Hierarchical traffic control system which includes vehicle roles and permissions

• US 6,681,175 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2003
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kumhyr, David Bruce, MacPhail, Margaret Gardner
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/340,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20030100991A1
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 701/117, 701/118, 701/119, 701/24, 701/206, 701/207, 701/208, 701/210, 701/213, 340/905, 340/933, 340/934, 340/95, 455/507, 455/509, 455/457
• US Class Current: 701/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions

Abstract

A hierarchical traffic control system is disclosed. The traffic control system comprises a primary controller. The primary controller receives information about traffic in an area. The system further includes a plurality of subsidiary controllers. The subsidiary controllers provide information to and receive information from the primary controller. Each of the plurality of subsidiary controllers is associated with a cell within the area. Each of the subsidiary controllers receives and provides information to at least one vehicle concerning traffic conditions within its associated cell. The primary controller and each of the subsidiary controllers are capable of negotiating a change in the flow of traffic based upon traffic conditions. In the present invention, at least one vehicle includes roles and permission sets. The traffic control system can then determine the appropriate route for the vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a vehicle by a traffic control system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) assigning roles and permission sets to the vehicle, wherein the roles and permission sets are changeable based upon circumstances;

(b) communicating the roles and permission sets to the traffic control system; and

(c) determining the appropriate route for the vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the roles and permission sets are provided by a trip plan of the vehicle being submitted to the primary controller.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a GPS location system, a wireless communication system, and at least one vehicle operation system, wherein information concerning the vehicle operation can be communicated from any combination of the GPS location, the wireless communication system and the at least one vehicle operation system.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the vehicle can negotiate a permission for a cell based upon the GPS location system, the at least one vehicle operation system and the wireless communication system.

5. A method for controlling a vehicle by a traffic control system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) assigning roles and permission sets to the vehicle, wherein the roles and permission sets are changeable based upon circumstances;

(b) communicating the roles and permission sets to at least one participant object of the traffic control system; and

(c) determining the appropriate route for the vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the roles and permission sets are provided by a trip plan of the vehicle being submitted to a participant object of the primary controller.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the vehicle includes a GPS location system, a wireless communication system, and at least one vehicle operation system, wherein information concerning the vehicle operation can be communicated from any combination of the GPS location, the wireless communication system and the at least one vehicle operation system.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the vehicle can negotiate a permission for a cell based upon the GPS location system, the at least one vehicle operation system and the wireless communication system.

9. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a vehicle by a traffic control system, the program instructions for:

(a) assigning roles and permission sets to the vehicle, wherein the roles and permission sets are changeable based upon circumstances;

(b) communicating the roles and permission sets to the traffic control system; and

(c) determining the appropriate route for the vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets.

10. A method for controlling a vehicle by a traffic control system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) assigning roles and permission sets to the vehicle;

(b) communicating the roles and permission sets to the traffic control system; and

(c) determining the appropriate route for the vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets, wherein the vehicle includes a GPS location system, a wireless communication system, and at least one vehicle operation system, wherein information concerning the vehicle operation can be communicated from any combination of the GPS location, the wireless communication system and the at least one vehicle operation system.

11. A method for controlling a vehicle by a traffic control system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) assigning roles and permission sets to the vehicle;

(b) communicating the roles and permission sets to at least one participant object of the traffic control system; and

(c) determining the appropriate route for the vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets, wherein the vehicle includes a GPS location system, a wireless communication system, and at least one vehicle operation system, wherein information concerning the vehicle operation can be communicated from any combination of the GPS location, the wireless communication system and the at least one vehicle operation system.

12. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a vehicle by a traffic control system, the program instructions for:

(a) assigning roles and permission sets to the vehicle;

(b) communicating the roles and permission sets to the traffic control system; and

(c) determining the appropriate route for the vehicle based upon the roles and permission sets, wherein the vehicle includes a GPS location system, a wireless communication system, and at least one vehicle operation system, wherein information concerning the vehicle operation can be communicated from any combination of the GPS location, the wireless communication system and the at least one vehicle operation system.