SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING USAGE OF SHOPPING CARTS OR OTHER HUMAN-PROPELLED VEHICLES

• US 20090322492A1
• Filed: 09/01/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jesse M. James, Scott J. Carter, Stephen E. Hannah
• Original Assignee: Jesse M. James, Scott J. Carter, Stephen E. Hannah
• Inventors: Hannah, Stephen E., Carter, Scott J., James, Jesse M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,091,551 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.5
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/04 for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/08 from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/16 operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/18 operated by wayside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/14 characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys collapsible shopping trolleys B62B3/027
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1412 mounted on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1492 Wheel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0003 Adaptations for loading in or on a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0423 braking or blocking when leaving a particular area
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0438 hand operated
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/048 Hub brakes; drum brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/12 executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/246 Check out systems combined with EAS, e.g. price information stored on EAS tag anti-theft systems in point of sale systems G07G3/003
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 : Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2477 : Antenna or antenna activator circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 : EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 : Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1846 : structurally associated with wheels or associated parts dynamos arranged in the wheel hub of cycles B62J6/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A system is disclosed for tracking and controlling shopping carts or other types of human-propelled vehicles. In one embodiment, the system includes a wheel or wheel assembly with a braking mechanism that is activated in response to signals received by multiple receivers. The receivers may, for example, include a VLF (Very Low Frequency) receiver for detecting a VLF signal transmitted by a buried cable, and an RF transceiver for communicating over a wireless network. The receivers may, but need not, be included in the wheel. The multiple receivers may be used in combination to control a shopping cart; for example, a command received by a shopping cart'"'"'s RF transceiver may cause the cart to ignore (not activate the brake in response to) a detected VLF signal.

Claims

1. A locking system for disabling a vehicle to prevent its removal from a defined area which comprises:

a braking mechanism mounted on the vehicle to inhibit movement of the vehicle when the braking mechanism is activated;

a first receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving a first signal;

a second receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving a second signal; and

a controller connected to the first receiver, to the second receiver and to the braking mechanism for receiving the first and second signals and selectively activating the braking mechanism in response thereto.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first receiver is configured to detect an encoded Very Low Frequency (VLF) signal that is capable of causing the braking mechanism to become activated, and the second receiver is a transceiver that is configured to receive commands, including lock commands, transmitted over a wireless network.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first antenna mounted on the vehicle and connected to the first receiver for receiving the first signal, wherein the first signal is a Very Low Frequency (VLF) signal transmitted by a VLF signal line, and wherein the first receiver is configured to detect the first signal when the vehicle passes over said VLF signal line.

4. A system as recited in claim 3, further comprising a second antenna mounted on the vehicle and connected to the second receiver for receiving the second signal, wherein the second signal has a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz or 5.7-5.8 GHz.

5. A system as recited in claim 4, wherein the second receiver is a transceiver.

6. A system as recited in claim 5, wherein the transceiver transmits a unique identifier.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to determine, based on a command received over a wireless network with the second receiver, whether to respond to a VLF signal detected by the first receiver by activating the braking mechanism.

8. A wheel assembly for use on a shopping cart, the wheel assembly comprising:

a caster that supports a wheel, said caster adapted to be attached to the shopping cart;

a braking mechanism coupled to the wheel and capable of being activated to inhibit movement of the shopping cart;

a first receiver for receiving a first signal;

a second receiver for receiving a second signal; and

a controller connected to the first receiver, to the second receiver and to the braking mechanism, said controller configured to selectively activate the braking mechanism in response to signals received by the first receiver and the second receiver.

9. A wheel assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the first and second receivers are housed within the wheel.

10. A wheel assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the first and second receivers are housed within the caster.

11. A wheel assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the first receiver is configured to detect an encoded Very Low Frequency (VLF) signal that is capable of causing the braking mechanism to become activated, and the second receiver is a transceiver that is configured to receive commands, including lock commands, transmitted over a wireless network.

12. A wheel assembly as recited in claim 8, further comprising a first antenna connected to the first receiver for receiving the first signal, wherein the first signal is a Very Low Frequency (VLF) signal transmitted by a VLF signal line, and wherein the first receiver is configured to detect the first signal when the wheel passes over said VLF signal line.

13. A wheel assembly as recited in claim 8, further comprising a second antenna connected to the second receiver for receiving the second signal, wherein the second signal has a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz or 5.7-5.8 GHz.

14. A wheel assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to determine, based on commands received over a wireless network with the second receiver, whether to respond to VLF signals detected by the first receiver by activating the braking mechanism.

15. A wheel assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the braking mechanism, when activated, is configured to prevent the wheel from rotating.

16. A wheel assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the braking mechanism inhibits movement of the shopping cart by lifting the wheel from the ground.

17. A locking system for disabling a vehicle to prevent its removal from a defined area which comprises:

a braking mechanism mounted on the vehicle to prevent movement of the vehicle when the braking mechanism is activated;

a first receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving a first signal;

a second receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving a second signal; and

a controller respectively connected to the first receiver, to the second receiver and to the braking mechanism for receiving the first and second signals and selectively activating the locking mechanism in response thereto.

18. A system as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

a first decoder connected between the first receiver and the controller for identifying a lock command in the first signal; and

a second decoder connected between the second receiver and the controller for identifying a lock command in the second signal.

19. A system as recited in claim 17, further comprising a second antenna mounted on the vehicle and connected to the second receiver for receiving the second signal, wherein the second signal has a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz.

20. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the second receiver is a transceiver.

21. A system as recited in claim 20, wherein the transceiver transmits an identification signal.

22. A caster for use on a shopping cart which comprises:

a swivel frame attached to the cart for rotation thereof about a first axis;

a wheel for moving the cart, wherein the wheel is mounted on the frame for rotation about a second axis, and wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis;

a brake means mounted on the frame for stopping a rotation of the wheel to disable the cart and prevent further movement thereof;

a first receiver mounted on the frame for receiving a first signal;

a second receiver mounted on the frame for receiving a second signal; and

a controller respectively connected to the first receiver, to the second receiver and to the brake means for receiving the first and second signals and selectively activating the brake means in response thereto.

23. A caster as recited in claim 22, further comprising:

a first decoder connected between the first receiver and the controller for identifying a lock command in the first signal; and

a second decoder connected between the second receiver and the controller for identifying a lock command in the second signal.

24. A caster as recited in claim 22, wherein the brake means lifts the wheel from contact with a surface.

25. A method for manufacturing a caster for use on a shopping cart which comprises the steps of:

attaching a swivel frame to the cart for rotation of the frame about a first axis;

mounting a wheel on the frame for moving the cart, the wheel being mounted for rotation about a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis;

locating brake means on the frame to stop a rotation of the wheel and disable the cart to prevent further movement of the cart;

affixing a first receiver to the frame for receiving a first signal and a second receiver to the frame for receiving a second signal;

positioning a controller on the frame; and

connecting the controller to the first receiver, to the second receiver and to the brake means for receiving the first and second signals and selectively activating the brake means in response thereto.