Laser device for guiding a vehicle

• US 6,772,525 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald E. Newcomer
• Original Assignee: Ronald E. Newcomer
• Inventors: Newcomer, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US10/320,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20040111901A1
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 332/86, 332/64, 332/76
• US Class Current: 33/286
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00

Abstract

A method and system for guiding a vehicle through a tunnel or other space. A linear beam of light is projected along a certain path through the space. As the vehicle travels into the space, the linear beam is shined upon the vehicle. Visually aligning an indicator on the vehicle with the linear beam of light indicates to the driver that the vehicle is traveling directly down the center of the path. The alignment occurs by the driver making manual adjustments of the vehicle'"'"'s direction by turning wheels of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for guiding a vehicle along a roadway, comprising:

projecting a linear beam of light from at least one light source along a path on the roadway; and

aligning an indicator on the vehicle with the linear beam of light to indicate the vehicle is traveling along the path.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein projecting a linear beam of light includes mounting several light sources to generate the linear beam of light.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein projecting the linear beam of light includes blocking a portion of the linear beam of light with guard devices.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein projecting the linear beam of light includes blocking a portion of the linear beam of light with a guard device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the path is a lane of traffic in a highway.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the lane of traffic is located in a tunnel.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a rotating laser projects the linear beam of light.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the rotating laser sweeps the beam across an arc starting from about 5°

downstream of a downward line perpendicular to the respective rotating laser to at most about 60°

downstream of the downward line perpendicular to the respective rotating laser.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of aligning includes changing directions of the vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of aligning includes a driver within the vehicle:

viewing the location of the linear beam of light and the indicator, and

manually turning the vehicle until the linear beam of light projects on the indicator.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of aligning includes a driver within the vehicle visually aligning the vehicle so the linear beam of light is projected onto the indicator.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is within the field of view of a driver for the vehicle.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is mounted on a ceiling above the path.

14. A system for guiding a vehicle traveling through a space, comprising:

an indicator on the vehicle; and

at least one light source mounted to a surface above the path to project a linear beam of light downwardly along the path through the space, the beam being projected both in front of and on the vehicle;

wherein when the indicator is aligned with the beam of light, the vehicle is traveling along the path.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one light source comprises several individual light sources.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein each light source has a guard to block a portion of the linear beam of light.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one light source has a guard to block a portion of the linear beam of light.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein the system is located within a tunnel.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the at least one light source is mounted on a ceiling of the tunnel.

20. The system according to claim 14, wherein the path is a lane of traffic in a highway.

21. The system according to claim 14, wherein the system is located to project along a lane beside a toll booth.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein the at least one light source is mounted on an overhead structure of the toll booth.

23. The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one light source comprises a rotating laser.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein each at least one light source is for sweeping the beam across an arc starting from about 5°

downstream of an imaginary downward line perpendicular to the respective light source to at most about 60°

downstream of the imaginary downward line perpendicular to the respective light source.

25. The system according to claim 14, wherein the indicator is aligned with the linear beam of light when the linear beam of light projects onto the indicator.

26. The system according to claim 14, wherein the indicator and light source are located such that the indicator is visually alignable by a driver of the vehicle with the linear beam of light.

27. The system according to claim 14, wherein the indicator is within the field of view of a driver within the vehicle.

28. The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one light source is mounted on a ceiling above the path.