IP Library Granted Patent US 9,776,332
Granted Patent B2
US 9,776,332 · App. 14/354,493 · Granted Oct 3, 2017

Automatic moving apparatus and manual operation method thereof

Inventors: Seokbyung Oh (Seoul, KR); Jiwoon Hwang (Seoul, KR); Kwonyul Choi (Seoul, KR); Hyungshin Park (Yongin-Si, KR)
Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
B25J9/1697B25J9/0003G05D1/0016G05D1/0033G05D1/0038A47L2201/04B25J9/1612B25J9/1689G05D1/0276G05D2201/0203
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,776,332
App. No.
14/354,493
Granted
Oct 3, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various interfaces allowing users to directly manipulate an automatic moving apparatus manually, thus enhancing user convenience and efficiency, are provided. An automatic moving apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store a traveling method; an image detection unit configured to acquire a captured image; a driving unit having one or more wheels and driving the wheels according to a driving signal; and a control unit configured to extract a traveling direction from the traveling method stored in the storage unit in a first mode, extract a traveling direction indicated by a sensing target from the captured image acquired by the image detection unit in a second mode, and generate a driving signal for moving the automatic moving apparatus in the extracted traveling direction.

Claims (37)

1. An automatic moving apparatus comprising:

a camera configured to receive an image of surroundings;

a storage unit configured to store a traveling method;

a communication unit configured to receive control information from an external terminal device;

a driving unit having one or more wheels and driving the wheels according to a driving signal; and

a control unit configured to:

extract a first traveling direction and a first traveling distance from the traveling method stored in the storage unit in a first mode,

extract a second traveling direction and a second traveling distance from the control information received by the communication unit in a second mode,

generate a first driving signal for moving the automatic moving apparatus in the extracted first traveling direction and by the extracted first traveling distance in the first mode,

generate a second driving signal for moving the automatic moving apparatus in the extracted second traveling direction and by the extracted second traveling distance in the second mode,

wherein, when the second mode is entered, a screen capable of selecting a target for controlling the automatic moving apparatus in the second mode among a user's hand and the terminal device is displayed on the terminal device,

wherein, when the user's hand is selected through the screen displayed on the terminal device, the control unit is further configured to:

receive the image via the camera to detect the user's hand, and

move the automatic moving apparatus based on the detected the user's hand, and

wherein, when the terminal device is selected through the screen displayed on the terminal device, the control unit is further configured to:

transmit the image received through the camera to the terminal device in the second mode, wherein the image is displayed on the terminal device, and

move the automatic moving apparatus to a specific position which corresponds to a point of a touch input applied to the image displayed on the terminal device.

2. The automatic moving apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control information is information regarding a movement of the terminal device.

3. The automatic moving apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control unit generates a cleaning map, and the communication unit transmits the cleaning map to the terminal device.

4. The automatic moving apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the control information includes a series of location information on the cleaning map.

5. The automatic moving apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the control information includes image information captured by the terminal device, and the control unit analyzes the image information to detect a location on the cleaning map.

6. The automatic moving apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the communication unit receives correction information of the cleaning map and corrects the cleaning map by using the correction information.

7. The automatic moving apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the storage unit stores a driving result of the driving unit, as a new traveling method.

8. A method for controlling an operation of an automatic moving apparatus, the method comprising:

determining a manipulation mode of the automatic moving apparatus;

extracting a traveling direction and a traveling distance from a traveling method stored in a storage unit when the manipulation mode is a first mode;

extracting a traveling direction and a traveling distance from control information received from an external terminal device when the manipulation mode is a second mode;

generating a driving signal for moving the automatic moving apparatus in the extracted traveling direction and by the extracted traveling distance; and

driving wheels of the automatic moving apparatus according to the generated driving signal,

wherein, when the second mode is entered, a screen capable of selecting a target for controlling the automatic moving apparatus in the second mode among a user's hand and the terminal device is displayed on the terminal device,

wherein, when the user's hand is selected through the screen displayed on the terminal device, further comprising:

receiving an image to detect the user's hand; and

moving the automatic moving apparatus based on the detected the user's hand, and

wherein, when the terminal device is selected through the screen displayed on the terminal device, further comprising:

receiving, via a camera, an image of the surroundings;

transmitting the image received through the camera to the terminal device in the second mode, wherein the image is displayed on the terminal device; and

moving the automatic moving apparatus to a specific position which corresponds to a point of a touch input applied to the image displayed on the terminal device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2014
From: OH, SEOKBYUNG; HWANG, JIWOON; CHOI, KWONYUL; PARK, HYUNGSHIN
To: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Reel/Frame 032766/0292 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140303775A1 · Oct 9, 2014