Systems and methods for locating and controlling powered vehicles using a received strength indication signal

• US 8,674,845 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2011
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Carter, Scott J., James, Jesse M., Hannah, Stephen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFSASS, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US13/107,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20110279252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/988, 340/568.5, 340/686.6, 340/426.11, 701/408
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• 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 system for inhibiting a motorized cart from passing through a restricted region of a retail area, the system comprising:

a sensor located on a motorized cart for use inside an indoor retail space, the sensor configured to receive a first electromagnetic signal and a second electromagnetic signal,

wherein the first electromagnetic signal is transmitted by a first source and the second electromagnetic signal is transmitted by a second source, the first source being spaced from the second source, the first electromagnetic signal and the second electromagnetic signal each being transmitted at least near a restricted region where movement of the motorized cart is to be inhibited; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the controller configured to generate a first Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) value corresponding to the signal strength of the first electromagnetic signal received by the sensor and a second RSSI value corresponding to the signal strength of the second electromagnetic signal received by the sensor, the processor also configured to compare the first RSSI value and the second RSSI value to determine proximity and direction of travel of the sensor relative to the restricted region,

wherein the controller is further configured to provide a command to an inhibition system in response to the determined proximity and direction of travel of the sensor relative to the restricted region, wherein the inhibition system is configured to reduce ability of the motorized cart to move.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine proximity and direction of travel of the sensor relative to the restricted region only if the first RSSI value or the second RSSI value exceed a threshold value.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the restricted region is located in or adjacent to the indoor retail space.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the inhibition system comprises a brake or a motor interrupt.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first source and the second source comprises a wireless access point.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first source and the second source comprises a buried wire and at least one of the first electromagnetic signal and the second electromagnetic signal comprises a VLF signal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first source and the second source is located near an exit of the retail space.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of antennas.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the antennas is directional and at least one of the antennas is omni-directional.

10. A method for inhibiting a motorized cart from passing through a restricted region of a retail area, the method comprising:

under control of a control system in communication with a sensor located on a movable motorized cart for use inside an indoor retail space;

receiving a first electromagnetic signal and a second electromagnetic signal, the first electromagnetic signal transmitted by a first source and the second electromagnetic signal transmitted by a second source, the first source spaced from the second source, the first electromagnetic signal and the second electromagnetic signal each being transmitted at least near a restricted region where movement of the motorized cart is to be inhibited; and

generating a first Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) value corresponding to the signal strength of the first electromagnetic signal received by the sensor and a second RSSI value corresponding to the signal strength of the second electromagnetic signal received by the sensor;

comparing the first RSSI value and the second RSSI value;

determining proximity and direction of travel of the sensor relative to the restricted region; and

issuing an inhibition command to reduce the ability of the motorized cart to move in response to the determined proximity and direction of travel of the sensor relative to the restricted region.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises providing a warning if the determined proximity and direction of travel of the sensor relative to the restricted region indicate that the motorized cart is approaching the restricted region.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises:

issuing an override command from a device in communication with the control system; and

overriding the inhibition command in response to the override command, thereby reenabling the ability of the motorized cart to move.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises waiting a timeout period after overriding the inhibition command, the ability of the cart to move not being inhibited during the timeout period.

14. A control system for a mobility cart confinement system, the control system comprising:

a detector disposed on a mobility cart for use in a retail environment, the detector configured to receive a wakeup signal wirelessly transmitted by a source disposed in or near a restricted region, the signal comprising a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) threshold; and

a processor in communication with the detector, the processor configured to;

generate a RSSI value corresponding to the strength of the signal;

determine whether to initiate a localization system based on a comparison of the RSSI value and the RSSI threshold, the localization system configured to localize the mobility cart relative to the source based on the signal; and

determine whether to initiate an inhibition system based on the localization of the mobility cart relative to the source, the inhibition system configured to reduce the mobility of the mobility cart.

15. The control system of claim 14, wherein:

the localization system is initiated if the RSSI value exceeds the threshold value; and

the inhibition system is initiated if the mobility cart is localized within the restricted region.

16. The control system of claim 14, wherein:

the detector is further configured to transmit a receipt indication in response to receipt of the signal;

the source is further configured to receive the receipt indication and to transmit to the detector an acknowledgement indication in response; and

the processor is further configured to identify whether the detector received the acknowledgement indication and to request that the receipt indication be retransmitted if the acknowledgement indication was not received.

17. The control system of claim 14, wherein the detector is configured to transmit the generated RSSI value and a mobility cart identifier to the source.

18. The control system of claim 14, wherein the detector is further configured to receive a second signal from a second source, and

the localization system is further configured to localize the mobility cart relative to at least the first source based on the first signal and the second signal.

19. The control system of claim 14, wherein the signal further comprises a synchronization pattern, a source address, and a destination address.

20. The control system of claim 14, wherein:

the control system further comprises a plurality of signal transmitting sources, each source having a designated spatial zone, the signal of each source further comprising a source address; and

the processor is further configured to respond to the signal from the source corresponding to the spatial zone in which the mobility cart is located, and to not respond to signals from other sources.