Systems and methods for locating and controlling powered vehicles using a received strength indication signal
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
192 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for inhibiting a motorized cart from passing through a restricted region of a retail area, the system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for inhibiting a motorized cart from passing through a restricted region of a retail area, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A control system for a mobility cart confinement system, the control system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification