IP Library Granted Patent US 7,740,099
Granted Patent B2
US 7,740,099 · App. 11/774,876 · Granted Jun 22, 2010

Enhanced control of a transporter

Assignee: Segway Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,740,099
App. No.
11/774,876
Granted
Jun 22, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transporter that includes a platform for supporting a load and at least one primary ground-contacting element. The transporter includes an actuator for applying torque to the at least one primary ground-contacting element for propelling the transporter with respect to a surface. The transporter also includes a controller for controlling the actuator, the controller includes an input for receiving specification by a user of a desired direction of travel based on a position of a member with respect to a fiducial axis, a differentiator for calculating a rate of change of the position of the member with respect to the fiducial axis, and a processor for generating a yaw command signal based at least on the position of the member and the rate of change of the position of the member which is weighted based on the level of experience of the user.

Claims (10)

1. A method for controlling yaw of a balancing transporter, comprising:

receiving an input from a user based on a position of a member with respect to a fiducial axis;

calculating a rate of change of the position of the member with respect to the fiducial axis; and

generating a yaw command signal based on at least the position of the member and the rate of change of the position of the member which is weighted based on the level of experience of the user to reduce the effect that the rate of change of the position of the member has on the yaw command signal for a beginner user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user provides an input signal to the transporter to vary the weighting of the rate of change of the position of the member.

3. A method for controlling yaw of a balancing transporter, comprising:

receiving an input from a user based on a position of a member with respect to a fiducial axis;

calculating a rate of change of the position of the member with respect to the fiducial axis; and

generating a yaw command signal based on at least the position of the member and the rate of change of the position of the member which is weighted based on the level of experience of the user to increase the effect that the rate of change of the position of the member has on the yaw command signal for an experienced user.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the user provides an input signal to the transporter to vary the weighting of the rate of change of the position of the member.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2015
From: SEGWAY INC.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 035302/0917 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2015
From: THE PRIVATEBANK AND TRUST COMPANY
To: SEGWAY INC.
Reel/Frame 034853/0931 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 28, 2013
From: SEGWAY INC.
To: THE PRIVATEBANK AND TRUST COMPANY, AN ILLINOIS BANKING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029900/0301 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2010
From: BRIDGE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SEGWAY, INC.
Reel/Frame 024915/0185 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2008
From: SEGWAY, INC.
To: BRIDGE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 021064/0222 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2007
From: FIELD, J. DOUGLAS; STEVENS, JON M.; LEMAY, PHILIP; GANSLER, MICHAEL T.
To: SEGWAY INC.
Reel/Frame 019753/0038 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation In Part 1093995500 · Sep 13, 2004
Continuation In Part 1030885000 · Dec 3, 2002
Continuation In Part 1004459000 · Jan 11, 2002
Division 0963593600 · Aug 10, 2000
Division 0932597800 · Jun 4, 1999
Provisional Application 6081916500 · Jul 7, 2006
Provisional Application 6038884600 · Jun 14, 2002
Related Publication 20070296170A1 · Dec 27, 2007