Global positioning system controlled paint sprayer

• US 6,299,934 B1
• Filed: 03/01/2000
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Manning, Charles David Hope
• Primary Examiner(s): Beck, Shrive P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CALCAGNI, JENNIFER A
• Application Number:
  US09/516,995
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 427/421, 427/136, 427/137, 118/305, 118/697, 404/75, 404/84.05, 404/93, 404/94, 700/253, 700/302, 342/357.06, 342/357.08, 342/357.13, 342/357.17, 701/213, 701/214, 701/208, 702/5
• US Class Current: 427/137
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/12 responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus B05B12/082, B05B12/084 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 23/163 for marking-out the location of the markings; Guiding or steering devices for marking apparatus, e.g. sights
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/15 Aircraft landing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS

Abstract

A global positioning system (GPS) controlled paint spray system. The system includes a paint sprayer driver program and a GPS paint sprayer. The paint sprayer driver program enables a user of a standard drawing program using a standard personal computer to generate a print file for a drawing pattern. The GPS paint sprayer includes a GPS receiver, a geographical converter for enabling a user to convert the drawing pattern to geographical locations, a location comparator for detecting a location match between the geographical locations of the drawing pattern and a current GPS-based location, and a spray nozzle to spraying paint for matched locations.

Claims

1. A method for generating a geographical drawing pattern for making a pattern on one of a field, a wall, and a parking lot, comprising:

receiving data having no geographical association, wherein said data is representative of a drawing pattern selected from the group consisting of a series of lines, a logo, and an advertisement;

receiving geographical information for a reference location, a scale, and an orientation of said data on one of said field, said wall, and said parking lot;

converting said data to said geographical drawing pattern having geographical coordinates according to said geographical information; and

marking said geographical drawing pattern on one of said field, said wall, and said parking lot at said geographical coordinates.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a global positioning system (GPS)-based location of a nozzle; and

detecting a location match when said GPS-based location matches one of said geographical coordinates; and

wherein;

marking includes depositing a marking material onto one of said field, said wall, and said parking lot from said nozzle when said location match is detected.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

said geographical drawing pattern has a track direction for a line; and

further including steps of;

determining a cross track offset between said GPS-based location and said geographical coordinates;

carrying said nozzle in said track direction; and

mechanically moving said nozzle a cross track direction for correcting said cross track offset as said nozzle is carried.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said data includes print data for printing one of said series of lines, said logo, and said advertisement on a page.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said data includes raster data for raster scan lines; and

further comprising a step of;

determining loopback paths for connecting ends of raster scan lines in said geographical drawing pattern.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said field is one of a sports field and an airfield.

7. An apparatus for generating a geographical drawing pattern for marking a pattern onto one of a field, a wall, and a parking lot, comprising:

a data interface for receiving data having no geographical association, wherein said data is representative of a drawing pattern selected from the group consisting of a series of lines, a logo, and an advertisement;

a geographical drawing converter for receiving geographical information for a reference location, a scale, and an orientation of said data on one of said field, said wall, and said parking lot; and

converting said data to said geographical drawing pattern having geographical coordinates according to said geographical information; and

a marker for marking said geographical drawing pattern on one of said field, said wall, and said parking lot at said geographical coordinates.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

the marker includes a nozzle for depositing a marking material when commanded by a control signal; and

further comprising a GPS receiver for determining a GPS-based location of said nozzle; and

a location comparator for detecting a location match when said GPS-based location matches one of said geographical coordinates and generating said control signal when said location match is detected.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

said geographical drawing pattern has a track direction;

the location comparator is further for determining a cross track offset between said GPS-based location and said one of said geographical coordinates; and

further comprising;

a servomechanism for mechanically moving said nozzle in a cross track direction for correcting said cross track offset as said nozzle is carried in said track direction.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

said data includes print data for printing one of said series of lines, said logo, and said advertisement on a page.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

said data includes raster data for raster scan lines; and

the geographical drawing converter is further for determining loopback paths for connecting ends of raster scan lines in said geographical drawing pattern.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

said field is one of a sports field and an airfield.