Methods and apparatus to detect and warn proximate entities of interest

US9607496B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Rite-Hite Holding Corporation · US

Inventors

• Ryan P. Beggs · Dubuque, US
• James C. Boerger · Franksville, US
• David J. Hoffmann · Dubuque, US
• Ken Markham · Lee's Summit, US
• Matthew C. McNeill · Mequon, US
• Timothy Muhl · Slinger, US
• Kyle Nelson · Cedarburg, US
• James Oates · Mequon, US
• Jason Senfleben · Hartford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 30, 2015
• Grant date: Mar 28, 2017
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60Q2800/20
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example hazard warning system for a forktruck includes a controllable light source to project light onto a floor adjacent the forktruck. A hazard discriminator determines when the forktruck poses a hazard to an entity of interest in a vicinity of the forktruck, and responsively generates a hazard output. A controller receives the hazard output and controls the light source such that the light source is in a first state when the hazard output is not received and a second state when the hazard output is received, where the first state is different than the second state.