US6236336B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Traffic information warning system with single modulated carrier
Assignee: ASPEN FINCO LLC
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Filing: 1999-02-24
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Granted: 2001-05-22
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Expires: 2019-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A traffic information warning system for conveying first and second messages regarding a traffic situation from a traffic advisory site is disclosed. The system comprises a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site and a receiver. The transmitter includes an oscillator for transmitting a first carrier signal and a second carrier signal. The first carrier signal has a first discrete carrier frequency and the second carrier signal has a second discrete carrier frequency. The first and second discrete carrier signal frequencies are located at a frequency location. The first message of a traffic situation is reflective of the specific frequency locations of the first and second discrete frequencies. A modulator modulates the first carrier signal with a modulating signal reflective of the second message regarding the traffic situation. The second carrier signal comprises an unmodulated signal. The receiver includes scanning circuitry for scanning across a predetermined frequency range to detect the first and second carrier signals and circuitry responsive to the detecting means for determining the first message regarding the traffic situation. The receiver further includes a demodulator for retrieving the first retrieved modulating signal about the first carrier signal, and an annunciator for announcing the first and second messages regarding the traffic situation.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Oliva
- 👤 Phillip Thistlethwaite
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:01
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/16; G08G1/164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A traffic information warning system for conveying a message regarding a traffic situation from a traffic advisory site, the system comprising a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site and a receiver, wherein: the transmitter includes an oscillator for transmitting a first carrier signal and a second carrier signal, the first carrier signal having a first carrier frequency and the second carrier signal having a second carrier frequency, a modulator for modulating the first carrier signal with a modulating signal reflective of a traffic situation, the second carrier signal comprising an unmodulated signal, the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency being spaced apart by a predetermined frequency difference; and the receiver includes scanning circuitry for scanning across a predetermined frequency range to detect carrier signals separated by the predetermined frequency difference, a demodulator for retrieving a first retrieved modulating signal about the first carrier signal, means for comparing the first retrieved modulating signal to a series of acceptable stored traffic messages and for determining whether the first retrieved modulating signal matches one of the acceptable stored traffic messages, and means for announcing a message regarding the traffic situation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A traffic information warning system for conveying a message regarding a traffic situation from a traffic advisory site, the system comprising a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site and a receiver, wherein: the transmitter includes an oscillator for transmitting a first carrier signal and a second carrier signal, the first carrier signal having a first carrier frequency and the second carrier signal having a second carrier frequency, a modulator for modulating the first carrier signal with a modulating signal reflective of a traffic situation, the second carrier signal comprising an unmodulated signal, the first carrier frequency and the second carrier frequency being spaced apart by a predetermined frequency difference; and the receiver includes scanning circuitry for scanning across a predetermined frequency range to detect carrier signals separated by the predetermined frequency difference, a demodulator for retrieving a first retrieved modulating signal about the first carrier signal, means for comparing the first retrieved modulating signal to a series of acceptable stored traffic messages and for determining whether the first retrieved modulating signal matches one of the acceptable stored traffic messages, and means for announcing a message regarding the traffic situation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 1 wherein the announcing means includes an audible sound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 2 wherein the audible sound is a voice-synthesized message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 1 wherein the announcing means includes a visible display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 1 wherein the announcing means does not announce a message regarding the traffic situation when the first retrieved modulating signal does not match one of the stored traffic messages and does announce a message regarding the traffic situation where the first retrieved modulating signal matches one of the stored traffic messages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 1 wherein the traffic advisory site comprises an emergency vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 1 wherein the traffic advisory site comprises a roadside hazard.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 1 wherein toggle means are provided to toggle the first oscillator and second oscillator on and off, so that when the first oscillator is on the second oscillator is off and when the second oscillator is on the first oscillator is off.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
213 words
A traffic information warning system for conveying a message regarding a traffic situation from a traffic advisory site, the system comprising a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site, the system comprising a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site and a receiver, wherein: the transmitter includes a first oscillator for transmitting a first carrier signal and a second oscillator for transmitting a second carrier signal, the first carrier signal having a first predetermined carrier frequency and the second carrier signal having a second predetermined carrier frequency, the first and second carrier frequency separated by a predetermined frequency difference, a modulator for modulating the first carrier signal with a modulating signal reflective of a traffic situation, the second carrier signal comprising an unmodulated signal; and, the receiver includes scanning circuitry for scanning across a predetermined frequency range to detect carrier signals separated by the predetermined frequency difference, and a demodulator for retrieving a first retrieved modulating signal about the first carrier signal at the first predetermined carrier frequency, means for comparing the first retrieved modulating signal to a series of acceptable stored traffic messages and for determining whether the first retrieved modulating signal matches one of the acceptable stored traffic messages, and means for announcing a message regarding the traffic situation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
