Auto-cleaning system, cleaning robot and method of controlling the cleaning robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning robots face challenges in determining restricted areas and focused cleaning areas without user manipulation, leading to inconvenience in setting up restricted zones and intense cleaning areas, as they rely on physical barriers or manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning robot equipped with image and voice recognition capabilities, along with a portable mobile terminal, allows users to input instructions through voice and motion, enabling the robot to detect and differentiate between restricted and focused cleaning areas using image processing and voice commands, thereby automating the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entry prevention tape is attached to the floor to define restricted areas, then the cleaning robot can avoid restricted areas, but the user experiences inconvenience and discomfort due to the need to attach and re-attach the tape when changing restricted areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical entry prevention tape system with an image recognition and processing system. The cleaning robot uses an image capturing unit to capture images of the cleaning area, and an image processing unit to analyze the images and identify restricted areas based on visual features (such as colors or patterns). This substitution eliminates the need for physical tape attachment while maintaining reliable restricted area avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the cleaning area through image capture and processing. Instead of using physical markers (tape), the system creates a digital map or model of the environment with identified restricted areas. This allows the robot to navigate and avoid restricted areas based on the processed image data, providing a non-intrusive and easily changeable solution.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cleaning robot is manually manipulated to focused cleaning areas, then intense cleaning can be performed on specific areas, but the user experiences inconvenience due to the need for manual manipulation and movement instructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual manipulation of the cleaning robot with an image-based guidance system. The image processing unit identifies focused cleaning areas through image analysis, and the control unit automatically navigates the robot to these areas. This substitution maintains precise focused cleaning capability while eliminating the need for manual robot manipulation and movement instruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning robot performs self-navigation to focused cleaning areas based on image processing results. Instead of requiring user manipulation, the robot autonomously determines its path to the identified focused cleaning areas using the image capturing and processing units. This self-service capability maintains cleaning precision while significantly improving ease of operation.
3Extent of automation
If voice recognition and image processing units are added to the cleaning robot, then automated area designation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the cleaning robot system. The image capturing unit serves both for navigation and focused cleaning area identification. The image processing unit analyzes images to identify both restricted areas and focused cleaning areas. The control unit coordinates all these functions along with the basic cleaning operation. This multi-functionality approach increases automation while managing complexity through shared components.
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A cleaning robot that performs cleaning while travelling a space to be cleaned, the cleaning robot including: a travelling unit that moves the cleaning robot; a cleaning unit that cleans the space to be cleaned; an image capturing unit that captures an image viewed from the cleaning robot; a voice input unit to which a user's voice instructions are input; and a controller obtaining the user's motion instructions through the image capturing unit and determining a restricted area in which entry of the cleaning robot is prohibited and/or a focused cleaning area to be intensely cleaned by the cleaning robot based on the user's motion instructions or the user's voice instructions when the user's voice instructions are input through the voice input unit. The restricted area and the focused cleaning area may be input to the cleaning robot through the user's voice and motion.