Object orienting systems and systems and processes relating thereto

• US 5,052,799 A
• Filed: 07/17/1989
• Issued: 10/01/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger L. Martin, Thurman Sasser
• Original Assignee: Roger L. Martin, Thurman Sasser
• Inventors: Martin, Roger L., Sasser, Thurman
• Primary Examiner(s): Wallace, Linda J.
• Application Number:
  US07/380,521
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 356/1, 356/4, 356/141, 356/152, 356/364, 342/147, 342/361, 342/365, 342/366, 342/386, 342/450, 342/451, 180/167, 180/168, 340/727, 340/901, 340/905, 340/988, 340/995, 364/443, 364/449
• US Class Current: 356/139.03
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0247 Determining attitude
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/163 Determination of attitude using inertial means G01C9/00; control of attitude G05D1/49
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0272 comprising means for registering the travel distance, e.g. revolutions of wheels measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, e.g. using odometers G01C22/00

Abstract

A reference signal used for orienting an object has a beam of electromagnetic radiation with a first signal component that is a rotating component and also a second signalcomponent which is periodically generated when the first signal component is in a predetermined direction. The beam may be a linearly polarized laser light beam with a rotating plane of polarization, an unpolarized laser light beam with a rotating and shaped image of predetermined configuration, or a linearly polarized microwave beam with a rotating plane of polarization. The second signal component may be generated as a component of the beam bearing the first signal component or separately generated and propagated. Provisions are made for receiving and comparing the direction indicated by the reference signal with the direction of the object to be oriented and the information derived from the comparison is analyzed and processed to provide an output signal that useful in orienting the object. The orientation of video displays, vehicles and parts of vehicles are illustrated.

Claims

1. A system for orienting the direction of a first object comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal that includes

a laser light beam with a first signal component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about the axis of propagation of the beam and

a second signal component that is detectable when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined angular direction that constitutes said reference direction, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis,

(B) means for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of a second object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an optical output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions,

(C) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said optical output signal for analyzing said optical output signal and generating an electronic output signal that is indicative of said angular deviation, and

(D) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said electronic output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said first object.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized laser light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating an unpolarized laser light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for linearly polarizing at least a portion of the unpolarized laser light beam.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized laser light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for rotating the linearly polarized laser light beam about said axis of propagation, and

said rotating linearly polarized laser light beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized laser light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for rotating the linearly polarized laser light beam about said axis of propagation,

said rotating linearly polarized laser light beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component, and

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for generating said second signal component when said rotating plane of polarization is oriented in said predetermined angular direction.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized laser light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for rotating the linearly polarized laser light beam about said axis of propagation,

said rotating linearly polarized laser light beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component, and

said linearly polarized laser light beam rotating means comprises

(A-2-a) a half-wave plate arranged along said axis of propagation to receive and transmit the linearly polarized laser light beam, and

(A-2-b) means for rotatably driving said half-wave plate at a uniform angular velocity about said axis of propagation.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized laser light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for rotating the linearly polarized laser light beam about said axis of propagation,

said rotating linearly polarized laser light beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component,

said linearly polarized laser light beam rotating means comprises

(A-2-a) a half-wave plate arranged along said axis of propagation to receive and transmit the linearly polarized laser light beam, and

(A-2-b) means for rotatably driving said half-wave plate at a uniform angular velocity about said axis of propagation, and

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for generating said second signal component when said rotating plane of polarization is oriented in said predetermined angular direction.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating an unpolarized laser light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for linearly polarizing at least a portion of the unpolarized laser light beam, and

(A-3) means for rotating the linearly polarized laser light beam about said axis of propagation,

said rotating linearly polarized laser light beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component,

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-4) means for generating said second signal component when said rotating plane of polarization is oriented in said predetermined angular direction, and

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-4-a) means for deflecting a portion of the unpolarized laser light beam along an auxiliary axis of propagation therefore, and

(A-4-b) means interrupting the unpolarized laser light beam portion along said auxiliary axis of propagation and releasing a light pulse from the interrupted unpolarized laser light beam for propagation along said auxiliary axis when said rotating plane of polarization is oriented in said predetermined direction.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating an unpolarized laser light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for linearly polarizing at least a portion of the unpolarized laser light beam, and

(A-3) means for rotating the linearly polarized laser light beam about said axis of propagation,

said rotating linearly polarized laser light beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component,

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-4) means for generating said second signal component when said rotating plane of polarization is oriented in said predetermined angular direction, and

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-4-a) means for deflecting a portion of the unpolarized laser light beam along an auxiliary axis of propagation therefore,

(A-4-b) means interrupting the unpolarized laser light beam portion along said auxiliary axis of propagation and releasing a light pulse from the interrupted unpolarized laser light beam for propagation along said auxiliary axis when said rotating plane of polarization is oriented in said predetermined direction, and

(A-4-c) means for combining the released light pulse of unpolarized laser light with said rotating linearly polarized laser light beam to provide a light beam composed of polarized and unpolarized light components.

10. A system for orienting the direction of a first object comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal that includes

a laser light beam with a first signal component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about the axis of propagation of the beam and

a second signal component that is detectable when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined angular direction that constitutes said reference direction, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis,

(B) means for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of a second object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an optical output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions,

(C) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said optical output signal for analyzing said optical output signal and generating an electronic output signal that is indicative of said angular deviation, and

(D) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said electronic output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said first object,

said receiving and comparing means comprising

(B-1) a polarizer arranged to receive and pass at least a portion of the reference signal and to thereby provide said optical output signal.

11. A system in accordance with claim 10 wherein

said electronic output signal generating means comprises

(C-1) light responsive means for transforming said optical output signal into an electronic signal having time spaced first and second signal components that are respectively associated with said first object'"'"'s direction and said reference direction, and

(C-2) means for determining the time spacing of the time spaced first and second signal components and generating said electronic output signal on the basis of such determination.

12. A system for orienting the direction of a first object comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal that includes

a laser light beam with a first signal component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about the axis of propagation of the beam and

a second signal component that is detectable when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined angular direction that constitutes said reference direction, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis,

(B) means for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of a second object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an optical output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions,

(C) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said optical output signal for analyzing said optical output signal and generating an electronic output signal that is indicative of said angular deviation, and

(D) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said electronic output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said first object,

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating said laser light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for interrupting said laser light beam along said propagation axis to provide a shaped light beam with a predetermined image.

13. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for rotating the shaped light beam about said axis of propagation to provide a rotating image therein which constitutes said first signal component.

14. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for rotating the shaped light beam about said axis of propagation to provide a rotating image therein which constitutes said first signal component, and

(A-4) means for generating the second signal component of the reference signal when the rotating image is oriented in said predetermined angular direction.

15. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for rotating the shaped light beam about said axis of propagation to provide a rotating image therein which constitutes said first signal component,

said rotating means comprises

(A-3-a) means supporting the light beam interrupting means and arranged to rotate about said axis of propagation, and

(A-3-b) means for rotatably driving said supporting means.

16. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for rotating the shaped light beam about said axis of propagation to provide a rotating image therein which constitutes said first signal component,

said rotating means comprises

(A-3-a) means supporting the light beam interrupting means and arranged to rotate about said axis of propagation, and

(A-3-b) means for rotatably driving said supporting means, and

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-4) means for generating said second signal component when the rotating image is oriented in said predetermined angular direction.

17. A system in accordance with claim 12 wherein

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for rotating the shaped light beam about said axis of propagation to provide a rotating image therein which constitutes said first signal component,

said rotating means comprises

(A-3-a) means supporting the light beam interrupting means and arranged to rotate about said axis of propagation, and

(A-3-b) means for rotatably driving said supporting means, and

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-4) means for modulating the rotating shaped light beam when the rotating image therein is oriented in said predetermined angular direction to provide said second signal component.

18. A system for orienting the direction of a first object comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal that includes

a laser light beam with a first signal component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about the axis of propagation of the beam and

a second signal component that is detectable when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined angular direction that constitutes said reference direction, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis,

(B) means for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of a second object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an optical output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions,

(C) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said optical output signal for analyzing said optical output signal and generating an electronic output signal that is indicative of said angular deviation, and

(D) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said electronic output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said first object,

said receiving and comparing means comprising

(B-1) means having a light passageway arranged to receive and pass at least a portion of the reference signal and to thereby provide said optical output signal.

19. A system in accordance with claim 18 wherein

said light passageway has a predetermined shape.

20. A system in accordance with claim 18 wherein

said light passageway has a predetermined shape,

said electronic output signal generating means comprises

(C-1) light responsive means for transforming said optical output signal into an electronic signal having time spaced first and second signal components that are respectively associated with said first object'"'"'s direction and said reference direction, and

(C-2) means for determining the time spacing of the time spaced first and second signal components and generating said electronic output signal on the basis of such determination.

