Patent ID: 7908041
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A self-leveling laser horizon device for navigational guidance comprising: a housing that is adapted to removably engage a substrate of a vehicle and having a power supply defined therein; a sensor unit having a platform, at least one actuator to move said platform and at least one sensor to sense the orientation of said platform relative to the Earth's gravitational vector, and at least one local sensor that is operatively disposed on said housing to sense the orientation of said platform relative to a portion of said housing; a processing unit that is operatively connected to said sensor unit, said processing unit having a receiver to receive a signals from said sensor and said local sensor, a processor to process signals from said sensor unit at a predetermined refresh rate utilizing a compensation factor to substantially eliminate an observed gravity vector perceived by said sensor unit during movement of the vehicle, a transmitter to deliver signals to said actuator to level said platform in a manner that is substantially perpendicular to the Earth's gravitational vector and an output link to deliver an output signal to a secondary device that displays data contained within said output signal in a manner that is humanly understandable; and a display unit operatively engaged to said processing unit and adapted to provide a humanly perceptible indicator of an artificial horizon across a portion of an instrument panel of the vehicle and having a control member to control said humanly perceptible indicator; wherein said humanly perceptible indicator is a light line that corresponds to the substantially perpendicular orientation of said platform relative to Earth's gravitation vector on said housing and wherein said sensor unit, processing unit and display unit are operatively disposed within said housing so as to provide a portable artificial horizon device for use within a vehicle.