Code circuitry for a vehicle guidance mechanism
First Claim
1. In a vehicle guidance mechanism for guiding a vehicle along a guide line by means of guide line radiation received from the guide line, code circuit means for automatically controlling the operation of the vehicle along the guide line comprising:
- code marker means positioned alongside the guide line at predetermined positions along the guide line where control functions are desired, the code marker means being positioned in a code marker path alongside the guide line, the code marker means being formed such that code marker radiation representing a code marker signal is transmitted from the code marker means at least at a specified time when the vehicle is in position to sense said marker radiation, the intensity of the code marker radiation having a predetermined relationship to the intensity of the radiation from the guide line adjacent to it;
sensor circuit means in the vehicle for sensing and continuously comparing the intensity of radiation received from the code marker path and guide line as the vehicle moves along the guide line and generating a code signal when the intensity of the radiation from the code marker path increases to a predetermined proportion of the intensity of the guide line radiation that is indicative of the presence of a code marker in the code marker path; and
control means for controlling the operation of the vehicle in a predetermined manner in response to code signals generated by the sensor circuit means.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Code circuitry for controlling the operation of a vehicle that is guided along a guide line by means of a vehicle guidance mechanism comprises a plurality of code markers positioned in a code marker path alongside the guide line, a sensor circuit that senses the intensity of radiation received from the guide line and code marker path and generates a code signal whenever the radiation from the code marker path increases to a predetermined proportion of the intensity of the radiation received from the guide line, and a control mechanism that controls the operation of the vehicle in response to code signals generated by the sensor circuit. A gain control feedback mechanism provides gain adjustment for wide variations in guide line and code marker intensity, and modulation circuitry eliminates the effect of static background radiation. A first delay circuit prevents transmission of a code signal unless the duration of the signal received by the sensor circuit is of a length to indicate the presence of a genuine code marker. A second delay circuit prevents transmission of the code signal until a predetermined interval after the first code marker is passed. The control mechanism stops the vehicle permanently if a second code marker signal is present when the second interval terminates. The control mechanism stops the vehicle temporarily and then automatically starts the vehicle again after a predetermined time period if no code marker signal is present after the second interval terminates. A line detection circuit prevents transmission of a code signal when the vehicle is not following the guide line.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. In a vehicle guidance mechanism for guiding a vehicle along a guide line by means of guide line radiation received from the guide line, code circuit means for automatically controlling the operation of the vehicle along the guide line comprising:
-
code marker means positioned alongside the guide line at predetermined positions along the guide line where control functions are desired, the code marker means being positioned in a code marker path alongside the guide line, the code marker means being formed such that code marker radiation representing a code marker signal is transmitted from the code marker means at least at a specified time when the vehicle is in position to sense said marker radiation, the intensity of the code marker radiation having a predetermined relationship to the intensity of the radiation from the guide line adjacent to it; sensor circuit means in the vehicle for sensing and continuously comparing the intensity of radiation received from the code marker path and guide line as the vehicle moves along the guide line and generating a code signal when the intensity of the radiation from the code marker path increases to a predetermined proportion of the intensity of the guide line radiation that is indicative of the presence of a code marker in the code marker path; and control means for controlling the operation of the vehicle in a predetermined manner in response to code signals generated by the sensor circuit means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. Code circuit means for automatically controlling the operation of a vehicle along a predetermined guide path comprising:
-
at least one code marker of a predetermined length positioned adjacent the guide path, said code marker transmitting a code marker signal indicative of the position of the code marker; code sensor means mounted in the vehicle so as to receive the code marker signal from the code marker as the sensor means passes the code marker, the code marker signal being received for a period of time representative of the time it takes for the sensor means to pass the code marker, said code sensor means generating a code signal at an output thereof while the code marker signal is being sensed; delay circuit means connected to the output of the code sensor means, said delay circuit means blocking the transmission of said code signal unless the duration of the code signal is sufficient to indicate the presence of a code marker of at least said predetermined length at least when the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed past the code marker; and control circuit means responsive to said code signal for controlling the operation of the vehicle in a predetermined manner. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification