Robot Cleaner Cleaning History Mapping for Secure Remote Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot cleaners are difficult to control remotely, lack user-friendly history tracking, and pose security risks due to camera module vulnerabilities, making it hard for users to monitor and verify cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner system with a wireless communication module for easy control via an external terminal, including a Wi-Fi module with Access Point functionality and NFC for secure AP information transfer, allowing users to track cleaning history visually through a terminal, including map and path information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a robot cleaner operates automatically without user intervention, then cleaning productivity is improved, but the user cannot easily monitor or verify cleaning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the robot cleaner transmits cleaning history information (cleaning area, moving path, timestamps) to the user's terminal device. This allows users to monitor and verify automatic cleaning operations remotely, resolving the information asymmetry between automated operation and user awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication module as an intermediary between the robot cleaner and the user's terminal device. This intermediary enables data transmission of cleaning history information, allowing users to track cleaning operations without direct intervention or presence, thus maintaining automated productivity while providing monitoring capability.
2Loss of information
If a camera module is added to the robot cleaner for monitoring capabilities, then user awareness of cleaning operations is improved, but security risks increase due to potential hacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from a camera module and implements it through software-based tracking using sensors and communication modules. Instead of using a camera that could be hacked for unauthorized viewing, the system uses obstacle sensors and wireless communication to transmit cleaning path and area data, achieving the same information goal without the security vulnerability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the cleaning process information (moving path, cleaning area, timestamps) and transmits it to the user's terminal device. This virtual representation of cleaning operations provides users with complete awareness without requiring physical visual monitoring through a camera, thereby eliminating the security risk of camera hacking.
3Ease of operation
If a dedicated remote control device is used for the robot cleaner, then control functionality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the user's existing terminal device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) serve multiple functions: it acts as both the display device for cleaning history information and the remote control device for operating the robot cleaner. This eliminates the need for a dedicated remote control device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the display device and remote control device into a single terminal device. The terminal device receives cleaning history information for display and simultaneously sends control commands to the robot cleaner, consolidating multiple functions into one device and simplifying the system architecture.
4Ease of operation
If Wi-Fi communication is implemented for remote control and monitoring, then ease of operation is improved, but security risks from external network access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary security measures by requiring authentication before allowing communication between the terminal device and robot cleaner. The system verifies the terminal device's identity and establishes secure communication protocols before transmitting or receiving data, preventing unauthorized access and hacking attempts from external networks.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a robot cleaner, a robot cleaner system and a control method of the same, more particularly, to a robot cleaner of which a cleaning history may be figured out easily by a user through an external terminal, a robot cleaner system and a control method of the same. The robot cleaner includes a case, a suction device provided in the case, a suction nozzle for sucking dust from a floor by driving of the suction device, a dust collection device for collecting foreign substances contained in the air sucked via the suction nozzle, a driving unit for allowing the case to drive automatically, a controller for controlling the driving of the suction device and the driving unit, and for generating cleaning history information comprising map information on a cleaning area and moving path information, a memory unit for storing the cleaning history information; and a wireless communication module provided in the case to transmit the cleaning history information to the external terminal, when the external terminal asks the cleaning history information.