Abstract:
A laser guided parking assistance device and methods of operation are disclosed. An example laser guided parking assistance device includes a tilt switch to detect a vertical orientation of a horizontal orientation. The laser guided parking assistance device also includes a laser to emit a laser light beam in response to the tilt switch detecting the horizontal orientation. In an example, a laser guided parking assistance device is configured as a circuit including a battery power source, a laser diode connected in series with the battery power source, and a first tilt switch connected between the battery power source and the laser diode. The tilt switch opens in a vertical position to cut electrical power from the battery power source to the laser diode The first tilt switch closes in a horizontal position to connect electrical power from the battery power source to the laser diode.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/196,965 filed Jul. 25, 2015 for “Laser Guided Parking Assistance Device,” of Jiang Lu and Fangqin Liu, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In most residential garages, the parking area is tight. Vehicles have to be parked at the correct position inside of the garage to leave enough area in front and back of the vehicle to enable the driver and/or passengers to enter and exit the vehicle. Various parking guides are commercially available for assisting a driver to park a vehicle inside a garage at the desired position. 
         [0003]    An example is a laser mounted to the ceiling of the garage which casts a laser light dot onto the dashboard of a vehicle as a position reference for assisting the driver to park the vehicle at a desired position. Typically, a motion detector (e.g., detecting motion of the vehicle, or the garage door) is used to trigger operation of the laser. Alternately, the operation of the laser may be triggered by operation of the garage door opener. 
         [0004]    Installation and maintenance of these laser guides onto the ceiling of the garage can be difficult. In addition, the sensing mechanism which actuates the laser must operate continuously (e.g., 24 hours per day, 7 days per week), even though the laser guiding function may only be used a couple of times a day for a few minutes each time. Therefore, these laser guides typically require access to the household electric (e.g., installation near an existing outlet or installation of additional electrical wiring). 
         [0005]    The sensing mechanism can be affected by various environmental and external interferences. For example, infrared (IR) motion detection can be affected by environmental conditions (e.g., dust, spider webs, temperature), and even the height of the garage ceiling. Sensing mechanisms that trigger based on light being emitted from the light bulb of the garage door opener (e.g., to indicate operation of the garage door opener) depend on the light bulb performing properly. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, the laser may be actuated unintentionally and may cause harm For example, pets or children may pass thru the area and actuate the laser. The laser beam may be attractive to pets or children, who may look into the laser and result in short term or even long term pain or even eye damage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a garage with a closed garage door (in a vertical position) with an example laser guided parking assistance device mounted at the top of the garage door. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a garage with an open garage door (in a horizontal position near the garage ceiling) with the example laser guided parking assistance device mounted on the top of the garage door shining a laser light beam onto the windshield of a vehicle. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates the vehicle moving through different positions in the garage, and reflecting a laser light dot from the example laser guided parking assistance device onto the wall in front of the vehicle. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram of an example laser guided parking assistance device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram of another example laser guided parking assistance device with a time delay circuit to turn off the laser if the garage door is left in an open position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram of another example laser guided parking assistance device with a solar battery to provide electrical power. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    A laser guided parking assistance device and method of operation is disclosed. An example laser guided parking assistance device deploys an eye safe laser for assisting vehicle operators to park a vehicle at the desired position. 
         [0014]    In art example, the laser guided parking assistance device can be installed at a more accessible place than a ceiling of the garage (e.g., on the garage door itself), making installation and maintenance or removal easy and convenient. For example, the laser guided parking assistance device can be mounted by an attachment (e.g., screws) to attach the laser guided parking assistance device to a strut on a top panel of the garage door. In an example, the attachment can be implemented without needing tools (e.g., as a clamp or double-sided tape). 
         [0015]    An example laser guided parking assistance device reduces electrical power consumption when the device is not in use, even down to zero power consumption. The lower power consumption also enables operation by battery power. 
         [0016]    In an example, the laser guided parking assistance device includes a tilt switch, a battery, and an electronic circuit. When the garage door is closed, the laser guided parking assistance device is in a vertical position. When the garage door is open, the laser guided parking assistance device is in a horizontal position near the garage ceiling. The tilt switch inside the device is arranged in the way that when the garage door is in the vertical position the tilt switch is opened and when the garage door is in the horizontal position the tilt switch is closed. When the tilt switch is open, the switch cuts off battery power to all of the electronics of the laser guided parking assistance device so that the device does not consumes electrical power. When the tilt switch is closed, the switch connects electrical power to the electronics of the device which turns on the laser for guiding vehicle parking. 
         [0017]    The tilt switch also enables a sensing function that is free of environmental and external interference, thereby increasing reliability of the laser guided parking assistance device. In addition, the laser is not activated by movement of pets or people, improving safety. 
         [0018]    When the laser is tuned on by the garage door having reached the horizontal position near the garage ceiling, the laser shines a light beam down to the garage floor. As a vehicle moves into the garage, the laser beam shines onto the hood of the vehicle and casts a laser light dot onto the hood. As the vehicle continues to travel into the garage, the laser beam shines onto the windshield of the vehicle. 
         [0019]    In an example, the laser guided parking assistance device is mounted at a position on the garage door such that the laser beam is shining onto the windshield slightly at an angle behind the windshield when the vehicle is reaching the desired position. This configuration causes the laser beam to be split into two laser beams by the glass of the windshield. One laser beam shines through the windshield and casts a laser light dot onto the dashboard of the vehicle. The other laser beam is deflected off of the windshield glass and casts a laser light dot onto a wall in front of the vehicle. When the vehicle is traveling to different positions, both laser light dots move to different locations. The driver can monitor either or both of the laser light dots as position references to park the vehicle at a desired position. 
         [0020]    In an example, the laser can also be turned off by a time delay circuit when the garage door is kept in an open position. The quiescent electronic current in this state is the leaking current of the electronic components in the circuit, which is typically no more than a few micro amps for most commercial electronic components. Normal household batteries can hold power at this low level leaking current for years. The time delay circuit is reset when the garage door is closed. 
         [0021]    Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.” 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a garage  1  with a closed garage door  2  (in a vertical position) with an example laser guided parking assistance device  10  mounted at the top of the garage door  2 . The garage door  2  can move along the tracks  3  and  4 . 
         [0023]    In an example, the laser guided parking assistance device  10  includes an orientation switch, such as a tilt switch. The tilt switch may be gravity actuated. That is, the tilt switch operates based on its orientation as determined by gravitational pull. The tilt switch may be arranged such that it is open (no electrical current flow) when the garage door  2  is in a vertical position, and the tilt switch is closed (electrical current flow) when the garage door  2  is in a horizontal position. In  FIG. 1 , the garage door  2  is shown closed and as such the tilt switch is in the vertical position and the tilt switch is open. Power is turned off, and as such the laser is turned off. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates the garage  1  with an open garage door  2  (in a horizontal position near the garage ceiling) with the example laser guided parking assistance device  10  mounted on or near the top of the garage door. With the garage door  2  in the horizontal position, the tilt switch is closed and the electronic circuit of the laser guided parking assistance device  10  is powered on. 
         [0025]    In an example, the laser guided parking assistance device  10  is powered by a battery. The battery is sized sufficient to actuate a laser diode which generates a laser beam  20 . The laser beam  20  emits downward in the direction of the garage floor  5 . 
         [0026]    In an example, the laser guided parking assistance device  10  is mounted in a position on the garage door  2  such that the laser beam  20  is emitted at an angle selected to be a behind the windshield  6  of the vehicle  7  when the vehicle  7  is moving close to the desired parking position, it is understood that this angle can be adjusted for a generic vehicle and/or determined based on the specific configuration of the vehicle being operated (e.g., including vehicle height and angle of the windshield). 
         [0027]    When the laser beam  20  hits the windshield  6  of the vehicle  7 , the laser beam  20  is split by the glass of the windshield  6 , and forms two beams  21   a  and  22   a.  Light beam  21   a  transmits through the windshield  6  and casts a laser light dot  21   b  onto the dashboard  8  of the vehicle  7 . The laser beam  22   a  is deflected off of the windshield  6  and casts a laser light dot  22   b  onto the wall  9  in front of the vehicle  7 . Accordingly, the driver (or passenger) can visually observe the position of the vehicle  7  relative to a desired parking area within the garage  1 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates the vehicle  7  moving through different positions in the garage  1  and reflecting a laser light dot from the example laser guided parking assistance device  10  onto the all  9  in front of the vehicle  7 . 
         [0029]    In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the vehicle  7  is shown moving from a position  30  to a position  31 . For the position  30  of the vehicle  7 , the deflected laser beam is illustrated by line  22   a  and the laser light dot is shown at  22   b.  For the position  31  of the vehicle  7 , the deflected laser beam is illustrated by line  22   c  and the laser light dot is shown at  22   d.  At the same time that the user sees dots moving on the wall from  22   b  to  22   d,  the laser light dot  21   b  on the dashboard  8  of the vehicle also moves (not shown) to a new position on the dashboard  8 . 
         [0030]    In an example, marking can be provided by the manufacturer of the laser guided parking assistance device  10  to affix to the wall  9  and/or the dashboard  8  of the vehicle  7 . In another example, the driver may provide his or her own markings and/or simply remember the relative position of the dots with respect to the desired parking alignment. 
         [0031]    Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein. 
         [0032]    By way of non-limiting example, the orientation of the switch may be reversed and the circuit wired accordingly. In another example, multiple lights may be provided and/or the position of the lights may vary. Likewise, the light source is not limited to a laser and can be any suitable light source (e.g., LED lighting). These and other variations will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of an example circuit  100  to implement the laser guided parking assistance device. In an example, the circuit has only four components, simplifying the circuit, minimizing cost, and improving reliability. However, the circuit is not limited to any particular number of components. 
         [0034]    In an example, the circuit  100  includes a battery  110  to provide electrical power. The circuit  100  also includes a tilt switch  120  to turn power on and off in the circuit The tilt switch  110  may be opened or closed based on orientation of the switch. The circuit  100  also includes a laser diode  130  to generate and emit a laser beam. The circuit may also include a resistor  140  to set the electrical current flowing through the laser diode  130  and determines the output or brightness of the laser beam. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of another example circuit  200  to implement the laser guided parking assistance device, in an example, the circuit  200  includes a battery  210  to provide electrical power. The circuit  200  also includes a tilt switch  220  to turn power on and off in the circuit. The tilt switch  220  may be opened or closed based on orientation of the switch. The circuit  200  also includes a laser diode  230  to generate and emit a laser beam. The circuit may also include a resistor  240  to set the electrical current flowing through the laser diode  230  and determines the output or brightness of the laser beam. 
         [0036]    In addition, the example circuit  200  shown in  FIG. 5  implements a voltage regulator  250  to provide a regulated voltage to drive the laser diode  230 . As such, the brightness of the laser light is not affected by the battery voltage change over the time due to discharge, as long as the battery is still capable of providing an operating power for the laser diode  230 . 
         [0037]    In addition, the example circuit  200  shown in  FIG. 5  includes a time delay circuit to turn off the laser if the garage door is left in an open position. The time delay circuit may be implemented as an R-C time delay circuit including resistor  260  and capacitor  270 . If the garage door is left open, the capacitor  270  is charged through resistor  260 . When the voltage on capacitor  270  reaches a predetermined level, it turns off the MOSFET switch  280  and therefore turns off the laser diode  230 . When the MOSFET switch  280  is turned off, the quiescent current of the circuit is the leaking currents of the MOSFET switch  280  and the capacitor  270 . These are typically only a few micro amps for most available commercial products. Discharging at this rate, a standard AA battery can last for years. 
         [0038]    In addition, the example circuit  200  shown in  FIG. 5  may include a second tilt switch  290 . Tilt switch  290  provides a quick discharge path for capacitor  270  when the garage door is closed. As such, the circuit  200  is ready to turn on the laser diode  230  again without delay after the garage door has been closed. In an example, the second tilt switch  290  is physically arranged in a perpendicular orientation relative to the tilt switch  220 . As such, the tilt switch  220  is closed when the garage door is closed, and the tilt switch  220  is open when the garage door is open. It is noted that the physical orientation of the switches  220  and  290  is not illustrated by the circuit diagram. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of another example circuit  300  to implement the laser guided parking assistance device. In an example, the circuit  300  includes a battery  310  to provide electrical power. The circuit  300  also includes a tilt switch  320  to turn power on and off in the circuit. The tilt switch  310  may be opened or closed based on orientation of the switch. The circuit  300  also includes a laser diode  330  to generate and emit a laser beam. The circuit may also include a resistor  340  to set the electrical current flowing through the laser diode  330  and determines the output or brightness of the laser beam. 
         [0040]    In addition, the example circuit  300  shown in  FIG. 6  implements a voltage regulator  350  to provide a regulated voltage to drive the laser diode  330 . As such, the brightness of the laser light is not affected by the battery voltage change over the time due to discharge, as long as the battery is still capable of providing an operating power for the laser diode  330 . 
         [0041]    In addition, the example circuit  300  shown in  FIG. 6  includes a time delay circuit to turn off the laser if the garage door is left in an open position. The time delay circuit may be implemented as an R-C time delay circuit including resistor  360  and capacitor  370 . If the garage door is left open, the capacitor  370  is charged through resistor  360 . When the voltage on capacitor  370  reaches a predetermined level, it turns off the MOSFET switch  380  and therefore turns off the laser diode  330 . When the MOSFET switch  380  is turned off, the quiescent current of the circuit is the leaking currents of the MOSFET switch  380  and the capacitor  370 . These are typically only a few micro amps for most available commercial products. Discharging at this rate, a standard AA battery can last for years. 
         [0042]    In addition, the example circuit  300  shown in  FIG. 6  may include a second tilt switch  390 . Tilt switch  390  provides a quick discharge path for capacitor  370  when the garage door is closed As such, the circuit  300  is ready to turn on the laser diode  330  again without delay after the garage door has been closed. In an example, the second tilt switch  390  is physically arranged in a perpendicular orientation relative to the tilt switch  320 . As such, the tilt switch  390  is dosed when the garage door is dosed, and the tilt switch  390  is open when the garage door is open. It is noted that the physical orientation of the switches  320  and  390  is not illustrated by the circuit diagram. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 6 , the circuit  300  is also shown including a solar battery  390  to provide electrical power. In an example, the solar battery  390  can be mounted on the window of the garage door, or the solar battery can be mounted on the outer side of the garage door. For example, if the garage door does not have glass windows, the solar battery can be installed on the outer side of the garage door. The solar battery  390  can be implemented in parallel with a standard battery  310 , or by itself. When implemented as shown in the circuit diagram of  FIG. 6 , diodes  391  and  392  may also be provided. 
         [0044]    The example circuits  100 ,  200 , and  300  shown and described herein are provided only for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Other circuits (simple or more sophisticated) may be implemented, as will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teaching herein. 
         [0045]    It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.