Navigation systems and methods for wheeled objects
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A navigation system for a vehicle having a wheel, the system comprising:
- a magnetic sensor configured to measure at least two components of a magnetic field;
a wheel rotation sensor configured to measure an amount of rotation of the wheel; and
a processor configured to combine the measured magnetic field components and the amount of rotation so as to estimate a position of the vehicle;
wherein the navigation system is disposed in or on the vehicle.
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Abstract
A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object'"'"'s present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object'"'"'s heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A navigation system for a vehicle having a wheel, the system comprising:
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a magnetic sensor configured to measure at least two components of a magnetic field;
a wheel rotation sensor configured to measure an amount of rotation of the wheel; and
a processor configured to combine the measured magnetic field components and the amount of rotation so as to estimate a position of the vehicle;
wherein the navigation system is disposed in or on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for estimating an updated position of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
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means for measuring a direction of travel of the vehicle;
means for measuring an amount of rotation of a wheel of the vehicle; and
means for estimating the updated position of the vehicle from the direction of travel and the amount of rotation;
wherein at least the measuring means and the estimating means are disposed within the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. An anti-theft system for an object having a wheel comprising:
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a navigation system operable to determine a relative position of the object with respect to a confinement boundary;
a brake system operable to provide a braking force to the wheel and responsive to a braking signal from the navigation system;
wherein the navigation system is operable to provide the braking signal to the brake system if the relative position satisfies a first predetermined condition. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for reducing theft of a cart from a confinement area comprising:
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providing a navigation system on the cart, the navigation system configured to calculate a position of the cart;
providing confinement information to the navigation system related to the confinement area;
providing an anti-theft system on the cart, the anti-theft system responsive to a signal from the navigation system;
calculating, using the navigation system, a relative position of the cart with respect to the confinement area using the confinement information, and signaling the anti-theft system if the relative position of the cart satisfies a theft condition. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A method of providing a code comprising one or more bits of information to a vehicle having a magnetic sensor, the method comprising:
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providing one or more magnetic elements, the magnetic elements configured in a predetermined magnetic arrangement to represent the one or more bits of information;
moving the vehicle relative to the one or more magnetic elements;
detecting, using the magnetic sensor, the magnetic arrangement of the magnetic elements. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of preventing theft of an object having a wheel, wherein the object includes a navigation system which updates a location of the object, the method comprising:
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determining when the object is no longer within a predetermined boundary or has passed a location;
activating a braking system associated with the wheel in response to the determination;
detecting when the object is being moved in a predetermined direction relative to the boundary or the location; and
deactivating the braking system in response to the detection. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A method of preventing theft of an object having a wheel, wherein the object includes a navigation system which updates a location of the object, the method comprising:
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detecting that the object is in a predetermined geographic area;
activating the navigation system in response to the detection;
determining when the object crosses a predetermined boundary or other location;
activating a braking system associated with the wheel in response to the determination. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification