WO2009022859A2 - Self traveling device and method and self carrying device using the same - Google Patents

Self traveling device and method and self carrying device using the same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009022859A2
WO2009022859A2 PCT/KR2008/004709 KR2008004709W WO2009022859A2 WO 2009022859 A2 WO2009022859 A2 WO 2009022859A2 KR 2008004709 W KR2008004709 W KR 2008004709W WO 2009022859 A2 WO2009022859 A2 WO 2009022859A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
self
distance
movement information
calculating
traveling device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2008/004709
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2009022859A3 (en
Inventor
Eui-Kwan Moon
Original Assignee
Escord Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Escord Co., Ltd. filed Critical Escord Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2009022859A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009022859A2/en
Publication of WO2009022859A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009022859A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D1/00Control of position, course or altitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot
    • G05D1/02Control of position or course in two dimensions
    • G05D1/021Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles
    • G05D1/0212Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles with means for defining a desired trajectory
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D1/00Control of position, course or altitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot
    • G05D1/02Control of position or course in two dimensions
    • G05D1/021Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles
    • G05D1/0276Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle
    • G05D1/028Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles using signals provided by a source external to the vehicle using a RF signal
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D1/00Control of position, course or altitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot
    • G05D1/02Control of position or course in two dimensions
    • G05D1/021Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles
    • G05D1/0255Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D1/00Control of position, course or altitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot
    • G05D1/02Control of position or course in two dimensions
    • G05D1/021Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles
    • G05D1/0231Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles using optical position detecting means
    • G05D1/0242Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles using optical position detecting means using non-visible light signals, e.g. IR or UV signals

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Control Of Position, Course, Altitude, Or Attitude Of Moving Bodies (AREA)

Abstract

A self-traveling device and method, and a self-carrying device using the same are disclosed. In the self-traveling device, a distance measuring sensor transmits an object sensing signal to an object and receives the object sensing signal reflected from the object to measure a distance between the object and the distance measuring sensor. A direction tracker receives a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by the object and calculates direction information based on the received radio signal. A movement information calculator calculates a predicted location in front of the moving direction of the object based on the measured distance, the direction information and previous movement information, and calculates movement information to move to the predicted location. A controller controls driving of the motors based on the calculated movement information.

Description

SELF TRAVELING DEVICE AND METHOD AND SELF CARRYING DEVICE USING THE SAME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a self-traveling device and method, and a self-carrying device using the same, and more particularly to a device and method for carrying baggage etc. while self-traveling along a traveling path by tracking the traveling path of a specific object.
Description of the Related Art
Customers of a large store use shopping carts to store and move purchased goods. Conventionally, a user of a shopping cart adjusts direction of the shopping cart and provides power to the cart. Accordingly, a user of the cart should search for desired goods while paying attention to the traveling direction of the cart, and should apply considerable force to move the cart when a large quantity of goods is contained in the cart.
Furthermore, while a user chooses goods, a cart may run into other users, etc. and thus may be move to unwanted places.
Meanwhile, while boarding or disembarking an aircraft in an airport, passengers use travel bags for carrying baggage. A direction of a conventional travel bag is adjusted by a user and power thereof is provided by a user, like the conventional shopping cart. Therefore, the conventional travel bag has the same problem as the conventional shopping cart. In an airport, unlike a large store, there is high probability of personal baggage being lost. However, since the conventional travel bag is not equipped with an anti-theft means for preventing loss of baggage, passengers should always watch their travel bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a self-traveling device and method for self-traveling in front of an object along a traveling path of the object by sensing the traveling path of the object.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for carrying baggage while self-traveling in front of an object along a traveling path of the object by sensing the traveling path of the object. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a recording medium which records a program which can execute through the computer a self-traveling method for self- traveling in front of an object along a traveling path of the object by sensing the traveling path of the object. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a self-traveling device including a plurality of driving wheels, and motors for rotating the plurality of driving wheels. The self-traveling device includes: a distance measuring sensor for transmitting an object sensing signal to an object and receiving the object sensing signal reflected from the object to measure a distance between the object and the distance measuring sensor; a direction tracker for receiving a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by the object and calculating direction information based on the received radio signal; a movement information calculator for calculating a predicted location in front of the moving direction of the object based on the measured distance, the direction information and previous movement information, and calculating movement information to move to the predicted location; and a controller for controlling driving of the motors based on the calculated movement information.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-traveling method for controlling a plurality of driving wheels, and motors for rotating the plurality of driving wheels . The method includes : receiving a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by an object; calculating direction information based on the received radio signal; transmitting an object sensing signal to the object and receiving the object sensing signal reflected from the object to measure a distance from the object; calculating a predicted location in front of the moving direction of the object based on the measured distance, the direction information, previous movement information, and a running speed; calculating rotation information for rotating to face toward the predicted location, calculating individual running speeds of the motors based on the rotation information, and calculating the running speed based on a difference value between a distance from the self-traveling device to the predicated location and a previously set distance; controlling driving of the motors based on the individual running speeds of the motors; and controlling the driving of the motors based on the calculated running speed. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-traveling method for controlling a plurality of driving wheels, motors for rotating the plurality of driving wheels, and a direction converting means. The method includes: receiving a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by an object; calculating direction information based on the received radio signal; transmitting an object sensing signal to the object and receiving the object sensing signal reflected from the object to measure a distance from the object; calculating a predicted location in front of the moving direction of the object based on the measured distance, the direction information, previous movement information, and a running speed; calculating rotation information for rotating to face toward the predicted location, and calculating the running speed based on a difference value between a distance from the self-traveling device to the predicated location and a previously set distance; controlling the direction converting means based on the rotation information; and controlling the driving of the motors based on the calculated running speed. In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-carrying device including a plurality of driving wheels, and motors for rotating the plurality of driving wheels. The method includes: a distance measuring sensor for transmitting an object sensing signal to an object and receiving the object sensing signal reflected from the object to measure a distance from the object; a plurality of direction measuring sensors for receiving a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by the object, the plurality of direction measuring sensors being installed at the rear, left and right sides of the self-carrying device at regular intervals; a movement information calculator for calculating a predicted location in front of the moving direction of the object based on the measured distance, direction information and previous movement information, and calculating movement information for moving to the predicted location; and a controller for controlling driving of the motors based on the calculated movement information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a self-traveling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an arrangement of direction measuring sensors according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a method of calculating angle information related to direction measuring sensors according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a method of calculating a predicated location of a self-traveling location according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a method of calculating a predicted location at a departure location of a self-traveling device according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a self-traveling device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a self-traveling method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a self-traveling method according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a self-traveling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a self-traveling device 100 according to the present invention includes a distance measuring sensor 110, a direction tracker 12O7 a movement information calculator 130, a memory 140, a controller 150, a right-wheel motor 160, a left-wheel motor 170, first to fourth driving wheels 162, 164, 172, and 174, a cliff sensor 180, and a brake unit 190.
The distance measuring sensor 110 transmits an object sensing signal to a target or an object and receives the object sensing signal reflected from the object, thereby- measuring a distance from the object. The object sensing signal is propagation, an ultrasonic wave for example, having a property of being reflected by the object. The distance measuring sensor 110 is installed at the rear surface, left side surface, and right side surface of the self-traveling device 100 to transmit the object sensing signal in the directions of the rear, left, and right sides of the self- traveling device 100 and to receive the object sensing signal from the object located therebehind. Namely, the distance measuring sensor 110 is installed at the rear surface, left side surface, and right side surface of the self-traveling device 100 and simultaneously transmits the object sensing signal at predetermined intervals. The distance measuring sensor 110 receives the object sensing signal reflected from the object and calculates a distance separated from the object. The predetermined intervals may be adjusted according to a moving speed of the object. If the moving speed of the object is fast, the period is set to be short, and the moving speed is slow, the period is set to be long. The object is a movable object, for example, a human body.
