Local positioning navigation system

• US 20080049217A1
• Filed: 08/23/2006
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bryan Cappelletti
• Original Assignee: Bryan Cappelletti
• Inventors: Cappelletti, Bryan
• Granted Patent: US 7,499,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/141.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/008 for automated or remotely controlled operation
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3826 Terrain data
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3837 Data obtained from a single source
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0036 of measured values, i.e. measurement on mobile and position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/16 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0225 involving docking at a fixed facility, e.g. base station or loading bay parking aids B62D15/027
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0227 using mechanical sensing means, e.g. for sensing treated area
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0236 in combination with a laser lasers per se H01S
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0259 using magnetic or electromagnetic means

Abstract

A local positioning navigation system and method for controlling navigation are provided. The local positioning navigation includes a stationary unit having a pointing device configured to emit a light signal and a roving unit having a detector including a plurality of light detecting elements configured to detect the emitted light signal from the stationary unit. The local positioning system further includes a controller configured to receive navigation information from the roving unit based on the detected emitted light signal and to provide control commands to the stationary unit to move the pointing device to direct the emitted light signal based on the navigation information.

Claims

1. A local positioning system comprising:

a stationary unit having a pointing device configured to emit a light signal;

a roving unit having a detector including a plurality of light detecting elements configured to detect the emitted light signal from the stationary unit and to collect energy to power the roving unit; and

a controller configured to receive navigation information from the roving unit based on the detected emitted light signal and to provide control commands to the stationary unit to move the pointing device to direct the emitted light signal based on the navigation information.

2. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the stationary unit and roving unit each comprise an ultrasound transducer configured to communicate additional navigation information.

3. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the navigation information comprises angle information and the additional navigation information comprises distance information.

4. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the stationary unit comprises a laser diode configured to emit a laser light signal.

5. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of light detecting elements comprise solar cells.

6. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of light detecting elements comprise an imager of a camera.

7. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the navigation information comprises distance information calculated based on the emitted light signal and not based on any global positioning system (GPS) information.

8. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the roving unit comprises one or a lawn mower and a forklift.

9. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one docking station configured to determine the location of the roving unit when located at the docking station.

10. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pointing device comprises a pan and tilt device.

11. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the roving unit comprises wheels configured to provide lateral and rotational movement.

12. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a rotating device supporting the plurality of light detecting elements and configured to rotate the plurality of light detecting elements.

13. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the roving unit and stationary unit are integrated into a single unit.

14. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a memory configured to store preprogrammed path information for the roving unit.

15. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the preprogrammed path information is provided by manually moving the roving unit.

16. A local positioning system comprising:

a stationary unit having a pointing device including a hall effect magnetic sensor and connected to one end of string doped with a magnetic material;

a roving unit having a detector including a pressure transducer and connected to another end of the string and configured to detect movement of the string; and

a controller configured to receive angle information based on movement of the hall effect magnetic sensor and distance information based on movement of the string and to provide control commands to the stationary unit to move the pointing device based on the angle and distance information.

17. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the roving unit comprises an ultrasound transducer configured to provide distance information to the controller.

18. A local positioning system comprising:

a plurality of units each having a pointing device configured to emit a light signal and a detector including a plurality of light detecting elements configured to detect the emitted light signal from another unit;

a plurality of docking stations configured to receive one of the plurality of units; and

a controller configured to receive navigation information from one of the plurality of units that is stationary and, based on an emitted light signal detected by a moving one of the plurality of units, provide control commands to the stationary unit to move the pointing device of the stationary unit to direct the emitted light signal based on the navigation information to control movement of the moving unit, the navigation information not including global positioning system (GPS) information.

19. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 18 wherein the stationary unit is a unit received by a docking station.

20. A local positioning system in accordance with claim 18 wherein each of the plurality of docking stations comprises one of a pressure sensor and contact switch.