Replaceable vehicle control prom

• US 5,075,853 A
• Filed: 12/10/1990
• Issued: 12/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WHS Robotics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WHS Robotics Incorporated
• Inventors: Luke, Walter Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZANELLI, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US07/627,563
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 364/900, 364/424.02, 364/424.03, 364/449, 364/436, 364/460, 364/461, 313/587, 313/591, 340/460, 340/461, 340/462, 180/167, 180/168
• US Class Current: 701/25
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/07527 Covers for, e.g. engines or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41865 characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41895 using automatic guided vehicles [AGV] control of position or course of AGV's G05D1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0265 using buried wires
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0272 comprising means for registering the travel distance, e.g. revolutions of wheels measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, e.g. using odometers G01C22/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/60 Electric or hybrid propulsion means for production processes

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) with a movable chassis and information processor mounted on the chassis for controlling AGV operation. A data storage mechanism in the form of a replaceable PROM is connected to the information processor for storing data representative of AGV operating instructions, such as safety procedure instructions, a facilities map, traffic control instructions, load handling instructions, diagnostic procedure instructions, speed control instructions and the like.

Claims

1. An automatic guided vehicle (AVG) having an individual floor plan of a warehouse facility in which said AGV is operative, comprising:

a movable chasis;

b) information processing means mounted upon said chassis of said AGV for controlling operation thereof, from said chassis of said AGV; and

c) data storage means operatively connected to said information processing means for storing data representative of AGV operating instructions and facility guide path information including a storage facility map featuring individual storage bays, pick-up and delivery docks, maintenance stations and intersecting pathways within said warehouse facility, said warehouse facility being additionally arranged into individual traffic control sectors that form part of a hierarchial system of control.

2. The AGV in accordance with claim 1 wherein said data storage means is removable.

3. The AGV in accordance with claim 2 wherein said data storage means comprises a PROM.

4. The AGV in accordance with claim 3 wherein said information processing means comprises a computer processor.

5. The AGV in accordance with claim 3 wherein said data representative of AGV operating instructions comprises traffic control instructions.

6. The AGV in accordance with claim 3 wherein said data representative of AGV operating instructions comprises safety procedure instructions.

7. The AGV in accordance with claim 3 wherein said data representative of AGV operating instructions comprises load handling instructions.

8. The AGV in accordance with claim 3 wherein said data representative of AGV operating instructions comprises diagnostic procedure instructions.

9. The AGV in accordance with claim 3 wherein said data representative of AGV operating instructions comprises speed control instructions.

10. The AGV in accordance with claim 3 wherein said data representative of AGV operating instructions comprises code reading instructions.

11. The AGV in accordance with claim 3 wherein said data representative of AGV operating instructions comprises self test instructions.

12. An electronic data processing system for controlling an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) having an individual floor plan of a warehouse facility in which said AGV is operative, comprising:

a) a processor;

b) a communications bus operatively connected to said processor for transferring data thereto and therefrom; and

c) data storage means operatively connected to said communications bus for storing data representative of AGV operating instructions, said data storage means comprising a replaceable PROM containing facility guide path information and a facility map, said facility map featuring individual storage bays, pick-up and delivery docks, maintenance stations and intersecting pathways within said warehouse facility, said warehouse facility being additionally arranged into individual traffic control sectors that form part of a hierarchial system of control.

13. The electronic data processing system of claim 12 wherein said PROM is erasable.

14. The electronic data processing system of claim 12 wherein said PROM comprises data representative of pathfinding instructions.

15. The electronic data processing system of claim 12 wherein said PROM comprises data representative of traffic control protocol.

16. The electronic data processing system of claim 12 wherein said PROM comprises data representative of safety function instructions.

17. The electronic data processing system of claim 12 wherein said processor is disposed on said AGV.

18. The electronic data processing system of claim 12 wherein said processor controls a local area comprising a plurality of AGVs.