Vehicle braking apparatus system and method

• US 20070250240A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krayon Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Krayon Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Reisner, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 9,387,838 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/18 operated by wayside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/28 non-mechanical , e.g. following a line or other known markers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0265 using buried wires

Abstract

A vehicle braking apparatus, system and method is provided including electromagnetic signals emitted from an electromagnetic loop positioned on or under a roadway, wherein the signals emitted from the electromagnetic loop correspond to the status of a traffic control zone. The braking apparatus receives signals emitted by the loop and interprets the signals to facilitate remotely directed operation of a brake. A manual actuator is also configured to operate the brake and override remote braking directives.

Claims

1. A vehicle braking apparatus comprising:

a receiver, configured to receive electromagnetic signals emitted from an electromagnetic loop positioned on or under a roadway, wherein the signals emitted from the electromagnetic loop correspond to the status of a traffic control zone;

a processor, communicatively linked to the receiver, wherein the processor includes governing protocol executable for interpreting signals received by the receiver;

a brake, wherein the brake is configured to operate as directed by the processor; and

a manual actuator, configured to operate the brake and override braking directives provided by the processor.

2. The vehicle braking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is included in an electronic controlled braking module configured to direct anti-lock braking.

3. The vehicle braking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic signals are radio frequency signals.

4. The vehicle braking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the manual actuator is communicatively linked to the processor such that manual actuation of the brake is communicated to the processor and interpreted to stop braking directives remotely initiated by received signals interpreted by the processor.

5. The vehicle braking apparatus of claim 2, wherein the receiver is integrated with the electronic controlled braking module.

6. A vehicle braking method comprising:

providing an electromagnetic loop, wherein the electromagnetic loop is located on or under a roadway;

detecting a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is detected via electromagnetic variance in the electromagnetic loop as the vehicle electromagnetically interacts with the loop;

providing a traffic control device, wherein the traffic control device is configured to calculate the position and velocity of the detected vehicle in relation to the status of a traffic control zone and to determine whether the condition of the vehicle, as detected in relation to the status of the traffic control zone, is safe;

transmitting braking signals from the electromagnetic loop, wherein the braking signals are initiated by the traffic control device if the condition of the vehicle is determined to be unsafe; and

receiving the signals, by the vehicle, to remotely initiate braking of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle braking method of claim 6, further comprising correlating braking based on specific lanes of vehicle travel in relation to a traffic control zone.

8. The vehicle braking method of claim 6, further comprising employing a secured operation to override remote braking initiatives, wherein the secured operation corresponds to an emergency vehicle.

9. The vehicle braking method of claim 6, wherein determining whether the condition of the vehicle, as detected in relation to the status of the traffic control zone, is safe includes consideration of vehicle type.

10. The vehicle braking method of claim 9, further comprising overriding remotely initiated braking via operation of a manual braking actuator located on the vehicle.

11. The vehicle braking method of claim 6, wherein the traffic control device includes monitoring software directing calculations and accessing relevant data applicable to the traffic control zone, such that when a specific criteria is met braking signals are initiated.

12. The vehicle braking method of claim 6, further including providing multiple electromagnetic loops independently linked to the traffic control device, each loop configured to detect a vehicle and transmit signals to a vehicle.

13. The vehicle braking method of claim 12, wherein the multiple electromagnetic loops are positioned sequentially closer to one another as the distance to a desired slowing or stopping point is approached.

14. The vehicle braking method of claim 13, wherein braking signals transmitted from the electronic loops vary based on vehicle condition as determined by the traffic control device, and further wherein the varied signals remotely control braking differently based on vehicle condition.

15. A vehicle braking system comprising:

an electromagnetic loop positioned on or under a roadway, wherein the electromagnetic loop is configured to detect a vehicle electromagnetically interacting with the loop and to transmit electromagnetic braking signals to the vehicle;

a traffic control device communicatively linked to the electromagnetic loop, wherein the traffic control device is configured to calculate the position and velocity of the detected vehicle in relation to the status of a traffic control zone and to determine whether the condition of the vehicle, as detected in relation to the status of the traffic control zone, is safe;

a braking apparatus operably located on the vehicle, wherein the braking apparatus receives braking signals transmitted by the loop and interprets the signals to facilitate remotely directed operation of a brake; and

a manual actuator, configured to operate the brake and override remote braking directives.

16. The vehicle braking system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of electromagnetic loops independently linked to the traffic control device, each loop configured to detect a vehicle and transmit signals to a vehicle.

17. The vehicle braking system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic loops are positioned sequentially closer to one another on or below a roadway as the distance to a desired slowing or stopping point is approached.

18. The vehicle braking system of claim 15, wherein the braking apparatus includes an electronic controlled braking module configured to direct anti-lock braking.

19. The vehicle braking system of claim 15, wherein the traffic control device includes monitoring software directing calculations and accessing relevant data applicable to the traffic control zone, such that when a specific criteria is met braking signals are initiated.

20. The vehicle braking system of claim 15, further comprising a secured device to override remotely directed braking, wherein the secured device corresponds to an emergency vehicle.