US3961166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle locating apparatus
Assignee: Siemens Dematic Postal Automation LP
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Filing: 1975-01-24
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Granted: 1976-06-01
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Expires: 1995-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A timing circuit receives substantially square wave clock signals and generates sine and cos driving signals therefrom at a predetermined frequency for application to first and second mutually perpendicular Hall effect generators. The output signals from the Hall effect generators are algebraically summed to provide a heading signal, the phase displacement of which with respect to the driving signals, is representaive of the orientation angle between one of the Hall effect generators and magnetic north. A counter is synchronized to begin to count clock pulses at the beginning of each period of the driving signals. A logic circuit is effective to disable the counter when the Count signal therein is representative of the orientation angle. The sine and cos of the Count signal are derived and each is multiplied by a distance signal related to the number of revolutions of a wheel of the vehicle being monitored. The resulting coordinate signals are stored in X and Y registers which are automatically updated when the vehicle approaches transmitters at predetermined locations.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Stobart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/04; G01C21/26; G01C21/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A vehicle locating apparatus arranged to be carried by a vehicle for determining the location of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: heading means operable to provide an orientation signal indicative of an angle of orientation of said compass means with respect to magnetic north; distance detecting means operable to provide a distance signal representative of the distance traveled by the vehicle; processor means responsive to said orientation signal and said distance signal for providing location signals representative of the location of the vehicle; storage means for storing said location signals, said processor means being operable to update said stored location signals whenever the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance; and receiving means operable when the vehicle is within predetermined areas, for receiving predetermined position signals corresponding to the predetermined areas, said processor means being responsive to said position signals for updating said stored location signals in accordance with said received position signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A vehicle locating apparatus arranged to be carried by a vehicle for determining the location of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: heading means operable to provide an orientation signal indicative of an angle of orientation of said compass means with respect to magnetic north; distance detecting means operable to provide a distance signal representative of the distance traveled by the vehicle; processor means responsive to said orientation signal and said distance signal for providing location signals representative of the location of the vehicle; storage means for storing said location signals, said processor means being operable to update said stored location signals whenever the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance; and receiving means operable when the vehicle is within predetermined areas, for receiving predetermined position signals corresponding to the predetermined areas, said processor means being responsive to said position signals for updating said stored location signals in accordance with said received position signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said solid state compass means comprises a Hall effect device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said Hall effect device includes mutually perpendicular heading and transverse Hall elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a wheeled vehicle, said distance detecting means comprising sensing means arranged to be operatively coupled to one wheel of the vehicle, said sensing means being operable to provide said distance signal whenever said one of the vehicle wheels rotates a predetermined amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said processing means includes a sine and cos generating means responsive to said orientation signal for providing component signals representative of the sine and cos of said angle of orientation of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said processing means includes multiplier means responsive to said component signals and said distance signal for providing component increment signals representative of incremental changes in said component signals corresponding to movement of the vehicle over a predetermined distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said processing means includes an adder circuit responsive to said incremental component signals for adding said incremental component changes to said stored location signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including transmitting means connected to said processing means, said transmitting means being operable for transmitting said location signals to a remote station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-01 | 1979-12-01 | 1980-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-01 | 1983-12-01 | 1984-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-01 | 1987-12-01 | 1988-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |