Global positioning system controlled paint sprayer
AssigneeTrimble Navigation Limited
InventorCharles David Hope Manning
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A global positioning system (GPS) controlled paint spray system. The system includes a paint sprayer driver program and a GPS paint sprayer. The paint sprayer driver program enables a user of a standard drawing program using a standard personal computer to generate a print file for a drawing pattern. The GPS paint sprayer includes a GPS receiver, a geographical converter for enabling a user to convert the drawing pattern to geographical locations, a location comparator for detecting a location match between the geographical locations of the drawing pattern and a current GPS-based location, and a spray nozzle to spraying paint for matched locations.
Claims19
A method for geographically marking a drawing pattern, comprising steps of:
- determining a global positioning system (GPS)-based location of a nozzle;
- receiving print data for a drawing pattern;
- using a geographical reference location for converting said print data to geographical mark locations corresponding to said drawing pattern;
- detecting a location match when said GPS-based location matches one of said geographical mark locations;
- and
- depositing a marking material onto a surface from said nozzle when said location match is detected.
A global positioning system (GPS) marker, comprising:
- a nozzle for depositing a marking material when commanded by a control signal;
- a data interface for receiving print data for a drawing pattern;
- a GPS receiver for determining a GPS-based location of said nozzle;
- a geographical drawing converter for using a geographical reference location for converting said print data to geographical mark locations:
- and
- a location comparator for detecting a location match when said GPS-based location matches one of said geographical mark locations and generating said control signal when said location match is detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.