Abstract: A control method for a robot cleaner that includes: driving a driving part to move the robot cleaner by a predetermined distance in an opposite direction to a proceeding direction thereof when a bumper sensor detects a collision with an obstacle, measuring the number of times in which the robot cleaner repeats moving in real-time, comparing the measured number with a predetermined reference number, and stopping the robot cleaner when the measured number is more than the reference number. With this method, the robot cleaner can diagnose a breakdown of the bumper sensor to stop the cleaner, and inform a user of the breakdown.

Abstract: A system for returning a robot to a charger includes: a homing signal transmitter, including at least first, second, and third signal transmitters, each adapted to be provided at a front side of the charger and to respectively transmit signals which are different from each other in at least one of a code and a transmission distance, and a fourth signal transmitter, adapted to be provided on at least one lateral side of the charger and to transmit a signal which is different from the signals of the first, second, and third transmitters in code; a homing signal receiver provided at the robot and to receive at least one signal transmitted from the homing signal transmitter; and a controller adapted to identify the at least one signal and to control the robot to return to the charger based at least in part on the at least one signal.

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 steam-vacuum cleaner with an electric power controlling function and a method thereof are provided. The steam-vacuum cleaner includes a suction motor which rotates to generate a suction force; a heater which emits heat to generate a steam; a power supply part which supplies an electric power to the suction motor and the heater; an electric power measuring part which measure a total electric power supplied from the power supplier and consumed in the suction motor and the heater; and a controller which controls at least one of a rotational velocity of the suction motor and a magnitude of heat emitted from the heater such that the total electric power of the suction motor and the heater is maintained less than a threshold value. Accordingly, steam and vacuum cleaning functions are simultaneously performed within the limit of power capacity of a wire.

Abstract: An improved cleaning robot that uses a simple structure to sense an obstacle is disclosed. The cleaning robot includes a robot main body comprising a driving unit to drive the cleaning robot, and a cleaning unit to remove dust, a bumper unit which is movably mounted in the robot main body to protect the robot main body from collision with an obstacle, a sensor unit which supports the bumper unit movably in a plurality of directions to sense the collision of the bumper unit and the obstacle, and a control unit which controls the driving unit on the basis of a signal sensed by the sensor to avoid the obstacle.

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: 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: An apparatus for inducing an automatic docking of a robot is disclosed. The apparatus induces connecting terminals of the robot having a receiving unit to connect with docking terminals disposed on one surface of a docking object, and includes a plurality of transmitting units disposed on the same surface as that of the docking object on which the docking terminals are disposed. The plurality of transmitting units is arranged in different angles to one another to transmit signals in different directions to one another, respectively.

Abstract: A robot cleaner system is disclosed. The robot cleaner system includes a robot cleaner to carry out a cleaning operation while automatically traveling around along a surface to be cleaned, and a charging station connectable with the robot cleaner to charge a charging battery mounted in the robot cleaner with electricity. The charging station includes a setting switch to selectively set up a value of threshold height.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a blade, which rotates, is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner includes a body, a blade attached to a lower end of the body, and a rotating unit attached to the body so as to rotate the blade.

Abstract: A control method for a robot cleaner that includes: driving a driving part to move the robot cleaner by a predetermined distance in an opposite direction to a proceeding direction thereof when a bumper sensor detects a collision with an obstacle, measuring the number of times in which the robot cleaner repeats moving in real-time, comparing the measured number with a predetermined reference number, and stopping the robot cleaner when the measured number is more than the reference number. With this method, the robot cleaner can diagnose a breakdown of the bumper sensor to stop the cleaner, and inform a user of the breakdown.

Abstract: A charging apparatus having a safety circuit and a method thereof is disclosed. The charging apparatus includes a charging terminal unit having terminals exposed to the outside to supply a charging voltage therethrough, a voltage generating unit to generate a voltage which varies as a value of resistivity of an object contacting the terminals of the charging terminal unit, and a control unit to detect the voltage generated from the voltage generating unit, and to determine whether the charging voltage should be supplied through the charging terminal unit on the basis of a level of the detected voltage.

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: Disclosed is a mobile robot system having a plurality of exchangeable work modules, thereby providing a mobile robot capable of performing various functions at a low cost. The mobile robot system comprises a plurality of work modules, which perform different works, respectively; a module station for connecting the plurality of work modules; and a mobile robot, which selects and connects to one of the plurality of work modules from the module station according to a work task to be performed. The mobile robot autonomously operates to perform the work task.

Abstract: A robot system includes a supply station. The system further includes: a robot, a robot tank adapted to store a liquid and disposed at the robot; and a supply station configured to supply additional liquid to the tank.

Abstract: A mobile robot system includes: a mobile robot; a station configured to accommodate the mobile robot; a call connection unit provided at the home station and configured to receive a call; and a call signal conversion unit configured to convert the call into a control signal and to transmit the control signal to the mobile robot.

Abstract: A system for returning a robot to a charger includes: a homing signal transmitter, including at least first, second, and third signal transmitters, each adapted to be provided at a front side of the charger and to respectively transmit signals which are different from each other in at least one of a code and a transmission distance, and a fourth signal transmitter, adapted to be provided on at least one lateral side of the charger and to transmit a signal which is different from the signals of the first, second, and third transmitters in code; a homing signal receiver provided at the robot and to receive at least one signal transmitted from the homing signal transmitter; and a controller adapted to identify the at least one signal and to control the robot to return to the charger based at least in part on the at least one signal.

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.