Patent US3580852A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3796871A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3796871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and means for merging two lanes of traffic
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1972-03-14
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1992-03-14
Abstract
Abstract Two crowded single file traffic lanes of electronically speedcontrolled vehicles are merged at a merge point by electronically establishing gaps sufficient to accept vehicles between the vehicles of each lane before they approach the merge point. The vehicles of one lane are then electronically guided into the gaps of the other as they pass the merge point. Lane-side transmitters and receivers along each lane cooperate with the vehicles to control the spacing between the vehicles in the approach toward the merge point.
Inventors
- 👤 C Helmcke
- 👤 H Wendt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:56
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/07; G08G1/075; B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B65G47/68; B65G47/681
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
The method of merging vehicles travelling single file in each of two separate lanes, into a single lane, which comprises electronically synchronizing the operation of vehicles and gaps therebetween in each of the lanes, indicating the approach of a merge point at which the laNes merge to the vehicles, electronically responding to the indicating of the approach and electronically changing the operation of the vehicles as the vehicles approach the merge point to form additional gaps, and filling the additional gaps of one lane with the vehicles of the other lane at the merge point, the step of changing the operation including forming an electronic image of each vehicle of one lane in the other lane in a predetermined range approaching the merge point and electronically controlling the behavior of each of the vehicles as if each image formed by the vehicle just closer to the merge point or equidistant to the merge point were an immediately preceding vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
The method of merging vehicles travelling single file in each of two separate lanes, into a single lane, which comprises electronically synchronizing the operation of vehicles and gaps therebetween in each of the lanes, indicating the approach of a merge point at which the laNes merge to the vehicles, electronically responding to the indicating of the approach and electronically changing the operation of the vehicles as the vehicles approach the merge point to form additional gaps, and filling the additional gaps of one lane with the vehicles of the other lane at the merge point, the step of changing the operation including forming an electronic image of each vehicle of one lane in the other lane in a predetermined range approaching the merge point and electronically controlling the behavior of each of the vehicles as if each image formed by the vehicle just closer to the merge point or equidistant to the merge point were an immediately preceding vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as in claim 1, which further comprises the steps of sensing the appropriate speed of the vehicle beyond the merge point and adapting the speed of the vehicles approaching the merge point to the appropriate speed beyond the merge point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as in claim 1, wherein the images are formed by transmitting signals corresponding to the vehicles of one lane to the vehicles of the other lane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as in claim 2, wherein the images are formed by transmitting signals corresponding to the vehicles of one lane to the vehicles of the other lane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as in claim 1, wherein the behavior of each vehicle is controlled on the basis of the image formed directly ahead of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as in claim 5, wherein the images are formed by transmitting signals corresponding to the vehicles of one lane to the vehicles of the other lane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method as in claim 5, wherein the step of controlling the behavior of each vehicle includes transmitting signals from each vehicle to the immediately following vehicle and receiving the signals in the following vehicle, and further modulating the transmission by changing the information content of the signal to vary with the speed of the transmitting vehicle and modulating the reception in the following vehicle on the basis of the speed of the following vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 7, wherein the transmitted signal is modulated so that its intensity varies inversely with the speed of the vehicle transmitting the signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as in claim 7, wherein the signals are transmitted so that the intensities of the signals reach a maximum when the vehicle stops and a minimum when the vehicle reaches its maximum speed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 9, wherein the transmitted signal is modulated so that its intensity varies inversely with the speed of the vehicle transmitting the signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as in claim 7, wherein each of the vehicles receives the transmitted signals while changing the sensitivity to these signals with the speed of the receiving vehicle, the sensitivity being maximum when the receiving vehicle stops and maximum when the receiving vehicle reaches its maximum speed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 11, wherein the transmitted signal is modulated so that its intensity varies inversely with the speed of the vehicle transmitting the signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as in claim 11, wherein the signals are transmitted so that the intensities of the signals reach a maximum when the vehicle stops and a minimum when the vehicle reaches its maximum speed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as in claim 7, wherein receiving the signal includes forming a guide quantity corresponding to the speed of the receiving vehicle and comparing the guide quantity to the value of the received signal so as to control the speed of the receiving vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as in claim 8, wherein receiving the signal includes forming a guide quantity corresponding to the speed of the receiving vehicle and comparing the guide quantity to the value of the received signal so as to control the speed of the receiving vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as in claim 9, wherein receiving the signal includes forming a guide quantity corresponding to the speed of the receiving vehicle and comparing the guide quantity to the value of the reCeived signal so as to control the speed of the receiving vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as in claim 10, wherein receiving the signal includes forming a guide quantity corresponding to the speed of the receiving vehicle and comparing the guide quantity to the value of the received signal so as to control the speed of the receiving vehicle.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for merging vehicles travelling single file along respective paths toward a merge point at which the paths merge, comprising control means mounted on each of said vehicles for controlling the speed of each vehicle and spacing the vehicles, a plurality of sensing means along given ranges of said paths approaching the merge points for sensing the presence of the vehicles in the ranges, and a plurality of regulator means each responsive to one of said sensing means and communicating with said control means for constraining said control means in each of the paths to form gaps between the vehicles at locations corresponding to the vehicles in the other of the paths, said control means on each of said vehicles including electrical means which co-act with electrical means in the control means of an immediately preceding vehicle and an immediately following vehicle to control the speed of each vehicle on the basis of its speed as well as the speed of the immediately preceding vehicle.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for merging vehicles travelling single file along respective paths toward a merge point at which the paths merge, comprising control means mounted on each of said vehicles for controlling the speed of each vehicle and spacing the vehicles, a plurality of sensing means along given ranges of said paths approaching the merge points for sensing the presence of the vehicles in the ranges, and a plurality of regulator means each responsive to one of said sensing means and communicating with said control means for constraining said control means in each of the paths to form gaps between the vehicles at locations corresponding to the vehicles in the other of the paths, said control means on each of said vehicles including electrical means which co-act with electrical means in the control means of an immediately preceding vehicle and an immediately following vehicle to control the speed of each vehicle on the basis of its speed as well as the speed of the immediately preceding vehicle.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
218 words
A system for merging vehicles travelling single file along respective paths toward a merge point at which the paths merge, comprising control means mounted on each of said vehicles for controlling the speed of each vehicle and spacing the vehicles, a plurality of sensing means along given ranges of said paths approaching the merge points for sensing the presence of the vehicles in the ranges, and a plurality of regulator means each responsive to one of said sensing means and communicating with said control means for constraining said control means in each of the paths to form gaps between the vehicles at locations corresponding to the vehicles in the other of the paths, said control means in each of said vehicles including transmitter means and receiver means, said control means including modulator means responsive to the speed of the vehicle having said control means and coupled to said transmitter means and said receiver means for varying the power transmitted by said transmitter means inversely with the speed of the vehicle and varying the sensitivity of said receiver means with the speed of the vehicle, the transmitter means and said receiver means on each of said vehicles being arranged so that the receiver means on one vehicle receives the signals transmitted by the transmitter means on the preceding vehicle.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
218 words
A system for merging vehicles travelling single file along respective paths toward a merge point at which the paths merge, comprising control means mounted on each of said vehicles for controlling the speed of each vehicle and spacing the vehicles, a plurality of sensing means along given ranges of said paths approaching the merge points for sensing the presence of the vehicles in the ranges, and a plurality of regulator means each responsive to one of said sensing means and communicating with said control means for constraining said control means in each of the paths to form gaps between the vehicles at locations corresponding to the vehicles in the other of the paths, said control means in each of said vehicles including transmitter means and receiver means, said control means including modulator means responsive to the speed of the vehicle having said control means and coupled to said transmitter means and said receiver means for varying the power transmitted by said transmitter means inversely with the speed of the vehicle and varying the sensitivity of said receiver means with the speed of the vehicle, the transmitter means and said receiver means on each of said vehicles being arranged so that the receiver means on one vehicle receives the signals transmitted by the transmitter means on the preceding vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
162 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein said sensing means includes a plurality of detecting means distributed along the paths approaching the merge point, and wherein said regulator means includes a plurality of transmission means distributed along the paths, each of said transmission means of one path being located at a location substantially corresponding in distance from the merge point to the location of a detecting means in the other path and being in communication with the detecting means in the location substantially equal from the merge point so as to receive signals indicating that said detecting means has sensed the presence of a vehicle in the other path, said transmission means being in communication with said receiver means on said vehicles as said vehicles pass each of said transmission means so that said control means of a vehicle whose receiver means receives signals from said transmission means responds to both the transmission means and said transmitter means to form the gaps.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
105 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein sensing means includes detecting means located along one of the paths, and wherein said regulating means includes transmission means located along the other of the paths at a distance from the merge point corresponding to the position of said detecting means, said detecting means being responsive to a vehicle passIng said detecting means along the path, said transmission means being responsive to said detecting means, said receiver means being responsive to said transmission means for constraining the control means to form a gap between the vehicle whose receiver means responds to said transmission means and the preceding vehicle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein said transmitter means and said receiver means operate on the basis of electromagnetic waves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein said transmitter means transmits light waves and said receiver means receives light waves.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as in claim 20, wherein said transmitter means and said transmission means each transmit electromagnetic waves and wherein said receiver means and said detector means each receive and operates with electromagnetic waves.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein said transmitter means transmits sound waves and said receiver means receives and operates with sound waves.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein said control means includes wave guides extending along said paths, said transmitter means and said receiver means being coupled to said wave guides.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 26, wherein said transmitter means and receiver means each include probes extending into said wave guides.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as in claim 26, wherein said wave guides form tubular conductors slotted in the longitudinal direction, said transmitter means and said receiver means each including probes extending into the slotted tubular conductors.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein said regulator means, in response to said sensing means, forms an image in said control means of the vehicles in one lane of vehicles in the other lane whose distances from the merge point correspond to the distance from the merge point of the vehicle having said control means and said control means responds to the image to form the gaps.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as in claim 21, further comprising a transmitting device on each of said vehicles for energizing said indicator means as each vehicle passes said indicator means.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
211 words
A system for merging vehicles travelling single file along respective paths toward a merge point at which the paths merge, comprising control means mounted in each of said vehicles for controlling the speed of each vehicle and spacing the vehicles, a plurality of sensing means along given ranges of said paths approaching the merge points for sensing the presence of the vehicles in the ranges, and a plurality of regulator means each responsive to one of said sensing means and communicating with said control means for constraining said control means in each of the paths to form gaps between the vehicles at locations corresponding to the vehicles in the other of the paths, said control means in each of said vehicles including electrical means which co-act with electrical means in the control means of an immediately preceding vehicle and an immediately following vehicle to control the speed of each vehicle on the basis of its speed as well as the speed of the immediately preceding vehicle, said regulator means constraining said control means in each of the paths to control the speed of each vehicle as if the vehicle in the other lane just closer to the merge point or equidistant to the merge point were in the immediately preceding gap.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
211 words
A system for merging vehicles travelling single file along respective paths toward a merge point at which the paths merge, comprising control means mounted in each of said vehicles for controlling the speed of each vehicle and spacing the vehicles, a plurality of sensing means along given ranges of said paths approaching the merge points for sensing the presence of the vehicles in the ranges, and a plurality of regulator means each responsive to one of said sensing means and communicating with said control means for constraining said control means in each of the paths to form gaps between the vehicles at locations corresponding to the vehicles in the other of the paths, said control means in each of said vehicles including electrical means which co-act with electrical means in the control means of an immediately preceding vehicle and an immediately following vehicle to control the speed of each vehicle on the basis of its speed as well as the speed of the immediately preceding vehicle, said regulator means constraining said control means in each of the paths to control the speed of each vehicle as if the vehicle in the other lane just closer to the merge point or equidistant to the merge point were in the immediately preceding gap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |