SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INDOOR NAVIGATION USING OPTICAL FLOOR SENSORS

• US 20140343846A1
• Filed: 08/07/2014
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applabz, LLC
• Original Assignee: Applabz, LLC
• Inventors: Goldman, David Allan, Patel, Nirav Balkrishna
• Granted Patent: US 9,702,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/525
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/12 executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/1654 with electromagnetic compass
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/1656 with passive imaging devices, e.g. cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/00 Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers, using pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0231 using optical position detecting means position-fixing by using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. optical position detecting means G01S5/16
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0242 using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0244 using reflecting strips
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0272 comprising means for registering the travel distance, e.g. revolutions of wheels measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, e.g. using odometers G01C22/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/46 Sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/47 Optical

Abstract

An apparatus includes (i) an absolute position sensor coupled to a case, the position sensor including a light sensor, and circuitry configured to determine an identifier within a barcode, the individual bars of the barcode being sensed by the light sensor, and (ii) a motion sensor coupled to the case, the motion sensor including a first magnetic field sensor, a code wheel having two or more magnets positioned to rotate in unison with a wheel of the moveable object, and encoder circuitry configured to determine an amount of rotation of the wheel of the moveable object based on an output of the first magnetic field sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an absolute position sensor coupled to a case attached to a moveable object including;

a light sensor configured to detect light reflected from a floor;

circuitry configured to determine an identifier within a barcode, the individual bars of the barcode being sensed by the light sensor as alternating absorbed and reflected light, the identifier corresponding to an absolute position within an indoor environment; and

a motion sensor coupled to the case including;

a first magnetic field sensor configured to detect a polarity of a magnet as the magnet passes in proximity to the first magnetic field sensor;

a code wheel having two or more magnets alternately oriented with north and south polarities facing toward the first magnetic sensor, the code wheel positioned to rotate in unison with a wheel of the moveable object; and

encoder circuitry configured to determine an amount of rotation of the wheel of the moveable object based on an output of the first magnetic field sensor.