US5283622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distance measuring apparatus
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-06-03
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Granted: 1994-02-01
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Expires: 2012-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A distance measuring apparatus installed on a car for measuring the distance of the car from the one in front. The distance measuring apparatus comprises a laser generator for emitting a laser beam, a photosensor for receipt of the laser beam reflected from the car in front, means for calculating the distance between the cars when the photosensor receives the reflected laser beam, and a control unit for controlling an adjustable range of the emitted laser beam according to the calculated distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Ueno
- 👤 Haruhiko Iizuka
- 👤 Junichi Kasai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/93; G01S17/931; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A distance measuring apparatus installed on a car for measuring the distance of the car from the one in front, comprising: a laser generator for emitting a laser beam; means for detecting the laser beam reflected from the car in front; means for calculating the distance between the cars when the photosensor receives the reflected laser beam; and a control unit coupled to the calculator for controlling an adjustable range of the emitted laser beam according to the calculated distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A distance measuring apparatus installed on a car for measuring the distance of the car from the one in front, comprising: a laser generator for emitting a laser beam; means for detecting the laser beam reflected from the car in front; means for calculating the distance between the cars when the photosensor receives the reflected laser beam; and a control unit coupled to the calculator for controlling an adjustable range of the emitted laser beam according to the calculated distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The distance measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit includes means for controlling an angle at which the emitted laser beam diverges to control the adjustable range of the emitted laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The distance measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit includes means for changing the angle in a plurality of stages from a maximum value to a minimum value until the photosensor receives the reflected laser beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The distance measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control unit includes means for setting the angle at a value corresponding to the calculated distance when the calculated distance changes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
The distance measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit includes means for changing the angle with time in a plurality of stage from a maximum value to a minimum value to change the emitted laser beam from a minimum range to a maximum range until the photosensor receives the reflected laser beam, and means for changing the angle with time in a plurality of stage from the maximum value to the minimum value to change the emitted laser beam from the minimum range to a range corresponding to the calculated distance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The distance measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit includes means for changing the angle from a maximum value to a minimum value for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The distance measuring apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit includes means for setting the maximum value at the distance calculated when the photosensor receives the reflected laser beam.
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) | 1997-01-31 | 1997-08-02 | 1998-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-31 | 2001-08-02 | 2002-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-31 | 2005-08-02 | 2006-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |