Patent · US Expired

Vehicle collision avoidance system

US4379497A · kind A · utility

55Cited by
9References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 2, 1980
Grant dateApr 12, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 2, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB61L23/00
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An automatically guided vehicle (110) is disclosed which follows guide lines positioned in a predetermined guide path (102) on the floor. The guide path (102) includes coded markings and the vehicle comprises sensing circuitry (210) capable of sensing the markings and generating proximity signals indicative thereof. The coded markings can indicate approach of the vehicle into a "congestion" zone wherein other vehicles similarly situated can cause hazardous conditions therein. Radio frequency (RF) transmission circuitry (240) on the approaching vehicle (110) is responsive to the congestion zone indication signals to transmit and receive RF signals to and from other vehicles on the guide path (102). The approaching vehicle (110) performs various collision avoidance operations as determined by the received RF signals.

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