System for dynamically determining position of multiple automatically guided vehicles
US4926103A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 1988 |
| Grant date | May 15, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0274
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention is a method of dynamic collision avoidance for multiple automatically guided vehicles (AGVs) on bidirectional paths. It calculates windows, or areas of computer memory, against which it matches the reported positions of AGVs. The invention acts on information from a central data base in which the factory or operating space of the AGVs is mapped and from AGV position updates supplied by an independently operating visual navigation system. The invention dynamically calculates the locations and dimensions of the windows for each position update. Since these position updates occur in real time, many times each second, the invention provides the means for the AGV system's controller to prevent collisions between the AGVs and other objects without minimizing the degrees of freedom of AGV movement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.