STICK CLEANER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111 (a), of international application No. PCT/KR2024/012809, filed Aug. 27, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U. S. C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0126511, filed Sep. 21, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to a stick cleaner and a control method thereof. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a stick cleaner that uses a cleaning station jointly with a robot cleaner and a control method thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

With recent developments in electronic technology, use of robot cleaners have been increased. Developments in object recognition and traveling technology have increased convenience of robot cleaners and thereby has led to increase of users using the robot cleaners. However, despite use of the robot cleaners described above, many users still use cleaners of a form directly operably by the users such as a hand stick type or a canister cleaner (hereinafter, referred to as ‘stick cleaners’). This is because there is an advantage for the users to perform a cleaner cleaning due to being able to perform cleaning while moving the cleaner directly.

Ultimately, the users own both the robot cleaner and the stick cleaner, and use each of the cleaners (i.e., robot cleaner and stick cleaner) according to a purpose of use. Meanwhile, in most cases, the robot cleaners are sold together with cleaning stations that clean dust and foreign substances suctioned by the robot cleaner, or a mop of the robot cleaner. However, there is a disadvantage of low practicality in that the cleaning station described performs a cleaning function limited to only the robot cleaner. In other words, there is a need for a method that allows the cleaning station to be jointly used by not only the robot cleaner, but also the stick cleaner.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a stick cleaner includes a body, a head connectable with the body and to which a mop is attachable to and detachable from, a supply part that supplies water to the mop, a driving part that rotates the mop, a communication interface, a display, and one or more processors configured to identify, based on at least one from among a driving time of the stick cleaner, power consumption of the driving part, and a number of times water is supplied by the supply part, a level of contamination of the mop, determine, based on the identified level of contamination, whether to proceed with a cleaning process of the mop, transmit, based on the cleaning process being determined to proceed, information to request undocking of a robot cleaner from a cleaning station of the robot cleaner to a charging station which a wireless communication established with the stick cleaner through the communication interface, display, based on the robot cleaner being identified as being undocked from the cleaning station, docking request information with respect to the cleaning station and the stick cleaner through the display, and establish, based on the stick cleaner being identified as having docked to the cleaning station, a wireless communication with the cleaning station through the communication interface. Information requesting to undock the robot cleaner from the cleaning station is transmitted to the robot cleaner by the charging station.

In addition, the one or more processors may be configured to transmit, based on the stick cleaner being identified as having docked to the cleaning station, information requesting to release a wireless communication connection with the cleaning station of the robot cleaner to the charging station through the communication interface, and perform, based on the robot cleaner being identified as having released wireless communication connection with the cleaning station, the wireless communication connection with the cleaning station through the communication interface.

In addition, the one or more processors may be configured to receive identification information of the cleaning station from the charging station through the communication interface, and perform wireless communication connection with the cleaning station through the communication interface based on the received identification information of the charging station. The identification information of the cleaning station may be transmitted to the charging station by the robot cleaner that received information requesting to release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station.

In addition, the one or more processors may be configured to identify, based on receiving identification information of the cleaning station, the robot cleaner as having released wireless communication connection with the cleaning station.

In addition, the one or more processors may be configured to calculate a level of contamination corresponding to a driving time of the stick cleaner, apply a weight value to the level of contamination based on power consumption of the driving part being greater than or equal to a pre-set first value, and determine to proceed with a cleaning process of the mop based on a level of contamination applied with the weight value being greater than or equal to a pre-set level of contamination.

In addition, the one or more processors may be configured to calculate a level of contamination corresponding to a driving time of the stick cleaner, apply a weight value to the level of contamination based on the number of times water is supplied being greater than or equal to a pre-set second value, and determine to proceed with a cleaning process of the mop based on a level of contamination applied with the second weight value being greater than or equal to a pre-set level of contamination.

In addition, the one or more processors may be configured to receive, while a mop cleaning process of the stick cleaner docked to the cleaning station is in progress, cleaning process information from the cleaning station through the communication interface, identify a control command corresponding to the mop cleaning process based on the received cleaning process information, and control the driving part based on the identified control command.

In addition, the one or more processors may be configured to release, based on the cleaning process being identified as completed based on the received cleaning process information, wireless communication connection with the cleaning station, and transmit information requesting to perform docking with respect to a cleaning station of the robot cleaner and wireless communication connection with the cleaning station to the charging station through the communication interface. Information requesting to perform docking with respect to the cleaning station and wireless communication connection with the cleaning station may be transmitted to the robot cleaner by the charging station.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a control method of a stick cleaner includes identifying, based on at least one from among a driving time of the stick cleaner, power consumption of a driving part that rotates a mop attachable to and detachable from a head of the stick cleaner, and a number of times water is supplied by a supply part that supplies water to the mop, a level of contamination of the mop, determining, based on the identified level of contamination, whether to proceed with a cleaning process of the mop, transmitting, based on proceeding with the cleaning process being determined, information to request undocking of a robot cleaner from a cleaning station of the robot cleaner to a charging station which has a wireless communication established with the stick cleaner through a communication interface of the stick cleaner, displaying, based on the robot cleaner being identified as being undocked from the cleaning station, docking request information between the cleaning station and the stick cleaner through a display of the stick cleaner, and establishing, based on the stick cleaner being identified as having docked to the cleaning station, wireless communication with the cleaning station through the communication interface. Information requesting to undock the robot cleaner from the cleaning station of the robot cleaner is transmitted to the robot cleaner by the charging station.

In addition, establishing wireless communication with the cleaning station may include transmitting, based on the stick cleaner being identified as having docked to the cleaning station, information requesting to release a wireless communication connection with the cleaning station of the robot cleaner to the charging station through the communication interface, and establishing, based on the robot cleaner being identified as having released wireless communication connection with the cleaning station, the wireless communication connection with the cleaning station through the communication interface.

In addition, establishing wireless communication with the cleaning station may further include receiving identification information of the cleaning station from the charging station through the communication interface, and performing wireless communication connection with the cleaning station through the communication interface based on the received identification information of the station. Identification information of the cleaning station may be transmitted to the charging station by the robot cleaner that received information requesting to release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station.

In addition, the control method may further include identifying, based on receiving identification information of the cleaning station, the robot cleaner as having released wireless communication connection with the cleaning station.

In addition, identifying a level of contamination of the mop may include calculating a level of contamination corresponding to a driving time of the stick cleaner, and applying a first weight value to the level of contamination based on power consumption of the driving part being greater than or equal to a pre-set first value, and determining whether to proceed with a cleaning process of the mop may include determining as proceeding with a cleaning process of the mop based on a level of contamination applied with the first weight value being greater than or equal to a pre-set level of contamination.

In addition, identifying a level of contamination of the mop may include calculating a level of contamination corresponding to a driving time of the stick cleaner, and applying a second weight value to the level of contamination based on the number of times water is supplied being greater than or equal to a pre-set second value, and determining whether to proceed with a cleaning process of the mop may include determining as proceeding with a cleaning process of the mop based on a level of contamination applied with the second weight value being greater than or equal to a pre-set level of contamination.

In addition, the control method may include receiving, while a mop cleaning process of the stick cleaner docked to the cleaning station is in progress, cleaning process information from the cleaning station through the communication interface, and identifying a control command corresponding to the cleaning process based on the received cleaning process information, and controlling the driving part based on the identified control command.

In addition, the control method may include releasing, based on the cleaning process being identified as completed based on the received cleaning process information, a wireless communication connection with the cleaning station, and transmitting information requesting to perform docking with respect to a cleaning station of the robot cleaner and the wireless communication connection with the cleaning station to the charging station through the communication interface. Information requesting to perform docking with respect to the cleaning station and wireless communication connection with the cleaning station may be transmitted to the robot cleaner by the charging station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating a stick cleaner, a charging station of the stick cleaner, a robot cleaner, and a cleaning station of the robot cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a stick cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a stick cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating calculating a level of contamination of a mop taking into consideration a driving time of a stick cleaner, power consumption of a driving part, and a number of times water is supplied by a supply part according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating a network connection between a stick cleaner, a charging station, a robot cleaner, and a cleaning station according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating transmitting information requesting to release docking with respect to a cleaning station of a robot cleaner to a charging station according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating identifying docking release with respect to a cleaning station of a robot cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating a method for requesting to release wireless communication connection with respect to a cleaning station of a robot cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating wireless communication between a docked stick cleaner and a cleaning station being established according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating transmitting, when a cleaning process is completed, information requesting to perform docking with respect to a cleaning station of a robot cleaner and wireless communication connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a stick cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various modifications may be made to the embodiments of the disclosure, and there may be various types of embodiments. Accordingly, specific embodiments will be illustrated in drawings, and described in detail in the detailed description. However, it should be noted that the various embodiments are not for limiting the scope of the disclosure to a specific embodiment, but they should be interpreted to include all modifications, equivalents or alternatives of the embodiments included in the ideas and the technical scopes disclosed herein. With respect to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to indicate like elements.

In describing the disclosure, in case it is determined that the detailed description of related known technologies may unnecessarily confuse the gist of the disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, the embodiments below may be modified to various different forms, and it is to be understood that the scope of the technical spirit of the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments below. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and to fully convey the technical spirit of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Terms used in the disclosure have been merely used to describe a specific embodiment, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection. A singular expression includes a plural expression, unless otherwise specified.

In the disclosure, expressions such as “have”, “may have”, “include”, and “may include” are used to designate a presence of a corresponding characteristic (e.g., elements such as numerical value, function, operation, or component), and not to preclude a presence or a possibility of additional characteristics.

In the disclosure, expressions such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and/or B”, or “one or more of A and/or B” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. For example, “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, or “at least one of A or B” may refer to all cases including (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) both of at least one A and at least one B.

Expressions such as “1st”, “2nd”, “first”, or “second” used in the disclosure may limit various elements regardless of order and/or importance, and may be used merely to distinguish one element from another element and not limit the relevant element.

When a certain element (e.g., first element) is indicated as being “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” or “connected to” another element (e.g., second element), it may be understood as the certain element being directly coupled with/to the another element or as being coupled through other element (e.g., third element).

Conversely, when the certain element (e.g., first element) is indicated as “directly coupled with/to” or “directly connected to” another element (e.g., second element), it may be understood as the other element (e.g., third element) not being present between the certain element and the another element.

The expression “configured to . . . (or set up to)” used in the disclosure may be used interchangeably with, for example, “suitable for . . . ”, “having the capacity to . . . ”, “designed to . . . ”, “adapted to . . . ”, “made to . . . ”, or “capable of . . . ” based on circumstance. The term “configured to . . . (or set up to)” may not necessarily mean “specifically designed to” in terms of hardware.

Rather, in a certain circumstance, the expression “a device configured to . . . ” may mean something that the device “may perform . . . ” together with another device or components. For example, a phrase “a processor configured to (or set up to) perform A, B, and C” may mean a dedicated processor for performing a relevant operation (e.g., an embedded processor), or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor) capable of performing the relevant operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

The term ‘module’ or ‘part’ used in the embodiments perform at least one function or operation, and may be implemented with hardware or software, or implemented with a combination of hardware and software. In addition, a plurality of ‘modules’ or a plurality of ‘parts’, except for a ‘module’ or a ‘part’ which needs to be implemented with a specific hardware, may be integrated in at least one module and implemented as at least one processor.

Meanwhile, various elements and areas in the drawings have been schematically illustrated. Accordingly, the technical spirit of the disclosure is not limited by relative sizes and distances illustrated in the accompanied drawings.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings to aid in the understanding of those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating a stick cleaner 100, a charging station 200 of the stick cleaner 100, a robot cleaner 300, and a cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the stick cleaner 100, the charging station 200 of the stick cleaner 100, the robot cleaner 300, and the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 may be positioned within a same space and home. This is due to the stick cleaner 100 and the robot cleaner 300 perform cleaning of the same space (or home, etc.), and the stick cleaner 100, the charging station 200 of the stick cleaner 100, the robot cleaner 300, and the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 may configure a cleaning system.

The stick cleaner 100 may be held at the charging station 200. Here, the charging station 200 may perform a role of a support fixture to which the stick cleaner 100 is fixed and held, and the stick cleaner 100 being held at the charging station 200 may be charged.

Meanwhile, the robot cleaner 300 may travel a space in which the robot cleaner 300 is positioned based on map data stored in the robot cleaner 300, and perform a cleaning operation. At this time, the robot cleaner 300 may perform various cleaning operations (e.g., dust suctioning, mop cleaning, etc.) according to a user command, and in particular, perform a mop cleaning of a floor surface of a space using a mop attached to a bottom surface of the robot cleaner 300.

The robot cleaner 300 that performed the mop cleaning may perform, when the mop cleaning is completed (or when a cleaning command of the user is input), cleaning of the contaminated mop by docking at the cleaning station 400 and performing mop cleaning. Specifically, the robot cleaner 300 may move to the identified cleaning station 400 after identifying the position of the cleaning station 400 on the map data when the mop cleaning is completed. Then, the robot cleaner 300 may perform an operation necessary to the mop cleaning after docking at the cleaning station 400. For example, the robot cleaner 300 docked at the cleaning station 400 may rotate the mop while the cleaning process is in progress for washing of the mop to be performed properly.

Meanwhile, the cleaning station 400 may perform cleaning of the robot cleaner 300 that is docked at the cleaning station 400. Specifically, the cleaning station 400 may be included with a roller brush that moves back and forth from side to side, a protrusion or a nozzle that sprays cleaning liquid (or water), and the like. In addition, the cleaning station 400 may include a fan and heating lines for discharging hot air. The cleaning station 400 may perform, when the robot cleaner 300 is identified as docked at the cleaning station 400, a cleaning process of the mop attached at the bottom surface of the robot cleaner 300. For example, the cleaning station 400 may wash the mop by spraying a cleaning liquid or water at the mop, and dry the mop by discharging hot air at the washing completed mop. Meanwhile, the cleaning station 400 may not only performing cleaning of the mop of the robot cleaner 300, but also charge the robot cleaner 300.

Meanwhile, the cleaning station 400 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may perform not only cleaning of the robot cleaner 300, but also cleaning of the stick cleaner 100. In other words, the stick cleaner 100 and the robot cleaner 300 may jointly use the cleaning station 400.

Specifically, a mop may be attached to a head of the stick cleaner 100. Further, if a user 1 docks the head of the stick cleaner 100 at the cleaning station 400, and the cleaning station 400 detects the docking of the head of the stick cleaner 100 or receives input of a cleaning process command, a cleaning process for the head of the stick cleaner 100 may be performed. To this end, a docking part of the cleaning station 40 to which the head of the stick cleaner 100 and the robot cleaner 300 are docked may be designed based on a size of the head of the stick cleaner 100 and a size of the robot cleaner 300.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the stick cleaner 100 may determine a level of contamination of the mop of the stick cleaner 100, and identify whether proceeding with the cleaning process of the mop is necessary. Specifically, if proceeding with the cleaning process of the mop of the stick cleaner 100 is identified as necessary, the cleaning process of the mop of the stick cleaner 100 may be carried out by identifying whether the robot cleaner 300 is docked at the cleaning station 400. The above is for adjusting an order of the cleaning process in the cleaning station 400 between the robot cleaner 300 and the stick cleaner 100 such that a user may smoothly perform cleaning of the stick cleaner 100. An embodiment of the disclosure associated therewith will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the stick cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the stick cleaner 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The stick cleaner 100 may include a body 110, a head 120, a supply part 121, a driving part 122, a communication interface 130, a display 140, and one or more processors 150.

The body 110 may be a main body of a cleaner and performs a role of supporting the cleaner 100. At one side of the body 110, a handle part which the user is capable of gripping may be provided, and an opposite side of the main body 110 may be connected with the head 120 for suctioning dust and the like. In addition, inside of the body 110 may include a fan (or drum), a motor, and the like for dust to be suctioned from the head 120.

The head 120 may be a configuration for suctioning dust, and may include a brush, a motor, a fan (or drum), and the like. At this time, the head 120 may suction dust on a cleaning surface to be cleaned to the inside of the stick cleaner 100 (i.e., inside of the main body 110) by rotating the fan (or drum) as the motor is rotated. The brush may be implemented with material of low friction coefficient and good wear-resistance such as natural hair or polyamide (PA: nylon).

Meanwhile, a mop may be attached to the head 120. Specifically, an adhesive part to which at least one mop is attached may be included at a bottom surface of the head 120, and at this time, when the mop is attached to the adhesive part, the head 120 may perform the mop cleaning of the floor surface. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the head 120 may be implemented as a plurality of heads 120 to be substitutable according to suction cleaning or mop cleaning.

Meanwhile, the head 120 may include the supply part 121 and the driving part 122. Here, the supply part 121 may supply water to the mop attached to the head 120 or spray water at the floor surface based on a water supply condition set according to a water supply command of the user or a pre-set interval. To this end, the supply part 121 may include a hose, a nozzle, and the like.

In addition, the head 120 may include the driving part 122 which rotates the mop. Specifically, the driving part 122 may rotate the at least one mop attached to the head 120 (or the adhesive part to which the mop is attached) for the stick cleaner 100 to perform mop cleaning of the floor surface. To this end, the driving part 122 may further include a motor, a driving circuit, and the like.

The communication interface 130 may allow, through wireless communication methods of various forms, information to be transmitted and received between the stick cleaner 100 and an external device. In an example, the communication interface 130 may perform communication with an external device using a Bluetooth communication method. Specifically, the stick cleaner 100 may perform, through the communication interface 130, Bluetooth communication with an external device based on a Basic Rate (BR) method, an Enhanced Data RATE (EDR) method, a High Speed (HS) method, a Low Energy (LE) method, and the like.

Meanwhile, the communication interface 130 may include a plurality of Bluetooth communication modules. Specifically, the communication interface 130 may include a plurality of Bluetooth communication modules for performing Bluetooth communication that include a Bluetooth communication module which allows for the stick cleaner 100 to perform a peripheral role (i.e., operate as a peripheral device), and a Bluetooth communication module which allows for the stick cleaner 100 to perform a central role (i.e., operate as a central device). Through the above, the stick cleaner 100 may be simultaneously connected via Bluetooth with a plurality of external devices.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the stick cleaner 100 may be connected with the charging station 200 via Bluetooth. At this time, the stick cleaner 100 may be a peripheral device when communicating via Bluetooth with the charging station 200 and thereby, the charging station 200 may be a central device.

Specifically, the stick cleaner 100 may receive, when an “Advertising Signal” included with identification information (e.g., MAC address, etc.) of the stick cleaner 100 is transmitted to the surrounding, “Connection Request Signal” may be received from the charging station 200 that received the above. Then, the stick cleaner 100 and the charging station 200 may be Bluetooth connected.

Meanwhile, to this end, a pairing process must be carried out in advance between the stick cleaner 100 and the charging station 200. The pairing process may mean a process of registration between each device that communicate via Bluetooth. Specifically, the above may mean a process of generating bonding by exchanging and registering profile information between each of the devices.

For example, the stick cleaner 100 and the charging station 200 may exchange identification information (e.g., MAC address, etc.) of each device and store in each memory thereof (not shown). In addition, a password necessary for Bluetooth connection may be set. After the pairing process is performed, the stick cleaner 100 and the charging station 200 may automatically perform the Bluetooth connection without a separate pairing process.

The display 140 may display various visual information. To this end, the above may be implemented as displays of various forms such as, for example, and without limitation, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and a plasma display panel (PDP). In the display 140, a driving circuit, which may be implemented in a form of an a-si TFT, a low temperature poly silicon (LTPS) TFT, an organic TFT (OTFT), or the like, a backlight unit, and the like may be included. Meanwhile, the display 140 may be implemented as a touch screen coupled with a touch sensor, a flexible display, a three-dimensional display (3D display), or the like.

The one or more processors 150 may control the overall operation of the stick cleaner 100. Specifically, the one or more processors 150 may control the overall operation of the cleaner by being electrically connected with various elements in the stick cleaner 100 such as, for example, and without limitation, the supply part 121, the driving part 122, the communication interface 130, the display 140, and the like. To this end, the one or more processors 150 may include a random access memory (RAM; not shown), a read only memory (ROM; not shown), a central processing unit (CPU; not shown), a graphics processing unit (GPU; not shown), a system BUS (not shown), and the like, and execute computation or data processing associated with control of one or more elements included in an electronic apparatus.

The one or more processors 150 may control one or more elements included in the electronic apparatus by executing one or more instructions stored in a storage (not shown), or control one or more elements as a hardware circuit or chip, or control one or more elements with combination of software and hardware.

The one or more processors 150 may include one or more from among a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a many integrated core (MIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a neural processing unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. The one or more processors 150 may control one or a random combination from among other elements of the electronic apparatus, and perform an operation associated with communication or data processing. The one or more processors 150 may execute one or more programs or instruction stored in memory. For example, the one or more processors 150 may perform, by executing one or more instructions stored in memory, a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

When a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one processor, or performed by a plurality of processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to an embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first processor (e.g., a generic-purpose processor) and the third operation may be performed by a second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence dedicated processor).

The one or more processors may be implemented as a single core processor that includes one core, or implemented as one or more multicore processors that include a plurality of cores (e.g., a homogeneous multicore or a heterogeneous multicore). If the one or more processors are implemented as multicore processors, each of the plurality of cores included in the multicore processors may include memory inside the processor 150 such as a cache memory and an on-chip memory, and a common cache shared by the plurality of cores may be included in the multicore processors. In addition, each of the plurality of cores (or a portion from among the plurality of cores) included in the multicore processors may independently read and perform a program command for implementing a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure, or read and perform a program command for implementing a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure due to a whole (or a portion) of the plurality of cores being interconnected.

When a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one core from among the plurality of cores or performed by the plurality of cores included in the multicore processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to an embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first core included in the multicore processors, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first core included in the multicore processors and the third operation may be performed by a second core included in the multicore processors.

In the embodiments of the disclosure, the processor 150 may mean a system on chip (SoC), a single core processor, or a multicore processor in which the one or more processors and other electronic components are integrated or a core included in the single core processor or the multicore processors, and the core herein may be implemented as the CPU, the GPU, the APU, the MIC, the DSP, the NPU, the hardware accelerator, the machine learning accelerator, or the like, but is not limited to the embodiments of the disclosure.

For convenience of description below, the one or more processors 150 will be referred to as the ‘processor 150.’

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 150 may identify, based on at least one from among a driving time of the stick cleaner 100, power consumption of the driving part 122, and a number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121, a level of contamination of the mop (S310).

Here, the level of contamination of the mop may be a value that quantifies a degree to which the mop is contaminated, and the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination of the mop based on at least one from among the driving time of the stick cleaner 100, power consumption of the driving part 122, and the number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121.

Then, the processor 150 may determine, based on the identified level of contamination, whether to proceed with a cleaning process of the mop (S320). Specifically, the processor 150 may determine, based on the level of contamination being identified as high, as proceeding with the cleaning process with respect to the mop. Specifically, the processor 150 may determine to proceed with the cleaning process of the mop based on the calculated level of contamination being identified as greater than or equal to a pre-set value.

A detailed method for calculating the level of contamination of the mop will be described below.

In an example, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination of the mop based on the driving time of the stick cleaner 100. Specifically, the processor 150 may identify that the level of contamination of the mop is high as the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 becomes longer, and calculate the level of contamination of the mop in a high value. Here, the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 may be time spent after the stick cleaner 100 is turned-on. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the processor 150 may identify the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 by calculating only the time with which the stick cleaner 100 performed mop cleaning. Specifically, the processor 150 may calculate time with which the stick cleaner 100 performed mop cleaning based on time with which the driving part 120 that rotates the mop operated.

In addition, as an example, the processor 150 may calculate, based on power consumption of the driving part 122, the level of contamination of the mop. Specifically, the processor 150 may identify, while the stick cleaner 100 is performing mop cleaning, the level of contamination of the mop is high the greater the power consumption of the driving part 122 is, and calculate the level of contamination in a high value. Here, power consumption of the driving part 122 may be power consumed by the motor of the driving part 122 in order to rotate the mop while the stick cleaner 100 is performing mop cleaning. The driving part 122 may consume more power the longer the mop is rotated for a long time. In addition thereto, the driving part 122 may consume more power the greater the load transferred to the mop (or head to which the mop is attached) is. Specifically, the more pressure the user applies to the head of the stick cleaner 100 (e.g., if the user performs mopping by placing the head of the stick cleaner 100 more closely with the floor surface), more load is transferred to the head of the mop, and at this time, greater power may be consumed at the driving part 122 in order to rotate the mop. The processor 150 may determine, based on power consumed by the driving part being greater, the mop as having been used for a long time or the mop as having performed cleaning more closely to the floor surface, and calculate the level of contamination in a high value by determining that the level of contamination of the mop is high. Meanwhile, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination of the mop based on driving current applied to the driving part 122 in addition to power consumption.

Meanwhile, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination of the mop taking into consideration the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 and power consumption of the driving part 122.

As an example, a level of contamination corresponding to a driving time of the stick cleaner 100 may be calculated, and a first weight value may be applied to the level of contamination if power consumption of the driving part 122 is greater than or equal to a pre-set first value. Specifically, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination of the mop in proportion to the driving time of the stick cleaner 100. In other words, because the level of contamination of the mop is identified as high as the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 becomes longer, the processor 150 may identify the driving time of the stick cleaner 100, and calculate the level of contamination in proportion to the identified driving time. For example, the processor 150 may identify the driving time on a second basis, and identify the identified driving time as the level of contamination. At this time, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination taking into consideration characteristics of a space in which the stick cleaner 100 is positioned (e.g., characteristics of the floor surface, etc.), a total driving time of the stick cleaner 100 (i.e., the amount of time the stick cleaner 100 has been used since initial activation) and the like together therewith.

