Apparatus for motor vehicle position indication

• US 4,024,493 A
• Filed: 06/07/1974
• Issued: 05/17/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George W. Ingels
• Original Assignee: George W. Ingels
• Inventors: Ingels, George W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Curtis, Marshall M.
• Application Number:
  US05/477,283
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 340/23, 340/24, 340/324 A, 340/324 AD, 235/150.27
• US Class Current: 701/116
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/28 Pick-offs, i.e. devices for taking-off an indication of the displacement of the rotor axis
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/14 by recording the course traversed by the object G01C21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/02 of systems according to group G01S13/00

Abstract

Apparatus for tracking motor vehicle position relative to a starting point and for providing continual display of vehicle position. The apparatus includes a gyroscope and odometer for generating respective direction and distance electrical signals which are then converted to x and y deflection voltages for control of a cathode ray oscilloscope. An area map overlay may be included on the face of the oscilloscope; and, the position indication signals may be continually transmitted to a central location to provide reference indication as to a particular motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An improved system for maintaining position surveillance of motor vehicles comprising:

odometer means for generating an output d-c voltage which is proportional to the distance travelled by said motor vehicle;

gyroscope control means for generating an E_x d-c voltage proportional to X coordinate direction of travel of said motor vehicle and for generating an E_y d-c voltage proportional to vehicle movement in the Y coordinate direction by said motor vehicle;

first multiplier means receiving said distance proportional d-c voltage and said E_x d-c voltage at the input to provide an X coordinate output voltage;

second multiplier means receiving said distance proportional d-c voltage and said E_y d-c voltage to provide a Y coordinate output voltage;

first servo means including a first d-c drive motor and differential amplifier means, said differential amplifier means receiving as input said X coordinate output voltage to provide drive output to said first d-c motor to produce first rotational output, and including tachometer sensor means responsive to said rotational output to feedback a servo control voltage for input to said differential amplifier;

second servo means including second d-c drive motor and differential amplifier means, said differential amplifier means receiving as input said Y coordinate output voltage to provide drive output to said second d-c motor to produce second rotational output, and including tachometer sensor means responsive to said rotational output to feedback a servo control voltage for input to said differential amplifier; and

first deflection potentiometer means wherein the wiper element thereof is bidirectionally driven by said first rotational output to provide an X deflection voltage output;

second deflection potentiometer means wherein the wiper element thereof is bidirectionally driven by said second rotational output to provide a Y deflection voltage output; and

cathode ray tube means providing a visible spot having its position controlled in response to X and Y deflection as controlled respectively by said X and Y deflection voltages.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include:

data transmission means operating at characteristic frequency for transmitting said X deflection voltage output and Y deflection voltage output indications for reception at a remote location; and

cathode ray tube means located at said remote location to provide a visible spot having its position controlled in response to X and Y deflection as controlled respectively by said X and Y deflection voltages.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include:

data transmission means operating at characteristic frequency for transmitting said X deflection voltage output and Y deflection voltage output indications for reception at a remote location; and

computer means located at said remote location for receiving and providing continual accessible storage of said X and Y deflection voltages for said motor vehicle for a pre-determined period of time.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second multiplier means comprise:

four quadrant multiplier means receiving each of said rate proportional d-c voltage and a respective directional d-c voltage at the input to provide a respective coordinate output voltage; and

voltage divider means receiving said respective coordinate output voltage at the input and controlled by range switch means to provide a scaled output voltage for input to said differential amplifier means.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said tachometer sensor means comprise:

tachometer means providing output indication of said d-c motor rotational output;

pulse generator means responsive to said rotational output indication to generate output pulses at a rate proportional to said rotational output; and

frequency to voltage converter means receiving as input said generated output pulses to provide output of said servo control voltage.

6. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said data transmission and receiving means comprises:

transmitter means operating at a characteristic carrier frequency;

modulator means receiving said X and Y deflection voltage outputs for frequency modulation on said carrier frequency;

means for receiving and demodulating said carrier frequency to provide output of said X and Y deflection voltage outputs for control of said cathode ray tube repeater means.

10. A system as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include:

transparent overlay means having predesignated map markings and area proportional to said cathode ray means indicator face.

11. A system as set forth in claim 10 which includes:

calibration adjustment means for pre-setting said visible spot to a selected position on said overlay means upon commencing movement of said motor vehicle.

7. An improved system for maintaining position surveillance of motor vehicles at a central location, comprising:

means for generating an X coordinate analog control voltage having an amplitude and polarity which is proportional to distance movement of said motor vehicle in a first direction from a pre-set reference point;

means for generating a Y coordinate analog control voltage having an amplitude and polarity which is proportional to distance of movement of said motor vehicle in a second direction from said pre-set reference point and said second direction being ninety degrees displaced from said first direction;

visual indicator means on said vehicle;

deflection generator means receiving said X and Y analog control voltages to generate X and Y control signals controlling indicated position from said preset reference point on said visual indicator means;

means for transmitting said X and Y coordinate control voltage indications from said vehicle at characteristic frequency and for receiving the transmitted control voltage indications at a central location; and

computer means at said central location, and including accessible storage for continually receiving said X and Y coordinate control voltage indications for storage thereof.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for transmitting comprises:

transmitter means operating at a characteristic frequency;

modulator means receiving said X and Y deflection voltage outputs for frequency modulation on said carrier frequency;

means for receiving and demodulating said carrier frequency to provide output of said X and Y deflection voltage outputs for control of cathode ray tube repeater means.

9. A system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for transmitting comprises:

analog-digital converter means receiving said X and Y coordinate control voltages to provide X and Y digital outputs;

transmission means operating at a characteristic carrier frequency and including modulation means for modulating said X and Y digital signals on said carrier;

receiver means located at said central location and including demodulator means for demodulating said X and Y digital signals for direct input to said computer means.

12. A system as set forth in claim 7 which is further characterized to include:

at least one visual indicator controlled in response to data output from said computer means to provide indication of relative coordinate position of selected motor vehicles.