Patent ID: 6252497
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An alignment indicating system for coupling a towed unit to a towing unit comprising:a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source being attached to the towing unit;at least one sensor adapted to be attached to the towing unit for receiving ambient light and for generating a first output signal representing a sensed ambient light level, and for receiving a light beam transmitted from the towed unit and for generating a second output signal representing the intensity of the received light beam;a processing circuit for receiving the first and second output signals and generating an indicator signal; andan indicator responsive to the indicator signal for notifying the user whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit,wherein said processing circuit computes a threshold level of light from the first output signal, compares the level of the second output signal with the threshold level, and generates the indicator signal when the level of the second output signal reaches the threshold level to signify whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit.