Systems and methods for measuring a bridge clearance
First Claim
1. A method for determining a clearance of an overhead obstacle using an optical detection system, the method comprising:
- emitting rays of light from a vehicle over a range of angles towards a target region, the rays of light establishing a vertical angular span;
receiving rays of reflected or scattered light from the target region corresponding to the emitted rays of light from the vehicle;
determining a height of the overhead obstacle using the received rays of light, including;
selecting a first received ray of light that interacts with the overhead obstacle;
selecting two received rays of light that interact with a roadway underlying the overhead obstacle; and
estimating a second received ray of light from the two received rays that interact with the roadway, the estimated second received ray and the first received ray corresponding to the same horizontal distance from the vehicle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lidar system can be provided for measuring a clearance of overhead infrastructure, such as a bridge or overpass. The lidar system can alert a vehicle driver or automatically brake the vehicle if the available clearance is smaller than a height of the vehicle. The lidar system can emit rays of light over a range of angles towards a target region where the rays of light can have a vertical span. The lidar system can then receive rays of light reflected or scattered from the target region and can determine a distance traveled by the rays of light by determining a round trip travel time of the rays. A clearance of the overhead infrastructure can then be determined using geometric relationships.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for determining a clearance of an overhead obstacle using an optical detection system, the method comprising:
-
emitting rays of light from a vehicle over a range of angles towards a target region, the rays of light establishing a vertical angular span; receiving rays of reflected or scattered light from the target region corresponding to the emitted rays of light from the vehicle; determining a height of the overhead obstacle using the received rays of light, including; selecting a first received ray of light that interacts with the overhead obstacle; selecting two received rays of light that interact with a roadway underlying the overhead obstacle; and estimating a second received ray of light from the two received rays that interact with the roadway, the estimated second received ray and the first received ray corresponding to the same horizontal distance from the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A system for determining a clearance of an overhead obstacle for a vehicle, the method comprising:
-
a transmitter configured to emit rays of light over a range of angles towards a target region, the rays of light establishing a vertical angular span; a receiver configured to receive rays of light from the target region; and control circuitry configured to; determine a height of the overhead obstacle using received rays of light; select a first received ray of light that interacts with the overhead obstacle; select two received rays of light that interact with a roadway underlying the overhead obstacle; and estimate a second received ray of light from the two received rays that interact with the roadway, the estimated second received ray and the first received ray corresponding to the same horizontal distance from the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A system for determining a clearance of an overhead obstacle for a vehicle, the system comprising:
-
means for emitting rays of light from a vehicle over a range of angles towards a target region, the rays of light establishing a vertical angular span; means for receiving rays of light from the target region in response to the emitted rays of light, and means for determining a height of the overhead obstacle using received rays of light, including; selecting a first received ray of light that interacts with the overhead obstacle; selecting two received rays of light that interact with a roadway underlying the overhead obstacle; and estimating a second received ray of light from the two received rays that interact with the roadway, the estimated second received ray and the first received ray corresponding to the same horizontal distance from the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification