Cleaning robot and system utilizing the same

• US 9,031,693 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MSI Computer Company Limited (Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: MSI Computer Company Limited (Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hung, Shih-Che, Lin, Yi-Feng, Chen, Hung-Chou
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US13/796,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20140195050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 700/253, 700/245, 700/218, 318/568.11, 318/568.12, 318/568.2, 320/109
• US Class Current: 700/253
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/021 specially adapted to land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 Mobile robot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/09 Closed loop, sensor feedback controls arm movement

Abstract

A cleaning robot is disclosed. A first sensing unit generates a sensing signal to a transmittal line according to an external wireless signal. When the external wireless signal is sensed by the first sensing unit, a state of the transmittal line does not match with a pre-determined state. When the external wireless signal is not sensed by the first sensing unit, the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state. A control unit generates a movement signal when the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state. A plurality of wheels rotate according to the movement signal. A second sensing unit generates a second sensing signal according to the external environment of the cleaning robot. When the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the second sensing signal.

Claims

1. A cleaning robot, comprising:

an emitter emitting a reference signal;

a first sensing unit generating a sensing signal to a transmittal line according to an external wireless signal and the reference signal, wherein when the external wireless signal is sensed by the first sensing unit, a state of the transmittal line does not match with a pre-determined state, and when the external wireless signal is not sensed by the first sensing unit, the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state;

a signal generating unit making the transmittal line match with the pre-determined state when the first sensing unit does not sense the external wireless signal;

a control unit generating a movement signal when the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state;

a plurality of wheels rotating according to the movement signal; and

a second sensing unit generating a second sensing signal according to the external environment of the cleaning robot, wherein when the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the second sensing signal,

wherein the transmittal line is coupled between the first sensing unit and the control unit.

2. The cleaning robot as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state, the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the second sensing signal.

3. The cleaning robot as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the wheels leave the external wireless signal according to the movement signal.

4. The cleaning robot as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the wheels rotate according to the movement signal such that the cleaning robot approaches to the external wireless signal.

5. The cleaning robot as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wheels rotate along the external wireless signal.

6. The cleaning robot as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery comprising a voltage, wherein when the voltage is less than a pre-determined value, the signal generating unit stops influencing the state of the transmittal line such that the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, and the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the first sensing signal.

7. The cleaning robot as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a case comprising a first opening to dispose the first sensing unit therein.

8. The cleaning robot as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first sensing unit is an omni-directional sensor.

9. The cleaning robot as claimed in claim 7, wherein the case further comprises a second opening to dispose the signal generating unit therein, and the signal generating unit is a luminescence device.

10. The cleaning robot as claimed in claim 7, wherein the signal generating unit is disposed within the case.

11. A cleaning system, comprising:

a wireless emitter generating an external wireless signal; and

a cleaning robot comprising;

an emitter emitting a reference signal;

a first sensing unit generating a sensing signal to a transmittal line according to an external wireless signal and the reference signal, wherein when the external wireless signal is sensed by the first sensing unit, a state of the transmittal line does not match with a pre-determined state, and when the external wireless signal is not sensed by the first sensing unit, the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state;

a signal generating unit making the transmittal line match with the pre-determined state when the first sensing unit does not sense the external wireless signal;

a control unit generating a movement signal when the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state;

a plurality of wheels rotating according to the movement signal; and

a second sensing unit generating a second sensing signal according to the external environment of the cleaning robot, wherein when the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the second sensing signal,

wherein the transmittal line is coupled between the first sensing unit and the control unit.

12. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the state of the transmittal line matches with the pre-determined state, the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the second sensing signal.

13. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the wheels leave the external wireless signal according to the movement signal.

14. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the state of the transmittal line does not match with the pre-determined state, the wheels rotate according to the movement signal such that the cleaning robot approaches to the external wireless signal.

15. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the wheels rotate along the external wireless signal.

16. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery comprising a voltage, wherein when the voltage is less than a pre-determined value, the signal generating unit stops making the state of the transmittal line match with the pre-determined state and the control unit adjusts the movement signal according to the first sensing signal.

17. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

a case comprising a first opening to dispose the first sensing unit therein.

18. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first sensing unit is an omni-directional sensor.

19. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the case further comprises a second opening to dispose the signal generating unit therein, and the signal generating unit is a luminescence device.

20. The cleaning system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the signal generating unit is disposed within the case.