Abstract: A moving object capable of recognizing an image and a system for directing the moving object are disclosed. The system for directing the moving object includes: a charging device on which a docking direction pattern is printed, such that a central point of the docking direction pattern for directing the moving object to a docking location and a power-supply terminal are arranged in a straight line; and a moving object for driving wheel operations to allow the central point of the docking direction pattern captured by a camera to be identical with a central point of an image captured by the camera, and moving to the docking location. The moving-object directing system drives a wheel to track a central point of the docking direction pattern captured by a camera, such that it can quickly and correctly move to the docking location of the charging device.

Abstract: A robot cleaner is provided that includes a body having a receiving portion configured to receive a dust tank mounted thereto, a detector installed at the receiving portion that detects whether the dust tank has been separated from the body by an interaction with the dust tank, and a controller that controls a suction motor installed in the body according to a detection result of the detector. When the dust tank is separated from the receiving portion, the detector detects the separated state of the dust tank immediately and the controller stops the suction motor, thus, preventing dust from being introduced into the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic cleaning device. The automatic cleaning device comprises an air injector, and at least one side brush. If air is suctioned into a body in accordance with operation of a suction motor, the air injector operates to inject the air to the outside of the body, to sweep out dust on the wall and corner of a room. The side brush serves to push the dust to a suction head.

Abstract: An ink-jet printhead including a substrate, in which an integrated circuit for a driving logic circuit to selectively drive the nozzle, and a logic circuit to input/output printing data to/from a fuse array, are formed. The printhead further includes an electrode which is used for wirings of the integrated circuit and the logic circuit and is patterned on the substrate, a plurality of heaters which are formed on the electrode and generate heat by current applied through the electrode from the integrated circuit, and a fuse array which includes a plurality of fuse members formed on the electrode on a same plane with the heater and selectively fused by current applied through the electrode from the logic circuit and stores printing data. The printhead further includes a cover member which is provided on the heater and the fuse array and in which an ink chamber and a nozzle are formed in a position corresponding to each of the heaters.

Abstract: A plurality of temperature sensors is provided adjacent to a plurality of nozzles formed in a print head. The temperature sensors are operated according to address information to select the sensor to measure the temperatures of the nozzles. The measured temperatures are compared with a reference temperature such that a missing nozzle is detected. At the time of printing, compensation is provided for the missing nozzle.

Abstract: An ink-jet printhead including a substrate, in which an integrated circuit for a driving logic circuit to selectively drive the nozzle, and a logic circuit to input/output printing data to/from a fuse array, are formed. The printhead further includes an electrode which is used for wirings of the integrated circuit and the logic circuit and is patterned on the substrate, a plurality of heaters which are formed on the electrode and generate heat by current applied through the electrode from the integrated circuit, and a fuse array which includes a plurality of fuse members formed on the electrode on a same plane with the heater and selectively fused by current applied through the electrode from the logic circuit and stores printing data. The printhead further includes a cover member which is provided on the heater and the fuse array and in which an ink chamber and a nozzle are formed in a position corresponding to each of the heaters.

Abstract: A robot cleaner comprises: a body having a receiving portion for mounting a dust tank; a detecting unit installed at the receiving portion, for detecting whether the dust tank has been separated from the body by an interaction with the dust tank; and a controller for controlling a suction motor installed in the body according to a detection result. When the dust tank is separated from the receiving portion, the detecting unit detects the separated state of the dust tank immediately thus to stop the suction motor. Accordingly, dust is prevented from being introduced into the body.

Abstract: A moving object capable of recognizing an image and a system for directing the moving object are disclosed. The system for directing the moving object includes: a charging device on which a docking direction pattern is printed, such that a central point of the docking direction pattern for directing the moving object to a docking location and a power-supply terminal are arranged in a straight line; and a moving object for driving wheel operations to allow the central point of the docking direction pattern captured by a camera to be identical with a central point of an image captured by the camera, and moving to the docking location. The moving-object directing system drives a wheel to track a central point of the docking direction pattern captured by a camera, such that it can quickly and correctly move to the docking location of the charging device.

Abstract: A robot cleaner comprising a cleaner main body, a wheel rotatably coupled to the cleaner main body, a tire coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the wheel, and a slide-preventing plate removable coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the tire, whereby the slide-preventing plate allows the robot cleaner to easily move without being slid so as to prevent unwanted power consumption, thereby preventing a position error caused by the sliding of the robot cleaner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic cleaning device having a dirt receptacle sensor unit to sense the presence of a dirt receptacle. The dirt receptacle is detachably mounted in an installation chamber defined in a body of the automatic cleaning device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic cleaning device. The automatic cleaning device comprises an air injector, and at least one side brush. If air is suctioned into a body in accordance with operation of a suction motor, the air injector operates to inject the air to the outside of the body, to sweep out dust on the wall and corner of a room. The side brush serves to push the dust to a suction head.

Abstract: An ink-jet printhead including a substrate, in which an integrated circuit for a driving logic circuit to selectively drive the nozzle, and a logic circuit to input/output printing data to/from a fuse array, are formed. The printhead further includes an electrode which is used for wirings of the integrated circuit and the logic circuit and is patterned on the substrate, a plurality of heaters which are formed on the electrode and generate heat by current applied through the electrode from the integrated circuit, and a fuse array which includes a plurality of fuse members formed on the electrode on a same plane with the heater and selectively fused by current applied through the electrode from the logic circuit and stores printing data. The printhead further includes a cover member which is provided on the heater and the fuse array and in which an ink chamber and a nozzle are formed in a position corresponding to each of the heaters.

Abstract: An ink cartridge using separate magnets is provided. The ink cartridge includes an ink container, which includes first and second chambers separated by a vertical partition formed therewithin for containing ink, and a head for ejecting the ink in the ink container onto a printing medium in the form of droplets. The first chamber includes a sponge filling most of the inside of the first chamber, a filter provided on a bottom portion of the sponge, and an ink supply pipe for supplying the ink which has passed through the filter to the head. The second chamber includes a magnet float floating on the ink in the second chamber and including a first magnet in its inside, and a second magnet provided in the bottom surface of the second chamber. The ink cartridge includes a magnet sensor for detecting a magnetic flux having at least a predetermined level when the magnet float contacts the second magnet.

Abstract: An ink cartridge using separate magnets is provided. The ink cartridge includes an ink container, which includes first and second chambers separated by a vertical partition formed therewithin for containing ink, and a head for ejecting the ink in the ink container onto a printing medium in the form of droplets. The first chamber includes a sponge filling most of the inside of the first chamber, a filter provided on a bottom portion of the sponge, and an ink supply pipe for supplying the ink which has passed through the filter to the head. The second chamber includes a magnet float floating on the ink in the second chamber and including a first magnet in its inside, and a second magnet provided in the bottom surface of the second chamber. The ink cartridge includes a magnet sensor for detecting a magnetic flux having at least a predetermined level when the magnet float contacts the second magnet.

Abstract: A heater of a bubble-jet type ink jet printhead enabling gray scale and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The heater includes two or more heating elements arranged concentrically around a nozzle. Each of the heating elements is formed in polygonal or annular shape and spaced apart by a different distance from the center of the nozzle. Each heating element is coupled to an electrode for applying heater drive power independently. Thus, the heater drive power is applied to each electrode selectively or in combination, thereby forming bubbles having different volumes.

Abstract: A novel structure for a bubble-jet type ink-jet printhead is provided. A substrate is covered with a nozzle plate perforated by a predetermined number of nozzle holes a predetermined distance from said nozzle plate. The structure is surrounded by walls, within which form a common ink chamber. Each nozzle hole has, on the substrate underneath, a set of resistive elements. One of the resistive elements encircles an edge of a nozzle hole while another lyes directly underneath the perforation. During operation of the printhead, the encircling elements form a doughnut-shaped bubble forming an imaginary or virtual chamber within the doughnut from the rest of the common chamber. After formation of the doughnut-shaped bubble, the resister underneath the perforation forms a big bubble which causes ink to be ejected through the nozzle hole. The structure that allows for the above is easy to manufacture, and produces high quality print.

Abstract: A novel structure for a bubble-jet type ink-jet printhead is provided. A substrate is covered with a nozzle plate perforated by a predetermined number of nozzle holes a predetermined distance from said nozzle plate. The structure is surrounded by walls, within which form a common ink chamber. Each nozzle hole has, on the substrate underneath, a set of resistive elements. One of the resistive elements encircles an edge of a nozzle hole while another lyes directly underneath the perforation. During operation of the printhead, the encircling elements form a doughnut-shaped bubble forming an imaginary or virtual chamber within the doughnut from the rest of the common chamber. After formation of the doughnut-shaped bubble, the resister underneath the perforation forms a big bubble which causes ink to be ejected through the nozzle hole. The structure that allows for the above is easy to manufacture, and produces high quality print.

Abstract: A heater of a bubble-jet type ink jet printhead enabling gray scale and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The heater includes two or more heating elements arranged concentrically around a nozzle. Each of the heating elements is formed in polygonal or annular shape and spaced apart by a different distance from the center of the nozzle. Each heating element is coupled to an electrode for applying heater drive power independently. Thus, the heater drive power is applied to each electrode selectively or in combination, thereby forming bubbles having different volumes.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulating valve using a thermal expansion material. The valve includes a body provided with inlet and outlet ports; a displacement control part in the body, the displacement control part containing the thermal expansion material and displaced toward the outlet port when the thermal expansion material expands, thereby regulating a degree of opening of the outlet port; and a heater for heating the thermal expansion material within the displacement control part. The displacement control part includes a container containing the thermal expansion material, the container being coupled to the body and an expansion plate for regulating the degree of opening of the outlet port by being expanded in accordance with an expansion of the thermal expansion material, the expansion plate being hermetically coupled to the container.