Intelligent selectively-targeted communications systems and methods

• US 7,508,320 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2007
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Lance G. Taylor
• Inventors: Taylor, Lance G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung T.
• Application Number:
  US11/685,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20070262881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/903, 340/905, 340/988, 340/992, 340/995.17, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/539.23, 340/539.28, 340/601, 701/2, 701/3, 701/300, 701/301, 379/37, 379/221.11, 702/3
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/00 Traffic control systems for road vehicles arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00 ; automatic vehicle control B62D
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

There is disclosed a system and method wherein precise geographical location information such as Global Positioning System coordinate data is utilized as a principal criterion for implementing other wireless transmitted instructions and communications advising vehicles, and others, of an approaching emergency vehicle, the proximity of a hazardous condition, or virtually any other situation which is relevant to the intended recipient because of their location. The system and method further can involve intervention and control of a vehicle, such as an aircraft or automobile, which comes into a predetermined location or area, or under other circumstances. The system and method use transmitting units and receiving units, both of which can receive geographical positioning information and which may sound or otherwise output an appropriate advisory, warning or other communication selected based on their positions, heading, and/or speed.

Claims

1. A method for selectively outputting information based on positional factors, comprising:

receiving a geographic location of a transmitting unit coupled to a first vehicle;

receiving at least one of a speed and heading of the transmitting unit;

determining a current position, speed and direction of travel of a receiving unit coupled to a second vehicle;

determining whether the receiving unit is in a target footprint based on the current position of the receiving unit; and

if the receiving unit is in the target footprint, determining whether to output information based on at least one of the current speed and heading of the receiving unit,

wherein the receiving unit generates the target footprint, the target footprint being smaller than a broadcasting range of the transmitting unit.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the target footprint has a noncircular shape.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the information that is output includes advisory information.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the information that is output includes vehicle control information that diverts at least partial control over the vehicle away from an operator of the vehicle.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the vehicle control information is output to a control interface for at least one of shutting down an engine of the vehicle, controlling brakes of the vehicle, controlling steering of the vehicle, and controlling acceleration of the vehicle.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the information that is output relates to at least one of:

movement of a vehicle;

a heading of the vehicle;

a condition on a roadway;

road construction;

roadway intersection signaling;

a weather condition; and

a railroad crossing.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising periodically repeating the step of determining whether the receiving unit is in a target footprint based on the current position of the receiving unit.

8. A method for selectively outputting information based on positional factors, comprising:

receiving a geographic location of a transmitting unit coupled to a first vehicle;

receiving at least one of a speed and heading of the transmitting unit;

determining a current position, speed and direction of travel of a receiving unit coupled to a second vehicle;

generating approximate geographical boundaries of a target footprint based on the geographic location of the transmitting unit and the at least one of the speed and heading of the transmitting unit;

determining whether the receiving unit is in a target footprint based on the current position of the receiving unit; and

if the receiving unit is in the target footprint, determining whether to output information based on at least one of the current speed and heading of the receiving unit.

9. A method for selectively outputting information based on positional factors, comprising:

receiving a geographic location of a transmitting unit coupled to a first vehicle;

receiving at least one of a speed and heading of the transmitting unit;

determining a current position, speed and direction of travel of a second vehicle;

determining whether receiving unit of the second vehicle is in a target footprint based on the current position of the receiving unit; and

if the receiving unit is in the target footprint, determining whether to output information based on at least one of the current speed and heading of the receiving unit,

wherein the transmitting unit generates the target footprint, the target footprint being smaller than a broadcasting range of the transmitting unit.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising generating approximate geographical boundaries of a target footprint based on the geographic location of the transmitting unit and the at least one of the speed and heading of the transmitting unit.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the target footprint has a noncircular shape.

12. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the information that is output includes advisory information.

13. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the information that is output includes vehicle control information.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the vehicle control information is output to a control interface for at least one of shutting down an engine of the vehicle, controlling brakes of the vehicle, controlling steering of the vehicle, and controlling acceleration of the vehicle.

15. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the information that is output relates to at least one of:

movement of a vehicle;

a heading of the vehicle;

a condition on a roadway;

road construction;

roadway intersection signaling;

a weather condition; and

a railroad crossing.

16. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising periodically repeating the step of determining whether the receiving unit is in a target footprint based on the current position of the receiving unit.

17. A system for selectively outputting information based on positional factors, comprising:

a receiving unit having;

logic for receiving a geographic location of a transmitting unit coupled to a first vehicle;

logic for receiving at least one of a speed and heading of the transmitting unit;

logic for determining a current position, speed and direction of travel of the receiving unit;

logic for determining whether the receiving unit is in a target footprint based on the current position of the receiving unit; and

logic for determining whether to output information based on at least one of the current speed and heading of the receiving unit if the receiving unit is in the target footprint,

wherein at least one of the transmitting unit and the receiving unit generates the target footprint, the target footprint being smaller than a broadcasting range of the transmitting unit.

18. A method for providing a public safety advisory, comprising:

determining a target footprint based upon a geographical position of at least one of a nonvehicular object, an event and a nonvehicular condition associated with a roadway; and

transmitting data about the target footprint to at least one receiving unit;

wherein a determination is made as to whether the receiving unit is in the target footprint;

wherein a safety advisory is output by the receiving unit if the receiving unit is in the target footprint,

wherein the target footprint is smaller than a broadcasting range of a transmitter doing the transmitting.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein whether a receiving unit outputs the advisory information is further based on a geographical location, heading and speed of the receiving unit.

20. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising tracking a speed of a receiving unit, and sending an instruction with a second advisory to the receiving unit if the speed is above a predetermined threshold.