CA3187922A1

CA3187922A1 - On-board charging station for a remote control device

Info

Publication number: CA3187922A1
Application number: CA3187922A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Trisha M. Luthman; Vern I. Woodruff Iii; Jamison S. Frady; Steven R. Pulskamp; Christopher R. Graunke; Michael Corbett
Original assignee: Crown Equipment Corp
Current assignee: Crown Equipment Corp
Priority date: 2020-07-31
Filing date: 2021-07-08
Publication date: 2022-02-03
Also published as: AU2021315749A1; MX2023001196A; CN116057808A; EP4189802A1; KR20230042501A; WO2022026144A1

Abstract

A system is provided comprising: a materials handling vehicle; a wearable remote control device (1032) comprising: a wireless communication system including a wireless transmitter; and a rechargeable power source; a receiver at the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter; a controller at the vehicle that is communicably coupled to the receiver, the controller being responsive to receipt of the transmissions from the remote control device (1032); and a charging station (1050) at the vehicle. The charging station (1050) may charge the rechargeable power source of the wearable remote control device (1032). The charging station may comprise a visual indicator (1060, 1070).

Description

ON-BOARD CHARGING STATION FORA REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE
BACKGROUND ART
[000i] Materials handling- v,:ehicles are commonly used for picking stock in-Ntitel-touses and distribution centers. Such vehicles typically- include a power writ and a load handling assembly, which may include load carrying -forks. The vehicle also has control structures for controlling operation and movement of the vehicle, [00021 ht a typical stock picking -operation, an operator fills orders from available -stock items that are located in storage areas provided along one or more aisles of a -warehouse or distribution center. The operator drives the vehicle between various pick locations where item(s) = are to be picked. The operator may drive the vehicle either by using the control structures on the vehicle, or via a wifeless remote control device that is associated with the vehicle., such. as the remote control device disclosed .commonly owned U.S. Patent No, 9,082,293, the entire .diselosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0003l in accordance with a fast aspect, -0 system is provided comprising:. a materials handling vehicle; a wearable remote control device comprising: -a wireless communication system including a wireless transmitter and a rechargeable power source; a receiver at the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter; a controller at the vehicle that is communicably Coupled to the receiver, the controller being responsive to receipt of the transmissions from* remote control device; and a charging station. at the vehicle. The charging station may charge the rechargeable power source of the wearable remote control device. The charging station may comprise a visual indicator configured to indicate one or .inere charging state of the rechargeable power source when coupled to the charging station, a charging state of the rechargeable: power source when removed from the chug*

station, a pairing status between the wearable remote control device and. the .vehicle controller, or that the remote control devie is physically connected to the charging station, 100041 The visual indicator may display a. first color when the remote control device .is attached to the charging station: The yisual indicator may display a second color when the remote control device has been paired to the vehicle controller.

[0(1051 The visual indicator may provide one of a flash display Or a fully filled display.
[0006] The visual indicator may provide a visual indication as. a cue for an operator to pod:mil an: action. The action may be a test: to confirm that the remote control device is functional and can communicate with the vehicle, [00071 The visual indicator may define a first visual indicator, and the charging station may further comprise a second visual indicator. The first visual indicator and the second visual indicator may be configured to be. activated independently of each other such that either the first visual indicator is activated while the second visual indicator is not activated or the second visual indicator is activated while the first visual indicator is not [00081 The first visual indicator when activated may provide one of an intermittent display or a steady-state display_ [0009f The intermittent display may be operational at a first pulsing rate or a second pulsing rale, wherein the first aod second rates vary in frequency.
[00101 The second visual indicator when activated may provide one of an intermittent display, a partially filled display or a steady-state display.
WTI) The first visual indicator and the second indicator may be configured to be concurrently- activated.
[00121 The first visual indicator may be located proximate to a docking port of the charging station configured to receive the wearable remote control device and may be shaped to correspond to a graphic provided on the wearable remote control device to aid a user in positioning and connecting the wearable remote control device to the docking port of the charging station.
(001.3[ The first visual indicator may define a visual display related to inserting the wearable remote control device into the chargingstation.
1001(.41 The first or :second visual indicators either individually Or in combination with one another may provide a visual display related to the charging.
station, being enabled or disabled 100151 The first or second visual indicators either individually or in combination with one another may provide a visual display related to a. charging error occurring with the charging station or the rechargeable power solute.
10016) The first or second visual indicators either individually or in combination with one another may provide a visual display related to a pairing error occurring 'between the .weerable remote control device and the vehicle.
10011 The first or second visual indicators either individually Grin combination with one another may provide a visual display related to a communication =
error octurring: between the wearable remote control device and the conwollerõ
[00181 When the vehicle is turned on, the first indicator may pulse -mil the remote control device is connected -to a docking port of the charging station such that the first indicator is turned OFF When the remote control device is connected to the docking port, [00191 When the vehicle is turned on, the first indicator pulses until the remote .control device is connected to a dockinkõ, port of the: charging station, changes to a steady state ON display after. the -remote control device is connected to the docking port and remains ON providing the steady state ON display until the rechargeable power source is fully charged.
ik9020i hi: accordance with a second aspect, a method is provided for coupling .a wearable remote control device to a charging station, wherein the wearable remote control device may comprise a wireless transmitter, a rechargeable power source. and at least one control causing the wireless .transmitter to wirelessly transmit a request to a controller of a materials handling vehicle; and wherein the materials handling .vehicle may comprise a receiver for receiving transmissions from .the wireless transmitter_ The controller may be communicably coupled to the receiver and may be responsive to receipt of the transmissions from the remote control device. The diming station may be configured for charging the rechargeable power source of the wearable remote control device: and may comprise a visual indicator. The method.
May eomprise,:. displaying, by the visual indicator, an indication of one or more of: a charging state of the rechargeable power source when counted to the charging station, a Charging state of the rechargeable power source when removed from the .chatsing station, a pairing. Status between the wearable remote control device and the vehicle.
cootroller, or that The remote control device is. pllysicalIN connected to the eitarging station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION .OF THE DRAWINGS
10021 Figs 1 and 2 are side and top views of a. materials handling vehicle capable of remote: wireless operation according to various aspects of the present inventiow, 100221 fig. 2A is a side view of another materials handling veincie capable of remote wireless Operation according tO=varioas aspects of the present invention:
100231 Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of several components:.
of a material's handling vehicle capable of remote Wireless operation: according to various aspects of the present invention:
100241 Figs 4-7 are views of a remote, control device according to various aspects of the oteserit invention;
100251 Figs. 8A and 8B are cut away views showing a remote control device beiug engaged with a charging station according to various aspects of the present invention;
100261 Figs, 9 and 10 are views of another remote control device according th.
various aspects of the present 100211 Fig, 1.1: is a schematic diagram of several components of a charging station according, to various aspects of the present invention;
100281 Figs. 12-14 are views showing a remote control device and a charging station according to various aspects of the present invention;
100291 Fig. 15-is a schematic diagram of several coMponents of a remote control device according to various aspects of the present invention;
100301 Fig. 16 depicts a method according to various aspects of the present invention;
100311 fig, 17 depicts a pairing method according to various aspects of the present invention;
100321 Fig: 18 depicts another pairing method according to various aspects of the present invention;
100331 Fig, 19 depicts a method to re-pair a vehicle and a remote-control device according to various aspects of the present invention;
100341 Fig, 20 depicts a method to reestablish communication between a vehicle and a remote-control device according to various aspects of the present invention:
100351 Fig. 21 depiets a method to charge a remote control device according to various aspects of the present invention;

1,011361 Pig, 22 depicts another method to charge a remote control device according to various aspactsof the present invention;
[00371 Fig. 23 is a. schematic diagram of several components of a kit according to various aspects of the present invention;
[0381 Fig.. 24 is a view of another remote control device according to various aspects of the present invention;
100391 Fig 25 is: a schematic diagram illustrating various aspects of the present invention;
109401 Figs 26 and 27 illustrate a remote control device and 4.charging station .constructed in accordance with a further embodiment 1004 ti Figs_ 28A.2.81 illustrate various slates the first and second visual indicators of the charging station ofFig& 2.6 and 27; and [0042i Figs. 29A ¨ 29C illustrate various states for first and second 'Visual indicators of the charging station. of Figs. 25 and 27.
FIEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
f004.31 In the following detailed description. of Mc illustrated embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustrationõ and not by way of limitation, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without &parting from the spirit and scope of various embodiments of the present invention.
Low Level Order Piczkinv Tr/./(..A
(00441 Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. I and 2..õ
materiak handling 'vehicle .10, which is illustrated as a low level order picking truck, includes a load: handling assembly 12 that extends from a power unit 14, The Vehicle IQ forms part of a system 4 according to aspects of the invention, which system wifl be more fully described below. The load handling ass.etubly 12 includes pair of forks 16, each fork 16 having a load supporting wheel assembly .1.8. The load handling assembly 12 may include other load handling features in addition to, or in lieu of the illustrated arrangement of the forks 16,. such as a load backrest, scissors-, type elevating forks, outriggers or separate height adjustable forks-, as a few examples-.
Still further, the load handling assembly 12 may include load handling features such aS
Oast, 11, load platform, collection.cagO.Or= other-support structure carried by the forks 16 or otherwise provided for handling a load supported and tarried by the vehicle 10: While the present disclosure is made with reference to the illustrated vehicle 10, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that the vehicle 10 may comprise a variety Of other industrial vehicles, such as a forklift truck, a reach .track.õ
etc,. .and. that the following description of the invention with reference to the Figures should not be limited to an order picking truck unless otherwise specified.
Additionally, the vehicle 10 may be implemented in other formats, styles and features, including a vehicle 10 that does not include a load handling assembly, such as a tugger vehicle, etc, (OW]
The iihiArated power unit 14 comprises a step-through operator's station

2.0 dividing a first end section of the power unit 14 (opposite the. forks .16) from a second end section. (proximate the forks 1.6). The operator's station 20 includes.t platform 21 upon which an operator may stand to drive the vehicle 10 =dim¨ to provide a position from Which the: operator may operate various included features.of the vehicle 10.

Presence sensors 22 (see Fig..) may be provided to detect: the presence of an operator on the Vehicle 10, For example, presence sensors 2.2 may be located an, above or under the platform 21 ,or otherwise provided about the operator's Station 20:
in the exemplary vehicle 10 of Fig, .2, the presence sensors 22 are shown in dashed, lines indicating that they are positioned underneath the platform 21. Under this arrangement, the presence sensors 22 may comprise load sensors, switches, etc, As .an alternative,. the presence. sensors 22 may be implemented above the platform 21, such as by using ultrasonic, capacitive or other suitable sensing technology.
The utilization of presence sensors 22 will be described in greater detail herein, According to one embodiment shown in Fig, 2, the vehicle 10 may include .pole that extends vertically from the power unit 14 and includes an antenna 30 that is provided for receiving control signals from a corresponding wireless remote control device 32. The pole may include a light 3 at the top, as shown in Figs.". and According to another embodiment as shown in Fig.. 2A, the antenna may be located v!fithin other vehicle components, such that: the control signals from the remote control device 32. are received elsewhere on the vehicle 10, as will be discussed below. TO
romotv control device 32 comprises an Odd-Won:al component: of the stem. S
t0;b0 described in more detail below.

100481 The remote control device 32 is, Manually operable by on went:tor,. e,g,.õ by pressing a button or other control, to cause the remote control device 32 to wirelessly transmit at least a first type signal designating a travel request to a vehicle I:0 that is paired to the remote control device 32. The travel request is.a. command that requests the vehicle 10 to travel, as will be described in greater detail herein.
Although the remote control device 32. is illustrated in Figs. I and :2 as a finger-mounted structure, numerous implementations of the remote control device 32 may be implemented, including for example, a Owe structure, a lanyard or sash mounted structure, etc.
Still further, the vehicle .1.0 and. the remote control device 32 may comprise any additional and/or alternative. features or nuplementations, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/825,68l, filed September 14, 2006õ entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF REMOTELY
CONTROLLING A MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE;" U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/855,310, filed September 14, 2007, entitled "SYSTEMS AND
METHODS OF REMOTELY CONTROLLING A. MATERIALS HANDLING.
VEHICLE" now U,S. Patent N. 9,082,293, U.S. Patent Applieotion Serial NO..
11I8.$5,3.24, filed September 14, 2007, entitled -Symms AND METHODS OF
REMOTELY CONTROLLING A MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE" noW.1.1.$
Patent NO. 8,072;309; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
61/222,632, ..filed July 2, 2009, entitled ".APPARATUS FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLING A
MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE;" U.S. Patent Application Serial :No.
12/631,007, tiled December 4, 2009, entitled "MULTIPLE ZONE SENSING FOR
MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLES" now U.S. Patent No, 9,64.5,968; U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 119,952, filed December 4, 2008, entitled ''MULTIPLE ZONE SENSING FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLED
MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLES;." and/or U.S. Patent NO, 7,07,689, issued March 28, 2006, entitled 4TLECTRICAL STEERING. ASSIST FOR .MATERIAL
'HANDLING VEHICLE"; the entire disclosures of which are each hereby incorporated by reference herein. Additional details in connection with. the remote control. device 32 will be discussed in detail below.
(00491 The vehicle 10 also comprises one or more comactiess obstacle senSors40;
which are provided about the vehicle 10, ex.., towards the first end. section of the power 'unit 14 as shown in Figs. 1 and Z. The obstacle sensors 40 are operable to define at least one detection zone. For example, at least one detection zone may define an area at least partially- in front of a forward Inlyekrig 4iNetion.
of the vehicle when the vehicle 10 is traveling in response to a wirelessly received travel request from the remote control. device 32, as will also be described in greater detail herein.

The obstacle sensors 40 may comprise any suitable proximity detection technologyõ such as ultrasonic sensors, image capture devices, infrared sensnrOaser .scanner Sensors, e, which are capable of detecting the presence of Objects/bbstacles or are capable of generating signals that can be analyzed to detect the presence of objects/obstacles within the predefined detection zone(s).
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figs, I and 2. the vehicle 10 includes a first obstacle detector 42 and a pair of second Obstacle detectors 44A and 448 mounted to the power unit 1.4. The lust Obstacle detector 42 is spaced apart from the second obstacle detectors 44A and 44B along a vertical axis VA of the vehicle 1.0 defining a.
vertical direction, i.e., the second obstacle detectors 44A and 448 are located below (closer to.
the ground than) the first .obstacle detector 4:2, see Fig, 1, The second obstacle detectors 44.A. and 448 are spaced apart from each other along a horizontal axis fi.A of the vehicle 10 defining a horizontal direction, see Fig, 2, The first obstacle detector 42 may cotnprise a sweeping laser sensor capable of detecting objects, 11.-ir example, in first, second, and third zones Zr, Li, Z3 (also referred to herein as scan zones or detection zones)õ which first, second, and third zones .11, Z, &may comprise planar zones, see Figs. I. and 2. The second zone Z2 may comprise a 'stop zone", and the fitst and third zones Z1 and Z may comprise.
left and right "steer bumper zones", such as the stop zone and the left and right steer bumper zones described in US. Patent No. 8,452,464, issued May 28., 2013, entitled "STEER CORRECTION EOR A. REMOTELY. OPERATED MATERIALS
HANDLING VEHICLE", the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorpOrated by reference herein. ft is noted that the first obstacle detector 42 may be capable of detecting objects in additional or fewer zones than the three zories.4 Z., illustrated. in one exemplan,, detection zone configuration, artyor all of the detection Miles may be used as disclosed in. &LS. Patent No. 9,002,581 issued April 7, 2015 and entitled "OBJECT
TRACKING AND STEER MANEUVERS FOR MATERIALS HANDLING.
VEHICLES", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The second obstacle detectors. 44A and 448 may comprise point laser sensors that are capable of detecting objects between one or more of the zones Zi, Z2, f the first obstacle detector 42 and the vehicle 1.0, i.eõ underneath one or more of the zones it, Z. Zs,as illustrated in Fig, I. and/ past the -zones Zr. Z, ZLatidare preferably- capable: of at least detecting objects -underneath the second zone. Z. The second Obstacle detectors 44A and 44B are: thus capable of detecting objects located in a non-detect zone DZ of the first obstacle detector 42, see Fig.. .1õ.
i.e., which #1011-detoct zone 1)7 is defined as an area below the zones Z, Z. Zs and thus not sensed by the first obstacle detedtor 4.2. Hence, the -first obstacle detector 42 functions to detect objects. located along a path of travel of the power unit 14 beyond the non-detect. zone DZ, while the second obstacle detectors 44A and 44B function to sense Objects along the path of travel of the power unit 14 in the non-detect zone DZ, which is located just in. front of the vehicle 10, as shown in Fig; 1.
(0053) Additional sensor configurations aud/ot detection Zones may be used; such as discussed in the various patents and patent applications incorporated, by reference herein.
[0054i The vehicle 10 shown in Figs. I and 2 further includes a charging station 50 that comprises an additional component of the system 8 and. that is provided tbr charging a rechargeable power source of the remote control device 32.
Additional details in connection with the charging station 50 will be described below, Control System ,-16r Remote Operation n/cm Low Level Order Picking Mx*
[00551 Referring to Fig. 3., a block diagram illustrates a control. arrangement for integrating remote control commands with the vehicle .10. A receiver 102, which may be a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio, tbr example, is provided for receiving commands issued by the remote control device 32. The receiver 102 passes the 'received control signals to a controller 103, which implements the appropriate response to the received commands and may thus also be referred to herein as a.
.maiger controller. In this Mgard, the controller 103 is implemented. in hardware and may also execute software (Winding firmware, resident software. Micro-code, etc.), Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of .a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable mediunt(S). having.
computer readable program code embodied thereon. For example, the vehicle It) may include memory that stores the computer program product, which, when implemented by a processor of the controller 103, implements steer correction as described more fully herein.

100561 Thus, the. controller 103 may define, of least in part, a data processing system saitable for storing and/or executing program code and may include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements, e.g., through a system hits or other svirahle connection. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, memory that is integrated into a microcontroller or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) programmable gate array or other reconfigurable processing device, etc.
100571 The response implemented by the controller 103 in response to wirelessly received commands, e.g., via a wireless transmitter 178 of the remote control device :32 (to be discussed below) and sent to the receiver 102 on the vehicle 10, may comprise one or more actions, or inaction, depending upon the logic that is being implemented. Positive actions may comprise controlling, adjusting or otherwise affecting one or more components of the vehicle 10, The controller 103 may also receive. information from other inputs 104, e.g., from sources. such as the .presence sensors 22, the obstacle sensors 40, switches, load sensors, encoders and other devices/features available to the vehicle 10 to determine appropriate action in response to the received commands from the remote control device 32. The sensors 22, 40, etc. may be coupled to the controller 103 via the inputs 104 or via a suitable truck network, such as a control area network (CAN) bus 110.
[00581 Man exemplary arrangement, the remote control device 32 is operative to wirelessly transmit a control signal that represents a first type signal such as a travel command to the receiver 102 on the vehicle 10, The travel command is also referred.
to herein as. a -travel signal", "travel request!' or "go signal". The travel request is used to initiate a request to the vehicle 10 to travel, e.g, -for as long.as the travel Signal is received by the receiver 102 and/or sent by the remote control device 32:,.
by a predetermined amount, e,g., tocause the vehicle )0 to advance or jog in a first direction by a limited travel distance, or for a limited time, The first direetion May be defined, for example, by movement of the vehicle 10 in a power unit 14 first,i,e:, forks 16 to the hack,. direction. However., other directions of travel may alternatively be defined. Moreover, the vehicle 10 may be controlled to travel in a generally straight direction or along a previously determined beadine, Correspondingly.
:the limited travel distance may be specified by an approximate travel distance, travel time or other measure.

10(159j thil$, a first type signal received by tile roceiver 102 i communicatedlo the controller 1.03:. IC the controller 103 determines that the travel signal is a. valid travel signal and that the current vehicle conditions are appropriate (explained in greater detail in US. Patent No., 9,082,293, which isalready incorporated by rek,rence herein), the controller 103 sendsa igurcti to the appropriate control configuration of the vehicle 10 to advance and then. stop the vehicle 10. Stopping the vehicle 10 may be implemented, for example, by either allowing the vehicle to to const to a.
step or by initiating a brake operation to cause the vehicle. 10 to brake to a stop.

As an example, the controller 103 may be communicably coupled to a traction control system, illustrated as a traction motor controller 106 of the vehicle 10.:
The tnction motor .0 ontroller 106 is coupled to a traction motor 107 that drives at least one Steered wheel 108 of the vehicle 10. The controller 103 may communicate with the traction motor controller 106 so as to acceletate, decelerate, adjust and/or otherwise limit the speed .of the vehicle 10 in response to receiving a travel request from the remote control device 32. The controller 103 may also be coma/Unica*
.coupled to a steer controller 112. which is coupled to a steer motor 114 that steens..at.
least one. steered µvheel 108 of -the vehicle it). In this regard, the vehicle 10 may be controlled by the controller 103 to travel an intended path or maintain an intended heading in response to receiving a travel request from the remote control device 32.
[00611 As yet another illustrative example, the controller 103 may be communicably coupled to a brake controller 116 that controls vehicle brakes 117 to decelerate, stop or otherwise control the speed of the vehicle 10 in response to receiving a travel request from the remote control device 32. Still further, the controller 103 may be communicably coupled to other vehicle features, such as.
main contactors 118, and/or other outputs 119 associated with the -vehicle 10, *here applicable, to implement desired- actions in. response to implementing remote travel, functionality.

According to various aspects of the present invention, the controller 103 may communicate with the receiver 10.2 and with the traction. motor controller 106 to operate the vehicle 10 under remote control M response to receiving travel commands from the associated remote control device 32. Moreover, the controller 103 may be configured to perthrm various actions if the 'vehicle 10 is traveling under remote control in response to. a travel request and ah obstacle is detected in one or more of the detection zone(s) In this regard, when a travel signal is received by the controller 103 from the remote control. dice 32, arty nunribo of factors rtn,ay be.
considered by the controller 103. to determine whether the received travel signal should be acted upon to initiate andfor Sustain movement of the vehicle 10.
[00631 Correspondingly, if die vehicle 10 is moving in response to a eammand received by the remote control device 32., the controller .103 may dynamically Ater;
control, adjust or otherwise affect the remote control operation, e.,q., by stopping the vehicle 10, changing the steer angle of the vehicle 10, or taking other actions.. Thus, the particular vehicle featuresµ the awe/condition of one or more vehicle features, vehicle environment., etc., may influence the manner .in which the controller responds to travel requests from the remote control device 32.
[00641 The controller 103 may refuse to acknowledge a received travel request depending upon predetermined candition(s), tg.õ that relate to environmental or operational factor(s). For example, the controller 103 may disregard an otherwise valid travel request. based upon information obtained from one or more of the sensors 22, 40. As an illustration, according to various aspects of the present invention,. the controller 103 may optionally consider factors such as whether an operator is on the vehicle 10 when determining whether to respond to a. travel command from the remote control device 32.. As noted above, the vehicle 10 may comprise at least. one presence seosor 22 for detectio.g whether an operator is positioned. on the vehicle :10.
In this regard,õ the controller 103 may be further configured to respond to a travel request to operate the vehicle 10 under remote control When the presence sensor(s) 22 designate that: uri operator is on the vehicle 10. Thus, in this implementation, the vehicle 10 caanot he operated in response to wireless commands from the remote control device. 32 unless the. operator is physically off of the vehicle 10, Similarly, if the obstacle sensors 40 detect that an object, including the operator, is adjacent andf.or proximate to the vehicle 10, the controller 103 may refuse to. acknowledge 4 travel request. from the., remote control device 32. Thus, in an exemplary implementation, an operator must be located within a limited range of the vehicle 10., e.g., close enough to the vehicle 10 to be in wireless communication range (which. may. be limited.
to. set a.
maximum distance of the operator from the vehicle 10), Other arrangements may alternatively be implemented, (00651 Any other number of reasonable conditions, factors,.
pammeters or other considerations may .also/alterainively be implemented by the controller 103 to interpret and take action in response to received signals from the transmitter 178., 1) Other exemplary factors are set out i gteater detail in. U,S.. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/825,688, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF
REMOTELY CONTROLLING A MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE;" U.S.
Patent Application Serial No, 1 I/855,310. entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF
REMOTELY CONTROLLING A MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE' now U.S, Patent No. 9,082,293; US, Patent Application Serial No, TI./855,324, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF REMOTELY CONTROLLING A MATERIALS
HANDLING VEHICLE" now' U.S. Patent No.. 8,072.309; U.S, Provisional Patent Application Serial No, 61/222,632; entitled "APPARATUS FOR. REMOTELY
CONTROLLING. A MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE;' U.S.. Paint Application Serial Na.. 12/631,007, entitled "MULTIPLE ZONE SENSING FOR
MATERIALS
HANDLING VEHICLES" now U.S, Patent No. 9,645,96K; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/119,95.2, entitled '"MULTIPLE. ZONE SENSING
FOR REMOTELY .CONTROLLED MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLES;" the disclosures of which are each already incorporated by reference herein,.
f00661 Upon acknowledgement of a travel request, the controller 103 interacts with the traction motor controller 106, e.g,, directly or indirectly, e.g.,.
via a..htei such as the CAN bus 110 if utilized, To advance the vehicle 10. Depending upon the particular implernentationõ the controller 103 may interact with the traction motor controller 106 and. optionally, the steer controller 1.12,-to advance the vehicle 10 for as lone as a travel control signal is received. Alternatively; the controller 103 may interact with the traction motor controller 106 and optionally, the sleet controller 112, to advance the vehicle 10 for a period of time or for a predetermined distance in response to the detection and maintained actuation of a -travel control OD the MIX*
control device 32. Still further; the controller 103 may be configured to "time Our and stop the, travel of the vehicle 10 based.upmi a predetermined event, such as exceeding a predetermined time period Or travel distance regardless of the detection of maintained actuation of a corresponding control on the remote control device 32.
f0067j The remote control. device 32 may alSO be operative to transmit a wend type signal, such. as a "step signal", designating that the vehicle 10 should.
brake and/or otherwise come to rest The second type signal may also be implied, e.g,õ after implementing a "travel' command, e.g., after the vehicle to has traveled a predetermined distance, traveled for a predetermined time, etc,õ under remote control in response to the travel command. If the controller 103 .determines that a WiteleS*

teCeiVOCI signal. isa stop signal, the eontrollet 103 sends a signal to the traction motor controller 106, the brake controller 116 and/or other truck component to bring the vehicle 10 to a rest. .As an alternative to a stop signal, the second type signal may comprise a. "coast signal" or a "controlled deceleration signal' designating that the vehicle 10 should coast, eventually slowing to rest.
[00681 The time that it takes to bring the vehicle 10 to a complete rest May vary depending for example; upon the intended application; the environmental conditions, the capabilities of the particular vehicle 10, the load on the vehicle 10 and other similar factors. For example. after completing an appropriate jog movement, it: may bedesirable to allow the vehicle 10 to "coast sonic distance before coming to rest so that the vehicle 10 stops -slowly. This trio' be achieved by utilizing regenerative braking to slow the vehicle 10 to a Stop. Alternatively, a braking operation may be applied, after a predetermined .delay time to allow a predetermined range of additional travel to the vehicle 10 after the initiation of the. stop operation.. It may also. be desirable to bring the vehicle 10 to a relatively quicker stop, e.g., if an object iS
detected in the travel path of the vehicle 10 or if an immediate stop is desired after*.
successful jog operation. For example, the controller 103 may apply predetermined torque to the braking operation. Under such conditions, the controller 1:03 niay instruct the brake controller 116 to apply the brakes 117 to stop the vehicle 10.
100691 Also shown in Fig, is the on-vehicle chorally station 50 that can communicate with the controller 103, As will he explained in more detail below, the charging station. 50 can be used to charge a rechargeable power source 180 of the wireless remote control. device 32, The charging station 30 may be located on a side portion of the vehicle to, for example, proximate to the operator's statioa.
;0. near manual driving controls of the vehicle 10 as shown in Fins, 1 and-2, or on a side panel of the power unit 14.
[00701 A pairing system 34 can utilize a close range system to. wirelessly communicate with a compatible close range system on the wireless remote control device 32, Using the pairing system 34, 4 vehicle 10 and wireless remote control device .32. can be "paired" such that a vehicle 10 will transmit and receive messages from only its paired wireless remote, control device 32, In addition to, or as an alternative to close range or other types of wireless. communications, such a.s near-field communication. (NFC.), the pairing system 34 can also Use physical contacts that allow electrical communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10, at least= for the, initial pairing procedure, For exothple,. electrical contacts Qf the charging station 50 used for charging: the remote control device :32 could be used for pairing the vehicle It) to the remote Control device 3Z as willbe described M
greaser detail herein. The pairing system 34 includes components that physically implement the communication method te..g, Blue.tooth, NFC, Wi-Fl, etc.) used to send messages and includes. components that programmatically exchange information in an agreed upon protocol to establish and maintain a. pairing,. Thus, the pairing system 34 includes a device that can execute programmable instructions to implement a predetermined algorithm and protocol to accomplish pairing operations.
f0071I
In Fig, 3, the charging station 50, the receiver 1.02, and the pairing system 34 are depicted as distinct functional blocks. However, one of ordinary skill will recognize that two or .mote of these components can be Combined iii a singleelement to provide A multi-function device.
kVsteni f0(1721 As noted above, the vehicle 10 (including the charging station 5(1) and the remote control. device 32. form the system: $ in accordance with an aspect. of the present invention. The remote control device 32 and the charging station 50 will now be described in uttn.
[0073j With reference to Fiat,. 4-8, the remote control device 32 according to. This embodiment is a fineer-mounted device, although the. remote control device 32 could take other forms, such as a glove-mounted device, a wrist-mounted device, A
lanyard-mounted device, etc. The remote control device 32 may be mountable over one finger, two fingers, or more than two fingers of the operator.

