Robot cleaner system having external charging apparatus and method for docking with the charging apparatus
US6748297B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47L2201/04
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
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,…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.