SIGHT-LINE NON CONTACT COUPLED WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A control system for controlling operation of a movable system, the control system comprising:
- a wireless communications component associated with a stationary system;
a non-contacting signaling component associated with the stationary system and operative to transmit or receive a signal in a signal path proximate the stationary system; and
a control system component associated with the stationary system and operatively coupled with the non-contacting signaling component and with the wireless communications component, the control system component using the non-contacting signaling system to verify whether a movable system is proximate the stationary system and using the wireless communications component to communicate with a second control system component associated with a particular movable system while the particular movable system is proximate the stationary system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Control systems and methods are disclosed for controlling operation of movable systems in an automated process with a stationary system having a first control system component and at least one movable system having a second control system component, in which optical or other non-contacting signaling between the stationary and movable systems is used to ascertain whether a movable system is proximate the stationary system, and wireless communications is used to transfer control data between the systems while the non-contacting signal link is maintained.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A control system for controlling operation of a movable system, the control system comprising:
-
a wireless communications component associated with a stationary system; a non-contacting signaling component associated with the stationary system and operative to transmit or receive a signal in a signal path proximate the stationary system; and a control system component associated with the stationary system and operatively coupled with the non-contacting signaling component and with the wireless communications component, the control system component using the non-contacting signaling system to verify whether a movable system is proximate the stationary system and using the wireless communications component to communicate with a second control system component associated with a particular movable system while the particular movable system is proximate the stationary system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A movable system for performing at least one controlled operation while proximate a stationary system, comprising:
-
a wireless communications component; a non-contacting signaling component associated with the movable system and operative to transmit or receive a signal in a signal path proximate a particular stationary system while the movable system is proximate the particular stationary system; and a control system component associated with the movable system and operatively coupled with the non-contacting signaling component and with the wireless communications component, the control system component using the non-contacting signaling system to verify whether the movable system is proximate the particular stationary system and using the wireless communications component to communicate with a second control system component associated with the particular stationary system while the movable system is proximate the particular stationary system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. In an automated system having at least one stationary system with a first control system component and at least one movable system having a second control system component, a method for controlling at least one operation of the movable system while proximate the stationary system, the method comprising:
-
determining whether the movable system is currently proximate the stationary system using non-contacting signaling apparatus on the stationary and movable systems; transferring control information between the stationary and movable systems by wireless communications while the movable system is determined to be proximate the stationary system; and discontinuing transfer of control information between the stationary and movable systems when the movable system is determined to be no longer proximate the stationary system. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification