Patent · US Expired

Automated guidance vehicle guide path code templates and methods for use

US6341430B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
32References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 2000
Grant dateJan 29, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 24, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05D1/0234
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Code block or code marking application, removal, and replacement templates and methods for use for code blocks and code markings that are used in conjunction with the guide path, guide line, and guide tracks used by automated guidance vehicles (AGVs), which are otherwise known as autonomous guidance, automatic guidance, and automatically or autonomously guided vehicles. Guide line code blocks are typically applied to the floor of a factory, warehouse, or other facility that employs AGVs, which can sense the guide lines and/or the code blocks for purposes of maneuvering payloads while navigating through the facility. The AGV code template includes a generally planar template substrate configured with corresponding control and alignment aperture patterns formed in the template that are offset from each other. A plurality of spaced-apart code spur openings form the control and alignment aperture patterns wherein each of the openings of the control aperture pattern corresponds with an offset opening of the alignment aperture pattern and represents a code spur that is typically designated either a start, finish, on, off, or synchronization bit.

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