US4947094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical guidance system for industrial vehicles
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
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Filing: 1987-07-23
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2007-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An automatically guided vehicle system for steering a vehicle. Optical sensing detects an image of a segment of track mounted above the path of the vehicle. Electrical signals corresponding to the position of the track are generated. A control circuit then converts these signals into movements for the steering of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Dyer
- 👤 Eugene A. Eschbach
- 👤 Jeffrey W. Griffin
- 👤 Michael A. Lind
- 👤 Erville C. Buck
- 👤 Roger L. Buck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:08
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0231; G05D1/0244; G05D1/0238; G05D1/024; G05D1/0246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An automatically guided vehicle system comprising: a vehicle including at least one steerable wheel; a track mounted above said vehicle and parallel to its intended path, said track being constructed and arranged to emit light having a range of wavelengths distinct from the ambient light; an optical system on said vehicle constructed and arranged to receive light emitted from said track and project an image of a segment of said track; a light-sensitive device positioned to receive said image and constructed and arranged to detect the position of said image; means for generating a first electrical signal dependent on said position; means for converting said first electrical signal to a steering signal; servo means for converting said steering signal into movements of said steerable wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An automatically guided vehicle system comprising: a vehicle including at least one steerable wheel; a track mounted above said vehicle and parallel to its intended path, said track being constructed and arranged to emit light having a range of wavelengths distinct from the ambient light; an optical system on said vehicle constructed and arranged to receive light emitted from said track and project an image of a segment of said track; a light-sensitive device positioned to receive said image and constructed and arranged to detect the position of said image; means for generating a first electrical signal dependent on said position; means for converting said first electrical signal to a steering signal; servo means for converting said steering signal into movements of said steerable wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said track is reflective and is illuminated by light having said wavelengths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 2, wherein said track is formed of at least two parallel sub-tracks, said sub-tracks being of different widths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 2, wherein said track is longitudinally interrupted by short segments so chosen as to form a bar code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined in claim 2, wherein said track is interrupted by active light-emitting elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as defined in claim 5, wherein said active light-emitting elements are modulated so as to transmit signals to said optical sytem.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said track is an active light-emitting elongated element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 7, wherein said elongated light-emitting element is an optical wave guide receiving light having said wavelengths at one of its ends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said optical system comprises a filter so constructed and arranged as to exclude light other than said wavelengths from said light-sensitive device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said light-sensitive device is a linear CCD array.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |