Abstract: A vehicle-to-vehicle distance detecting apparatus for use in tracing a preceding vehicle is disclosed in which the driver is able to set a vehicle tracing window on a displayed picture image of the preceding vehicle in an easy manner while driving the vehicle. Even if there are a plurality of preceding vehicles, the driver is able to easily identify a particular one of them which his or her vehicle is tracing for measuring the distance therebetween. The apparatus is also able to automatically monitor objects ahead of a vehicle and warn the driver of a possible danger of collision with an obstacle when no instruction is given by the driver for setting an image-tracing window for tracing a preceding vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus is arranged wherein a signal device is positioned in a confronting relationship for visual observation by a vehicle within a primary roadway adjacent to a secondary roadway, wherein the signal device is operative upon breaking of a photo-cell being directed orthogonally across the primary roadway adjacent a secondary roadway. The signal device is defined as a visual alert member and may optionally be formed to include a visual and audible device rotatably mounted for actuation upon breaking of a photo-cell signal directed across a secondary roadway relative to the primary roadway, wherein the visual signal is arranged to include alternating opaque and translucent faces to effect a flickering and enhanced visual alert to an operator of a vehicle in the primary roadway, as well as positioning of a signal device for observation by an operator of the device of the vehicle in a secondary roadway.

Abstract: A toll paying system for use with a vehicle passing through a fast lane, having a toll booth. The toll paying system comprises detection means, class determining means, a wallboard, and a vehicle having both a first processor and a transmitter; a toll booth having antenna means, a receiver, a second processor, and camera means. The detection means may be embodied as a plurality of light beams traversing the fast lane with a plurality of light beam detectors. The light beam detectors generate a detection signal in response to a vehicle crossing the light beams. In general, the detection means generates a detection signal in response to detecting the presence of the vehicle in the fast lane. The class determining means may be embodied as an apparatus which determines the class of vehicle passing through the fast lane. The class of vehicle may be a car, truck, or any other type of class desirable for classifying vehicles passing through the toll paying system.

Abstract: A method for identifying an object in motion, in particular a vehicle, includes several steps whenever the object is moving inside a predetermined identification zone following a predetermined movement axis. The steps are periodically acquiring images of the object in a predetermined field of view, checking the nature of the image background in the field of view to obtain background reference information in the absence of the object, and processing the images acquired in combination with the background reference information in order to extract therefrom a silhouette of the object having crossed the field of view. Systems for implementing the method are also disclosed. The invention may be used, in particular, with highway toll booths and for any other application demanding an identification of vehicles.

Abstract: A traffic monitoring system comprising apparatus for establishing a pair of precisely spaced radiation beams in association with a thoroughfare, whereby passage of a vehicle along the thoroughfare interrupts the radiation beams, apparatus for sending interruption of the radiation beams and providing output indications of vehicle speed and separation between adjacent vehicles (headway) and apparatus for photographing vehicles fulfilling predetermined criteria including photography trigger apparatus which is responsive to the sensed vehicle speed of the vehicle being photographed for providing a consistently positioned photographic record of the vehicle, irrespective of vehicle speed.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the video intercommunication between a drive-through customer at the outdoor ordering station and the indoor order-taking clerk at the order processing station of a fast food restaurant. A first video camera is located at the food ordering station and positioned to electronically capture video images of an auto-borne customer while placing a food order. A second video camera is located at the order-taking station and positioned to electronically capture video images of the order-processing clerk. A first video monitor is located at the order-taking station for displaying the video images of the customer and a second video monitor is located at the food ordering station for displaying the video images of the order-processing clerk. A computerized cash register with food order and cash display is located at the order-taking station.

Abstract: A remote monitoring system for a multi-position loading dock facility having a vehicle restraint lock at each loading/unloading position is disclosed. The monitoring system includes a data processor, and a keyboard and monitor associated therewith, which may be coupled to lock sensing switches and other signalling devices at each loading/unloading position. The data processor, supplied with the developed signals corresponding to the condition of a truck at each loading/unloading position, is operable to continually process these signals to allow display and recording of a plurality of types of data.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the distance between one's car and the car ahead, together with the angle between the axes of the two cars. The apparatus has a pair of driving optical systems disposed at a predetermined distance from each other, each driving optical system comprising an optical system having a light projector which projects pulse light having a specific code toward the car which is ahead of the one's car and a light receiver which receives the reflected pulse light from the car ahead, the light projector and receiver being disposed in so close proximity to each other that the respective optical axes can be considered to be on substantially the same axis, and a driving system for adjusting the angle of projection of the light projector on the basis of a signal from the light receiver.

Abstract: An audible warning tone and a flashing optical signal are generated by a personal portable signalling apparatus when it detects the approach of a lighted moving vehicle. The flashing optical signal also alerts the operator of the moving vehicle of the presence of the user of the personal portable signalling apparatus. A housing is provided to optically isolate the receiving and transmitting portions of the optical apparatus.

Abstract: An extremely reliable, easily portable perimeter alarm system. It is comprised of a light beam controlled radio transmitter and personal warning devices capable of individually warning preoccupied highway workers of the imminent danger present when an errant vehicle violates the established perimeter of a work site. This warning will allow the workers to take evasive action and potentially avoid injury and/or death. It is also the object of this invention to allow for an extremely reliable, easily portable perimeter penetration alarm system that can be utilized in other appropriate settings by security guards, military personnel, etc., and which would provide for confidential notification to such personnel that a temporarily established portable perimeter line had been violated.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle detection system within a toll collecting system has a scanning laser unit positioned on one side of a roadway, a vertical photoelectric detector on the opposite side of the roadway and a treadle extending across the roadway. The laser beam scans the height of the detector at regular intervals, and the detector produces a first signal indicative of a vertical dimension of an object (car or truck) intercepting the laser beam. The treadle detects each set of wheels and produces a second signal indicative of a horizontal length of the object. A control circuit uses the first and second signals to generate a count of the number of objects and to categorize each object as one of a plurality of known vehicles.

Abstract: A lighting peg having a solar cell and a battery installed in a casing including a number of sensors each including a photoelectric conversion element mounted on a side surface of the casing, a differential circuit provided on the subsequent stage of the conversion element, and a comparator which delivers a high level output when the output of the differential circuit exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A detector system for detecting overheight vehicles in a drive through restaurant is employed to prevent damage to an overhanging roof or canopy by signalling both the vehicle driver and a restaurant attendant simultaneously when an overheight vehicle is detected prior to reaching the overhanging roof or canopy.

Abstract: In a lighting peg with a variable pulsation rate including a square outer casing provided with a solar cell and a battery and adapted to be installed at an intersection of two roads, light emitting diodes and a photoelectric conversion element are provided on each side surface of the square outer casing. An ambient light sensor for detecting ambient light and a pulse signal generating circuit for generating pulse signals are further provided together with vehicle sensors, each including the photoelectric conversion element, a differential circuit and a comparator.

Abstract: A security device for monitoring unmanned vehicles within an area, the device comprising at least two oppositely directed light barriers associated with the area. Each light barrier includes a light emitter, a reflector, and a light receiver. The light barriers are disposed such that their light-beams are interrupted by the vehicles entering the area. Reflectors are arranged laterally on authorized vehicles, thereby making them undetectable by the security device. Another embodiment uses the light barriers attacted to the vehicle such that unauthorized objects will cause the vehicle to stop.

Abstract: The position indicating device is employed to assist in parking and otherwise positioning a vehicle on a supporting surface. A photoelectric control unit is mounted on an overhead structure spaced above the supporting surface and has a beam emitting device for directing a light beam downwardly for interception by the vehicle, while minimizing the likelihood of interception by pedestrians, pet animals and other moving things. The light beam is initially reflected back to a photoelectric transducer on the control unit by a reflective device or mirror. The light beam is pulsed so that the transducer supplies electrical pulses to an amplifier which is correspondingly gated. When the light beam is interrupted by the vehicle, the amplifier produces a beam interruption output signal which causes a one-shot timer to energize an alarm device, through an output relay. The operator then stops the vehicle in the desired position. The one-shot timer de-energizes the alarm device after a brief interval.

Abstract: A pallet sensing system, for a low lift pallet-type fork truck having load wheels extendible downwardly away from and retractable upwardly toward the forks to raise and lower the forks, is characterized by sensors for detecting proper alignment of the fork load wheels with respect to an opening in a bottom deck of a pallet. Upon the forks being extended into the pallet, the sensors disable lift controls of the truck to prevent the wheels from being extended away from the forks to lift the pallet until the sensors detect that the wheels are aligned for unobstructed passage through the bottom deck opening, whereupon the sensors enable the lift controls. The system prevents the pallet bottom deck from being broken by the wheels should an attempt be made to lift the pallet when the wheels are not positioned to pass freely through the opening, but would instead strike and break the bottom deck.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided for use from an open window of a stationary vehicle. The position of the open window is optically or acoustically sensed and a data input and dispensing component is moved by a carriage mechanism in response to the sensed signals to a position adjacent to the open window. Input of data can also cause the component to be moved between this window position and an at rest position at which material may be collected and/or dispensed.

Abstract: A system for effecting transport over a surface among a plurality of terminals, including at least one transport vehicle movable over the surface, light barriers dividing the surface into a plurality of contiguous elemental zones and sensing the passage of a vehicle across a boundary between two contiguous zones, light signal generators for emitting light signals identifying each zone occupied by a vehicle and identifying the location of each terminal, logic circuitry connected between the barriers and said light signal generators for controlling the light signals identifying each zone in response to passage of a vehicle across a boundary, a photoelectric receiver carried by the vehicle for sensing light signals produced by the light signal generators and producing electrical signals representative of the light signals, and a vehicle movement control circuit carried by the vehicle and connected to receive the electrical signals from the photoelectric receiver for controlling the movement of the vehicle in dep

Abstract: A model railroad crossing bell and flasher employs spaced photocell detectors along the model railroad track. A comparator receives the photocell detector output signals and upon detecting a train shadow provides power to a first oscillator which actuates a pair of light emitting diodes in alternate sequence. Simultaneously, the first oscillator provides power to a second oscillator of a different frequency than the first oscillator. The second oscillator attenuates the first oscillator output signal to create a ringing sound through a loud speaker.

Abstract: Users need to be encouraged to return vehicles such as airport baggage trolleys or supermarket trolleys to a vehicle storage area. The area is equipped with an entrance fitted with a system for dispensing a reward for each vehicle returned to the area. The system comprises detector means (16, 17) for detecting the presence of a vehicle at the entrance to the storage area, control means for determining whether a vehicle has been effectively returned (and not just passed back-and-forth past the detector means), and means (23) for dispensing a reward such as a ticket exchangeable for a benefit of some kind for each returned vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic toll-ticket issuing apparatus includes a vehicle-type identification unit for identifying the type of each oncoming vehicle, a toll-ticket issuing unit installed ahead of the identification unit along the vehicle path, and a vehicle-start detector installed farther ahead of the issuing unit. The toll-ticket issuing unit has a plurality of toll-ticket issuing slots open at different heights, and it holds a stack of new, unused toll tickets. Further, the issuing unit can feed the tickets one by one out of a hopper, and it can record the vehicle-type information, interchange number, and other necessary information on each ticket being fed. The recorded tickets are sequentially transported each to an issuing slot at the height determined in response to the vehicle-type information from the vehicle-type identification unit, and any ticket left unpulled from any issuing slot by any driver can be retrieved in response to vehicle passage information.

Abstract: An optical vehicle detection system comprising camera means for catching the image of a vehicle running in a selected roadway lane to generate an output video signal, inquiring means for inquiring if the output video signal includes a predetermined shadow signal component, and processing means associated with the inquiring means, if the output video signal includes the predetermined shadow signal component, for processing the output video signal as a signal having a component of shadow cast by a vehicle.