Active cross path position correlation device
US5331561A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08G1/161
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system guides a vehicle along a predefined path by correlating vehicle side range profiles. A lead vehicle gathers side range data using active radiation sources such as light emitting diodes. A microprocessor-based system on board the lead vehicle stores the data into records of a database file, tagging each record to indicate a relative position along the path when the lead vehicle obtained the data. A system on board a follower vehicle gathers its own side range data and also generates a side range profile for the follower vehicle. The follower vehicle's system receives by radio communication the side range profiles from the lead vehicle and, using the tagging information, correlates these profiles with the follower vehicle side range profiles at appropriate points along the path. As a result of the correlation, the follower vehicle's system outputs commands to actuators coupled to the vehicle's steering system, throttle, and braking system to control the vehicle's motion so that the vehicle traverses the predefined path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.