TH35293A - Methods and systems for designing Create and monitor a wireless runway for automated routing vehicles. - Google Patents

Abstract

DC60 (30/09/41) A method and system for controlling the movement of one or more autonomous routing vehicles consists of a system controller, one autonomous routing vehicle, and a ground-mounted positioner. The system controller acts as the system's dispatch and traffic controller, providing a central hub for two-way wireless communication with at least one autonomous routing vehicle in the system. Each autonomous routing vehicle comprises a trip control and navigation system for controlling its movement along a predefined track. Various X,Y sequences from the track position database stored in the system controller are transmitted to the designated autonomous routing vehicle, enabling it to travel along the predefined track. The transmission of multiple X,Y sequences allows for superior control compared to systems using a large number of autonomous routing vehicles. A method and system for controlling the movement of one or more autonomous routing vehicles consists of a system controller, one autonomous routing vehicle, and a ground-mounted positioner. The system controller acts as the system's dispatch and traffic controller, providing a central hub for two-way wireless communication with the vehicles. A system requires at least one automated routing vehicle (AVR). Each AVR consists of a trip control and navigation system to control the vehicle's movement along a predefined route. Various X,Y sequences from the route position database stored in the system controller are sent to the designated AVR, enabling it to navigate along the predetermined route. Sending multiple X,Y sequences provides superior control compared to systems using a large number of AVRs.

Claims (23)

1. In a method of controlling the movement of an autonomous vehicle, a route is set up along a track consisting of numerous segments. Each segment of the track consists of straight and curved sections with starting and ending points. Each point is represented by an X,Y sequence pair in a database. Movement is controlled by a system controller that uses the database and a set of route control commands on the autonomous vehicle. Higher-level invention consists of: a) providing a track position database using X,Y sequence pairs, where each different sequence pair relies on the difference between the first and second track points on the descent from the first track point; b) information about the different X,Y sequence pairs in the route position database is communicated to at least one autonomous vehicle, enabling at least one vehicle's route control command set to instruct at least one autonomous vehicle to travel along each given track segment. 2. The method described in Claim 1 also includes the procedure of preparing a vehicle location database containing the distance of a certain runway segment and the location on the runway corresponding to that distance, and instructing at least one automated route-setting vehicle to operate according to the commands entered from the vehicle location database. 3. The procedures under Claim 1 also include the following steps: c) providing at least one positioner along a section of the runway; d) providing a real-time position database, including the actual X,Y pairs of the positioners; e) providing information about the position of at least one automated route-guiding vehicle on the runway; and f) correcting deviations in the route of at least one automated route-guiding vehicle off the runway using the real-time position data and database. 4. The methodology under claim 3 also includes the procedure of establishing a vehicle location database containing distances along a particular runway section and positions on that runway section corresponding to those distances, and instructing at least one automated route-determining vehicle to operate according to the commands entered from the vehicle location database. 5. The method under Claim 1, in which the defined path is created by computer-aided design and human design. 6. The method under claim number 5, in which the computer-aided design system is compatible with third-party software. 7. The method under claim 1 also includes the following steps: c) having at least two positioners; d) having at least one automated routing vehicle pass through at least two positioners, so that at least one such vehicle recognizes an X,Y sequence representing a particular runway segment and its designated location, enabling at least one such vehicle to receive information corresponding to different sequences for navigating to other runway segments. 8. The method under claim 7, in which the travel control procedure described, defines the exit angle for the runway at different sections using two positioners, the exit angle is used in the travel control command set for subsequent runway sections. 9. The method under claim 7, which step c) provides for the provision of an automatic radar transceiver that acts as a position determiner. 10. Under the method stipulated in Claim 1, where the runway is pre-determined, at least one automated route-determining vehicle cannot recalculate the runway. 11. The method under claim 2, where the vehicle location database is located at least one distance from the autonomous vehicle. 12. The method under claim 3, where the actual location database is located at least one unit away from the autonomous vehicle. 13. The method under claim 1, whereby the runway location database is located at least one distance from an automated routing vehicle, and X,Y sequences are sent to at least one such vehicle. 14. The method under claim 4, where a type one database—a runway location database, a vehicle location database, and a real-time location database—is located at a distance from the vehicle to automatically determine the route. 15. The method under claim 14, whereby all databases are located away from or within at least one automated routing vehicle. 16. In a system for controlling the movement of at least one automated routing vehicle, a route is defined along a runway consisting of several segments, each composed of straight and curved lines with starting and ending points. Each point is represented by an X,Y pair in a database. Movement is controlled by a system controller using the database and a trip control system installed on the automated routing vehicle. Higher-level inventions include: a) a device for storing the runway position database by X,Y pairs, each different pair relying on the difference between the first and second runway points on the descending path from the first runway point; b) a device for communicating the various pairs with at least one automated routing vehicle to enable the vehicle to move along the runway. 17. The system under claim 16 also includes a vehicle location database containing the distances on specific runways and the positions of each runway segment corresponding to those distances. Therefore, at least one automated route-planning vehicle will be instructed to operate according to the information entered from the vehicle location database. 18. The system under claim 16 also includes numerous positioners that classify true X,Y pairs and a method for storing the actual position database, including the true X,Y pairs of the positioners, so that deviations in the travel of at least one autonomous routing vehicle can be corrected. 19. The system under claim 18 consists of a vehicle location database containing the distances of specific runways and the positions of each runway segment corresponding to those distances; thus, at least one automated route-determining vehicle will be instructed to operate according to the information entered into the vehicle location database. 20. A system under claim number 16 in which the collection device is located away from or on an automatic route-determining vehicle. 21. A system under claim 19 which includes one of the following types of databases: runway position database, vehicle position database, real-time position database, including storage instruments located at least one distance from an automated route planning vehicle. 22. A system under claim 20 in which the collection device is located at least one distance from an automated routing vehicle. 23. The system under Claim 16 also includes a computer-aided design (CAD) system for runway construction to store runway location data in a database (Claim 23, 4 pages, 4 figures).