Then, the processor 150 may identify power consumption of the driving part 122, and identify whether the identified power consumption of the driving part 122 is greater than or equal to the pre-set first value. Then, the processor 150 may apply, based on power consumption of the driving part 122 being identified as greater than or equal to the pre-set first value, the first weight value to the calculated level of contamination. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the processor 150 may set, based on power consumption of the driving part 122 being greater than or equal to the pre-set first value, the first weight value corresponding to power consumption of the driving part 122, and apply the set first weight value to the level of contamination. In other words, the higher the power consumption is, the first weight value may be set in a high value.

Meanwhile, the processor 150 may determine to proceed with a cleaning process 150 of the mop based on a level of contamination applied with the first weight value being greater than or equal to a pre-set level of contamination. For example, if the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 is 70 seconds, the first weight value is 1.5, the pre-set first value is 30 W, and the pre-set level of contamination is 100, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination corresponding to the driving time as 70. Further, the processor 150 may apply, based on power consumption of the driving part 122 being identified as 40 W while the stick cleaner 100 is performing mop cleaning, the first weight value (1.5) to the calculated level of contamination (70). In other words, the processor 150 may calculate a level of contamination (105) applied with the first weight value (1.5). Further, because the level of contamination (105) applied with the first weight value (1.5) is identified as greater than or equal to the pre-set level of contamination (100), the processor 150 may determine to proceed with the cleaning process with respect to the mop.

In addition, as an example, the processor 150 may calculate, while the stick cleaner 100 is performing mop cleaning, the level of contamination of the mop based on the number of times water is supplied with respect to the mop by the supply part 121. Specifically, because an amount of dust and contaminants that attach to the mop increases as the number of times water is supplied increases, the processor 150 may identify as the level of contamination of the mop being high the more the number of times water is supplied increases. Accordingly, the processor 150 may identify the level of contamination of the mop as being high the more the number of times water is supplied increases, and calculate the level of contamination in a high value.

Meanwhile, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination of the mop taking into consideration the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 and the number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121.

As an example, the one or more processors 150 may calculate the level of contamination corresponding to the driving time of the stick cleaner 100, and apply a second weight value to the level of contamination if the number of times water is supplied is greater than or equal to a pre-set second value. Specifically, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination of the mop in proportion to the driving time of the stick cleaner 100. With respect to the above, because the above-described example can be identically applied, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Then, the processor 150 may identify a number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121, and identify whether power consumption of the identified number of times water is supplied is greater than or equal to the pre-set second value. Then, the processor 150 may apply, based on the number of times water is supplied by the driving part 122 being identified as greater than or equal to the pre-set second value, the second weight value to the calculated level of contamination. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the processor 150 may set the second weight value corresponding to the number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121 if the number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121 is greater than or equal to the pre-set second value, and apply the set second weight value to the level of contamination. In other words, the second weight value may be set in a high value the more number of times water is supplied.

Meanwhile, the processor 150 may determine to proceed with the cleaning process 150 of the mop based on a level of contamination applied with the second weight value being greater than or equal to the pre-set level of contamination. For example, if the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 is 80 seconds, the second weight value is 1.25, the pre-set second value is three times, and the pre-set level of contamination is 100, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination corresponding to the driving time as 80. Then, the processor 150 may apply, based on the number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121 being identified as four times while the stick cleaner 100 is performing mop cleaning, the first weight value (1.25) to the calculated level of contamination (80). In other words, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination (100) applied with the second weight value (1.25). Then, because the level of contamination (100) applied with the second weight value (1.25) is identified as greater than or equal to the pre-set level of contamination (100), the processor 150 may determine to proceed with the cleaning process with respect to the mop.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating calculating a level of contamination of a mop taking into consideration a driving time of the stick cleaner 100, power consumption of the driving part 122, and a number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

In addition, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination of the mop taking into consideration the driving time of the stick cleaner 100, power consumption of the driving part 122, and the number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121. As an example, referring to FIG. 4, the processor 150 may identify, when a mop cleaning operation of the stick cleaner 100 is started, the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 (S41). Then, the processor 150 may calculate the level of contamination corresponding to the driving time of the stick cleaner 100 in real-time (S42). At this time, the processor 150 may identify whether power consumption of the driving part 122 is greater than or equal to the first value (S43), and when power consumption of the driving part 122 is identified as greater than or equal to the first value, apply the first weight value to the calculated level of contamination (S45).

In addition, the processor 150 may identify whether the number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121 is greater than or equal to the second value (S44), and when the number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121 is identified as greater than or equal to the second value, apply the second weight value to the calculated level of contamination (S46). Accordingly, if power consumption of the driving part 122 is identified as greater than or equal to the first value, and the number of times water is supplied by the supply part 121 is identified as greater than or equal to the second value, the first and second weight values may be applied together to the level of contamination. Meanwhile, the processor 150 may identify whether a level of contamination applied with a weight value (i.e., at least one from among the first and second weight values) is greater than or equal to the pre-set level of contamination (S47), and determine whether to proceed with the cleaning process of the mop (S48).

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating a network connection between a stick cleaner, a charging station, a robot cleaner, and a cleaning station according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating transmitting information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 150 may transmit, based on proceeding with the cleaning process being determined, information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200 which established wireless communication with the stick cleaner 100 through the communication interface 130 (S330 of FIG. 3).

Specifically, referring to FIG. 6, the processor 150 may request, based on proceeding with the cleaning process being determined (1), a docking release with respect to the cleaning station 400 to the robot cleaner 300 through the charging station 200. At this time, the processor 150 may transmit (2) information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200 through the communication interface 130. Specifically, the stick cleaner 100 may transmit a data packet included with information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200 through the communication interface 130.

As an example, referring to FIG. 5, the stick cleaner 100 may be connected in advance via Bluetooth with the charging station 200 through the communication interface 130. Accordingly, the processor 150 may transmit the data packet included with information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200 through the communication interface 130.

Meanwhile, information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 may be transmitted to the robot cleaner 300 by the charging station 200. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the cleaning station 400 and the robot cleaner 300 may perform wireless communication via WiFi through the same WiFi Access Point (AP) (e.g., router, etc.) in a home.

Referring to FIG. 6, the cleaning station 400 may transfer, based on receiving information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 from the stick cleaner 100, the received information (i.e., information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300) to the robot cleaner 300 through the WiFi AP, or request (3) release of docking to the robot cleaner 300. For example, the charging station 200 may transmit the data packet included with information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the robot cleaner 300 through a WiFi communication based communication interface.

The processor 150 may receive approval from the user on whether to proceed with the cleaning process of the stick cleaner 100 through the display 140. As an example, the processor 150 may display information indicating the level of contamination of the mop of the stick cleaner 100 through the display 140, and display a message or the like indicating that proceeding with the cleaning process of the mop is necessary. Then, the processor 150 may transmit, based on receiving input of a user command approving the proceeding of the cleaning process through the display 140 of a user interface, information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200 that established wireless communication with the stick cleaner 100 through the communication interface 130.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating identifying docking release with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating a method for requesting to release wireless communication connection with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Meanwhile, the processor 150 may display, based on the robot cleaner 300 being identified as having released docking with respect to the cleaning station 400, docking request information with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the stick cleaner 100 through the display 140 (S340 of FIG. 3).

Specifically, the processor 150 may identify the release of docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300. To this end, the processor 150 may receive information checking whether to dock with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 from the charging station 200.

For example, referring to FIG. 7, the robot cleaner 300 that received the information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 from the charging station 200 may transmit information indicating whether to dock with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the stick cleaner 100. Specifically, the robot cleaner 300 may transmit (4) information indicating docking release to the stick cleaner 100 through the charging station 200 after having released docking from the cleaning station 400.

At this time, the robot cleaner 300 may transmit, based on the robot cleaner 300 not already being in a docked state at the charging station 200 at a time-point of having received the information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 from the charging station 200, information indicating that the robot cleaner 300 is not in the docked state at the charging station 200 to the cleaning station 400. Alternatively, the robot cleaner 300 may transmit, based on the robot cleaner 300 which was docked at the cleaning station 400 releasing docking and deviating from the cleaning station 400 after receiving the information requesting to release docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 from the charging station 200, information indicating release of docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200.

Then, the charging station 200 may transfer the information received from the robot cleaner 300 (i.e., any one of information indicating that the robot cleaner 300 is not in the docked state at the charging station 200 or information indicating release of docking of the robot vacuum cleaner 300 with respect to the charging station 200) to the stick cleaner 100. Alternatively, the charging station 200 may transmit (5), based on the received information, information notifying that the robot cleaner 300 has been released from docking at the cleaning station 400 to the stick cleaner 100.

Through the above, the processor 150 may identify that the docking has been released with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300. Then, the processor 150 may display (6) docking request information with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the stick cleaner 100 through the display 140. For example, a message or the like requesting to dock the stick cleaner 100 at the cleaning station 400 may be displayed.

Then, the processor 150 may establish, based on the stick cleaner 100 being identified as having docked at the cleaning station 400, wireless communication with the cleaning station 400 through the communication interface 130 (S350 of FIG. 3). In other words, the processor 150 may perform, based on the stick cleaner 100 being identified as having docked at the cleaning station 400, wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 through the communication interface 130.

As an example, the processor 150 may perform Bluetooth connection with the cleaning station 400 through the communication interface 130. At this time, for Bluetooth connection with the cleaning station 400, the processor 150 may transmit, based on the stick cleaner 100 being identified has having docked at the cleaning station 400, information requesting to release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200 through the communication interface 130.

The processor 150 may identify whether the stick cleaner 100 has docked with respect to the cleaning station 400. For example, whether the stick cleaner 100 has docked with respect to the cleaning station 400 may be identified by the cleaning station 400. Specifically, based on the head of the stick cleaner 100 being identified as having docked at the cleaning station 400 based on a sensor included in the cleaning station 400, the cleaning station 400 may transmit docking information of the stick cleaner 100 to the robot cleaner 300 through Bluetooth communication. Then, the robot cleaner 300 may transmit the received docking information of the stick cleaner 100 to the charging station 200 through WiFi communication, and the charging station 200 that received the docking information of the stick cleaner 100 may transmit to the stick cleaner 100 through Bluetooth communication.

Through the above, the stick cleaner 100 may identify the docking of the stick cleaner 100 (more particularly, docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the head of the stick cleaner 100). Then, referring to FIG. 8, the processor 150 may transmit (7), based on the stick cleaner 100 being identified as having docked at the cleaning station 400, information requesting to release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200 through the communication interface 130. At this time, information requesting to release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 may be transmitted to the robot cleaner 300 by the charging station 200. In other words, the charging station 200 that received the information requesting to release wireless communication connection from the stick cleaner 100 may transfer the received information (i.e., information requesting to release wireless communication connection with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300) to the robot cleaner 300 through a WiFI AP, or directly request (8) the release of wireless communication connection to the robot cleaner 300. For example, the charging station 200 may transmit the data packet included with information requesting to release wireless communication connection with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the robot cleaner 300 through the WiFi communication based communication interface. Meanwhile, the robot cleaner 300 that received a request for the release of wireless communication connection from the charging station 200 or that received information requesting to release wireless communication connection may release (9) the wireless communication connection with the charging station 300. For example, the robot cleaner 300 may release Bluetooth connection with the cleaning station.

Meanwhile, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the processor 150 may transmit, based on the robot cleaner 300 being identified as having been released from docking with respect to the cleaning station 400, information requesting to release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 to the charging station 200.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating wireless communication between the docked stick cleaner 100 and the cleaning station 400 being established according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As an example, referring to FIG. 9, the processor 150 may perform, based on the robot cleaner 300 being identified as having released wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400, wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 through the communication interface 130.

Specifically, the processor 150 may identify that the wireless communication connection of the robot cleaner 300 and the cleaning station 400 has been released. To this end, the processor 150 may receive information checking the release of wireless communication connection of the robot cleaner 300 and the cleaning station 400 from the charging station 200.

Specifically, the robot cleaner 300 that received the information requesting to release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 from the charging station 200 may transmit (10) information checking the release of wireless communication connection after having released wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 (specifically, checking whether wireless communication connection between the robot cleaner 300 and the cleaning station 400 has been released) to the charging station 200.

Then, the charging station 200 may transfer the information received from the robot cleaner 300 (i.e., information checking that wireless communication connection between the robot cleaner 300 and the cleaning station 400 has been released) to the stick cleaner 100. Alternatively, the charging station 200 may transmit (11)), based on the received information, information notifying that the connection between the robot cleaner 300 and the cleaning station 400 has been released to the stick cleaner 100. Through the above, the processor 150 may identify that the wireless communication connection between the robot cleaner 300 and the cleanings station 400 has been released. Then, the processor 150 may perform (12), wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 through the communication interface 130.

As an example, in performing Bluetooth connection (and communication), the stick cleaner 100 may perform the central role, and perform the peripheral role. Accordingly, the processor 150 may scan the “advertising signal” that is periodically transmitted from the cleaning station 400 which released Bluetooth connection with the robot cleaner 300. Specifically, the processor 150 may identify, using the identification information (e.g., MAC address, frequency, etc.) of the cleaning station 400 of the stick cleaner 100, the “advertising signal” transmitted from the cleaning station 400, and transmit a “connection request signal” to the cleaning station 400. Accordingly, the processor 150 may perform Bluetooth connection with the cleaning station 400 of the stick cleaner 100. Meanwhile, the stick cleaner 100 and the cleaning station 400 may be Bluetooth connected based on a frequency hopping method.

The processor 150 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may receive identification information of the cleaning station 400 from the charging station 200 through the communication interface 130, and perform wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 through the communication interface 130 based on the received identification information of the station. At this time, the identification information of the cleaning station 400 may be transmitted to the charging station 200 by the robot cleaner 300 that received the information requesting to release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400.

Specifically, the processor 150 may select the cleaning station 400 from among a plurality of external devices in the surrounding of the stick cleaner 100, and connect wireless communication. To this end, the processor 150 may select, using the identification information of the cleaning station 400, the cleaning station 400 from among the plurality of external devices. The identification information of the cleaning station 400 may include MAC address information of the cleaning station 400.

Specifically, in order for the processor 150 to perform Bluetooth connection between the stick cleaner 100 and the cleaning station 400, the “advertising signal” transmitted from the cleaning station 400 has to be identified. At this time, the processor 150 may compare identification information of the stick cleaner 100 with the identification information of the stick cleaner 100 included in the “advertising signal”, and identify whether the received “advertising signal” is transmitted from the cleaning station 400.

At this time, the processor 150 may obtain identification information of the cleaning station 400 from the robot cleaner 300. Specifically, the robot cleaner 300 that received the information requesting to release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 from the charging station 200 may transmit (10) the identification information of the cleaning station 400 to the charging station 200 after releasing wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400. Then, the charging station 200 may transfer (11) the identification information of the cleaning station 400 received from the robot cleaner 300 to the stick cleaner 100. Thereby, the processor 150 may obtain the identification information of the cleaning station 400, and perform (12) Bluetooth connection with the cleaning station 400.

At this time, the processor 150 may identify, based on receiving the identification information of the cleaning station 400, the robot cleaner 300 as having released wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400. In other words, the processor 150 may identify, based on receiving the identification information of the cleaning station 400 from the charging station 200, Bluetooth connection between the cleaning station 400 and the robot cleaner 300 as having been released, and perform Bluetooth connection with the cleaning station 400.

Meanwhile, the processor 150 may maintain Bluetooth connection between the stick cleaner 100 and the charging station 200 even after Bluetooth connection between the stick cleaner 100 and the cleaning station 400 is made. Specifically, in the case of the stick cleaner 100, a plurality of Bluetooth communication modules (i.e., first Bluetooth communication module and second Bluetooth communication module) may be included in the communication interface 130. At this time, a first Bluetooth communication module may be for the stick cleaner 100 to perform the peripheral role (i.e., operate as a peripheral device), and a second Bluetooth communication module may be for the stick cleaner 100 to perform a central role (i.e., operate as a central device). Accordingly, the stick cleaner 100 may have Bluetooth connection carried out simultaneously with each of the plurality of external devices.

Accordingly, the processor 150 may perform, while maintaining Bluetooth connection between the stick cleaner 100 and the charging station 200 through first Bluetooth communication module (specifically, while maintaining Bluetooth connection with the charging station 200 as the peripheral device), Bluetooth connection between the stick cleaner 100 and the cleaning station 400 through the second Bluetooth communication module. Thereby, the processor 150 may perform Bluetooth communication with the charging station 400 even while a cleaning process with respect to the stick cleaner 100 is being performed at the cleaning station 400, and furthermore, transmit and receive various information with the robot cleaner 300 through the cleaning station 400.

Meanwhile, the processor 150 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may receive, while the mop cleaning process of the stick cleaner 100 that is docked at the cleaning station 400 is in progress, cleaning process information from the cleaning station 400 through the communication interface 130. Here, the cleaning process information may be information including a type of process that is performed at the cleaning station 400, time, and the like for cleaning the mop of the stick cleaner 100.

The processor 150 may receive, while the mop cleaning process of the stick cleaner 100 is in progress after the stick cleaner 100 is docked at the cleaning station 400, cleaning process information from the cleaning station 400 through the communication interface 130 in real-time. For example, if a cleaning process at the cleaning station 400 consists of a washing process and a drying process, the processor 150 may receive, every time the washing process and the drying process are performed, type information of the washing process and the drying process and time information of each of the processes (washing process and drying process) to be performed from the cleaning station 400 through the communication interface 130.

Then, the processor 150 may identify, based on the received cleaning process information, a control command corresponding to the cleaning process, and control the driving part 122 based on identified control command. For example, if the washing process is started at the cleaning station 400, the cleaning station 400 may transfer cleaning process information notifying that the washing process has been executed to the processor 150 of the stick cleaner 100. At this time, the processor 150 may identify a control command corresponding to the washing process. Specifically, the driving part 122 may be controlled to rotate the mop during the washing process for washing of the mop to be performed well. Accordingly, the processor 150 may control, based on cleaning information received from the cleaning station 400, the driving part 122 for the motor to rotate when the washing process with respect to the mop of the stick cleaner 100 is started. Then, the processor 150 may control the driving part 122 for rotation of the motor to be stopped when the washing process is ended.

In addition, the processor 150 may release, based on the cleaning process being identified as completed based on the received cleaning process information, wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400, and transmit information requesting to dock with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 and to perform wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 to the charging station 200 through the communication interface 130.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating transmitting, when a cleaning process is completed, information requesting to perform docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 and wireless communication connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Specifically, the processor 150 may identify, based on cleaning process information received from the cleaning station 400, whether the cleaning process with respect to the mop is completed. Specifically, the cleaning station 400 may transmit, based on the cleaning process with respect to the mop of the stick cleaner 100 being completed, information notifying that the cleaning process has been completed to the processor 150 of the stick cleaner 100. Thereby, the processor 150 may identify that the cleaning process with respect to the mop has been completed.

At this time, the processor 150 may display information indicating that the cleaning of the stick cleaner 100 is completed through the display or a speaker. For example, the processor 150 may display a message indicating that cleaning is completed, a message requesting to release docking of the stick cleaner 100 from the cleaning station 400, and the like through the display 140. Alternatively, the processor 150 may display a voice message indicating that cleaning is completed, a voice message requesting to release docking of the stick cleaner 100 from the cleaning station 400, and the like through the speaker.

Meanwhile, the processor 150 may release wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 when the cleaning process is identified as completed. As an example, referring to FIG. 10, the processor 150 may release (13) Bluetooth connection with the cleaning station 400.

Then, the processor 150 may transmit (14), to the charging station 200 through the communication interface 130, information requesting to dock with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 and to perform wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400. As an example, information requesting to dock with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 and to perform wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 may be transmitted to the charging station 200 maintaining Bluetooth connection with the stick cleaner 100.

At this time, referring to FIG. 10, the information requesting to dock with respect to the cleaning station 400 and to perform wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 may be transmitted (15) to the robot cleaner 300 by the charging station 200.

Meanwhile, robot cleaner 300 that received the information requesting to dock with respect the cleaning station 400 and to perform wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 from the charging station 200 may control the driving part 122 for docking with respect to the cleaning station 400 to be performed again. Furthermore, the robot cleaner 300 may perform Bluetooth connection with the cleaning station 400.

Meanwhile, the process may transmit, based on the cleaning process being identified as completed, not only information requesting to dock with respect to the cleaning station 400 of the robot cleaner 300 and to perform wireless communication connection with the cleaning station 400 to the charging station 200, but also identification information with respect to the cleaning station 400. At this time, the identification information with respect to the cleaning station 400 may be transmitted to the robot cleaner 300 by the charging station 200. Then, the robot cleaner 300 may perform, based on the received identification information of the cleaning station 400, Bluetooth connection with the charging station 200.

FIG. 11 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a stick cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, the stick cleaner 100 may include the body 110, the head 120, the supply part 121, the driving part 122, the communication interface 130, the display 140, a sensor 160, a user interface 170, a speaker 180, memory 190, and one or more processors 150. Detailed descriptions of configurations that overlap with FIG. 2 from among the configurations of the stick cleaner 100 shown in FIG. 11 will be omitted.

The sensor 160 may obtain various information about a space in which objects surrounding the stick cleaner 100 and the stick cleaner 100 are positioned. To this end, the sensor 160 may be implemented as a temperature sensor, a Lidar sensor, a Time of Flight (ToF) sensor, and the like.

Alternatively, the sensor 160 may detect movement of the stick cleaner 100, and obtain data associated with movement of the stick cleaner 100. Specifically, the sensor 160 may detect traveling of the stick cleaner 100, movements such as rotation, and obtain data associated with the traveling and movement of the stick cleaner 100. Meanwhile, the sensor 160 may be provided at one surface side of the body 110, and detect movement of the body 110 and obtain data associated with the movement of the main body 110. To this end, the sensor 160 may be implemented as a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor, and the like.

The user interface 170 may be a configuration that is used for the stick cleaner 100 to perform an interaction with the user, and the processor 150 may receive input of various information such as control information of the stick cleaner 100 through the user interface 170. Meanwhile, the user interface 170 may include at least one from among a touch sensor, a motion sensor, a button, a jog dial, a switch, or a microphone, but is not limited thereto.

The speaker 180 may be a configuration through which various audio data performed with various processing operations such as decoding, amplifying, or noise filtering is performed by an audio processing unit (not shown) is output. The speaker 180 may output various notification sounds or voice messages. For example, the processor 150 may output a voice message notifying that the cleaning process with respect to the stick cleaner 100 is completed or a voice message requesting to proceed with the cleaning process of the stick cleaner 100 through the speaker 180.

The memory 190 may store data necessary for various embodiments of the disclosure. For example, the memory 190 may be stored with identification information and pairing information of the cleaning station 400.

The memory 190 may be implemented in a form of a memory embedded in the stick cleaner 100 according to a data storage use, or in a form of a memory attachable to or detachable from the stick cleaner 100. For example, data for the driving of the stick cleaner 100 may be stored in the memory embedded in the stick cleaner 100, and data for an expansion function of the stick cleaner 100 may be stored in the memory attachable to or detachable from the stick cleaner 100.

Meanwhile, the memory embedded in the stick cleaner 100 may be implemented as at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), or a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), or a non-volatile memory (e.g., one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD)).

In addition, the memory 190 attachable to or detachable from the stick cleaner 100 may be implemented in a form such as, for example, and without limitation, a memory card (e.g., a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a micro secure digital (micro-SD), a mini secure digital (mini-SD), an extreme digital (xD), a multi-media card (MMC), etc.), an external memory (e.g., a USB memory) connectable to a USB port, or the like.

Meanwhile, methods according to the various embodiments of the disclosure described above may be implemented in an application form installable in a stick cleaner of the related art. Alternatively, the methods according to the various embodiments of the disclosure described above may be performed using a deep learning-based trained neural network (or deep trained neural network), that is, a learning network model. In addition, the methods according to the various embodiments of the disclosure described above may be implemented with only a software upgrade, or a hardware upgrade for the cleaners of the related art. In addition, the various embodiments of the disclosure described above may be performed through an embedded server provided in the devices described, or an external server of the cleaner.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the various embodiments described above may be implemented with software including instructions stored in a machine-readable storage media (e.g., computer). The machine may call an instruction stored in a storage medium, and as a device operable according to the called instruction, may include the stick cleaner according to the above-mentioned embodiments. Based on a command being executed by the processor, the processor may directly or using other elements under the control of the processor perform a function corresponding to the command. The command may include a code generated by a compiler or executed by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in a form of a non-transitory storage medium. Herein, ‘non-transitory’ merely means that the storage medium is tangible and does not include a signal, and the term does not differentiate data being semi-permanently stored or being temporarily stored in the storage medium.

In addition, according to an embodiment, a method according to the various embodiments described above may be provided included a computer program product. The computer program product may be exchanged between a seller and a purchaser as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in a form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online through an application store (e.g., PLAYSTORE™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be stored at least temporarily in the machine-readable storage medium such as a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a memory of a relay server, or temporarily generated.

In addition, each of the elements (e.g., a module or a program) according to the various embodiments described above may be formed as a single entity or a plurality of entities, and a portion of sub-elements of the above-mentioned relevant sub-elements may be omitted, or other sub-elements may be further included in the various embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, a portion of the elements (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into one entity to perform the same or similar functions performed by the respective elements prior to integration. Operations performed by a module, a program, or another element, in accordance with various embodiments, may be executed sequentially, in a parallel, repetitively, or in a heuristic manner, or at least a portion of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted or a different operation may be added.

While example embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described above, it will be understood that the embodiments are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents.