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:
Sep. 22, 2009
Filed:
Mar. 31, 2005
Mark Alvin Schmidt, Charlotte, NC (US);
Kenneth Edward Hunt, Rock Hill, SC (US);
David Roy Holm, Oconomowoc, WI (US);
Scott Adam Stephens, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Mark Alvin Schmidt, Charlotte, NC (US);
Kenneth Edward Hunt, Rock Hill, SC (US);
David Roy Holm, Oconomowoc, WI (US);
Scott Adam Stephens, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US);
Abstract
A transmitter at a lead vehicle transmits a first transmission signal toward a first beacon and a second beacon associated with a following vehicle. A data processor or estimator determines a first propagation time associated with the first transmission and the first beacon and a second propagation time associated with the first transmission and the second beacon. A vehicle controller controls a heading of the following vehicle to maintain a first distance substantially equal to a second distance (i.e., first propagation time substantially equal to a second propagation time) or a first distance that deviates from the second distance by a predetermined maximum amount.