Robot Cleaner Wi-Fi Pairing via NFC for Secure Remote Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robot cleaners face challenges in user control and security, particularly in expanding remote control functionality and monitoring cleaning history, with difficulties in inputting additional functions via remote control and concerns about camera module security when hacked.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner system equipped with a Wi-Fi module providing Access Point (AP) information via NFC communication, allowing secure Wi-Fi communication with an external terminal for remote control and monitoring, along with a camera module for generating location information and enhancing user satisfaction by visualizing cleaning history.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robot cleaner uses a camera module for security monitoring, then security performance is improved, but the risk of hacking and image information exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external terminal as an intermediary between the user and the robot cleaner's camera module. The terminal receives image information from the robot cleaner and displays it to the user, acting as a buffer that prevents direct access to the camera module. This intermediary architecture maintains security monitoring functionality while reducing hacking risks, as the terminal can implement additional security layers and authentication mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a robot cleaner enables Wi-Fi communication for remote control, then ease of operation is improved, but security vulnerabilities and unauthorized access risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an external terminal as an intermediary layer between the user and the robot cleaner's Wi-Fi communication. The terminal handles the Wi-Fi connection and communication protocols, while the robot cleaner only communicates with the terminal. This separation allows convenient remote control through the terminal while isolating the robot cleaner from direct exposure to potential security threats in the network environment.
3Productivity
If a robot cleaner operates automatically without user presence, then productivity is improved, but user monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the robot cleaner transmits cleaning information (such as cleaning area, time, and status) to an external terminal. The terminal then displays this information to the user, providing real-time or post-operation feedback about the cleaning process. This allows the robot to operate automatically while the user can still monitor and verify the cleaning activities through the terminal interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the cleaning information and transmits it to the external terminal for display. Instead of requiring the user to be physically present to observe cleaning, the system generates information copies (data about cleaning status, area covered, etc.) and sends them to the terminal where the user can view them. This copying mechanism preserves productivity while maintaining user awareness of cleaning activities.
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 wheel unit for allowing the case to drive automatically, a main controller for controlling the driving of the suction device and the wheel unit, a Wi-Fi module provided in the case to provide Access Point (AP), and a NFC module provided in the case to provide an external terminal with AP information for accessing to the AP through NFC communication, wherein the AP information received from the external terminal is authenticated to allow the robot cleaner to Wi-Fi communicate with the external terminal.