Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a satellite
Patent
1997-03-17
1998-08-11
Blum, Theodore M.
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a satellite
H04B 7185, G01S 502
Patent
active
057933294
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus that detects an object located on the ground.
BACKGROUND ART
Various detection apparatuses have been disclosed and put into practical use in the prior art to be employed as means for detecting different types of vehicles and aircraft on the ground. Normally, an electric means for detection, a magnetic means for detection, an optical means for detection, an ultrasonic means for detection or the like is positioned in a traveling path where a vehicle or aircraft travels so that the vehicle or aircraft can be detected within the detection range that is covered by the means for detection. Such a means for detection is constituted with a transmission device and a reception device and, under normal circumstances, a signal indicating that a vehicle or aircraft has been detected is generated when a signal wave transmitted by the transmission device is influenced by the vehicle, changing the reception signal at the reception device to an extent that exceeds a predetermined threshold value. For instance, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 138816/1990 discloses a technology through which the position of an aircraft on the ground in a taxiway is detected by providing a transmission coil and a reception coil in the taxiway so that the aircraft can be detected through a change in the electric coupling of the two coils caused by the aircraft. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 217100/1993 discloses a technology for detecting aircraft based upon a received waveform when a microwave transmitted by a transmitter and received by a receiver becomes influenced by the aircraft.
One of the problems of the prior art technologies described above is that, since a transmission device is required as an essential component to be used in combination with a reception device, installation work is required to install the transmission device in the traveling path of the vehicles or in the vicinity thereof.
Another problem is that, when the transmission device is installed on the ground, the transmission device will constitute a projecting ground surface obstacle, which may present a hindrance to the traffic of vehicles or to traffic control.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new object detection apparatus that does not require a means for transmission.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an object detection apparatus that is capable of detecting the presence/absence of an object, the movement of an object, the direction of movement, the speed of movement, the shape of an object and the quantity of objects as well as time information in regard to them.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an object detection apparatus that can be installed easily.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an object detection apparatus that can be constituted as an underground, embedded type detection apparatus without having projecting ground surface obstacles.
In order to achieve the objects described above, the object detection apparatus according to the present invention has a function through which an radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite is received. The apparatus detects an object when the reception of the radio wave transmitted by the GPS satellite is blocked by the object.
A GPS satellite refers to an artificial satellite employed as part of the Global Positioning System. In the present invention, GPS satellites that were launched for the purpose of measuring and positioning are utilized for object detection. Since there are three or more GPS satellites accessible from anywhere on the earth at all times, it is possible to receive radio waves transmitted from one or more GPS satellites at all times.
With this, a new object detection apparatus that does not require the installation of a means for transmission for detecting the presence of an object on the ground is achieved.
In addition to detecting the presence of
REFERENCES:
patent: 5610616 (1997-03-01), Vallot et al.
Nakada Kenji
Yagi Makoto
Blum Theodore M.
The Nippon Signal Co. Ltd.
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