US4236255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rack entry vehicle communication system
Assignee: Acme Steel Co
•
Filing: 1978-12-15
•
Granted: 1980-11-25
•
Expires: 1998-12-15
Abstract
Abstract Improved apparatus for communicating information between a movable rack entry vehicle and a reference station by means of optical radiation, such as infrared radiation. A universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter is located on both the vehicle and the reference station so that information originating in parallel form can be communicated in serial form.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Burgener
- 👤 Philip T. Martin
- 👤 John J. Lord
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:32
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0231; G05D1/0242; B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/0407; B65G1/0414; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In a vehicle for transporting loads among the racks of a warehousing system, improved apparatus for communicating variable information between the vehicle and a reference station as the vehicle is moving along a vehicle path comprising: source means for generating optical radiation; transducer means for converting optical radiation into corresponding electrical signals; means for supporting the source means and transducer means in alignment along an optical path as the vehicle is moved along the vehicle path; and transceiver means for modulating the generated optical radiation according to the information to be communicated and for converting the electrical signals resulting from received optical radiation into a useful form of information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a vehicle for transporting loads among the racks of a warehousing system, improved apparatus for communicating variable information between the vehicle and a reference station as the vehicle is moving along a vehicle path comprising: source means for generating optical radiation; transducer means for converting optical radiation into corresponding electrical signals; means for supporting the source means and transducer means in alignment along an optical path as the vehicle is moved along the vehicle path; and transceiver means for modulating the generated optical radiation according to the information to be communicated and for converting the electrical signals resulting from received optical radiation into a useful form of information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source means and transducer means are located both at the vehicle and at the station, wherein information can be transmitted from the vehicle to the station and vice versa.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source means comprises a source of infrared radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the source of infrared radiation comprises a diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transceiver means comprises parallel to serial converter means for changing information arranged in parallel form into serial output signals for driving the source means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transceiver means comprises means for causing the optical radiation to be generated in the form of time-spaced pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transducer means comprises a phototransistor sensitive to infrared radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the transceiver means comprises serial to parallel converter means for converting serial electrical signals into parallel form.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reference station is fixed in position and the vehicle moves in a linear path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reference station is located on a crane which transports the vehicle among the racks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transceiver means comprises: a high pass filter; and an amplifier capable of recovering from being driven into saturation in less than 10 microseconds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as claimed in amended claim 1, wherein the vehicle path and optical path are parallel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2941346A
Cited
US3009525A
Cited
US2996137A
Cited
US3095937A
Cited
US3314189A
Cited
US3838412A
Cited
US3824597A
Cited
US3705387A
Cited
US3848755A
Cited
US3880299A
Cited
US3817406A
Cited
US4095097A
Cited
US4150284A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-25 | 1984-05-26 | 1984-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-25 | 1988-05-26 | 1988-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-25 | 1992-05-26 | 1992-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |