Autonomous guided vehicle guidance device
First Claim
1. An autonomous guided vehicle guidance device comprising:
- an autonomous guided vehicle which performs route change and stop operations;
a plurality of signs indicating a plurality of subsequent operations of said autonomous guided vehicle which are disposed on the guidance route of said vehicle and which are movable to different locations;
imaging means for obtaining an image of at least one of said plurality of signs disposed in front of said vehicle;
extracting means for detecting a minimum distance sign which is one of said plurality of signs at a minimum distance from said vehicle when said more than one of said plurality of signs appear in said image obtained by said imaging means or detecting one of said plurality of signs when only said one of said plurality of sign appears in said image obtained by said imaging means, and extracting information for performing a subsequent operation contained in said detected sign; and
vehicle controlling means for generating a vehicle control signal according to said information extracted by said extracting means and instructing said vehicle to perform an operation change thereby.
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Accused Products
Abstract
When material transport was automated on a building construction site, in a conventional travel tape guide system, it was necessary to replace the tape when it became soiled or when changes were made to a travel route. As a result, the usage efficiency of a material transport vehicle could not be improved on the site due to the fact that changes are made to work floors as demanded by construction schedules. According to this invention, there is provided a sign which is easy to move and which is installed at a turning point or an unloading point on a work floor transport route. An image of the sign is obtained by an imaging device on an autonomous guided vehicle and operating instructions are recognized by image processing. This makes it possible to automate the setting of routes and the control of the vehicle.
80 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An autonomous guided vehicle guidance device comprising:
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an autonomous guided vehicle which performs route change and stop operations; a plurality of signs indicating a plurality of subsequent operations of said autonomous guided vehicle which are disposed on the guidance route of said vehicle and which are movable to different locations; imaging means for obtaining an image of at least one of said plurality of signs disposed in front of said vehicle; extracting means for detecting a minimum distance sign which is one of said plurality of signs at a minimum distance from said vehicle when said more than one of said plurality of signs appear in said image obtained by said imaging means or detecting one of said plurality of signs when only said one of said plurality of sign appears in said image obtained by said imaging means, and extracting information for performing a subsequent operation contained in said detected sign; and vehicle controlling means for generating a vehicle control signal according to said information extracted by said extracting means and instructing said vehicle to perform an operation change thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An autonomous guided vehicle guidance device comprising:
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an autonomous guided vehicle which travels on the work floors of a building construction site; a hook for holding a material at the front of said vehicle; a computer for controlling said vehicle; an operating panel for inputting startup and stop commands of said autonomous guided vehicle guidance device; an imaging device for obtaining an image of a sign; a zoom lens which maintains a constant size display of said sign by varying a focal length and image angle according to a distance to said sign; a strobe for illuminating said sign in front; means for measuring a distance to said sign appearing in said zoom lens; an image processing device for extracting and recognizing said sign based on an image signal from said imaging device; means for detecting an angle of an inertial system onboard said vehicle; means for supplying power to a vehicle drive unit, said controlling computer, said imaging device, said zoom lens, and said strobe; turning drive means for turning said distance measuring means, said strobe and said imaging device; a power amplifier for supplying a turning drive signal to said turning drive means; and said sign installed at a change-over point or an unloading point for indicating a curve or change of direction; wherein said detected angle and said image of the sign provide an indication of the curve or change in direction which is processed by controlling computer to provide a control command for guiding said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification