System and method for calculating the orientation of a device
First Claim
1. A method for determining orientation of a vehicle relative to a surface having defined geometric data that represents a curvature of the surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring an angle of rotation about a hinge joint that is part of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is configured to travel along the surface;
determining the orientation of the vehicle relative to the surface based on vehicle geometric data, the surface geometric data and the measured angle of rotation; and
controlling operation of the vehicle in view of the determined orientation.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for determining orientation of a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a vehicle having a hinge joint such that sections of the chassis are capable of rotation with respect to each other. A first and second wheel is mounted to one and the other of the chassis sections, respectively. Vehicle geometric data defining a distance between the hinge joint and the centers of the first and second wheels, respectively, and the diameter of the wheels is provided. Surface geometric data defining the curvature of the surface can be provided. The angle of rotation about the hinge joint is measured. An orientation of the vehicle relative to the surface based on the vehicle geometric date, the surface geometric data, and the measured angle of rotation can be determined. A system and method for determining the orientation of an object is also provided.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for determining orientation of a vehicle relative to a surface having defined geometric data that represents a curvature of the surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring an angle of rotation about a hinge joint that is part of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is configured to travel along the surface; determining the orientation of the vehicle relative to the surface based on vehicle geometric data, the surface geometric data and the measured angle of rotation; and controlling operation of the vehicle in view of the determined orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for determining a diameter of a curved structure over which a vehicle travels comprising the steps of:
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determining geometric data of the vehicle; determining an orientation of the vehicle relative to the curved structure; and measuring an angle of rotation about a hinge joint that is part of the vehicle to determine the diameter of the curved structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A system for determining orientation of a vehicle relative to a surface having defined geometric data that represents a curvature of the surface comprising:
a drivable vehicle including; a hinge joint connecting a first part of the vehicle to a second part of the vehicle such that the first and second parts are capable of movement with respect to one another as the vehicle is driven across the surface, the movement of the first and second parts being translated into rotation of the hinge joint; a sensor configured to measure an angle of rotation about the hinge joint; and a processor configured to determine an orientation of the vehicle relative to the surface based on defined vehicle geometric data, the defined geometric data of the surface, and a measured angle of rotation about the hinge joint and wherein the processor is configured to control operation of the vehicle in view of a determined orientation. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
Specification