Method and system for determining a position of a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for determining the position of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a group of radio frequency identification tags spaced apart from one another in or around a work area for the vehicle, each of the tags having a corresponding unique identifier;
establishing a path comprising a path segment between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags, the path segment comprising at least one of a distance between the tags, an angular heading between the tags, coordinates of the tags, and unique identifiers corresponding to the tags;
determining an estimated position of the vehicle based on at least one of odometer data and inertial data;
navigating between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags based on the estimated position, the distance and the angular heading;
reading the tag identifiers of each tag to track the progress of the vehicle to facilitate execution of or retrieval of any next path segment of the vehicle along the established path;
providing a ferrous metal member for collocation with each radio frequency identification tag; and
using a ferrous metal detection circuit to detect or confirm the near proximity of the radio frequency identification tag.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Radio frequency identification tags are spaced apart from one another in or around a work area for the vehicle. Each of the tags has a corresponding unique identifier. A path planning module establishes a path comprising a path segment between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags. The path segment comprises at least one of a distance between the tags, an angular heading between the tags, and unique identifiers corresponding to the tags. A data processor determines an estimated position of the vehicle based on at least one of odometer data and accelerometer data. A vehicle controller navigates between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags based on the estimated position, the distance and the angular heading. A reader reads the tag identifiers of each tag to track the progress of the vehicle to facilitate execution of or retrieval of any next path segment of the vehicle along the established path.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for determining the position of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a group of radio frequency identification tags spaced apart from one another in or around a work area for the vehicle, each of the tags having a corresponding unique identifier; establishing a path comprising a path segment between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags, the path segment comprising at least one of a distance between the tags, an angular heading between the tags, coordinates of the tags, and unique identifiers corresponding to the tags; determining an estimated position of the vehicle based on at least one of odometer data and inertial data; navigating between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags based on the estimated position, the distance and the angular heading; reading the tag identifiers of each tag to track the progress of the vehicle to facilitate execution of or retrieval of any next path segment of the vehicle along the established path; providing a ferrous metal member for collocation with each radio frequency identification tag; and using a ferrous metal detection circuit to detect or confirm the near proximity of the radio frequency identification tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for determining the position of a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a group of radio frequency identification tags spaced apart from one another in or around a work area for the vehicle, each of the tags having a corresponding unique identifier; a path planning module for establishing a path comprising a path segment between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags, the path segment comprising a least one of a distance between the tags, an angular heading between the tags, tag coordinates, and unique identifiers corresponding to the tags; a position estimator for determining an estimated position of the vehicle based on at least one of odometer data and inertial data; a vehicle controller for navigating between at least two of the radio frequency identification tags based on the estimated position, the distance and the angular heading; a reader for reading the tag identifiers of each tag to track the progress to facilitate execution of retrieval of any next path segment of the vehicle along the established path; a metal detector for detecting a change in a magnetic field associated with the proximity of a magnet or ferrous material co-located with the radio frequency identification tag; and a position verification module for determining whether or not the vehicle is co-located with or positioned over the read tag, as opposed to merely near the tag. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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13. The system according to 12 wherein the established path comprises an interconnected series of path segments between any two radio frequency identification tags.
Specification