Method and system for directing a following device toward a movable object
US6327219A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0255
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automated object following system includes a tracker associated with a following device, and a guider associated with an object to be followed. The tracker includes a first processor, and at least two transducers for generating an encoded ultrasonic signal. Each transducer has a control input communicating with the first processor for emitting an encoded ultrasonic signal generally toward the guider in response to a command signal from the first processor. The encoded ultrasonic signals carry signal source identification information. A radio frequency (RF) receiver communicates with the first processor for receiving from the guider an encoded RF signal carrying distance and direction information of the guider relative to the tracker to be used for steering the following device toward the object to be followed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.