Navigation of remote controlled vehicles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for navigating a remote controlled vehicle, comprising:
- (a) navigating the vehicle using Global Positioning System (GPS); and
(b) navigating the vehicle using a laser tracking system and one or both of;
(i) a compass; and
(ii) wheel encoders upon dropout of the GPS.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for navigating a remote controlled vehicle, methods for maintaining a formation of remote controlled vehicles, and remote controlled vehicles using those methods. A vehicle is navigated using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Upon dropout of the GPS, the vehicle is navigated using a laser tracking system and one or both of: (i) a compass and (ii) wheel encoders. The navigation system may be used, in one embodiment, to maintain an echelon formation of remote controlled mine detection vehicles.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for navigating a remote controlled vehicle, comprising:
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(a) navigating the vehicle using Global Positioning System (GPS); and
(b) navigating the vehicle using a laser tracking system and one or both of;
(i) a compass; and
(ii) wheel encoders upon dropout of the GPS. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for maintaining a formation of remote controlled vehicles, comprising:
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(a) navigating the vehicles using Global Positioning System (GPS) to maintain the formation; and
(b) navigating one or more of the vehicles using a laser tracking system and one or both of;
(i) a compass; and
(ii) wheel encoders upon dropout of the GPS to maintain the formation. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
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17. A method for maintaining an echelon formation of remote controlled mine detection vehicles (MDVs), comprising:
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(a) navigating the MDVs using a differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) to maintain the echelon formation;
(b) experiencing a dropout of the DGPS in one or more MDVs;
(c) navigating each MDV not experiencing the dropout using the DGPS system to maintain the echelon formation; and
(d) navigating each MDV experiencing the dropout using a laser tracking system and one or more of;
(i) a compass;
(ii) wheel encoders; and
(iii) a physical waypoint marker upon dropout of the DGPS to maintain the formation.
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18. A remote controlled vehicle configured to maintain a formation with other vehicles, comprising:
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a Global Positioning System (GPS) configured to navigate the vehicle to maintain the formation;
a laser tracking system;
a compass;
wheel encoders; and
wherein the laser tracking system and compass or wheel encoders are configured to navigate the vehicle to maintain the formation upon dropout of the GPS. - View Dependent Claims (22, 24)
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23. A remote controlled vehicle configured to maintain a formation with a lead vehicle comprising:
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a Global Positioning System (GPS) configured to navigate the vehicle to maintain the formation; and
a laser tracking system;
wherein the laser tracking system is configured to navigate the vehicle to maintain the formation upon dropout of the GPS.
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Specification