Patent ID: 7899618
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: G05B,G05D

Abstract:
1. A method of guiding a vehicle, comprising the steps of: determining a sequence of directions in which to sequentially point a laser beam to delineate a curvilinear guidepath; sequentially projecting the laser beam in the sequence of directions to delineate the curvilinear guidepath; sensing a position where the laser beam strikes a laser sensor; receiving a signal from the laser sensor, the signal being representative of the position where the laser beam strikes the laser sensor; interpreting the signal; generating a control signal in response to the position where the laser beam strikes the laser sensor being greater than a predetermined distance from a predetermined reference position relative to the laser sensor, the control signal being configured to control the vehicle to track the position of the laser beam; and sending the control signal to a drive actuator.