COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE BY WHICH AN AUTONOMOUS GUIDANCE SYSTEM CONTROLS AN INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A guidance and navigation system for operating an industrial vehicle in an unmanned/autonomous mode, wherein the industrial vehicle includes a vehicle controller connected by a first communication network a propulsion drive system which propels the industrial vehicle and includes an autonomous processor module connected to the first communication network to a second communication network;
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Abstract
A propulsion drive system is operated by a controller to propel an industrial vehicle along a path in an unmanned mode. An autonomous processor module sends commands to the vehicle controller in response to messages received via a communication network from a guidance and navigation system. The guidance and navigation system transmits a message over the communication network, wherein that message contains a first numerical value specifying the velocity and a second numerical value specifying an amount that the propulsion drive system is to turn a wheel of the industrial vehicle. The message also specifies a maximum speed limit and indicators commanding that a load carried by the industrial vehicle be raised and lowered. The autonomous processor module transmits a feedback message indicate actual vehicle operating parameters to the guidance and navigation system.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A guidance and navigation system for operating an industrial vehicle in an unmanned/autonomous mode, wherein the industrial vehicle includes a vehicle controller connected by a first communication network a propulsion drive system which propels the industrial vehicle and includes an autonomous processor module connected to the first communication network to a second communication network;
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wherein the guidance and navigation system being operative to send a first message to the autonomous processor module via that second communication network, in which the first message contains a first value specifying a velocity for the propulsion drive system and a second value specifying an amount that the propulsion drive system is to turn a wheel of the industrial vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling an industrial vehicle in an unmanned/autonomous mode, wherein the industrial vehicle includes a propulsion drive system that is operated by a vehicle controller to propel the industrial vehicle along a path, and an autonomous processor module operatively connected to send commands to the vehicle controller in response to messages received via a communication network, the method comprising:
a guidance and navigation system transmitting a first message over the communication network, wherein the first message contains a first value specifying velocity for the propulsion drive system and a second value specifying an amount that the propulsion drive system is to turn a wheel of the industrial vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An industrial vehicle comprising:
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a propulsion drive system for propelling the industrial vehicle; a vehicle controller for operating the propulsion drive system; a first communication network through which the vehicle controller and the propulsion drive system exchange messages; a second communication network; an autonomous processor module connecting the first communication network to the second communication network; and a guidance and navigation system that in an unmanned/autonomous operating mode produces commands to guide the industrial vehicle along a path, and being operative to send a first message via the second communication network to the autonomous processor module, wherein the first message contains a first value specifying a velocity for the propulsion drive system and a second value specifying an amount that the propulsion drive system is to turn a wheel of the industrial vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification