Method for controlling a vehicle and a vehicle guidance system
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a switch;
a mode controller for entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to the switch;
a programming module for managing a programming mode in which the user enters a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input to the switch is indicated by a light source;
a guidance module for managing a guidance mode for guiding a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program;
a data processor executing software instructions associated with the mode controller, the programming module, and the guidance module;
a data storage device for storing the software instructions;
a steering system associated with one or more wheels or tracks of the vehicle;
an encoder for sensing a steering angle of a steering system;
a steering controller associated with the steering system for controlling the steering angle in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode; and
a detector for identifying a longer duration activation versus a shorter duration activation of the switch, wherein an initial entry determines the operational mode.
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Abstract
A method or system for controlling a vehicle comprises entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch. The user can enter a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source. A guidance mode is managed for guiding a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program. An encoder or sensor can sense a steering angle of a steering system. The steering angle is controlled in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.
24 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a switch; a mode controller for entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to the switch; a programming module for managing a programming mode in which the user enters a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input to the switch is indicated by a light source; a guidance module for managing a guidance mode for guiding a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program; a data processor executing software instructions associated with the mode controller, the programming module, and the guidance module; a data storage device for storing the software instructions; a steering system associated with one or more wheels or tracks of the vehicle; an encoder for sensing a steering angle of a steering system; a steering controller associated with the steering system for controlling the steering angle in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode; and a detector for identifying a longer duration activation versus a shorter duration activation of the switch, wherein an initial entry determines the operational mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling a vehicle, the method comprising:
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entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch; managing a programming mode in which the user enters a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input to the switch is indicated by a light source; managing a guidance mode for guiding a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program; sensing a steering angle of a steering system; controlling the steering angle in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode; and identifying a longer duration activation versus a shorter duration activation of the switch, wherein an initial entry determines the operational mode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification