Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for returning cleaning robot to charge station

US8010229B2 · kind B2 · utility

34Cited by
11References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 1, 2007
Grant dateAug 30, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 29, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA47L2201/022
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Provided are a method and apparatus for ensuring a cleaning robot to return to a charge station. The method includes the steps of: (a) measuring a battery usable time, a running speed, and an actual return distance of a cleaning robot during a cleaning operation; (b) calculating an allowable return distance on the basis of the battery usable time and the running speed; (c) comparing the actual return distance with the allowable return distance; and (d) returning the cleaning robot to the charge station when the actual return distance is larger than the allowable return distance as a result of the comparison. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cleaning robot from being not returned to the charge station, thereby providing convenience to a user.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.