Abstract: An image capturing unit captures an image including an embedded image that is printed on the basis of image data in which at least a color component has been modulated according to additional information. An adjustment unit adjusts a white balance of the image captured by the image capturing unit on the basis of an adjustment value associated with the embedded image. A processing unit processes image data of the image captured by the image capturing unit whose white balance has been adjusted by the adjustment unit to read the additional information in the image captured by the image capturing unit.

Abstract: A suction nozzle hanging apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner that can hang and store a suction nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle on a cleaner body. The suction nozzle hanging apparatus includes a fixing part formed on a suction nozzle assembly, the suction nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle and an extended tube connected to the suction nozzle, and a counter fixing part formed on a cleaner body and joining with the fixing part to support the suction nozzle assembly on the cleaner body, wherein the fixing part is disposed to be rotatable on a longitudinal axis of the joining connector.

Abstract: A suction port assembly and vacuum cleaner having the same is disclosed. The suction port assembly includes a casing comprising a suction port which draws in dust from a surface being cleaned; a drum brush which is disposed rotatably in the casing, on an external surface of which a plurality of bristles are arranged to shake off dust from the surface being cleaned; and a rib which is disposed at a position close to the drum brush, is mounted in the casing so that its one end is in contact with the bristles, and detaches the dust from the bristles when the drum brush rotates; and wherein the bristles are contacted on a slant relative to the rib to prevent the drum brush from rotating when the casing is pulled towards a user.

Abstract: A suction nozzle hanging apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner that can hang and store a suction nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle on a cleaner body. The suction nozzle hanging apparatus includes a fixing part formed on a suction nozzle assembly, the suction nozzle assembly having a suction nozzle and an extended tube connected to the suction nozzle, and a counter fixing part formed on a cleaner body and joining with the fixing part to support the suction nozzle assembly on the cleaner body, wherein the fixing part is disposed to be rotatable on a longitudinal axis of the joining connector.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for use in a vacuum cleaner, which can clean a surface to be cleaned having a corner portion where a horizontal surface and a vertical surface meet, such as a staircase, is disclosed. The suction nozzle includes a nozzle body having an air inlet formed in a bottom surface thereof to draw in air, and a brush unit having a liftable brush liftably and lowerably disposed in the nozzle body in front of the air inlet and coming in surface contact with a surface to be cleaned to brush away dirt or dust therefrom.

Abstract: A suction port assembly and vacuum cleaner having the same is disclosed. The suction port assembly includes a casing comprising a suction port which draws in dust from a surface being cleaned; a drum brush which is disposed rotatably in the casing, on an external surface of which a plurality of bristles are arranged to shake off dust from the surface being cleaned; and a rib which is disposed at a position close to the drum brush, is mounted in the casing so that its one end is in contact with the bristles, and detaches the dust from the bristles when the drum brush rotates; and wherein the bristles are contacted on a slant relative to the rib to prevent the drum brush from rotating when the casing is pulled towards a user.

Abstract: A brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a brush body having a suction pathway in fluid communication with a cleaner body of the vacuum cleaner; a brush having a suction port in fluid communication with the suction pathway of the brush body, the brush being disposed to rotate at the brush body, and a sealing part sealing between the suction pathway and the suction port for the brush to rotate with respect to the brush body. The sealing part forms a gap for outside air to enter the suction pathway of the brush body through as the brush rotates with respect to the brush body.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an electric blower for generating a suction air flow, a suction head in communication with the electric blower for drawing in dirt, a filter bag communication with the electric blower for capturing and collecting dirt, an exhaust unit for discharging exhaust air from the electric blower to atmosphere, and an ion generator for generating negative ions and/or positive ions. The ion generator is placed between the suction head and the filter bag.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle and a mini nozzle having a suction head, a rotatable joint, and joint, to be detachably secured in the floor nozzle. Either of the suction head and the rotatable joint or the rotatable joint and the joint is vertically joined and the other rotatably joined. Moreover, the suction head is unrotatably secured onto the floor nozzle, and forms an air communication with the floor nozzle.

Abstract: A brush assembly comprises a body having a dirt suction port formed thereon, a cover connected with an upper portion of the body to form a suction passage and a turbine chamber, a turbine mounted in the turbine chamber, and a brush drum being rotated by a rotational force received from the turbine. The turbine chamber and the suction passage are partitioned from each other, and the turbine is rotated by an air drawn in through an air suction port which is separated from the dirt suction port. Accordingly, the turbine is prevented from being clogged by dirt, dust or hair.

Abstract: A dust agitator of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The dust agitator of the vacuum cleaner includes a thick and a thin bristle member embedded in a single bristle member suction opening so that abrasion of a surface being vacuumed can be reduced and cleaning efficiency can be increased. The dust agitator includes a dust agitator body, a receiving hole for a bristle member being configured along the dust agitator body, and a bristle member comprising a plurality of first and second bristle members of varying thickness being embedded in the receiving hole.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle and a mini nozzle having a suction head, a rotatable joint, and joint, to be detachably secured in the floor nozzle. Either of the suction head and the rotatable joint or the rotatable joint and the joint is vertically joined and the other rotatably joined. Moreover, the suction head is unrotatably secured onto the floor nozzle, and forms an air communication with the floor nozzle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an electric blower for generating a suction air flow, a suction head in communication with the electric blower for drawing in dirt, a filter bag communication with the electric blower for capturing and collecting dirt, an exhaust unit for discharging exhaust air from the electric blower to atmosphere, and an ion generator for generating negative ions and/or positive ions. The ion generator is placed between the suction head and the filter bag.

Abstract: An electric cleaner provided with a main body comprised of a cleaner housing (20) equipped with wheels (27) for mobility on a floor surface. Both side surfaces of the main body extend outwardly beyond rim portions (35) of the respective wheels (27) that stay in contact with the floor surface, and a center of gravity G (40) of the main body is placed in such a position that the main body rolls toward a direction where the wheels (27) stand on the floor surface so as to return itself into an original posture when the main body tilts in a way that one of the side surfaces lies in contact to the floor.

Abstract: An electric cleaner provided with a main body comprised of a cleaner housing (20) equipped with wheels (27) for mobility on a floor surface. Both side surfaces of the main body extend outwardly beyond rim portions (35) of the respective wheels (27) that stay in contact with the floor surface, and a center of gravity G (40) of the main body is placed in such a position that the main body rolls toward a direction where the wheels (27) stand on the floor surface so as to return itself into an original posture when the main body tilts in a way that one of the side surfaces lies in contact to the floor.