JP2017131555A - Vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vacuum cleaner which can stably perform wireless communication with a mobile terminal irrespective of a travel position.SOLUTION: A vacuum cleaner 11 has a body case, a drive wheel, a cleaning part, control means 25, and a wireless LAN device 47. The drive wheel allows a body case to travel. The cleaning part cleans a portion to be cleaned. The control means 25 is mounted to a body case, causes the body case to travel autonomously by controlling driving of the drive wheel. The wireless LAN device 47 is provided to the body case, and directly communicates with a mobile terminal 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a vacuum cleaner that includes a wireless communication unit for wireless communication in a main body case.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called autonomous traveling type vacuum cleaner (cleaning robot) that cleans a floor surface while autonomously traveling on the floor surface as a surface to be cleaned is known.

  In recent years, an environment in which a user installs an Internet line at home or the like and installs an access point device such as a wireless LAN router for wirelessly connecting an electric device equipped with a wireless communication unit to the Internet line has become common. . In such an environment, there is a system in which a wireless module is mounted on the above vacuum cleaner so that the vacuum cleaner and the access point device are wirelessly connected. In such a system, for example, the state of charge or cleaning of the vacuum cleaner is monitored by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet PC connected to the Internet line, or an image captured by a camera mounted on the vacuum cleaner is taken by these mobile phones. It is possible to browse with a terminal or remotely control a vacuum cleaner with a portable terminal.

  However, since the autonomous traveling type vacuum cleaner performs cleaning while moving in the cleaning area itself, wireless communication may be disconnected when it moves to a position away from the access point device. In addition, the wireless communication performance depends on the performance of the access point device, not the performance of the wireless module mounted on the vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, mobile terminals may be connected to the cloud server by mobile communication, but recent mobile communication has sufficient performance for browsing the web on mobile terminals due to its high speed. Some users do not have internet access or access point equipment.

  Therefore, a system that can more easily perform wireless communication between a portable terminal and an autonomous traveling vacuum cleaner is desired.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-154011

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner that can stably wirelessly communicate with a portable terminal regardless of the traveling position.

  The vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment includes a main body case, a driving wheel, a cleaning unit, a control unit, and a wireless communication unit. The drive wheel is allowed to travel in the main body case. The cleaning part cleans the part to be cleaned. The control means is provided in the main body case, and causes the main body case to autonomously travel by controlling driving of the drive wheels. The wireless communication unit is provided in the main body case and directly communicates with the mobile terminal.

It is a block diagram which shows typically the internal structure of a part of vacuum cleaning system containing the vacuum cleaner of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows typically the internal structure of a vacuum cleaning system same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the vacuum cleaning system containing a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a top view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above from the downward direction. It is a block diagram which shows typically the internal structure of a part of vacuum cleaning system containing the vacuum cleaner of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the vacuum cleaning system containing a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a block diagram which shows typically a partial internal structure of the vacuum cleaner of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows typically the internal structure of a part of vacuum cleaning system containing the vacuum cleaner of 4th Embodiment.

  The configuration of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 3, 11 is a vacuum cleaner, and this vacuum cleaner 11 is equipped with a charging device (charging stand) 12 as a base device serving as a base for charging of the vacuum cleaner 11 and a vacuum cleaning device (electric cleaning device). System). In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 11 is a so-called self-propelled robot cleaner (cleaning robot) that cleans the floor surface while autonomously traveling (self-propelled) on the floor surface to be cleaned as a traveling surface. ), And can wirelessly communicate with the portable terminal 13 as a general-purpose external device which is a display means (display unit).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electric vacuum cleaner 11 includes a hollow main body case 20, a traveling unit 21 (FIG. 5) for causing the main body case 20 to travel on the floor surface, and the floor surface. The cleaning unit 22 for cleaning dust (FIG. 5), the communication unit 23 shown in FIG. 2 for communicating with the charging device 12 and the portable terminal 13 (FIG. 3), the sensor unit 24, the traveling unit 21, and the cleaning unit 22 And a control means (control part) 25 that is a controller for controlling the communication part 23 and the like, and a secondary battery 26 that feeds power to the traveling part 21, the cleaning part 22, the communication part 23, the sensor part 24, the control means 25, etc. I have. The vacuum cleaner 11 may include an imaging unit 27 that captures an image. Hereinafter, the direction along the traveling direction of the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) is the front-rear direction (arrows FR and RR shown in FIG. 4 and the like), and the left-right direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the front-rear direction. (Both sides direction) is described as the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the main body case 20 is formed in a flat cylindrical shape (disk shape) or the like, for example, with synthetic resin or the like. In the lower part of the main body case 20 facing the floor surface, a suction port 31, which is a dust collection port, an exhaust port 32, and the like are opened.

  The travel unit 21 includes a plurality of (a pair of) drive wheels 34 and 34 as drive units, motors 35 and 35 (FIG. 2) as drive means as drive units for driving the drive wheels 34 and 34, and a turning unit. The swivel wheel 36 is provided.

  Each drive wheel 34 causes the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) to travel in the forward and backward directions on the floor (autonomous traveling), that is, for traveling, and rotates not shown along the left-right width direction. It has an axis and is arranged symmetrically in the width direction.

  Each motor 35 (FIG. 2) is disposed corresponding to each of the drive wheels 34, for example, and can drive each drive wheel 34 independently.

  The swivel wheel 36 is a driven wheel that is positioned at the front and substantially at the center in the width direction of the lower surface of the main body case 20, and can be swung along the floor surface.

  The cleaning unit 22 is located in the main body case 20, for example, an electric blower 41 that sucks dust together with air from the suction port 31 and exhausts it from the exhaust port 32, and a rotary cleaning body that is rotatably attached to the suction port 31 and scrapes up dust. And a brush motor 43 (FIG. 2) for rotationally driving the rotary brush 42, and auxiliary cleaning means as a swivel cleaning unit which is rotatably attached to both sides such as the front side of the main body case 20 and scrapes dust. A side brush 44 that is an auxiliary cleaning unit), a side brush motor 45 that drives the side brush 44 (FIG. 2), and a dust collecting unit 46 (FIG. 4) that communicates with the suction port 31 and collects dust. Yes. The electric blower 41, the rotating brush 42 and the brush motor 43 (FIG. 2), and the side brush 44 and the side brush motor 45 (FIG. 2) need only be provided.

  The communication unit 23 shown in FIG. 2 includes a wireless communication device (wireless communication unit) for wireless communication with the mobile terminal 13, a wireless LAN device 47 as a cleaner signal receiving unit (cleaner signal receiving unit), and a web A server function unit 48 having a server function is provided. The communication unit 23 may include an infrared communication unit (infrared communication unit) that communicates with the charging device 12 (FIG. 3) using an infrared signal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless LAN device 47 transmits and receives various types of information directly from the vacuum cleaner 11 to the portable terminal 13, that is, without passing through other wireless access points. Therefore, the wireless LAN device 47 is configured to perform direct wireless communication with the mobile terminal 13. The wireless LAN device 47 includes a wireless access point function unit 47a having a wireless access point function. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 11 functions as a master unit of an access point via the wireless LAN device 47, and a plurality of wireless communication devices can be connected as slave units. On the other hand, the wireless LAN device 47 is connected to the mobile terminal 13 on a one-to-one basis. Further, the wireless LAN device 47 is electrically connected to the server function unit 48 and the control means 25.

  The server function unit 48 is electrically connected to the wireless LAN device 47 and the control means 25. The server function unit 48 has a predetermined service content built-in, and sends a request signal transmitted from a web browser installed in the mobile terminal 13 to the wireless LAN device 47 (wireless access point) according to a communication protocol such as HTTP. When received by the function unit 47a), the service content is configured to be transmitted via the wireless LAN device 47 (wireless access point function unit 47a) in response to the request signal. This service content includes, for example, a function for displaying the state of the vacuum cleaner 11 and a setting function for performing various settings for the vacuum cleaner 11, and can be displayed and operated on the mobile terminal 13. As the state of the vacuum cleaner 11 included in this service content, the operation state of the vacuum cleaner 11 (for example, whether the current vacuum cleaner 11 is in a cleaning state or in a charging state (standby state)), The state of charge of the secondary battery 26 (FIG. 2), the current settings of the vacuum cleaner 11 (for example, the cleaning schedule (scheduled date and time for the next cleaning, etc.) and work mode, and the image pickup unit 27 (FIG. 2) during cleaning Or the like). Further, items that can be set by the user for the electric vacuum cleaner 11 include, for example, setting items related to cleaning such as a cleaning schedule, a cleaning time, and an operation mode, and an image captured by the imaging unit 27 (FIG. 2) during cleaning. This includes setting items related to imaging, such as whether to capture images. The content of the service content is not limited to the above as long as the state of the vacuum cleaner 11 and the setting of the vacuum cleaner 11 can be performed by the web browser of the mobile terminal 13.

  2 includes, for example, a position detection sensor that detects the position of the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) by detecting the rotational speed of each drive wheel 34 (FIG. 5) and / or each motor 35. In addition, an obstacle sensor for detecting an obstacle is provided.

  The control means 25 includes, for example, a CPU which is a control means main body (control part main body), a ROM which is a storage portion storing fixed data such as a program read by the CPU, and a work area which is a work area for data processing by the program The microcomputer includes a RAM (not shown) that is an area storage unit that dynamically forms various memory areas. The control means 25 includes a memory 51 serving as a storage means (storage section) for storing various data, and a travel control section that controls operations of the motors 35 and 35 (drive wheels 34 and 34 (FIG. 5)) of the travel section 21. 52, an electric blower 41 of the cleaning unit 22, a cleaning control unit 53 that controls the operation of the brush motor 43 and the side brush motor 45, and a communication control unit 54 that controls the operation of the communication unit 23. The control means 25 may further include an imaging control unit 55 that controls the operation of the imaging unit 27, an image processing unit 56 that processes an image captured by the imaging unit 27, and the like. The control means 25 is, for example, a driving mode in which the driving wheels 34 and 34 (FIG. 5), that is, the motors 35 and 35 are driven to autonomously run the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20 (FIG. 5)). Various operation modes such as a charging mode for charging the secondary battery 26 via (FIG. 3) and a standby mode for standby operation are provided.

  The memory 51 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that holds various data stored regardless of whether the power of the vacuum cleaner 11 is turned on or off.

  The traveling control unit 52 controls the driving of the motors 35 and 35 by controlling the magnitude and direction of the current flowing through the motors 35 and 35, thereby rotating the motors 35 and 35 forward or backward. The drive of drive wheels 34 and 34 (FIG. 5) is controlled by controlling the drive of 35 and 35. Further, the traveling control unit 52 is configured to control the traveling direction and / or traveling speed of the electric vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) according to the result of obstacle detection by the sensor unit 24 and the like.

  The cleaning control unit 53 separately controls the conduction angle of the electric blower 41, the brush motor 43, and the side brush motor 45, so that the electric blower 41, the brush motor 43 (the rotating brush 42 (FIG. 5)), and The driving of the side brush motor 45 (side brush 44 (FIG. 5)) is controlled. A controller may be provided separately for each of the electric blower 41, the brush motor 43, and the side brush motor 45.

  The communication control unit 54 controls the operation of the wireless LAN device 47 (wireless access point function unit 47a (FIG. 1)) and the server function unit 48, thereby transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the mobile terminal 13.

  The imaging control unit 55 includes a control circuit that controls the imaging unit 27 to capture an image every predetermined time.

  The image processing unit 56 processes the image captured by the imaging unit 27 to generate a predetermined image or detect an obstacle reflected in the image. Therefore, the imaging unit 27 can also have a function as an obstacle sensor that detects an obstacle.

  Further, the secondary battery 26 is electrically connected to charging terminals 58 and 58 as connection portions exposed on both sides of the rear portion of the lower portion of the main body case 20 shown in FIG. 5, for example. By being electrically and mechanically connected to the charging device 12 (FIG. 3) side, charging is performed via the charging device 12 (FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the imaging unit 27 includes a plurality of, for example, cameras 61a and 61b as one and the other imaging unit (imaging unit main body), and illumination unit (illumination unit) that provides illumination to the cameras 61a and 61b. ) As a lamp 63 such as an LED. The operations of the cameras 61a and 61b and the lamp 63 are controlled by the control circuit of the imaging control unit 55 shown in FIG. The cameras 61a and 61b can capture an image of the front of the electric vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20 (FIG. 5)) in the traveling direction, and light for illumination when images are captured by the cameras 61a and 61b. Is output from the lamp 63 as needed.

  On the other hand, the mobile terminal 13 is capable of wireless communication using mobile communication with the vacuum cleaner 11 and an unillustrated (external) network such as the Internet, such as a PC (tablet terminal (tablet PC)) or a smartphone (mobile phone). A general-purpose mobile communication device such as a telephone). As shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal 13 includes a display unit 65 having a display function for displaying at least an image, and a portable terminal communication unit 66 for wireless communication.

  The display unit 65 displays an image or the like using a flat display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. In addition, the display unit 65 may have a touch panel function, for example, and may be configured to allow external input to the displayed image.

  The portable terminal communication unit 66 is connected to the wireless LAN device 47 of the vacuum cleaner 11 and the network by wireless or wired using a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (not shown). It is configured to perform wireless communication with a base station or the like.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  Generally, the electric vacuum cleaner is roughly divided into a cleaning operation for cleaning with the electric vacuum cleaner 11 and a charging operation for charging the secondary battery 26 with the charging device 12. Since a known method using a charging circuit such as a constant current circuit built in the charging device 12 is used for the charging operation, only the cleaning operation will be described. In addition, an imaging operation for imaging a predetermined object by at least one of the cameras 61a and 61b in accordance with a command from the mobile terminal 13 or the like may be provided.

  For example, when the vacuum cleaner 11 reaches a preset cleaning start time or when a cleaning start command signal transmitted by the remote control or the mobile terminal 13 is received, the control means 25 is switched from the standby mode. Switching to the running mode, this control means 25 (running control unit 52) drives the motors 35, 35 (driving wheels 34, 34), detaches from the charging device 12, and on the internal floor surface such as the cleaning area, The vehicle travels autonomously while avoiding obstacles detected by the sensor unit 24, the imaging unit 27, or the like.

  At this time, in the cleaning unit 22, the electric blower driven by the control means 25 (cleaning control unit 53), the rotating brush 42 (brush motor 43), or the side brush 44 (side brush motor 45) removes dust on the floor surface. Then, the dust is collected into the dust collecting part 46 through the suction port 31.

  The imaging unit 27 captures images by controlling the operation of the drive cameras 61a and 61b and the lamp 63 automatically or as required by the control means 25 (imaging control unit 55). Then, the image is processed by the control means 25 (image processing unit 56) and recorded in the memory 51 or the like.

  When the cleaning of the cleaning area is completed, or during the cleaning operation, the capacity of the secondary battery 26 is reduced to a predetermined amount and is insufficient to complete cleaning and imaging (the voltage of the secondary battery 26 is discharged). In the vacuum cleaner 11, the control unit 25 transmits and receives a signal to and from the charging device 12 via the infrared signal by the communication unit 23 and returns to the charging device 12 at a predetermined condition such as when the voltage is reduced to near the end voltage. The operation of the motors 35 and 35 (drive wheels 34 and 34) is controlled by the (travel controller 52). Thereafter, when the charging terminals 58, 58 and the charging terminal of the charging device 12 are connected, the cleaning operation is finished, and the control means 25 shifts to the standby mode or the charging mode.

  Further, the vacuum cleaner 11 can directly wirelessly communicate with the portable terminal 13 one-to-one by the wireless LAN device 47 in any mode of the control means 25. When the user activates the web browser of the mobile terminal 13 or operates the content of the web browser, the request signal is transmitted to the wireless LAN device 47 of the vacuum cleaner 11 via the mobile terminal communication unit 66. . In the wireless LAN device 47, in response to the request signal from the wireless LAN device 47, the control means 25 (communication control unit 54, etc.) sends the service content from the server function unit 48 to the mobile terminal communication unit 66 of the mobile terminal 13. The control means 25 (travel control unit 52) drives the motors 35 and 35 (drive wheels 34 and 34) to enable remote operation of the vacuum cleaner 11. That is, the user can acquire the operating state of the vacuum cleaner 11 and transmit a control command directly to the vacuum cleaner 11 via the portable terminal 13. In the vacuum cleaner 11, the control means 25 (travel control unit 52) drives the motors 35 and 35 (drive wheels 34 and 34) when the radio signal intensity received by the wireless LAN device 47 is weak. Then, it may be controlled to autonomously travel to a position where the received radio wave intensity of the radio signal increases.

