SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF REMOTELY CONTROLLING A MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE

• US 20080129445A1
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
• Original Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
• Inventors: Jensen, Eric, Zeilinger, Todd A., Crabill, Monty, Duckworth, Paul, Wellman, Timothy A., Pollack, Jay G., Kraimer, James V., Dykema, Kurt
• Granted Patent: US 8,072,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/07581 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0033 by having the operator tracking the vehicle either by direct line of sight or via one or more cameras located remotely from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control

Abstract

A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises a wearable control device, and a corresponding receiver on the materials handling vehicle. The wearable control device is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle, and comprises a wireless transmitter and a travel control communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter. Actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a first type signal designating a request to advance the vehicle in a first direction. The receiver is supported by the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter. A traction control of the vehicle is responsive to a receipt of the first type signal by the receiver to cause the vehicle to advance.

Claims

1. A method of synchronizing a transmitter and a receiver in a supplemental remote control system for materials handling vehicles comprising:

initiating a power on sequence to enable a materials handling vehicle for operation, said materials handling vehicle having a receiver for receiving wirelessly transmitted travel commands;

entering a pairing mode to synchronize said receiver and a corresponding controller on said vehicle to a select one of a plurality of wireless remote control devices, wherein said select one of said wireless remote control devices is associated with an operator of said materials handling vehicle;

receiving pairing mode confidence signals at said receiver of said vehicle, wherein each pairing mode confidence signal provides a transmitter identification that uniquely identifies a corresponding one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices within range of said receiver;

matching a known transmitter identification code associated with said select one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices associated with said operator of said materials handling vehicle with a corresponding one of the pairing mode confidence signals received by said receiver; and

synchronizing said select one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices associated with said operator to said receiver and said controller of said vehicle such that said materials handling vehicle acknowledges remote travel commands from said select one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said initiating a power on sequence to enable a materials handling vehicle for operation comprises:

requiring said operator to provide an operator identification code to said controller of said vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said receiving pairing mode confidence signals at said receiver of said vehicle, wherein each pairing mode confidence signal provides a transmitter identification that uniquely identifies a corresponding one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices within range of said receiver comprises displaying a list of all detected transmitter identification codes ordered by signal strength.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising providing said known transmitter identification code on a tag on said select one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices;

wherein;

said matching a known transmitter identification code associated with said select one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices associated with said operator of said materials handling vehicle with a corresponding one of the pairing mode confidence signals received by said receiver comprises locating in said displayed list of detected transmitter identification codes, indicia that is associated with said known transmitter identification code on said tag.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said synchronizing said remote control device to said receiver comprises storing in said controller on said vehicle, said transmission identification code of the matched remote control device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein synchronizing said remote control device to said receiver comprises transmitting a first message to said select one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices associated with said operator that includes a receiver identification code that uniquely identifies said vehicle, wherein subsequent messages wirelessly transmitted from said remote control device to said receiver identify both said transmitter identification code and said receiver identification code.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein receiver is required to receive a predetermined reply message in response to said first message from said remote control device to complete pairing synchronization.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

powering off said vehicle after successfully synchronizing said remote control device to said receiver for a period of time;

starting a timer on said vehicle while said vehicle is powered down;

continuing to transmit a synchronized confidence signal by said select one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices associated with said operator;

powering on said vehicle;

determining if said vehicle is powered back on within a predetermined interval based upon a measure recorded by said timer;

if within said predetermined interval, performing;

searching for said synchronized confidence signal; and

reconfirming pairing synchronization with said select one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices associated with said operator.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

requiring said operator to provide an operator identification; and

comparing said operator identification with a stored operator identification recorded before powering down;

wherein;

said reconfirming pairing synchronization with said select one of said plurality of wireless remote control devices associated with said operator further comprises reconfirming said pairing synchronization if said operator identification matches said stored operator identification.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

clearing said receiver identification code stored in said remote control device when said remote control device is installed in a corresponding charging station; and

clearing said transmitter identification code stored in said controller on said vehicle after a predetermined time interval lapses after powering down said vehicle.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

entering a sleep mode by said remote control device after a first predetermined period of inactivity, wherein said remote control device continues to transmit said synchronized confidence signal;

entering a power down mode of said remote control device after a second predetermined period in said sleep mode;

clearing said receiver identification code stored in said remote control device after a predetermined period of inactivity in said power down mode; and

clearing said transmitter identification code stored in said controller on said vehicle after a predetermined time interval lapses after powering down said vehicle.