The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 27, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 20, 1999
Michinaga Nagura, Kariya, JP;
Denso Corporation, Aichi-ken, JP;
Abstract
A class of a vehicle (VHC) is judged from distance data obtained by scanning on a lane with at least a laser beam in the longitudinal direction LD of the lane, wherein the scanning line may be inclined. Distance data may be further obtained in the width direction to provide more accurate judgement. The LD measurement unit may be swinged with the VHC position in the width direction. The outline of the VHC is detected by obtaining characteristic points from the distance data. The number of axles may be detected by slantwise scanning from an upper right or left position above the lane. Successive partial distance images with offsets can be combined to provide combined outline of the VHC to detect the class. A communication (COMM) unit may be provided to receive ID data, class data of VHC, owner data from the removable VHC COMM unit mounted on the VHC. Correspondence between the VHC COMM unit and the VHC is judged when the start timing of COMM with the COMM unit agrees with a timing predicted from the front shield glass position from the detected shape of the VHC and the speed. Unrighteous travelling is judged when the judged class disagrees with the class data from the COMM unit. A toll system for requesting the toll determined according to the determined class is also disclosed.