21. A system for orienting the direction of a first object comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal that includes

a light beam with a first signal component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about the axis of propagation of the beam and

a second signal component that is detectable when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined angular direction that constitutes said reference direction, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis,

(B) means for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of a second object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an optical output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions,

(C) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said optical output signal for analyzing said optical output signal and generating an electronic output signal that is indicative of said angular deviation, and

(D) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said electronic output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said first object,

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating said light beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for interrupting said light beam along said propagation axis to provide a shaped light beam with a predetermined image.

22. A system for orienting the direction of a first object comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal that includes

a microwave beam with a first signal component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about the axis of propagation of the beam and

a second signal component that is detectable when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined angular direction that constitutes said reference direction, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis,

(B) means for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of a second object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having a first output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions,

(C) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said first output signal for analyzing said first output signal and generating a second output signal that is indicative of said angular deviation, and

(D) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said second output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said first object.

23. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating the microwave beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation.

24. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized microwave beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation.

25. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized microwave beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for rotating the linearly polarized microwave beam about axis of propagation, and

said rotating linearly polarized microwave beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component.

26. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized microwave beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation, and

(A-2) means for rotating the linearly polarized microwave beam about said axis of propagation,

said rotating linearly polarized microwave beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component, and

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for generating the second signal component when the rotating plane of polarization is oriented in said predetermined angular direction.

27. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized microwave beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation,

said linearly polarized microwave beam generating means comprises

(A-1-a) a wave guide, and

(A-1-b) a feed horn coupled to said wave guide,

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-2) means for rotating the linearly polarized microwave beam about said axis of propagation,

said rotating linearly polarized microwave beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component, and

said rotating means comprises

(A-2-a) a wave guide output probe that is rotatably mounted and communicates with said feed horn, and

(A-2-b) means for rotatably driving said output probe.

28. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized microwave beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation,

said linearly polarized microwave beam generating means comprises

(A-1-a) a wave guide, and

(A-1-b) a feed horn coupled to said wave guide,

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-2) means for rotating the linearly polarized microwave beam about said axis of propagation,

said rotating linearly polarized microwave beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component,

said rotating means comprises

(A-2-a) a wave guide output probe that is rotatably mounted and communicates with said feed horn, and

(A-2-b) means for rotatably driving said output probe, and

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for generating the second signal component when the rotating plane of polarization is oriented in said predetermined angular direction.

29. A system in accordance with claim 22 wherein

said reference signal generating means comprises

(A-1) means for generating a linearly polarized microwave beam and propagating it along said axis of propagation,

said linearly polarized microwave beam generating means comprises

(A-1-a) a wave guide, and

(A-1-b) a feed horn coupled to said wave guide,

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-2) means for rotating the linearly polarized microwave beam about said axis of propagation,

said rotating linearly polarized microwave beam has a rotating plane of polarization that constitutes said first signal component,

said reference signal generating means further comprises

(A-3) means for generating the second signal component when the rotating plane of polarization is oriented in the predetermined angular direction, and

said second signal component generating means comprises

(A-3-a) means for generating and propagating a microwave pulse along another axis of propagation.

30. A system for orienting the direction of a first object comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal that includes

a microwave beam with a first signal component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about the axis of propagation of the beam and

a second signal component that is detectable when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined angular direction that constitutes said reference direction, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis,

(B) means for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of a second object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having a first output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions,

(C) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said first output signal for generating a second output signal that is indicative of said angular deviation, and

(D) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said second output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said first object,

said second output signal generating means comprises

(C-1) means for analyzing said first output signal and generating said second output signal.

31. A system in accordance with claim 30 wherein

said analyzing and generating means comprises

(C-1-a) a heterodyne system for analyzing said first output signal and generating a third output signal that is indicative of said angular deviation, and

(C-1-b) means for processing said third output signal and generating said second output signal.

32. A system in accordance with claim 30 wherein

said analyzing and generating means comprises

(C-1-a) a heterodyne system for analyzing said first output signal and generating a third output signal with time spaced first and second signal components that are respectively associated with said first object'"'"'s direction and said reference direction, and

(C-1-b) means for determining the time spacing of the timed spaced first and second signal components and generating said second output signal on the basis of such determination.

33. A system for use in indicating the directional orientation of a first object comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal with a first signal component and a second signal component comprising

means for generating and propagating a beam of electromagnetic radiation along an axis of propagation therefor, said beam having a component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about said axis and constitutes said first signal component, and

means for periodically generating a signal when the rotating component is oriented in a predetermined direction during its rotating movement about said axis, said periodically generated signal constituting said second signal component and having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis, and said predetermined direction constituting said reference direction, and

(B) means for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of another object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions and thereby indicative of the directional orientation of said first object.

34. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a laser beam of coherent light.

35. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a laser beam of coherent light, and

said periodically generated signal is formed by an interrupted light beam.

36. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a beam of microwave energy.

37. A system is accordance with claim 33 wherein

said periodically generated signal is formed by an interrupted light beam.

38. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a beam of polarized coherent light, and

said periodically generated signal is formed by an interrupted beam of unpolarized coherent light.

39. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a light beam with a rotating image of predetermined shape that constitutes the first signal component.

40. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a beam of coherent light with a rotating image of predetermined shape that constitutes the first signal component.

41. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a beam of coherent light with a rotating image of predetermined shape that constitutes the first signal component, and

said second signal component is formed by an interrupted light beam.

42. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a beam of coherent light with a rotating image of predetermined shape, and

said second signal component is formed by interrupting said beam of coherent light.

43. A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a polarized beam of microwave energy that is propagated along said axis, and

said second signal component is formed by generating and propagating a microwave pulse along an axis of propagation therefore.

44. The method of indicating the directional orientation of a first object comprising

(A) generating a reference direction indicating reference signal by

generating and propagating a beam of electromagnetic radiation along an axis of propagation therefore,

treating the beam to provide a first signal component that rotates about said axis at a uniform angular velocity, and

generating a second signal component when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined direction during its angular movement about the axis of propagation of the beam, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis and thereby to indicate said reference direction, and

(B) receiving said reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of another object that is equated in directional orientation thereto to determine the angular deviation between the compared directions and thereby to indicate the directional orientation of said first object with respect to said reference direction.

45. The method in accordance with claim 44 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation comprises

a laser beam of coherent light,

the beam treatment providing the first signal component comprises

rotating a half-wave plate at a uniform angular velocity about said axis, and

passing the generated laser beam of coherent light through said half-wave plate to provide said first signal component as a light beam with a rotating plane of linearly polarized coherent light that propagates along said axis, and

the generating of said second signal component comprises

generating a pulse of light when said rotating plane of linearly polarized coherent light is oriented in said predetermined direction to thereby provide said second signal component.

46. The method in accordance with claim 44 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation comprises

a laser beam of coherent light,

the beam treatment providing the first signal component comprises

rotating a light mask having an aperture with a predetermined shape at a uniform angular velocity about said axis, and

passing a portion of the generated beam of coherent light through said aperture to provide said first signal component as a light beam with a rotating image of coherent light that propagates along said axis, and

the generating of said second signal comprises

periodically interrupting the beam of coherent light when said rotating image is oriented in said predetermined direction to thereby provide said second signal component.

47. The method in accordance with claim 44 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation comprises

a linearly polarized microwave beam,

the beam treatment providing the first signal component comprises

maintaining a wave guide with a rotatable output probe in communication with a feed horn,

passing the polarized microwave beam to said wave guide, and

rotating said output probe at a uniform angular velocity about the axis of said feed horn to propagate said microwave beam along said axis of propagation and provide said first signal component as a microwave beam with a rotating plane of polarized microwave energy,

the generating of said second signal component comprises

periodically generating a microwave pulse and propagating it along an axis of propagation therefore when said rotating plane of polarized microwave energy is oriented in said predetermined direction to thereby provide said second signal component.

48. The method of generating a reference signal with a reference direction for use as a directional reference in orienting objects comprising

generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation and propagating the beam along an axis of propagation therefore,

treating the beam to provide a first signal component of the reference signal that rotates about said axis at a uniform angular velocity, and

generating and transmitting a second signal component of the reference signal when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined angular direction during its angular movement about the axis, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete rotation of said first signal component about said axis, and said predetermined angular direction constituting said reference direction.

49. A system for orienting the direction of a first object comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal that includes

a beam of electromagnetic radiation with a first signal component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about the axis of propagation of the beam and

a second signal component that is detectable when the first signal component is oriented in a predetermined angular direction that consistutes said reference direction, said second signal component having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis,

(B) means for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with the direction of said first object or with the direction of a second object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having a first output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions,

(C) means operating in dependence upon receipt of said first output signal for analyzing said first output signal and generating a second output signal that is indicative of said angular deviation, and

(D) means operating dependence upon receipt of said second output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said first object.

50. A system for orienting the direction of a visual display appearing on a video display device which is mounted on and moveable with a ground vehicle used in traversing a predetermined area comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal with a first signal component and a second signal component comprising

means for generating and propagating a beam of electromagnetic radiation along an axis of propagation into said predetermined area, said beam having a component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about said axis and constitutes said first signal component, and

means for periodically generating a signal when the rotating component is oriented in a predetermined direction during its rotating movement about said axis, said periodically generated signal being detectable in said predetermined area and constituting said second signal component, said periodically generated signal having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis, and said predetermined direction constituting said reference direction, and

(B) means mounted on the vehicle for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with either the direction of the vehicle or the direction of an object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions, and

(C) means mounted on the vehicle and operating in dependence upon receipt of said output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said visual display.

51. A system in accordance with claim 50 wherein

said vehicle is a self-propelled ground vehicle.

52. A system in accordance with claim 50 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a beam of laser light.

53. A system for orienting the direction of a self-propelled vehicle that has a steering system and is used in traversing a predetermined area comprising

(A) means for generating a reference direction indicating reference signal with a first signal component and a second signal component comprising

means for generating and propagating a beam of electromagnetic radiation along an axis of propagation into said predetermined area, said beam having a component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about said axis and constitutes said first signal component, and

means for periodically generating a signal when the rotating component is oriented in a predetermined direction during its rotating movement about said axis, said periodically generated signal being detectable in said predetermined area and consitituting said second signal component, said periodically generated signal having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis, and said predetermined direction constituting said reference direction, and

(B) means mounted on the vehicle for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with either the direction of the vehicle or the direction of an object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions, and

(C) means mounted on the vehicle and operating in dependence upon receipt of said output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said vehicle, said vehicle direction controlling means including said steering system.

54. A system in accordance with claim 53 wherein

said vehicle is a self-propelled ground vehicle.

55. A system in accordance with claim 53 wherein

said beam of electromagnetic radiation is a beam of microwave energy.

56. A system for orienting the direction of a visual display appearing on a video display device which is mounted on and moveable with a ground vehicle used in traversing a predetermined area comprising

(A) means for generating a reference signal with a detectable reference direction,

(B) means for passing the reference signal into said predetermined area,

(C) means mounted on the vehicle for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with either the direction of the vehicle or the direction of an object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions, and

(C) means mounted on the vehicle and operating in dependence upon receipt of said output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said visual display.

57. The system in accordance with claim 56 wherein

said reference signal generating means has first and second signal components and comprises

means for generating and propagating a beam of electromagnetic radiation along an axis of propagation, said beam having a component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about said axis and constitutes the first signal component, and

means for periodically generating a signal when the rotating component is oriented in a predetermined direction during its rotating movement about said axis, said periodically generated signal being detectable in said predetermined area and constituting said second signal component, said periodically generated signal having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis, and said predetermined direction constituting said reference direction.

58. A system for orienting the direction of a vehicle used in traversing a predetermined area comprising

(A) means for generating a reference signal with a detectable reference direction,

(B) means for passing the reference signal into said predetermined area,

(C) means mounted on the vehicle for receiving the reference signal and comparing said reference direction with either the direction of the vehicle or the direction of an object that is equated in directional orientation thereto, said reference signal receiving and comparing means having an output signal that is indicative of the angular deviation between the compared directions, and

(D) means mounted on the vehicle and operating in dependence upon receipt of said output signal for controlling the directional orientation of said vehicle.

59. The system in accordance with claim 58 wherein

said reference signal generating means has first and second signal components and comprises

means for generating and propagating a beam of electromagnetic radiation along an axis of propagation, said beam having a component that rotates at a uniform angular velocity about said axis and constitutes the first signal component, and

means for periodically generating a signal when the rotating component is oriented in a predetermined direction during its rotating movement about said axis, said periodically generated signal being detectable in said predetermined area and constituting said second signal component, said periodically generated signal having a time duration that is small in comparison to the time required for a complete revolution of said first signal component about said axis, and said predetermined direction constituting said reference direction.