Method and apparatus for controlling robotic golf caddy apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a self-propelled, steerable vehicle through an accessible area with predetermined boundaries defining areas not accessible to the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of(1) moving the object through the accessible area and within the predetermined boundaries,(2) while the vehicle is in the accessible area, using a GPS system having a multiplicity of satellites to determine the approximate location of the vehicle in the accessible area,(3) steering the vehicle based in part on the determined approximate location of the vehicle using the GPS system, and(4) if the number of viewable satellites from which signals can be received in the GPS system falls below a predetermined minimum number, then performing the following steps until the number of viewable satellites increases to the minimum number:
- (a) determining a safe distance that the vehicle can travel along a path, which distance is related to the position of the vehicle in relation to the boundaries of the accessible area, at the time the number of viewable satellites falls below the minimum number, and(b) steering the vehicle along the path and at the same time determining the distance the vehicle travels along the path after the time the number of viewable satellites falls below the minimum number using a distance determination device independent of the GPS system,(5) once the number of viewable satellites increases to the minimum number, continuing to steer the vehicle through the accessible area using the GPS system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A robotic golf caddy apparatus (21) movably supported on a steering assembly (28) and including a communications assembly (41) for communicating with a GPS system (61) and a central control station in order to guide and steer the apparatus around designated accessible areas of a golf course. The apparatus (21) also includes a dead reckoning system with distance determination device (83) and compass (85) for determining the distance the caddy travels should the communications assembly (41) lose communications with a predetermined minimum number of satellites in the GPS system (61). Also, a sensor (72a) is provided for detecting a guide tape or line (126,130), provided in preselected areas of the golf course. The caddy apparatus (21) is steered along the guide tape (126,130), rather than by the GPS system (61), in certain areas of the course where the GPS system (61) may be inadequate for maximum safe operation of the caddy apparatus.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a self-propelled, steerable vehicle through an accessible area with predetermined boundaries defining areas not accessible to the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of
(1) moving the object through the accessible area and within the predetermined boundaries, (2) while the vehicle is in the accessible area, using a GPS system having a multiplicity of satellites to determine the approximate location of the vehicle in the accessible area, (3) steering the vehicle based in part on the determined approximate location of the vehicle using the GPS system, and (4) if the number of viewable satellites from which signals can be received in the GPS system falls below a predetermined minimum number, then performing the following steps until the number of viewable satellites increases to the minimum number: -
(a) determining a safe distance that the vehicle can travel along a path, which distance is related to the position of the vehicle in relation to the boundaries of the accessible area, at the time the number of viewable satellites falls below the minimum number, and (b) steering the vehicle along the path and at the same time determining the distance the vehicle travels along the path after the time the number of viewable satellites falls below the minimum number using a distance determination device independent of the GPS system, (5) once the number of viewable satellites increases to the minimum number, continuing to steer the vehicle through the accessible area using the GPS system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of controlling a self-propelled, steerable vehicle through an accessible area with predetermined boundaries defining areas not accessible to the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of
moving the vehicle through the accessible area and within the predetermined boundaries, while the vehicle is in the accessible area, using a GPS system having a multiplicity of satellites to determine the approximate location of the vehicle within the accessible area, steering the vehicle based in part on the determined approximate location of the vehicle using the GPS system, providing a detectable guide mechanism in preselected areas of the accessible area, when the vehicle is within a preselected area, sensing the location of the detectable guide mechanism by a sensor carried on the vehicle, and steering the vehicle along the detectable guide mechanism in response to the sensed location of the guide mechanism, when the vehicle leaves the preselected area, resuming steering of the vehicle by use of the GPS system.
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16. A self-propelled, steerable vehicle comprising,
a frame movably supported for travel in a designated accessible area, a computer control assembly carried on the frame for controlling movement of the frame in the accessible area, a communications assembly carried on the frame for communicating with a GPS system having a predetermined minimum number of viewable satellites in order to approximate the position of the vehicle within the accessible area, and for communicating with at least one local source in order to guide the vehicle in close proximity to the local source, a distance determination device carried on the frame for determining the distance traveled by the vehicle when communication with GPS system is temporarily interfered with, the computer control assembly including control means for controlling movement of the frame when the number of viewable satellites falls below a predetermined number, including determining a safe distance that the frame can travel along a path, which distance is related to the position of the frame in relation to the accessible area, at the time the number of viewable satellites falls below the minimum number, and further including steering the frame along the path and at the same time determining the distance the vehicle travels along the path after the time the number of viewable satellites falls below the minimum number using the distance determination device independent of the GPS system.
Specification