Robot Cleaner NFC State Transfer for Error and Maintenance Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of robot cleaners face inconvenience due to the complexity of accessing information for handling errors and maintenance, as existing systems lack a straightforward method for providing relevant information in real-time.
Innovation Solution
An information providing system that utilizes near field wireless communication (NFC) between a robot cleaner and a mobile terminal to transmit state information, including error solutions, firmware updates, and cleaning schedules, allowing users to receive context-specific information through a mobile terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a robot cleaner is equipped with NFC communication capability to transmit state information to a mobile terminal, then user convenience and information accessibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile terminal as an intermediary device between the user and the robot cleaner. The NFC communication unit in the robot cleaner transmits state information to the mobile terminal, which then presents the information to the user in a user-friendly format. This intermediary approach improves information accessibility without significantly increasing the complexity of the robot cleaner itself, as the mobile terminal handles much of the information processing and presentation.
2Reliability
If the robot cleaner transmits detailed state information including error solutions and maintenance data, then reliability and user support are improved, but loss of time for information processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot cleaner continuously monitors its operational state and pre-processes information about errors, maintenance needs, and operational status. When an NFC tagging event occurs, the pre-processed information is quickly transmitted to the mobile terminal. This preliminary preparation of information reduces the time required for information transmission and processing during actual user interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the robot cleaner's state information and transmits it to the mobile terminal. This copying approach allows the user to access comprehensive error solutions and maintenance data without requiring the robot cleaner to process or interpret the information in real-time, thereby reducing information processing time while maintaining high reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robot cleaner provides context-specific information based on user location and device state, then adaptability and user experience are improved, but device complexity and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides different types of information based on the local context, such as the user's location (inside or outside the house) and the robot cleaner's current state. The NFC communication unit transmits only the relevant information for the specific context, such as cleaning schedules when the user is outside or error solutions when the user is inside. This localized information provision improves adaptability without requiring the system to process and manage all possible information types simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user convenience by providing timely and relevant information about the robot cleaner's state, facilitating easier error handling, maintenance, and operation through a familiar mobile interface.
Implementation Method 1
a communication unit configured to communicate with a mobile terminal by a near field wireless communication (NFC)
Data Source
AI summary
A robot cleaner is provided. The robot cleaner includes a communication unit configured to communicate with the robot cleaner using a near field wireless communication (NFC) and a processor configured to detect a state of the robot cleaner among a plurality of predefined states. The processor is also configured to, in response to NFC tagging being performed with the mobile terminal, control the communication unit to transmit information corresponding to the detected state to the mobile terminal.