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Apparatus and method for identifying scanned reflective anonymous targets

  • US 5,367,458 A
  • Filed: 08/10/1993
  • Issued: 11/22/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for determining the identity of an observed anonymous target from a plurality of anonymous targets positioned at predetermined spaced apart locations within an area of operation of an automatic guided vehicle, said vehicle having a scanner and said scanner being adapted to deliver electromagnetic radiation, said targets having a substantially planar reflective upright surface and a predetermined width defined by spaced first and second upright edges, said targets each being oriented at a preselected angle relative to predetermined coordinates, said targets being adapted to reflect the delivered electromagnetic radiation and said scanner being adapted to receive said reflected electromagnetic radiation and deliver a signal in response to receiving said reflected electromagnetic radiation, said automatic guided vehicle having an onboard computer, said computer having memory, and said computer being adapted to process signals delivered from said scanner according to preprogrammed instructions, said predetermined location, orientation, and width of each anonymous target being stored in memory, said vehicle having dead reckoning means for sensing the position of the vehicle and delivering a responsive dead reckoning signal, said computer being adapted to receive said dead reckoning signal and process said dead reckoning signal according to preprogrammed instructions, said method comprising:

  • estimating the position and heading of the vehicle based on dead reckoning signals;

    estimating a bearing angle of the anonymous targets relative to the vehicle based on the estimated position and heading of the vehicle and predetermined anonymous target locations and storing in memory the estimated bearing angles;

    delivering electromagnetic radiation and receiving a reflection of the delivered electromagnetic radiation from a first of the plurality of anonymous targets;

    measuring the bearing angle of the first anonymous target as a function of reflected electromagnetic radiation received from the first anonymous target;

    comparing the measured bearing angle of the first anonymous target with the estimated bearing angle of an associated one of the plurality of anonymous targets and verifying that the measured bearing angle of the first anonymous target is within a preselected bearing angle limit of the estimated bearing angle of the one associated anonymous target;

    measuring one of a subtended angle and width of the first anonymous target reflecting said electromagnetic radiation;

    calculating one of a subtended angle and width of the related anonymous target selected from memory as a function of the estimated vehicle position and the predetermined target position;

    comparing one of the measured width and subtended angle of the first anonymous target with a respective one of the calculated width and subtended angle of the related anonymous target and verifying that the compared one of the width and subtended angle of the first anonymous target and related anonymous target being within a predetermined relative tolerance range of each other; and

    storing an identity of the first target in a plausible target list in said computer.

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