Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Automatic route guidance vehicle
Patent
1996-07-29
1999-07-27
Chin, Gary
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Automatic route guidance vehicle
701117, 318587, 180168, G06F16500
Patent
active
059282940
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to automated transport systems in general, and, in particular, to automated road vehicle transport systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various problems associated with road transport. Among these problems are road accidents caused by human-related factors, such as tiredness, loss of control, a slow reaction time, limited field of view, insufficient maintenance of distance between vehicles, and inattention to traffic signs. A further transport-related problem is that of loss of time which may be caused by slow driving speed due to weather conditions, road conditions, visibility, and traffic congestion, for example. Unfamiliarity with the route may also cause a loss of time.
Apart from the inconvenience which may be caused by any of the above factors, these factors also represent a huge economic burden on developed society. If for these reasons alone, it would be desirable to provide an automated traffic system which substantially reduced the above problems.
During recent years the development of automated traffic systems has received increased attention, and substantial effort has been invested in trying to find a solution to problems such as those outlined above.
Two articles, entitled `The Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems Program in the United States` and `RTI/IVHS on European Highways` appear in the ITE 1993 Compendium of Technical Papers. These articles give a general overview of programs that are being developed and the aims of these programs, in the United States and Europe.
These programs, which relate to IVHS (intelligent vehicle-highway systems), are concerned with a wide range of different aspects of automation, such as, automatic vehicle identification for purposes of automatic tolling on toll roads; relaying of up-to-date information to drivers in order to improve their decision-making ability; and automatic driving systems.
Among various systems that have been developed are the following: sensing and communications systems for passing information to drivers on road and traffic conditions, and for controlling traffic lights and electronic signs; transponders located by the side of the road or beneath it--these systems can automatically identify vehicles and broadcast thereto a wide range of different types of information, such as navigational instructions, traffic conditions, and the like; and radio connection between vehicles and sensing devices for measurement of the inter-vehicle distance, wherein travel is carried out in `platoons`, wherein each platoon has predetermined travel and communication procedures. Platoon-oriented systems are described in a paper entitled `Sketch of an IVHS Systems Architecture`, published by the Institute of Transportation Studies of the University of California, Berkeley.
While each system has its advantages and disadvantages, none of the systems known to the present Applicant constitutes a comprehensive answer to the problems outlined above.
An indication of the state of the art is provided by published PCT application no. PCT/US91/08892, publication no. WO 92/09941, entitled "Downward Compatible AGV System and Methods." This publication discloses an automated guided vehicle (AGV) control system which is downward compatible with existing guidewire systems providing both guidewire navigation and communication and guidance and wireless communication between a central controller and each vehicle, Autonomous vehicle navigation comprises travel over paths marked by update markers which may be spaced well apart, such as 50 feet (about 16 m).
Redundant measurement capability comprising inputs from linear travel encoders from the vehicle's drive wheels, position measurements from update markers, and bearing measurements from a novel angular sensing apparatus, in combination with the use of a Kalman filter, allows correction for navigation and guidance errors caused by such factors as angular rate sensor drift, wear, temperature changes, aging, and early miscalibration during vehicle operation. The co
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