Laser guided vehicle positioning system and method

• US 5,285,205 A
• Filed: 07/16/1990
• Issued: 02/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: White, Bernard H.
• Original Assignee: White, Bernard H.
• Inventors: White, Bernard H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US07/553,185
• Time in Patent Office: 1,303 Days
• Field of Search: 340/958, 340/932.2, 340/933, 340/942, 340/943, 340/903, 340/435, 340/436, 342/23, 342/54, 455/609, 356/399, 356/401, 356/397, 356/398, 116/28 R, 33/264, 33/286, 353/11
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/48 for parking purposes

Abstract

A vehicle guidance and positioning system utilizing a laser, the emitted beam from which is directed over the path along which a vehicle is to be guided. The laser beam impinges on a target area located on the vehicle in such a manner that the impingement of the laser beam on the target is continuously observable by the vehicle'"'"'s operator. The operator steers the vehicle so that the laser beam continuously impinges on the target area until the vehicle reaches a preselected position in a confined space such a garage, a drive-through service lane, a loading dock and the like.

Claims

1. A guidance and positioning system for use in guiding a vehicle having a windshield to a selected position in a confined space which system comprises:

(a) a laser capable of emitting a beam of light in the visible light spectrum when in operation, said laser mounted on a stationary support located apart from said vehicle such that, when said laser is in operation, said laser beam is directed between about 1° and

about 25°

downwardly from a path parallel to the surface over which said vehicle is guided; and

(b) target means on the windshield of said vehicle upon which said laser beam impinges when said laser is in operation and said vehicle is positioned to enter said confined space, wherein said target means is located on said windshield such that (1) said beam continuously impinges on said target means for a period of time from just before said vehicle enters said confined space until said vehicle reaches said selected position and (2) the continuous impingement of said beam is observable by the operator of said vehicle during said period of time.

2. A system as defined by claim 1 further comprising means associated with said laser capable of adjusting the position of said laser beam in selected horizontal and vertical directions.

3. A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said laser beam moves up or down on said target during said continuous impingement.

4. A system as defined by claim 1 further comprising means for turning said laser on and off.

5. A system as defined by claim 1 further comprising optical means for focusing said laser beam.

6. A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a van.

7. A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said vehicle is an airplane.

8. A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said confined space is a garage.

9. A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said confined space is a drive-through service lane.

10. A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an automobile, a boat and a truck.

11. A method for guiding a vehicle having a windshield to a selected position in a confined space which method comprises:

(a) directing a laser beam from a stationary source between about 1° and

about 25°

downwardly from a path parallel to the surface over which said vehicle is to be guided such that said laser beam continuously impinges on a target area located on said windshield for a period of time from just before said vehicle enters said confined space until said vehicle reaches said selected position; and

(b) steering said vehicle along said surface by maintaining the impingement of said laser beam on said target area until said vehicle arrives at said selected position.

12. A method as defined by claim 11 wherein the direction of said laser beam is adjusted before said beam impinges upon said target area.

13. A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said laser beam moves up or down on said target area to a predetermined point indicative of said selected position.

14. A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said laser beam is focused by the use of optical means.

15. A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said laser beam is a split laser beam.

16. A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said vehicle is an automobile.

17. A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a van, a boat, a truck and an airplane.

18. A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said confined space is a garage.

19. A guidance and positioning system for use in guiding a vehicle to a selected position in a confined space which system comprises:

(a) a laser capable of emitting a beam of light in the visible light spectrum when in operation, said laser mounted on a support located ahead of said vehicle such that, when said laser is in operation, said laser beam is directed between about 1° and

about 25°

downwardly from a path parallel to the surface over which said vehicle is guided; and

(b) target means on said vehicle upon which said laser beam impinges when said laser is in operation and said vehicle is positioned to enter said confined space, wherein said target means is located on said vehicle such that (1) said beam continuously impinges on said target means for a period of time from just before said vehicle enters said confined space until said vehicle reaches said selected position and (2) the continuous impingement of said beam is observable by the operator of said vehicle during said period of time.

20. A system as defined by claim 19 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an automobile, a van, an airplane, a boat and a truck.

21. A system as defined by claim 20 wherein said vehicle has a windshield and said target means is located on said windshield.

22. A system as defined by claim 19 wherein said confined space is a garage.

23. A method for guiding a vehicle to a selected position in a confined space which method comprises:

(a) directing a laser beam from a position in front of said vehicle between about 1° and

about 25°

downwardly from a path parallel to the surface over which said vehicle is to be guided such that said laser beam continuously impinges on a target area located on said vehicle for a period of time from just before said vehicle enters said confined space until said vehicle reaches said selected position; and

(b) steering said vehicle along said surface by maintaining the impingement of said laser beam on said target area until said vehicle arrives at said selected position.

24. A method as defined by claim 23 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an automobile, a van, a boat, an airplane and a truck.

25. A method as defined by claim 23 wherein said vehicle has a windshield and said target means is located on said windshield.