Patent · US Active

Estimating motion of wheeled carts

US11183070B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
110References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 24, 2020
Grant dateNov 23, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 24, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG08B29/24
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.