Automated vehicle and system utilizing an optical sensing system
First Claim
1. An automated vehicle comprising:
- (a) a vehicle body;
(b) a power source;
(c) one or more motors housed within the vehicle body and in operable connection with the power source;
(d) running gear in operable connection with the one or more motors for facilitating movement and supporting the vehicle body upon a surface; and
(e) an optical system comprising;
(i) an optical sensor for detecting light reflected from the surface and generating an output in response to the light reflected; and
(ii) at least two light sources associated with the optical sensor, each light source capable of projecting light on the surface;
(f) wherein the optical system is configured to regulate an amount of power supplied to the one or more motors in response to the output generated by the optical sensor;
(g) wherein the optical sensor has a finite viewing area divided into a right-side viewing area and a left-side viewing area by an optical centerline, and wherein one of the at least two light sources includes a right-side light source configured to project light in the right-side viewing area and another of the at least two light sources includes a left-side light source configured to project light in the left-side viewing area; and
(h) wherein an optical barrier prevents the right-side light source from projecting light in the left-side viewing area and prevents the left-side light source from projecting light in the right-side viewing area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated vehicle includes a vehicle body, a power source, one or more motors housed within the vehicle body and in operable connection with the power source, running gear in operable connection with the one or more motors for facilitating movement and supporting the vehicle body upon a surface, and an optical system. The optical system includes an optical sensor for detecting light reflected from the surface and generating an output in response to the light reflected, and one or more light sources, each light source capable of projecting light on the surface. Furthermore, the optical system is configured to regulate an amount of power supplied to the one or more motors in response to the output generated by the optical sensor.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automated vehicle comprising:
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(a) a vehicle body; (b) a power source; (c) one or more motors housed within the vehicle body and in operable connection with the power source; (d) running gear in operable connection with the one or more motors for facilitating movement and supporting the vehicle body upon a surface; and (e) an optical system comprising; (i) an optical sensor for detecting light reflected from the surface and generating an output in response to the light reflected; and (ii) at least two light sources associated with the optical sensor, each light source capable of projecting light on the surface; (f) wherein the optical system is configured to regulate an amount of power supplied to the one or more motors in response to the output generated by the optical sensor; (g) wherein the optical sensor has a finite viewing area divided into a right-side viewing area and a left-side viewing area by an optical centerline, and wherein one of the at least two light sources includes a right-side light source configured to project light in the right-side viewing area and another of the at least two light sources includes a left-side light source configured to project light in the left-side viewing area; and (h) wherein an optical barrier prevents the right-side light source from projecting light in the left-side viewing area and prevents the left-side light source from projecting light in the right-side viewing area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An automated vehicle comprising:
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(a) a vehicle body; (b) a power source comprising one or more batteries housed within the vehicle body; (c) a first motor and a second motors housed within the vehicle body and in operable connection with the power source; (d) a first running gear in operable connection with the first motor and a second running gear in operable connection with the second motor, the first and second running gears facilitating movement and supporting the vehicle body upon a surface; (e) a microcontroller in operable connection with the power source, the first motor and the second motor, the microcontroller being capable of performing logic operations; and (f) an optical system in operable connection with the microcontroller, comprising; (i) an optical sensor for detecting light reflected from the surface and generating an output in response to the light reflected, the optical sensor having a finite viewing area divided by an optical centerline into a right-side viewing area and a left-side viewing area; (ii) a right-side light source configured to project light in the right-side viewing area; (iii) a left-side light source configured to project light in the left-side viewing area; and (iv) an optical barrier preventing the right-side light source from projecting light in the left-side viewing area and the left-side light source from projecting light in the right-side viewing area; (g) wherein the microcontroller is capable of performing logic operations based on the output; (h) wherein the microcontroller is configured to regulate an amount of power supplied to the first motor and the second motor in response to the output generated by the optical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification