System for measuring a distance between two points and method utilizing this system
View Patent ↗A distance measuring system and method is disclosed having a transponder and an interrogation unit in communication with each other wherein, based upon a calculated distance between the transponder and the interrogation unit, a warning signal is provided if the calculated distance is within a predetermined range.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a first transponder disposed on a first motorized vehicle and a second transponder disposed on a second motorized vehicle;
an interrogation unit in communication with the transponders and being disposed about a door opening,
wherein a distance between the first transponder and the interrogation unit is calculated by the interrogation unit and a first signal is provided by the interrogation unit to the first motorized vehicle if the distance is within a predetermined range; and,
wherein a second signal is provided by the interrogation unit to the first transponder if a distance between the second transponder and the interrogation unit is within a predetermined range.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the motorized vehicles are forklifts.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interrogation unit activates brakes on the motorized vehicle if the calculated distance is within a predetermined range.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transponder and the interrogation units are in communication with each other via electromagnetic and acoustic signals.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interrogation units includes a display to display the distance.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signals are a lighting signal.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interrogation unit is disposed on a first side of the door opening and further comprising a second interrogation unit is disposed on an opposite side of the door opening.
8. A method comprising the steps of:
transmitting an electromagnetic signal from an interrogation unit;
transmitting an acoustic signal from a first transponder in response to the signal transmitted from the interrogation unit;
calculating a distance between the interrogation unit and the transponder in response to the signal received from the first transponder;
providing a warning if the calculated distance is within a predetermined range; and,
providing a warning signal from the interrogation unit to the first transponder if the distance between a second transponder and the interrogation unit is within a second predetermined range.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of activating the brakes on the motorized vehicle if the calculated distance is within the first or second predetermined range.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the motorized vehicle is a forklift or other motorized vehicles.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of mounting the interrogation unit about an opening to a door.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of displaying the distance on a display.
13. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of activating a lighting system as the warning signal to indicate a collision threat level based on the distance.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the interrogation unit is disposed on a first side of a door and a second interrogation unit is disposed on a second side of the door.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first transponder is mounted to motorized vehicle and wherein the second transponder is mounted to a second motorized vehicle.
16. The method of claim 8 wherein the first transponder is mounted to a motorized vehicle and the second transponder is attached to a human.