VEHICLE GUIDANCE SYSTEM

• US 20160189542A1
• Filed: 11/24/2015
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ming Solar, Inc. (Reden Solar SAS)
• Inventors: MYER, SETH JAMISON
• Granted Patent: US 9,652,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/21 specially adapted for motorways, e.g. integrated with sound barriers
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/10 Frame structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A vehicle guidance system (VGS) facilitates interaction between human operated vehicles (HOV), autonomous driverless vehicles (ADV), and/or semi-autonomous vehicles, on the roadway, allowing safe interface with each other and with other elements, for example, weather conditions, traffic control systems, road conditions, obstructions that enter the roadway (people, rocks, animals, debris falling onto roadway from other vehicles), etc. The system provides guidance, communication, and control for the vehicles on the roadway, by using a solar-powered system comprising post assemblies having solar panel(s), sensors, forward and/or downward lighting, and other indicators/alarms to signal to the vehicle or driver regarding road, bridge, weather, accident, speeding, or other conditions of concern in the vicinity for safety and/or operability of the vehicle/driver(s).

Claims

1. A vehicle guidance system comprising a network of sensors and indicators extending along a roadway being traveled by a vehicle, the network comprising:

multiple post assemblies spaced along the roadway, each holding at least one light for illuminating a portion of the roadway forward from the post assembly;

sensors for sensing ambient or environmental conditions at or near at least one of said post assemblies and/or on or near the roadway along which the post assemblies are spaced;

a sensor communication/electronic-signaling network that signals at least one indicator of the ambient or environmental conditions, wherein the at least one indicator may be said at least one light on one more of the post assemblies, a flashing or blinking light, an audible alarm, a digital sign, a signal to an on-vehicle alarm, a signal to an on-vehicle monitor, a signal to an on-vehicle video screen, and/or another visual or audible sign/signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each post assembly comprises a solar panel.

3. The system as in claim 1, further comprising solar-powered roadway markers.

4. The system as in claim 1, wherein each post assembly is less than 10 feet tall (above the ground level).

5. The system as in claim 1, wherein each post assembly is less than 4-5 feet tall (above the ground level).

6. The system as in claim 1 comprising at least one solar panel on at least one of the post assembly so the system is solar-powered and autonomous, so that the system requires no utility power grid connection.

7. The system as in claim 1, wherein activation of a sensor on multiple, adjacent post assemblies causes communication between the post assemblies to relay info about direction &

speed of travel of all vehicles on the roadway, for inform approaching vehicles of a need to slow down or stop.

8. The system as in claim 1, wherein activation of a sensor on multiple, adjacent post assemblies causes communication between the post assemblies to relay info about road conditions such as ice, rain, road damage, bridge damage, or other road/bridge conditions.

9. The system as in claim 1, wherein the post assemblies are illuminated a quarter of a mile (or user preset distance) ahead of the travel of the vehicle, lighting the way ahead of the car (showing curves ahead in the roadway which headlights cannot reach), then the lighting is turned off after all of the cars have passed by (conserving energy).

10. The system as in claim 9, wherein small notification LEDs are “

left on”

when there are no cars on the road.

11. The system as in claim 1, wherein, with said at least one light on each post assembly being on, and with vehicles passing between the post assemblies, the light pathway of said at least one light on each post assembly is interrupted (a disturbance) and the motion of the vehicle is identified by this disturbance.

12. The system as in claim 1, wherein, as the vehicle passes between multiple post assemblies, the system determines the speed and direction of the vehicle.

13. The system as in claim 1, wherein the vehicle'"'"'s headlights will activate the system, and the system is in a dormant or energy-saving mode until the activation by the headlights of the oncoming vehicle.

14. The system as in claim 1, wherein said sensors are selected from motion sensors, vibration sensors, and anemometers that detect the wind created by passing vehicles.

15. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one light for illuminating a portion of the roadway shines light only forward away from the approaching vehicle.

16. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one light for illuminating a portion of the roadway shines light only forward away from the approaching vehicle and downward.

17. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one light for illuminating a portion of the roadway shines light only forward away from the approaching vehicle, and downward in an area on the roadway/ground of less than 50-square feet, less than 100 square feet, less than 200 square feet, or less than 300 square feet.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the light from said at least one light is focused downward and forward away from the vehicle approaching the at least one light on the side of the roadway nearest the at least one light.