公开(公告)号：WO2007025267A2

公开(公告)日：2007-03-01

申请号：PCT/US2006/033608

申请日：2006-08-25

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC. ,  CARTER, Scott, J. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M. ,  HANNAH, Steven, E.

Inventor： CARTER, Scott, J. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M. ,  HANNAH, Steven, E.

IPC: B60T7/16

CPC classification number: B60T7/16

Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a personal mobility vehicle near a restricted region is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a detector that is configured to be disposed on the personal mobility vehicle and that is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal transmitted to the restricted region. The system also includes a control unit configured to communicate with the detector. The control unit is further configured to determine proximity of the detector to the restricted region using information related to the signal received by the detector. The control unit is also configured to provide a command to inhibit movement of the personal mobility vehicle in response to the determined proximity of the vehicle to the restricted region.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于控制在限制区域附近的个人行动车辆的运动的系统。 在一个实施例中，系统包括被配置为设置在个人移动车辆上并且被配置为接收发送到受限区域的电磁信号的检测器。 该系统还包括配置成与检测器通信的控制单元。 控制单元还被配置为使用与由检测器接收的信号相关的信息来确定检测器与受限区域的接近度。 控制单元还被配置为响应于所确定的车辆对受限区域的接近度而提供禁止个人移动车辆的移动的命令。

公开(公告)号：WO2018031815A1

公开(公告)日：2018-02-15

申请号：PCT/US2017/046360

申请日：2017-08-10

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC.

Inventor： CARTER, Scott, J. ,  CHANDLER, James, E.

IPC: G08B13/24 ,  B62B5/00 ,  G01R29/16 ,  G01R33/02

Abstract: A containment area can be defined by a single cable carrying an asymmetric electromagnetic signal that generates a magnetic field comprising an asymmetric waveform. A single inductor circuit configured to detect a single axis of the magnetic field can detect the asymmetric waveform and determine which direction the inductor is traveling relative to the cable. A human-propelled cart can have a wheel that includes the single inductor circuit and detect whether the cart is being pushed from inside-to-outside the containment area (which may reflect the cart is being stolen or improperly used) or from outside-to-inside (which may reflect the cart is being returned). The cart can include an anti-theft system (e.g., a locking or braking wheel), which can be triggered if the cart is being moved from inside to outside the containment area. The single cable, single inductor system can be less expensive and more efficient than multi-cable, multi-inductor systems.

Abstract translation: 通过携带产生包括不对称波形的磁场的不对称电磁信号的单根电缆可以限定容纳区域。 配置成检测磁场的单个轴的单个电感器电路可以检测不对称波形并且确定电感器相对于电缆行进的方向。 人力驱动车可以具有包括单个感应器电路的车轮并且检测车是否从容纳区域的内部到外部被推动（其可能反映车辆被盗或不适当使用）或者从外部到 内部（可能反映购物车正在退回）。 手推车可以包括防盗系统（例如锁定轮或制动轮），如果手推车从容纳区域内部移动到外部，则可以触发该系统。 单电缆单电感系统比多电缆多电感系统更便宜，效率更高。

公开(公告)号：WO2020005580A1

公开(公告)日：2020-01-02

申请号：PCT/US2019/037201

申请日：2019-06-14

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC.

Inventor： CARTER, Scott, J. ,  M. FONG, Ho, Man ,  MORRISON, Ryan, M. ,  RAMANATHAN, Narayanan, V.

IPC: G01R33/02 ,  G01R33/06 ,  G01R35/00 ,  G01C17/38

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for calibrating or operating a magnetic sensor for sensor temperature or operating conditions are provided. The magnetic sensor can comprise a dual magnetometer sensor that comprises a first, low-power-consumption magnetometer (e.g., a magneto-inductive magnetometer) and a second higher-power-consumption magnetometer (e.g., a magneto-resistive magnetometer). The second magnetometer can have a lower unit-to-unit variation in temperature calibration parameters and can be used to temperature-correct readings from the first magnetometer. The magnetic sensor can dynamically switch between usage of the first magnetometer and the second magnetometer in order to provide a dynamic sample rate that can depend on conditions within the sensor or external to the sensor.

公开(公告)号：WO2016144709A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-15

申请号：PCT/US2016/020755

申请日：2016-03-03

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC.

Inventor： CARTER, Scott, J.

IPC: G01S19/34

CPC classification number: G01S19/05 ,  G01S19/06 ,  G01S19/09 ,  G01S19/11 ,  G01S19/14 ,  G01S19/252 ,  G01S19/256 ,  G01S19/28 ,  G01S19/34 ,  G01S19/41 ,  G01S19/49 ,  H04W4/02 ,  H04W4/029

Abstract: Low-energy consumption techniques for locating a movable object using a global satellite navigation system (GNSS) are provided. A mobile station attached to or included in a movable object can communicate bidirectionally with a fixed base station to determine a location of the movable object. The mobile station may communicate an estimated position to the base station and receive from the base station a set of GNSS satellites that are visible to the mobile station. The mobile station can acquire satellite timing information from GNSS signals from the set of satellites and communicate minimally-processed satellite timing information to the base station. The base station can determine the position of the mobile station and communicate the position back to the mobile station. By offloading much of the processing to the base station, energy consumption of the mobile station is reduced.

Abstract translation: 提供了使用全球卫星导航系统（GNSS）定位可移动物体的低能耗技术。 连接到或包含在可移动物体中的移动台可以与固定基站双向通信，以确定可移动物体的位置。 移动台可以向基站传送估计位置，并从基站接收移动站可见的一组GNSS卫星。 移动站可以从卫星组的GNSS信号获取卫星定时信息，并将最低限度处理的卫星定时信息传送给基站。 基站可以确定移动站的位置并将位置传送回移动站。 通过将大量的处理卸载到基站，移动台的能量消耗减少。

公开(公告)号：WO2006102183A3

公开(公告)日：2006-09-28

申请号：PCT/US2006/009921

申请日：2006-03-20

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC. ,  HANNAH, Stephen, E. ,  CARTER, Scott, J. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M.

Inventor： HANNAH, Stephen, E. ,  CARTER, Scott, J. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M.

IPC: G08B1/08

Abstract: 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.

公开(公告)号：WO2018165178A1

公开(公告)日：2018-09-13

申请号：PCT/US2018/021177

申请日：2018-03-06

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC.

Inventor： CARTER, Scott, J. ,  HANNAH, Stephen, E. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M. ,  RAMANATHAN, Narayanan, V. ,  HARLING, Robert, M. ,  JOHNSON, Jack

IPC: G08B21/18 ,  G08B13/14 ,  B62K3/00 ,  G01H11/06

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Various techniques utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Navigation techniques can include navigation history and backtracking, motion direction detection for dual swivel casters, use of gyroscopes, determining cart weight, multi-level navigation, multi-level magnetic measurements, use of lighting signatures, use of multiple navigation systems, or hard/soft iron compensation for different cart configurations.

公开(公告)号：WO2016114987A1

公开(公告)日：2016-07-21

申请号：PCT/US2016/012606

申请日：2016-01-08

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC.

Inventor： HANNAH, Stephen, E. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M. ,  CARTER, Scott, J.

IPC: G06K7/12 ,  G06K19/07 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  B62B3/14 ,  B62B5/00 ,  B62B5/04

CPC classification number: B62B5/0423 ,  B62B5/0096 ,  G06K7/10297 ,  G06K19/0707 ,  G06Q10/0833 ,  G06Q50/28

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于跟踪和/或控制轮式车辆（例如购物车）的系统的各种实施例。 在一些实施例中，系统包括在购物车上的RFID标签和在购物车外部的RFID读取器设备。 标签可以从读取器接收询问信号并用响应信号进行应答。 在各种实施例中，读取器或中央控制单元可以基于响应信号执行各种计算，例如生成接收到的信号强度指示（RSSI）值。 在一些实施例中，基于RSSI值或其他方式，读取器可以向标签发送命令信号以采取动作，例如接合制动机构。

公开(公告)号：WO2008036087A1

公开(公告)日：2008-03-27

申请号：PCT/US2006/036610

申请日：2006-09-20

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC. ,  CARTER, Scott, J. ,  HANNAH, Steven, E. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M.

Inventor： CARTER, Scott, J. ,  HANNAH, Steven, E. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M.

IPC: B60K1/02 ,  B60R22/00

CPC classification number: H02K7/1846 ,  B60L2200/28 ,  B60L2200/30 ,  B62B5/0423 ,  H02J7/1407 ,  H02J7/345 ,  Y02T10/641

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 公开了电力管理系统。 电力管理系统的实施例可以被配置为与发电机一起使用，发电机从能量源产生AC或DC电压，该能量可以是间歇的或波动的。 电力管理系统的一个实施例包括被配置为电耦合到发电机的能量存储容器。 储能容器包括至少一个超级电容器和至少一个可充电电池。 电力管理系统还包括电子控制器，其被配置为控制储存器中由发电机产生的能量的存储并且控制来自储存器和发电机的电力使用。 电子控制器被配置为响应于一个或多个控制信号来控制能量存储和功率使用。

公开(公告)号：WO2006102561A2

公开(公告)日：2006-09-28

申请号：PCT/US2006/010686

申请日：2006-03-20

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC. ,  CARTER, Scott, J. ,  HANNAH, Stephen, E.

Inventor： CARTER, Scott, J. ,  HANNAH, Stephen, E.

IPC: G01C21/00

CPC classification number: B62B5/0438 ,  A47F10/04 ,  B60K25/08 ,  B60T7/16 ,  B60T7/18 ,  B62B3/14 ,  B62B3/1404 ,  B62B3/1412 ,  B62B3/1424 ,  B62B3/1492 ,  B62B5/0003 ,  B62B5/0423 ,  B62B5/048 ,  G01C21/00 ,  G01C21/12 ,  G01C21/206 ,  G06K7/10366 ,  G06Q10/08 ,  G08B13/2434 ,  G08B13/2448 ,  G08B13/246 ,  G08B13/2462 ,  G08B13/2474 ,  G08B13/2477 ,  G08B13/2482 ,  G08G1/20 ,  H02K7/1846 ,  H04W4/02 ,  H04W4/029 ,  Y10T16/195 ,  Y10T29/49826

Abstract: A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object's wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and/or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain preferred embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. In some embodiments, the power generation system is configured to be disposed within the object's wheel.

Abstract translation: 用于轮式物体的发电系统包括机械地联接到物体的一个或多个车轮的发电机，以将轮转动能转换成电能。 发电系统可以包括被配置为存储由发电机产生的电功率的电存储装置。 来自发电机和/或电气存储装置的电力可用于向物体内或其上的其他电气系统供电。 在某些优选实施例中，蓄电装置包括串联连接的一组大容量电容器。 一些实施例使用控制电路来例如调节电容器组的充电和放电并为其它系统提供合适的电压。 在一些实施例中，发电系统被配置为设置在物体的车轮内。

公开(公告)号：WO2006102300A3

公开(公告)日：2006-09-28

申请号：PCT/US2006/010175

申请日：2006-03-20

Applicant: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC. ,  CARTER, Scott, J. ,  HANNAH, Stephen, E. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M.

Inventor： CARTER, Scott, J. ,  HANNAH, Stephen, E. ,  JAMES, Jesse, M.

IPC: G01C21/00 ,  G01C17/00

Abstract: A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. The dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. The heading is determined with reference to the Earth's magnetic field by disposing magnetic sensors in or in the object. Error correction and position reset procedures may be implemented to reduce accumulated navigational error. In preferred embodiments, some or all of the navigation system is disposed within a wheel of the object. The navigation system determines whether the object has exited a confinement area and activates an anti-theft system such as an alarm or wheel locking mechanism.