SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT FOREIGN OBJECTS ON A SURFACE
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Accused Products
Abstract
A detection system and method are disclosed for detecting a foreign object on a surface, such as an airport runway or a racetrack. The detection system includes a plurality of detectors mounted on the vehicle and capable of receiving light reflected from the object on the surface, and producing data that indicates the presence of said object as said vehicle moves along the surface; and a computer electrically coupled to each of the plurality of detectors, said computer being capable of processing said data and generating an alarm to alert an operator of said vehicle to a presence of said object. In low light conditions, the system may further include a plurality of light sources mounted on a vehicle and capable of illuminating at least one monitored area of the surface with light.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1-31. -31. (canceled)
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32. A foreign object detection system comprising:
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a plurality of detectors mounted on a vehicle and capable of receiving light reflected from an object on a surface, and producing data that indicates the presence of said object as said vehicle moves along the surface; and a computer electrically coupled to the plurality of detectors, said computer being capable of processing said data and generating an alarm to alert an operator of said vehicle to a presence of said object; wherein said data comprises a velocity of said vehicle, a velocity of said plurality of detectors with respect to said object, and a distance of said object from the detection system. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method of detecting a foreign object on a surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a system comprising a plurality of detectors mounted on a vehicle and capable of receiving light reflected from an object on the surface, and of producing data that indicates the presence of said object as said vehicle moves along the surface, and a computer electrically coupled to each of the plurality of detectors; driving said vehicle along said surface; and using the computer to process the data from the plurality of detectors to detect the object and to generate an alarm to indicate a presence of said object to an operator of said vehicle; wherein said data comprises a velocity of said vehicle, a velocity of said plurality of detectors with respect to said object, and a distance of said object from the system. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification