Self-running vacuum cleaner

A self-running vacuum cleaner, being able to move by itself, comprising:

• an instruction means, operable separately from a main body of the self-running vacuum cleaner and portable by a hand of a user, for generating an instruction signal therefrom at each of a plurality of spatial positions selected by the user;
• a cleaning portion for cleaning up a floor surface;
• a moving means for moving the cleaning portion;
• a driving means for driving the moving means;
• a position detecting means using at least two receivers, to receive input of ones of the instruction signals generated by the instruction means at each said plurality of spatial positions and use each subject instruction signal to calculate a spatial position corresponding thereto where each subject instruction signal was generated, irrespective of movement of the vacuum cleaner;
• and
• an area defining means for defining a cleaning area on the floor surface based on plural spatial positions where ones of the instruction signal were generated as calculated by the position detecting means.

A self-running vacuum cleaner, being able to move by itself, comprising:

• an instruction remote, operable separately from a main body of the self-running vacuum cleaner and portable by a hand of a user, allowing transmission of an instruction signal therefrom at least one spatial position selected by the user;
• a cleaning portion for cleaning up a floor surface;
• moving mechanisms to effect movement of the cleaning portion;
• a driving unit to drive the moving mechanisms;
• and
• a position detecting unit using at least two receivers to receive input of any of the instruction signals generated by the instruction remote at each of at least one spatial position and to use each subject instruction signal to calculate a spatial position corresponding thereto where the instruction signal was generated, irrespective of the movement of the vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner moves to at least one spatial position where the instruction signal was generated as calculated by the position detecting unit.

A self-running vacuum cleaner, being able to move by itself, comprising:

• an instruction remote, operable separately from a main body of the self-running vacuum cleaner and portable by a hand of a user, for generating an instruction signal therefrom at each of a plurality of spatial positions selected by the user;
• a cleaning portion for cleaning up a floor surface;
• moving mechanisms to effect movement of the cleaning portion;
• a driving unit to drive the moving mechanisms;
• a position detecting unit using at least two receivers to receive input of ones of the instruction signals generated by the instruction remote at each said plurality of spatial positions and to use each subject instruction signal to calculate a spatial position corresponding thereto where each subject instruction signal was generated, irrespective of movement of the vacuum cleaner;
• and
• an area defining unit to define a cleaning area on the floor surface based on plural spatial positions where ones of the instruction signal were generated as calculated by the position detecting unit.

A self-running vacuum cleaner, being able to move by itself, comprising:

• an instruction remote transmitter to transmit a radiation instruction beacon therefrom at least one spatial position separated from a main body of the self-running vacuum cleaner as selected by the user;
• a cleaning portion for cleaning up a floor surface;
• a moving means for moving the cleaning portion;
• a driving means for driving the moving means;
• and
• a position detecting means using at least two radiation receivers, to receive input of any of the radiation instruction beacons transmitted by the instruction remote transmitter at each said at least one spatial position, and use each subject radiation instruction beacon to calculate a spatial position corresponding to where the subject radiation instruction beacon was generated, irrespective of movement of the vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner moves to at least one spatial position where the radiation instruction beacon was generated as calculated by the position detecting means.