Overhead object detection using optical measurements

• US 10,156,635 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2016
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RSA Network, Inc., Terri Sorenson
• Original Assignee: Starfish Network Incorporated
• Inventors: Sorenson, Randall D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ratcliffe, Luke D
• Application Number:
  US15/147,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20160356594A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/0608 Height gauges
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/10 using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves determination of distance by phase measurements G01S17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S17/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/93 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9316 combined with communication equipment with other vehicles or with base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93273 on the top of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees

Abstract

Technology is described for a height pole detection system for detecting a height of an overhead object from a moving vehicle. The height pole detection system can include a laser operable to emit a plurality of laser light pulses substantially upwards. The height pole detection system can include a laser light detector operable to detect one or more of the plurality of laser light pulses that are emitted from the laser and subsequently reflected from the overhead object. The height pole detection system can include an ambient light filter enclosure operable to partially surround the laser light detector. The ambient light filter enclosure can include an optical absorbing material for absorbing ambient light that is not reflected from the overhead object. The height pole detection system can enable detection of the height of the overhead objects based on a time of flight of detected laser light pulses.

Claims

1. A height pole detection system for detecting a height of an overhead object from a moving vehicle, the height pole detection system comprising:

a laser operable to emit a plurality of laser light pulses substantially upwards; and

a laser light detector operable to detect one or more of the plurality of laser light pulses that are emitted from the laser and subsequently reflected from the overhead object that is located above the height pole detection system,

wherein the laser light detector enables detection of the height of the overhead object based on a time of flight of detected laser light pulses; and

wherein the height pole detection system is further configured to communicate information to one or more processors operable to;

calculate the time of flight for the laser light pulse to;

travel from the laser to the overhead object, reflect off of the overhead object, and be detected at the laser light detector;

calculate the height of the overhead object based on the time of flight of the laser light pulse;

compare the height of the overhead object to a defined threshold, wherein the defined threshold is associated with a height of an oversize load that is being transported along a defined route; and

generate an alert when the height of the overhead object is less than the defined threshold.

2. The height pole detection system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to communicate the alert to a communication device associated with a driver of the oversize load to enable a determination of an alternative route for transporting the oversize load.

3. The height pole detection system of claim 1, wherein the height pole detection system is traveling on a defined route at a speed of up to 80 miles per hour.

4. The height pole detection system of claim 1, further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) detector to identify a geographical location for the overhead object that is located above the height pole detection system.

5. The height pole detection system of claim 1, wherein the laser operable to emit laser light pulses substantially upwards is oriented at approximately a 90 degree angle relative to a driving surface to detect overhead objects.

6. The height pole detection system of claim 1, wherein the laser emits the plurality of laser light pulses at a rate of approximately 30,000 pulses per second.

7. The height pole detection system of claim 1, further configured to communicate information to one or more processors operable to:

store, in a database, a height for each detected overhead object along a defined route.

8. The height pole detection system of claim 1, wherein the height pole detection system is operable to detect overhead objects that are approximately 0.25 inches in diameter and up to approximately 100 feet in height when the moving vehicle is traveling at a speed of up to approximately 80 miles per hour.

14. The height pole detection system of claim 1, further comprising an ambient light filter enclosure operable to partially surround the laser light detector, the ambient light filter enclosure including an optical absorbing material for absorbing ambient light that is not reflected from the overhead object.

9. A height pole detection device operable to be mounted on a first vehicle, the height pole detection device configured to detect a height of an overhead object relative to the first vehicle, the height pole detection device comprising:

a laser operable to emit a plurality of laser light pulses substantially upwards;

a laser light detector operable to detect one or more of the plurality of laser light pulses that are emitted from the laser and subsequently reflected from the overhead object; and

an ambient light filter enclosure operable to partially surround the laser light detector, the ambient light filter enclosure including an optical absorbing material for absorbing ambient light that is not reflected from the overhead object,

wherein the laser and the laser light detector are configured to communicate with at least one processor that is operable to;

calculate a time of flight for a laser light pulse to;

travel from the laser to the overhead object, reflect off of the overhead object, and be detected at the laser light detector;

calculate the height of the overhead object based on the time of flight of the laser light pulse,

compare the height of the overhead object to a defined threshold, wherein the defined threshold is associated with a height of an oversize load that is being transported along a defined route; and

generate an alert when the height of the overhead object is below the defined threshold.

10. The height pole detection device of claim 9, further comprising an ambient light filter enclosure operable to partially surround the laser light detector, the ambient light filter enclosure including an optical absorbing material for absorbing ambient light that is not reflected from the overhead object.

11. The height pole detection device of claim 9, further comprising a transceiver operable to send the alert to a second vehicle when the height of the overhead object is above the defined threshold, wherein the second vehicle is configured to travel at a defined distance behind the first vehicle along a defined route.

12. The height pole detection device of claim 9, further comprising a data store operable to store heights for a plurality of overhead objects along a defined route.

13. The height pole detection device of claim 9, wherein the height pole detection device is traveling at up to 80 miles per hour.

15. A method for detecting a height of an overhead object using a height detection device that is mounted on a moving vehicle, the method comprising:

emitting, from a laser of the height detection device, a plurality of laser light pulses in a direction above the moving vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the laser light pulses are reflected from an overhead object that is above the moving vehicle;

detecting, using a laser light detector of the height detection device, the laser light pulses that are reflected from the overhead object that is above the moving vehicle;

calculating, using at least one processor in communication with the height detection device, the height of the overhead object based on a time of flight for the laser light pulses to;

travel from the laser to the overhead object, reflect off of the overhead object, and be detected at the laser light detector; and

comparing, using the at least one processor in communication with the height detection device, the height of the overhead object to a defined threshold, wherein the defined threshold is associated with a height of an oversize load to be transported along a defined route.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

generating, using the at least one processor of the height detection device, an alert when the height of the overhead object is below the defined threshold; and

communicating, using a transceiver of the height detection device, the alert to a communication device associated with a driver that will transport the oversize load along the defined route.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising creating a map of overhead objects along a defined route and a corresponding height for each overhead object, the map indicating a geographic location for each detected overhead object using a global positioning system (GPS) detector of the height detection device, wherein the map enables drivers to transport overhead objects along the defined route.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the laser light pulses are emitted from the laser in accordance with a sampling rate that is sufficient to accurately detect overhead objects at desired heights when the moving vehicle travels at a desired speed.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

reducing, using an ambient light filter enclosure of the height detection device, an amount of undesired light that is detected at the laser light detector, wherein the undesired light includes ambient light that is not reflected from the overhead object.