US 4,726,299 A · Method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle through a network is disclosed. The network has a plurality of stations interconnected by a plurality of path segments. A plurality of branch points connect the path segments and require a vehicle approaching a branch point to be directed in either a first or second direction. Line-defining parameters are provided for each of the branch points and define a network-dividing line which divides the plurality of stations into a first set which are attainable by a vehicle being directed in a first direction and a second set attainable by a vehicle being directed in a second direction. Coordinates of a destination station are associated with a vehicle. As the vehicle approaches a branch point, the coordinates of the destination station are compared to the line-defining parameters of the approaching branch point and the destination station is determined to be in either the first set or the second set. The vehicle is directed in a first direction if the destination station is determined to be in the first set and in a second direction if the station is determined to be in a second set.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method of controlling movement of a vehicle through a network having a plurality of stations interconnected by a plurality of path segments, a plurality of juncture points connecting said path segments, said plurality of juncture points comprising a plurality of branch points requiring a vehicle approaching a branch point to be directed in either a first or second direction, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) establishing a coordinate system for said network;
(b) assigning location-defining coordinates to each of said stations;
(c) identifying line-defining parameters for each of said branch points with said parameters defining a dividing line through said network with said line dividing said plurality of stations into a first set of stations preferably attainable according to predetermined selection by a vehicle being directed in a predetermined first direction at said branch point and a second set of stations preferably attainable according to predetermined selection by a vehicle being directed in a predetermined second direction at said branch point;
(d) associating location-defining coordinates of a destination station with a vehicle;
(e) moving said vehicle along a path segment toward an approaching branch point;
(f) comparing said location-defining coordinates of said destination station to line-defining parameters of said approaching branch point and determining whether said destination station is a member of a first set or a second set for said approaching branch point;
and
(g) directing said vehicle in said first direction if said destination station is determined to be a member of said first set and in said second direction if said station is determined to be a member of said second set.

5 more elements

A transportation network comprising:

(a) a plurality of stations;
(b) a plurality of path segments connecting said stations;
(c) a plurality of branch points connecting said path segments;
(d) a plurality of location-defining coordinates associated with said stations;
(e) a plurality of line-defining parameters for said branch points with said parameters defining a dividing line through said network and dividing said plurality of stations into a first set preferably attainable according to predetermined selection by a vehicle being directed in a predetermined first direction at said branch point and a second set preferably attainable according to predetermined selection by a vehicle being directed in a predetermined second direction at said branch point;
(f) a vehicle disposed on said network for movement along said path segments;
(g) means for associating location-defining coordinates of a destination station with said vehicle;
(h) means for comparing said location-defining coordianates of said destination station with said line-defining parameters and determining if said destination station is a member of a first set or a second set;
(i) means for alternatively directing said vehicle to said first and second directions.

6 more elements

A method of controlling movement of a vehicle to a desired destination in a network having a plurality of stations assigned location-defining coordinates and interconnected by a plurality of path segments having a plurality of juncture points connecting said segments, said plurality of juncture points comprising a plurality of branch points, said branch points having associated line-defining parameters defining a dividing line through said network which divides said plurality of stations into a first set of stations preferably attainable according to predetermined selection by a vehicle being directed in a predetermined first direction and a second set of stations preferably attainable according to predetermined election by a vehicle being directed in a second direction, said network further including transmission and receiving means for transmittiing information to a vehicle, computing means associated with a vehicle for analyzing information received by a vehicle and means for directing said vehicle in a first or second direction;

said method comprising the steps of:
(a) transmitting to said vehicle location-defining coordinates of said destination station;
(b) moving said vehicle along a path segment toward an approaching branch point;
(c) transmitting to said vehicle line-defining parameters of a dividing line associated with said approaching branch point;
(d) comparing said coordinates of said destination station to said line-defining parameters and determining whether said destination station is a member of a first or second set for said approaching branch points;
and
(e) directing said vehicle in said first direction if said destination station is determined to be a member of said first set and in said second direction if said station is determined to be a member of said second set.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12