Systems and methods for controlling powered vehicles near a restricted region

• US 20070045018A1
• Filed: 08/25/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Carter, Scott, James, Jesse, Hannah, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US11/510,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20070045018A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/167
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/16 operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle

Abstract

A system for controlling movement of a personal mobility vehicle near a restricted region is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a detector that is configured to be disposed on the personal mobility vehicle and that is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal transmitted to the restricted region. The system also includes a control unit configured to communicate with the detector. The control unit is further configured to determine proximity of the detector to the restricted region using information related to the signal received by the detector. The control unit is also configured to provide a command to inhibit movement of the personal mobility vehicle in response to the determined proximity of the vehicle to the restricted region.

Claims

1. A processor-implemented method of controlling a personal mobility vehicle near a restricted region, the method comprising:

determining a first location of a personal mobility vehicle relative to a first limit line near a restricted region;

determining a first direction of travel of the personal mobility vehicle relative to the first limit line;

providing a warning if the first location and the first direction of travel indicate the personal mobility vehicle is approaching the restricted region;

determining a second location of the personal mobility vehicle relative to a second limit line, the second limit line closer to the restricted region than the first limit line;

determining a second direction of travel of the personal mobility vehicle relative to the second limit line; and

inhibiting motion of the personal mobility vehicle if a processor determines, using at least one of the second location and the second direction of travel, that the personal mobility vehicle is approaching the restricted region.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of determining a first location of a personal mobility vehicle, determining a first direction of travel of the personal mobility vehicle, determining a second location of the personal mobility vehicle, or determining a second direction of travel of the personal mobility vehicle comprises detecting a radio frequency (RF) signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the RF signal is transmitted by an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the RF signal is transmitted by a very low frequency (VLF) line.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the RF signal is transmitted by a wireless access point (AP).

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising using information related to a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) value in at least one of said acts of determining.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a warning comprises providing an audible warning.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the audible warning comprises a voice-synthesized warning.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a warning comprises providing a visual warning.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein inhibiting motion of the personal mobility vehicle comprises reducing the speed of the personal mobility vehicle.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein inhibiting motion of the personal mobility vehicle comprises actuating a brake on the personal mobility vehicle.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising overriding actions performed in inhibiting motion of the personal mobility vehicle.

13. A system for localizing and controlling movement of a personal mobility vehicle, the system comprising:

a signal source configured to transmit a localization signal, the signal source further configured to be disposed on a personal mobility vehicle;

two detectors configured to receive the localization signal, the two detectors defining a first limit line therebetween; and

a control unit configured to communicate with the two detectors and to determine a first localization of the signal source relative to the first limit and a second localization of the signal source relative to a second limit line.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the two detectors comprises an angle-of-arrival detector.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the two detectors comprises a radio frequency (RF) detector.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the control unit is configured to use information related to a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) value from at least one of the two detectors in determining at least one of the first localization and the second localization.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the control unit is further configured to actuate a warning system using information related to the first localization.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the warning system provides an audible warning.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the warning system provides a visual warning.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the control unit is further configured to actuate a vehicle motion inhibition system using information related to the second localization.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle motion inhibition system comprises a braking mechanism for the personal mobility vehicle.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle motion inhibition system comprises a motor controller that can reduce power to a motor of the personal mobility vehicle.

23. A system for controlling a personal mobility vehicle near a restricted region, the system comprising:

means for determining a first location of a personal mobility vehicle relative to a first limit line near a restricted region;

means for determining a first direction of travel of the personal mobility vehicle relative to the first limit line;

means for providing a warning if the first location and the first direction of travel indicate the personal mobility vehicle is approaching the restricted region;

means for determining a second location of the personal mobility vehicle relative to a second limit line, the second limit line closer to the restricted region than the first limit line;

means for determining a second direction of travel of the personal mobility vehicle relative to the second limit line;

means for determining, using at least one of the second location and the second direction of travel, whether the personal mobility vehicle is approaching the restricted region; and

means for inhibiting motion of the personal mobility vehicle, wherein the inhibiting means are configured to be actuated in response to the determination by the determining means.