Systems and methods for distributing information to an operator of a vehicle

• US 6,807,464 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2002
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Quartz Auto Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Yu, Philip Shi-lung, Greene, David P., Stern, Edith H., Willner, Barry E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US10/040,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20030125846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/2, 701/211, 701/208, 701/209, 701/210, 701/201, 701/117, 701/118, 701/119, 340/902, 340/995.13, 340/995.25, 340/995.27, 340/992, 340/994, 340/988, 340/990, 340/995, 455/414.3, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.5
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to facilitate a distribution of information. According to one embodiment, vehicle control information is determined, the vehicle control information being dependent on time in formation, operator information, and/or vehicle information. For example, an intersection control signal may be determined. The vehicle control information is then transmitted to an automobile device, which in turn arranges for the vehicle control information to be provided to an operator. For example, a graphical representation of an intersection control signal may be displayed on an automobile'"'"'s windshield.

Claims

1. A method of distributing vehicle control information, comprising:

determining at a controller located at a location vehicle control information associated with the location and with an operator of a vehicle;

transmitting the vehicle control information to a vehicle device;

receiving the vehicle control information at the vehicle device; and

arranging at the vehicle device for an indication to be provided to the operator in accordance with the vehicle control information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control information is further associated with at least one of:

(i) an intersection control signal, (ii) a speed limit, (iii) a merge indication, (iv) a parking regulation, (v) a direction of travel, (vi) location information, (vii) an allowable vehicle action, and (viii) a prohibited vehicle action.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control information is further associated with at least one of:

(i) a time of day, (ii) a day of week, and (iii) a date.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control information is associated with at least one of:

(i) an operator identifier, (ii) an operator category, (iii) an operator age, (iv) an operator license, (v) insurance information, and (vi) subscription information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication is provided to the operator in accordance with at least one of:

(i) an operator preference, (ii) an indication type, (iii) a display location, (iv) an indication duration, and (v) a threshold level.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control information is further associated with at least one of:

(i) a vehicle identifier, (ii) a vehicle category, (iii) a vehicle weight, (iv) a vehicle height, and (v) item information associated with the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting is performed at least one of:

(i) periodically, (ii) when communication with the vehicle device is possible, (iii) based on a location of the vehicle device, and (iv) upon a change in vehicle control information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting is performed in response to a request received from the vehicle device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the vehicle control information is determined based on the request.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the request indicates a direction of vehicle travel.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control information includes a plurality of vehicle control values and associated rules.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the vehicle control information to another vehicle device.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

(i) transmitting a request to the vehicle device, and (ii) receiving a confirmation from the vehicle device.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the vehicle control information from a central controller.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting location information associated with the vehicle control information.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting is performed via at least one of:

(i) a wireless communication device, (ii) a Bluetooth device, (iii) an Internet device, (iv) a telephone device, (v) a vehicle device, (vi) a portable computing device, (vii) a personal digital assistant, and (viii) a pager.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the vehicle control information.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising prior to said determining:

transmitting operator information from the vehicle device to the controller, wherein the vehicle control information is determined at the controller based on the operator information.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control information transmitted from the controller to the vehicle device includes a plurality of potential indications and said arranging includes selecting the indication to be provided to the operator based on the operator of the vehicle.

20. A system, comprising:

a controller located at a location, wherein the controller is adapted to (i) determine vehicle control in formation associated with the location and with an operator of a vehicle and (ii) transmit the vehicle control information; and

a vehicle device adapted to (i) receive the vehicle control in formation and (ii) arrange for an indication to be provided to the operator in accordance with the vehicle control information.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle device is further adapted to transmit operator information to the controller and the controller is further adapted to determine the vehicle control information based on the operator information.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle control information transmitted from the controller to the vehicle device includes a plurality of potential indications and the vehicle device is further adapted to select the indication to be provided to the operator based on the operator of the vehicle.