SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INTEGRATING LANE POSITION MONITORING WITH LOCATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
First Claim
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1. A method for instructing a driver as to which lane to utilize along a route to a specified destination, the method comprising:
- operating a signal receiver on a vehicle for receiving, from a location information system, signals that are indicative of a current vehicle location;
using at least one sensor on the vehicle to identify a current lane position of the vehicle along a route segment currently occupied by the vehicle;
determining whether a lane change is necessary for a next one of the turns along the route based on the current lane position determined by the sensor on the vehicle; and
issuing lane change instructions before the next turn when a lane change is determined to be necessary.
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Abstract
A system and method for an integrated lane positioning monitor with locational information systems is provided. The system and method gather and process information and data to assist an automobile operator in selecting and changing driving lanes. Further, the system and method is integrated with a locational information system to inform the operator of upcoming congestion and traffic issues as well as an appropriate distance to change lanes before a highway exit or entrance.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for instructing a driver as to which lane to utilize along a route to a specified destination, the method comprising:
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operating a signal receiver on a vehicle for receiving, from a location information system, signals that are indicative of a current vehicle location; using at least one sensor on the vehicle to identify a current lane position of the vehicle along a route segment currently occupied by the vehicle; determining whether a lane change is necessary for a next one of the turns along the route based on the current lane position determined by the sensor on the vehicle; and issuing lane change instructions before the next turn when a lane change is determined to be necessary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A route guidance system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a signal receiver for receiving, from a location information system, a signal indicative of a current vehicle location; a route calculator for calculating a route to the destination based on the current vehicle location, the route comprising a plurality of route segments and turns between adjacent route segments; at least one sensor to identify a current lane position of the vehicle along the route segment currently occupied by the vehicle and to generate a current lane position signal; at least one output device for generating route guidance instructions; and a control unit connected to the route calculator, the sensor and the output device, the control unit being operative for determining whether a lane change is necessary for a next one of the turns along the route based on the current lane position determined by the sensor and issuing lane change instruction signals to be outputted by the output device sufficiently before the next turn when a lane change is determined to be necessary. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A route guidance system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a signal receiver for receiving, from a location information system, a signal indicative of a current vehicle location; a route calculator for calculating a route to the destination based on the current vehicle location, the route comprising a plurality of route segments and turns between adjacent route segments; at least one sensor to identify a current lane position of the vehicle along the route segment currently occupied by the vehicle and to generate a current lane position signal; at least one output device for generating route guidance instructions; a speed sensor for determining the speed of the vehicle; a vehicle proximity sensor for sensing the proximity of the vehicle to at least one other vehicle; a user input device for inputting a destination; and a control unit connected to the route calculator, the sensor, the output device, the speed sensor, the vehicle proximity sensor, and the user input device, the control unit being operative for determining whether a lane change is necessary for a next one of the turns along the route based on the current lane position determined by the sensor and as a function of vehicle speed sensed by the vehicle sensor, the proximity of the vehicle to the at least one other vehicle, and issuing lane change instruction signals to be outputted by the output device sufficiently before the next turn when a lane change is determined to be necessary.
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Specification