US5285205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser guided vehicle positioning system and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-07-16
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Granted: 1994-02-08
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Expires: 2010-07-16
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard H. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said laser beam moves up or down on said target during said continuous impingement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as defined by claim 1 further comprising means for turning said laser on and off.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined by claim 1 further comprising optical means for focusing said laser beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a van.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said vehicle is an airplane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said confined space is a garage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said confined space is a drive-through service lane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an automobile, a boat and a truck.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
115 words
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.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
115 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined by claim 11 wherein the direction of said laser beam is adjusted before said beam impinges upon said target area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said laser beam is focused by the use of optical means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said laser beam is a split laser beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said vehicle is an automobile.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as defined by claim 11 wherein said confined space is a garage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
175 words
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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
175 words
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.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined by claim 20 wherein said vehicle has a windshield and said target means is located on said windshield.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as defined by claim 19 wherein said confined space is a garage.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
116 words
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.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
116 words
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.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined by claim 23 wherein said vehicle has a windshield and said target means is located on said windshield.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-07 | 1997-08-09 | 1998-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-08-09 | 2002-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-07 | 2005-08-09 | 2006-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |