US3749918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for determining when the size of an obstacle in the path of a vehicle is greater than a predetermined minimum
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-05-17
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1992-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for determinng when the size of an obstacle in the path of a vehicle is greater than a predetermined minimum including a plurality of narrow angle photosensitive detectors and laser emitters. The photosensitive detectors and laser emitters are displaced geometrically to generate a unique sensing zone for each photosensitive detector, the sensing zones being spaced one from another such that the distances there-between are representative of an obstacle of interest when the obstacle spans a predetermined number of sensing zones. The outputs of the photosensitive detectors are monitored and when the obstacle spans the predetermined number of sensing zones, an output is generated to provide an indication that the size of the obstacle is greater than the predetermined minimum.
Inventors
- 👤 T Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/93; G01S17/931; G01S13/00; G01S13/86; G01S13/865; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for providing an indication when the size of an obstacle in a specified area in the path of a vehicle is greater than a predetermined minimum comprising a plurality of linearly spaced narrow angle photosensitive detectors, each of said photosensitive detectors having a unique sensing corridor extending through the area in the path of the vehicle and being spaced apart so that an obstacle having a size greater than the predetermined minimum intersects at least a predetermined number n of the sensing corridors when within the specified area; light generating means for illuminating the specified area to create a unique sensing zone in the sensing corridor of each photosensitive detector within which an obstacle reflects light from the light generating means to the photosensitive detector; and a plurality of gate means respectively coupled to all of The combinations of n adjacent photosensitive detectors, each of said gate means generating an output signal when an obstacle reflects light to all of the photosensitive detectors in the combination of n adjacent photosensitive detectors associated therewith, the output signal being an indication that the size of the object is greater than the predetermined minimum.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for providing an indication when the size of an obstacle in a specified area in the path of a vehicle is greater than a predetermined minimum comprising a plurality of linearly spaced narrow angle photosensitive detectors, each of said photosensitive detectors having a unique sensing corridor extending through the area in the path of the vehicle and being spaced apart so that an obstacle having a size greater than the predetermined minimum intersects at least a predetermined number n of the sensing corridors when within the specified area; light generating means for illuminating the specified area to create a unique sensing zone in the sensing corridor of each photosensitive detector within which an obstacle reflects light from the light generating means to the photosensitive detector; and a plurality of gate means respectively coupled to all of The combinations of n adjacent photosensitive detectors, each of said gate means generating an output signal when an obstacle reflects light to all of the photosensitive detectors in the combination of n adjacent photosensitive detectors associated therewith, the output signal being an indication that the size of the object is greater than the predetermined minimum.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for providing an indication when the size of an obstacle in a specified area in the path of a vehicle is greater than a predetermined minimum comprising a plurality of linearly spaced narrow angle photosensitive detectors, each of said photosensitive detectors having a unique sensing corridor extending through the area in the path of the vehicle and being spaced apart so that an obstacle having a size greater than the predetermined minimum intersects at least a predetermined number n of the sensing corridors when within the specified area; light generating means responsive to an energizing pulse applied thereto for illuminating the specified area to create a unique sensing zone in the sensing corridor of each photosensitive detector within which an obstacle reflects light from the light generating means to the photosensitive detector; a plurality of bistable means respectively coupled to the photosensitive detectors, each of the bistable means being shiftable between first and second states and being responsive to the photosensitive detector associated therewith for shifting to the first state when said photosensitive detector detects light reflected from an object; a plurality of gate means respectively coupled to all of the combinations of n bistable means associated with n adjacent photosensitive detectors, each of said gate means generating an output signal when the bistable means associated therewith are in the first state; and clocking means for cyclically shifting all the bistable means to the second state and supplying an energizing pulse to the light generating means, whereby an output signal is generated by at least one gate means when the size of an obstacle in the specified area in the path of the vehicle is greater than the predetermined minimum.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for providing an indication when the size of an obstacle in a specified area in the path of a vehicle is greater than a predetermined minimum comprising a plurality of linearly spaced narrow angle photosensitive detectors, each of said photosensitive detectors having a unique sensing corridor extending through the area in the path of the vehicle and being spaced apart so that an obstacle having a size greater than the predetermined minimum intersects at least a predetermined number n of the sensing corridors when within the specified area; light generating means responsive to an energizing pulse applied thereto for illuminating the specified area to create a unique sensing zone in the sensing corridor of each photosensitive detector within which an obstacle reflects light from the light generating means to the photosensitive detector; a plurality of bistable means respectively coupled to the photosensitive detectors, each of the bistable means being shiftable between first and second states and being responsive to the photosensitive detector associated therewith for shifting to the first state when said photosensitive detector detects light reflected from an object; a plurality of gate means respectively coupled to all of the combinations of n bistable means associated with n adjacent photosensitive detectors, each of said gate means generating an output signal when the bistable means associated therewith are in the first state; and clocking means for cyclically shifting all the bistable means to the second state and supplying an energizing pulse to the light generating means, whereby an output signal is generated by at least one gate means when the size of an obstacle in the specified area in the path of the vehicle is greater than the predetermined minimum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |