Control circuitry for vehicle guidance mechanism
US3970840A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 1974 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0242
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A vehicle guidance mechanism for guiding a vehicle along a guide line comprises a radiation source that causes the guide line to reflect or emit a guidance signal; photocell sensors mounted in the vehicle and adapted to sense the guidance signal and produce an error output signal proportional to the variation of vehicle position from a predetermined lateral position with respect to the guide line; and a control device in the vehicle adapted to steer the vehicle in response to the error signal so as to cause the vehicle to follow the guide line. An automatic contrast or gain control circuit eliminates the effect of background illumination in the output signal received from the guide line. Modulation circuitry and appropriate filters reduce the effects of static background illumination and improve the reliability and line detecting ability of the guide system. Line detection circuitry is employed to prevent operation of the automatic control device unless the vehicle is tracking a valid guide line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.