Systems and methods of remotely controlling a materials handling vehicle
First Claim
1. A materials handling vehicle comprising:
- an operator platform from which an operator can drive the vehicle;
a traction control system for advancing the vehicle across a floor surface;
an operator presence sensor configured to detect the presence of the operator on the operator platform;
at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; and
a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor and the traction control system, wherein;
the controller is responsive to the output of the at least one sensor to stop or slow down the vehicle if an object is detected proximate to the vehicle and the vehicle is traveling in response to a remote travel request; and
the controller does not slow down or stop the vehicle if an object is proximate to the vehicle while the operator is driving the vehicle on the operator platform; and
when the controller receives a remote travel request, the controller evaluates the status of the operator presence sensor, and the controller is configured to;
cause the traction control system to advance the vehicle if the status from the operator presence sensor is not indicative of the presence of an operator on the vehicle; and
decide to not implement the remote travel request if the status from the operator presence sensor is indicative of the presence of an operator on the vehicle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A materials handling vehicle includes an operator platform from which an operator can drive the vehicle; a traction control system for advancing the vehicle across a floor surface; at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; and a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor and the traction control system. The controller is responsive to the output of the at least one sensor to stop or slow down the vehicle if an object is detected proximate to the vehicle and the vehicle is traveling in response to a remote travel request. However, the controller does not slow down or stop the vehicle if an object is proximate to the vehicle while the operator is driving the vehicle on the operator platform.
150 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A materials handling vehicle comprising:
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an operator platform from which an operator can drive the vehicle; a traction control system for advancing the vehicle across a floor surface; an operator presence sensor configured to detect the presence of the operator on the operator platform; at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; and a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor and the traction control system, wherein; the controller is responsive to the output of the at least one sensor to stop or slow down the vehicle if an object is detected proximate to the vehicle and the vehicle is traveling in response to a remote travel request; and the controller does not slow down or stop the vehicle if an object is proximate to the vehicle while the operator is driving the vehicle on the operator platform; and when the controller receives a remote travel request, the controller evaluates the status of the operator presence sensor, and the controller is configured to; cause the traction control system to advance the vehicle if the status from the operator presence sensor is not indicative of the presence of an operator on the vehicle; and decide to not implement the remote travel request if the status from the operator presence sensor is indicative of the presence of an operator on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a materials handling vehicle having a controller and an operator platform from which an operator can drive the vehicle, the method comprising:
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receiving, by the controller, an output of at least one sensor that is configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; receiving, by the controller, an output of an operator presence sensor; stopping or slowing down the vehicle, by the controller, if an object is detected proximate to the vehicle and the vehicle is traveling in response to a remote travel request; overriding, by the controller, the output of the at least one sensor if an operator is sensed on the vehicle by the operator presence sensor; and when the controller receives a remote travel request, the controller evaluates the status of the operator presence sensor, and the controller is configured to; cause the traction control system to advance the vehicle if the status from the operator presence sensor is not indicative of the presence of an operator on the vehicle; and decide to not implement the remote travel request if the status from the operator presence sensor is indicative of the presence of an operator on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A materials handling vehicle comprising:
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an operator platform from which an operator can drive the vehicle; a traction control system for advancing the vehicle across a floor surface; an operator presence sensor configured to detect the presence of the operator on the operator platform; at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; and a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor and the traction control system, wherein; the controller is responsive to the output of the at least one sensor to stop or slow down the vehicle if an object is detected proximate to the vehicle and the vehicle is traveling in response to a remote travel request; and wherein the output of the at least one sensor is overridden while the operator is sensed on the vehicle by the operator presence sensor; and when the controller receives a remote travel request, the controller evaluates the status of the operator presence sensor, and the controller is configured to; cause the traction control system to advance the vehicle if the status from the operator presence sensor is not indicative of the presence of an operator on the vehicle; and decide to not implement the remote travel request if the status from the operator presence sensor is indicative of the presence of an operator on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification