Light tracking apparatus and method

• US 20040036586A1
• Filed: 08/23/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mark Harooni
• Original Assignee: Mark Harooni
• Inventors: Harooni, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/226,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20040036586A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles

Abstract

A light tracking apparatus mounted on a movable vehicle includes a power source for the light tracking apparatus. There is at least one light receiving means for detecting reflected light from the surface marking and surrounding background. A computing means is included for processing the difference between intense and weak reflected light from the pavement marking providing a signal indicating a significant change in light intensity, and an alarm means responding to said signal for indicating a that change in the light intensity.

A method of operating a light tracking apparatus mounted on a movable vehicle includes engaging a power source for the light tracking apparatus. The next step includes providing at least one light receiving means for detecting reflected light from the surface marking and surrounding background. A computing means is used for processing the difference between intense and weak reflected light from the pavement marking providing a signal indicating a significant change in light intensity. The final step is engaging an alarm means responding to said signal for indicating that change in the light intensity.

Claims

1. An apparatus mounted on a movable vehicle comprising:

a) a power source for energizing the components of said apparatus;

b) at least one light receiving means for detecting reflected light from a pavement marking and the surrounding background;

c) a computing means for processing the difference between the light reflected from said pavement marking and the light reflected from said background providing a signal indicating a change in light intensity; and

d) an alarm means responding to said signal for indicating a change in said light intensity.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a switching means for activating/deactivating said light tracking apparatus.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one light emitting means for projecting said light onto at least one pavement marking and surrounding background.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said switching means is a plurality of devices.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light receiving means is a plurality of sensors measuring reflected light intensity.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alarm means is a plurality of devices providing a pulsating output.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computing means determines the average light intensity of a broken pavement marking.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light receiving means further includes circuitry to operate either in the night or the day.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said light emitting means is a plurality of light producing devices.

10. A method of operating an apparatus mounted on a movable vehicle comprising:

a) engaging a power source for energizing the components of said apparatus;

b) providing at least one light receiving means for detecting reflected light from a pavement marking and the surrounding background;

c) using a computing means for processing the difference between intense reflected light from said pavement marking and weak reflected light from said background providing a signal indicating a significant change in light intensity; and

d) engaging an alarm means responding to said signal for indicating a significant change in said light intensity.

11. The method of operating an apparatus as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a switching means for activating/deactivating said light tracking apparatus.

12. The method of operating an apparatus as claimed in claim 10, further comprising at least one light emitting means for projecting said light onto at least one pavement marking and surrounding background.

13. The method of operating an apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said switching means is a plurality of devices.

14. The method of operating an apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said light receiving means is a plurality of sensors measuring reflected light intensity.

15. The method of operating an apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said alarm means is a plurality of devices providing a pulsating output.

16. The method of operating an apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said computing means determines the average light intensity of a broken pavement marking.

17. The method of operating an apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said light receiving means further includes circuitry to operate either in the night or the day.

18. The method of operating an apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said light emitting means is a plurality of light producing devices.