Systems and methods for traffic priority systems
AssigneeStc PLC
InventorsBrad Cross, Terry Fryar, Nicholas Freed
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Use of a mobile user device to identify the individual operating a vehicle, which, either alone or in conjunction with a vehicle control unit (VCU), may be used to establish vehicle priority in connection with traffic control systems. This provides for a system that provides priority for the individual based on their individual and current need for priority, as opposed to providing priority generally for a vehicle.
Claims20
A method for assisting an individual to a target destination, the method comprising;
- providing a mobile communication device under control of an individual;
- placing said individual within a vehicle not including a vehicle control unit (VCU);
- said individual indicating to said mobile communication device, a need for priority over other vehicles to get to a target destination;
- in response to said individual indicating said need for priority, said mobile communication device notifying a priority detector at an intersection between said individual and said target destination of said individual's need for priority through said intersection;
- in response to receiving said notification at said priority detector, said priority detector altering operation of signals at said intersection to give said vehicle priority through said intersection;
- and
- recording said request for priority through said intersection in an audit record.
A method for assisting an individual to a target destination, the method comprising;
- providing a mobile communication device under control of an individual;
- placing said individual within a vehicle including a vehicle control unit (VCU);
- said individual indicating to said mobile communication device, a need for priority over other vehicles to get to a target destination;
- in response to said individual indicating said need for priority, said mobile communication device notifying said VCU of said need;
- in response to said mobile communication device notifying said VCU of said need, said VCU requesting priority from a priority detector at an intersection between said individual and said target destination;
- in response to receiving said request at said priority detector, said priority detector altering operation of signals at said intersection to give said vehicle priority through said intersection;
- and
- recording said request for priority through said intersection in an audit record.
A method for assisting an individual to a target destination, the method comprising;
- providing a mobile communication device under control of an individual;
- placing said individual within a vehicle including a vehicle control unit (VCU);
- said individual indicating to said mobile communication device, a need for priority over other vehicles to get to a target destination;
- in response to said individual indicating said need for priority, said mobile communication device notifying said VCU of said need;
- in response to said mobile communication device notifying said VCU of said need, said VCU determining if a combination of said individual and said vehicle is allowed request priority to said target destination;
- only if, said combination is allowed to request priority to said target destination, requesting priority from a priority detector at an intersection between said individual and said target destination;
- in response to receiving said request at said priority detector, said priority detector altering operation of signals at said intersection to give said vehicle priority through said intersection;
- and
- recording said request for priority through said intersection in an audit record.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.