US6441748B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Road surface condition monitoring system using sensors disposed under the road
Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corp
•
Filing: 2001-04-02
•
Granted: 2002-08-27
•
Expires: 2021-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A road surface monitoring system for monitoring the condition of a road surface wherein at least one sensor unit is interchangeably provided in a sealed container disposed below the road surface and a power source is provided to power the sensor unit, and a communications device is provided to obtain measurement and/or monitoring data from the at least one sensor unit and to provide control signals to the at least one sensor unit, whereby an inexpensive and readily maintainable system is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahito Takagi
- 👤 Ichiro Masaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:21
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: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A system of monitoring conditions of a road surface, said system comprising: a sealed container disposed under said road surface and having a structure comprising a top, a bottom, a plurality of sides, and a plurality of parallel slots disposed between said top and bottom and between at least two of said sides; a plurality of sealed sensor units each sensor unit detecting a different road condition interchangeably fitted within said plurality of parallel slots in said sealed continer; means for supplying power to said plurality of sealed sensor units; and means for communicating between said plurality of sealed sensor units and an external station.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A system of monitoring conditions of a road surface, said system comprising: a sealed container disposed under said road surface and having a structure comprising a top, a bottom, a plurality of sides, and a plurality of parallel slots disposed between said top and bottom and between at least two of said sides; a plurality of sealed sensor units each sensor unit detecting a different road condition interchangeably fitted within said plurality of parallel slots in said sealed continer; means for supplying power to said plurality of sealed sensor units; and means for communicating between said plurality of sealed sensor units and an external station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of sealed sensor units comprise means for sensing wetness, means for sensing temperature, means for sensing dryness, and means for sensing depth of snow or ice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said means for supply power is disposed within said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said means for supplying power is disposed outside said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said means for communicating comprises a wireless transmitter means disposed within said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said means for communicating comprises a wireless receiver means disposed within said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said means for communicating comprises a differential GPS transmitter and/or receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said container comprises connector means for connecting said communicating means with an external station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said communicating mens comprises means for transmitting measured signals from said at least one sensor means and means for receiving signals from said external station through a network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said container contains means for providing a unique address or identification code for that particular container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said communicating means comprises a differential GPS transmitter for transmitting a differential GPS navigational data signal to a vehicle on said road surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising means adjacent to said road for displaying data from said at least one sensor unit as communicated by said communicating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 11 ,wherein said vehicle has therein a GPS receiver for receiving data regarding locating of a particular sensor unit and the particular road location at which that particular sensor unit is located.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises a laser radar sensor, a load moisture sensor, an optical sensor, a radiometer, an ultrasonic snow depth sensor, a thermometer sensor, or a rain gauge sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said means for communicating comprises a RTK-GPS transmitter and/or receiver.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4897597A
Cited
US4996493A
Cited
US5686841A
Cited
US5801647A
Cited
US5729214A
Cited
US5710554A
Cited
US5852243A
Cited
US6133854A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-02-25 | 2006-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-26 | 2010-02-25 | 2010-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-02-25 | 2014-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |