Distributed system of autonomously controlled mobile agents
US8845385B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 2013 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63H18/16
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that is capable of assuming a plurality of different lateral positions while traveling along the surface. The mobile agent includes a drive motor, an imaging system, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller. The mobile agent is adapted to detect the markings as the mobile agent travels along the surface, to ascertain a current lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface, and to maintain a substantially consistent lateral position of the mobile agent with respect to the surface (for example to follow a lane). A basestation may be provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. An action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and wirelessly communicated to the mobile agent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.