Patent US6900740B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6900740B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Autonomous highway traffic modules
Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 2003-01-03
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Granted: 2005-05-31
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Expires: 2023-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle safety and control system provides early warning and includes a network including a plurality of remotely located modules disposed along a vehicle pathway. Each module is communicably connected to at least one of the other modules. The modules include a measurement system including at least one sensor for obtaining sensor data. The sensor data provides position and velocity data for objects proximate thereto. The modules also include an illuminated display having a plurality of observable distinct states, the observable states including states relating to the sensor data.
Inventors
- 👤 David Bloomquist
- 👤 Michael McVay
- 👤 Erik G. Larsson
- 👤 Christopher Dumas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:05
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0967; G08G1/096708; G08G1/096716; G08G1/096733; G08G1/096758; G08G1/096766; G08G1/096783
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A vehicle safety and control system, comprising: a network including a plurality of remotely located autonomous modules disposed alongside and spaced apart from a vehicle pathway, said modules each communicably connected to at least one other of said plurality of modules, said modules each including: a measurement system comprising at least one sensor for autonomously obtaining sensor data, said sensor data including distance and velocity for objects proximate thereto, and an illuminated display having a plurality of observable distinct states, said observable states including states relating to said sensor data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A vehicle safety and control system, comprising: a network including a plurality of remotely located autonomous modules disposed alongside and spaced apart from a vehicle pathway, said modules each communicably connected to at least one other of said plurality of modules, said modules each including: a measurement system comprising at least one sensor for autonomously obtaining sensor data, said sensor data including distance and velocity for objects proximate thereto, and an illuminated display having a plurality of observable distinct states, said observable states including states relating to said sensor data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of modules further comprise a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data including said sensor data between said plurality of remotely located modules, wherein said remotely located modules are all wirelessly interconnected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein said transceiver comprises an ultra wideband (UWB) radio unit, said UWB radio unit providing radar for obtaining said sensor data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said network is divided into a plurality of sectors, said sectors each including at least one centralized node, said centralized node wirelessly connected to respective ones of said plurality of modules in each of said sectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of modules include at least one solar panel, wherein said system is powered at least in part by solar energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said observable distinct states are provided by at least one LED, said LED capable of continuous or pulsed illumination.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said system provides wireless communications between said plurality of modules and said vehicles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein said modules wirelessly communicate with vehicles having a car navigation system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein said car navigation system includes a UWB transceiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said system automatically provides real-time remote roadway information to vehicles traveling along said vehicle pathway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said remote roadway information comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of traffic, accidents and weather.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein transmissions from each of said plurality of modules are distinguishable from one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said sensor includes a visibility sensor for detecting at least one selected from the group consisting of fog, rain and smoke.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said vehicle pathway comprises a motor vehicle roadway or a navigable waterway.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said vehicle pathway includes at least a portion of an interstate highway system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said remotely located modules are affixed to fixed locations.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said remotely located modules include a central processing unit (CPU).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said remotely located modules are disposed in a staggered configuration along alternating sides of said vehicle pathway.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said remotely located modules provide at least one of said plurality of observable distinct states to indicate approaching emergency vehicles.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for warning or directing vehicles, comprising the steps of: p 1 disposing a network including a plurality of remotely located autonomous modules alongside and spaced apart from a vehicle pathway, said modules each comprising at least one sensor for autonomously sensing distance and velocity of objects proximate to said modules, said modules each communicably connected to at least one other of said plurality of modules, and generating visual warning or directing signals using a plurality of observable distinct lit states at said modules, said states relating to said sensor data.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for warning or directing vehicles, comprising the steps of: p 1 disposing a network including a plurality of remotely located autonomous modules alongside and spaced apart from a vehicle pathway, said modules each comprising at least one sensor for autonomously sensing distance and velocity of objects proximate to said modules, said modules each communicably connected to at least one other of said plurality of modules, and generating visual warning or directing signals using a plurality of observable distinct lit states at said modules, said states relating to said sensor data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said plurality of modules include a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data including sensor data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein said transceiver comprises an ultra wideband (UWB) radio unit, said UWB radio unit providing radar for obtaining said sensor data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said observable distinct lit states are provided by at least one LED, said LED capable of continuous or pulsed illumination.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of communicating a wireless warning or control signal to vehicles traveling on said vehicle pathway.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein said vehicles include a car navigation system for supporting communications with said modules.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising the step of automatically providing real-time remote roadway information to operators of automobiles via said car navigation system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein said remote roadway information comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of traffic, accidents and weather.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein transmissions from each of said plurality of modules are distinguishable from one another.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said vehicle pathway comprises a motor vehicle roadway or a navigable waterway.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said vehicle pathway includes at least a portion of an interstate highway system.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said remotely located modules provide at least one of said plurality of observable distinct states to indicate approaching emergency vehicles.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of sequencing traffic lights, comprising the steps of: determining a vehicle traffic queue at or approaching a road intersection for each of a plurality of intersecting paths comprising said intersection using a plurality of remotely located autonomous modules having radar, said modules disposed alongside and spaced apart from said plurality of intersecting paths, said radar providing distance measurements for objects proximate thereto, each of said paths having an associated traffic signal, and setting respective times for said traffic signals based on said traffic queue.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of sequencing traffic lights, comprising the steps of: determining a vehicle traffic queue at or approaching a road intersection for each of a plurality of intersecting paths comprising said intersection using a plurality of remotely located autonomous modules having radar, said modules disposed alongside and spaced apart from said plurality of intersecting paths, said radar providing distance measurements for objects proximate thereto, each of said paths having an associated traffic signal, and setting respective times for said traffic signals based on said traffic queue.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein said radar is provided by an ultra wideband (UWB) radio unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-05-30 | 2008-11-29 | 2009-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-05-30 | 2012-11-29 | 2013-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-05-30 | 2016-11-29 | 2017-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |