Method and system for following a lead vehicle

US7593811B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Deere & Company · US

Inventors

• Mark Alvin Schmidt · Charlotte, US
• Kenneth Edward Hunt · Oconomowoc, US
• David R. Holm · Oconomowoc, US
• Scott Stephens · Manhattan Beach, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 31, 2005
• Grant date: Sep 22, 2009
• Expiry date: Nov 1, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05D1/0295
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A transmitter at a lead vehicle transmits a first transmission signal toward a first beacon and a second beacon associated with a following vehicle. A data processor or estimator determines a first propagation time associated with the first transmission and the first beacon and a second propagation time associated with the first transmission and the second beacon. A vehicle controller controls a heading of the following vehicle to maintain a first distance substantially equal to a second distance (i.e., first propagation time substantially equal to a second propagation time) or a first distance that deviates from the second distance by a predetermined maximum amount.