The distance measuring sensor 110 calculates a distance to the object reflecting the object sensing signal by the following Equation 1. [Equation 1] D = (VxT)/2
In Equation 1, D is a distance between the distance measuring sensor 110 and the object, V is the velocity of the object sensing signal, and T is a moving time of the object sensing signal. The moving time T of the object sensing signal is obtained by subtracting a transmission time of the object sensing signal from a reception time of the object sensing signal.
The direction tracker 120 receives a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by the object and calculates direction information based on the received radio signal. To this end, the direction tracker 120 includes a direction measuring sensor 122 and a direction information calculator 124. The direction measuring sensor 122 receives a radio signal transmitted by the transmitter carried by the object. The transmitter carried by the object may be placed at various locations from the self-traveling device because the object moves freely. Therefore, the self-traveling device according to the present invention includes a plurality of direction measuring sensors 122 to determine the direction of the transmitter carried by the object.
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an arrangement of direction measuring sensors according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, 13 direction measuring sensors 122 are installed at a rear surface 210 of the self-traveling device 100 at constant intervals. Moreover, 13 direction measuring sensors 122 are installed at each of a left surface 230 and a right surface 250 based on a direction toward the rear surface 210 of the self-traveling device 100 at constant intervals .
The direction information calculator 124 calculates direction information of the transmitter carried by the object based on whether the radio signal of each of the direction measuring sensors 122 is received.
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a method of calculating angle information related to direction measuring sensors according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, angle information Θ related to the direction measuring sensors 122 is calculated by the following Equation 2.
[Equation 2]
Θ =sm (~)
Here, r is a distance 310 from a central point of the self-traveling device to the direction measuring sensor 322, and d is a distance 320 between the direction measuring sensor 322 and an x-axis 330.
The direction information calculator 124 calculates angles related to the direction measuring sensors 122 using Equation 2 or stores the angles in the memory so that the angles related to the direction measuring sensors 122 can be accessed from the memory. The direction information calculator 124 calculates direction information by the following Equation 3. [Equation 3]
It O
In Equation 3, θ is direction information, Si is a rotation angle indicated by each direction measuring sensor 122 receiving the radio signal, and n is the number of direction measuring sensors 122 receiving the radio signal.
The movement information calculator 130 calculates a predicted location of the object in front of moving direction of the object, based on the distance calculated by the distance measuring sensor 110, the direction information calculated by the direction tracker 120, and previous movement information, and calculates movement information for moving to the predicted location. The movement information includes individual running speeds of respective motors, a running speed, and rotation information for rotating the self- traveling device 100 to face toward the predicted location.
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a method of calculating a predicated location according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the movement information calculator 130 calculates a distance vector 411 indicating the distance and direction from a current location 410 of the self- traveling device to a previous location 420 thereof based on previous movement information. That is, the magnitude of the distance vector 411 is calculated by multiplying a distance measuring period of the distance measuring sensor 110 by the running speed of the movement information and direction information of the distance vector 411 is calculated through rotation information of the movement information. The movement information calculator 130 calculates the magnitude and direction of a distance vector 421 indicating the distance and direction to a previous location 440 of the object from the previous location 420 of the self-traveling device. The distance vector 421 is calculated through the distance measured by distance measuring sensor 110 and direction information calculated by the direction tracker 120 at the previous location 420 of the self-traveling device. Next, the movement information calculator 130 calculates the magnitude and direction of the distance vector 412 indicating the distance and direction to a current location 430 of the object from the current location 410 of the self-traveling device. The distance vector 412 is calculated through the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor 110 and direction information calculated by the direction tracker 120 at the current location 410 of the self-traveling device. The movement information calculator 130 then calculates a distance vector 441 indicating the distance and magnitude from the previous location 440 of the object to the current location 430 of the object by the following Equation 4. [Equation 4] F1 = F2-F3-F4
Here, Vl, V2, V3, and V4 are distance vectors 441, 412, 411, and 421, respectively. The movement information calculator 130 calculates a predicted location 450 from the distance vector 441 by the following equation 5. [Equation 5] V5 = tV2 + V3 + V4 In Equation 5, V5 is a distance vector 413 from the current location 410 of the self-traveling device to the predicted location 450, t is a previously set constant greater than 1, and V2, V3, and V4 are distance vectors 441, 411, and 421, respectively. The predicted location is a point indicated by the distance vector 413 from the current location 410 of the self- traveling device 100. The constant t is set according to the moving speed of the object, that is, to be large if the moving speed is high and to be small if the moving speed is low. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a method of calculating a predicted location at a departure location of a self-traveling device according to the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 5, in an initial state, if the self- traveling device according to the present invention departs due to movement of the object, previous movement information, a distance calculated by the distance measuring sensor 110 at a previous location, and direction information calculated by the direction tracker 120 are not available. Therefore, the movement information calculator 130 calculates a predicted location by the following Equation 6. [Equation 6] V\ = -tV2+ V2
Here, Vl is a distance vector 512 from a departure location 510 of the self-traveling device to a predicted location 530 thereof, and V2 is a distance vector 511 from the departure location 510 to an object 520. The distance vector 511 is calculated by a distance measured by the distance measuring sensor 110 and direction information calculated by the direction tracker 120 during departure. The movement information calculator 130 calculates the distance vectors 413 and 512 to calculate a predicted location and uses the magnitude and direction of the distance vectors 413 and 512 as movement information for moving to the predicted location. Namely, the magnitude of the calculated distance vectors 413 and 512 is a distance to the predicted location from a departure location and the direction of the calculated distance vectors 413 and 512 is converted into rotation information for rotating to face toward the predicted location.
The movement information calculator 130 calculates individual running speeds of the motors based on the calculated rotation information and calculates a running speed based on a difference value between from the self-traveling device to the calculated predicted location and a previously set distance .
The movement information calculator 130 calculates individual running speeds Vx and V2 of the right-wheel motor 160 and the left-wheel motor 170 according to a current running speed V of the motors and the direction information θ . If the direction information θ is negative, the movement information calculator 130 increases the current running speed V to obtain the individual running speed Vi and decreases the current running speed V to obtain the individual running speed V2. If the direction information θ is 0, the movement information calculator 130 sets the individual running speeds V1 and V2 to the same speed as the current running speed V. If the direction information θ is positive, the movement information calculator 130 decreases the current running speed V to obtain the individual running speed Vi and increases the current running speed V to obtain the individual running speed V2. When the movement information calculator 130 calculates the individual running speeds, an example of calculating an increased amount and a decreased amount of the current running speed V is as indicated by the following Equation 7. [Equation 7] A = Vxθ/360 Here, Δ is an absolute value of an increase or decrease in the running speed V.
As an example for calculating the individual running speeds, if the direction information θ is 0, the individual running speeds V1 and V2 are the running speed V, and if the direction information θ is -90, Vi is greater than V2 by 5/3.
When calculating a target running speed V , if a difference value obtained by subtracting the previously set distance from the distance calculated by the distance measuring sensor 110 is the same as the previously set distance, the movement information calculator 130 calculates the current running speed V as the target running speed V . The previously set distance can be adjusted by a user. If the difference value is negative, the movement information calculator 130 decreases the current running speed V of the motors to obtain the target running speed V and the difference value is positive, the movement information calculator 130 increases the current running speed V of the motors to obtain the target running speed V . An absolute value of an increased amount and a decreased amount of the running speed is proportional to an absolute value of the difference value and can be calculated by the following Equation 8. [Equation 8] Λ = Txa
Here, Λ is an absolute value of an increased amount or a decreased amount of the current running speed of the motors, T is an absolute value of the difference value between the measured distance and the previously set distance, and a is a constant obtained by experimentally measuring an average walking speed of a person. The movement information calculator 130 calculates a distance from a bottom surface measured by the cliff sensor 180 and calculates a variation amount between the distance from the bottom surface measured by the cliff sensor 180 and a previously received distance. If the calculated variation amount is greater than a previously set value, the movement information calculator 130 generates a stop signal. The previously set value may be determined by a manufacturer or a user and may be set to one tenth of the size of each of the driving wheels 162, 164, 172, and 174. The movement information calculator 130 stores the movement information, the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor 110, and the direction information calculated by the direction tracker 120 in the memory 140. That is, the movement information calculator 130 stores the movement information including rotation information, individual running speeds, and a running speed in the memory 140 and uses the movement information stored in the memory 140 as previous movement information when calculating a predicted location.
The controller 150 controls the driving of each motor based on the movement information calculated by the movement information calculator 130. The controller 150 changes direction by controlling the driving of each motor based on the individual running speed of each motor calculated by the movement information calculator 130. That is, the controller 150 controls the number of rotations of the right-wheel motor 160 and the left-wheel motor 170 using the individual running speeds Vi and V2 and changes direction so that the front surface of the self-traveling device is directed to the object carrying the transmitter. The controller 150 controls the driving of the right- wheel motor 150 and the left-wheel motor 160 based on the target travel speed V calculated by the movement information calculator 130 so that the self-traveling device can maintain a predetermined distance from the object. Namely, the controller 150 controls the numbers of rotations of the right-wheel motor 160 and the left-wheel motor 170 to be equal at the same target running speed V . Therefore, the self-traveling device moves while maintaining a previously set distance from the object.
The controller 150 controls the self-traveling device 100 to stop traveling thereof, upon receipt of the stop signal generated by the movement information calculator 130. Namely, the controller 150 controls the brake unit 190 to stop driving the driving wheels 162, 164, 172, and 174.
The right-wheel motor 160 and the left-wheel motor 170 rotate the driving wheels 162, 164, 172, and 174 and the driving thereof is controlled by the controller 150. The first and second driving wheels 162 and 164 are rotated by the right- wheel motor 160 and the third and fourth wheels 172 and 174 are rotated by the left-wheel motor 170. The first and second driving wheels 162 and 164 may be comprised of track type wheels and the third and fourth wheels 172 and 174 may also be comprised of track type wheels. The right-wheel motor 160 and left-wheel motor 170 transmit rotation power through gear boxes to the first and second driving wheels 162 and 164, and the third and fourth driving wheels 172 and 174, respectively. Accordingly, since the motors are operated at maximum torque, the self-traveling device according to the present invention can carry 25 kg of baggage with low power. The cliff sensor 180 transmits infrared rays to a bottom surface and calculates a distance between the bottom surface and the cliff sensor 180 based on the time taken for the transmitted infrared rays to return to the cliff sensor 180. The cliff sensor 180 is installed at a lower surface of the self-traveling device and measures a distance from the cliff sensor 180 to the bottom surface at predetermined intervals. For example, the time interval may be set to 0.2 seconds and a measuring period may be modified according to a running speed. The distance calculated by the cliff sensor 180 is input to the movement information calculator 130. If the bottom surface is judged to be stairs or a cliff through the cliff sensor 180, the self-traveling device is stopped, thereby preventing a fall.
The brake unit 190 stops the driving wheels 162, 164, 172, and 174. That is, the brake unit 190 stops driving the driving wheels 162, 164, 172, and 174 under the control of the controller 150 to stop the self-traveling device.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a self-traveling device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 6, a self-traveling device 600 according to the present invention includes a distance measuring sensor 110, a direction tracker 120, a movement information calculator 130, a memory 140, a controller 650, a right-wheel motor 160, a left-wheel motor 170, first to fourth driving wheels 662, 664, 672, and 674, a cliff sensor 180, a brake unit 190, and a direction converting means 680.
In FIG. 6, the distance measuring sensor 110, the direction tracker 120, the movement information calculator 130, the memory 140, the right-wheel motor 160, the left-wheel motor, the cliff sensor 180, and the brake unit 190 correspond to respective ones shown in FIG. 1.
The driving wheels 662 and 672 are front wheels of the self-traveling device, and the driving wheels 664 and 674 are back wheels of the self-traveling wheels.
The direction converting means 680 rotates the driving wheels 662 and 672 to change the direction of the self- traveling device.
The controller 650 controls the direction converting means 680 based on rotation information calculated by the movement information calculator 130 to convert the direction of the self-traveling device and controls the driving of the right-wheel and left-wheel motors 160 and 170 based on a travel speed calculated by the movement information calculator 130 to move the self-traveling device to a predicted location. Since the controller 650 converts the direction of the self-traveling device by controlling the direction converting means 680, the self-traveling device can rapidly and accurately convert the direction thereof to a predicted location. FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a self-traveling method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 7, the direction measuring sensor 122 receives a radio signal transmitted from a transmitter carried by an object (step S700) . The direction information calculator 124 calculates direction information based on the radio signal received by the direction measuring sensor 122 (step S710) . The distance measuring sensor 110 transmits an object sensing signal to the object and receives the object sensing signal reflected from the object, to measure a distance separated from the object (step S720) . The object sensing signal is propagation, an ultrasonic wave for example, having a property of being reflected by the object. The movement information calculator 130 calculates a predicated location located in front of the object from the moving direction of the object, based on the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor 110, the direction information calculated by the direction information calculator 124, previous rotation information, and a running speed (step S730) . Next, the movement information calculator 130 calculates rotation information for rotating to face toward the predicted location, individual running speeds of respective motors based on the rotation information, and a running speed (step S740) . The running speed is calculated by a difference value between a distance from the self-traveling device to the predicted location and a previously set distance. The movement information calculator 130 stores in the memory 40 the calculated rotation information, the individual running speeds, the running speed, the distance calculated by the distance measuring sensor 110, and the direction information calculated by the direction information calculator 124. The controller 150 controls the driving of the right- wheel and left-wheel motors 160 and 170 based on the individual running speeds of the motors calculated by the movement information calculator 130 (step S750) . Next, the controller 150 controls the driving of the right-wheel and left-wheel motors 160 and 170 based on the running speed calculated by the movement information calculator 130 (step S760) .
The cliff sensor 180 transmits infrared rays to the bottom surface and calculates a distance between the bottom surface and the cliff sensor 180 based on the time taken for the transmitted infrared rays to return to the cliff sensor 180
(step S770) . The movement information calculator 130 calculates a variation amount between the measured distance and a previously measured distance and generates a stop signal when the calculated variation amount is greater than a previously set value (step S780) . If the stop signal is generated, the controller 150 stops the self-traveling device from traveling (step S790) .
FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a self-traveling method according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 8, the direction measuring sensor 122 receives a radio signal transmitted from a transmitter carried by an object (step S800) . The direction information calculator 124 calculates direction information based on the radio signal received by the direction measuring sensor 122 (step S810) . The distance measuring sensor 110 transmits an object sensing signal to the object and receives the object sensing signal reflected from the object, to measure a distance separated from the object (step S820) . The object sensing signal is propagation, an ultrasonic wave for example, having a property of being reflected by the object. The movement information calculator 130 calculates a predicated location located in front of the object from the moving direction of the object, based on the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor 110, the direction information calculated by the direction information calculator 124, previous rotation information, and a running speed (step S830) . Next, the movement information calculator 130 calculates rotation information for rotating to face toward the predicted location, and calculates a running speed based on a difference value between a distance from the self-traveling device to the predicted location and a previously set distance (step S840) . The movement information calculator 130 stores in the memory 40 the calculated rotation information, the running speed, the distance calculated by the distance measuring sensor 110, and the direction information calculated by the direction information calculator 124.
The controller 650 controls the direction converting means 680 based on the rotation information calculated by the movement information calculator 130 (step S850) . Next, the controller 150 controls the driving of the right-wheel and left-wheel motors 160 and 170 based on the running speed calculated by the movement information calculator 130 (step S860) . The cliff sensor 180 transmits infrared rays to the bottom surface and calculates a distance between the bottom surface and the cliff sensor 180 based on the time taken for the transmitted infrared rays to return to the cliff sensor 180 (step S870) . The movement information calculator 130 calculates a variation amount between the measured distance and a previously measured distance and generates a stop signal when the calculated variation amount is greater than a previously set value (step S880) . If the stop signal is generated, the controller 150 stops the self-traveling device (step S890) . The self-traveling device according to the present invention includes a distance measuring sensor, a direction measuring sensor, a direction information calculator, a movement information calculator, a controller, a right-wheel motor, a left-wheel motor, driving wheels, a cliff sensor, and a brake unit. The distance measuring sensor, movement information calculator, controller, right-wheel motor, left- wheel motor, driving wheels, cliff sensor, and brake unit correspond to the distance measuring sensor 110, movement information calculator 130, controller 150, right-wheel motor 160, left-wheel motor 170, driving wheels 162, 164, 172, and 174, cliff sensor 180, and brake unit 190 included in the self- traveling device according to the present invention. Further, the direction measuring sensor and the direction information calculator correspond to the direction measuring sensor 122 and the direction information calculator 124 included in the self- traveling device according to the present invention.
The self-traveling device according to the present invention includes a distance measuring sensor, a direction measuring sensor, a movement information calculator, a controller, a right-wheel motor, a left-wheel motor, driving wheels, a cliff sensor, a brake unit, and a direction converting means. The driving wheels, controller, and direction converting means correspond to the driving wheels 662, 664, 672, and 674, the controller 650, and the direction converting means 680 included in the self-traveling device according to the present invention, and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted.
The present invention may be achieved by codes which are readable by a computer on a recording medium. The recording medium which can be read by the computer includes all types of recording devices in which data which can be read by the computer is recorded. For example, the recording medium includes read-only memories (ROMs) , random access memories (RAMs) , compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs) , magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices. The recording medium also includes a form of carrier waves (for example, transmission over the Internet) . The recording medium which can be read by the computer is distributed in a computer device connected through a network and stores codes which can be read by the computer by a distribution method.
Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
According to the self-traveling device and method of the present invention, a moving direction and moving speed of an object along the movement of the object are accurately sensed so that the self-traveling device moves while keeping a constant distance in front of the object. Accordingly, the self-traveling device according to the present invention can carry baggage, etc. without direction setting or direction adjustment by a user. Especially, if the self-traveling device according to the present invention is used instead of a conventional shopping cart in a large store, since the self- traveling device is moved along the movement of a user, the inconvenience of having to push the shopping cart can be solved. If the self-traveling device according to the present invention is used instead of a travel bag in an airport, the inconvenience of a passenger having to move the bag is solved, and theft, loss, and damage of the bag can be prevented because the self-traveling device moves within the passenger' s view.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A self-traveling device including a plurality of driving wheels, and motors for rotating the plurality of driving wheels, comprising: a distance measuring sensor for transmitting an object sensing signal to an object and receiving the object sensing signal reflected from the object to measure a distance between the object and the distance measuring sensor; a direction tracker for receiving a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by the object and calculating direction information based on the received radio signal; a movement information calculator for calculating a predicted location in front of the moving direction of the object based on the measured distance, the direction information and previous movement information, and calculating movement information to move to the predicted location; and a controller for controlling driving of the motors based on the calculated movement information.
2. The self-traveling device according to claim 1, wherein the movement information calculator calculates, as the movement information, individual running speeds of the motors for rotating to face toward the predicted location and calculates a running speed based on a difference value between a distance from the self-traveling device to the predicted location and a previously set distance, and wherein the controller changes direction by controlling driving of the motors based on the calculated individual running speeds and controls driving of the motors based on the calculated running speed.
3. The self-traveling device according to claim 1, further comprising; a direction converting means for converting a traveling direction, wherein the movement information calculator calculates, as the movement information, rotation information for rotating to face toward the predicted location and calculates a running speed based on a difference value between a distance from the self-traveling device to the predicted location and a previously set distance, and wherein controller rotates direction by controlling the direction converting means based on the calculated rotation information and controls driving of the motors based on the calculated running speed.
4. The self-traveling device according to claim 1, wherein the direction tracker includes: a plurality of direction measuring sensors for receiving a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by the object; and a direction information calculator for calculating direction information based on presence/absence of the radio signal of the direction measuring sensors.
5. The self-traveling device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of direction measuring sensors are installed at a rear surface of the self-traveling device and left and right surfaces at constant intervals.
6. The self-traveling device according to claim 1, further comprising a cliff sensor for transmitting infrared rays to the bottom surface and calculating a distance between the bottom surface and the cliff sensor based on the time taken for the transmitted infrared rays to return to the cliff sensor .
7. The self-traveling device according to claim 6, wherein the movement information calculator calculates a variation amount between the distance from the bottom surface measured by the cliff sensor and a previously received distance, and generates a stop signal when the calculated variation amount is greater than a previously set value, and wherein the controller controls the self-traveling device to stop when the stop signal is received.
8. A self-traveling method for controlling a plurality of driving wheels, and motors for rotating the plurality of driving wheels, the method comprising: receiving a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by an object; calculating direction information based on the received radio signal; transmitting an object sensing signal to the object and receiving the object sensing signal reflected from the object to measure a distance from the object; calculating a predicted location in front of the moving direction of the object based on the measured distance, the direction information, previous movement information, and a running speed; calculating rotation information for rotating to face toward the predicted location, calculating individual running speeds of the motors based on the rotation information, and calculating the running speed based on a difference value between a distance from the self-traveling device to the predicated location and a previously set distance; controlling driving of the motors based on the individual running speeds of the motors; and controlling the driving of the motors based on the calculated running speed.
9. A self-traveling method for controlling a plurality of driving wheels, motors for rotating the plurality of driving wheels, and a direction converting means, the method comprising: receiving a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by an object; calculating direction information based on the received radio signal; transmitting an object sensing signal to the object and receiving the object sensing signal reflected from the object to measure a distance from the object; calculating a predicted location in front of the moving direction of the object based on the measured distance, the direction information, previous movement information, and a running speed; calculating rotation information for rotating to face toward the predicted location, and calculating the running speed based on a difference value between a distance from the self-traveling device to the predicated location and a previously set distance; controlling the direction converting means based on the rotation information; and controlling the driving of the motors based on the calculated running speed.
10. The self-traveling method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising transmitting infrared rays to the bottom surface and calculating a distance from the bottom surface based on the time taken for the transmitted infrared rays to return.
11. The self-traveling method according to claim 10, further comprising: calculating a variation amount between the distance from the bottom surface and a previously received distance and generating a stop signal when the calculated variation amount is greater than a previously set value; and controlling traveling when the stop signal is generated.
12. A self-carrying device including a plurality of driving wheels, and motors for rotating the plurality of driving wheels, comprising: a distance measuring sensor for transmitting an object sensing signal to an object and receiving the object sensing signal reflected from the object to measure a distance from the object; a plurality of direction measuring sensors for receiving a radio signal transmitted by a transmitter carried by the object, the plurality of direction measuring sensors being installed at the rear, left and right sides of the self- carrying device at regular intervals; a movement information calculator for calculating a predicted location in front of the moving direction of the object based on the measured distance, direction information and previous movement information, and calculating movement information for moving to the predicted location; and a controller for controlling driving of the motors based on the calculated movement information.
13. The self-carrying device according to claim 12, further comprising a cliff sensor for transmitting infrared rays to the bottom surface and calculating a distance between the bottom surface and the cliff sensor based on the time taken for the transmitted infrared ray to return to the cliff sensor.
14. The self-carrying device according to claim 13, wherein the movement information calculator calculates a variation amount between the distance from the bottom surface and a previously received distance and generates a stop signal when the calculated variation amount is greater than a previously set value, and wherein the controller controls the self-carrying device to stop when the stop signal is received.
15. A recording medium for recording a program which executes the self-traveling method of claim 8 or 9, the recording medium being read by a computer.
PCT/KR2008/004709 2007-08-14 2008-08-13 Self traveling device and method and self carrying device using the same WO2009022859A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2007-0081602 2007-08-14
KR1020070081602A KR100860843B1 (en) 2007-08-14 2007-08-14 Self-control system and method for traveling and self-control apparatus for carring luggage using the same

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009022859A2 true WO2009022859A2 (en) 2009-02-19
WO2009022859A3 WO2009022859A3 (en) 2009-04-09

Family

ID=40023868

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/KR2008/004709 WO2009022859A2 (en) 2007-08-14 2008-08-13 Self traveling device and method and self carrying device using the same

Country Status (2)

Country Link
KR (1) KR100860843B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2009022859A2 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2545288A (en) * 2015-08-14 2017-06-14 Wal Mart Stores Inc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods to facilitate responding to a user's request for product pricing information
US9801517B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2017-10-31 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Shopping facility assistance object detection systems, devices and methods
US10017322B2 (en) 2016-04-01 2018-07-10 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Systems and methods for moving pallets via unmanned motorized unit-guided forklifts
US10346794B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-07-09 Walmart Apollo, Llc Item monitoring system and method
US11046562B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2021-06-29 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR102104747B1 (en) 2019-05-10 2020-04-27 김하영 An Artificial Intelligence Operating Type of a Carrier Apparatus Capable of Moving Automatically

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006170972A (en) * 2004-12-17 2006-06-29 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Robot system
JP2007066292A (en) * 2005-08-31 2007-03-15 Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co Ltd Apparatus and method for returning robot cleaner to external charger

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2751220B2 (en) * 1988-07-06 1998-05-18 ソニー株式会社 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
FR2677378A1 (en) * 1991-06-07 1992-12-11 Schlumberger Cie N CARDE DITE "WOOL".
JPH05107331A (en) * 1991-10-16 1993-04-27 Sakuma Susumu Transmission position detecting method using radio signal
JP2007090000A (en) * 2005-09-30 2007-04-12 Nippon Koden Corp Method for compressing electrocardiogram data, and electrocardiogram telemeter
JP4467500B2 (en) * 2005-09-30 2010-05-26 アラクサラネットワークス株式会社 Network relay device
JP2007092001A (en) * 2005-09-30 2007-04-12 Dainippon Ink & Chem Inc Liquid crystal display element
JP4810954B2 (en) * 2005-10-07 2011-11-09 パナソニック株式会社 Dehumidification system
JP2008004001A (en) * 2006-06-26 2008-01-10 Hitachi Omron Terminal Solutions Corp Registration processing guidance device and its method for biometrics authentication system

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006170972A (en) * 2004-12-17 2006-06-29 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Robot system
JP2007066292A (en) * 2005-08-31 2007-03-15 Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co Ltd Apparatus and method for returning robot cleaner to external charger

Cited By (44)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10287149B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-05-14 Walmart Apollo, Llc Assignment of a motorized personal assistance apparatus
US9875502B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-01-23 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Shopping facility assistance systems, devices, and methods to identify security and safety anomalies
US11840814B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2023-12-12 Walmart Apollo, Llc Overriding control of motorized transport unit systems, devices and methods
US10280054B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-05-07 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods
US9875503B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-01-23 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Method and apparatus for transporting a plurality of stacked motorized transport units
US9896315B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-02-20 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Systems, devices and methods of controlling motorized transport units in fulfilling product orders
US9908760B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-03-06 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods to drive movable item containers
US9994434B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-06-12 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Overriding control of motorize transport unit systems, devices and methods
US11761160B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2023-09-19 Walmart Apollo, Llc Apparatus and method of monitoring product placement within a shopping facility
US10071892B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-09-11 Walmart Apollo, Llc Apparatus and method of obtaining location information of a motorized transport unit
US10239738B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-03-26 Walmart Apollo, Llc Apparatus and method of monitoring product placement within a shopping facility
US10071891B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-09-11 Walmart Apollo, Llc Systems, devices, and methods for providing passenger transport
US11679969B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2023-06-20 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods
US10130232B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-11-20 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods
US10138100B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-11-27 Walmart Apollo, Llc Recharging apparatus and method
US10189692B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-01-29 Walmart Apollo, Llc Systems, devices and methods for restoring shopping space conditions
US10189691B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-01-29 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility track system and method of routing motorized transport units
US11046562B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2021-06-29 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods
US10239740B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-03-26 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance system and method having a motorized transport unit that selectively leads or follows a user within a shopping facility
US10239739B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-03-26 Walmart Apollo, Llc Motorized transport unit worker support systems and methods
US10071893B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-09-11 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance system and method to retrieve in-store abandoned mobile item containers
US9801517B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2017-10-31 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Shopping facility assistance object detection systems, devices and methods
US10081525B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2018-09-25 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods to address ground and weather conditions
US10315897B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-06-11 Walmart Apollo, Llc Systems, devices and methods for determining item availability in a shopping space
US10336592B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-07-02 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices, and methods to facilitate returning items to their respective departments
US10346794B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-07-09 Walmart Apollo, Llc Item monitoring system and method
US10351400B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-07-16 Walmart Apollo, Llc Apparatus and method of obtaining location information of a motorized transport unit
US10351399B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-07-16 Walmart Apollo, Llc Systems, devices and methods of controlling motorized transport units in fulfilling product orders
US10358326B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-07-23 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods
US10435279B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-10-08 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping space route guidance systems, devices and methods
US10486951B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-11-26 Walmart Apollo, Llc Trash can monitoring systems and methods
US10508010B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2019-12-17 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility discarded item sorting systems, devices and methods
US10570000B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2020-02-25 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance object detection systems, devices and methods
US10597270B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2020-03-24 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility track system and method of routing motorized transport units
US10611614B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2020-04-07 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods to drive movable item containers
US10633231B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2020-04-28 Walmart Apollo, Llc Apparatus and method of monitoring product placement within a shopping facility
US10669140B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2020-06-02 Walmart Apollo, Llc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods to detect and handle incorrectly placed items
US10815104B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2020-10-27 Walmart Apollo, Llc Recharging apparatus and method
US10875752B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2020-12-29 Walmart Apollo, Llc Systems, devices and methods of providing customer support in locating products
US11034563B2 (en) 2015-03-06 2021-06-15 Walmart Apollo, Llc Apparatus and method of monitoring product placement within a shopping facility
GB2545288A (en) * 2015-08-14 2017-06-14 Wal Mart Stores Inc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices and methods to facilitate responding to a user's request for product pricing information
GB2545288B (en) * 2015-08-14 2017-12-27 Wal Mart Stores Inc Shopping facility assistance systems, devices, and methods to facilitate responding to a user's request for product pricing information
US10214400B2 (en) 2016-04-01 2019-02-26 Walmart Apollo, Llc Systems and methods for moving pallets via unmanned motorized unit-guided forklifts
US10017322B2 (en) 2016-04-01 2018-07-10 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Systems and methods for moving pallets via unmanned motorized unit-guided forklifts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR100860843B1 (en) 2008-09-29
WO2009022859A3 (en) 2009-04-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2009022859A2 (en) Self traveling device and method and self carrying device using the same
US20210089047A1 (en) Calculating Velocity of an Autonomous Vehicle Using Radar Technology
US8994581B1 (en) Direction of arrival (DOA) estimation using multiple offset receive channels
US9417075B2 (en) Surface vehicle vertical trajectory planning
KR102254881B1 (en) A moving robot and a controlling method for the same
US9599989B1 (en) Use of motion data in the processing of automotive radar image processing
EP2862735B1 (en) Method for improving accuracy of vehicle position determination
US20180018981A1 (en) Method For Siren Detection Based On Audio Samples
CN106970627A (en) A kind of intelligent system for tracking
US8905175B2 (en) Remote-controlled electric golf bag cart
JP7058726B2 (en) Detection of autonomous vehicle movement using radar technology
US20040046335A1 (en) Surface vehicle vertical trajectory planning
CN108873875B (en) Robot steering motion control method and device, robot and storage medium
US20190094878A1 (en) Detecting Motion of an Autonomous Vehicle Using Radar Technology
JP6366871B1 (en) Parking lot management method and parking lot management system
US20210394781A1 (en) Dual lidar sensor for annotated point cloud generation
KR20180104222A (en) Method And Apparatus for Sensing Parking of Vehicle by Using Radar
JP3633709B2 (en) Vehicle group running control device
KR20210110417A (en) A cart that tracks the sending module based on the location information of the sending module and how to move it
Khablov Application of super-high frequency Doppler displacement sensors in an anti-lock braking system
JPS61184611A (en) Method for controlling traveling of unmanned carriage
US20200257293A1 (en) Autonomous travelling cart system
US20210041866A1 (en) Accompanying control of locomotion device
Jong-Ho Tracking Control of Moving Sound Source Using Fuzzy-Gain Scheduling of PD Control
KR20200112490A (en) Method and system for operating cart device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 08793223

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 08793223

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2