The remote control device 32 illustrated in Figs, 4-8 compriseS a polymeric rigid base 112 (see Fig, 6) and a polymeric rigid upper housing 74.
The base 172 and upper housing 174 are coupled together via any suitable manner and define an internal area 176 for receiving internal components of the remote control device 32, including a wireless communication system 456 including a wireless transmitter 1778 ,..such. as the wireless transmitter 178 described above with reference to Fig. 3, and a rechargeable power source 180. In one exemplary embodiment, the wireless transmitter 178 comprises a model BCA1.12 I manufactured hy SiLabs, his noted that the term,' -transmitter" and "receiver es used herein are intended to mean a device capable of one-way communication, ix., the device only transmits., or receives signals, or a device capable of two-way communication, such as a transceiver, Which both transmits and receives signals, f00751 The rechargeable power source 180 may be a. super capacitor, a high capacity batter?, etc. For example, an AVX supercapanitor, model SCCR20E335PRB

can be used, which has a rated voltage of 3V and a capacitance of 3.3F, The rechargeable power source 180 is small enough to fit within the internal area 17(i while also having enough capacity on a substantially full charge to yield a use period of the remote control device 32 of at least two hours, at least lbw' hours, at least eight hours, or more, A Use period of up to eight hours may be preferable to correspond with an eight,hotir working shift for an operator.
(0076) A supercapacitor (also called a super-cap or ultracapacitor) is a high -capacity capacitor with capacitance values much higher than other capacitors but, typically with lower voltage limits that bridge the gap between electrolytic capacitors and rechargeable batteries. They typically store 10 to 100 times more energy per unit volume Or Mass than electrolytic capacitors, can aceept and deliver charge mach faster than batteries:, and tolerate -many more charge and discharge cycles than rechargeable batteries, Because supereapacitors can be used in applications requiring many rapid chargeldischarge cycles, some embodiments of the remote control device 32 can include a supercapacitor as the rechargeable power source 180, in embodiments of the present invention, the current supplied to the superc.apacitor can be limited to about 2A and can accomplish charging to a full Charge in about.

seconds or less. R.egardless of the specific type of rechargeable power source used, embodiments of the present invention contemplate recharging the rechargeable power source 180 to a desired amount, such as to a full charge state, or to a charge state less than a substantially full charge state (as will be discussed in detail herein) via the charging station 50 within a desired charging period. The power supplied ki the rechargeable power source 180 by the charging. station 50 may be varied in accordance with the capacity of the rechargeable power source 180, the desired churRe amount, andiar the desired charging period, as will be discussed in greater detail herein.
100771 With reference to Fig. (5, the remote control device 32 further comprises a securing. stnicture 188 for securing the remote control device 32 to one or more fingers of the operator's. hand. The securing structure 188 in the embodiment shown in Fig, ti comprises a holding strap 190 that includes, for example, hook and loop tape 'fasteners 191 to secure the holding strap 190 to a single finger, e,a, the index. finger, of the operator. The remote control device 32 is provided with first and second slots .192-A and 1928 located on opposed ends or the remote control device 32 for receiving the holding strap 190, f00781 The holding strap 190 shown in Fig. 6 defines a first finger receiving area 194 for receiving the single finger Ov (See Figs. 1 and 2) of an operator using the remote control device 32. Both right and left hand versions of the remote control device 32 may be created. The remote control device 32 is releasably held on the operator's index linger via the holding strap i 90. In one exempt:1n, embodiment, a first end 190A of the holding strap 190 is threaded through the first slot 192A and a seoond end 1908 of the holding strap 190 is threaded through the second slot 192B.
The JIM end 190A of the holding strap 190 may be permanently fastened to the rigid base 172, e.g_, via stitching or gluing, while the second end 19013 or the holding strap 190 may be releasably inserted through the second slot 1:928 and doubled back such.
that the hook and loop tape fasteners 191 are engaged with one another to fasten the holding strap 190 to the operator's linger. The holding strap 190 can he adjusted to accommodate fingers of different sizes or such that the remote control device could be worn over a glove (not shown). It is noted that other types of holding straps 190 may be used.
[00791 The remote control device 32 limber comprises at least one control, depicted in Figs. 4.8 as first, second, and third controls 196A.C. The controls 196.A-C each comprise .a button 1.97A-C and a two-state switch 198A.0 located underneath the corresponding button 1.97A-C, The switches 198.k.C. are communicably coupled to the wireless communication system 456, such that actuation of each one of the controls 196A.0 causes the Wireless transmitter 178 to wirelessly transmit a respective request to the vehicle 10. In the exemplary re-mote control device depicted in Figs. 4-8i the first control 196A comprises a travel button 197A
that,. when pressed, causes: the wireless transmitter 178 to wirelessly transmit a request fOr the vehicle i0 to tel across a floor surface; the second control 1968 comprises a horn button 19713 that, when pressed, causes the wireless transmitter .1 78 to wirelessly transmit a request for the vehicle 10 to sound a hornfaudible alarm and the third control I 96C comprises a brake button I 97C. that, when pressed, causes the wireless transmitter 178 to wirelessly transmit a request for the vehicle to stop (if inoVing under wireless control) and, optionally, to power down.

10(18gi The remote control device 3.2 is compact, and substantially the entirety of the remote control device. 32 is mountable and positioned directly over the index.
finger of the operator. Hence, interference of the operator performing working tasks caused by -wearing the remote control device 32. is minimal or non-existent.
The remote control device 3:2 is durable and long lasting since the rigid base 172 and the upper housinn 1.74 are preferably formed from a durable and rigid. polymeric material, such as acrylonitrile hatadiene styrene (ABS),.polyearhonate or nylon. The rigid bast 72 and the upper housing 174 define a durable, generally non-flexible and rigid structure, WSJ] An operator can. easily actuate The travel button.
.197A. manually via his/her thumb to cause the wireless transmitter 178 to witelessly transmit at least a tint type signal designating a travel request or command to the vehicle 10. It is contemplated that the travel request may result in the -vehicle 10 traveling for as long as the operator holds down the :travel button 197A, or by a predetermined distance or for a predetermined amount of time. The horn button 197B and the brake button 197c can he actuated by the operators opposite hand, for example, f0(182) As shown in Figs.. 4 and 5, the remote control device 32 further comprises one or more charging contacts 210, it being noted that additional or fewer charging contacts 210 than the four shown. may be used, e.g., one charging contact 210 or two or more charging contacts 210 may be used. Additionally, the remote control.
device 32 farther includes one or more sensors in the form of first presence contacts 212, illustrated in' Figs, 4 and 5.as a single last presence contact 212 located intermediate.
the four charging contacts 210. The charging and first presencc. contacts 210, may be arranged within openings 214 formed in an outer surface of the upper housing 174 of the .remote control device 32. The tops of the charging and first presence contacts 210, 21.2 may he. positioned below the enter surface of the upper housing, the charging and first presence contacts 210, 212 may be recessed within the openings 214, which may prevent damage to the digging and first. presence comets 210, 212 due to accidental contact. it is noted that other configurations for = the number, orientationõ and placement of the charging contacts 2,10 and the first presence contact(s) 212 could be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
[00831 in embodiments, the charging: contacts 210 mate or engage with element%
e.g., electrical contacts or charging elements 220 of the oh-vehicle charging station 50 (1:0 be discussed "below), and the fast presence contact 2 /2 mates or engages. with. A.
complementary second sensor in the form of a second presence contact 222, such asa Switch, pogo pin or pressure pin, for example, of the on-vehicle charging station 50;
shown in Figs. Sik and 8f3 and will be described in more detail herein. Ir is noted that one or more of the charging contacts 2.10 and corresponding chargingnlements 220 nay be provided for redundancy. oue example, the low charging contacts 210 illustrated in Figs. 4-7 and four charging elements 220 illustrated. in Figs.
.1.2-14 could be set up as two pairs of redundant contacts/elements 210/220, where charging of the rechargeable power source lW as discussed below) is enabled as long AS one charging contact 210 from each pair is. engaged with and. in electrical commtinication with its corresponding charging element 220.
100841 Embodiments of the present invention also contemplate contactleSs, induction, charging in which the rechargeable power source 180 of the re:11101C COlitt-01 device 32. can be charged by the remote control device 32 being in close proximity to, or on the surface of.; a compatible induction charging station (nor shown), Sticli an induction el-laming station may be located, for example, in a driving or steering control of the vehicle 10 such that the rechargeable power KM= 180 may be'Ci1Oged while the operator is manually driving the vehicle 10 from the operator's station 20, 100851 Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate another exemplary remote control device. 32, where like reference numbers correspond to similar components to those listed above for Figs. 4-8. The remote control device 32 according to this embodiment is intended as a two,linger design, Le, the securing structure. 188- in the embodiment shown in.
Figs. 9 and 10 comprises a holding strap 190 that defines first and second finger receiving areas 194, 195 for receiving the. index and middle fingers of an operator using the remote control device 32, The remote control device 32 according. to Figs. 9 .and 10 includes two charging contatts '210 instead of four charging contacts 210 in=
the remote control device 32. of Figs.. 44 The remaining components,. of the remote control device 32 of Figs. .9 and 10 may be ,generally the same as the remote:
control device $2 of Figs. 4-8 and thus will not be described in detail herein.
100861 Fig, .1.1. provides a functional block-level diagram of a vehicle charging station 50 in accordance with the principles of the present invention in which the pairina system 34 is incorporated into the charging station 50. As explained in more detail below; the charging station 50 can include the receiver 10, eg.. a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio 402 that can communicaW with the vehicle's controller 103.

Although not .shown, the commtatication can be throug,h the. vehicles CAN bus and, thus, the charging station 50 can include a CAN bus interface. The charging station 50 can also include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) 404 Or other visual indicators that help convey information to an operator. For xample, one LED
may be used to indicate that a remote control device 32. is presently coupled:
with the charging station:. 50. Other LEDs may indicate a current state of charge of the remote control device's rechargeable power source Ha A current limiter 406 or other protection circuitry can be provided that helps ensure a remote control device 32 is .safely re-Charged as the current limiter 406 allows the voltage from the vehicle's power source to be provided to the charging elements 220 a the charging .station 50 for charging the remote control devices rechargeable power source 1110. These charging elements 22.0 interface with the charging contacts 210 of the rernotecontrol device 32 and provide the electrical connection between the vehicle's power source and the rechargeable power source 180 of the remote control device 32. The second presence contact 222 engages with the first presence or.114t,t .212. to .detect When a.
remote control device 32 is physically connected to the charging station 50 500 that the charging contacts 210 are engaged .with the charging dements 2.20.
According to embodiments, upon the second presence contact 2.22 being, engaged by the first presence contact 212, the pairing process is initiated, [00871 It is noted that the first and second presence contacts. 212., 222 can respectively be. provided on either the remote control device 32 or the chargitu.,,.station 50. That is, while the second presence contact 222 is illustrated an the charging.
station 50 and the first presence cOn1a4 212 on the remote control device 32, the second presence. contact 222 could be located on the remote control device 32 and the first presence contact 212 could be located on the Charging station 50.
100881 The relationship between the second presence contact:
2.22 and the charging elements .220 is such that the charging .contuts 210 of the remote control device 32 and the charging elements 220 of the charging station. 50 are in contact with one another bethte the second presence contact 222 engages the first presence contact .21..2 when a charging procedure is being initiated, see Pig. 8.A., which shows that the height of the second presence contact. 222 is less than the height of the charging elements 220, the heights measured with respect to top surfaces of element housings .220A and a .second presence contact housing 222A from which the :respective.
charging elements 220 and second presence contact 222 extend. 'The supply of power from the &urging station. 50 to the ten:10W coutrel device 32 via the ainrging elements/Charging contacts 220/2.10:is only initiated after the second presence contact 222 .engages the first presence contact 212: During a charging procedure, the charging contacts 210 of the remote control device 32 are engagedee!itli the charging elentents 220 of the charging station 50, and the second presence contact. 222 is engaged with the first presence contact 212, thus enabling the supply a pourer from the deal-gine St1111011 50 to the remote control device 32 via. the charging elements/Charging contacts 220/210, see Fig. 8:1a, After the rechargeable power source l'80 is charged to the desired amount* egõ flatly charged or charged to a desired amount less than faily charged as described herein, the supply of power from the charging station 50 to the remote control deviee. .32 via the charging.
elements/chanting contacts 2201210 is eta off. In the: CaSe that the remote control device 32. is removed from the charging station 50 before the rechargeable power source kW is charged to the desired amount, as the remote control device. 32 is removed from the charging Station 50, the second presence contact 222 disengages from the first presence contact 212 prior to the charging elements 220 disengaging from the charging contacts 210. The supply apower from the charging station 50 to the rechargeable power source 180 of the remote control device 32. via the charging elements/charging contacts 220/210 is cut off when the second presence contact disengages from the first presence contact 212. This arrangement is intended, to prevent arcing between the charging elements 220 and the charging contacts 210., Using the first presence contact 212 and second presence contact 222 in the form of .a pogo pm provides the following advantages: a. precise control of the relative heights of the second presence contact 222 and the charging elements' 220; a. small footprint., good seal, e.g,ete prevent moisture from entering the second presence contact housing 222A from around the second presence contact 222; and it allows for the differentiation between the first presence contact 212 and a foreign object, such as it piece of metal, which prevents electrical current from flowing into such a foreign.
object if were to be placed in contact with the second presence contact 222 and one or more of the charging elements 220.
00.891 As an alternative to the presence contacts 212, 222 being used. to initiate the supply of power from the charging station 50 to the remote control device:
32õ.4 separate switch may. be present that the operator engages to begin a charging operation. In one. specific embodiment using induction charging, such a switat can be 1.1101pOrateii into the vehicle's steering control, such that the operator's gripping of the steering control is detected and tharging is subsequently enabled.
f00901 Controls 414 for providing controlling signals to operate the LEDs 404 can he from various sources. While the remote control device 12 is operated within range of the charging station SO, the controller 103 can receive information about the state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 and drive the display of the LEDs 404 t convey this information utilizing a. CAN bus interface:, for example. When the remote control device 32 is coupled with the charging station: 50 the LEDs 404 can be.
used to convey a) that a remote control device 32 is physically connected to charging station 50, 1'0 that there: is a remote control device 32 pmsently paired with the controller .103 of the vehicle, C) the progressichateing state of a current charging operation, and/or d) the charging state. of the rechargeable power source 180.
The information for items c) and d) may be sent to the charging station 50 by the remote control device 32, for example, over a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection, which BLE connection Will be discussed in greater detail below. According to one aspect, since the pairing and charging processes are performed very quickly, the progre.s&charging state of a. current ebarging operation may nOi be displayed by the LEDs 404, The remote Control device 32 may store its charging profile and then send the charging profile to the charging station 50,. e.g., over the BLE
connection,. after the remote control device 3.2 is removed from the charging station SO, *herein the charging profile may be evaluated, for example, by the controller 103, to determine if a proper charge of the .rechargeable power source 180 occurred. The second presence contact 222 can also send. control signals to controls 414 that indicate Whether charging 'contacts 210 of the remote control device- 32 are properly .coupled with corresponding charging elements 220 of the charging station 50.
10091.1 Figs. .12,14 illustrate other features of die charging station $0 located at the vehicle 10. The charging station 50 can include one or more physical protrusions or guide structures 420 that help glade the remote control device 3:2. into correct alignment 50 that the station's charging elements 220 are aligned with: the charging.
contacts 210 of the remote control device 32, i,eõ the euide structure(s) 420 align, the remote control device 32 in the proper orientation for charging the rechargeable power source 180,Ta Fie. 12, a single guide. structure 420 including a plurality of guide surfaces is shown. The guide stnieture(s) 420 can be placed around the location .of the charging elements. 220 and can be shaped or slanted so thnt the remote. control device 32 is physically guided to correct alignment as tlig operator places the ientote control device 32 in the charging station 50..
[0092] In Fig: 13, the LEDs 404 incinde a visual indicator 424 that indicates :a.
remote control device 32 is attached to the charging station 50. The visual indicator 424 may illuminate, flash,. or progressively fill as a first color to indicate that the remote .control device 3.2 is attached to the chargine station 50, and as a seCond color or fully filled first color to indicate that the remote control device 32 has been paired to the vehicle controller I oa, i.e., the visual indicator .424 may use the second coloror fully filled first color to serve as a pairing indicator that confirms the establishment of communication between the remote control. device 32. and the vehicle 10.
Additionally, according to one optional aspect of the invention, the LEDs 404 may flash, illuminate as a second color, or provide Some other visual indication after establishment of communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10 as a cue for the operator toperform an action as a test to .confinn that the remote control device 32. is functional and an communicate to the, vehicle 10.;.stich as by pressing the horn button .197B and brake button 197C concurrently. It IS
understood that separate indicators may be used. for the purposes of indicating that remote control device 32 is. attached to the chargi ire station 50 and to indicate that the remote control device 32 has been paired to the vehicle 10, as opposed to a .single indicator that can serve both functions.
[0093l The LEDs 404 can further Serve as an indicator to identify the progress of a recharging operation when the remote control device 32 is attached. When the remote control device 32. is not. attached to the charging station 50, the LEDs 404 may 'serve as an indicator to indicate, the present state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 of the remote control device 32. Thus, the LEDs 404 can indicate the state oreborge of the rechargeable power source 180 both. when charging the rechargeable power Same; 180 at the charging station $0 and during use of the remote control device 32, i.e., while the operator is using the remote control device 32 to assist in pert-brining work operations. In one exemplary embodiment, the LEDs 404 can comprise ft series a lights, each light representing a level of the .state, of eharge.of the rechargeable power source 180.
10094) in Figs. 12 and 14, an exemplary location of the second presence contact .222 is shown within the charging station 50. It is noted that the remote control device 32 illustrated in Figs. 12-14 is the single-finger embodiment of Figs. 4-7. It is also noted that the ebarging contacts. 21.0 and first presenee contact 212 of the aingle-finger and the two-linger embodiments could be arranged. to mirror one another. Thaa, the same eharging station 50 could be used for :instances of the single-finger or tWoarmger remote control devices..32, The charging station 50 may be located at various locations on the vehicle 10, its location should be such that it does not interfere. with normal operation of the vehicle 10, but where it is accessible and convenient tbr the operator.. .1n.
embodiments the charging station 50 is located at the operator's: station 29 (ace Figs-I and 2., where the charging station 50 is located, in the operator's station 20 but is also accessible from outside of the vehicle 1.0); on a. surface of one of the sides cif the vehicle 10; or, for the induction charging embodiment, wiflim the steering control of the vehicle 10, (00961 The charging station 50 may include a voltage regulator (not shown) that transforms the power trona the vehicle 10 received by the charging station 50.into a regulated direct current Dc) voltage signal. selected based on the Charging characteristics of the rechargeable power source I80. For example, in an embodiment in which the rechargeable power .source 180 is an AVX auppreapacitor described above or equivalent device, a. 3V DC. (1%) supply voltage could be provided to the current 46, U is noted that the remote control device 3' is described herein as haVine anexemplary configuration and may be structurally modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, one or more components or the remote control device 32 may he combined in an integral component, or components May be suhatitutedafor alternate components that effect a aimilarlidentical purpose_ In one embodiment, charging of the rechargeable power .source ISO via.the charging station 50 occurs when one or more charging contacts 210 engagp.
corresponding charging element 220 of the .charging Station 50, In some embodiments, at least two charging contacts 2:10 or at least tout charging contacas.210 and .corresponding charging elements 220 are present, in some embodiments, one or more pairs of charging contacts .210 are provided, wherein at: least one charging contact 210 from each pair must engage a corresponding charging element 220 for charging to occur. As described above, at least one of the remote control device 32 and the charging station 50 On include a second -presence contact 222, such As a switch, for example. The second presence contact 222 detects whether or not bent 104$1 one charging contact 210 is correctly engaged with. the ut least one :corresponding charging element 220 for charging: the rechargeable power smite.
wherein if a correct engagement is detected, the transfer of power to the rechartteable power source 1.80 is enabled by the charging station 50,. and if a correct engagement is not detectedõ the transfer of power to the rechargeable power source 1.80. is not enabled by the charging StatiOn 50, [00991 Furthermore, the arrangement of the remote control device 32 and the charging station 50 is configured such that the second presence contact 222 indicates the removal of the remote control device 32 from the charging station. 50, which ceases the transfer of power to the rechargeable power source 180 from the charging station .50, before the at least one charging contact 210 is disengaged from the at least one corresponding charging element 220. Hence, the transfer of power from the charging station 50 to the rechargeable power source 180 is ceased before the at least One Charging contact 210 is disengaged from the at least one corresponding charging element 220. This may be effct<led, for example, by setting the heights :of the charging elements 220 and the second presence contact 222 as shown in 'Fig, '8.A, wherein the charging elements 220 are pushed down. into respective element housings 220.4 before the second presence contact 222 cringes efirst presence contact.
212, as the remote control device 32 is inserted into the charging station 50, [001.001 Fig, 15 is a block-level functional diagram of the portions 450 of the remote control device 32 that relate to recharging the rechargeable power source 180.
The other portions of the remote: control device 32 such as, tor example, those that.
relate to the mechanical actuators are not depicted in Fig., 15. As noted above, the remote .control device 32 can include one or more Charging .contacts 210 that are configured to engage a corresponding charging element In some embodiments, the charging: elements may be the charging elements 220 of the charging station 50. In other embodiments, the charging elements may be those of an adapter that connects to a source of power to recharge the rechargeable power source 180.
100101j The remote control device 32 can include 'protection circuitry 452 that limits electrical parameters such 43 voltage and/or current to he within expected operating ranges. Charge controller and disconnect circuitry 454 can monitor the voltage being received from the protection circuitry 452 as well as monitor the present :foie of charge of the rechargeable power source 1$0 in order to determine.
When to stop charging the rechargeable power source 180. for example, according .to.
one exemplary embodiment, When the charge on the recliargeable power source 180 reaches 3V, the charge controller and disconnect circuitry. 454 can operate to stop further charging. The charge controller and disconnect circuitry 454 can include temperature sensing capabilities or be connected to 4 temperature sensor so that the rechargeable power source 180 cum be charged (or discharged) to different charging levels. In some embodiments, the rechargeable power source 180 is discharged to a high temperature state of charge, e.gõ a Iess than fully charged state, if a sensed temperature is determined to be above a predetermined set:point temperature.
In one exemplary aspects of the invention, the sensed temperature is an ambient:
temperature.
In an alternative aspect, the sensed temperature is a battely temperature, to sonic embodiments, the rechargeable power source 180 is charged at the charging station 50:
LO a predetermined charge level less than a 100% chap: level if a sensed temperature is determined to be above a predetermined threshold temperature. This may help prevent damage to or degradation of the rechargeable power source 180.
f001021 As shown in Fig. 15, the remote control device 32 can include the wireless communication system 456 such as, fOt example, a BEE radio that can communicate with the BEE radio 402 of the charging station 50 via a BEE connection,. The wireless communication system 450 alittor the BEE radio 402 of the charging station 50 can be configured, for example, to enter a low power mode when the remote control device 32 is being paired to the vehicle 10 and/or the rechargeable power source 180 of the remote control device 32 is being charged at the charging station 50, e.g., to ensure that only a remote control device 32 that is. within a minimum distance, for example, less than five inches or less than three inches corresponding to the signal strength of the communications- received from the remote control device '32, from the charging station 50 is recognized as the remote control device 32 to pair.
with.
Additionally, if the BEE radio 402 of the charging station 50 were to identify two Or more retnine control devices 32 available for pairing and could not determine the correct one for pairing, the charging station 50 may not pair with any of the available remote control devices 32 and may require the operator to repeat the pairing prooess..
.pS0CialinziPairing a Remote Control Mvicelvilli a Vithide-1001031 figs, 16-18 illustrate details of exemplary pairing processes in accordance with aspects of the invention The remote control device 3:2 and vehicle 10 descriNd above will be used in describing the pairing processes of Figs. 16-18, but it is 1.111CW1-51004: that other configuratiouststyles of the remote control deviee and vehicle could be paired together in accordance with the invention.
[001041 With reference to Fig. 16, the method 500 begins when the vehicle operator retrieves a remote control device 32 at 502. If the remote cOatrol device 32 is a wearable device as in the embodiments (.4' figs. 4-8 and 9-10, the remote control device 32. is also donned by the operator, e,g, by securing the holding strap 190w the operator's finger(s).
0.5I The vehicle operator then initiates a power on sequence to enable the vehicle 10 for operation, i.e., the operator starts the vehicle 104 504, In starting the vehicle 10 the operator may be required to provide Ikvin information to the vehicle =10.. This information may be provided for, by example, entering a personal identification number (PIN) into a control panel of the vehicle 10, by utilizing a key fob to provide the logon ID to the vehicle 10, or [he operator's PIN may be encoded into a memory device, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip that is integrated into the remote control device 32.
f001061 The operator then starts a pairing operation with the vehicle 10 at 506, and the pairing system 34 then pairs the remote control device 32 used by the operator to the vehicle 10 at 508. Details of two exemplary pairing operations will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 17 and 18.
1001071 Once paired, the system 8 may provide a visual indication as such eg., by displaying a message tut the Vehicle 10, illuminating the LED 424 in a predetermined color, making an audible or visual queceõ etc., that indicates that the pairing is complete.
1001081 In accordance with an aspect, of the invention, the remote control device 32 may be unpaired from the vehicle 10 by powering down the vehicle 10. Othor exemplary methods for unpairiug the remote control device 32 from the vehicle10 :are.
described below hi exemplary use case&
1001091 The operation or two example pairing systems 34 are described in relation.
to Figs, 17 and .18, respectively, which are flowcharts of example methods '5() and 600 for pairing a vehicle 10 and a Terillite control device 32 using a pairing system 34 that is part of the charging station. 50 On board the vehicle 10, The descriptions of the methods 550 and 600 of Figs. 17 and 18 begin as the remote control device 32 is inserted into the charging station 50, corresponding to stop 506 of .Fig, 16, 1001101 With reference to Fig: 17 and the method 550. at 552, when the second.

presence contact 222 is engaged by the first presence contact 212 as the remote control device 32 is inserted into the charging station 50, the T31,E radio 402 of the charging station 50 is enabled so as 10 start Scanning or listening for nearby .BLF
transmissions, As discussed above, the engagement of the second presence contact 222 by the first presence contact 212 can also cause the current limiter 40.410.be enabled so that power from the vehicle 10 can be provided to the charging contacts 210 from the charging elements 220, which will cause the rechargeable power source 180 of the remote control device 32 to be recharged. Accordingly, pairing and charging operations are initiated by the, single action. or coupling the remote control device 32 with the charging station 50. In lien of using BLE transmissions to pair the remote control device 32 to the vehicle controller 10.3, the remote control device: 32.
can. be paired to the vehicle controller 103 by direct physical contact between, for Mani*, the charging contacts 2.10 and the charging elements 22(1 Alternatively, dedicated pairing contacts knot shown) may be proVided on the remote control device.

3.2 and the vehicle 10, eõg,õ at the charging station 50, -to pair the remote control device 32 to the vehicle controller 103 via direct physical contact. Such pairing contacts on the remote control device 3.2 and the vehicle 10 could. be engaged with each other .coneurrently with the engagement of the charging contacts 210 to the charging elements 220 such that the pairing process could occur at the same time.as the charging process. These pairing contacts mild be used solely for performing message exchanges for pairing operations..
1001111 According to one aspect of the invention, where the pairing process is accomplished wirelessly, at 554, the remote control device. 32 detects that a whaw is present at its charging contacts 2.10 and begins transmitting BLE
advertisements via the wittdess transmitter 1.78 indicating that the remote Control device 32 is available for communicating with nearby devices:
1001121 In response., the BLE radio 402 of the charging station 50 can receive one of the transmitted advertisements and, at 556, 'issue a ELE scan request directed to the specific remote control device 32 associated with the: received advertisement.
If the FILE radio 402 of the charging station 50 were to identify two or more remote control devices 32 available for pairing, ie., by receiving .BLE advertisements from two or more remote control devices 32 while scanning or listening for nearby 13LE
transmissions, the vehicle 10 may not pair with any of the available remote control

4 devices 32 and *lay require the operator to repeat the pairat,g proem by removing the remote control device 32 from the charging station 50 and then reinserting the remote control device 3.2 into the Chanting station 50.
1001131 At 558, the remote control device 12 mponds to the. son request with.
unique identification code, which the BLE radio 402 receives.
1001141 At 560; the vehicle 10 verities the code and instructs the BLE radiO
402 to open a BLE connection and begin communicating with the remote control device:

[00115i At 562, once a communication session is established between the -remote control device 32 and the charging .station 50,.. a predetermined pairing algorithm can be implemented between the remote control .device 32 and the charging station 54.) to complete the pairing operation at 5.64. Once paired, the vehicle 1.0 wirelessly communicates with the remote control device :32, and the controller 103 of the. vehicle is capable of implementing wireless requests received from the remote control device 32.
100161 In the example flowchart described above with respect to fig. 1.7, a similar method can be performed to pair the remote control dice 3.2 to the vehicle lOusing, for example, one or more of the charging. elements 220 of the charging station SO and the charging contacts 210 of the remote control device .32, or the dedicated pairing contacts noted above. Instead of the messages being. transmitted and received:
via wireless/BLE radios, the same or equivalent types of messages can be communicated :through the elements/contacts. 220/210 via various protocols, The messages can be modulated and transmitted over one of the elements/contacts 2.201210 providing the voltage. in either ease, pairing of the vehicle 10 and the remote control device 32 can occur concurrently With the charging of the rechargeable power source 1.80 of the remote control device 32v.
[0101.7) With reference to Fig. 18 and the method 600., at 6Ø2õ when the second presence contact 222 is engaged by the first presence centaet 21.2 as the remote control device 32 is inserted into the charging station 50, the BEE radio 402 of the claming station 50 is enabled with a predetermineke.g. 1.500m. timeout *3 as to start scanning or listening -for nearby BLE transmissions from remote control devices 32. As discussed above, the engagement of the second presence contact 222 by the first presence contact 212 can also cause the current limiter 406 to be enabled so that power from the vehicle 10 can be provided co the charging contacts 210 froni the charging elements 220, which will cause the rechargeable power source. 180 Of the remote control device 32 to be recharged,. According,ly parting and charging operations are initiated by the single action of coupling the remote control device 32 with the charging station 50 such that a component of the remote control device 32 physically contacts an element of the charging station 50. In lieu of using .BU
transmissions to pair the remote control device 32 to the vehicle controller 10.3 the remote control device 32 can he paired to the vehicle controller 103 by direct physical contad between, for example, the charging contacts 210 .and the charging elements 220. Alternatively, dedicated pairing contacts (not shown) may be provided on the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10, el.+, ttt the charging station 50, .to pair the remote control. device 32 to the vehicle controller 103 via direct physical contact.
Such pairing contacts ort the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10 could he engaged with each other concurrently with the engagement of the. charging contacts 210 to the charging elements 220, such that the pairing process could occur at the same time as the charging process. These pairing Contacts could be used solely for pertbrming message exchanges fityr pairing operations, 1001181 At 604, the signal strength of the BLE transmissions between the wireless tratIsnlittar 178 .and the BL F: radio 402 may be d.eerease4 during the pairing process to.
help 'prevent any other 'nearby vehicles '10 from 'receiving the BLE
transmissions from the remote control device 32.
[001191 According to one aspect of the invention, where the pairing process iS

accomplished wirelessly, at 606, the remote control device 32 detects that a voltage is present at its charging contacts 210 and begins transmitting Bit advertisements via the wireless transmitter 1.78 at a predetermined. rate, e.g., a 20ms rate with a predetermined tnneout, .e,g4 7000rns timeont, indicating that the remote cputrol device 32: is available for communicating with nearby vehicles 10. If the BLEradio 402 DI the charging station 50.were to identify two Or more remote control devices 32 available for pairing,. ike., by receiving .131_,E, advenisevents from two. or more remote control devices 32 while scanning or listening for nearby 13LE transmissions, the vehicle 10 may not pair with any of the available remote control devices 32:
and may require the operator to repeat the miring process by removing the remote control device 32 from the charging station 50 and then reinserting the remote control device :32 into the charging station 50, l0111.20i The charging Station 50 may provide power to charge the rechargeable power source 180 for up to about, eg., 1000ms before the BLE advertisements are sent from the Wifelegs triausinitler 178. Charging of the rechargeable poWet.soorce 180 by the charging station 50 will be discussed in detail below.:
100121.1 In response to receiving the BLE advertisements from the. Avireless transmitter 178, the BLE radio 402 of the charging station 50 can, at 60$..
issue a ME
scan request,.
1001221 At 610, the remote control device 32 receives the scan request from the BLE radio 402 and uses the address of the .BLE radio 402 to create a unique identification code, which the remote control device 32 sends back to the BEE
radio 402 at 612, 1001231 At 614, the vehicle 10 verifies The code and instructs the BLE radio 402 to open a BLE connection and he communicating with the remote control device 32..

it is noted that if the vehicle 10 receives more than one valid identi fication code during step 614, for example, if the vehicle 10 receives identification codes from two.
different remote control devices 32;. pairing. will tinl the vehicle 10 may issue an error message or other warning, and the: operator will be required to. repeat the pairing process by removing the remote control device 32 from the charging station 50 and then reinserting the remote control device 32 into the charging station $0, 1001241 At 616, once a communication session is established between the remote control device 32 and the charging station 50, the pairing operation may be Completed, and the signal strength of the BLE transmissions between the wireless transmitter 1713 and the BL radio 402 may be increased back to their normal levels at 61g.
1001251 The operator may be required to perform an action at. 620 as A. test to confirm that the remote control device 32 is functional and can communicate to the charaing. station 50, such as by pressing a button sequence on the remote control device 3.2, for example, by pressing the horn button )971-i and brake button .I.97C
coucurrently:
1001261 Once paired., the vehicle 10 wirelessly communicates with, the remote control device 32, and. the controller 103 of the vehicle 101s capable of implementing.
wireless requests received from the remote control device 32.
1001271 in accordance with aspects of the invention, a pairing period (which is a time period that it takes to establish communication between the remote control device :32 and the vehicle 10 and commences with steps 5521602 and ends.with steps 564/616) may be less than the charging period (Which is the time it takes to charge the rechargeable power some 180 to a desired charge state at the chargin station 50), wherein charging of the rechargeable power source 180 will be discussed below in connection with Figs, 21 and 22., [001281 Referring to Fig. 19, in accordance with an additional aspect of the invention, after performing work operations, the vehicle operator niay need to temporal* leave the vehicle 10, e.g,, to take a break. An. exemplary method 700 is illustrated tar shutting down, restarting and re-pairing the vehicle 10 to the remote control device 32 used by the operator, The operator powers down the vehicle 10 at 70.2, so as to take a break, etc: After a time, the vehicle operator powers the vehicle back. up. During this time of the break, the remote control device 32 may continue to be paired with the vehicle 10 for up to a predefined time period. This state of maintained pairing between the vehicle .10 and the remote control device 32 may be indicated, for example, on a touchscreen (not shown) provided on the vehicle 10, by illuminating the LED 424 in a predetermined color, pattern, etc. Thus, if the operator powers the vehicle 10 back Up before the predefined time period expires at 704 the vehicle 10 may detect the remote control device 3.2 at 706, wherein the remote control device 32 remains paired with the vehicle .10. in this regard. the operator may or may not have to take some type of action at 708, such as by pressing a button on the vehicle 10, e,g,on the charging station 50, on the tonchscreen, etc.. Or by pressing a button sequence on the remote control device 32.
[00129f A successful operator action at 708 results in a confirmation of the pairing between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10 at 710. A visual queue may be displayed on the indicator (the LED 424) to signify the pairing, e.g., by illuminating the LED 424 in the second color noted above, 1001301 Alternatively, according to this aspect of the invention, if the operator powers the vehicle 10 back up after the predefined time period expires at 712, dle operator may be required to re-pair the remote control device 32 to the 'vehicle 10 as with the initial pairing, e,g,, by inserting the remote want device 32 into the charging station 50 at 714.
1001311 With reference to Fig. 20, an example method 800 is illustrated for reestablishing communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10 after a period of no vehicle-related activity has been pertbrined. At 802, the controller 103 on the vehicle. 10 detects that no vehicle-related activity has been performed for a: given period of time after communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle [0 :has been established_ L'Ixemplary vehicle-,related.
activities Include driving the Vehicle 1'(I (either .manually using the manual. controls in the, operates station 20, other manual controls, e.g.,. on the side of the vehicle- .10, or via the remote control device. 32), standing on the plafom .21, moving or placing an nem on the load handling assernbly 12, etc. .At 804, if no vehicle-related activity takes place for greater than a first predetermined amount of time after communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle- 10 is established, the communication between the remote control device 32. and the. vehicle 10 is terminated and must he re-established using the pairing system 34 at 806, tõeõ by inserting the remote control device 32 into the charging station 50 at the vehicle: 10. This state of terminated pairing between the :vehicle 10 and the remote, control device 32 May be indicated, for example, on the touChscreen, by illuminating: the LED 424 in a predetermined color, pattern, etc..
[001321 At 808, if no vehicle-related activity takes place for less than a .second .predetermined amount of time after communication between the remote. .control device 32 and the vehicle 10 is established, the second predetermined amount of time equal to or less than the first predetermined amount of time, the communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10 is terminated but can be re-established without the pairing system 34, elõ, by performing a confirmation method utilizing the remote control device 32 at: 810. The confirmation method may .comprise, for example, the operator carrying out a button sequence on the remote control device 32, such as by long-pressing one or mote of the buttons 197A=<, This state of pairing between the vehicle [0 and the remote control device 32: may be indicated, lbr example, on the touchscreen, by illuminating the LED 424. in A
predetermined color, pattern,. etcõ
[001.33 I Fig. 21 is a. flowchart: of an .e.xample method_ 900 for charging a .remote control device in accordance with the principles of the present invention, In particular, the remote control device may be the same as or similar to the remote control device 32 discussed herein, and can include a wireless communication.
system.
456 including a wireless transmitter 178. (e.g. capable of one or .two-way communication), a rechargeable power source I /1.(), and at least. one control (e.g., controls I 96A-C1 that causes the wireless transmitter 178 to wirelessly transmit a request to a controller of a materials.handling whiffle 1Ø

[001341 The -method 900 for chinging a retnote control device 32 begins at;
902 by initiating contact between a component of the remote control device 32 and an element of a charging station 50, the charging station 50 located at the vehicle 10, and then sensing contact between the remote control device component and the charging station element.. As described above, the remote control device 32 can include one or more charging contactS 210 that are each arranged to engage a corresponding charging element 220 of the charging station 50, such that when they are engaged, a second presence contact 222 or a similar device engages a corresponding tirst presence contact 212 to detect or sense that the charging contact(s) 210 and charging element(s) 220 are in contact with one another. However, other components of the remote control device 32 and other elements of the elle-ming station 50 may be used to detect/sense the initiation of contact.
100135j Next, at 904, a charging period. is started; wherein power is supplied from the charging station 50 to the rechargeable power source 180. As described above, as an example, circuitry of the. charging station it) is .configured such that upon the sensing of contact between the charging contact(s) 210 and charging element(s) 220, power is supplied from the Charging station 50 to the charging contacts 2W of the remote control device 32 to charge the rechargeable power source: 180, Once the rechargeable power source 180 is substantially fully charged Or charged to the desired amount less than a substantially full state of Charge), the remote control device 32 can be removed from the charging station 50, 10tH 361 Thus, the method of Fig_ 2.1 continues, at 906. with interrupting contact between the remote control device component and the charging station element., and sensing the interruption of the contact between the remote control device component and the charging station element. As described above, the charging contact(s) 210 of the remote control device 32 and the charging elemengs) 220 of the charging.
station 50 are arranged such, that as the two systems are disengaged, that state can be detected or sensed. One example is the second presence contact :222 that can detect when the remote control device 32 is being removed from the charging 'station 50.
1001371 Finally, upon the sensing of this interruption at 906; the charging station 50 can cease the supply of power from the charging station 50 to the rechargeable power source I 80 at 908, thus ending the charging period., it is noted that the second presence contact 222 can be located on the remote control device 32 and its disengagement can result in ceasing the supply of power from the charging station 50 to thOteehargeable poWeE Witrte 180, The supply of power. -from. the charging italion.
50: to the .n,..chargeable power source 180 may also be ceased. when the rechargeable power source 180 is charged up to the desired amount (either fully charged or charged.
up to. a desired amount: less than fully charged)., as described herein, 1001381 The method 900 can include other optional steps shown in Fig, 21. For example, the method 900 Can also include confirming the establishment of.
communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10 at. 910, e.g,, with .at least one of an audible or visual queue. The method 900 can .further include, while the remote control device component in contact with the charging station element, establishing. communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10 (cg, pairing) during a pairing period at 912, such that the controller 103 receives transmissions from the remote control device 32 and is. Capable of implementing wireless requests from the remote control device. 31.
This communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 1.0: can be.
established concurrently during charging of the rechargeable power source 180 at the charging station 50, such that the pairing period and the charging period overlap:. In at least some embodiments the pairing period is less than or equal to the churning period.
1001391 .Additionally. the method 900 may include, at 91.4, displaying a slate of charge of the rechargeable power source 1.80 at the vehicle 10õ. e.g., at the charging station 50; wherein the state of charge of the rechargeable power source .180 may be displayed at the vehicle 10 both when charging the rechargeable power source and during use. of the remote control device 32, ;The state of charge of the rethargeable power source 10 tnay be &played, for .exannpie, .via. a .series alights, each light, representing a level of a state of Charge of the rechargeable power source '180, 100.401 Fig, 22 is a flowchart of another example method 9:50 fOr charging. .a remote control .device in accordance with the principles.of the present inventionõSuch.
as the remote control. device 32 discussed herein, which comprises a .wireless communication. system 456 including a wireless transmitter 1.78 (4., capable of one or twO-way communication), a rechargeable power source 1M, and at least one .control (e.g.,. controls I 96A-C) that causes the wireless transmitter 178 to wirelessly .trarionit a. request to a. controller of a materials handling ychicle 10. As used herein, the term "control', when used to describe a control of the remote control device. 32, is .meatit to include any :structure capable of providing the desired function, including hut not. limited: to buttons, switches, dials, etc.
1001411 The method 950 for charging a remote control device 32 begins at 952 by initiating contact between a: component of the remote control device 32: and an element of a, :charging station 50, the charging station 50 located at the vehicle 10, and then sensing cOntaet between the remote COMT01 device component and the Charging station element. As described above, the remote control device 32 can include one or more charging contacts 210 that are each arranged: to engage a corresponding charging element 320 of the charging station U. such that when they are engaged, a second presence contact 222 or a similar device engages a corresponding presence :Contact 212 to detect or sense that the charging contact(s) 210 and charging element(s) 2.20 are in contact with one another. However, other components of the remote control device 32. and other elements of the charging Station 50 may be used to:.
detectiserts.e the initiation of contact:
100 421 At 954, the carrot state Of charge of the rechargeable power Source determined, Step 954 can be performed before or after step 952, i,e, the state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 may be communicated to the ebateing station 50 both when the remote control device 32 is coupled to the charging station 50, and during use of the remote control device 32 by the operator, as discussed herein, 1001431 Based on the current state of charge of the rechargeable power source . and. alter step 9.52 is performed, at 956, a charging period is started, wherein power is supplied from the charging. station 50 to the rechargeable power source 1$0, In one exemplary embodiment, at step 958A, if the voltage of the rechargeable power source 180 is below a voltage threshold VT, the charging station 50 charges the rechargeable power source 180 at a first, 'higher power level :PIA . According to this embodiment, at step 958B, if the voltage of the rechargeable power source 180 is above the voltage threshold VT, the charaing:station 50 charges the rechargeable power source ISO: at a second, lower power level P12. The resulting charging period in either ease, i.e., step 958.A or step 958B, may be about the same, i.e., charging the rechargeable power source 180 up to the desired amount from above or below the volume threshold.
VT
may take about the same time. While only two power levels PL1 PL2 associated with a single voltage threshold. VT are discussed herein, additional voltage thresholds and power levels could be used, wherein the charging period can always be about the SoMe time regardless of the charge [eve" of the rechargeable power .source ISO-when it is inserted into the charging station 50. Additionally., an equation could be used to dynamically set the power level according to the current state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180.
1001441 ORCIV the charging period is complete, dna is, once the rechargeable power source 180 is charged to the desired amount, i.e., substantially fully charged: or charged to an amount less than a substantially full state of charge, e,g,õ
view- of the sensed temperature if that technolotty is present in the system 8, or if less than a full charge is desired, the remote .control device 32 can be removed from the charging station SO, 1001451 Thus, the method of Fig. .22 continues, at 9:60, with -interrupting-.contact:
between the remote control device component and the charging station element and sensing the interruption of the contact between the remote control. device component and the charging station element. As described above, the charging. -contact(s). 210 of remote control device 32 and the charging element(s) 220 of the charging station 50 are arranged:such that as the two systems are disengaged, that state can be detected or .sensed, One example is the second presence oornaCt 222 that: can detect when the remote control device 32 is being removed from the charging station 5.0, 1001461 Finally, upon the sensing of this interruption at 960, or -upon the rechargeable power source ISO being charged to the desired amount, the charging Station 50 can cease the supply of power from the charging station 50. to the rechargeable power source 180 EA 962, thus ending the charging period.
1001471 The method 950 can include other optional steps shown in Fig. 22, For example; the method 950 can also include confirming the establishment of communication between the remote control device 32 and vehicle I 0 at 964õ.eg,õ With a least one of an 'audible or visual queue. The method 9$0 an further include, While the remote control device component is in contact with the charging station element, establishing communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10.
(eg., pairing) during a pairing period at 966, such. that the controller 103 receiVes transmissions from the remote control device 32 and is capable of implementing wireless, requests from the remote control device 32. This communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle. 10 can be established concurrently during. charging of the rechargeable power source 180 at the charging station50, such that the pairing period and the charging period overlap. In at least: .some embodiments, the pairing penod is less than of equal to the charging petiokalihnutih the pairing period may he greater than the charging period, as will he discussed in more detail below;
1001481 Additionally, the method 950 may include, at 968, displaying a aate of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 at the Vehicle 10, 0,g., at the charging station 50, wherein the state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 may be displayed at the vehicle 10 both when charging the rechargeable power source and during use of the remote control device 32. The state of charge of the rechargeable power source 1$0 may be displayed, for example, via a series of lights.
each light representing a level of a state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180.
E00149l in accordance with an aspect of the invention, the charging period may depend on the capacity of the rechargeable power source 180, the charge rate/power level supplied by the charging station 50, and/or the charge state of the rechargeable power source 1$0 When it is: inserted into the charging station 50. Thus, a desired charging period could be achieved regardless of the current state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 when the remote control device 52 is placed in the charging station 50. For example, the current state of charge of the rechargeable power soiree 180 may be known to the vehicle 40, e.g., the state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 may be communicated to the charging station 50, as discussed herein, The Charging station 50 may be instructed, e.g., by the controller 103, to supply power to the rechargeable power source 180 at different rates or levels based on the state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 when the remote control device 32 is placed in the charging station 50, so that the charging period is generally about the same time regardless of the state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 when the remote control device 52 is placed in the charging.
slat:1On 50: For example, as discussed above with reference to steps 958,41B of fig, 2Z
if thw.
state of Charge of the rechargeable power source 180 is a first, lower state of charge, then a.flrst. greater rate/level of power may be supplied from the charging station 50 to the rechargeable power source 1 8011 the state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 is a second, higher state of charge, then a second, lesser rate/level of power may be supplied from the charging station 50 to the rechargeable power source 180, The resulting charging period hi both cases could be about tbe same time., e4., within about 0,5 seconds of the desired charging period. Any number of rechargeable power source slats of charge and: corresponding rates/levela of power: :could be implemented such that the lime required to charge the_ rechargeable power source 180 is within the desired charging period. Additionally, the usage life of the rechargeable power source 180 may he increased when it -is charged at a lower power level.
Hence, an additional advantage of a consistent charging period as with the present invention is that the rechargeable power source 180 is sometimes charged at a lower power level, e.g., when the charge state of the rechargeable power source 180, when it is inserted ink) the charging station 50 is the second, higher state of charge discussed above. Hence, charging the rechargeable power source 180 at different power levels as discussed herein may increase the usage life of the rechargeable power source 180., as opposed to if the rechameable power source 180 was charged at a consistent, higher power level with each charge.
1001.50j Additionally, while the pairing period, which is described herein as the time period it takes to establish communication between the remote control device 32 and the vehicle 10, may be less than or equal to the charging period, the charging period may also be less than the pairing period. As one example, it may be determined that the rechargeable power source 180 does not need to be fully charged in order to operate for a desired use period. For example, a full charge of the rechargeable power source 180 may provide an operation time that is greater than a desired use period (e.g., an operator's shill), such that the rechargeable power Source 180 does not need to be fully charged in order to be operable for the desired use period. In this case, the charging station 50 may he programmed to charge the rechargeable power source 180 up to a less than full state of charge, which would still be sufficient for the remote control device to be operable for the entire desired use period. The time it takes to charge rechargeable power source 180 up to this less than full state or charge may be less than the pairing period. Other situations may 4.1.$0 occur where the charging period may be less than the pairing period:
[00151.1 With reference to Fig. 23, the principles of the present invention can also be implemented as a kit 1000 fbr retrofitting to a materials handling -vehicle Kr in Fig. 23, elements similar to or identical to those described above with reference to Figs. 1-22 include the same reference number followed by a prime symbol (f) An element described with respect to Fig. 23 but not. specifically shown in Fig.
23 is equivalent to the element having the same reference symbol as described above, hut without the prime symbol.

100152f The vehicle 10' can include a vehicle controller 103' that is responsive to wireless requests. from an associated remote control deice: 32 that is .used by an operator interacting with the vehicle 10' similar to those types of vehicles 1.0 and remote control devices. 32. described above An example kit 1000 would include a charging .statiou. 50' at. the vehicle 10', the charging station 50' for charging a reehargeable power source 18.(Y of the remote control device 32% wherein the charging station 50' is electrically coupled to a vehicle power source, and a receiver :Wraith as a BLE radio communicably coupled to the controller 103' of the vehicle 1Cri. In particular, the charging station W' is configured such that the rechargeable power source 180'. is charged up to 6 desired amount (A full charge or less.than lid! charge aS
discussed herein) atthe charging station .50.' within. a desired charging period.
1001.53l The kit 1000 may further include a -pairing system 34' ..frir establishing communication between the remote. control device. 32' and. the vehicle 10', such that the controller 103' it capable of implementing wireless requests from the remote .control device 32.'õ The patting system $4' may, -far example, be similar to pairing system 34 and can implement the pairing algorithm(s) detailed in Fig,. 17 andlor 18.. Thus, the kit 1.000 can also include a pairing indicator, e.gõ, visual indicator 42.4%
that confirms the establishment of communication betWeen the remote control device 32' .and the vehicle 10'. Furthermore, the pairing system 34' can be configured such that the pairing period (a time period that it takes to establish.
communication between the remote control device 32' and the vehicle 10') may be less than or equal to the charging period (a time period it takes to charge the rechargeable power source 180' to the desired amount). The pairing: period may also be greater than the charging period. The pairing system 34 may be incorporated into the charging. station .50' or may be a separate element.
1001.$41 It is contemplated that communication between the remote control device :32 and the vehicle 10' is established concurrently daring charging of the rechargeable power source 180' at the charging station 50', te.õ the pairing period and the charging period may overlap. Furthermore, in some embodiments, communication between the remote control device 32' and the vehicle 1.0', and charging of the rechargeable power source l80 at the charging station 50' are initiated with a single action.
For example, the single action can comprise physically contacting a component: of the remote control device, for example, one or more. charging contacts 210 as described above.

with tn element of the charging station, for eutuple, one or. inure Corfesponding dnligint.-2. dements 220 as described above.
[001551 The remote control device 32' used ihi combination with theiit 1000 may be the same as the remote control devices. 32 diSelosed herein. Hence, a remote control device manufactured. for use with a vehicle 10 including an Integrated charging station 5.0 and related components could also be used with a kit 1000 for use with an existing. vehicle 10'.
[001561 As described above with respect to the charging station 59, the charging station 50' of the kit 1000 can also include guide structure 420'. to align the remote control device 32 in the proper orientation for charging, the rechargeable power source 180', E001.57i The kit .1000 cari also include an indicator (e,gõ. LEDs. 404, light, .0i similar structure) configurable to be attachable at the vehicle (Y for indicating a.state of charge Of the rechargeable power source I WV, The indicator can indicate the state of charge of the rechargeable power source I 80' both when charging the rechargeable power source 1 R0' at the charging station 50' and during use of the remote control device 32'. In some embodiments, the indicator comprises a series of Whs., each hat representing a level of the state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180%
1001.58i The kit 1000 includes at least one charging element 220' on the charging station 50' that engages at least one corresponding charging contact 2.10 of the remote control device 32% Furthennore, at least one of the. remote control device 32' or the charging station 50'. includes a presence contact 212' or 222' that detects whether or not at least one corresponding charging contact 210' and at least one charging element 220' are correctly engaged with one another. If a correct engagement: is detected, the transfer of power to the rechargeable power source 180' of the remote control:device 32 is ekohjed by the charging station 50?õ and ii a correct engagement is not detected., the transfer of power to the rechargeable power source 180' is not enabled by the charging: station 50'. In at least some embodiments, the remote control device.. 32' comprises at: least two charging contacts 210' or at least lbur charging contaCts 210' that are positioneti to engage corresponding charging elements 220' on the charging station 50e, 100159) The arrangement of the remote control device 32' and the chargini.!
station Sty of the kit 1000 is configured such that the presence contact 21.2' or 222' indicates the removal of the remote control device 32' from the charging station 50', .Which ceases the transfer of power.to the re=Charweablie power source I80' from die charging station 50', before the at least one charging contact. 210' is disengaged .froin the at least one corresponding charging element 220'. Hence* the transfer of power from the charging Station 50' to the -rechargeable power source 180' is ceased before the at least one charging contact 210' is disengaged from the at least one corresponding charging.
element 220', 100160i The kit 1000 may .also utilize contactless, or induction, charging in Anti"
the rechargeable power source 1.80' of the remote control device 32 can be Charged by being in close proximity to or on the surface. of, a compatible induction charging station (not shown). Such an induction charging .station may he located, for example, in a driving or steering control of the vehicle 10' such that the rechargeable power source 180' may be charged while the operator is manually- driving the vehicle 10' .from the operator's station 20'. The kit 1000 According to this aspect of the invention may be at least partially located in the. vehicle steering Control or other vehicle component that facilitates the comactlessiinduction charging of rechargeable power source .180', the rechargeable power source 180' may be charged by the operator grasping the driving/steering control, 1001.611 The kit 1000 may tthliie any of the other features and/or functions of the remote control device 32' and the charging station 50' described above for Figs, 1-22, his noted that if the vehicle 10' to be used With the kit 1.000 was previously set up for interacting, with a wireless remote control device, the controller logic in the vehicle.
controller .103' may need to be updated to be used. with the kit 1000, and a receiver that was already provided at the. vehicle 10', i.e.., fox receiving wireless.
requests. from.
a remote Control device that was used with the vehicle 10' before the kit.
1000 was installed on the vehicle 10% may be turned off in lieu of the receiver 102' of the kit 1000, ie., for use with the remote connol device :32' alisociaW with the kit 1000:
1001.621 With reference now to Fig:. 24õ. a remote control device 32 in aecordance with an embodiment of the invention may be incorporated. into a glove garment 1100.
The use of the glove garment 1100 eliminates the need lbr the holding strap 190, and the first control 196A may be provided, an a finger of the glove garment 11.00 as opposed to being a part of the upper housing 174, but the remaining components of the remote control device 32 illustrated in Fig. 24 may he the same or Similar to those of the remote control device 32 of Figs. 4-7, including a shape of the portion of the upper housing 174 that engages with the charging station 50 at the vehicle 10.
Hence, the charging station 50 at he vthiele 10 may be the at.ine as the charging station:. 50 described above, ie., since the charging station-engaging portion of the upper housing 174 of the remote control device 32 incotporated into the glove garment 100 Can have the same dimensions as the charging station-engaging portion of the upper housing 174 of the remote control device 32 in the embodiment of figs, 4-7, the same charging station 50 could be used with either the finger-mounted remote control device 32 of Figs, 4-7, or the remote control device 32 incorporated into the -glove garment 1100 of Fig. 24.
1091631 If the remote control device 32 incorporated into the glove garment.

were used. in combination with the inductive charging technology disclosed herein, inductive Charging structures may be incorporated, for example, into the palm of the glove garment 1100. Such charging Structures in the glove garment 1100 could he used with charging elements incorporated, for example, into a steering control of a vehicle paired to the remote control device 32., in which case a rechargeable power soarce of the remote control device 32 could be charged while the operator isonsping the, steering contra 1001641 According to additional aspects of the present. invention, there may be conditions and/or events that cause the vehicle 10 to become Unpaired flrom the remote control device 32., NA,herein a complete pairing process utilizing the pairing system 34, as described herein, may be required to re-pair the. vehicle 10 with the remote control device 32. There may be other conditions or events that cause the vehicle 10 to become unpaired from the remote control device .32, 'wherein something other than a complete pairing process utilizing the pairing system 34, as described herein, may be required to re-pair the: vehicle. 1.0 with the remote control device 32:
Several exemplary use cases with regard to Impairing and re-pairing will now be described.
[0011.651 A first exemplary use case may occur by powering down the vehicle TO:
According to this. first use case, the remote control device 32 is unpaired :from the controller 10.3 and requires acomplete inning process utilizing the pairing system 34, as described herein, to re-pair the vehicle 10 with the remote control device 32... In accordance with this exemplary first use case, a complete pairing process utilizing the pairing system 34 may be required to re-pair the remote control device. 32 to the vehicle to whenever the 'vehicle 10 is powered down:, IOW 661 A. ecortd empl ttry use caw t bay be sabstotially as de 'bed above with respect to Fig. 19, wherein the vehicle operator temporarily leaves :he vehicle 10õ e.g., to take a break: The details of this second. exemplary use case are discussednhove with reference to Fig, 17 and. will not be repeated again.
001671 Third and fourth exemplary use cases may occur if no vehicle-related activity takes. place her greater than a first predetermined amount of time after communication between the remote control device. 32 and the vehicle 10'is established (third use case) or if no vehicle-related activity takes place for less than second predetermined amount of lime after communication between the remote control device 3.2 and the vehicle 10 is established (fourth use case). The details of these third and fourth exemplary use cases are discussed above With reference to Fig.
20 and will not be repeated again, [001681 A number of exemplary use cases may arise whore multiple. remote control devices 32 and/or multiple vehicles 3.0 are concerned. In a fifth exemplary ase-ease, assume a first remote control device 32 is currently paired with. k.-1, first vehicle 19, and a second remote control device 32 is currently paired with a 5;erotici vehicle M.Ji this fifth use case, the first remote control device 32 is inserted into the :chateing station 50 of the second 'vehicle 10. Under this circumstance, the chanting seetion.30:
of the second vehicle 10 may charge the rechargeable power source 180 of the :first remote control device .32, the first remote control device 32 may become unpaired from the first vehicle 10, and the second remote control device :32 may become unpaired. from the second vehicle 10. The first remote control device $2 will not be paired to the ie:cort d vehicle 10 in the fifth use case.
100169j In a sixth exemplary use =case and with reference to Fig_ 24, assume a remote control device 32. is currently paired with a first vehicle 10A Such that the remote control. device 32 wirelessly communicates with the first vehicle 10A, and.
second vehicle 1013 is not currently paired with a. remote control device, in this :sixth use case, the remote control device 32 is paired with die second vehicle 1.0a using a.
pairing process, for example, by hisellitig the remote control device 32 into the charging station 30 of the Second vehicle 1013, Using this pairing process, the charging anion 50 of the second vehicle 10B may charge the rechargeable power source 180 of the remote control device 32, and the remote control device 32 may become paired. with. the Seecynd vehicle 1013 such that the remote control device wirelessly communicates with the second ide lOB. This pairing process may :also cause the remote control device to become unpaired..frorn the first vehicle 1.0A, that the remote. control device no longer wirelessly. communicates. with die first vehicle 10A, Once the remote control device 32 is paired with the Second vehide 1013 and. impaired from the first vehicle WA, the second vehicle Iff.13 may respond to remote requests from the remote control device 32, while the :first vehicle 10A may no longer respond to remote requests from the remote control device 32.
1.001701 As described above, the wireless communication system 4% of the =remote control device 32 and/or the .BLE, radio 402 of the charging. station 50 .cart be configured, for example, to enter a low power mode when the remote control .device 32 is being paired to the second vehicle 1.013 and/or the rechargeable power .source 180 of the remote control. device 32 is being charged at the charging. station 50, e,g., to ensure that only a remote control d-eviee 32 that is within, a minimum distance*
corresponding to the signal strength of the communications received from the remote.
Control device 32, from the charging: station 50, is -recognized as the remote control device 32 for the second vehicle 10B to pair with .1001711 According to the sixth exemplary use case, prior to the pairing process., the second vehicle 1013 may be sent, es., by a Warehouse Management:. System W.MS
in communication with the second -vehicle 10B, to a designated location, such as, for exampleõ the location of the operator, the location of the first vehicle 10A., the end of an aisle in which the operator and/or first. vehicle 1OA. are located, a designated waiting area, etc.. The second. vehicle 1013 may be an unloaded vehicle,. Leõ
:free from.
a load and thus ready to carry items to be picked. by the operator. The second vehicle 1013 may be instructecj. to move to the designated location by the Warehouse Management System WNIS,, for example, when the first vehicle WA is loaded with a desired amount of pick items and is ready to be sent to a. different location, i.eõ a location that jg different than the current location of the vehicle 10, such as a loading dock.1,1) or other location:where the pick items on the first vehicle 10A. are to be sent The operator may also request that the second vehicle 1013 be .sent to the designated location, .for .example., using 4 control on the first vehicle -110Aõ over a.
headset, etc..
Once the second vehicle 1013 paired to the remote control device 32, the second vehicle 10.13 may no longer implement commands from the Warehouse Management .System WMS, such that the second vehicle 1013 will only implement wireless commands from the remote can:0W device 32 with which it is paired.

1001721 Once the :remote control. device 32 is onparred loin the fjrst.
yettiolelOA, the Warehouse Management System WMS may send instructions to the first vehicle OA to move to the loading dock andior to another location, such as a vehicle charging station (not shown), Using this sixth exemplary use case, an operator may quickly switch between vehicles 10A, 10B, resulting, in an ittemse in work productivity and efficiency.
[001731 In aseventh exemplary use ease, assume a first remote control deviee 32 is currently paired with a vehicle 0, and a second remote control device 32 is not paired with a vehicle in this seventh. use case, the second remote control. aeviCe.

inserted into the charging station 50 of the vehicle 10-. Under this.
circtunstanecõ the charging station 50 of the vehicle 10 may charge the rechargeable power 3010Ct 180' of the second remote control device. 32, the first remote Control device 32 May.
become unpaired from the vehicle 10, and the second remote control device .32 will not be paired tt,-) the vehicle 10, In an eighth exemplary use case, the. remote control device .32 is moved out of range of the vehicle 10, ie., such that the wireless, transmitter 178 is no longer able to communicate with the receiver 102 for a predetermined time, period, According to the eighth use case, the remote control device 32 may become unpaired from the vehicle 10õAccording to the eighth use case, if the remote control device 32.
moves back into range of the vehicle 10 after a predetermined time period, the vehicle .10 may need to be. shut down and restarted to pair with a -remote control device :32 utiliAng the pairing system 34, including pairing with the previously-paired remote control device 32, or a different remote control device 32. If the remote control device :3.2 moves back into range of the vehicle 10 within the predetermined time period, the vehicle 10 may BM need to be shut down and restarted to pair with the previously paired remote control device 3.2> e,g., the previously paired remote control device 32 may be re-paired with the vehicle 10 by inserting the remote control device.
$2 into the charging station 50 of the vehicle. Pairing the vehicle 10 to a different remote control device 32 may require a vehicle shut down and restart, regardless of how long the previously paired remote control device 3.2 was out of range of the vehicle 10, 100175) Additional exemplary use cases concerning pairing and/or charging periods will now be described.

100761 In a ainth exemplary use case, a desired charge stateõ.eg,, sulistantially hill charge state, of the rechargeable power source 180 can be achieved by charging the rechargeable power source 180 at the charging Station 50 in five seconds or less.
According to this use case, the substantially -hal charge state of the rechargeable power source 1.80 may yield a use period of the remote control device 32 of at least eight hours.
1001771 IA a .tenth. exemplary use case, the charging station SO varies the power level supplied to the rechargeable power source 1:80 depending on the state or thaTge of the rechargeable power source I ki0. when the remote control device 32. is inserted into the charging station 50, as described. herein with respect to. Fit 22.. A
charging period according to the tenth use case will always be about four seconds, regardless of the state of charge of the rechargeable power source 180 when the remote control device 32 is inserted into the charging station 50. Hence, a predictable charging period is achieved.
10(H 78 It is noted that the type of tralISITIOSIOTS. 4e1-1( by the remote control device 32 to the vehicle 10, e.g., requests, such as travel requests, may be other types .of unnsmissions, .As one example,. the transmissions. may comprise location-based transmissions that inform the controller 103 Of the vehicle 10 where the remote control device 32. is located relative to the vehicle ./0. 'These types of location transmissions may be used by the controller 1.03.õ e.g., to follow the remote control device .32. Hence, the vehicle 10 may follow an operator wearing, holding, or carrying the remote control device 32. Such a remote control device 32 could be charged by the ehargins station 5Q and paired to the vehicle .10 as described herein.
100791 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, charging.
of the rechargeable power source 180 by the charging station 50 may be disabled while the vehicle 10 is in motion. This aspect of the invention may, not apply to inductive charging of the rechargeable power source I 80:
1001801 Furthermore, when an operator is attempting to pair a remote, control device 32 to a. vehicle 10 that is in communication. with the Warehouse Management System WMS., the Warehouse Management System \VMS can determine if one or more remote control device operational checks have been performed within a predetermined time period, tbr example,. within the last 12 hours, Such operational cheeks may include, for eiminple, .checks to ensure the operability of controls of the remote control device 32, such as the horn and/or brake. buttons 1978, 197C If such operational check(s) have not been performed. within the prt.,,determined.
time period;
the vehicle 10 may communicate to the operator that operational check(s).
must: be performed prior to the remote control .device 32 being pairable with the vehicle 10;
i.eõ the remote control device 32 is only allowed, to pair with the vehicle 10 if the one or more remote control device operational cheek; have been peribmied within the predetermined time period. The operational checks may be performed by the operator implementing the controls, by holding down the horn and/or brake butions'19713, 197C.
int-1181i Additionally, when an operator is attempting to pair a. remote control device 32 to a vehicle i 0 that is in communication with the Warehouse Management System WMS, the Warehouse Management 'System WMS
determine if the operator is authorized to operate the vehicle IV that the operatOr is attempting to pair to the remote control device 32. For example, vehicles that are to be used only in. a certain location, such as in a freezer, may only be pairable with remote control devices 32 where the operator will Use the vehicle in that location. As another .example, operators may be limited to operating certain vehicles. Remote control devices 32 in these: situationsmay only he authorized to pair with stieb vehicles When these condition(s).are met [001821 in accordance with an aspect of the invention, the charge life of the rechargeable power source 180 over a given operating cycle may be increased by turning off or reducing the power consumption of one or more components.Of the remote control device 32, e.g., the components of the wireless communication.
system 456 including the wireless transmitter 1.78, when an operator is determined to be 'standing on the pIntforni 21 of the vehiclelp, es:, as detected by the presence sensors 22.
[00.831 Tiw. terms "pairing" and "synchronizing" Os ttsed herein and in the various patents and published patent applications incorporated by reference herein) are used interchangeably herein to describe a secure process whereby a wireless remote control device and vehicle controller identify each other as valid command and response devices..
Inal841 .A (Margin, station 1050 and a remote control device 1032 constructed in accordance with a still further aspect of the present disclosure are illustrated in Figs.
26. und 27. Elements on the charging station 1050 which are generally the same as elements on the charging station 50 described above are referenced with the same teterefiee ninna/415i used for those elements on the charging station SO.
Sbnilarly.
elements on the remote control device .1032. which are generally the same as elements on the remote control device 32 described above are referenced. with the same reference numerals nsed for awe elements On the remote control device 32, 1001851 The charging station 1,050 comprises. a docking port 1052, which may comprise a pocket or recess shaped to receive the remote control device 10.3.2 :stteh that chargiik4 contacts 210 on the remote control device 1032 are õaligned with and engage with charging elements 220 at the Charging station 1.050 to effect charging of a rechargeable power source 180 forming part of the remote control device 1032, it is also contemplated that the remote control device 1032 may also interact With the docking port 1.052 to allow charging of the rechargeable powetsource 1,80 -via: a non contact charging operation, e.g.., inductive charging 1001861 The charging station. 1050 can comprise one or more visual indicators that convey information to an operator, which information may comprise one or more of::
a charging state of the rechargeable power stmirce 180 when the remote control device 1032 is coupled to the charging station 1050õ a charging state of the rechargeable power :source I:80 when the remote control device .1032 is removed, from the charging station 1050, a pairing status between the wearable remote control device 1032 and the vehicle controller .103, and/or that the remote control device 1032 is physically connected to the charging. station 1050, 001871 in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 26 and 27, a first visual indicator 1060 and a second. visual indicator 1070 are provided, on the charging station 1050.
The first visual indicator 1060 may comprise one or more lights, such as LEDs,. The first -visual indicator 1060 ..rria'y be provided ptoximate to the docking port 1052 defined within the charging station 1050, as viewed in.figs, 26 and 27, which docking port. 1052, as noted above, comprises a pocket or recess shaped to receive the remote coatrol device 1032. A. graphic 1014 may be provided. on the remote control device 1.032 adjacent to a travel button 197A also provided on the remote control.
device 1032, see Fig, 26.õ which travel button. 197A may' cause a wireless transmittea- 178 forming part of the remote control device 1032 to wirelessly transmit a request :fOr a.
vehicle 10 to travel across a floor surface. The first visual indicator 1060 may be Shaped to correspond to the graphic 1034 provided on the remote control device to aid a .user in positioning and connecting the remote control device 11032 to the docking port 1052 of the chargin2, station 1050. In the illustrated embodiment, the graphic. 1034 provided on the remote control. device 1032 is shaped as an .t$osceles triangle facing upward when the remote control device 1032 is coupled to the charging station 1050, but could comprise any other geometric shape, image, .icon, etc, Also in the illustrated embodiment, the first visual indicator 060 is.
generally shaped as an isosceles triangle pointing downward, but could comprise any other geometric shape, image, icon,. ete. The first visual indicator 1060 shaped as a downward facing: triangle provides an indication to: a user that the remote control device 1032 should be positioned relative to the docking port 1.052= such that the upward facing triangle 1.034 on the remote control device 1032 is positioned adjacent to the first visual indicator 1060 so as to mate with or mirror the first visual indicator 1060.
1001.8811 The. second visual indicator 1070 may be positioned proximate to the first visual indicator 1060, such as just above the first visual indicator 1060 as viewed in Has,. 26 and 27. The second. visual indicator 1070 may be defined by a.
plurality of linearly arranged lights, such. as LEDs, which may be activated individually and serially. The lights of the second visual indicator 1.070 May have a different color than the one or more lights of the first visual indicator 1060, [001891 When 4 v chicle.10 comprising the charging station 1050 is powered up, turned from an OFF state to an ON state, the first visual indicator 1060 may be activated and, preferably, is pulsed ON and OFF to provide a. visual display related to inserting the wearable remote control device 1.032 into the docking port 1052, 'while the second visual indicator 1070 remains OFF, see Fig: 28A. With the first Visual indicator 1060 activated, i.e., pulsed ON and OFF, and the second visual indicator 1070 OFF, this indicates, to an operator that the charging station .1:050 is enabled and functional and she/he needs to couple the remote control device 1032. to the docking port '1052 of the charging station 1050 to effect .pairing and charging.. If the .first visual indicator IOW is not activated, this may indicate that the charging station 1.050 is not enabled. Hence, the first visual indicator IWO and the second visual indicator 1070 may be =figured to be activated independently of each other such that the first visual indicator 1060 may he activated while the second visual indicator 1070.
is not activated.
100190] Once the remote control device 1032 has been physically connected to the docking port 1052 of the charging station 1050, the.. first yiu& indicator 1060 may. he deactivated, turned OFF, and at least One of the tights defining the second Visual indicator 1070 may be activated to convoy to the operator that: the relucltv control device 1012 has been physically connected to the docking port. 1052, see rig.
.28B.
Once docking of the remote control .device 1.032 has occurred, the remote control device 1032 will attempt to pair with the vehicle controller 103 and the rechargeable power source. 180 of die remote control device 103.2 will begin to be charged by the charging station 1050 Lights defining the second visual. indicator 1070 may he activated serially, such as from. left to right as viewed in Figs. 26õ. 27 and 288.; to indicate the status of the charging operation of the power source 180 or the charging state of the. rechargeable power source180 when coupled to the charging station 1050.
Once the rechargeable power source 180 is fatly = charged, all lights defining the second indicator 1070 may be activated, turned ON, see Fig., 28C.
[001.9.1.1 .Figs. 29A ¨ Fig, 29C provide an alternative embodiment, as Compared to that of Figs.
28Cõ for the activating: and. deactivating of the first visual indicator 1060 and the second visual indicator 1070 during physical connection and pairing of the remote control device 1032. with the docking port 1052 of the: chargingY.
station:
1050, The embodiment of Figs, 29A ¨Fig 29C can be utilized. for all charge/pair cycles such as .an initial cycle after vehicle 10 iis powered ON from. an OFF
:state as well as subsequent charge 'cycles occurring before vehicle .10 is powered OFF.
As described above, when a vehicle 10 comprising the charging station 1050 is powered up, Lt., turned from an OFF state to an ON state, the first visual. indicator 1060 may be activated and, preferably, is pulsed ON and OFF to provide a. visual display related to inserting the wearable remote control device 1032 into the docking port 1.052, while the second visual indicator 1070 remains OFT, see Fig. 28.A and Fig.
.29A.
With the first visual indicator 1060 activated, i,eõ pulsed ON and OFF. And the second visual indicator 1070 .OFF, this indicates to an operator that the charging station 1050 is enabled. and functional and she/he needs to couple the rentoteconnol device 1032 to the docking port 1052 of the charging station 1050:to effect.
pairing and Charging. Once the remote control device 1032 has been physically connected to the docking port 1052 of the charging station 1050, the first visual indicator 1060 may remain activated so as to provide a steady-state ON display., and at least one the lights defining the second visual indicator 1070 rnay be activated to convey to the operator that the remote control device 1.032 has been physically connected to the docket port 1052, see 'Fig. 2913. Once docking of the rQmote control device 1032has occurred, the remote control device 1032 will attempt to pair with the vehicle .controllet 103 arid the rechargeable power source 180 of the remote ..connol device 103.2 will begin to he charged by the charging station 1050. Lights defining the second visual :indicator 1070 may be activated serially, such as from 'left to right as viewed in Figs, 26, 27, 2913 and 290,. to indicate the status of the charging operation of the power source 180 or the charging state of the rechargeable power source .1.80 when coupled to the charging. station 1050. Once the rechargeable power stnirce.180.
is ftilly Charged, all lights defining the second indicator 1070 may be activated, Le:, turned ON. and the first visual indicator 1060 may be deactivated, Leõ tutted OFF, $ee Fig: .29C, f001921 Because the first visual indicator )060 remains activated, as Shown in fig, 298, while the -rechargeable power source 180 is chargint'z, the first visual indicator 1000 and the second visual indiCalOt 1070 both provide cues to the operator that the remote control device 1.032 should remain connected. with the charging station-1.050.
and that charging of the rechargeable power source 180 is not complete until the first visual indicator 1060 is deactivated and all the lights of the second visual indica&
1070 are activated, Le., see Fig 29e.
fO01931 In Fig. 288, Fig_ 28C.,. Fig. 2.913 and Fig, 29C, the individual lights the second visual indicator 1070 can become activated,: or turned on, one after the other which can be described, as making the second visual indicator 1070 "grow." As noted above, a desired charge state, e.gõ, a. substantially full charge state, of the rechargeable power source 180 can be achieved by charging the rechargeable power source -NO
at the charging station in five 'seconds or less 11õ for example, the second iai indicator 1070 has five (.14t.rete segments, or lights, a timing of the "growing of the second visual display 1070 can be configured .such that the time period between activating each of the live: lights is about one second 0-1- 54), such that activation of all of the lights, including the filTh light, indicates that the rechargeable power source is fittly charged. Alternatively, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure contemplate the tinting between activating each of the first four 5egment$.
LEDs, or lights of the second visual indicator 1070 can be about 1 seconds (+I-

5%) and activating the fifth and -final segment occurs about 200ms. (41- 5%) after activation of the previous,, or fourth, light. One benefit of having a non-uniform timing delay between activating the light segments of the second visual indicator 1.070.
is 10 reduce the chance of an operator misunderstanding the lighting Wes, removing the -remote control device 1032 too early, and thereby preventing a. full Charge Of the rechargeable power source '180.
[001941 In either embodiment involving the activation of the first visual indicator 1060 Ct,e,., Figs. 28A 28C or Figs 29A. NCI,. if the rechargeable power source 1.80 cannot. be charged, then the first visual display 1060 may flash to pulse, ON
and OFF
to provide a visual display indicating an errOr, while the second visual.
display 1070 is turned OFF, see Fig, 281. The error may be related to the rechargeable power source 180, the charging station 1050 or both being defective. The rate at which the first visual indicator 1060 is 'flashed ON and OFF to indicate an error may vary in frequency as compared to the rate at which the .first visual indicator 1060 is pulsed ON and OFF when the vehicle 10 is powered ill), [001.95! As noted above, once the rechargeable power source In has been fully charged, all lights of the second visual indicator 1070 may be activated. All lights of the second visual indicator 1070 may also be pulsed to provide the operator with an intermittent display as a cite to perform an action as a test to confirm that the remote control device 1032 is functional and can communicate to the vehicle .I0, i,e,õ that pairing has been successful The remote control device 1.032 may further comprise.a horn button 19713 and a broke button 197C, similar to the horn and brake buttons=
1978, .197C provided on the remote control device 32., see Fig. 4. The action as a lest to confirm that the remote control device 32 is functional and can communicate with the vehicle may comprise pressing the horn button 19713 to determine if a horn on the vehicle 10 is activated and/or pressing the brake button 197C to determine if brakes On the vehicle are actuated. Once the test has been successfully completed, all lights ofthe second visual indicator 1070 may be activated. continuously -to define .a.steady-state display. Hence, the second visual indicator 1070 may define an intermittent display, a Meady...state display; or a display where less than all of the lights are activated, i.e., a partially filled display, based on the information to he conveyed to the operator/user, if the lest is not completed successfully; the urst visual indicator IOW may flash. or pulse ION and OFF to indicate an error, while the second visual indicator 1070 is turned. OFF, see Fig,. 281. The error may occur due to pairing between the remote control device 1032 and the vehicle controller 103 not occurring success lallyõ The rate at which the first visual indicator I KO is flashed or pulsed ON
and OFF to indicate that the test was not completed successfully may vary in frequency front when the first visual indicator 1060 is pulsed ON and OFF
when. Eh vehicle .10is powered up.
[00196.1 As noted above, after the vehicle has been turned OFF and ON, the rechargeable power source 180 successfully fully charged and the test is successfully com.pleted, all lights of the second visual indicator 1070 tiny be activated cOntintiously to define a steady-state display,. If, after the rechargeable power source .I.80 has been successfully fully charred and the test has been successfully completed, Operation of the vehicle 10 and the remote conitol device 1032 cause the rechargeable power source 18.0 to consume some of its charge such that the operator, before the vehicle is turned OFF,. again connects. the remote control device 1032 to the docket port 1052 for charging. After charging, the second visual indicator 1070 may not pulse to cue the operator to perform the test even though the rechargeable power source 180 may again reach full charge. Because the vehicle 10 has not been turned OFF and back ON. since the last successful test, the second visual indicator IMO may not be pulsed to cue the operator to perform the test again but instead, retuttin...in its steady state display indicating the rechargeable power source 180 is -fully charged.
!Mtn Once the rechargeable power source 180 has been fully charged and the -test has been completed successfully, which indicates that pairing has been completed successfully; the -first visual indicator 1060 may remain OFF and all lights of the .second visual. indicator 1070 may remain ON to define a steady-state display.
When the first and second visual indicators. 1060 and 1070 are in these. states, see Fig, 284, this may indicate to the operator that a pairing status between the remote control device 1032 and the vehicle controller 103 is positive and active and the vehicle 10 .May be operated via the remote control device 1032. During use of the remote control device 1032. to operate the vehicle 10, the rechargeable power source 180 will lose charge over Timm, which will be indicated by die second. visual indicator 1070, 1õe, lights extending from right to lei : as viewed in Figs; 26, 27 and 28F win be deactivated or turned OFF, to indicate the decreasing. level of charge of the power source 180 when the -remote control device .1.032 is not coupled to the charging 'stalii.ni .1050. When the charge is low, only a single light of the second visual indicator 1070 may be activated and the first visual indicator 1060 may be turned ON to provide u steady-state display signaling; the operator that she/he needs to charge the power source 180* see Fig, 28a Hence* the first visual indicator 1060 may define an intermittent display; see Figs. .2&A and 18I, or a steady-state display, see Figs ; 280 and 29B, it is EINO noted that the first and second visual: indicators .1.060 am/A.070, *hen activated' as illustrated. in Fig. 28G, both provide steady state displays. When the: charge on the rechargeable power source 4.80 has been depleted, the second visual indicator 1070 may be turned OFF and the first visual indicator 1060 may be pulsed to indicate to the operator that the power source. 180 needs to be charged, see fig, 2811.
1001981 As noted above, the rate at winch the first visual indicator 1060 is .flashed ON and OFF' to indicate an error may be at a different frequency as compared to the rate at which the first visual indicator 1060 is pulsed ON and OFF when. the vehicle .10 is powered up. The error may, for example, relate to an error with the charging station 1050 such that it is unable to charge the remote control device 1032.
The error may also, for example, relate to an error with the remote control device 1032 or its power source 180 such that it is. unable to receive, a charge from the chargingstation 1050. Furthermore, the error may, for example, involve both the charging station 1050 and the remote control device 1012 such that there are communication messages between the two devices that are not being received by the intended recipient of the communication message.
1001.991 As noted, the second visual indicator 1070 when activated can provide one of an intermittent display, as shown in the example of Fig, ND,. which may indicate to an operator to perform an action, or a steady-state display as shown in the. example offig. 28E, which may indicate to an operator that. the remote control device.
1.032 is fully ready to use.
1002001 Also, when the first visual indicator 1060 and the second indicator are co-roan-runty activated, the first visual indicator 1.060 and the second visual 1.070 can each provide respective steady-state displays. as shown in the. example of fig, 28O., Which can indicate that the rechargeable power source: 180 has a low charge..
[00011 In the example offk 28A, the first visual indicator 1060 may pnlse as-a way to define a. visual display related to inserting the wearable remote control device 1032. into the charging station 1050_ 1002021 As noted above, the example of Fig,. 281 includes the lust visual indicator flashin4 so. as to provide a display indicative of the occurrence of some error. Thisi6 only an example and, more .ttenerally, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure contemplithis that the first visual indicator 1060 or the second visual indicator 1070 can, either individually or in combination with one another, pnwide visual display related to a charging error occurring with the Chaisino station 050 or the rechargeable power source MS.
[002031 As noted above, the example of Fig:. 281 includes the first visual indicator 1060 flashing so as to provide a display- indicative of the occurrence of some error.
This is only an. example and, more generally, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure contemplates that the first visual indicator 1060 or the second visual indicator 1070 can, either individually or in combination with. one another, provide a 'visual display related to a pairing error occurring between the wearable remote control device 102 and the vehicle 10. As explained earlier, the term ''pairing" .(as used herein) d.escribes a Secure process whereby the wireless remote control device and vehicle controller 103 identify each other as valid command and response deviceS. A pairing error can occur as the two devices try to initially pair with one another and fail or a pairing error can occur after a successful pairing such that the pairing is somehow interrupted or lost f0412041 As noted above, the example of Fig, 210 includes the first Visual indica/Or 1060 -flashing SO as to provide a display indicative of the occurrence of .some error.
This is only an example and, more generally, at least one embodiment. of the present disclosure contemplates that the first visual indicator 1060 Or seCondNisnal indicator 1070 can, either individually or in combination with one another, provide a -visual display related to a communication error occurring between the wearable remote control device 1032 and the controller 103. Once. paired, the remote control device 1032 and the controller .1.03 both act as senders and receivers of messages passed 'between the two according to a predetermined communications protocol.
Communication errors can include, for example, when one of the devices does not receive an expected message.
[000$) Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail, and by reference. to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined In the appended

Claims

CLABO.
What iS clahried is 1, .A system comprising:-a irna-terials handling vehicle;
a wearable nemote comrol devicè i;:omprisina:
a) a wireless communication system iticluding a-Winless tranamitter, and b) a rechargeable power source;
a receiver at the vehicle kn. receiving. tranSilliSiOnS Thotil the wireless transmitter;
a controller at the velnde that is communicably coupled. to the receiver', the cmtroHer being responsiveto receipt of the trintsmissions from the remote danral device; and.
a charging station al the vehicle, the charging station for charging the rechargeable power ourc of tlie weitrable remote control device, the charging station comprising a first visual nidicator and a second visual indicator, wherein at least otie .of the first visual indicator or the second visual indicator is conf4mred to inchoate one or more of: al. a chinging state of the rechargeable liower source when coupled: to the charging station, hi a charging state of the rechargeable power some when removed from the charging station,. c) a pairing status between the ),vearable remote.
control device and the vehicle controller, or d) that the remote control device is physically connected to the charging station.
2. The.system of thim. 1, 1;c=therein. the first visual indicator and the second visual indicator are configured n) be activated independently ofeach other such that.
either the first visual. indicatar is .activated. while the second visind indicator i not activated or the second visiud indicator is activated. Nt;1iik the first visual indicator is. not activated.
3. Thc system of claims 1 or 2, sviierein the lira viNtai indicator when activated provides am of an intermittent display or a. steady-state display.
The system of claini 3, Wherein the intermittent dispiny is(tpciadonal at..a.
first pulsing rate or a. secood. pulsing nate, ,xlierein the first and second.
rak,=vaiy Iri *uetwy, 5. The system early one of. claims 1-4, Wherein the seicond visual indicatOr when activated provides one of an intermittent dispkty, i virtially filled display or a_ steady-sude display.
.6v The system a any one of claims 1-5, erei he the fhst visual indiemor and the second indicator are configured to be cotteurrently activated, 7. The system of ally 011e of claims 1-6, hren. the first visual indkator .proximate to a docking port of the Charging station configured to receive thewearable remote control device at'ui, is stiaped to correspond to a. graphic provided on the wearable remote control device to aid a user in. positioning arid connecting the wearable remote coinroll device 1.6 the docking port of the charging station.
8. The system a any ono of clain-ia 1-7, wk.:rein the first' Vi.811a1 indicator defines a.
dispiay related to inserting, the-wearable reniote Control device into the...charging station, = 9, The systen of any one of claims 1-8, µvberein the first or second.
Visual indicators.
either individually or in combination with one another provide a visual.
display related to the ehaiging station being enabled or disabled, 10. 'The system of any one of clanns Avherein the first or= second visual indicators either individually or in combination with one another provide a visual displayreiated to a char:Ong error occurring with the charging station or the rechargeable power sotgee.
1 1õ The. systern of any One of drams 1.-1Øõ wherein. the first or .Seeo11d.
visual indicators either individually or in conthination with one a.nother provide a visual display related to a pairing error occurring between the wearable remote control device and the vehicle, 12, 'The system of any one of claims I-4I. Wherein the first or second visual hulk:W:0M vilher individually or in combination %vith um another provide Vi:S13111 disfilay related to h. COM.MUTACatiOrl error occurring between the wearable reirloie control device and the emu-roller;
13. The system of any one of claims wherein 1.,,,hen the vehicle is turned on, the first indicator pulses. until the remote controi device is connected to a docking .portof the charging. aation such that the fitst indicator is iod OFF When the remote control device is connected to the doching port, .141 The system. of any one of claims 1-12, v,thc,rein when the is tumed on,. the first indicator pulses until the. remote. control devite is connected to a doeking. port of the charging Station, changes tO a steady state ON display after the remote coltrol device is connected to the docking port and remains ON providing the steady state ON display until the rechargeable power source is fully charged.
15. A. method for coupling a wearable rt!mote control device to 4 charging station, wherein the wearable remote control device comprises a Wireigss transmitter, a rechargeable power source, and at least one control causing the 3ire1ess transmitter to wirelessly transmit a request lb. a controliet Of a materials handling vehicle: and NAtherein the materials handling vehicle comprises. a receiver. for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter, the =controller that .tS
conmumickly coupled to the receiVer, the controller being responsive to receipt of the transmissions from the rernote control device; the ehurging station configured for charginn the rechargeable power source of the wearable remote control device and comprising a first vim& itidicator aud a second visual indicator, the method comprising:
displaying,h at. least one or the rsivìsual indieatorot the second f.i$tial indicator, an indication of one or more of: a charOng slate of the rechargeable power source when coupled to the charging station, a charging state of the rechargeable power source when removed from the ehaming station, a pairing status between the: wearable remote control device and the vehicle.centroller, or that the remote control device is physitally connected to the charging ntation.