Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of a robot cleaner and a method therefor. The system for automatically exchanging the cleaning tools of the robot cleaner includes the robot cleaner for deciding whether a currently-mounted first cleaning tool is suitable for a bottom state of a cleaning area, and returning to and being docked on an exchange unit when the first cleaning tool is not suitable for the bottom state, and the exchange unit for exchanging the first cleaning tool currently mounted on the robot cleaner with a second cleaning tool suitable for the bottom state when the robot cleaner is docked.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes: a suction unit installed at a cleaner body, for sucking dirt on a floor; a driving unit for moving the cleaner body; a sensing unit mounted at the cleaner body, for sensing a depressed portion and a stepped portion such as a doorsill of a floor; and a control unit receiving a signal of the sensing unit, for controlling the driving unit to allow the cleaner body to avoid the depressed portion and the stepped portion, thereby correctly sensing the depressed portion or the stepped portion of the floor and avoiding such a portion. Accordingly, the cleaning operation is stably carried out.

Abstract: A home networking system using a self-moving robot is provided. The self-moving robot and household devices connected via a network can be wirelessly controlled indoors or outdoors. The self-moving robot receives an operating command transmitted from a wireless operating unit, transmits information, indicating whether or not the command has been received, to the operating unit, executes a task corresponding to the command, and outputs a control signal to an accessible household device. Each signal transmission device is driven according to a drive signal transmitted within a specific range from the robot, transmits its state information including identification information to the robot when driven, and transmits a direction change signal for the robot in a specific direction.

Abstract: A position information recognition apparatus for a cleaning robot includes a fixed plate installed to a body of the cleaner and a motor fixedly secured to the fixed plate to generate a rotational force. A rotational cylinder having a rotational axis coincident with the axis of the motor is provided so as to rotate about a predetermined angle and a plurality of position information sensors are installed on the rotational cylinder at predetermined angular spacing in order to sense the surroundings. By installing several supersonic wave sensors that can rotate left and right over a predetermined range, the observation region can be greatly increased.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of a robot cleaner and a method therefor. The system for automatically exchanging the cleaning tools of the robot cleaner includes the robot cleaner for deciding whether a currently-mounted first cleaning tool is suitable for a bottom state of a cleaning area, and returning to and being docked on an exchange unit when the first cleaning tool is not suitable for the bottom state, and the exchange unit for exchanging the first cleaning tool currently mounted on the robot cleaner with a second cleaning tool suitable for the bottom state when the robot cleaner is docked.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes: a suction unit installed at a cleaner body, for sucking dirt on a floor; a driving unit for moving the cleaner body; a sensing unit mounted at the cleaner body, for sensing a depressed portion and a stepped portion such as a doorsill of a floor; and a control unit receiving a signal of the sensing unit, for controlling the driving unit to allow the cleaner body to avoid the depressed portion and the stepped portion, thereby correctly sensing the depressed portion or the stepped portion of the floor and avoiding such a portion. Accordingly, the cleaning operation is stably carried out.

Abstract: An automatic charging system of a robot cleaner includes: a rotating plate installed at a robot cleaner; an infrared ray receiving unit mounted at the rotating plate and receiving an infrared signal generated from a power supply unit while being rotated; a microcomputer for moving the robot cleaner to the power supply unit on the basis of the received infrared signal; and an ultrasonic generator for generating a stop signal when the robot cleaner nears to the power supply unit. A robot cleaner can be accurately and quickly moved to a power supply unit for a rapid charging operation, and a cost for implementing the robot cleaner can be reduced.

Abstract: In the conventional cleaning robot, by mainly using each supersonic waves sensor having a sensing range as ±30° in consideration of an appropriate sensitivity, when four supersonic waves sensors are installed at a cleaner main body, a sensing range as 240° is obtained, and accordingly it is impossible to observe surroundings of the cleaner thoroughly. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a position information recognition apparatus for a cleaning robot in accordance with the present invention includes a fixed plate installed at a cleaner main body; a main motor fixedly installed at the fixed plate in order to generate a rotational force; a rotational cylinder combined with a rotational axis of the main motor so as to be rotated at a certain angle; and plural position information sensors installed at the rotational cylinder at a certain angle in order to sense surroundings.

Abstract: An automatic charging system of a robot cleaner includes: a rotating plate installed at a robot cleaner; an infrared ray receiving unit mounted at the rotating plate and receiving an infrared signal generated from a power supply unit while being rotated; a microcomputer for moving the robot cleaner to the power supply unit on the basis of the received infrared signal; and an ultrasonic generator for generating a stop signal when the robot cleaner nears to the power supply unit. A robot cleaner can be accurately and quickly moved to a power supply unit for a rapid charging operation, and a cost for implementing the robot cleaner can be reduced.