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US6574547B2
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Use of vehicle permissions to control individual operator parameters in a hierarchical traffic control system
Assignee: Slingshot Iot LLC
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Filing: 2001-09-27
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Granted: 2003-06-03
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Expires: 2021-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A hierarchical traffic control system is disclosed. The traffic control system comprises a primary controller. The primary controller receives information about traffic in an area. The system further includes a plurality of subsidiary controllers. The subsidiary controllers provide information to and receive information from the primary controller. Each of the plurality of subsidiary controllers is associated with a cell within the area. Each of the subsidiary controllers receives and provides information to at least one vehicle concerning traffic conditions within its associated cell. The primary controller and each of the subsidiary controllers are capable of negotiating a change in the flow of traffic based upon traffic conditions. In this system, at least one vehicle within the traffic includes a third-party permission for operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Margaret Gardner MacPhail
- 👤 David Bruce Kumhyr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:35
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/0104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A traffic control system comprising: a primary controller, the primary controller for receiving information about traffic in an area; and a plurality of subsidiary controllers for providing information to and receiving information from the primary controller, each of the plurality of subsidiary controllers being associated with a cell within the area; each of the subsidiary controllers receiving and providing information to at least one vehicle concerning traffic conditions within its associated cell, wherein the primary controller and each of the subsidiary controllers are capable of negotiating a change in the flow of traffic based upon traffic conditions, wherein at least one vehicle within the traffic includes a third-party permission for operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A traffic control system comprising: a primary controller, the primary controller for receiving information about traffic in an area; and a plurality of subsidiary controllers for providing information to and receiving information from the primary controller, each of the plurality of subsidiary controllers being associated with a cell within the area; each of the subsidiary controllers receiving and providing information to at least one vehicle concerning traffic conditions within its associated cell, wherein the primary controller and each of the subsidiary controllers are capable of negotiating a change in the flow of traffic based upon traffic conditions, wherein at least one vehicle within the traffic includes a third-party permission for operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The traffic control system of claim 1 wherein each of the subsidiary traffic controllers can determine position of a vehicle in its associated cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The traffic control system of claim 1 wherein each of the subsidiary controllers can change the route of a vehicle based upon communications with the primary controller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The traffic control system of claim 3 wherein the communications within the primary controller includes roles and permissions for the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The traffic control system of claim 4 wherein the vehicle automatically sends information to one of the subsidiary controllers concerning location, vehicle operation and vehicle information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The traffic control system of claim 5 wherein the vehicle includes a GPS location system, a voice communication system, and at least one vehicle operation system, wherein information concerning the vehicle operation can be communicated from any combination of the GPS location, the voice communication system and the at least one vehicle operation system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The traffic control system of claim 6 wherein the vehicle operation system comprises an anti-lock braking system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic control system of claim 6 wherein the vehicle operation system comprises a suspension system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The traffic control system of claim 6 wherein the vehicle operation system comprises a fuel indication system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The traffic control system of claim 1 wherein the third-party permission is provided by a trip plan for the vehicle to the traffic control system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The traffic control system of claim 1 wherein if the permission is violated an appropriate action is taken by the traffic control system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The traffic control system of claim 11 wherein the appropriate action could be any combination of rendering the at least one vehicle inoperative, notifying an agency or notifying entity responsible for the at least one vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
156 words
A traffic control system comprising: a primary controller, the primary controller for receiving information about traffic in an area, the primary controller including a first plurality of participant objects; and a plurality of subsidiary controllers for providing information to and receiving information from the primary controller, each of the plurality of subsidiary controllers including a second plurality of participant objects, each of the plurality of subsidiary controllers being associated with a cell within the area, each cell being represented as a plurality of segment objects; each of the subsidiary controllers receiving and providing information to at least one vehicle concerning traffic conditions within its associated cell, wherein the primary controller and each of the subsidiary controllers are capable of negotiating a change in the flow of traffic based upon traffic conditions, wherein at least one vehicle includes a third-party permission for operation and third-party permission is communicated to a participant object within one of the controllers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
156 words
A traffic control system comprising: a primary controller, the primary controller for receiving information about traffic in an area, the primary controller including a first plurality of participant objects; and a plurality of subsidiary controllers for providing information to and receiving information from the primary controller, each of the plurality of subsidiary controllers including a second plurality of participant objects, each of the plurality of subsidiary controllers being associated with a cell within the area, each cell being represented as a plurality of segment objects; each of the subsidiary controllers receiving and providing information to at least one vehicle concerning traffic conditions within its associated cell, wherein the primary controller and each of the subsidiary controllers are capable of negotiating a change in the flow of traffic based upon traffic conditions, wherein at least one vehicle includes a third-party permission for operation and third-party permission is communicated to a participant object within one of the controllers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The traffic control system of claim 13 wherein each of the subsidiary traffic controllers can determine position of a vehicle in its associated cell via at least one of the participant objects.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The traffic control system of claim 13 wherein each of the subsidiary controllers can change the route of a vehicle based upon updating a participant object by a primary controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The traffic control system of claim 15 wherein the communications within the primary controller includes roles and permissions for the vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The traffic control system of claim 16 wherein the vehicle automatically sends information to one of the participant objects within a subsidiary controller concerning location, vehicle operation and vehicle information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The traffic control system of claim 17 wherein the vehicle includes a GPS location system, a voice communication system, and at least one vehicle operation system, wherein information concerning the vehicle operation can be communicated from any combination of the GPS location, the voice communication system and the at least one vehicle operation system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The traffic control system of claim 18 wherein the vehicle operation system comprises an anti-lock braking system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The traffic control system of claim 18 wherein the vehicle operation system comprises a suspension system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The traffic control system of claim 18 wherein the vehicle operation system comprises a fuel indication system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The traffic control system of claim 13 wherein the third-party permission is provided by a trip plan for the vehicle to a participating object within the traffic control system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The traffic control system of claim 13 wherein if the permission is violated an appropriate action is taken by the traffic control system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The traffic control system of claim 23 wherein the appropriate action could be any combination of rendering the at least one vehicle inoperative via the vehicle operation system, notifying an agency via a controller or notifying an entity responsible for the at least one vehicle via a controller.
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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) | 2006-06-02 | 2006-12-02 | 2007-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-02 | 2010-12-02 | 2011-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-02 | 2014-12-02 | 2015-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |