Intelligent vehicle highway system sensor and method
US5546188A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S7/497
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An object sensor and method using pulsed laser range imaging technology is adapted for determining the velocity and three dimensional profile of a vehicle passing the sensor for classifying the type of vehicle for use in Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems. A pair of scanned laser beams are provided by splitting a continuously pulsed laser beam from a transmitter and an optical receiver determines the presence of a vehicle in a predetermined zone such as a highway weigh station or toll booth. Range, angle and time data are collected and stored for use in determining the speed of the vehicle passing the sensor and its three dimensional profile. Forward and backward scanned beams are provided using alternate embodiments of a rotating mirror and using two transmitters/receivers in another embodiment. The pulsed energy is sent into the two divergent beams, which are received as reflective energy in a receiver. The receiver accepts reflections from the beams and provides inputs for purposes of determining time of flight, and for measuring the time interval between interceptions of the two divergent beams for a given vehicle. An encoder tracks the position of the mirror for providing ang…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.