System for sequencing traffic

• US 6,498,981 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1999
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Adams, Wayland K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Louis-Jacques, Jacques H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead, Brian
• Application Number:
  US09/475,914
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 701/117, 701/118, 701/120, 701/121, 701/122, 701/19, 701/21, 701/23, 340/907
• US Class Current: 701/120
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0043 Traffic management of multiple aircrafts from the ground G08G5/003 takes precedence; data processing specially designed for resource management, e.g. scheduling or allocating time, human or machine resources G06Q10/06

Abstract

A system for sequencing traffic for use with various types of vehicles such as air vehicles, land vehicles water vehicles, and railroad vehicles. Virtual containers may be generated that are used to sequence traffic. The virtual containers may be suitably managed to move at a predetermined rate and capacity. Vehicles may be positioned within an empty virtual container. The vehicle will then be managed to stay within the boundaries of the virtual container and thus maintain the desired sequencing of traffic.

Claims

1. A method for sequencing traffic comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a plurality of virtual containers that move at a predetermined rate and capacity, wherein each of the virtual containers are configured to hold a vehicle;

(b) managing the movement of the virtual containers such that the virtual containers move at the predetermined rate and capacity;

(c) positioning a vehicle in one of the moving virtual containers;

(d) generating a protective zone and an alert zone surrounding each of the vehicles, wherein the alert zone is larger than the protective zone; and

(e) managing the vehicle so that the alert zone of the vehicle stays within the moving virtual container.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein steps (c) and (d) are repeated for a plurality of vehicles.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises positioning an air vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises positioning a water vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises positioning a land vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises positioning a railroad vehicle.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises sending command data to the vehicle.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of generating a plurality of virtual containers, each of the virtual containers is associated with a feeder fix.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of generating a plurality of virtual containers, each of the virtual containers is a three-dimensional container having a height, a width, and a length.

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the step of generating a plurality of virtual containers, at least one of the virtual containers is used for air vehicles that are taking off and at least one of the virtual containers is used for air vehicles that are landing.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein in the step of generating a plurality of virtual containers, the virtual containers used for taking off are distinguishable from the virtual containers used for landing.