213 words
A traffic information warning system for conveying a message regarding a traffic situation from a traffic advisory site, the system comprising a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site, the system comprising a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site and a receiver, wherein: the transmitter includes a first oscillator for transmitting a first carrier signal and a second oscillator for transmitting a second carrier signal, the first carrier signal having a first predetermined carrier frequency and the second carrier signal having a second predetermined carrier frequency, the first and second carrier frequency separated by a predetermined frequency difference, a modulator for modulating the first carrier signal with a modulating signal reflective of a traffic situation, the second carrier signal comprising an unmodulated signal; and, the receiver includes scanning circuitry for scanning across a predetermined frequency range to detect carrier signals separated by the predetermined frequency difference, and a demodulator for retrieving a first retrieved modulating signal about the first carrier signal at the first predetermined carrier frequency, means for comparing the first retrieved modulating signal to a series of acceptable stored traffic messages and for determining whether the first retrieved modulating signal matches one of the acceptable stored traffic messages, and means for announcing a message regarding the traffic situation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 9 wherein the announcing means includes an audible sound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 10 wherein the audible sound is a voice-synthesized message.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 9 wherein the announcing means includes a visible display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 9 wherein the announcing means does not announce a message regarding the traffic situation when the first retrieved modulating signal does not match one of the stored traffic messages and does announce a message regarding the traffic situation when the first retrieved modulating signal matches one of the stored traffic messages.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 9 wherein the traffic advisory site comprises an emergency vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 9 wherein the traffic advisory site comprises a roadside hazard.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 9 wherein toggle means are provided to toggle the first oscillator and second oscillator on and off, so that when the first oscillator is on the second oscillator is off and when the second oscillator is on the first oscillator is off.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
200 words
A traffic information warning system for conveying first and second messages regarding a traffic situation from a traffic advisory site, the system comprising a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site and a receiver wherein: the transmitter includes a first oscillator for transmitting a first carrier signal and a second carrier signal, the first carrier signal having a first discrete carrier frequency and the second carrier signal having a second discrete carrier frequency, the first and second discrete carrier signal frequencies being located at a frequency location and the first message of a traffic situation being reflective of the specific frequency locations of the first and second discrete frequencies, a modulator for modulating the first carrier signal with a modulating signal reflective of the second message regarding a traffic situation, the second carrier signal comprising an unmodulated signal; and, the receiver includes scanning circuitry for scanning across a predetermined frequency range to detect first and second carrier signals, means responsive to the detecting means for determining the first message regarding traffic situation, a demodulator for retrieving a first retrieved modulating signal about the first carrier signal, and means for announcing the first and second messages regarding the traffic situation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
200 words
A traffic information warning system for conveying first and second messages regarding a traffic situation from a traffic advisory site, the system comprising a transmitter adapted for placement at the advisory site and a receiver wherein: the transmitter includes a first oscillator for transmitting a first carrier signal and a second carrier signal, the first carrier signal having a first discrete carrier frequency and the second carrier signal having a second discrete carrier frequency, the first and second discrete carrier signal frequencies being located at a frequency location and the first message of a traffic situation being reflective of the specific frequency locations of the first and second discrete frequencies, a modulator for modulating the first carrier signal with a modulating signal reflective of the second message regarding a traffic situation, the second carrier signal comprising an unmodulated signal; and, the receiver includes scanning circuitry for scanning across a predetermined frequency range to detect first and second carrier signals, means responsive to the detecting means for determining the first message regarding traffic situation, a demodulator for retrieving a first retrieved modulating signal about the first carrier signal, and means for announcing the first and second messages regarding the traffic situation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 17 wherein the announcing means includes an audible sound.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 18 wherein the audible sound is a voice-synthesized message.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic information warning system of claim 17 wherein the announcing means includes a visible display.
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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) | 2004-05-21 | 2004-11-20 | 2005-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-21 | 2012-11-20 | 2013-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |