Laser device for guiding a vehicle

• US 20040111901A1
• Filed: 12/17/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ronald E. Newcomer
• Original Assignee: Ronald E. Newcomer
• Inventors: Newcomer, Ronald E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,772,525 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/286
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00

Abstract

A method and system for guiding a vehicle through a tunnel or other space. A linear beam of light is projected along a certain path through the space. As the vehicle travels into the space, the linear beam is shined upon the vehicle. Visually aligning an indicator on the vehicle with the linear beam of light indicates to the driver that the vehicle is traveling directly down the center of the path. The alignment occurs by the driver making manual adjustments of the vehicle'"'"'s direction by turning wheels of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for guiding a vehicle along a roadway, comprising:

projecting a linear beam of light from at least one light source along a path through the roadway; and

aligning an indicator of the vehicle with the linear beam of light to indicate the vehicle is traveling down a center of the path.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein projecting a linear beam of light includes mounting several light sources to generate the linear beam of light.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein projecting the linear beam of light includes blocking a portion of the linear beam of light with guard devices.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein projecting the linear beam of light includes blocking a portion of the linear beam of light with a guard device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the path is a lane of traffic in a highway.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the lane of traffic is located in a tunnel.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a rotating laser projects the linear beam of light.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of aligning includes changing directions of the vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the rotating laser sweeps the beam across an arc starting from about 5°

downstream of a downward line perpendicular to the respective rotating laser to at most about 60°

downstream of the downward line perpendicular to the respective rotating laser.

10. A system for guiding a vehicle traveling through a space, comprising:

an indicator on the vehicle; and

at least one light source to project a linear beam of light along a path through the space;

wherein when the indicator is aligned with the beam of light, the vehicle is traveling down a center of the path.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one light source comprises several individual light sources.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one light source has a guard to block a portion of the linear beam of light.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the system is located within a tunnel.

14. The system according to claim 13, where in the at least one light source is mounted on a ceiling of the tunnel.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the path is a lane of traffic in a highway.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the system is located to project along a lane beside a toll booth.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the at least one light source is mounted on an overhead structure of the toll booth.

18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one light source comprises a rotating laser.

19. The system according to claim 11, wherein each light source has a guard to block a portion of the linear beam of light.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein each at least one light source is for sweeping the beam across an arc starting from about 5°

downstream of an imaginary downward line perpendicular to the respective light source to at most about 60°

downstream of the imaginary downward line perpendicular to the respective light source.