US6700482B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alerting and notification system
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 2001-09-28
•
Granted: 2004-03-02
•
Expires: 2021-09-28
Abstract
Abstract An alerting and/or notification system for operator(s) of a vehicle about conditions that affect the operation of the vehicle. The system collects information from one or more hazard warning systems, groups the warnings into different alert categories, and resolves conflicts between two or more hazard warnings within the same alert category to set a priority level. The prioritized alerts are presented to the operator, and associated detailed information also made available, in the form of graphical and/or textual messages on a display. Using two- or three-dimensional surround sound techniques, directional verbal and tonal aural cues also inform the operator(s) about the presence of threats and/or conditions. Visual displays and/or directional aural commands may be issued to dictate an evasive maneuver direction, if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Patricia M. Ververs
- 👤 William H. Rogers
- 👤 Michael D. Good
- 👤 Michael C. Dorneich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C23/00; G08; G08G; G08G5/00; G08G5/20; G08G5/21; G08G5/70; G08G5/72; G08G5/723; G08G5/76
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 87
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing an aural indication to the operator from a direction or apparent direction for a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing an aural indication to the operator from a direction or apparent direction for a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more time-critical messages, each including information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more time-critical messages wherein the aural indications appear to originate from directions corresponding to such locations.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more time-critical messages, each including information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more time-critical messages wherein the aural indications appear to originate from directions corresponding to such locations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the one or more time-critical messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle, and the aural indications are verbal alerts emanating from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the one or more time-critical messages include information regarding locations of one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle, and the aural indications are verbal commands emanating from a direction or apparent direction for a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the one or more time-critical messages are for the one or more conditions requiring immediate attention and/or action by the operator of the vehicle.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more tactical messages, each including information regarding the one or more conditions; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more tactical messages.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more tactical messages, each including information regarding the one or more conditions; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more tactical messages.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the one or more tactical messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle, and the aural indications are tone alerts emanating from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the locations of the one or more condition relative to the vehicle.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more strategic messages, each including information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more strategic messages wherein the aural indications appear to originate from directions corresponding to such locations.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more strategic messages, each including information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more strategic messages wherein the aural indications appear to originate from directions corresponding to such locations.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the locations of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more messages, the aural indications being of a tone and/or sound level indicative of the distance of the one or more external condition from the vehicle wherein the aural indications appear to originate from directions corresponding to such locations.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the locations of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more messages, the aural indications being of a tone and/or sound level indicative of the distance of the one or more external condition from the vehicle wherein the aural indications appear to originate from directions corresponding to such locations.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more messages, the aural indications being of a tone and/or sound level indicative of a sense of urgency for responding to the one or more messages and being perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the one or more external conditions.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more messages, the aural indications being of a tone and/or sound level indicative of a sense of urgency for responding to the one or more messages and being perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the one or more external conditions.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; providing one or more visual indicators to the operator, the one or more visual indicators indicative of the locations of the one or more condition relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more messages, the aural indications being of a tone and/or sound level indicative of a sense of urgency for responding to the one or more messages.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; providing one or more visual indicators to the operator, the one or more visual indicators indicative of the locations of the one or more condition relative to the vehicle; and providing aural indications to the operator for the one or more messages, the aural indications being of a tone and/or sound level indicative of a sense of urgency for responding to the one or more messages.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing a visual indicator to the operator, the visual indicator providing directions for an evasive maneuver for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external condition.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the locations of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing a visual indicator to the operator, the visual indicator providing directions for an evasive maneuver for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external condition.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays and/or control inputs, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the one or more conditions; and providing aural indications of the one or more conditions to the operator from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle and corresponding to the one or more displays and/or control inputs.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays and/or control inputs, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the one or more conditions; and providing aural indications of the one or more conditions to the operator from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle and corresponding to the one or more displays and/or control inputs.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays and/or control inputs, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing an aural indication to the operator from a direction or apparent direction for a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions and corresponding to the one or more displays and/or control inputs.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays and/or control inputs, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and providing an aural indication to the operator from a direction or apparent direction for a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions and corresponding to the one or more displays and/or control inputs.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for graphically displaying one or more alerts to an operator of a vehicle, each alert relating to one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the one or more alerts; and displaying higher priority alerts on top of lower priority alerts.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for graphically displaying one or more alerts to an operator of a vehicle, each alert relating to one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving the one or more alerts; and displaying higher priority alerts on top of lower priority alerts.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein at least the selected lower priority alerts are opaque to the overlapping higher priority alerts.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein a plurality of icons are used for differentiating between different priorities or levels of the one or more alerts.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein a plurality of colors are used for differentiating between different priorities or levels of the one or more alerts.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for alerting an operator of a first vehicle about one or more conditions external to the first vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about other vehicles in the vicinity of the first vehicle, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the one or more conditions.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for alerting an operator of a first vehicle about one or more conditions external to the first vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about other vehicles in the vicinity of the first vehicle, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the one or more conditions.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions external to the vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about terrain in the vicinity of the vehicle, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the terrain.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions external to the vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about terrain in the vicinity of the vehicle, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the terrain.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions external to the vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about windshear in the vicinity of the vehicle, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the windshear.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions external to the vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about windshear in the vicinity of the vehicle, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the windshear.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions external to the vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about weather in the vicinity of the vehicle's path, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the weather.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions external to the vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about weather in the vicinity of the vehicle's path, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the weather.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions external to the vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about weather in the vicinity of the vehicle's destination, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of weather.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions external to the vehicle, said one or more conditions including information about weather in the vicinity of the vehicle's destination, the method comprising: providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of weather.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for informing an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more conditions; displaying the information on one or more displays, each display comprising a textual messaging area and a graphical display area, and providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the one or more conditions.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for informing an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more conditions; displaying the information on one or more displays, each display comprising a textual messaging area and a graphical display area, and providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the one or more conditions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein the one or more displays comprise a plurality of textual views selectable by the operator.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein the one or more displays comprise a plurality of graphical views selectable by the operator.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein the one or more messages are displayed in priority order.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein the textual messaging area is scrollable by the operator.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
A display according to claim 25 wherein messages in the textual messaging area can be selected by the operator for viewing an associated graphic in the graphical display area.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein information regarding the one or more conditions are displayed overlapping each other.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein the displayed information includes the vehicle's path.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein the displayed information includes the weather in the vicinity of the vehicle's path.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein the displayed information includes the weather in the vicinity of the vehicle's destination.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein the displayed information includes the terrain in the vicinity of the vehicle.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein the displayed information includes information about other objects in the vicinity of the vehicle.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for informing an operator of a vehicle about weather conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays each display comprising a textual messaging area and a graphical display area, said method comprising the steps of: receiving and storing information about weather conditions; and displaying the weather conditions on the one or more displays; and providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the weather conditions.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for informing an operator of a vehicle about weather conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays each display comprising a textual messaging area and a graphical display area, said method comprising the steps of: receiving and storing information about weather conditions; and displaying the weather conditions on the one or more displays; and providing aural indications to the operator, the aural indications perceivable as originating from a direction corresponding to the location of the weather conditions.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 37 further comprising means for displaying historic or time-lapse images of weather pattern in the vicinity of the vehicle's path.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 37 further comprising means for displaying time-lapse images of predicted weather pattern in the vicinity of the vehicle's path.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 37 further comprising means for displaying historic or time-lapse images of weather pattern in the vicinity of the vehicle's destination.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 37 further comprising means for displaying time-lapse images of predicted weather pattern in the vicinity of the vehicle's destination.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing aural indications to the operator from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing aural indications to the operator from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing an aural indication to the operator from a direction or apparent direction for a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing an aural indication to the operator from a direction or apparent direction for a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing visual indicators to the operator, the visual indicators indicative of the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle and wherein such visual indicators describe a direction for an evasive maneuver to avoid the one or more conditions.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing visual indicators to the operator, the visual indicators indicative of the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle and wherein such visual indicators describe a direction for an evasive maneuver to avoid the one or more conditions.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing a visual indicator to the operator, the visual indicator describing a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages include information regarding the location of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing a visual indicator to the operator, the visual indicator describing a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays and/or control inputs, said system comprising: means for receiving one or, more messages, wherein the one or more messages includes information regarding the one or more conditions; and means for providing aural indications of the one or more conditions to the operator from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle and corresponding to the one or more displays and/or control inputs.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays and/or control inputs, said system comprising: means for receiving one or, more messages, wherein the one or more messages includes information regarding the one or more conditions; and means for providing aural indications of the one or more conditions to the operator from a direction or apparent direction that is dependent on the location of the one or more conditions relative to the vehicle and corresponding to the one or more displays and/or control inputs.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays and/or control inputs, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages includes information regarding the location of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing an aural indication to the operator from a direction or apparent direction for a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions and corresponding to the one or more displays and/or control inputs.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for suggesting a course change to an operator of a vehicle in response to one or more external conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays and/or control inputs, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, wherein the one or more messages includes information regarding the location of the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for providing an aural indication to the operator from a direction or apparent direction for a new course for the vehicle to circumvent the one or more external conditions and corresponding to the one or more displays and/or control inputs.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for informing an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more conditions; and means for displaying the information on one or more displays, each display comprising a scrollable textual messaging area and a selectable graphical display area, and wherein such display area provides a visual indicator describing a direction for an evasive maneuver to avoid the one or more conditions.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for informing an operator of a vehicle about one or more conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more conditions; and means for displaying the information on one or more displays, each display comprising a scrollable textual messaging area and a selectable graphical display area, and wherein such display area provides a visual indicator describing a direction for an evasive maneuver to avoid the one or more conditions.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
79 words
A system for informing an operator of a vehicle about weather conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays each display comprising a scrollable textual messaging area and a selectable graphical display area, said system comprising: means for receiving and storing information about weather conditions; and means for displaying the weather conditions on the one or more displays, and wherein such display area provides a visual indicator describing a direction for an evasive maneuver to avoid the weather conditions.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
79 words
A system for informing an operator of a vehicle about weather conditions, the vehicle having one or more displays each display comprising a scrollable textual messaging area and a selectable graphical display area, said system comprising: means for receiving and storing information about weather conditions; and means for displaying the weather conditions on the one or more displays, and wherein such display area provides a visual indicator describing a direction for an evasive maneuver to avoid the weather conditions.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and grouping selected external conditions having a common predetermined similarity into one of two or more categories.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more external conditions, said method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and grouping selected external conditions having a common predetermined similarity into one of two or more categories.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 50 wherein each of the two or more categories corresponds to one of terrain, traffic, weather, and scheduling constraints.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 50 further comprising prioritizing the one or more external conditions within each of the one or more categories.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 52 wherein the one or more external conditions within each of the one or more categories are prioritized as being one of time-critical alerts, tactical alerts, and strategic alerts.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the time-critical alerts comprise the one or more external conditions having a substantially higher certainty of occurrence and requiring resolution in a substantially shorter period of time.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the tactical alerts comprise the one or more external conditions having a certainty of occurrence less than that of the time-critical alerts and requiring resolution in a period of time less than that for the time-critical alerts.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the strategic alerts comprise the one or more external conditions having a certainty of occurrence less than that of the tactical alerts and requiring resolution in a period of time less than that for the tactical alerts.
Claim 85
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more external conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for grouping selected external conditions having a common predetermined similarity into one of two or more categories.
Claim 86
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for alerting an operator of a vehicle about one or more external conditions, said system comprising: means for receiving one or more messages, each including information regarding the one or more external conditions relative to the vehicle; and means for grouping selected external conditions having a common predetermined similarity into one of two or more categories.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as recited in claim 57 further comprising means for prioritizing the one or more external conditions within each of the one or more categories.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-03-02 | 2007-09-01 | 2008-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-02 | 2011-09-01 | 2012-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-02 | 2015-09-01 | 2016-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |