COURSE GUIDANCE FOR A SELF-DRIVING VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A transceiver adapted for inclusion in a guidance system for a self-driving vehicle that is driveable along a road having passive corner reflectors secured thereto, the transceiver comprising:
- a. a transmitter that includes a transmitting antenna that when the transceiver operates projects a steered, pencil-shaped transmitted beam ahead of the self-driving vehicle, the transmitter sweeping the transmitted beam from side-to-side across the road in front of the moving self-driving vehicle, movement of the self-driving vehicle combined with sweeping of the pencil-shaped transmitted beam from side-to-side across the road in front of the moving self-driving vehicle causing the transmitted beam to intermittently impinge upon corner reflectors secured to the road; and
b. a receiver that includes a directional receiving antenna that points toward a location where the swept transmitted beam will intermittently impinge upon corner reflectors secured to the road for receiving from the corner reflectors that portion of the transmitted beam impinging thereon which individual corner reflectors echo back toward the receiving antenna.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tracking system uses a road mounted microwave reflector as an alignment tool. The system can be used to provide primary or supplemental guidance and alignment for an self-driving vehicle, or it can be used to provide warning signals for a manually controlled vehicle. The disclosed reflector is economical and easily installed. A preferred corner reflector contains both a microwave retro reflector and an embedded tuned circuit. The system is optimized to operate reliability and accurately in conditions of inclement weather and poor visibility, particularly where GPS signals, conventional road markers and visual aids fail.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A transceiver adapted for inclusion in a guidance system for a self-driving vehicle that is driveable along a road having passive corner reflectors secured thereto, the transceiver comprising:
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a. a transmitter that includes a transmitting antenna that when the transceiver operates projects a steered, pencil-shaped transmitted beam ahead of the self-driving vehicle, the transmitter sweeping the transmitted beam from side-to-side across the road in front of the moving self-driving vehicle, movement of the self-driving vehicle combined with sweeping of the pencil-shaped transmitted beam from side-to-side across the road in front of the moving self-driving vehicle causing the transmitted beam to intermittently impinge upon corner reflectors secured to the road; and b. a receiver that includes a directional receiving antenna that points toward a location where the swept transmitted beam will intermittently impinge upon corner reflectors secured to the road for receiving from the corner reflectors that portion of the transmitted beam impinging thereon which individual corner reflectors echo back toward the receiving antenna. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification