Proximity detector system for a medical diagnostic device
First Claim
1. A method for detecting an obstacle to the immediate front of a mobile medical diagnostic device having a front portion comprising the steps of:
- generating transmission signals,in response to said transmission signals, transmitting ultrasonic sound waves from transducers located behind the device front portion to and in advance of the front portion of the device and generating range window signals which correspond both to time intervals at which said sound waves would be reflected from an obstacle at a preselected distance in front of the device and to a predetermined time period corresponding to the distance from the transducers to the device front portion,receiving any waves that are reflected back to the transducers and converting said reflected waves to reflected signals, andprocessing said reflected signals and said range window signals to determine whether an obstacle is within said preselected distance from the front of the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile medical diagnostic device having a mobility chassis with two supporting wheels and a central steerable drive wheel. The device has an electrical power steering system controlled by two synchronized handles operable by wrist action of an operator walking behind the device. The handles include a rotatable grip for controlling the velocity of the device. Advancing the grip actuates the throttle to the drive wheel and retarding the grip actuates a proportional electromechanical braking system. The device includes a proximity detector system which uses ultrasonic transducers to determine when an obstacle is within close proximity to the device, and automatically actuates the brake system. A window signal is established on the basis of both a preselected distance from the device within which it is desirable to apply the brakes, and a delay function which is determined by the distance of the front portion of the device from the transducer. If an object is within the window, the brakes are automatically actuated.
26 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for detecting an obstacle to the immediate front of a mobile medical diagnostic device having a front portion comprising the steps of:
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generating transmission signals, in response to said transmission signals, transmitting ultrasonic sound waves from transducers located behind the device front portion to and in advance of the front portion of the device and generating range window signals which correspond both to time intervals at which said sound waves would be reflected from an obstacle at a preselected distance in front of the device and to a predetermined time period corresponding to the distance from the transducers to the device front portion, receiving any waves that are reflected back to the transducers and converting said reflected waves to reflected signals, and processing said reflected signals and said range window signals to determine whether an obstacle is within said preselected distance from the front of the device. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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2. An obstacle detector system for a mobile medical diagnostic device having a front portion, comprising:
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means for generating transmission signals, means responsive to said transmission signals for transmitting ultrasonic waves from transducers located behind the device front portion to and in advance of the front portion of the device, means for generating range window signals in response to said transmission signals, said range window signals corresponding both to time intervals at which said sound waves would be reflected from an obstacle at a predetermined distance in front of the device and to a predetermined time interval at which said sound waves would be reflected back to the transducers from the front portion of the device, means for receiving any waves which are reflected back to the device, and circuitry means for analyzing the reflected waves and, with the use of the range window signals, determining if an obstacle is to the immediate front of the device. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
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Specification