Robot cleaner and method for controlling same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot cleaners face challenges in performing pointing cleaning tasks when the user is far away or obstacles block the infrared signal, requiring inconvenient user movement to reposition the cleaner or manually guiding it to a desired location.
Innovation Solution
A robot cleaner equipped with a traveling unit, a communication unit using ultra-wideband (UWB) signals, and a control unit that calculates the position of a remote control device and generates travel commands to move to target points, allowing it to follow virtual trajectories and overcome obstacles autonomously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infrared signal is used for remote control communication, then the robot cleaner can receive control signals, but the signal cannot reach when the user is far away or obstacles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces UWB (Ultra-Wideband) signal as an intermediary communication medium between the remote control and robot cleaner. UWB signals can penetrate obstacles and travel longer distances compared to infrared signals, serving as a reliable mediator that maintains communication reliability while allowing users to operate from various positions without direct line-of-sight requirements.
2Reliability
If the user moves to the robot cleaner's position to emit signals, then the cleaner can receive control signals, but the user loses time and convenience
Solution Approach 1:
UWB signal acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for physical proximity between user and robot cleaner. The signal can be transmitted reliably across the operating space, allowing users to remain at their current position while maintaining effective control, thus eliminating time loss associated with moving to the cleaner's location.
3Reliability
If the robot cleaner moves to a designated position, then it can reach the target area, but it requires additional time and complex movement patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of moving the robot cleaner to a designated position with an optical field-based approach. By using optical signals (laser pointer or smartphone flashlight) to directly indicate the target cleaning location, the system eliminates the time-consuming process of navigating to a pre-designated position, allowing the cleaner to immediately proceed to the user-indicated target area.
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
Enables efficient pointing cleaning at distant areas or points without user intervention, even when the user is far away or obstacles are present, and allows for sequential cleaning of multiple designated areas without initial repositioning.
Implementation Method 1
a communication unit to perform communication with a remote control device using an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal
Implementation Method 2
calculate a position of the remote control device using the UWB signal output to the communication unit
Implementation Method 3
a first optical signal emitted from the remote control device to the main body
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a method for controlling same. The robot cleaner comprises: a travel unit for moving a main body; a communication unit for communicating with a remote control device by using ultra-wideband signals; and a control unit which, in response to a first optical signal emitted from the remote control device to the main body, calculates the position of the remote control device by using the ultra-wideband signals that are output to the communication unit. Also, the control unit recognizes, in response to a second optical signal emitted from the remote control device directly after the first optical signal, the position of a target point corresponding to the second optical signal and calculated on the basis of the determined position of the remote control device, and generates a travel command to move the main body to the recognized position of the target point.