Patent ID: 6327219
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G01S,G05D

Abstract:
An automated object following system comprising:a tracker associated with a following device, and a guider associated with an object to be followed;the tracker including:a first processor for determining the distance and direction between the tracker and the guider;at least two means for generating an encoded ultrasonic signal each having a control input communicating with the first processor for emitting an encoded ultrasonic signal generally toward the guider in response to a command signal from the first processor, the encoded ultrasonic signals carrying signal source identification and timing information, the signal source identification and timing information for enabling the guider to determine which generating means initiated the ultrasonic signals; anda radio frequency (RF) receiver communicating with the first processor for receiving from the guider an encoded RF signal carrying information for the first processor to determine the distance and direction of the guider relative to the tracker for steering the following vehicle based on the time difference between transmitting the ultrasonic signal and receiving an RF signal at the tracker; andthe guider including:an ultrasonic detector for detecting the encoded ultrasonic signals generated by the ultrasonic means of the tracker;a second processor communicating with the ultrasonic detector for encoding information to be carried by an RF signal to the tracker and based on the encoded ultrasonic signals for the tracker to determine the distance and direction of the guider relative to the tracker; andan RF transmitter communicating with the second processor for transmitting the encoded RF signal to the RF receiver of the tracker upon receiving the encoded ultrasonic signal from the guider.