Intelligent vehicle highway system sensor and method

• Main Authors: WANGLER; RICHARD J, GUSTAVSON; ROBERT L, MCCONNELL, II; ROBERT E, FOWLER; KEITH L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.04.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUSPLANTS; CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; FISHING; FORESTRY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION ORRERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; SIGNALLING; TESTING; TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS; TRAPPING

A sensor using laser range imaging technology is adapted for determining a three-dimensional profile of a vehicle passing the sensor for use in Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems. A continuously pulsed laser beam scanned across a detection area determines the presence of a vehicle. Range, angle and time date for a vehicle passing the sensor are collected and stored for use in determining its three-dimensional profile. Forward and backward beams are directed for scanning across the detection area. 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 angle data with associated range measurements.