Automated collective transport system

• US 8,831,800 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2008
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raoul Parienti
• Original Assignee: Raoul Parienti
• Inventors: Parienti, Raoul
• Primary Examiner(s): TISSOT, ADAM D
• Application Number:
  US13/055,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20110125345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,239 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/168, 180/401, 701/23, 701/117, 701/19, 701/24, 701/301, 701/41, 340/903, 340/905, 340/435, 340/436, 340/902
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0297 by controlling means in a control room

Abstract

Automated transport system including at least one automotive vehicle (10) without a driver and one central computer (14), the vehicle being able to go automatically from a departure point to a destination point using signals transmitted by the central computer and following a rail (12) integrated in the pavement. The rail is a rubber strip or equivalent mounted on the pavement having continuous optical characteristics and having chip contactless devices or transponders (20) at regular spacing. Each vehicle is equipped with localization and detection means (18) adapted to identify the strip'"'"'s optical characteristics in order to follow the strip during its motion and to detect localization signals received from the transponders reacting to the radio frequency signals in order to localize the vehicle.

Claims

1. Automated public and individual transport system, comprising

at least one vehicle without a driver, and

a central computer separate from said vehicle,

wherein said vehicle is able to automatically go from a starting point to a destination point along a route using command signals transmitted by said central computer and following a rail which is integrated in street pavement on which said vehicle moves,

wherein said vehicle is an automobile vehicle mounted on tires and said rail is mounted on the pavement, said rail exhibiting continuous optical characteristics and including RFID contactless chip devices or regularly spaced transponders,

wherein said vehicle comprises localization and detection means and an antenna suited for transmission of radiofrequency signals to said transponders, said localization and detection means designed to identify said optical characteristics in order to follow said rail during the motion of the vehicle and to detect localization signals received from said transponders that are reacting to radiofrequency signals so as to localize said vehicle,

further comprising a train of several said vehicles, such that the front vehicle is a master vehicle which memorizes the destination point of each vehicle that is following said master vehicle and a full set of intersection points of the rails where each vehicle will have to change,

wherein the vehicles composing said train of vehicles can communicate together via wireless links using a digital hyper frequency link, an analogue radio link and an infrared link,

wherein the infrared link is adapted to receive instructions from the master vehicle for activation of a progressive braking mode or emergency braking when said master vehicle is facing an obstacle, and

wherein a failing vehicle may leave the rail and the vehicle train using said failing vehicle'"'"'s emergency engine or starter, and park along a curb while using sensors of said failing vehicle, while the master vehicle controls a speed reduction of the vehicles of the train.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle further comprises an onboard computer adapted to receive data related to motion, data related to management, and information transmitted by said central computer through a digital radiofrequency link.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said onboard computer is fitted with a mapping database which can be regularly updated by said central computer such that an accurate real time position of said onboard computer can be determined based on coordinates transmitted by said transponders and adjusted by an odometer.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said database includes current road signals and all signaling panels, which allows said vehicle to be aware of intersections.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said vehicle further comprises a command center adapted to receive said data linked to motion from said onboard computer and to activate commands to said vehicle selected from the group consisting of brake commands, accelerator commands and steering commands.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said vehicle has outer boundaries equipped with obstacle detection sensors for real time assessment whether the route is obstructed, said sensors adapted to transmit information to said command center for analysis and real time comparison to a reference expert system included in said onboard computer in order to slow down or to stop said vehicle in case of emergency.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said obstacle detection sensors are selected from the group consisting of infrared sensors, ultrasound sensors and hyper frequency sensors.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein when a failing vehicle suffers a total breakdown, or cannot maneuver or in case of a permanent obstacle, the vehicle immediately behind disconnects from the rail and goes around the failing vehicle in order to come back to the rail, provided there is sufficient room for the manoeuver based on control of the master vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said rail is a rubber strip.