EP0341889A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated vehicle control
Assignee: GE Power Resources Management Ltd
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Filing: 1989-05-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle guidance system includes a computer (5) for generating signals to control a number of vehicles (2,3) to carry out movements within a predetermined area (4). Data identifying locations of notional points (16-22; a-d) on the floor of the area are entered into the computer together with a look-up table specifying pairs of those points between which movements of vehicles may be required, and specifying which other of the movements between pairs of points must be considered as potential causes of collision between vehicles when any particular movement is to be effected. When a vehicle movement is requested, the computer determines from the table which other movements must be considered, and determines whether any such movements are being effected at that instant. If so, the computer inhibits the requested vehicle movement or, if not, it initiates the requested vehicle movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Malcolm Thomas Roberts
- 👤 Michael Philip Robins
- 👤 Ian Edward Sharrott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:12
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0276; G05D1/028; G05D1/0282; G05D1/20; G05D1/24; G05D1/244; G05D1/0287; G05D1/0289; G05D1/247; G05D1/60; G05D1/646; G05D1/69; G05D1/693; G05D1/695; G05D2101/00; G05D2101/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of operating a vehicle guidance system which includes computer means (5) for generating signals to control a plurality of vehicles (2,3) to execute movements within a predetermined area (4), characterised by entering into the computer means data identifying locations of notional points (16-22; a-d) on the floor of said area; entering a look-up table specifying pairs of such points between which movements of vehicles may be required and specifying which other of said movements between pairs of points must be considered as potential causes of collision between vehicles when any particular movement is to be effected; and, when a vehicle movement is requested, causing the computer means to determine from the table which other movement or movements must be considered, and to determine whether any such other movement is being effected and if so to inhibit the requested vehicle movement and if not to initiate the requested vehicle movement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of operating a vehicle guidance system which includes computer means (5) for generating signals to control a plurality of vehicles (2,3) to execute movements within a predetermined area (4), characterised by entering into the computer means data identifying locations of notional points (16-22; a-d) on the floor of said area; entering a look-up table specifying pairs of such points between which movements of vehicles may be required and specifying which other of said movements between pairs of points must be considered as potential causes of collision between vehicles when any particular movement is to be effected; and, when a vehicle movement is requested, causing the computer means to determine from the table which other movement or movements must be considered, and to determine whether any such other movement is being effected and if so to inhibit the requested vehicle movement and if not to initiate the requested vehicle movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method of claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the coordinates of intermediate points (36-42) along a path to be steered by a vehicle (32) in moving between a said pair of points are stored; and in that when a vehicle is moving along said path, movement of another vehicle (43) along a path (44,45) adjacent said intermediate points is inhibited by the computer means (5).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that respective sets of said coordinates of intermediate points are stored for different paths between said pair of points; and in that a particular set is selected in dependence upon dimensions of the particular vehicle is to be steered.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
A vehicle control and guidance system, characterised by computer means (5) for generating signals to control a plurality of vehicles (2,3) to execute movements within a predetermined area (4) and operative to store data identifying locations of notional points (16-22; a-d) on the floor of said area; and means (12) operable by a user of the system to enter into the computer means a look-up table specifying pairs of said points between which movements of vehicles may be required and specifying which others of said movements between pairs of points must be considered as potential causes of collison between vehicles when any particular movement is to be effected; the computer being operative, when a vehicle movement is requested, to determine from the look-up table which other movement or movements must be considered and to determine whether any such other movement is being effected and if so to inhibit the requested vehicle movement and if not to initiate the requested vehicle movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
A vehicle control and guidance system, characterised by computer means (5) for generating signals to control a plurality of vehicles (2,3) to execute movements within a predetermined area (4) and operative to store data identifying locations of notional points (16-22; a-d) on the floor of said area; and means (12) operable by a user of the system to enter into the computer means a look-up table specifying pairs of said points between which movements of vehicles may be required and specifying which others of said movements between pairs of points must be considered as potential causes of collison between vehicles when any particular movement is to be effected; the computer being operative, when a vehicle movement is requested, to determine from the look-up table which other movement or movements must be considered and to determine whether any such other movement is being effected and if so to inhibit the requested vehicle movement and if not to initiate the requested vehicle movement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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