  The image data stored in the memory 51 is stored in the server when, for example, the vacuum cleaner 11 returns to the charging device 12, during a cleaning operation, every predetermined time, or when there is a request from the mobile terminal 13. The function unit 48 wirelessly transmits to the mobile terminal 13 together with the service content via the wireless LAN device 47. The data that has been transmitted can be erased from the memory 51 or overwritten when new data is stored, for example, so that the capacity of the memory 51 can be used efficiently. In the mobile terminal 13, the image transmitted together with the service content is displayed on the display unit 65 by the web browser by executing the service content.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, by providing the vacuum cleaner 11 with the wireless LAN device 47 that directly wirelessly communicates with the mobile terminal 13, wireless communication with the mobile terminal 13 can be easily performed.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the wireless LAN device 47 of the first embodiment includes a router function unit 47b.

  That is, the wireless LAN device 47 can not only perform wireless communication with the mobile terminal communication unit 66 of the mobile terminal 13 by the wireless access point function unit 47a, but also relay means disposed in the cleaning area or the like via the router function unit 47b. Wireless communication is also possible with another wireless access point (router) AP as a (relay unit). Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 11 operates as a child device of another wireless access point AP.

  The wireless access point AP is also called a home gateway (HGW) or the like, is installed in a building, and is connected to, for example, a wired (external) network NT such as the Internet. This wireless access point AP may be dedicated or general purpose. A general-purpose server (cloud server) SV is connected to the network NT, and various data can be stored in the server SV.

  Since the wireless LAN device 47 includes the router function unit 47b, it can be connected to an (external) network NT (WAN) such as the Internet via a wireless access point AP installed in a building or the like. A user having a wireless access point AP at home can connect to the network NT such as the Internet while accessing the vacuum cleaner 11 with the mobile terminal 13, and convenience is improved. In particular, for example, a service such as analyzing the data log of the vacuum cleaner 11 with the server SV and proposing a service suitable for the user, or connecting the mobile terminal 13 to the vacuum cleaner 11 wirelessly, the network NT It is possible to access and browse the web at the request of the user.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to said each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the third embodiment, in the second embodiment, an access point mode is a first mode in which the wireless LAN device 47 operates as a base unit of a wireless access point using the wireless access point function unit 47a. Using the station function unit 47c and the router function unit 47b, the client mode (station mode), which is the second mode that operates as a slave unit (station) of another wireless access point AP, can be switched by an external operation or setting. Is.

  The station function unit 47c performs various controls when the vacuum cleaner 11 operates as a child device of another wireless access point AP.

  Since the wireless LAN device 47 can switch between the access point mode and the client mode in this way, for example, when the vacuum cleaner 11 is purchased alone, the access point mode can be set, so A system that does not require the above devices can be provided. For example, a large system such as HEMS has already been introduced into the home, and the vacuum cleaner 11 is additionally connected to a system that also has a controller or the like. In the client mode, the vacuum cleaner 11 can be operated as a station that is wirelessly connected to another wireless access point AP, and the convenience is further improved.

  As a result, it is possible to provide the vacuum cleaner 11 having a wireless function corresponding to the expansion from the case where the user does not have the system at home to the case where the user has a large system such as HEMS.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, the vacuum cleaner 11 includes the server function unit 48, so that a special dedicated application is not required for the mobile terminal 13, and the vacuum cleaner 11 can be started from a general-purpose web browser. Can be easily accessed.

  That is, since the vacuum cleaner 11 includes the server function unit 48, the control unit 25 sets the operation according to the information input from the mobile terminal 13 via the wireless LAN device 47 without using a dedicated application. In addition to being able to output predetermined information to the mobile terminal 13 via the wireless LAN device 47, service content can be provided to the user in a local environment, and a large system such as a cloud server is unnecessary, It is not necessary to install a dedicated application depending on the OS of the mobile terminal 13 on the terminal 13 side. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to create an application necessary for each OS, particularly for each version upgrade.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to said each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, a wireless LAN device 47 includes a communication conversion unit 47d instead of the server function unit 48 of the first embodiment.

  The communication conversion unit 47d can wirelessly communicate with the mobile terminal communication unit 66 of the mobile terminal 13 by socket communication using a predetermined transmission control protocol such as TCP or UDP.

  And by providing this communication conversion unit 47d, for example, by using dedicated application software installed on the mobile terminal 13 side, by communicating with the mobile terminal 13 side via the communication conversion unit 47d, the vacuum cleaner 11 On the other hand, it is also possible to transmit a control command from the portable terminal 13 or acquire information from the vacuum cleaner 11. In this case, the user interface (UI) such as content design and operability can be further improved as compared with the case where a general-purpose web browser is used.

  In addition, the control means 25 can input information for setting the operation through the wireless LAN device 47 using an application installed in the mobile terminal 13, and can carry predetermined information through the wireless LAN device 47. Since it is possible to output as viewed on the terminal 13, it is easier to update or change the application.

  In each of the above embodiments, the travel control unit 52, the cleaning control unit 53, and the imaging control unit 55 are provided in the control unit 25, respectively, but may be configured separately from each other, and any two or more may be arbitrarily selected. You may combine.

  And according to at least one embodiment described above, the vacuum cleaner 11 includes the wireless LAN device 47 that directly communicates with the mobile terminal 13, so that the vacuum cleaner 11 does not go through another access point. Wireless communication with the mobile terminal 13 can be easily performed, and the wireless terminal 11 can be stably connected to the mobile terminal 13 without depending on the position of the vacuum cleaner 11 relative to the access point. The operation state acquisition and operation setting of the machine 11 can be easily performed from the portable terminal 13. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner 11 can be used more conveniently by suppressing the influence of the wireless environment for each user.

  In particular, in the case of the self-propelled vacuum cleaner 11, it is not always located in the vicinity of the user or the access point because it hardly stays at a specific position unless it is in a charged state or a standby state. Therefore, the convenience can be improved by configuring so that the vacuum cleaner 11 can be wirelessly connected to the portable terminal 13 wherever the house moves.

  Furthermore, by providing the wireless LAN device 47 with the wireless access point function unit 47a, the vacuum cleaner 11 can be wirelessly connected to the access point as a parent device, and a plurality of wireless communication devices can be wirelessly connected to the vacuum cleaner 11 as child devices.

  Further, since the wireless LAN device 47 is wirelessly connected to the mobile terminal 13 on a one-to-one basis, the communication load of wireless communication can be suppressed via the wireless LAN device 47 of the vacuum cleaner 11.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

11 Vacuum cleaner
13 Mobile devices
20 Main unit case
22 Cleaning section
25 Control means
34 Drive wheels
47 Wireless LAN devices as wireless communication units
47a Wireless access point function
47b Router function
48 Server functions
AP wireless access point

Claims (8)

A body case,
A drive wheel that allows the main body case to travel,
A cleaning part for cleaning the part to be cleaned;
A control means provided in the main body case for autonomously running the main body case by controlling the driving of the drive wheels;
A vacuum cleaner comprising: a wireless communication unit that is provided in the main body case and directly wirelessly communicates with a mobile terminal. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit includes a wireless access point function unit. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wireless communication unit is wirelessly connected to the mobile terminal on a one-to-one basis. The vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wireless communication unit includes a router function unit having a router function. The wireless communication unit can switch between a first mode using the wireless access point function unit and a second mode operating as a slave unit of another wireless access point using the router function unit. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 4. The control means can set the operation along information input from the application of the portable terminal via the wireless communication unit and browse predetermined information with the application of the portable terminal via the wireless communication unit. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electric vacuum cleaner can be output. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a server function unit having a web server function. The control means can set an operation in accordance with information input from the portable terminal via the wireless communication unit, and can output predetermined information to the portable terminal via the wireless communication unit. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 7.

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