Abstract: A robot cleaner capable of returning to an external recharging device.

Abstract: A robot cleaner, a robot cleaning system and a method for controlling the same capable of efficiently performing work on command by recognizing the driving distance and direction of the robot cleaner regardless of a of wheel slippage or irregularity in the floor. The robot cleaner performs a working operation while moving about a floor, and comprises a main body, a driving unit for driving a plurality of wheels disposed on a bottom portion of the main body, a downward-looking camera disposed among the wheels on the bottom portion of the main body for photographing images of the floor perpendicular to the driving direction of the robot cleaner, and a control unit for recognizing driving distance and direction of the wheels using image information of the floor photographed by the downward-looking camera, and for controlling the driving unit corresponding to a target work by using the recognized distance and direction of the wheels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robot cleaner which cleans a floor, and generates negative-ions while traveling around a predetermined area. The robot cleaner includes a cleaner body which travels automatically around a cleaning area, a driving unit for driving a plurality of wheels mounted on a lower part of the cleaner body, a suction unit mounted in the cleaner body to draw in dust on a floor, a negative-ion generation unit mounted in the cleaner body to generate a negative-ion, and a control unit. While the robot cleaner travels automatically, it also performs vacuum cleaning using the suction unit, and air cleaning using the negative-ion generation unit, either at the same time or selectively. Accordingly, the floor is cleaned and air is purified by the negative-ion, which enables a hygienic cleansing and a healthy home environment.

Abstract: A robot cleaner for simultaneously and selectively performing automatic floor cleaning and automatic floor disinfection. The robot cleaner includes a body traveling automatically on a surface to be cleaned, a driving unit for driving a plurality of wheels provided under the body, and obstacle detecting sensors positioned to a front of the body for detecting an obstacle located ahead of a traveling direction. The robot cleaner also includes memory for storing position information of the obstacle detected by the obstacle detecting sensor, a dust vacuuming and collecting section installed to the body for vacuuming dust on a floor, and a disinfecting section installed under a bottom portion of the body for disinfecting the floor. The robot cleaner also includes a control section for controlling the driving unit to traverse the robot cleaner along a given traveling path, and also control the dust vacuuming and collecting section and the disinfecting section.

Abstract: An air cleaning robot and a system thereof which are capable of performing air cleaning while traveling around a predetermined area. The air cleaning robot includes a robot body, a driving part for driving a plurality of wheels disposed at lower portions of the robot body, an air cleaning part disposed in the robot body, for drawing-in dust-ladened air from a cleaning area, air filtering, and discharging cleaned air. A controller is disposed in the robot body for controlling the air cleaning part and the driving part. Accordingly, since the air cleaning robot and the system thereof perform air cleaning while traveling automatically around a predetermined area, there is an improvement in a residential household, living environment, and less of an inconvenience to operate.

Abstract: A robot cleaner for cleaning ambient air in a cleaning area while cleaning a cleaning surface, and a system thereof. The robot cleaner and the system thereof comprise a body, a driving part driving a plurality of wheels disposed at a lower portion of the body, a dust suction part formed in the body to draw-in dust from a cleaning surface, and an air cleaning part formed in the body to draw-in dust-ladened air from a cleaning area. The robot cleaner cleans the air and discharges cleaned air, and, utilizing a controller disposed in the body, controls the driving part and the air cleaning part. Accordingly, since the robot cleaner provides cleaned and fresh air to a predetermined cleaning area while cleaning a surface, it contributes to a fresher residential environment.

Abstract: A dust receptacle comprises a receptacle body having an air inlet and an air outlet, and detachably mounted in a dust collecting chamber of a robot cleaner, a cover fit in the receptacle body to open and close the air outlet, and a dust outlet formed in the receptacle body. Accordingly, the dust collected in the robot cleaner can be thoroughly and conveniently removed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a rotatable wet cloth cleaning unit. The vacuum cleaner is capable of not only cleaning dust, but also removing stubborn dirt such as a foreign substance stuck in a floor surface to be cleaned. The robot cleaner has a robot cleaner body which as a control unit programmed to cause the robot cleaner to automatically run along a floor surface to be cleaned and perform a cleaning operation in accordance with preset values. The robot cleaner further includes a driving portion driven in accordance with a control signal from the control unit and a dust suction portion for capturing and collecting dust by a suction motor. The robot cleaner has a rotatable wet cloth cleaning unit detachably secured to a lower surface of the robot cleaner body.

Abstract: A robot cleaner, a system thereof, and a method for controlling the same. The robot cleaner system includes a robot cleaner that performs a cleaning operation while communicating wirelessly with an external device. The robot cleaner has a plurality of proximity switches arranged in a row on a lower portion of the cleaner body. A guiding plate is disposed in the floor of the work area, the guiding plate having metal lines formed in a predetermined pattern, the metal lines being detectible by the proximity switches. Since the recognition of the location and the determination of traveling trajectory of the cleaner within a work area becomes easier, performance of the robot cleaner is enhanced, while a burden of having to process algorithms is lessened.

Abstract: Disclosed is a driving apparatus for a robot cleaner enabling drive wheels to be in contact with a floor all the time. The driving apparatus for a robot cleaner includes a robot cleaner main body, driving motors mounted in the robot cleaner main body, and for transferring power to drive wheels, driving motor housings hinged with the robot cleaner main body, and for accommodating the driving motors therein, and pressure members disposed between the robot cleaner main body and the driving motor housings, and for pressing the driving motor housings. Accordingly, the driving motor housings are mounted to rotate about the center of the rotation hinges so that the drive wheels come in contact with the floor all the time, preventing the drive wheels from being lifted over the floor and making lost rotations due to curved portions of the floor or obstacles.

Abstract: A location mark detecting method of a robot cleaner capable of accurately detecting location marks from an image captured by an upwardly looking camera. The location mark detecting method comprises the steps of obtaining from the image object marks to be compared with the reference location marks, determining whether shapes of the object marks are identical to those of the reference location marks, determining whether a distance separating the object marks is identical to that between the reference location marks if it is determined that the shapes are identical, determining whether a surrounding image of the object marks is identical to that of the reference location marks if it is determined that the distances are identical, and identifying the object marks as the location marks if it is determined that the surrounding images are identical.

Abstract: A robot cleaner system for detecting an external recharging apparatus which is positioned in a non-detectable area by an upper camera thereof, and a docking method for docking the robot cleaner system with the external recharging apparatus. The robot cleaner system includes an external recharging apparatus with a power terminal connected to a utility power supply, a recharging apparatus recognition mark formed on the external recharging apparatus, and a robot cleaner, having a recognition mark sensor that detects the recharging apparatus recognition mark, and a rechargeable battery. The robot cleaner automatically docks to the power terminal to recharge the rechargeable battery. The recharging apparatus recognition mark is made of retroreflective material or a metal tape, and the recognition mark sensor may be a photosensor or a proximity sensor.

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-lookin

Abstract: A robot cleaner, robot cleaning system, and a method for controlling the same, using wireless communications an upwardly-looking camera for photographing an upper image perpendicular to a forward-looking direction of driving the robot cleaner; and a controller for controlling the driving unit to allow the robot cleaner to drive within a cleaning area according to a predetermined driving path, and compensating the driving path by analyzing the image photographed by the upwardly-looking camera. Optional features include second forwardly directed camera to provide a three dimensional image sensors for sensing walls or obstacles and transmission of data to external processor/controllers by a radio antenna. The inventive system can recognize the robot cleaner position more accurately by using a relatively constant upper image reducing movement error to a target position.

Abstract: A robot cleaner, a robot cleaning system and a method for controlling the same capable of efficiently performing work on command by recognizing the driving distance and direction of the robot cleaner regardless of a of wheel slippage or irregularity in the floor. The robot cleaner performs a working operation while moving about a floor, and comprises a main body, a driving unit for driving a plurality of wheels disposed on a bottom portion of the main body, a downward-looking camera disposed among the wheels on the bottom portion of the main body for photographing images of the floor perpendicular to the driving direction of the robot cleaner, and a control unit for recognizing driving distance and direction of the wheels using image information of the floor photographed by the downward-looking camera, and for controlling the driving unit corresponding to a target work by using the recognized distance and direction of the wheels.

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-lookin

Abstract: A robot cleaner, a robot cleaning system and a method for controlling the same that is capable of independently determining whether a cleaning work in a work area is completed.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a drive unit for driving a plurality of wheels, a camera disposed in a body for photographing an upper image extending perpendicular to a running direction, a controller for recognizing a position by using position information obtained from a recognition mark formed on a ceiling of a working area that is photographed by the camera, and controlling the drive unit by using the recognized position information to correspond to a target cleaning operation. Accordingly, since the recognition mark for the recognition of a current position of the robot cleaner is formed on a ceiling that has a few changes, the position recognition is performed with more accuracy and the traveling of the robot cleaner to the target work area and a cleaning operation is performed efficiently.

Abstract: A robot vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaner body having a wheel disposed at a lower portion and a suction port through which contaminants are drawn in from a cleaning surface; and an air circulating mechanism for filtering out contaminants from the contaminant-laden air drawn in through the suction port and then jetting the contaminant-free air to an air jet opening to help dislodge contaminants from the cleaning surface. The air jet opening is adjacent to the suction port; and the two elements are surrounded by a sealing member for sealing off a portion between the cleaning surface and the cleaner body to prevent dislodged contaminants from being dispersed outwardly.

Abstract: A robot cleaning system using a mobile communication network capable of controlling a cleaning robot from a long distance, the robot cleaning system transmitting an image data after converting the image data photographed at self-contained cameras by means of a mobile communication signal.