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US6580997B2
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Hierarchical traffic control system which includes vehicle roles and permissions
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 2001-09-27
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Granted: 2003-06-17
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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 the present invention, at least one vehicle includes roles and permission sets. The traffic control system can then determine the appropriate route for the vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets.
Inventors
- 👤 Margaret Gardner MacPhail
- 👤 David Bruce Kumhyr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:01
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/0104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 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 includes roles and permission sets, wherein the traffic control system can determine the appropriate route for the at least one vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 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 includes roles and permission sets, wherein the traffic control system can determine the appropriate route for the at least one vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets.
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 wireless 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
17 words
The traffic control system of claim 1 wherein the roles and permission sets changeable based upon circumstances.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The traffic control system of claim 1 wherein the roles and permission sets are provided by a trip plan of the vehicle being submitted to the primary controller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the vehicle can negotiate a permission for a cell based upon the GPS location system, the at least one vehicle operation system and the wireless communication system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
171 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 roles and permission sets, wherein the traffic control system can determine the appropriate the at least one vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets and the first and second plurality of participant objects.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
171 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 roles and permission sets, wherein the traffic control system can determine the appropriate the at least one vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets and the first and second plurality of participant objects.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 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 the second plurality of participant objects.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The traffic control system of claim 13 wherein each of the subsidiary controllers can change the route of a vehicle based upon communications with the primary controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The traffic control system of claim 15 wherein the communications within the primary controller includes a participant object that 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 a participant object of one of the subsidiary controllers 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 wireless 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
17 words
The traffic control system of claim 13 wherein the roles and permission sets changeable based upon circumstances.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The traffic control system of claim 13 wherein the roles and permission sets are provided by a trip plan of the vehicle being submitted to a participant object of the primary controller.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the vehicle can negotiate a permission for a cell based upon the GPS location system, the at least one vehicle operation system and the wireless communication system.
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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) | 2006-06-16 | 2006-12-16 | 2007-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-16 | 2010-12-16 | 2011-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-16 | 2014-12-16 | 2015-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |