Variable offset positioning antenna array for enhanced guidance of automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
AssigneeBoomerang Systems, Inc.
InventorsStott Barwick, Merin Swasey, Lance Beeny, John A. M. Petersen
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Abstract
An automated storage system for storing a plurality of objects in storage locations, the automated storage system comprising a master control computer, a guidance network, a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) each having an onboard microprocessor and a receiver for receiving control commands from the master control computer, and a plurality of trays for engagement with the plurality of AGVs for transportation and storage of the objects.
Claims18
An automated storage system for storing a plurality of objects in storage locations, the automated storage system comprising:
- a master control computer;
- a guidance network;
- a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) each having an onboard microprocessor and a receiver for receiving control commands from the master control computer;
- and
- a plurality of stackable trays for engagement with the plurality of AGVs for transportation and storage of the objects,
- wherein the AGV further comprises a variable offset positioning antenna array that is adapted to follow the guidance network, and
- wherein the variable offset positioning antenna array further comprises:
- a) two or more inductor coils that each generate an output based on a strength of a frequency sensed at each coil;
- and
- b) a programmable microprocessor that processes the output from each coil to determine a position of the antenna array relative to the guidance network;
- c) wherein the position of the antenna array may be dynamically offset relative to the guidance network.
An automated method of storing a plurality of objects in storage locations comprising:
- a) providing a master control computer and a guidance network;
- b) providing a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) each having an onboard microprocessor and a receiver for receiving control commands from the master control computer;
- and
- c) providing a plurality of stackable trays for engagement with the plurality of AGVs for transportation and storage of the objects;
- d) wherein an object is loaded onto a tray at a loading location to form an object-laden tray;
- and
- e) wherein an AGV engages with the object-laden tray to deliver the object-laden tray from the loading location to a storage location;
- the method further comprising providing the AGV a variable offset positioning antenna array that is adapted to follow the guidance network, and
- wherein the variable offset positioning antenna array further comprises:
- two or more inductor coils that each generate an output based on a strength of a frequency sensed at each coil;
- and
- a programmable microprocessor that processes the output from each coil to determine a position of the antenna array relative to the guidance network;
- wherein the position of the antenna array may be dynamically offset relative to the guidance network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.