KR100483567B1 - Robot cleaner system and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a robot cleaner system and a control method thereof capable of controlling a robot cleaner on the Internet. The robot cleaner system according to the present invention includes a robot cleaner equipped with a wireless communication module and traveling by itself according to a command received through the wireless communication module; A wireless router connected to the Internet and transmitting / receiving image signals and / or control signals with a wireless communication module; A computer terminal connected to the Internet; And a robot cleaner server connected to the Internet and outputting an image signal and / or a control signal received from the robot cleaner control screen and the robot cleaner when the connection request for the robot cleaner is made through the computer terminal. A robot cleaner can be controlled from a computer terminal.

Description

Robot cleaner system and control method for the same

The present invention relates to a robot vacuum cleaner system and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a robot vacuum cleaner system and a method of controlling the same, which can control a robot cleaner at a remote location using the Internet.

In general, a robot cleaner is a device that performs certain tasks such as cleaning a certain work area or security work according to a command received from a remote controller such as a remote controller while driving by itself. Therefore, since the robot cleaner is provided with a transmitting / receiving unit capable of transmitting and receiving signals wirelessly, the user can wirelessly control the robot cleaner by using a remote controller installed near the robot cleaner working area.

However, such a conventional robot cleaner has a limited distance for transmitting / receiving commands wirelessly, so that the robot cleaner can be controlled from a long distance outside the house to perform a cleaning operation or to photograph various places in the house. There is a problem that it is difficult to perform a security operation that transmits the image to the user.

Therefore, the necessity of the invention for the robot cleaner system which can control a robot cleaner from a remote place using the internet, and its control method has been raised.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a robot cleaner system that can perform a predetermined task by controlling the robot cleaner from a remote place using the Internet.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a control method of a robot cleaner system capable of performing a predetermined task by controlling a robot cleaner from a remote place using the Internet.

An object of the present invention as described above, the robot cleaner having a specific IP address and serial number, and performs the operation by running itself according to the command received through the wireless communication module; A wireless router connected to the Internet and transmitting / receiving image signals and / or control signals with the wireless communication module; A computer terminal connected to the Internet; And a robot connected to the Internet, storing an ID and a password corresponding to the IP address and a serial number, and having a specific IP address and a serial number corresponding to the ID and password when the ID and password are input from the computer terminal. And a robot cleaner server for controlling the robot cleaner screen and outputting an image signal and / or a control signal received from the robot cleaner to the computer terminal, wherein the robot cleaner can be controlled from the computer terminal. It is achieved by providing a robot cleaner system.

Here, it is preferable that the wireless communication module uses any one of a USB wireless adapter and a PCMCIA wireless LAN card.

In addition, the robot cleaner further includes an internet connection switch, and when the connection switch is turned off, the connection with the robot cleaner server is characterized in that the connection is broken.

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In addition, the robot cleaner further includes a camera capable of photographing the front side, and the image captured by the camera is characterized in that the output to the computer terminal.

In another aspect of the present invention, an object of the present invention as described above, a robot including a robot cleaner connected to the Internet through a wireless router, a computer terminal connected to the Internet, and a robot cleaner server connecting the robot cleaner and the computer terminal A control method of a cleaner system, the method comprising: determining whether an input ID and password are registered in a robot cleaner server; If the ID and password are registered, accessing the robot cleaner corresponding thereto; Outputting the robot cleaner control screen to the computer terminal; And transmitting a command input to the computer terminal to the robot cleaner and outputting an image signal or a control signal input from the robot cleaner to the computer terminal.

Here, the robot cleaner server preferably finds the robot cleaner using an IP address and a serial number.

In another aspect of the present invention, an object of the present invention as described above includes a robot cleaner connected to the Internet through a wireless router, a computer terminal connected to the Internet, and a robot cleaner server connecting the robot cleaner to the computer terminal. A control method of a robot vacuum cleaner system, the method comprising: setting an IP address and a serial number of a robot cleaner; Registering an ID and a password connected to the robot cleaner on the robot cleaner server; Accessing the robot cleaner server from the computer terminal using an ID and a password; And performing a predetermined operation by controlling the robot cleaner using the work menu output to the computer terminal.

Here, the work menu preferably includes a robot cleaner setting, cleaning work, security work.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the robot cleaner system according to the present invention includes a robot cleaner 10, a wireless router 60, a computer terminal 80, and a robot cleaner server 90.

2 and 3, the robot cleaner includes the main body 11, the sensor unit 12, the dust collecting unit 16, the driving unit 20, the upper camera 30, the front camera 32, and the control unit 40. ), A storage device 41, a wireless communication module 43, and a rechargeable battery 50.

The sensor unit 12 is an obstacle detection sensor 14 which is arranged at predetermined intervals around the side surface of the main body 11 so as to transmit a signal to the outside and receive the reflected signal, and the traveling distance can be measured The distance detecting sensor 13 is provided.

The obstacle detecting sensor 14 is arranged along the outer circumferential surface of the main body 11 in a vertical pair of the infrared light emitting element 14a for emitting infrared light and the light receiving element 14b for receiving the reflected light. Alternatively, the obstacle detection sensor 14 may emit an ultrasonic wave, and an ultrasonic sensor capable of receiving the reflected ultrasonic wave may be applied. The obstacle detecting sensor 14 is also used to measure the distance from the robot cleaner 10 to an obstacle or a wall.

The mileage detection sensor 13 may be a rotation detection sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the wheel (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b) of the drive unit 20. For example, the rotation detection sensor may be a rotary encoder installed to detect the rotation speed of the motor (23, 24).

The exhaust part 16 is provided on the main body 11 so that the air | suction can collect the dust of the floor which opposes by suctioning air. Such a suction unit 16 can be configured by a variety of known methods. As an example, the suction unit 16 includes a suction motor (not shown) and a dust collecting chamber for collecting dust sucked through a suction port or a suction pipe formed to face the floor by driving the suction motor.

The drive unit 20 is a motor for rotationally driving two wheels 21a and 21b installed on both sides of the front, two wheels 22a and 22b installed on both sides of the rear and two wheels 22a and 22b at the rear, respectively. And a timing belt 25 installed to transmit the power of the 23 and 24 and the rear wheels 22a and 22b to the front wheels 21a and 21b. The driver 20 independently drives the motors 23 and 24 to rotate in the forward or reverse directions according to the control signal of the controller 40. The running direction can be changed by controlling the rotation speed of each motor 23, 24 differently.

The front camera 32 is installed on the main body 11 so as to capture an image of the front of the robot cleaner 10, and outputs the captured image to the controller 40.

The upper camera 30 is installed on the main body 11 of the robot cleaner 10 so as to capture an image of the upper side, and outputs the captured image to the controller 40. As for the front camera 32 and the upper camera 30, a CCD camera is generally used.

The wireless communication module 43 transmits an image signal or a control signal of the robot cleaner 10 to the wireless router 60 for the image captured by the front camera 32 or the upper camera 30, and transmits the antenna 42. Transmitting the signal from the wireless router 60 received through the control unit 40. The wireless communication module 43 uses a USB wireless adapter or a PCMCIA wireless LAN card that is compatible with the wireless router 60.

The rechargeable battery 50 is installed on the main body 11, and supplies power required for the operation of the motors 23 and 24, the control unit 40, and the like of the robot cleaner 10.

The controller 40 processes the signal received from the computer terminal 80 through the wireless communication module 43, and controls the above-described elements in accordance with the signal. When a key input device (not shown) is provided on the main body 11 with a plurality of keys for manipulating the function setting of the robot cleaner 10, the controller 40 processes the key signal input from the key input device. do.

The controller 40 extracts the position recognition mark installed on the ceiling of the work area for the position recognition from the upper image captured by the upper camera 30 and then uses the current position information of the robot cleaner 10. Recognizing the position, and controls each element of the drive unit 20 and the like to perform the desired task using the recognized position information. In addition, the control unit 40 converts the front image captured by the front camera 32 into an image signal according to the received command and transmits the image to the wireless communication module 43. Then, the video signal is output to the computer terminal 80 connected to the robot cleaner server 90 via the Internet, so that the user can see the front image of the robot cleaner 10.

The wireless router 60 is connected to the Internet line 62, and wirelessly sprays the data coming from the Internet line 62 to the robot cleaner 10, and is shot through the wireless communication module 43 of the robot cleaner 10. Data, that is, an image signal or a control signal of the robot cleaner 10 is received and transmitted to the robot cleaner server 90 connected through the Internet line 62.

The computer terminal 80 is an apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving two-way signals by connecting to the Internet, and includes an input unit for inputting a command and an output unit for outputting an image. As the computer terminal 80, a personal computer used at home can be used.

The robot cleaner server 90 is operated by a company providing the robot cleaner 10 as described above. The robot cleaner server 90 is connected to a plurality of robot cleaners 10 through the Internet, and the robot cleaner server 90 is connected to a plurality of robots. An IP address, a serial number, an ID, and a password word of the cleaner 10 are stored. Therefore, when the user enters the ID and password through the computer terminal 90, the robot cleaner server 90 checks whether the ID and password are registered, and if registered, the robot cleaner corresponding to the ID and password The IP address of (10) is found and connected to the robot cleaner 10 having the address. The robot cleaner server 90 specifies an ID and a password that can be accessed for each robot cleaner 10 so that only a specific user can access his robot cleaner 10, and an IP address and a serial number are determined one-to-one. . Therefore, a user can access his robot cleaner 10 by inputting only an ID and a password into the computer terminal 80. In addition, the robot cleaner server 90 has a program installed to remotely control the robot cleaner 10, and when the computer terminal 80 is connected, the robot cleaner server 90 displays a screen for controlling the robot cleaner 10. To the output of

A method of connecting the robot cleaner 10 and the computer terminal 80 as described above with reference to FIG. 4 will now be described in detail.

When the ID and password are input through the computer terminal 80, the server 90 checks whether the input ID and password are the ID and password registered in the server 90 (S10).

If the input ID and password are the same as those registered, the server 90 finds an IP address and a serial number corresponding to the input ID and password, and accesses the robot cleaner 10 having the IP address (S20).

At the same time, the server 90 outputs the robot cleaner control screen to the computer terminal 80 (S30). Then, the user can control the robot cleaner 10 using the control screen.

Then, the server 90 relays the signal between the computer terminal 80 and the robot cleaner 10 (S40). That is, when the user instructs the security operation using the control screen, the control signal is transmitted to the wireless router 60 through the robot cleaner server 90, and the robot cleaner 10 wirelessly through the wireless router 60. Is passed to the control unit 40. Then, the controller 40 moves to the indicated place according to the received control signal, captures the image with the front camera 32, converts the image into an image signal, and then uses the wireless router 60 through the wireless communication module 43. To send. The video signal received by the wireless router 60 is output as an image to the output of the computer terminal 80 through the Internet line 62 and the robot cleaner server 90.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling the robot cleaner system as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings, first, the user sets a unique IP address and serial number in the robot cleaner 10 (S100). Setting the IP address and the serial number may be input using an IP address and serial number using a remote controller (not shown) or by using a key input device (not shown) installed in the robot cleaner main body 11. In this case, a menu for inputting an IP address and a serial number is displayed on the remote controller or the key input device.

Next, the robot cleaner server 90 is connected using the computer terminal 80. Using the robot cleaner registration screen registers the IP address and serial number of its own robot cleaner 10, and also registers the ID and password to access the robot cleaner 10 (S200). Once the ID and password is registered, later, if only the ID and password are entered into the computer terminal 80 connected to the Internet, the robot cleaner 10 can be automatically connected to give a work command.

If the settings of the IP address and serial number for the robot cleaner 10 and registration of the ID and password for the robot cleaner server 90 are completed, the robot cleaner server 90 is connected to the robot cleaner server 90 from the outside when necessary. Enter your ID and password (S300). Then, the robot cleaner server 90 checks the ID and password and connects to find the robot cleaner 10 corresponding to the robot cleaner 10 so as to receive a command from the computer terminal 80, and to the output of the computer terminal 80. The robot cleaner control screen is displayed.

The control screen consists of a menu of the robot cleaner setting, cleaning task, and security task, and the user selects a task to use and gives a task command to the robot cleaner (S400).

The robot cleaner setting menu may change the work area stored in the robot cleaner 10 so that the user may easily understand it. For example, the robot cleaner 10 may change the work area stored as room 1, room 2, room 3, etc. to a name such as a living room, a bedroom, or a multipurpose room so that the user may easily understand. In addition, in the setting menu, a user may set a specific place where the robot cleaner 10 is to be moved. An example of setting a moving place is as follows.

The user clicks the setting button on the control screen. At this time, the computer terminal 80 shows a screen captured by the front camera 32 and a manual movement button (forward, backward, left, right) for manually operating the robot cleaner 10. Then, the user clicks the manual movement button while looking at the screen, and moves the robot cleaner 10 to a place to be moved, such as a stove or a veranda. If it is moved to the stove, stop the robot cleaner 10 where the screen of the stove is easily seen, and click the OK button. Then enter a descriptive name, such as a stove. After that, when the user wants to see the state of the stove, when the gas stove is clicked, the robot cleaner 10 moves to the set position and sends the image of the stove to the computer terminal 80.

The cleaning task can be ordered to clean the entire work area or to clean only the specific work area. For example, after selecting the cleaning operation on the control screen output to the computer terminal 80, click the All button, press the start button, the robot cleaner 10 performs the cleaning for all the set work area. If the user clicks on the living room and presses the start button, the robot cleaner 10 cleans only the living room and, when the cleaning is completed, automatically returns to the charging device.

In the security operation, when a specific place set in the setting step is selected and the start button is pressed, the robot cleaner 10 moves to the place, and the image of the place captured by the front camera 32 is output to the output unit of the computer terminal 80. And print it out. For example, when the living room is selected and the start button is pressed, the robot cleaner 10 moves to the center of the living room to view the image of the living room, and when the stove is selected, the gas stove is moved to view the image of the stove. do. In addition, it is possible to view the image of the house while moving the robot cleaner 10 by operating the manual movement button of the control screen without setting a specific place.

In addition, when the robot cleaner 10 is performing work, when the stop button in the control screen is pressed, the robot cleaner 10 stops the work and stops in place. When the charge return button on the control screen is pressed, the robot cleaner 10 stops the operation and returns to the charging device.

When the user of the robot cleaner 10 is completed, the user logs out and disconnects from the robot cleaner 10. Apart from this, the robot cleaner 10 may be provided with an internet access switch (not shown) capable of blocking the connection with the Internet in hardware. When the internet connection switch is installed, the robot cleaner 10 can be controlled on the internet in the on state, and the robot cleaner 10 cannot be controlled on the internet in the off state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent hackers and the like from hacking and using the robot cleaner 10.

As described above, according to the robot cleaner system and control method thereof according to the present invention, a user can perform a predetermined operation by controlling the robot cleaner remotely using the Internet.

As described above, according to the robot cleaner system according to the present invention, the robot cleaner may be controlled from a remote place using the Internet to perform a predetermined task.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control method of a robot cleaner system capable of performing a predetermined task by controlling the robot cleaner from a remote place using the Internet.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the invention as claimed in the claims. Such changes are intended to fall within the scope of the claims.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing a robot vacuum cleaner system according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the robot cleaner of Figure 1,

3 is a block diagram of the robot cleaner of FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of connecting the robot cleaner and the computer terminal by the robot cleaner server of FIG. 1;

5 is a flow chart showing a control method of the robot vacuum cleaner system according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10; Robot cleaner 11; main body

12; Sensor unit 13; Mileage sensor

14; Obstacle detecting sensor 20; Driving part

21,22; Wheel 30; Upward camera

32; Front camera 40; Control

43; Wireless communication module 60; Wireless router

80; Computer terminal 90; Robot Vacuum Cleaner Server

Claims (9)

A robot cleaner having a specific IP address and a serial number and traveling by itself according to a command received through a wireless communication module; A wireless router connected to the Internet and transmitting / receiving image signals and / or control signals with the wireless communication module; A computer terminal connected to the Internet; And It is connected to the Internet, and stores the ID and password corresponding to the IP address and serial number, and if the ID and password are input from the computer terminal, the robot cleaner having a specific IP address and serial number corresponding to the ID and password And a robot cleaner server for connecting to the robot cleaner control screen and outputting an image signal and / or a control signal received from the robot cleaner to the computer terminal, wherein the robot cleaner can be controlled from the computer terminal. Robot vacuum cleaner system. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module, Robot cleaner system, characterized in that any one of a USB wireless adapter and a PCMCIA wireless LAN card. delete The robot cleaner system of claim 1, wherein the robot cleaner further comprises an internet connection switch, and when the connection switch is turned off, the robot cleaner server is disconnected from the robot cleaner server. The robot cleaner system of claim 1, wherein the robot cleaner further comprises a camera capable of capturing the front, and the image captured by the camera is output to the computer terminal. In the control method of the robot cleaner system comprising a robot cleaner connected to the Internet via a wireless router, a computer terminal connected to the Internet, and a robot cleaner server connecting the robot cleaner and the computer terminal, Determining whether the input ID and password are registered in the robot cleaner server; If the ID and password are registered, accessing the robot cleaner corresponding thereto; Outputting the robot cleaner control screen to the computer terminal; And Transmitting a command input to the computer terminal to the robot cleaner, and outputting an image signal or a control signal input from the robot cleaner to the computer terminal. The method of claim 6, wherein the robot cleaner server searches for a robot cleaner using an IP address and a serial number. In the control method of the robot cleaner system comprising a robot cleaner connected to the Internet via a wireless router, a computer terminal connected to the Internet, and a robot cleaner server connecting the robot cleaner and the computer terminal, Setting an IP address and a serial number on the robot cleaner; Registering an ID and a password connected to the robot cleaner with the robot cleaner server; Accessing the robot cleaner server from the computer terminal using the ID and password; And And controlling the robot cleaner to perform a predetermined task by using the job menu output to the computer terminal. The method of claim 8, wherein the operation menu includes a robot cleaner setting, a cleaning operation, and a security operation.