Electronic device for controlling charging station that charges plurality of robots, and control method therefor

Abstract

An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises: a communication interface; a memory for storing one or more instructions; and one or more processors operatively connected to the communication interface and the memory, wherein the one or more processors execute the one or more instructions so that, if a robot requiring charging is identified, whether the robot is chargeable through a charging station is identified on the basis of the number of chargeable robots at the charging station and, if the robot is chargeable at the charging station, the robot is charged after being moved such that the robot is connected to the charging station or another robot connected to the charging station.

Description

Electronic device for controlling a charging station for charging multiple robots and a control method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an electronic device for controlling a charging station for charging a plurality of robots and a control method thereof.

[0002] Recently, robots are rapidly spreading across various fields, and not only are robots replacing human roles, but unmanned factories (or smart factories) that operate solely with robots without humans are also rapidly increasing.

[0003] The number of robots deployed in a space increases rapidly, but the number of charging stations for charging the robots also increases proportionally, which causes the problem of increasing the required area.

[0004] For example, if one charging station charges one robot, it is difficult to utilize space efficiently, and if there are as many charging stations as there are robots, there are many problems such as increased costs required to operate a large number of robots.

[0005] There has been a strong demand for efficient charging methods for various robots within a space, even as the number of robots increases, and for technology that allows for charging multiple robots at multiple charging stations to efficiently utilize space.

[0006] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication interface, a memory storing one or more commands, and one or more processors operatively connected to the communication interface and the memory, wherein the one or more processors execute the one or more commands so that, when a robot requiring charging is identified, the one or more processors identify whether the robot can be charged through the charging station based on the number of chargeable robots of the charging station, and, if the robot can be charged at the charging station, move the robot so that the robot is connected to the charging station or another robot connected to the charging station, and then charge the robot.

[0007] A method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, when a robot requiring charging is identified, a step of identifying whether the robot can be charged through a charging station based on the number of chargeable robots at the charging station, and, when the robot can be charged at the charging station, a step of moving the robot so that the robot is connected to the charging station or another robot connected to the charging station, and then charging the robot.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable recording medium including a program for executing a control method of an electronic device includes a step of, when a robot requiring charging is identified, identifying whether the robot can be charged through a charging station based on the number of chargeable robots of the charging station, and a step of, when the robot can be charged at the charging station, moving the robot so that the robot is connected to the charging station or another robot connected to the charging station, and then charging the robot.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining an electronic device for controlling a robot and a charging station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a robot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a method for controlling a plurality of robots based on the charge amount of each of the plurality of robots according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a method of directly or indirectly connecting a first robot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure to a charging station.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a method of moving a charging station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a method of stacking multiple robots according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a charging station including a plurality of charging units according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a method of separating a first robot from a charging station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a method of moving a charging station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining a method of separating one of a plurality of robots from a charging station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining a method of moving a robot to a charging station within a space according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a method of moving a robot to one of a plurality of charging stations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] The terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure have been selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of this disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be defined simply as names of terms, but rather based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of this disclosure.

[0025] In this specification, expressions such as “has,” “can have,” “includes,” or “may include” indicate the presence of a feature (e.g., a number, function, operation, or component such as a part), and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0026] The expression "at least one of A and / or B" should be understood to mean either "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0027] As used herein, the expressions “first,” “second,” “first,” or “second,” etc., may describe various components, regardless of order and / or importance, and are only used to distinguish one component from another, but do not limit the components.

[0028] When it is said that a component (e.g., a first component) is “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with / to” or “connected to” another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled to the other component, or may be connected through another component (e.g., a third component).

[0029] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprise" or "consist of" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0030] In the present disclosure, a "module" or "part" performs at least one function or operation and may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, multiple "modules" or multiple "parts" may be integrated into at least one module and implemented as at least one processor (not shown), excluding any "modules" or "parts" that need to be implemented as specific hardware.

[0031] In this specification, the term user may refer to a person using an electronic device or a device using an electronic device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device).

[0032] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings below.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining an electronic device controlling a robot and a charging station (300) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] An electronic device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can communicate with a plurality of robots (200) and transmit and receive various data with the plurality of robots (200).

[0035] According to an embodiment, the electronic device (100) may control each of a plurality of robots (200). For example, the electronic device (100) may monitor the positions of each of the plurality of robots (200), control collaboration among the plurality of robots (200) to perform a task, and schedule the operations of each of the plurality of robots (200).

[0036] According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of robots (200) can move within space autonomously or under the control of the electronic device (100).

[0037] For example, when a first robot (200-1) among a plurality of robots (200) performs a movement requiring movement, the first robot (200-1) can move within a space by controlling a driving unit composed of a wheel, a brake, a motor, etc. According to an embodiment, the electronic device (100) can monitor the change in position due to the movement of the first robot (200-1) in real time (or at preset time intervals).

[0038] According to an embodiment, the electronic device (100) can receive signals from each of the plurality of robots (200) and obtain location information of each of the plurality of robots (200) based on the received signals.

[0039] For example, each of the plurality of robots (200) can perform SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) operations. For example, each of the plurality of robots (200) can identify its own location through SLAM operations and transmit a signal including the identified location to the electronic device (100). The electronic device (100) according to the embodiment can obtain location information corresponding to each of the plurality of robots (200) in space by synthesizing the locations included in the signals received from each of the plurality of robots (200).

[0040] According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of robots (200) may transmit status information to the electronic device (100), and the status information may include a remaining charge amount (or remaining power amount), information related to a function being performed, whether an error has occurred (e.g., an error code), etc.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the electronic device (100) may identify at least one robot (e.g., the first robot (200-1)) among the plurality of robots (200) as a robot requiring charging based on status information of each of the plurality of robots (200).

[0042] For example, the electronic device (100) may identify the first robot (200-1) as a robot requiring charging if the remaining charge amount of the first robot (200-1) is less than a first threshold charge amount (e.g., 20%) based on status information received from the first robot (200-1).

[0043] However, this is an example for the convenience of explanation, and when a charging request signal is received from the first robot (200-1), the electronic device (100) can identify the first robot (200-1) as a robot requiring charging. For example, when a user command for charging the first robot (200-1) is received by directly or indirectly connecting the first robot (200-1) to the charging station (300), the first robot (200-1) can transmit a charging request signal to the electronic device (100). According to an embodiment, the electronic device (100) can move the first robot (200-1) that transmitted the charging request signal to the charging station (300).

[0044] For example, the electronic device (100) transmits location information of the charging station (300) to the first robot (200-1), and the first robot (200-1) moves to the charging station (300) based on the location information of the charging station (300), and is directly or indirectly connected to the charging station (300), and the charging station (300) supplies power to the first robot (200-1) to charge the first robot (200-1).

[0045] The conventional charging station (300) could only charge one robot, and had a problem in that it could not charge multiple robots at the same time (or at different times). For example, the conventional charging station (300) could be combined (or connected) with one robot and supply power to the combined one robot.

[0046] For example, if multiple robots are operating within a space, there is a disadvantage in that as many charging stations (300) as the number of robots must be placed within the space to charge each of the multiple robots.

[0047] According to the present disclosure, a charging station (300) can be connected to a plurality of robots (200), and an electronic device (100) can control the charging station (300) to charge a plurality of robots (200) simultaneously or sequentially (e.g., in the order in which they are connected to the charging station (300), in the order in which they are close to the charging station (300), etc.). According to an embodiment, even if one charging station (300) is placed in a space, it is effective in being able to charge a plurality of robots (200).

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, a third robot (200-3) among a plurality of robots (200) can be connected to a charging station (300) and receive power from the charging station (300).

[0049] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the third robot (200-3) that is directly supplied with power from the charging station (300) is referred to as the third robot (200-3) directly connected to the charging station (300), and the first robot (200-1) that is not directly supplied with power from the charging station (300) but is supplied with all (or part) of the power output by the charging station (300) through the third robot (200-3) and the second robot (200-2) is referred to as the first robot (200-1) indirectly connected to the charging station (300).

[0050] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device (100) includes a communication interface (110), a memory (120), and one or more processors (130).

[0052] It goes without saying that, depending on the embodiment, the communication interface (110) may be implemented as various interfaces depending on the implementation example of the electronic device (100). For example, the communication interface (110) may communicate with a plurality of robots (200), charging stations (300), etc. through a communication method such as Bluetooth, AP-based Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN network), Zigbee, wired / wireless LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), Ethernet, IEEE 1394, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), USB (Universal Serial Bus), MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link), AES / EBU (Audio Engineering Society / European Broadcasting Union), optical, coaxial, etc. According to an example, the communication interface (110) may communicate with other electronic devices, external servers, and / or remote control devices.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the memory (120) may store data required for various embodiments of the present disclosure. Depending on the purpose of data storage, the memory (120) may be implemented as a memory embedded in the electronic device (100) or may be implemented as a memory detachable from the electronic device (100).

[0054] For example, data for driving an electronic device (100) may be stored in a memory embedded in the electronic device (100), and data for an extended function of the electronic device (100) may be stored in a memory that can be attached or detached to the electronic device (100).

[0055] In the case of memory embedded in an electronic device (100), it may be implemented in the form of volatile memory (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD)).

[0056] In the case of a memory that can be attached or detached to an electronic device (100), it can be implemented in the form of a memory card (e.g., CF (compact flash), SD (secure digital), Micro-SD (micro secure digital), Mini-SD (mini secure digital), xD (extreme digital), MMC (multi-media card), etc.), an external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., USB memory), etc.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the memory (120) may store a computer program including at least one instruction or instructions for controlling the electronic device (100).

[0058] In an embodiment, one or more processors (130) control the overall operation of the electronic device (100). Specifically, one or more processors (130) may be connected to each component of the electronic device (100) to control the overall operation of the electronic device (100).

[0059] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may control multiple robots (200) and charging stations (300).

[0060] One or more processors (130) may perform operations of the electronic device (100) according to various embodiments by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory (120).

[0061] The one or more processors (130) may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), a Many Integrated Core (MIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. The one or more processors (130) may control one or any combination of other components of the electronic device, and may perform operations related to communication or data processing. The one or more processors (130) may execute one or more programs or instructions stored in the memory (120). For example, the one or more processors (130) may perform a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure by executing one or more instructions stored in the memory (120).

[0062] When a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes multiple operations, the multiple operations may be performed by one processor or by multiple processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to an embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by the first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first processor (e.g., a general-purpose processor) and the third operation may be performed by the second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence-dedicated processor).

[0063] One or more processors (130) may be implemented as a single core processor including one core, or may be implemented as one or more multicore processors including multiple cores (e.g., homogeneous multicores or heterogeneous multicores). When one or more processors (130) are implemented as a multicore processor, each of the multiple cores included in the multicore processor may include an internal processor memory, such as a cache memory or an on-chip memory, and a common cache shared by the multiple cores may be included in the multicore processor. In addition, each of the multiple cores (or some of the multiple cores) included in the multicore processor may independently read and execute a program instruction for implementing a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, or all (or some) of the multiple cores may be linked to read and execute a program instruction for implementing a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] When a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one core among a plurality of cores included in a multi-core processor, or may be performed by a plurality of cores. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to an embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first core included in the multi-core processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by a first core included in the multi-core processor, and the third operation may be performed by a second core included in the multi-core processor.

[0065] In embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor may mean a system on a chip (SoC) in which one or more processors and other electronic components are integrated, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, or a core included in a single-core processor or a multi-core processor, wherein the core may be implemented as a CPU, a GPU, an APU, a MIC, a DSP, an NPU, a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a robot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 3, each of the plurality of robots (200) includes a sensor (210), a driving unit (220), a power supply unit (230), and a main module (240).

[0068] According to an embodiment, the sensor (210) includes a lidar sensor and a camera, and the main module (240) includes a communication interface (241), a memory (242), one or more processors (243), and a control unit (244).

[0069] The sensor (210) is configured to sense various information. According to an embodiment, one or more processors (243) may obtain various information based on the sensing values ​​of the sensor (210). For example, the information obtained by the sensor (210) may include image and depth information. The image may include RGB values ​​of each of a plurality of pixels included in the image. The depth information may include a depth map including depth values ​​of each of a plurality of pixels.

[0070] For example, a lidar sensor can emit light toward a target object using a light source and detect light reflected from the target object. One or more processors (243) can identify the distance to the target object based on the time it takes for the light to be reflected from the target object (e.g., an obstacle, a charging station (300), etc.) and detected after the light is emitted from the lidar sensor.

[0071] In one example, the sensor (210) may include a camera. The camera may include a stereo camera, an RGB-D camera, a ToF (Time of Flight) camera, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the sensor (210) may include various sensors capable of acquiring images and depth information.

[0072] The driving unit (220) can control the movement of the robot (200). For example, the driving unit (220) can move the robot (200), stop the moving robot (200), and control the moving speed and / or moving direction of the robot (200).

[0073] For example, the driving type of the robot (200) may be a wheel type or a walking type.

[0074] The wheel type refers to the way the robot (200) moves by rotating the wheels. If the robot (200) is a wheel type robot, the robot (200) may include one or more wheels. The driving unit (220) may include a device that generates power to rotate the wheels. For example, the driving unit (220) may be implemented as a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) engine, or an electric motor, depending on the fuel (or energy source) used.

[0075] The walking type refers to the way the robot (200) moves through the movement of its legs. If the robot (200) is a walking type (e.g., a bipedal walking robot, a triped walking robot, a quadruped walking robot, etc.), the robot (200) may include two or more legs that support the robot (200). The legs may include a plurality of links and joints connected to the links. The driving unit (220) may include a device that generates power to raise or lower the legs by rotating the links around the joints. For example, the driving unit (220) may be implemented with a motor and / or an actuator.

[0076] Additionally, the driving unit (220) can control the movement of a part of the robot (200). The driving unit (220) can be coupled between a first part (e.g., body) and a second part (e.g., head, arm, etc.) of the robot (200). The driving unit (220) can rotate the second part. For example, the driving unit (220) can be implemented with a motor and / or an actuator.

[0077] The power supply unit (230) receives power from the charging station (300) and supplies the received power to each component within the robot (200) to operate the robot (200).

[0078] For example, the charging station (300) and the robot (200) are connected by a wire (or contact), and can receive power from the charging station (300) through a cable (or a connecting terminal, etc.). For example, the robot (200) is directly connected by a wire to the charging station (300), and can receive power from the charging station (300). For example, the robot (200) (e.g., the first robot (200-1)) is connected by a cable (or connecting terminal, etc.) and a wire (or contact) to another robot (e.g., the second robot (200-2)) that is directly connected by a wire to the charging station (300), and can receive power output by the charging station (300) through the second robot (200-2).

[0079] However, it is not limited thereto, and the charging station (300) and the robot (200) are connected wirelessly (or contactlessly), and the charging station (300) may receive power transmitted wirelessly (or generate voltage by induced electromotive force) and supply it to each component within the robot (200). For example, the robot (200) (e.g., the first robot (200-1)) may be connected wirelessly (or contactlessly) to another robot (e.g., the second robot (200-2)) that is directly wirelessly connected to the charging station (300), and may receive power output by the charging station (300) through the second robot (200-2).

[0080] According to an embodiment, the robot (200) and the charging station (300) are connected by wires, and a plurality of robots (200) (e.g., a first robot (200-1) and a second robot (200-2)) can be connected wirelessly.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the robot (200) and the charging station (300) are connected wirelessly, and a wired connection may be established between a plurality of robots (200) (e.g., a first robot (200-1) and a second robot (200-2)).

[0082] The main module (240) is implemented in hardware and may include a communication interface (241), memory (242), one or more processors (243), and a control unit (244).

[0083] The communication interface (241) can perform data communication with electronic devices under the control of one or more processors (243). For example, the communication interface (241) can include a communication circuit that can perform data communication between the robot (200) and the electronic devices using at least one of data communication methods including wired LAN, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), infrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless Broadband Internet (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Shared Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP), Wireless Gigabit Alliances (WiGig), and RF communication.

[0084] Memory (242) may store instructions, data structures, and program codes that can be read by one or more processors (243). Operations performed by one or more processors (243) may be implemented by executing instructions or codes of a program stored in memory (242).

[0085] The memory (242) may include a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), and may include a non-volatile memory including at least one of a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk, and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

[0086] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (243) control the overall operation of the robot (200). Specifically, one or more processors (243) may be connected to each component of the robot (200) to control the overall operation of the robot (200).

[0087] One or more processors (243) can perform operations of the robot (200) according to various embodiments by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory (242).

[0088] The one or more processors (243) may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), a Many Integrated Core (MIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. The one or more processors (243) may control one or any combination of other components of the electronic device, and may perform operations related to communication or data processing. The one or more processors (243) may execute one or more programs or instructions stored in the memory (242). For example, the one or more processors (243) may perform a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure by executing one or more instructions stored in the memory (242).

[0089] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (243) may sense a target robot based on a control signal received from an electronic device (100), and transmit sensing data obtained by sensing the target robot through a sensor (210) to the electronic device (100).

[0090] The control unit (244) can control components of the robot (200). The control unit (244) can control components of the robot (200) (e.g., sensors (210) and actuators (220), etc.) based on signals provided from one or more processors (243). For example, the control unit (244) can generate a control signal using signals provided from one or more processors (243) and provide the control signal to components of the robot (200). Accordingly, the components of the robot (200) can perform operations corresponding to the operation results of one or more processors (243). The control unit (244) can be implemented with one or more ICs (e.g., controller ICs).

[0091] According to an embodiment, the charging station (300) includes a charging unit, and when the connection of the robot (200) is detected through the charging unit, power can be supplied to the robot (200).

[0092] Depending on the embodiment, the number of robots that can be coupled to the charging unit may be limited.

[0093] For example, the maximum power that a charging unit can output is limited due to the specifications (or capacity limit) of the components that make up the charging unit, regulations, stability, etc., and therefore the number of robots that can be connected to the charging unit and charged (or the number of robots that can be connected) may be limited. Depending on the embodiment, the number of robots that can be charged may be preset during the manufacturing stage of the charging station (300), or may be adjusted depending on whether the power output by the charging station (300) is less than the maximum output power.

[0094] According to an embodiment, when a robot (200) requiring charging is identified, the electronic device (100) can identify whether charging is possible through the charging station (300) based on the number of chargeable robots in the charging station (300).

[0095] According to an embodiment, the electronic device (100) may move the robot (200) so that the robot (200) is connected to the charging station (300) or another robot (200') connected to the charging station (300) when charging of the robot (200) is possible at the charging station (300).

[0096] For example, one or more processors (130) can communicate with the charging station (300) to identify the number of robots that the charging station (300) can charge and to identify the number of robots that the charging station (300) is charging (or the number of robots connected to the charging station (300).

[0097] For example, referring to FIG. 1, if the number of robots that can be charged by the charging station (300) is three, and the number of robots that the charging station (300) is charging is two (e.g., the second robot (200-2) and the third robot (200-3), one or more processors (130) can identify the first robot (200-1) that requires charging as being capable of being charged through the charging station (300).

[0098] However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and one or more processors (130) can identify the maximum power that the charging station (300) can output and identify the power that the charging station (300) is outputting.

[0099] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may identify the first robot (200-1) requiring charging as being capable of being charged through the charging station (300) if the power being output by the charging station (300) is less than the maximum power that the charging station (300) can output (or, if the power being output by the charging station (300) is less than the maximum power that the charging station (300) can output by a threshold power (e.g., power required to charge the first robot (200-1)).

[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 1, one or more processors (130) connect a first robot (200-1) to a second robot (200-2) being charged by a charging station (300), and the first robot (200-1) is indirectly connected to the charging station (300) and can receive all or part of the power output by the charging station (300) through the third robot (200-3) and the second robot (200-2).

[0101] For example, one or more processors (130) may move the first robot (200-1) to the rear of the second robot (200-2) so that the first robot (200-1) is connected to the third robot (200-3) and the second robot (200-2) connected to the charging station (300).

[0102] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may control a charging station (300) to charge at least one robot among a plurality of robots (200) (e.g., a first robot (200-1), a second robot (200-2), and a third robot (200-3)).

[0103] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a method for controlling a plurality of robots based on the charge amount of each of the plurality of robots according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may separate at least one robot among a plurality of robots (200) from the charging station (300) based on status information of each of the plurality of robots (200) connected to the charging station (300).

[0105] For example, one or more processors (130) may receive the remaining charge amount of each of the plurality of robots (200), and when at least one robot among the plurality of robots (200) is identified as having completed charging (e.g., having a remaining charge amount of 100% or a second threshold charge amount (e.g., 80%) or more), the at least one robot may be separated from the charging station (300).

[0106] Referring to FIG. 4, when a fourth robot (200-4) among the first to fourth robots (200-1, ..., 200-4) that have completed charging is identified, one or more processors (130) can separate the first to fourth robots (200-1, ..., 200-4) connected to the charging station (300) (hereinafter, robot charging row (or group)) from the charging station (300) to separate the fourth robot (200-4) from the charging station (300), and then separate only the fourth robot (200-4) from the robot charging row. One or more processors (130) can connect the remaining robots (the first to third robots (200-1, 200-2, 200-3)) excluding the fourth robot (200-4) to the charging station (300).

[0107] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may control the charging station (300) to charge the first to third robots (200-1, 200-2, 200-3) in the order of the third robot (200-3) -> second robot (200-2) -> first robot (200-1) located near the charging station (300), or may control the charging station (300) to charge the first to third robots (200-1, 200-2, 200-3) simultaneously.

[0108] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may control the charging station (300) to directly or indirectly connect a new robot requiring charging (e.g., a fifth robot) to the charging station (300) to supply power when the number of robots (e.g., the first to third robots (200-1, 200-2, 200-3)) other than the robot that has completed charging (e.g., the fourth robot (200-4)) in the robot charging row is less than the number of chargeable robots in the charging station (300).

[0109] In FIG. 4, one or more processors (130) can move a robot (e.g., the fourth robot (200-4)) that has been separated from the charging station (300) after charging is completed to a preset area (e.g., a robot waiting area).

[0110] For example, one or more processors (130) may connect a fourth robot (200-4) separated from the charging station (300) to the rear of a robot charging row or move it to a designated area within the space (e.g., a robot waiting area).

[0111] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a method of directly or indirectly connecting a first robot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure to a charging station (300).

[0112] As shown on the left side of FIG. 5, when a first robot (200-1) requiring charging is identified, one or more processors (130) can identify whether the first robot (200-1) can be charged through the charging station (300) based on the number of robots that can be charged in the charging station (300).

[0113] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may move the first robot (200-1) to the charging station (300) if charging of the first robot (200-1) is possible through the charging station (300).

[0114] In an embodiment, if there is no other robot connected to (or being charged by) the charging station (300), one or more processors (130) can directly connect the first robot (200-1) to the charging station (300) and supply power output by the charging station (300) to the first robot (200-1).

[0115] In an embodiment, if there is a robot connected to (or being charged) the charging station (300), one or more processors (130) may connect the robots connected to the charging station (300) (e.g., the second robot (200-2) and the third robot (200-3)), i.e., the first robot (200-1) to the rear of the robot charging row.

[0116] However, it is of course not limited thereto. Depending on the embodiment, the charging station (300) may include multiple charging units.

[0117] For example, the charging station (300) may include a first charging unit and a second charging unit, and if there is no other robot connected to (or being charged by) the second charging unit among the first charging unit and the second charging unit, one or more processors (130) may directly connect the first robot (200-1) to the charging station (300) through the second charging unit, and supply power output by the charging station (300) to the first robot (200-1).

[0118] For example, when the first robot (200-1) is performing an operation and the first robot (200-1) requires charging (e.g., the remaining charge amount of the first robot (200-1) is less than a first threshold charge amount (e.g., 20%)), the one or more processors (130) can move the first robot (200-1) to a second charging unit where no other robot is connected (or being charged) among the first charging unit and the second charging unit so that the first robot (200-1) can be quickly charged and then continue performing the operation.

[0119] As another example, one or more processors (130) may connect the first robot (200-1) to the second charging unit if the number of robots connected to the first charging unit is greater than or equal to the number of robots capable of being charged in the first charging unit of the charging station (300).

[0120] It is also possible to connect the first robot (200-1) to the rear of the robot charging row. Accordingly, one or more processors (130) can supply power output from the charging station (300) to the first robot (200-1) through the first charging unit.

[0121] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a method of moving a charging station (300) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 6, the charging station (300) includes a driving unit consisting of a wheel, a brake, a motor, etc., and can move within a space by controlling the driving unit.

[0123] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may control a driving unit of the charging station (300) to move the charging station (300).

[0124] When a third robot (200-3) requiring charging is identified according to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may control a driving unit of the charging station (300) to move the charging station (300) to separate a robot charging row (e.g., a second robot (200-2) and a first robot (200-1)) connected to the charging station (300) from the charging station (300).

[0125] As illustrated in FIG. 6, when space is secured between the charging station (300) and the robot charging row as the charging station (300) moves, one or more processors (130) can position the third robot (200-3) requiring charging at the front of the robot charging row (or between the robot charging row and the charging station (300)).

[0126] Next, one or more processors (130) can move the charging station (300) to directly connect the charging station (300) and the third robot (200-3).

[0127] According to an embodiment, a new robot charging row (e.g., the third robot (200-3), the second robot (200-2), and the first robot (200-1)) including a third robot (200-3) is connected to the charging station (300), and the charging station (300) can supply power to the new robot charging row.

[0128] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may control the charging station (300) to sequentially charge a plurality of robots (200) included in a robot charging column (e.g., a third robot (200-3), a second robot (200-2), and a first robot (200-1)) according to a preset priority.

[0129] Depending on the embodiment, the preset priorities may include the order in which each of the plurality of robots is connected to the charging station (300), the actions performed by each of the plurality of robots (200), or the remaining charge amount of each of the plurality of robots (200).

[0130] For example, one or more processors (130) can control the charging station (300) to sequentially charge each of the plurality of robots (200) based on schedule information that schedules the operations of each of the plurality of robots (200).

[0131] For example, if the first robot (200-1) to the third robot (200-3) collaborate to perform an action and the action is required to be performed in the order of the first robot (200-1) -> second robot (200-2) -> third robot (200-3), one or more processors (130) can control the charging station (300) to charge in the order of the first robot (200-1) -> second robot (200-2) -> third robot (200-3).

[0132] For example, one or more processors (130) may control the charging station (300) to sequentially charge each of the plurality of robots (200) based on the remaining charge amount of each of the plurality of robots (200).

[0133] For example, if the remaining charge of the first robot (200-1) is 20%, the remaining charge of the second robot (200-2) is 50%, and the remaining charge of the third robot (200-3) is 60%, one or more processors (130) can control the charging station (300) to charge the first robot (200-1), the second robot (200-2), and the third robot (200-3) in that order, in order of the smallest remaining charge.

[0134] For example, one or more processors (130) may charge a first robot (200-1) preferentially, and when the remaining charge of the first robot (200-1) reaches a second threshold charge amount (e.g., 80%), charge a second robot (200-3), and when the remaining charge of the second robot (200-2) reaches the second threshold charge amount (e.g., 80%), charge a third robot (200-3).

[0135] However, this is not limited thereto, and when one or more processors (130) receive a signal requesting priority charging from a robot requiring charging (e.g., a third robot (200-3)), the charging station (300) can be controlled to give priority charging to the third robot (200-3) regardless of the preset priority.

[0136] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a method of stacking multiple robots according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0137] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the charging station (300) simultaneously (or simultaneously) charges a plurality of robots (200) included in a linearly connected robot charging row, but is not limited thereto, and the charging station (300) may also simultaneously (or simultaneously) charge a plurality of robots (200) included in each of the plurality of stacked robot charging rows.

[0138] For example, a first robot charging row including the first robot (200-1) to the third robot (200-3) on the first floor may be connected to a charging station (300) and receive power from the charging station (300), and a second robot charging row including the fourth robot (200-4) to the sixth robot (200-6) on the second floor may be connected to the charging station (300) and receive power from the charging station (300).

[0139] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may control the lift robot (400) to stack the fourth robot (200-4) to the sixth robot (200-6) included in the second robot charging row in layers in the first robot charging row.

[0140] According to an embodiment, a lift robot (400) includes a lift, and the lift controls a motor to lower a plate on which the robot (200) can be positioned so that it touches the ground, or to raise the plate on which the robot (200) is positioned so that it does not touch the ground, thereby stacking the robot (200) on top of another robot (200').

[0141] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) can arrange multiple robots (200) in a stacked configuration and directly or indirectly connect the multiple robots (200) to a charging station (300) efficiently even in a limited space.

[0142] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a charging station (300) including a plurality of charging units according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 8, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a charging station (300) may include a plurality of charging units.

[0144] For example, referring to the left side of FIG. 8, the charging station (300) includes a plurality of charging units, and among the plurality of charging units, a first charging unit can charge a plurality of robots directly or indirectly connected to the first charging unit, for example, robots included in the first robot charging row. In addition, the charging station (300) can charge a plurality of robots connected to a second charging unit among the plurality of charging units, for example, robots included in the first robot charging row, under the control of one or more processors (130).

[0145] According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of charging units included in the charging station (300) has a limit on the number of robots that can be charged. According to an embodiment, when a robot requiring charging is identified, one or more processors (130) can directly or indirectly connect the robot to one of the plurality of charging units based on the number of robots that can be charged in each of the plurality of charging units.

[0146]

[0147] For example, if each of the plurality of charging stations has a maximum number of robots that can be charged is three, and among the plurality of charging stations, the number of robots being charged by the first charging station is three and the number of robots being charged by the second charging station is one, one or more processors (130) can connect a robot requiring charging to the second charging station and supply power output by the charging station (300) to the robot requiring charging through the second charging station.

[0148] Fig. 8 is an example of a charging station (300) for convenience of explanation, and the number of charging units included in the charging station (300), the number of robots that each of the plurality of charging units can charge, etc., can of course be varied depending on the specifications (or maximum output capacity) of the components constituting the charging station (300), the settings of the manufacturer (or user), etc.

[0149] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a method of separating a first robot from a charging station (300) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0150] Referring to the left and right sides of FIG. 9, one or more processors (130) may separate the first robot (200-1) from the charging station (300) when the first robot (200-1) among the plurality of robots (200) included in the robot charging row is identified as having completed charging (e.g., having a remaining charge amount of 100% or a second threshold charge amount (e.g., 80%) or more).

[0151] For example, one or more processors (130) may cause only the first robot (200-1) to be removed from the robot charging row in order to separate the first robot (200-1) from the charging station (300) after charging is completed.

[0152] Depending on the embodiment, one or more processors (130) may also separate a robot that is required to perform an action from the charging station (300) in addition to a robot that has completed charging (e.g., the first robot (200-1)).

[0153] For example, one or more processors (130) may stop charging of the first robot (200-1) and separate it from the charging station (300) to cause the first robot (200-1) among the plurality of robots (200) to perform an operation according to schedule information or to perform an operation according to a user command.

[0154] For convenience of explanation, FIG. 9 has been described assuming an embodiment in which one or more processors (130) separate a first robot (200-1) located at the rear of a robot charging row from a charging station (300), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and one or more processors (130) may of course separate a robot located at the front of a robot charging row or located between a plurality of robots included in a robot charging row (e.g., located in the middle of a robot charging row) from a charging station (300).

[0155] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a method of moving a charging station (300) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 10, the charging station (300) includes a driving unit consisting of a wheel, a brake, a motor, etc., and can move within a space by controlling the driving unit.

[0157] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may control a driving unit of the charging station (300) to move the charging station (300).

[0158] When a first robot (200-1) that has completed charging according to an embodiment or a first robot (200-1) that is required to perform an action is identified, the driving unit of the charging station (300) can be controlled to move the charging station (300) in order to separate the first robot (200-1) from the charging station (300).

[0159] As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the charging station (300) and the robot charging row are separated due to movement of the charging station (300), one or more processors (130) can cause the first robot (200-1) located at the front of the robot charging row (or between the robot charging row and the charging station (300)) to be separated from the robot charging row.

[0160] Next, one or more processors (130) can move the charging station (300) to directly connect the charging station (300) and the second robot (200-2) located at the front of the robot charging row from which the first robot (200-1) departed.

[0161] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining a method of separating one of a plurality of robots from a charging station (300) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0162] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may separate a third robot (200-3) located in the middle of the robot charging row from among the first robot (200-1) to the fourth robot (200-4) included in the robot charging row, from the charging station (300).

[0163] For example, when the charging of the third robot (200-3) is completed or when the performance of an action is required, a part of the robot charging row (e.g., the first robot (200-1), the second robot (200-2), and the third robot (200-3)) can be separated from the charging station (300), and the third robot (200-3) located at the front of the part of the robot charging row can be separated from the part of the robot charging row.

[0164] For example, one or more processors (130) may separate a portion of a robot charging row (e.g., a first robot (200-1), a second robot (200-2), a third robot (200-3)) from a charging station (300), and when a space is secured in which the third robot (200-3) can move, the third robot (200-3) may be moved to the front of the portion of the robot charging row.

[0165] Next, one or more processors (130) can control the third robot (200-3) to move to a waiting area or perform an operation.

[0166] Next, one or more processors (130) can indirectly connect the second robot (200-2) and the first robot (200-1) to the charging station (300) via the fourth robot (200-4).

[0167] According to an embodiment, when a fifth robot (200-5) requiring charging is identified, one or more processors (130) may position the fifth robot (200-5) at the rear of a robot charging row connected to a charging station (300).

[0168] However, this is not limited thereto, and as described above, one or more processors (150) may position the fifth robot (200-5) at the front of the robot charging row or between the robot charging rows.

[0169] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining a method of moving a robot to a charging station within a space according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0170] Referring to FIG. 12, a plurality of robots (200) are positioned within a space, and according to an embodiment, a first robot (200-1) may be performing an operation.

[0171] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may connect the first robot (200-1) to the charging station (300) if the remaining charge amount of the first robot (200-1) is less than the first threshold charge amount, since the first robot (200-1) requires charging.

[0172] First, one or more processors (130) can identify the charging station (300) as being capable of charging the first robot (200-1) if the number of robots connected to the charging station (300) is less than the number of robots that can be charged at the charging station (300).

[0173] According to an embodiment, one or more processors (130) may identify the first robot (200-1) as being chargeable by the charging station (300) when the number of robots connected to the charging station (300) is less than the number of robots that can be charged by the charging station (300) or when the charging of the second robot (200-2) among the robots connected to the charging station (300) is identified as being completed.

[0174] For example, one or more processors (130) can separate the second robot (200-2) that has completed charging from the charging station (300) and move it to a waiting area, or control the second robot (200-2) to perform an operation.

[0175] Next, one or more processors (130) may connect a first robot (200-1) requiring charging to a charging station (300).

[0176] In Fig. 12, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that one or more processors (130) connect a second robot (200-2) to the rear of a first robot charging row among a plurality of robot charging rows connected to a charging station (300), but it is of course not limited thereto.

[0177] For example, one or more processors (130) may directly connect the first robot (200-1) and the charging station (300) through a charging unit among the plurality of charging units included in the charging station (300) to which the robot is not connected.

[0178] For example, one or more processors (130) may be positioned at the front of a first robot charging row from which a second robot (200-2) is separated among a plurality of robot charging rows connected to a charging station (300), thereby directly connecting the first robot (200-1) and the charging station (300).

[0179] As another example, one or more processors (130) may cause the charging station (300) to identify the first robot (200-1) as unchargeable if the number of robots connected to the charging station (300) is less than the number of robots that can be charged at the charging station (300).

[0180] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a method of moving a robot to one of a plurality of charging stations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0181] Referring to FIG. 13, a plurality of charging stations (300) are positioned within a space, and one or more processors (130) can connect a robot (200) requiring charging to any one of the plurality of charging stations (300).

[0182] For example, when a first robot (200-1) requires charging, one or more processors (130) can move the first robot (200-1) to a first charging station (300-1) adjacent to (e.g., closest to) the first robot (200-1) among the plurality of stations (300).

[0183] Meanwhile, if charging is not possible at the first charging station (300-1), one or more processors (130) may move the first robot (200-1) to the second charging station (300-2). For example, the second charging station (300-2) may be a charging station adjacent to the first robot (200-1) after the first charging station (300-1) among the plurality of charging stations (300).

[0184] For example, if the number of robots (200) connected to the first charging station (300-1) (or the first charging station (300-1) is charging) is greater than the number of chargeable robots of the first charging station (300-1), one or more processors (130) may identify that the first robot (200-1) cannot be charged at the first charging station (300-1) and connect the first robot (200-1) to any one of the remaining charging stations (300-2, ..., 300-n) excluding the first charging station (300-1).

[0185] In the present disclosure, it is assumed and described that the electronic device (100) controls a plurality of robots (200) and a charging station (300), but this is an example for convenience of explanation, and it is of course possible that the operation of the electronic device (100) can be performed by any one of the plurality of robots (200) (e.g., a master robot) or the charging station (300).

[0186] For example, among a plurality of robots (200), a master robot can control the remaining slave robots and a charging station (300), and of course, the charging station (300) can control a plurality of robots (200).

[0187] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0188] A method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure identifies whether a robot requiring charging can be charged through a charging station based on the number of robots that can be charged at the charging station (S1410).

[0189] Next, if the robot can be charged at the charging station, the robot is moved to the charging station or another robot connected to the charging station, and then the robot is charged (S1420).

[0190] In an embodiment, the step S1410 of identifying whether charging is possible includes a step of identifying the robot as being capable of being charged through the charging station if the number of a plurality of robots directly or indirectly connected to the charging station is less than the number of chargeable robots, and the step S1420 of charging the robot includes a step of controlling the charging station to charge the plurality of robots and at least one robot among the robots, and the plurality of robots may include other robots.

[0191] According to an embodiment, the control method further includes a step of separating at least one robot from the charging station when at least one robot that has completed charging is identified among a plurality of robots directly or indirectly connected to the charging station, and the step S1410 of identifying whether charging is possible may include a step of identifying the robot as being capable of charging through the charging station when the number of robots remaining excluding at least one robot among the plurality of robots is less than the number of chargeable robots.

[0192] According to an embodiment, the step of separating may include moving at least one robot separated from the charging station to a preset area.

[0193] According to an embodiment, the step S1420 of charging includes a step of controlling the charging station to simultaneously charge a plurality of robots directly or indirectly connected to the charging station, or a step of controlling the charging station to sequentially charge the plurality of robots connected to the charging station according to a preset priority, wherein the preset priority may include the order in which each of the plurality of robots is connected to the charging station, an operation performed by each of the plurality of robots, or a remaining charge amount of each of the plurality of robots.

[0194] According to an embodiment, the step S1420 of charging may include a step of controlling the charging station to charge the robot with priority over other robots if priority charging is required based on a signal received from the robot.

[0195] According to an embodiment, the step S1420 of charging may include a step of moving the charging station to directly connect the robot to the charging station, and a step of connecting another robot to the robot directly connected to the charging station to indirectly connect the other robot to the charging station, and then charging at least one of the robot and the other robot.

[0196] According to an embodiment, the charging station includes a plurality of charging units, and the step S1420 of charging may include a step of controlling the charging station to charge at least one robot directly or indirectly connected to each of the plurality of charging units, and a step of charging the robot by directly or indirectly connecting the robot to one of the plurality of charging units based on the number of robots that can be charged in each of the plurality of charging units.

[0197] According to an embodiment, the step S1410 of identifying whether charging is possible may include, when a robot requiring charging is identified, a step of identifying a first charging station based on a distance from the robot among a plurality of charging stations in a space, and a step of identifying whether charging of the robot is possible through the first charging station.

[0198] According to an embodiment, the step S1410 of identifying whether charging is possible may include a step of identifying whether charging is possible for the robot through a second charging station among a plurality of charging stations if charging of the robot is not possible at the first charging station, and a step of identifying whether charging is possible for the robot through a third charging station among the plurality of charging stations if the number of robots directly or indirectly connected to the second charging station is greater than the number of robots capable of charging.

[0199] According to an embodiment, the control method may further include a step of separating at least one robot, among the robots or other robots, from the charging station, which is required to perform an action, and a step of controlling the separated at least one robot to perform the action.

[0200] However, it goes without saying that the various embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied not only to electronic devices, but also to all types of electronic devices capable of communicating with robots.

[0201] Meanwhile, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in a computer-readable recording medium or similar device using software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by the processor itself. In a software implementation, embodiments, such as the procedures and functions described herein, may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein.

[0202] Meanwhile, computer instructions for performing processing operations of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. When the computer instructions stored in such a non-transitory computer-readable medium are executed by a processor of a specific device, the computer instructions cause the specific device to perform processing operations in a display device (100) according to various embodiments described above.

[0203] A non-transitory computer-readable medium refers to a medium that permanently stores data and can be read by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, cache, or memory. Specific examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CDs, DVDs, hard disks, Blu-ray discs, USBs, memory cards, and ROMs.

[0204] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. In electronic devices, communication interface; A memory storing one or more instructions; and comprising one or more processors operatively connected to the communication interface and the memory; The one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, When a robot requiring charging is identified, whether the robot can be charged through the charging station is identified based on the number of chargeable robots in the charging station. An electronic device that charges the robot after moving the robot so that the robot is connected to the charging station or another robot connected to the charging station, if charging of the robot is possible at the charging station.

2. In paragraph 1, One or more of the above processors, If the number of multiple robots directly or indirectly connected to the charging station is less than the number of chargeable robots, the robot is identified as being capable of being charged through the charging station, Controlling the charging station to charge the plurality of robots and at least one robot among the robots; The above plurality of robots are electronic devices including the other robots.

3. In paragraph 1, One or more of the above processors, When at least one robot among a plurality of robots directly or indirectly connected to the charging station is identified and charging is completed, the at least one robot is separated from the charging station, An electronic device that identifies the robot as capable of being charged through the charging station when the number of robots remaining after excluding at least one robot among the plurality of robots is less than the number of chargeable robots.

4. In paragraph 3, One or more of the above processors, An electronic device that moves at least one robot separated from the charging station to a preset area.

5. In paragraph 1, One or more of the above processors, Controlling the charging station to simultaneously charge a plurality of robots directly or indirectly connected to the charging station, or controlling the charging station to sequentially charge the plurality of robots connected to the charging station according to a preset priority, The above preset priorities are: An electronic device including the order in which each of the plurality of robots is connected to the charging station, the operation performed by each of the plurality of robots, or the remaining charge amount of each of the plurality of robots.

6. In paragraph 1, One or more of the above processors, An electronic device that controls the charging station to charge the robot prior to other robots when priority charging is required based on a signal received from the robot.

7. In paragraph 1, One or more of the above processors, Move the charging station to directly connect the robot to the charging station, An electronic device that connects another robot to the robot directly connected to the charging station, and then indirectly connects the other robot to the charging station, and charges at least one of the robot and the other robot.

8. In paragraph 1, The above charging station is, Contains multiple charging units; One or more of the above processors, Controlling the charging station to charge at least one robot directly or indirectly connected to each of the plurality of charging units; An electronic device that charges a robot by directly or indirectly connecting the robot to one of the plurality of charging units based on the number of chargeable robots of each of the plurality of charging units.

9. In paragraph 1, One or more of the above processors, When the robot requiring charging is identified, the first charging station is identified based on the distance from the robot among the plurality of charging stations in the space, An electronic device that identifies whether the robot can be charged through the first charging station.

10. In paragraph 9, One or more of the above processors, If the robot cannot be charged at the first charging station, the robot is identified as being capable of being charged at the second charging station among the plurality of charging stations. An electronic device that identifies whether the robot can be charged through a third charging station among the plurality of charging stations when the number of robots directly or indirectly connected to the second charging station is greater than or equal to the number of chargeable robots.

11. In paragraph 1, One or more of the above processors, Separating at least one robot, among the above robots or the other robots, that is required to perform an operation, from the charging station; An electronic device that controls at least one of the separated robots to perform an operation.

12. In a method for controlling an electronic device, When a robot requiring charging is identified, a step of identifying whether the robot can be charged through the charging station based on the number of chargeable robots in the charging station; and A control method comprising: a step of charging the robot after moving the robot so that the robot is connected to the charging station or another robot connected to the charging station, if charging of the robot is possible at the charging station; 13. In paragraph 12, The step of identifying whether the above charging is possible is: If the number of multiple robots directly or indirectly connected to the charging station is less than the number of chargeable robots, a step of identifying the robot as being capable of being charged through the charging station is included; The steps for charging the above robot are: A step of controlling the charging station to charge the plurality of robots and at least one robot among the robots; A control method wherein the plurality of robots includes the other robot.

14. In paragraph 12, The above control method is, Further comprising a step of separating at least one robot from the charging station when at least one robot among a plurality of robots directly or indirectly connected to the charging station is identified and charging is completed; The step of identifying whether the above charging is possible is: A control method, comprising: a step of identifying the robot as capable of being charged through the charging station if the number of robots remaining among the plurality of robots excluding the at least one robot is less than the number of chargeable robots; 15. In paragraph 14, The above separation step is, A control method, comprising the step of moving at least one robot separated from the charging station to a preset area.

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