Patent ID: 8212660
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: B60Q,G01S,G08G,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A collision avoidance system for use with vehicles, comprising: (a) at least one sensor mounted on a vehicle, wherein the sensor is operative to measure the overhead distance between an obstacle above the vehicle and the sensor itself, (b) at least one processor in electrical communication with the sensor, wherein the processor is accessible by an operator of the vehicle; (c) means for determining a reference height, wherein the reference height is the height above ground level at which the sensor is mounted on the vehicle, and wherein the reference height is entered into the processor; (d) means for determining the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level, wherein the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level is entered into the processor; and (e) wherein the processor adds the reference height to the overhead distance between the obstacle and the sensor to calculate a measured height of the overhead obstacle, and wherein the processor produces an alarm if the measured height of the overhead obstacle is less than the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level.