摘要:
A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel (32) containing sensor circuitry (88, 90, 92, 94, 96) capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as wheel rotation, wheel vibration caused by skidding, and specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The sensor circuitry is coupled to an RF transceiver (82), which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel (32) may also include a brake mechanism (100). In one embodiment, the wheels (32) are placed on shopping carts (30) and are used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. The collected data may be used for various purposes, such as locking the wheel of an exiting cart if the customer has not paid, estimating numbers of queued carts, stopping wheel skid events that occur during mechanized cart retrieval, store planning, and providing location-based messaging to customers.
摘要:
A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel (32) containing sensor circuitry (88, 90, 92, 94, 96) capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as wheel rotation, wheel vibration caused by skidding, and specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The sensor circuitry is coupled to an RF transceiver (82), which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel (32) may also include a brake mechanism (100). In one embodiment, the wheels (32) are placed on shopping carts (30) and are used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. The collected data may be used for various purposes, such as locking the wheel of an exiting cart if the customer has not paid, estimating numbers of queued carts, stopping wheel skid events that occur during mechanized cart retrieval, store planning, and providing location-based messaging to customers.
摘要:
Various systems for monitoring wheeled vehicles (such as shopping carts) are disclosed. The system can include an RF antenna unit that is buried and is configured for bi-directional communication with the electronics on the cart. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a plurality of transmitters, which can emit synchronized signals. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a radiating cable, which can emit a signal along some, substantially all, or all of its length.
摘要:
A system for controlling shopping carts usage in the vicinity of a parking lot, the system comprising: a device that repeatedly transmits a lock command from a directional antenna (282), said directional antenna mounted above ground and angled downward to create a lock zone (286) in which shopping cart use is restricted, said lock zone encompassing an exit area associated with the parking lot; and a plurality of shopping carts, each shopping cart comprising a brake mechanism, and comprising an RF communication circuit that is responsive to the lock command by activating the brake mechanism.
摘要:
A power management system is disclosed. Embodiments of the power management system may be configured for use with an electric generator that produces AC or DC voltage from an energy source, which may be intermittent or fluctuating. One embodiment of the power management system includes an energy storage reservoir configured to be electrically coupled to the electric generator. The energy storage reservoir includes at least one ultracapacitor and at least one rechargeable battery. The power management system also includes an electronic controller configured to control storage in the reservoir of energy generated by the electric generator and to control power usage from the reservoir and the generator. The electronic controller is configured to control energy storage and power usage in response to one or more control signals.
摘要:
A system for controlling shopping carts usage in the vicinity of a parking lot, the system comprising: a device that repeatedly transmits a lock command from a directional antenna (282), said directional antenna mounted above ground and angled downward to create a lock zone (286) in which shopping cart use is restricted, said lock zone encompassing an exit area associated with the parking lot; and a plurality of shopping carts, each shopping cart comprising a brake mechanism, and comprising an RF communication circuit that is responsive to the lock command by activating the brake mechanism.
摘要:
A system for controlling shopping carts usage in the vicinity of a parking lot, the system comprising: a device that repeatedly transmits a lock command from a directional antenna (282), said directional antenna mounted above ground and angled downward to create a lock zone (286) in which shopping cart use is restricted, said lock zone encompassing an exit area associated with the parking lot; and a plurality of shopping carts, each shopping cart comprising a brake mechanism, and comprising an RF communication circuit that is responsive to the lock command by activating the brake mechanism.
摘要:
Various embodiments of a system for tracking and/or controlling wheeled vehicles (such as shopping carts), are described. In some embodiments, the system includes an RFID tag on the cart and an RFID reader device external to the cart. The tag can receive an interrogation signal from the reader and reply with a response signal. In various embodiments, the reader or a central control unit can perform various calculations based on the response signal, such as generating a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value. In some embodiments, based on the RSSI value or otherwise, the reader can send a command signal to the tag to take an action, such as to engage a brake mechanism.
摘要:
A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.