The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 12, 1983
Filed:
Sep. 02, 1980
Thomas E Hainsworth, Holland, MI (US);
Robert W Houskamp, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Bell & Howell, Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
An automatically guided vehicle (110) is disclosed which follows guide lines positioned in a predetermined guide path (102) on the floor. The guide path (102) includes coded markings and the vehicle comprises sensing circuitry (210) capable of sensing the markings and generating proximity signals indicative thereof. The coded markings can indicate approach of the vehicle into a 'congestion' zone wherein other vehicles similarly situated can cause hazardous conditions therein. Radio frequency (RF) transmission circuitry (240) on the approaching vehicle (110) is responsive to the congestion zone indication signals to transmit and receive RF signals to and from other vehicles on the guide path (102). The approaching vehicle (110) performs various collision avoidance operations as determined by the received RF signals.