Patent US6603405B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6603405B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vehicle-centric weather prediction system and method
Assignee: User Centric IP LP
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Filing: 2000-12-05
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Granted: 2003-08-05
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Expires: 2020-12-05
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a system and method for receiving weather forecast information in a vehicle and using that information to warn a vehicle operator of a future weather hazard with reference to the vehicle's intended direction of travel. A weather forecasting center maintains a database and display of forecast weather hazards across a large area. The forecasting center also receives information regarding the, location of each of a plurality of vehicles, such as automobiles or a fleet of commercial trucks. A hazard location algorithm compares a forecast location of each vehicle with a forecast weather hazard and transmits a warning to each vehicle that is predicted to encounter the hazard. The warning can take the form of text, audio, and/or a visual display indicating, for example, that the weather hazard will continue for a certain period of time. As the vehicle moves, its actual position is updated in the forecasting center, and a revised warning is transmitted to the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:35
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of providing weather hazard information to a plurality of vehicles, comprising the steps of: (1) generating a weather forecast covering a plurality of geographically specific cells, and indicating for each cell whether a forecast weather hazard exists for that cell; (2) generating a plurality of forecast vehicle locations with respect to the plurality of geographically specific cells; and (3) generating a warning for each vehicle that is forecast to be in a cell for which a weather hazard forecast exists.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of providing weather hazard information to a plurality of vehicles, comprising the steps of: (1) generating a weather forecast covering a plurality of geographically specific cells, and indicating for each cell whether a forecast weather hazard exists for that cell; (2) generating a plurality of forecast vehicle locations with respect to the plurality of geographically specific cells; and (3) generating a warning for each vehicle that is forecast to be in a cell for which a weather hazard forecast exists.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting the warning to each vehicle through wireless means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of, prior to step (1), registering each of the plurality of vehicles in a database, and using the registration information to determine how to transmit the warning to each vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting the warning to a cellular telephone associated with the each vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of generating an audible warning in the each vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of generating a visual display in the each vehicle corresponding to the warning.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of, for each warning generated, further indicating a predicted duration of the weather hazard.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving location information from each of the plurality of vehicles and using the received location information to generate the plurality of forecast vehicle locations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein step (2) comprises the step of extrapolating future vehicle positions based on previously received location information from each of the plurality of vehicles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein step (2) comprises the step of receiving location information from a data stream comprising a plurality of airplane identifiers and associated location information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving from one or more of the plurality of vehicles additional weather information, and using the additional weather information to aid in step (1).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of pre-registering a trip plan for one or more of the plurality of vehicles, and using the pre-registered trip plan in step (2).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein step (1) comprises the step of indicating for each cell a predicted hazard time value corresponding to the time at which the weather hazard is forecast to occur.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein step (2) comprises the step of indicating for each cell a predicted location time value corresponding to the time at which a vehicle is forecast to reside in that cell.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of subtracting the predicted hazard time for a given cell from the predicted location time for the cell to determine whether a warning should be generated for a particular cell.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
118 words
A vehicle weather warning system, comprising: a locator device that receives information sufficient to determine the location of the vehicle, and that outputs location information; a transmitter that transmits the location information and vehicle identification information to a weather center; a receiver adapted to receive a weather hazard warning signal, wherein the weather hazard warning signal is based at least in part on a weather forecast and based at least in part on a forecast location of the vehicle; a warning device that generates warnings in response to a signal indicating the nature and duration of a weather hazard; and a microprocessor that controls the operation of the locator device, the transmitter, the receiver, and the warning device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
118 words
A vehicle weather warning system, comprising: a locator device that receives information sufficient to determine the location of the vehicle, and that outputs location information; a transmitter that transmits the location information and vehicle identification information to a weather center; a receiver adapted to receive a weather hazard warning signal, wherein the weather hazard warning signal is based at least in part on a weather forecast and based at least in part on a forecast location of the vehicle; a warning device that generates warnings in response to a signal indicating the nature and duration of a weather hazard; and a microprocessor that controls the operation of the locator device, the transmitter, the receiver, and the warning device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16 , wherein the warning device comprises a display unit that displays map information with weather hazards superimposed thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16 , wherein the warning device comprises a speaker that produces an audible warning.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16 , wherein the transmitter comprises a wireless Internet connection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16 , wherein the receiver comprises a wireless Internet connection.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle weather warning system of claim 16 , further comprising a sensor that produces a meteorological data value that is transmitted through the transmitter to the weather center.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
107 words
A data processing device for initiating weather warnings, comprising: a processor; memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the data processing device to perform the steps of: (i) based on received meteorological information, generating a weather forecast covering a plurality of geographically specific cells; (ii) indicating for each cell whether a forecast weather hazard exists for that cell; (iii) determining a future location for each of a plurality of mobile warning devices with respect to the plurality of geographically specific cells; and (iv) sending warning information corresponding to each vehicle that is forecast to be in a cell for which a weather hazard forecast exists.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
107 words
A data processing device for initiating weather warnings, comprising: a processor; memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the data processing device to perform the steps of: (i) based on received meteorological information, generating a weather forecast covering a plurality of geographically specific cells; (ii) indicating for each cell whether a forecast weather hazard exists for that cell; (iii) determining a future location for each of a plurality of mobile warning devices with respect to the plurality of geographically specific cells; and (iv) sending warning information corresponding to each vehicle that is forecast to be in a cell for which a weather hazard forecast exists.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
135 words
A vehicle weather warning system, comprising: a locator device that receives information sufficient to determine the location of the vehicle, and that outputs location information; a transmitter that transmits the location information and vehicle identification information; a receiver adapted to receive a weather hazard warning signal, wherein the weather hazard warning signal is based at least in part on a forecast location of the vehicle and a weather forecast, and wherein the signal indicates the location, nature and duration of a weather hazard; a display unit that displays at least the vehicle's location in relation to the weather hazard responsive to the signal; a speaker that produces an audible warning responsive to the signal; and a microprocessor that controls the operation of the locator device, the transmitter, the receiver, the display unit, and the speaker.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
135 words
A vehicle weather warning system, comprising: a locator device that receives information sufficient to determine the location of the vehicle, and that outputs location information; a transmitter that transmits the location information and vehicle identification information; a receiver adapted to receive a weather hazard warning signal, wherein the weather hazard warning signal is based at least in part on a forecast location of the vehicle and a weather forecast, and wherein the signal indicates the location, nature and duration of a weather hazard; a display unit that displays at least the vehicle's location in relation to the weather hazard responsive to the signal; a speaker that produces an audible warning responsive to the signal; and a microprocessor that controls the operation of the locator device, the transmitter, the receiver, the display unit, and the speaker.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
120 words
A weather warning system, comprising: a locator device that receives information sufficient to determine the location of the system, and that outputs location information; a transmitter that transmits the location information and identification information; a receiver adapted to receive a weather hazard warning signal, wherein the weather hazard warning signal is based at least in part on a forecast location of the system and a weather forecast, and wherein the signal indicates the predicted location and nature of a weather hazard; a display unit that displays at least the system's location in relation to the weather hazard responsive to the signal; and a microprocessor that controls the operation of the locator device, the transmitter, the receiver, and the display unit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
120 words
A weather warning system, comprising: a locator device that receives information sufficient to determine the location of the system, and that outputs location information; a transmitter that transmits the location information and identification information; a receiver adapted to receive a weather hazard warning signal, wherein the weather hazard warning signal is based at least in part on a forecast location of the system and a weather forecast, and wherein the signal indicates the predicted location and nature of a weather hazard; a display unit that displays at least the system's location in relation to the weather hazard responsive to the signal; and a microprocessor that controls the operation of the locator device, the transmitter, the receiver, and the display unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 24 , wherein the system comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 24 , wherein the system comprises a mobile telephone.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 24 , further comprising a speaker that produces an audible warning responsive to the signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The weather warning system of claim 24 , wherein the signal further indicates a duration of the weather hazard.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
96 words
A weather warning device, comprising: memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor cause the device to perform a method, comprising: (i) receiving forecast weather hazard information for a plurality of geographically distinct cells; (ii) determining a future location of the weather warning device with respect to the geographically distinct cells; and (iii) causing an output device to output a warning when the future location of the weather warning device falls within one of the geographically distinct cells at a time when a forecast weather hazard exists for the one geographically distinct cell.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
96 words
A weather warning device, comprising: memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor cause the device to perform a method, comprising: (i) receiving forecast weather hazard information for a plurality of geographically distinct cells; (ii) determining a future location of the weather warning device with respect to the geographically distinct cells; and (iii) causing an output device to output a warning when the future location of the weather warning device falls within one of the geographically distinct cells at a time when a forecast weather hazard exists for the one geographically distinct cell.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 29 , wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 29 , wherein the output device comprises a speaker that produces an audible warning.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 29 , wherein the output device comprises a display unit that displays a current location of the warning device in relation to current weather information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 29 , wherein step (ii) comprises determining the future location based on a speed and a direction of travel of the weather warning device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
105 words
A data processing device for initiating weather warnings, comprising: memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the data processing device to perform the steps of: (i) based on received meteorological information, generating a weather forecast covering a plurality of geographically specific cells; (ii) indicating for each cell whether a forecast weather hazard exists for that cell; (iii) determining a future location for a user with respect to the plurality of geographically specific cells; and (iv) initiating a weather warning corresponding to the user when the user is forecast to be in a cell for which a weather hazard forecast exists.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
105 words
A data processing device for initiating weather warnings, comprising: memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the data processing device to perform the steps of: (i) based on received meteorological information, generating a weather forecast covering a plurality of geographically specific cells; (ii) indicating for each cell whether a forecast weather hazard exists for that cell; (iii) determining a future location for a user with respect to the plurality of geographically specific cells; and (iv) initiating a weather warning corresponding to the user when the user is forecast to be in a cell for which a weather hazard forecast exists.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of providing a weather hazard warning, comprising: (i) generating a weather forecast covering a plurality of geographically specific cells, and indicating for each cell whether a forecast weather hazard exists for that cell; (ii) generating a forecast location of a user with respect to the plurality of geographically specific cells; and (iii) initiating a warning for the user when the user is forecast to be in a cell for which a forecast weather hazard exists.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of providing a weather hazard warning, comprising: (i) generating a weather forecast covering a plurality of geographically specific cells, and indicating for each cell whether a forecast weather hazard exists for that cell; (ii) generating a forecast location of a user with respect to the plurality of geographically specific cells; and (iii) initiating a warning for the user when the user is forecast to be in a cell for which a forecast weather hazard exists.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
69 words
A mobile system, comprising: a display unit that displays a location of the mobile system on a map superimposed with forecast weather information based on a location of the mobile system; and a processor for controlling operation of the mobile system based on computer executable instructions for performing a method comprising outputting an alert when a forecast location of the system is predicted to encounter the forecast weather information.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
69 words
A mobile system, comprising: a display unit that displays a location of the mobile system on a map superimposed with forecast weather information based on a location of the mobile system; and a processor for controlling operation of the mobile system based on computer executable instructions for performing a method comprising outputting an alert when a forecast location of the system is predicted to encounter the forecast weather information.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mobile system of claim 36 , wherein the superimposed location of the mobile system represents a current location of the mobile system.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mobile system of claim 36 , wherein the superimposed location of the mobile system represents a future location of the mobile system.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mobile system of claim 36 , wherein the forecast weather information is based on radar data.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of providing a weather hazard warning, comprising: (i) generating a forecast weather hazard for a predefined geographic area based on weather forecast information; (ii) determining a future location of a user with respect to the predefined geographic area and (iii) initiating a warning for the user when the user is forecast to be in the predefined geographic area when the forecast weather hazard exists.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of providing a weather hazard warning, comprising: (i) generating a forecast weather hazard for a predefined geographic area based on weather forecast information; (ii) determining a future location of a user with respect to the predefined geographic area and (iii) initiating a warning for the user when the user is forecast to be in the predefined geographic area when the forecast weather hazard exists.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 40 , wherein the predefined geographic area comprises one or more of a plurality of geographically distinct cells.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 40 , wherein step (ii) comprises determining the future location based on a speed and a direction of travel of the user.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 40 , wherein in step (ii) the future location comprises a latitude and longitude.
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-04 | 2011-02-03 | 2011-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-04 | 2015-02-03 | 2015-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |