Mobile device and mobile device system therefor

A system having an autonomously-movable mobile device and a supply device configured to supply power or fuel to the mobile device, comprising:

• a mobile device configured to move to a position at which a supply device can supply power or fuel to the mobile device based on a position of the mobile device relative to the supply device including,
• a driving unit configured to move the mobile device,
• a position measuring unit configured to measure the position of the mobile device,
• a route generating unit configured to generate a route from the position of the mobile device to the position of the supply device,
• a controller configured to control the driving unit based on the route generated by the route generating unit,
• a communicating unit configured to communicate with the supply device;
• and
• a mobile device rechargeable power source configured to supply power to the mobile device,
• the supply device configured to supply power or fuel to the mobile device, the supply device including,
• a recognizing unit configured to recognize an object located within a range around the supply device,
• a communicating unit configured to transmit a recognition result of the recognizing unit to the mobile device,
• a charging unit configured to supply power to the mobile device battery;
• and
• a calculator disposed in the supply device and configured to calculate a position of the mobile device relative to the supply device based on the recognition result of the recognizing unit.

A mobile device system, comprising:

• an image pickup unit;
• and
• an autonomously-movable mobile device including,
• a driving unit configured to move the mobile device;
• a position measuring unit configured to measure a position of the mobile device,
• a route generating unit configured to generate a route from the position of the mobile device to a supply device configured to supply power or fuel,
• a controller configured to control the driving unit based on the route generated by the route generating unit,
• a calculator configured to calculate a position of the mobile device relative to the supply device and a direction of movement of the mobile device based on images of the mobile device or images of the supply device;
• and
• a mobile device rechargeable power source disposed in the mobile device and configured to supply power to the mobile device.

An autonomously-movable mobile device, comprising:

• a driving unit configured to move a mobile device;
• a position measuring unit configured to measure a position of the mobile device;
• a route generating unit configured to generate a route between the mobile device and a supply device;
• a controller configured to control the driving unit based on the route generated by the route generating unit;
• a communicating unit configured to communicate with the supply device;
• and
• a mobile device rechargeable power source disposed in the mobile device configured to supply power to the mobile device, wherein the mobile device is configured to move to a position at which the supply device can supply power to the battery based on a position of the mobile device relative to the supply device calculated by the supply device.

A method of guiding a mobile device to a supply device to recharge the mobile device, comprising:

• collecting first information regarding a location of the mobile device via measurement equipment disposed in the mobile device;
• storing the location of a supply device in memory;
• generating a first route from the mobile device to the supply device based on the first information and the location of the supply device;
• moving the mobile device along the first route;
• sensing second information regarding the location and direction of movement of the mobile device via at least one sensor located on the supply device;
• processing the second information to determine the location and direction of movement of the mobile device;
• generating a second route from the mobile device to the supply device based on the second information;
• moving the mobile device along the second route;
• joining the mobile device with the supply device;
• and
• supplying power to the mobile device from the supply device.

A computer program product which stores computer program instructions which, when executed by a computer system programmed with the computer program instructions, results in performing the steps comprising:

• receiving first information regarding a location of a mobile device;
• storing second information regarding the location of a supply device;
• calculating a first route between the mobile device and the supply device based on the received first information and the stored second information;
• generating drive signals to a drive unit of the mobile device to move the mobile device along the calculated first route;
• receiving third information from at least one sensor located on the supply device;
• processing the third information to determine the location and direction of movement of the mobile device;
• calculating a second route from the mobile device to the supply device;
• and
• generating drive signals to a drive unit of the mobile device to move the mobile device along the calculated second route.

A system having an autonomously-movable mobile device and a supply device configured to supply power or fuel to the mobile device, comprising:

• a mobile device configured to move to a position at which a supply device can supply power or fuel to the mobile device including,
• a driving unit configured to move the mobile device,
• a mobile device power source disposed in the mobile device and configured to supply power to the mobile device;
• and
• means for guiding the mobile device into an area where a supply device can sense the mobile device;
• and
• the supply device configured to supply power or fuel to the mobile device, the supply device including,
• a supply device battery or supply unit configured to supply power to the mobile device power source,
• a charger configured to charge the supply device battery or supply unit;
• and
• means for guiding the mobile device into a position where the supply device can supply power to the mobile device.