AGV Floor Markers Using Angled 1D Codes for Reliable Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for automated guided vehicles, such as RFID-based and two-dimensional graphical code pattern systems, are costly for large activity zones, limiting the affordability and effectiveness of navigation solutions.
Innovation Solution
The use of marking elements with multiple one-dimensional graphical code patterns, each with scanning directions offset by a specific angular offset, allows for reliable positional determination and directional guidance using inexpensive one-dimensional code readers, enabling correction travels and alignment adjustments to ensure accurate navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID transponders or two-dimensional graphical code patterns are used for marking elements, then navigation reliability is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive RFID transponders and two-dimensional code readers with inexpensive one-dimensional barcode readers and printed code patterns. The marking elements use simple printed codes instead of expensive embedded RFID tags, dramatically reducing system cost while maintaining navigation functionality through multiple angular code patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional barcodes to two-dimensional arrangements of multiple one-dimensional code patterns at different angular offsets. This dimensional transformation allows the system to maintain compatibility with inexpensive one-dimensional readers while achieving the directional information capability previously requiring expensive two-dimensional readers or RFID systems
2Ease of manufacture
If a single one-dimensional code pattern with fixed scanning direction is used, then system cost is reduced, but navigation reliability deteriorates when the vehicle approaches from different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single code pattern into multiple segmented code patterns arranged at different angular offsets. Each segment (code pattern) is oriented to be readable from a specific directional range, and the combination of segments provides complete 360-degree coverage, allowing reliable position determination regardless of the vehicle's approach direction
Solution Approach 2:
The marking element with multiple angularly-offset code patterns serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides position identification, directional information, and multi-directional readability all through the same physical marking element, eliminating the need for separate components for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation system for an automated guided vehicle comprises a set of marking elements which are to be arranged in grid form on the floor and in which navigation information is encoded; a sensor device to be arranged at the automated guided vehicle for reading navigation data from the marking elements; and an evaluation device connected to the sensor device for generating control signals for the automated guided vehicle with reference to read navigation data. Each of the marking elements has at least two graphical code patterns that are each designed as one-dimensional code patterns and comprise a code applied along a scanning direction, with the scanning directions of the at least two graphical code patterns being aligned offset from one another by an angular offset.