Intelligent Public Transit System Using Dual-Mode Vehicles

• US 20080119965A1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mccrary Personal Transport System, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mccrary Personal Transport System, LLC
• Inventors: McCrary, Homer T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,037,388 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 13/001 Decorating, marking or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/00 Non-inflatable or solid tyres B60C1/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 9/02 Wheel tracks rail tracks for guiding vehicles E01B25/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/01 Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled G08G1/07 - G08G1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 152/10 Tires, resilient
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 152/10495 Pneumatic tire or inner tube

Abstract

A computerized system for guiding activity in a current construction project has digital memory storing information about completed and current construction projects, at least one input mechanism for a user to provide information to the digital memory concerning the current construction project, a processor system for accessing information in the digital memory, processing said information, and providing output available to a user of the computerized system, and software guiding the processor in its accessing information, processing the information, and in providing the output. Considering a current project, the software accesses information regarding one or more completed projects as well as information concerning the current project, processes the information, and provides output specifying one or more actions to be taken in the current project.

Claims

1. A computerized system for guiding activity in a current construction project, comprising:

digital memory storing information about completed and current construction projects;

at least one input mechanism for a user to provide information to the digital memory concerning the current construction project;

a processor system for accessing information in the digital memory, processing said information, and providing output available to a user of the computerized system; and

software guiding the processor in its accessing information, processing the information, and in providing the output;

characterized in that, considering a current project, the software accesses information regarding one or more completed projects as well as information concerning the current project, processes the information, and provides output specifying one or more actions to be taken in the current project.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the projects concern building computer-managed personal transport systems, wherein wheeled vehicles are guided in dedicated roadways.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein, during the current project, the user provides, at certain points in the project, input through the input mechanism concerning actual actions taken in the current project relative to actions output as to be taken, and also provides input regarding actual results of the actual actions taken.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is guided by the software to specify actions to cut costs, lower time frames, or to improve reliability or safety in the current project.

5. A personal transport system, comprising:

a master computer;

a controlled roadway comprising travel lanes and entrance and exit ramps; and

dual-mode wheeled vehicles each having an on-board computer coupled to the master computer system, the dual-mode vehicles capable of accessing the roadway via the entrance ramps, travel on the roadway, exiting the roadway via the exit ramps, and of being driven on surface streets;

wherein, at individual entrance ramps, dual mode vehicles attempting to access an entrance ramp are evaluated by equipment coupled to the master computer for suitability to travel on the controlled roadway, and vehicles failing one or more tests may be prevented from accessing the controlled roadway.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein one of the suitability tests is operation of the vehicle over a course to determine ability to accelerate.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein individual entrance ramps have exit portals operable by the master computer, and vehicles failing one or more tests may be forced to exit via the exit portal.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein evaluation includes determining whether or not a vehicle is equipped for control on the roadway, or whether or not a driver of a vehicle may be attempting to access the roadway with an unsuitable vehicle.

9. A personal transport system, comprising:

a master computer;

a controlled roadway comprising travel lanes and entrance and exit ramps;

dual-mode wheeled vehicles each having an on-board computer coupled to the master computer system, the dual-mode vehicles capable of accessing the roadway via the entrance ramps, travel on the roadway, exiting the roadway via the exit ramps, and of being driven on surface streets; and

a communication facility allowing operators of the dual-mode vehicles to create and edit schedules for travel on the controlled roadway;

wherein, the master computer system uses schedules entered by drivers to schedule and control operation of the controlled roadway, and reschedules and alters control according to edits made by the drivers.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein edits may be made to a schedule by a driver at any time, including while traveling in a vehicle on the controlled roadway.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein an edit may include choosing an alternative exit while traveling in a vehicle on the controlled roadway.

12. A personal transport system, comprising:

a master computer;

a controlled roadway comprising travel lanes and entrance and exit ramps; and

dual-mode wheeled vehicles each having an on-board computer coupled to the master computer system, the dual-mode vehicles capable of accessing the roadway via the entrance ramps, travel on the roadway, exiting the roadway via the exit ramps, and of being driven on surface streets;

wherein the master computer system divides the roadway into virtual moving packets spaced apart by a specific distance, moving at a controlled speed, and vehicles are caused to occupy individual ones of the virtual packets, and wherein the master computer may adjust packet size and spacing during operation, causing vehicles occupying virtual spaces to readjust relative to one another according to the adjustment of the packets by the master computer.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the master computer adjusts virtual packets on a portion of the roadway ahead of an exit ramp to afford a vehicle about to exit additional space between that vehicle and proximate vehicles.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the dual-mode vehicles comprise engagement mechanisms fore and aft, and wherein the master computer adjusts packet characteristics to cause two or more vehicles to engage one to another by the engagement mechanisms.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the adjustment is triggered by failure of one vehicle in operation, and by the engagement an immediately following vehicle is caused to push the failed vehicle.

16. A personal transport system, comprising:

a master computer;

a controlled roadway comprising travel lanes and entrance and exit ramps; and

dual-mode wheeled vehicles each having an on-board computer coupled to the master computer system, the dual-mode vehicles capable of accessing the roadway via the entrance ramps, travel on the roadway, exiting the roadway via the exit ramps, and of being driven on surface streets;

wherein the master computer keeps a threaded history of operation, including problems and solutions.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein, in the event of a current problem, the master computer consults the threaded history for similar problems in the past, to consider potential solutions to the current problem.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein, after consideration of solutions to similar past problems, the master computer outputs suggested procedures for correction.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein past problems include problems related to environment conditions.