Code circuitry for a vehicle guidance mechanism
US4003445A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1976 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0242
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Code circuitry for controlling the operation of a vehicle that is guided along a guide line by means of a vehicle guidance mechanism comprises a plurality of code markers positioned in a code marker path alongside the guide line, a sensor circuit that senses the intensity of radiation received from the guide line and code marker path and generates a code signal whenever the radiation from the code marker path increases to a predetermined proportion of the intensity of the radiation received from the guide line, and a control mechanism that controls the operation of the vehicle in response to code signals generated by the sensor circuit. A gain control feedback mechanism provides gain adjustment for wide variations in guide line and code marker intensity, and modulation circuitry eliminates the effect of static background radiation. A first delay circuit prevents transmission of a code signal unless the duration of the signal received by the sensor circuit is of a length to indicate the presence of a genuine code marker. A second delay circuit prevents transmission of the code signal until a predetermined interval after the first code marker is passed. The control mechanism stops th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.