US7454442B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data fusion for advanced ground transportation system
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 2005-04-25
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Granted: 2008-11-18
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Expires: 2025-04-25
Abstract
Abstract Systems, methods and apparatuses for managing ground transportation in a geographical area are disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a graphical information systems (GIS) database that stores traffic data related to the geographical area, wherein the GIS database includes at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area, an impedance calculation engine, coupled to the GIS database, that determines impedances associated with the at least one node and at least one arc, and a data formatter, coupled to the GIS database and to the impedance calculation engine, for formatting incoming data used by the impedance calculation engine, wherein the impedance calculation engine updates impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc based on inputs from the GIS database.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth A. Cobleigh
- 👤 Pauline Joe
- 👤 Daniel J. Gadler
- 👤 James R. Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/29; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
An interactive communications system for managing ground transportation in a geographical area, comprising: a graphical information systems (GIS) database, stored on a computer, that stores traffic data related to the geographical area, wherein the GIS database includes at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area; and a data fusion converter, for integrating traffic data into a single format for storage in the GIS database, wherein the data fusion converter further comprises: an impedance calculation engine, coupled to the GIS database, that determines impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc, wherein the impedances are determined in real time; and a data formatter, coupled to the GIS database and to the impedance calculation engine, for formatting incoming data used by the impedance calculation engine, wherein the impedance calculation engine updates impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc based on inputs from the GIS database, and selects at least one route for the ground transportation in the geographical area based on maximizing flow between a first area within the geographical area and a second area within the geographical area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
An interactive communications system for managing ground transportation in a geographical area, comprising: a graphical information systems (GIS) database, stored on a computer, that stores traffic data related to the geographical area, wherein the GIS database includes at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area; and a data fusion converter, for integrating traffic data into a single format for storage in the GIS database, wherein the data fusion converter further comprises: an impedance calculation engine, coupled to the GIS database, that determines impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc, wherein the impedances are determined in real time; and a data formatter, coupled to the GIS database and to the impedance calculation engine, for formatting incoming data used by the impedance calculation engine, wherein the impedance calculation engine updates impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc based on inputs from the GIS database, and selects at least one route for the ground transportation in the geographical area based on maximizing flow between a first area within the geographical area and a second area within the geographical area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The interactive communications system of claim 1 , further comprising a routing tool, coupled to the GIS database, for computing a route between two points in the geographical area based on the impedances determined by the impedance calculation engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The interactive communications system of claim 2 , wherein the route is computed by minimizing the impedances of any arc and node data from the GIS database is optimized to maximize a traffic flow along the route.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The interactive communications system of claim 3 , wherein the impedances are determined based on one or more of: time of day, road sensors, and real time traffic data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interactive communications system of claim 1 , further comprising an evacuation route planning tool, coupled to the GIS database, for determining an emergency evacuation route.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interactive communications system of claim 5 , wherein the evacuation route planning tool further determines a response route for emergency personnel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The interactive communications system of claim 4 , wherein the system creates cluster data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interactive communications system of claim 4 , wherein the impedances are verified using feedback.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The interactive communications system of claim 4 , wherein impedances are calculated using data collected from at least one other vehicle travelling in the geographic area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The interactive communications system of claim 4 , wherein a new route is determined based on at least one data point received after the route was originally determined.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for determining evacuation routes for an emergency situation using a geographical information systems (GIS) database that represents a geographical area, wherein the GIS database includes at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area, comprising: a computer system having a memory and a data storage device coupled thereto; one or more programs, performed by the computer, for: determining impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc; and formatting incoming data into a common format using a data fusion converter, wherein the impedances are determined in real time, updating impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc based on inputs from the GIS database, and selecting at least one evacuation route in the geographical area based on maximizing flow between a first area within the geographical area and a second area within the geographical area.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for determining evacuation routes for an emergency situation using a geographical information systems (GIS) database that represents a geographical area, wherein the GIS database includes at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area, comprising: a computer system having a memory and a data storage device coupled thereto; one or more programs, performed by the computer, for: determining impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc; and formatting incoming data into a common format using a data fusion converter, wherein the impedances are determined in real time, updating impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc based on inputs from the GIS database, and selecting at least one evacuation route in the geographical area based on maximizing flow between a first area within the geographical area and a second area within the geographical area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , the programs performed by the computer further performing computing a route between two points in the geographical area based on the determined impedances.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the route is computed by minimizing the impedances of any arc and node data from the GIS database is optimized to maximize a traffic flow along the route.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the impedances are determined based on one or more of: time of day, road sensors, and real time traffic data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , the programs performed by the computer further determining an emergency evacuation route.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 15 , the programs performed by the computer further determining a response route for emergency personnel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , the programs performed by the computer further creating duster data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , the programs performed by the computer further verifying the impedances using feedback.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein impedances are calculated using data collected from at least one other vehicle travelling in the geographic area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , the programs performed by the computer further determining a new route based on at least one data point received after the route was originally determined.
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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) | 2011-11-18 | 2012-05-19 | 2012-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-11-18 | 2016-05-19 | 2016-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-11-18 | 2020-05-19 | 2020-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |