threshold height set up, the control unit for comparing a second value of threshold height detected by a height sensor of the robot cleaner in traveling with the first value of threshold height, the control unit for controlling the robot cleaner to travel while crossing over a threshold when the second value of threshold height is the same as and less than the first value of threshold height, the control unit for controlling the robot cleaner to travel after backing up and rotating when the second value of threshold height exceeds the first value of threshold height.

8. The robot cleaner system of claim 7, wherein the setting switch comprises one of a dual inline package (DIP) switch and a rotary switch.