US 5,517,098 A · Automatic tracking mobile platform

Abstract

An automatic tracking mobile platform that works logically and practically. The process of making it is simple and cost efficient. An emitter is carried by the user; this emitter transmits various electromagnetic signals including infrared, visible light, laser, or ultraviolet. The platform has electromagnetic sensors connected to its front wheel which synchronously turn with it, and these three sensors are separated by panels. The panels block one sensor from the others so that only one sensor can respond to the transmitter at any one time to turn the platform left or right. An electrical motor and a mechanical steering wheel are connected to the front wheel, which drives the mobile platform. The receiver is set to screen electromagnetic signals from the transmitter so the platform can turn to the left, turn to the right, start, or stop to accomplish its automatic tracking purpose. To reduce interference from the reflection of direct sunlight on the platform sensors, horizontal grade gratings are placed in front of the sensors. The receiver sensors can receive signals directly from transmitter. Other inventions do not include provisions to increase the sensitivity of the sensors in the presence of reflections of direct sunlight. Moreover, in order to avoid reflection interference, especially indoors, laser light can be used to help the platform track the user successfully.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A mobile platform which automatically tracks an electromagnetic signal emitter, said emitter being carried by a user, comprising;

a platform
an emitter carried by said user, said emitter transmitting an electromagnetic signal;
at least two receivers located on said mobile platform to receive said signal from said emitter;
first circuitry connected to at least one of the receivers for determining, from said signal, what direction said platform must travel to follow said emitter;
a steering mechanism connected to the platform for automatically turning wheels of said platform to track said emitter in response to said first circuitry;
drive means for propelling the platform, said drive means including a drive motor, a drive element, and wheels;
and
second circuitry connected to at least one of the receivers to automatically control the starting and stopping of the drive means in response to the signal received by said receiver;
and further including means for remotely controlling said mobile platform wherein the user can override said automatic tracking, said means for remotely controlling said mobile platform being detached from said mobile platform, thereby allowing the user to override said automatic tracking from a distance.

6 more elements

A mobile platform which automatically tracks an electromagnetic signal emitter, said emitter being carried by a user, comprising;

a platform
an emitter carried by said user, said emitter transmitting an electromagnetic signal;
at least two receivers located on said mobile platform to receive said signal from said emitter;
first circuitry connected to at least one of the receivers for determining, from said signals, what direction said platform must travel to follow said emitter;
a steering mechanism connected to the platform for automatically turning wheels of said platform to track said emitter in response to said first circuitry;
drive means for propelling the platform, said drive means including a drive motor, a drive element, and wheels;
and
second circuitry connected to at least one of the receivers to automatically control the starting and stopping of the drive means in response to the signal received by said receiver;
and
third circuitry which controls a power input to said drive motor based on an angle of incline or decline of a surface on which said mobile platform is located, so that the mobile platform moves at a relatively constant speed whether traveling uphill, downhill, or on a flat surface, said third circuitry including mercury switches and power resistors so that the switches increase the amount of power dissipated in the resistors when the platform is traveling downhill, thereby decreasing the power sent to said drive motor, and wherein the power dissipated in the resistors is decreased when the platform is traveling uphill, thereby increasing the power sent to said drive motor.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic tracking mobile platform

Life of this patent

Automatic tracking mobile platform

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8