Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, a robot cleaner with improved safety features comprises a driving part for movably supporting a cleaner body and supplying a driving force for operating the cleaner body; a suction part mounted on the cleaner body to draw in dust from a surface being cleaned; a body sensor mounted on the cleaner body to perceive any approach or contact of at least a part of human body or pet; and a control part for turning on and off the driving part according to a signal detected by the body sensor.

Abstract: A robot cleaner that includes a driving unit for driving a plurality of wheels, a transmitter/receiver for communicating with an external charger, and a controller for controlling the driving unit. The controller controls the transmitter/receiver to communicate with the external charger while traveling an area to be cleaned and stores at least one location of communication in a memory. The controller further controls the driving unit to cause the robot cleaner to travel to the external charger using at least one location of communication.

Abstract: A robot vacuum cleaner that comprises a driving unit moving a body on a cleaning surface; a cleaning area detecting unit detecting an area of the cleaning surface; and a central processing unit calculating a spiral cleaning travel pattern corresponding to a shape of each cleaning area based on the information detected by the cleaning area detecting unit to output a cleaning travel signal corresponding the calculated cleaning travel pattern to the driving unit. The cleaning travel pattern can be variable applied depending on a shape of each cleaning area such that the coverage ratio of the cleaning area can increase.

Abstract: A mobile robot capable of humidifying an entire room. The mobile robot comprises a driving part for movably supporting a body and providing a driving force to move the body, a humidifier disposed on the body; and a controller for controlling the driving part.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning apparatus has a cleaner body having at least one driving wheel, and in certain disclosed embodiments, a vapor spray means installed in the cleaner body for generating water vapor during operation, and spraying the generated water vapor toward a lower part of the cleaner body.

Abstract: A robot vacuum cleaner has a driving unit moving a cleaner body on a cleaning surface; a distance detecting unit detecting a distance of travel by the driving unit; an obstacle detecting unit detecting an obstacle near the cleaner body; and a central processing unit moving the cleaner body to a location a certain distance away from the obstacle according to a cleaning travel pattern when the obstacle detecting unit detects an obstacle, and variably applying the distance as the obstacle is detected and outputting a travel signal to the driving unit, thereby evenly covering the cleaning area.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided that includes a cleaner body; a cyclone body rotatably mounted in the cleaner body; a dust receptacle detachably mounted in the cleaner body and disposed below the cyclone body; and a locking unit locking and releasing the cyclone body and the dust receptacle with respect to each other.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaner body where a dust separator is mounted to extract dust from dust-laden air. A dust receptacle is detachably mounted in the cleaner body. A locking unit locks the dust separator and the dust receptacle together. In an exemplary embodiment, an opening unit rotates the dust separator by a predetermined angle when the dust separator and the dust receptacle are unlocked.

Abstract: A robot control system and a robot control method provide improved user convenience in operating the system. The robot control system includes a wireless IP sharing device, connected with the Internet, for transmitting and receiving an image signal and/or a control signal, a robot running by itself in accordance with a command received through the wireless IP sharing device, and performing a designated job, the robot being installed with a wireless communication module, a portable wireless terminal having a motion sensor, for wirelessly transmitting an operation command to the wireless communication module, or receiving image signal and/or control signal, and a robot server, connected with the Internet, for outputting a control screen of the robot, and the image signal and/or the control signal which is received from the robot, to the portable wireless terminal. The robot is controlled by use of the motion sensor installed at the portable wireless terminal.

Abstract: A robot cleaner system and a method for the robot cleaner to return to an external recharging apparatus. The robot cleaner system has an external recharging apparatus including a charging stand having a charging terminal, and a plurality of transmission parts for sending signals having different codes and strengths; a robot cleaner including a rechargeable battery, a connection terminal for connection with the charging terminal to supply power to the rechargeable battery, a receiving part for receiving signals from the plurality of transmission parts, and a control part for controlling a movement of the robot cleaner using the signals received by the receiving part, so that the connection terminal is connected to the charging terminal.

Abstract: A wet/dry type vacuum cleaner has a suction generator, a cleaner body including the suction generator at one side of a lower portion, an intake port being connected with a nozzle that is movable along a surface to be cleaned, and a discharge port through which a clean air is discharged, a contaminant separator removably mounted in the cleaner body to separate contaminant-laden wet air drawn through the intake port into the contaminant and water components and air, and then to store the separated contaminant and water therein, a cover, being open and closed, disposed on an upper portion of the cleaner body to seal an upper opening of the cleaner body, and a discharge path opening a fluid communication between the contaminant separator and the discharge port, for the air separated at the contaminant separating means to be discharged out through the discharge port of the cleaner body.

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 method of compensating a gyro sensor of a robot cleaner is provided. The method includes changing to a compensation mode if a robot cleaner travels greater than a compensation reference, and compensating an output value of the gyro sensor by use of an upper camera.

Abstract: A coordinates compensation method of a robot cleaner using an angle sensor compensates coordinates of the robot cleaner with reference to absolute coordinates of a recharging station, so as to improve robot cleaner's path following. The robot cleaner is in a standby mode at the recharging station, and moves to an operation area to perform a given job. The robot cleaner stops the given job upon determining an accumulative angle exceeding a predetermined level, and returns to the recharging station. Current coordinates of the robot cleaner are aligned with reference coordinates of the recharging station, and the robot cleaner moves to a previous spot where it was before it returns to the recharging station, and resumes the work from where it stopped.

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 mobile robot measures a rotation angle using information from an image photographed by a vision camera. A mobile robot system comprises a main body of the robot, a driving part for driving a plurality of wheels; a vision camera mounted on a main body thereof to photograph an upper image which is perpendicular to a traveling direction; and a controller for calculating a rotation angle using polar-mapping image data obtained by polar-mapping a ceiling image, photographed by the vision camera, with respect to a ceiling of a working area. The controller drives the driving part using a calculated rotation angle. The rotation angle is measured by the vision cameras and the rotation angle can be used to compensate the working path, without having to provide expensive devices such as an accelerometer or a gyroscope, thereby saving manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A robot vacuum cleaner comprises a main body having a driving wheel, a suction port provided underneath the main body for drawing in contaminants on a surface to be cleaned, and a guide member disposed underneath the main body for guiding contaminants on the surface to be cleaned toward the suction port.

Abstract: A power recharger for use with a robot cleaner has a recharging terminal to which a battery terminal of the robot cleaner is docked and an anchor member on a rear side of the body of the recharging unit. The anchor member fills in the space defined between the wall of the room and the power recharger. The anchor member therefore securely supports the power recharger in the battery recharging process.

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. The robot cleaner comprises a bumper for buffering a shock caused by a sudden collision with an unexpected obstacle, and an unexpected obstacle detecting means and a controller to change a running direction in the collision with the obstacle to avoid the obstacle. Accordingly, when an unexpected obstacle appears in front of the cleaner and the cleaner collides with the obstacle, the bumper buffers and absorbs the shock, thereby preventing damages to a cleaner body and inner parts. Also, the robot cleaner can avoid the obstacle, and thus complete a cleaning operation without stopping the cleaning operation.