Importance

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Abstract

A motor vehicle guidance and control system for use with a roadway having marking elements, for example magnetic marking elements, which define the lanes of travel and also zones of lowered speed on the roadway. A plurality of sensors mounted on the motor vehicle detect proximity to the marking elements and a connected control means produces control signals corresponding to the position of the motor vehicle with respect to the lane of travel and also of the presence of a lowered speed zone. Indicating means provide visual and/or audible indication to the operator of the motor vehicle of any steering corrections that may be required to maintain the motor vehicle within the lane of travel, and of the presence of a lowered speed zone. Circuitry is provided for developing speed command signals for operating a steering servo and speed control commands to a speed servo. In one embodiment an array of four sensors is positioned along the width of the motor vehicle, and a variable connecting means is provided so that the left and right sensors can develop the steering signals for a roadway having lane-edge markers, or the center two sensors can provide steering signals for use on a roadway having lane-center marking elements.

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First Claim