Samsung patents robot that slows down to find its charger
This filing describes a method for a moving electronic device to return to its charging station. The device travels at a normal speed until it gets close, then slows down to scan its surroundings with a camera. If it cannot see the charger where it expects it, the device rotates its sensor to take pictures, compares them to saved data, and moves toward the correct charger.
In the filing’s own words
An apparatus including: a driver; a sensor; memory storing instructions; and a processor, wherein the instructions cause the apparatus to: identify a first area within a distance from a location of a charger, identify a second area outside the first area, control the driver to move the apparatus at a first speed in the second area while returning to the charger, control the driver to move the apparatus at a second speed lower than the first speed upon entering the first area, based on not identifying the charger at the location of the charger within the first area, obtain images corresponding to different search areas through the sensor while rotating the sensor, based a candidate object being identified in the images, identify the charger by comparing information about the candidate object with pre-stored reference information, and control the driver to move the apparatus to a location of the identified charger.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a driver configured to move the electronic apparatus; a sensor; memory storing instructions; and at least one processor comprising processing circuitry, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic apparatus to: identify a first area within a predetermined distance from a location of a charging station, identify a second area outside the first area, control the driver to move the electronic apparatus at a first speed in the second area while returning to the charging station, control the driver to move the electronic apparatus at a second speed lower than the first speed upon entering the first area, based on the charging station not being identified at the location of the charging station within the first area, obtain a plurality of images corresponding to different search areas through the sensor while rotating the sensor, based on at least one candidate object being identified in the plurality of images, identify the charging station among the at least one candidate object by comparing information about the at least one candidate object with pre-stored reference information, and control the driver to move the electronic apparatus to a location of the identified charging station.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
- Official title
- ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
- Publication number
- US20260329302A1
- Application number
- 19575293
- Filed
- Mar 23, 2026
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G05D 1/661 Physics & computingA47L 11/4011 Human necessitiesA47L 11/4061 Human necessitiesA47L 11/4091 Human necessitiesB60L 53/36 Operations & transportG05D 1/622 Physics & computingMore from Samsung in Robots & automation
- Samsung patents robot that turns toward people based on who is speaking Oct 1, 2026
- Samsung patents robot vacuum that adjusts suction based on floor type Sep 8, 2026
- Samsung patents robot that adjusts hearing based on nearby objects Sep 8, 2026
- Samsung patents vacuum that senses floor type via pressure and motor load Sep 15, 2026
- Samsung patents robot that learns from user feedback on camera views Sep 15, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.