Patent
Static collision avoidance method for multiple automatically guided vehicles
TLDR
In this paper, a method of static collision avoidance for multiple automatically guided vehicles (AGVs) on bidirectional paths is proposed, which allows multiple AGVs to coexist in the same pathways without collision or excessive queueing.Abstract:
The invention is a method of static collision avoidance for multiple automatically guided vehicles (AGVs) on bidirectional paths. It defines the allowable travel path for an AGV as a series of path segments through or between possible destination points (called nodes) which are defined for the factory floor. AGVs can move to or through any of these nodes and can arrive in a predetermined order, according to "rules" defined by the method. The invention provides better performance than conventional AGV systems by allowing multiple AGVs to coexist in the same pathways without collision or excessive queueing in systems which use free-roving AGVs having programmable bidirectional paths. This new ability maximizes the degrees of freedom of AGV movement while minimizing collisions and "deadlock."read more
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Patent
Method and system for transporting inventory items
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Patent
Material handling system using autonomous mobile drive units and movable inventory trays
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Patent
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Brian D. Wilson,David L. Anderson,Matthew S. Davis,Matthew D. Erickson,Alan N. Johnson,Garrick A. Maurer,Michael J. Rosen,Mark F. Sauerburger,Daniel R. Schmidt,Joshua D. Wiltsie +9 more
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References
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Patent
Multiple robot control system using grid coordinate system for tracking and completing travel over a mapped region containing obstructions
TL;DR: In this article, a control system for a mobile robot calculates the instantaneous position of the robot, and sequentially stores data representative of the respective robot positions, and calculates a running pattern for the robot in the specific range.
Patent
Automatic guided vehicle system
TL;DR: In this paper, an active optical navigation section for determining vehicle position and bearing by scanning plural beacons distributed within the zone of travel of the vehicle, a passive ground navigation section including a gyrocompass for measuring changes in bearing and a wheel encoder for measuring distance traveled by the vehicle's steering wheel.
Patent
Transit schedule generating method and system
Setsuo Tsuruta,Shoji Miyamoto +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, a method of and a system for generating and correcting or regulating a transit schedule of a transportation medium, such as a train, is described, where diagrams of all or individual operations to be carried out by trainmen and other workers are all stored in a memory, and these diagrams are displayed in a display unit.
Patent
Node map system and method for vehicle
TL;DR: In this paper, a mapping system and method which establishes a number of navigation nodes and paths among them for a vehicle in an environment to be navigated by directing the vehicle to a selected location in the environment, designating that location as a first node, identifying the initial direction of a path to a second node such as by locating a navigation beacon proximate the second node, and moving the vehicle in the initial orientation from the first node while measuring distance travelled along the path to the second nodes.
Patent
Navigation system for unmanned vehicles
TL;DR: In this paper, a system using light beams for effecting guidance of a transport vehicle over a surface among a plurality of station terminals, including at least one transport vehicle movable over the surface, is described.