Patent ID: 7451030
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: A01B,G01S,G05D

Abstract:
1. A method for guiding a vehicle along a series of paths, comprising the steps of: a. causing the vehicle to traverse a first path of varying curvature; b. providing positional information about the location of the vehicle at multiple locations along the first path of varying curvature; c. calculating proposed subsequent paths of varying curvature based on the positional information, including possible alternative paths, using piecewise perpendicular offsets at each of the multiple locations along the first path to compute the subsequent paths of varying curvature including the alternative paths, each offset extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a local tangent to the first path at the associated one of the multiple locations; d. displaying the proposed subsequent paths including the alternative paths; and e. receiving user input to select at least one of the alternative paths as a second path.