Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a vacuum motor configured to draw an air flow through an air flow path of the vacuum cleaner; a dirt separator having dirt, receptacle; a display screen; and a controller configured to control images displayed on the screen. The dirt receptacle has a closed configuration in which it can receive dirt separated from the air flow, and an open configuration in which dirt contained in the dirt receptacle can be emptied therefrom. The controller is configured to display video instructions on the screen.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a plurality of sensors configured to generate sensor signals; a vacuum motor; and a controller comprising first and second modules, wherein: the first module is configured to process the generated sensor signals to generate a plurality of control signals; the second module is configured to process the plurality of control signals to generate an output signal indicating that the vacuum cleaner is currently being used; and the vacuum motor is configured to activate or deactivate in dependence on the output signal.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a vacuum motor; one or more time of flight sensors configured to generate first sensor signals dependent on the proximity of an object to the one or more time of flight sensors; a capacitive sensor located in proximity to a handle of the vacuum cleaner and configured to generate second sensor signals dependent on whether a user is gripping the handle; and a controller configured to: process the generated first and second sensor signals to determine whether the vacuum cleaner is actively being used by the user; and in response to determining that the vacuum cleaner is actively being used, activate the vacuum motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a vacuum motor; a first sensor configured to generate first sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a cleaner head comprising an agitator; one or more diagnostic sensors configured to generate second sensor signals based on sensed parameters of the cleaner head; and a controller configured to: process the generated first and second sensor signals to determine whether the vacuum cleaner is actively being used by a user; and in response to determining that the vacuum cleaner is actively being used, activate the vacuum motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a vacuum motor; one or more sensors configured to generate sensor signals associated with the vacuum cleaner; and a controller configured to: process the generated sensor signals using a surface type model defining a mapping between generated sensor signals and surface types to determine a type of surface on which the vacuum cleaner is being operated; control the power of the vacuum motor in dependence on the determined type of surface; and update the surface type model based on the generated sensor signals and/or the determined type of surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a sensor configured to generate sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a human-computer interface, HCI; and a controller configured to: process the generated sensor signals to determine a type of cleaning activity being performed by a user using the vacuum cleaner; and control the HCI to provide a recommendation to the user of the vacuum cleaner in dependence on the determined type of cleaning activity.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a sensor configured to generate sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a vacuum motor; and a controller configured to: process the generated sensor signals to determine a type of cleaning activity being performed by a user using the vacuum cleaner; and in response to determining that the type of cleaning activity comprises one or more of: spot cleaning, crevice cleaning, and elevated cleaning, increase the power of the vacuum motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a vacuum motor; a first sensor configured to generate first sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a cleaner head comprising an agitator; one or more diagnostic sensors configured to generate second sensor signals based on sensed parameters of the cleaner head; and a controller configured to: process the generated first and second sensor signals to determine a type of surface on which the vacuum cleaner is being operated; and control the power of the vacuum motor in dependence on the determined type of surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a sensor configured to generate sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a vacuum motor; and a controller configured to: process the generated sensor signals to determine a type of cleaning activity being performed by a user using the vacuum cleaner; and in response to determining that the type of cleaning activity includes cleaning a surface at least partially obstructed by an object, decrease the power of the vacuum motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a sensor configured to generate sensor signals based on sensed motion and orientation of the vacuum cleaner; a user input device; a vacuum motor; and a controller configured to: activate the vacuum motor in response to activation of the user input device by a user; in response to activation of the vacuum motor, process the generated sensor signals to determine whether the vacuum cleaner is actively being used by the user; and in response to determining that the vacuum cleaner is actively being used, retain the vacuum motor in an activated state.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided for cleaning a surface. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a tool, a projection surface, and a projector. The tool has a connector end for connection to the main body and a cleaner end opposite the connector end. The projection surface is provided on the tool, for displaying projected information thereon. The projector is configured for casting a projection including the projected information onto the projection surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a vacuum motor configured to draw an air flow through an air flow path of the vacuum cleaner; a dirt separator having dirt, receptacle; a display screen; and a controller configured to control images displayed on the screen. The dirt receptacle has a closed configuration in which it can receive dirt separated from the air flow, and an open configuration in which dirt contained in the dirt receptacle can be emptied therefrom. The controller is configured to display video instructions on the screen.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner includes a pistol grip which is positioned generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner that runs from a front end to a rear end thereof. It also includes an air inlet positioned forward of the pistol grip, and a vacuum motor configured to draw dirty air into a dirt separator of the vacuum cleaner through the air inlet and exhaust clean air from the vacuum cleaner through an air outlet. The handheld vacuum cleaner further includes an electronic visual display which faces generally rearwards. The handheld vacuum cleaner may be part of a stick vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner includes a pistol grip which is positioned generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vacuum cleaner that runs from a front end to a rear end thereof. It also includes an air inlet positioned forward of the pistol grip, and a vacuum motor configured to draw dirty air into a dirt separator of the vacuum cleaner through the air inlet and exhaust clean air from the vacuum cleaner through an air outlet. The handheld vacuum cleaner further includes an electronic visual display which faces generally rearwards. The handheld vacuum cleaner may be part of a stick vacuum cleaner.