Apparatus for visually locating and communicating with mobile robots
First Claim
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1. A combined communication and positioning system for a mobile apparatus, comprising:
- an apparatus light source mounted on the mobile apparatus;
a modulator electrically connected to the apparatus light source, wherein the modulator is for generating modulating data to be sent to the apparatus light source to modulate the light output of the apparatus light source;
a fixed light receiver off board the mobile apparatus for receiving data in the form of the modulated light from the mobile apparatus light source;
a fixed demodulator electrically connected to the fixed light receiver, for demodulating the light received from the apparatus light source;
a camera off board the mobile apparatus for forming an image of the apparatus light source to locate the position of the mobile apparatus; and
means for correlating said position of the mobile apparatus with the said data in the form of the modulated light received from the mobile apparatus light source, and for generating and transmitting navigation commands to said mobile apparatus, based upon said correlation.
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Abstract
A communication system for a mobile apparatus includes a means for communicating commanded destination to the mobile apparatus. The mobile apparatus includes a plurality of beacons that are used for both communicating with a master station and as a means of locating the mobile apparatus by the master station. The location of the mobile apparatus is used to generate commands which are transmitted to the mobile apparatus by light emitting diodes such that the light emitting diodes mounted on the mobile apparatus are used for both navigation purposes and communication.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A combined communication and positioning system for a mobile apparatus, comprising:
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an apparatus light source mounted on the mobile apparatus; a modulator electrically connected to the apparatus light source, wherein the modulator is for generating modulating data to be sent to the apparatus light source to modulate the light output of the apparatus light source; a fixed light receiver off board the mobile apparatus for receiving data in the form of the modulated light from the mobile apparatus light source; a fixed demodulator electrically connected to the fixed light receiver, for demodulating the light received from the apparatus light source; a camera off board the mobile apparatus for forming an image of the apparatus light source to locate the position of the mobile apparatus; and means for correlating said position of the mobile apparatus with the said data in the form of the modulated light received from the mobile apparatus light source, and for generating and transmitting navigation commands to said mobile apparatus, based upon said correlation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14)
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9. A combined communication and positioning system for a mobile apparatus, comprising:
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a camera off board the mobile apparatus for detecting an apparatus light source mounted onthe mobile apparatus, to locate the X-Y position of the mobile apparatus; means for modulating the light output by the apparatus light source; a fixed light detector off board the mobile apparatus for detecting data in the form of the modulated light output by the apparatus light source; a fixed demodulator electrically connected to the fixed light detector, to demodulate the modulated light output by the apparatus light source; and means for correlating said position of the mobile apparatus with the said data in the form of the modulated light received from the mobile apparatus light source, and for generating and transmitting navigation commands to said mobile apparatus, based upon said correlation. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification