US6081187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle position detection system
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1997-08-28
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Granted: 2000-06-27
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Expires: 2017-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A system which accurately detects a position of a vehicle on a road regardless of weather is disclosed. Radio wave reflecting bodies are placed on a road, and transmitter-receiver which can transmit and receive radio waves of wavelength is longer than a millimeter are placed on a vehicle. Based on a ratio of reception strength of the transmitter-receiver in the right and left of the vehicle, a displacement of the vehicle relative to the radio wave reflecting body is detected. The radio wave reflecting bodies have apertures or notches in a predetermined interval so that the radio wave signals reflected thereby has periodicity, and can be distinguished from other objects on the road.
Inventors
- 👤 Eisaku Akutsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:19
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/02; G05D1/021; G05D1/0259; G05D1/0263; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/87; G01S13/878; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; G01S2013/9318; G01S2013/932; G01S2013/9329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for detecting position of a vehicle relative to a lane on a road surface, the system comprising: transmission means for transmitting to a road surface a radio wave with a wavelength longer than one millimeter; reception means for receiving the radio wave transmitted from the transmission means and reflected by radio wave reflecting means installed on a single path substantially centered in the lane, wherein the transmission means and the reception means are installed on the vehicle in transmission/reception pairs located transversely on right and left sides of the vehicle; and detection means for detecting a position of the vehicle relative to the radio wave reflecting means based on a ratio of reception strength of the radio wave received by the reception means on right and left sides of the vehicle, wherein the pairs of the transmission means and the reception means transmit and receive in an alternating manner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for detecting position of a vehicle relative to a lane on a road surface, the system comprising: transmission means for transmitting to a road surface a radio wave with a wavelength longer than one millimeter; reception means for receiving the radio wave transmitted from the transmission means and reflected by radio wave reflecting means installed on a single path substantially centered in the lane, wherein the transmission means and the reception means are installed on the vehicle in transmission/reception pairs located transversely on right and left sides of the vehicle; and detection means for detecting a position of the vehicle relative to the radio wave reflecting means based on a ratio of reception strength of the radio wave received by the reception means on right and left sides of the vehicle, wherein the pairs of the transmission means and the reception means transmit and receive in an alternating manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 1 in which the transmission means transmit in a predetermined discontinuous pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 2 in which the predetermined discontinuous pattern is based on random numbers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1 in which the transmission means transmit a plurality of radio waves of different frequencies.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
149 words
A system for detecting position of a vehicle relative to a lane on a road surface, the system comprising: transmission means for transmitting to a road surface a radio wave with a wavelength longer than one millimeter; reception means for receiving the radio wave transmitted from the transmission means and reflected by radio wave reflecting means installed on a single path substantially centered in the lane, wherein a plurality of beams from or to at least either the transmission means or the reception means exist in the transverse direction of the vehicle; and detection means for detecting a position of the vehicle relative to the radio wave reflecting means based on a ratio of reception strength of the radio wave received by the reception means on right and left sides of the vehicle, wherein the transmission or reception of the plurality of beams is executed in an alternating pattern.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
149 words
A system for detecting position of a vehicle relative to a lane on a road surface, the system comprising: transmission means for transmitting to a road surface a radio wave with a wavelength longer than one millimeter; reception means for receiving the radio wave transmitted from the transmission means and reflected by radio wave reflecting means installed on a single path substantially centered in the lane, wherein a plurality of beams from or to at least either the transmission means or the reception means exist in the transverse direction of the vehicle; and detection means for detecting a position of the vehicle relative to the radio wave reflecting means based on a ratio of reception strength of the radio wave received by the reception means on right and left sides of the vehicle, wherein the transmission or reception of the plurality of beams is executed in an alternating pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 5 in which the transmission means transmit in a predetermined discontinuous pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 6 in which the predetermined discontinuous pattern is based on random numbers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 5 in which the transmission means transmit a plurality of radio waves of different frequencies.
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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) | 2003-06-27 | 2003-12-27 | 2004-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-27 | 2007-12-27 | 2008-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-27 | 2011-12-27 | 2012-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |