Systems and methods for aligning objects

Abstract

Methods herein relate to aligning objects and can include aligning a transmitter and a receiver to establish a reference line, advancing one or more objects in a direction of advance toward the reference line, interrupting the reference line with the one or more objects and withdrawing the one or more objects opposite the direction of advance until the reference line is uninterrupted. Alternative or complementary aspects relating to alignment can include detecting an interruption of the reference line based on an object entering the path between the transmitter and the receiver, transmitting an interruption signal based on the detected interruption of the reference line detecting a reestablishment of the reference, and transmitting a continuity signal based on the detected reestablishment of the reference line. Systems for effecting such techniques are also disclosed.

1 . A system for aligning a vehicle within a structure or to assist in parking the vehicle within a structure, comprising:
 a first reference line transmitter that emits a first IR radiation, wherein the first reference line transmitter is at a first position within the structure;   a first reference line receiver configured to receive the first radiation from the first line transmitter and create a reference line between the first reference line transmitter and the first reference line receiver, wherein the first reference line receiver is at a second position within the structure;   a wireless data transmitter configured to detect a breach of the reference line, wherein the transmitter transmits a notification signal indicating the breach by the vehicle synchronously to a first operator unit, wherein the first operator unit is configured to receive the notification signal and the first operator unit indicates a breach synchronously and contemporaneously with the interruption of the line.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control interface of the operator unit configured to receive at least one operator input from an operator of the operator unit. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second operator unit, wherein the notification signal is received by the second operator unit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first indicator on the first operator unit to present an indication of the breach. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first operator unit is a smartphone. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the notification signal is an RF signal or a Bluetooth® signal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a garage. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second reference line transmitter that emits a first IR radiation, wherein the second reference line transmitter is at the first position within the structure; and
 a second reference line receiver configured to receive the second radiation from the first line transmitter and create a reference line between the second reference line transmitter and the second reference line receiver, wherein the second reference line receiver is at the second position within the structure;   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising an interruption counter module of the reference line receiver configured to count and store a number of objects crossing the reference line. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pairing indicator module of at least one of the reference line transmitter and the reference line receiver configured to indicate uninterrupted reception of the reference line energy by the reference line receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one operator unit comprises a portable radio frequency receiver. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 . wherein the garage has a garage door and the notification signal triggers a garage door to close. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first operator unit is coupled with a garage door opener. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first operator unit is within the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . A system for aligning objects, comprising:
 a reference line transmitter,   a reference line receiver,   a wireless data transmitter capable of transmitting a notification signal, and   an operator unit is configured to receive the notification signal, and   wherein the reference line transmitter and the reference line receiver establish a reference line, the wireless data transmitter transmits the signal indicating a breach of the reference line synchronously and contemporaneously to the operator unit, wherein the notification signal is a Bluetooth® signal.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first operator unit is a smartphone. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the operator unit is operatively included in a smartphone. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the operator unit operatively included in a vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the reference line is infrared radiation. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the signal is discontinued contemporaneously with the breach.