Patent Application
20080068165
The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments, themselves, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to
With reference now to the figures,
In the depicted example, server 104 and server 106 connect to network 102 along with storage unit 108. In addition, clients 110, 112, and 114 connect to network 102. These clients 110, 112, and 114 may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. Clients 110, 112, and 114 and servers 104, 106 may be devices such as vehicles, traffic signs, traffic control devices, and other electronically linked roadway devices. In the depicted example, server 104 provides data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients 110, 112, and 114. Clients 110, 112, and 114 are clients to server 104 in this example. Network data processing system 100 may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown. Network data processing system 100 includes vehicle 115. Vehicle 115 communicates with network 102 using a wireless connection or other wireless communication link which may include a wireless transmitter and receiver for sending data and other electronic information. Vehicle 115 is further described in
In the depicted example, network data processing system 100 is the Internet with network 102 representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, governmental, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, network data processing system 100 also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
With reference now to
In the depicted example, data processing system 200 employs a hub architecture including a north bridge and memory controller hub (MCH) 202 and a south bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (ICH) 204. Processor 206, main memory 208, and graphics processor 210 are coupled to north bridge and memory controller hub 202. Graphics processor 210 may be coupled to the MCH through an accelerated graphics port (AGP), for example.
In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter 212 is coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 204 and audio adapter 216, keyboard and mouse adapter 220, modem 222, read only memory (ROM) 224, universal serial bus (USB) ports and other communications ports 232, and PCI/PCIe devices 234 are coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 204 through bus 238, and hard disk drive (HDD) 226 and CD-ROM drive 230 are coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 204 through bus 240. PCI/PCIe devices may include, for example, Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for notebook computers. PCI uses a card bus controller, while PCIe does not. ROM 224 may be, for example, a flash binary input/output system (BIOS). Hard disk drive 226 and CD-ROM drive 230 may use, for example, an integrated drive electronics (IDE) or serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface. A super I/O (SIO) device 236 may be coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 204.
An operating system runs on processor 206 and coordinates and provides control of various components within data processing system 200 in
Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented programming system, and applications or programs are located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive 226, and may be loaded into main memory 208 for execution by processor 206. The processes of the illustrative embodiments may be performed by processor 206 using computer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory such as, for example, main memory 208, read only memory 224, or in one or more peripheral devices.
The hardware in
In some illustrative examples, data processing system 200 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), which is generally configured with flash memory to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. A bus system may be comprised of one or more buses, such as a system bus, an I/O bus and a PCI bus. Of course the bus system may be implemented using any type of communications fabric or architecture that provides for a transfer of data between different components or devices attached to the fabric or architecture. A communications unit may include one or more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter. A memory may be, for example, main memory 208 or a cache such as found in north bridge and memory controller hub 202. A processing unit may include one or more processors or CPUs. The depicted examples in
The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for indicating a vehicle is traveling in the correct direction. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are embedded in a highway. A radio frequency identification tag reader on a vehicle receives information from the radio frequency identification tags as the vehicle passes over the radio frequency identification tags. The radio frequency identification tags include an associated number to indicate whether the vehicle is traveling in the correct direction.
For example, if the vehicle is traveling in the correct direction, the tag numbers will increment. If the tag numbers decrease, the vehicle is not traveling in the correct direction and an alarm is activated. The alarm is an audio, visual, or tactile alert that informs the driver that the vehicle is traveling in the incorrect direction or in the incorrect lane of traffic.
Turning next to
Highway 302 includes ramp 304. Ramp 304 is a connecting road to highway 302. Ramp 304 may be an on-ramp, frontage road or feeder road, one-way street, intersection, or other roadway for allowing traffic to enter highway 302. Vehicle 306 is a conveyance by which a person or property is or may be transported upon the highway, water, or airways. The most common types of vehicles on highway 302 may include passenger vehicles, motorcycles, busses, motor homes, bicycles, and trucks.
Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 are embedded in ramp 304. In one illustrative embodiment, radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 are embedded in the middle of ramp 304 or a lane within ramp 304 so that traffic, including vehicle 306, predictably passes over radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 before fully entering highway 302. Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may also be part of lane indicators, paint, speed bumps, guard rails, curbs, reflector poles or other roadway elements. In another illustrative embodiment, radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may be embedded within highway 302.
Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may be referred to as a set of radio frequency identification tags. A set of radio frequency identification tags is one or more radio frequency identification tags within a specified proximity. Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 are automatic devices that transmit a predetermined message in response to a predefined signal received from a radio frequency identification tag reader that is part of vehicle 306. The radio frequency identification tag reader receives or reads the radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 when sufficiently close to vehicle 306.
Alternatively, radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may transmit a signal that is received by the radio frequency identification tag reader of vehicle 306 periodically. For example, radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may use radar or motion detection to transmit a signal to a reader of vehicle 306. Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may also be pressure sensitive to send a predetermined signal based on the weight or presence of vehicle 306. Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may also use sound detection to transmit a signal to the reader of vehicle 306.
In these depicted examples, radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may be passive radio frequency identification tags that receive, amplify, and retransmit signals on different frequencies back to vehicle 306. Passive radio frequency identification tags may include a minute antenna, integrated circuit, and memory. For example, the minute electrical current induced in an antenna of radio frequency identification tag 308 and 310 by the incoming radio frequency signal provides enough power for a CMOS integrated circuit (IC) in the tag to power up and transmit a response.
Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may store predefined information. In these examples, radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 store a number, value, identifier, and other additional data or information. For example, radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may store information regarding exact geographic location, internal tracking information, logistical information, and other useful data or information. Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 are preferably spaced closely with the values associated with each radio frequency identification tag storing a sequence value pair such as 1, 2, 3; 349, 350, 351; a, b, c; or other similar incrementing data, value, character, number, or information scheme. The values may be stored in an ordinal sequence for efficiently determining whether the direction traveled is correct. An ordinal sequence is a classification of data groups which are arranged according to an underlying continuum.
Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may also store the specified sequence and the sequence values in a known bit position. Incrementing sequence values stored in radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 as bits may indicate vehicle 306 is traveling in the proper direction. For example, incrementing bits 11 and 12 may be sequence values indicating travel in the correct direction stored in radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310. Radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may be 128 bit tags with bits 0 to 127.
Vehicle 306 may determine whether it is traveling in the correct direction based on the values stored in radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310. For example, when vehicle 306 passes over radio frequency identification tag 308, radio frequency identification tag 308 is read by the radio frequency identification reader of vehicle 306. The radio frequency identification tag reader may receive the value “1” from radio frequency identification tag 308 as a predetermined message. Subsequently, when vehicle 306 passes over radio frequency identification tag 310, the value “2” may be read by the radio frequency identification tag reader of vehicle 306.
The incrementing values stored in radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 are used to indicate that vehicle 306 is traveling in the correct direction. If, however, vehicle 306 is traveling in the incorrect direction, decrementing values read from radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 indicate vehicle 306 is traveling in the incorrect direction.
The information read from radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may be used by the computer system, navigation system or other logic components of vehicle 306 to provide the driver with an audio, visual, tactile, or other alert that vehicle 306 is traveling in the incorrect direction. The computer system of vehicle 306 may also communicate an alert to oncoming traffic, pedestrians, police/emergency personnel, road signals or other components or persons that may be in danger, or provide information to others.
In other examples, sets of associated radio frequency identification tags with ordinal sequential values, such as radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may be embedded in each lane of ramp 304 ensuring that vehicle 306 reads the values stored in radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 regardless of physical position on ramp 304. In another example, radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 may be installed at natural choke points or narrowing points, such as bridges ensuring that vehicle 306 passes over them. The illustrative embodiments are particularly useful in parking garages, tunnels, underpasses, or other underground or covered facilities where global positioning system, navigation systems, and other radio frequency devices may be inoperative or ineffective for determining direction. The illustrative embodiments are also effective for areas where road signs are limited or nonexistent.
With reference next to
Automotive computing platform 400 includes various hardware components which may include vehicle computer 402, navigation system 404, communication system 406, embedded processor 408, radio frequency identification tag reader 410, vehicle dashboard 412, visual indicator 414, and audio alarm 416. In exemplary automotive computing platform 400, vehicle computer 402 includes navigation system 404 and communication system 406. Vehicle computer 402 receives information from the different systems and mechanisms of the vehicle in order to control vehicle functions.
Navigation system 404 provides navigational information to vehicle computer 402 which may be displayed to the driver. In these examples, navigation system 404 may be a global positioning system including an antenna and global positioning system receiver. Navigation system 404 allows the user to interactively enter and receive geographic information. Communication system 406 includes communication components for communicating with other users or devices. Communication system 406 may communicate with other devices, such as server 104, clients 112 and 114 through network 102 all of
Embedded processor 408 processes information and data for vehicle computers. Radio frequency identification tag reader 410 reads radio frequency identification tags, such as radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 of
Alternatively, the information from radio frequency identification tag reader 410 is processed by embedded processor 408 to determine if the vehicle is going in the proper direction. Embedded processor 408 may use values identified from the radio frequency identification tags to determine whether the vehicle is traveling in the correct direction. For example, if the values follow an ordinal sequence, everything functions as normal. If however, the values do not follow an ordinal sequence, embedded processor 408 may send input to visual indicator 414 or audio alarm 416 or both.
The direction information or values extracted from radio frequency identification tags may also be passed to communication system 406. Communication system 406 may send a message to individuals or objects that the vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction. For example, communication system 406 may send a message to a road signal, warning oncoming drivers that there is a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction. In another example, a message from communication system 406 may be passed to an automated system for alerting all pedestrians with cell phones and communication-enabled vehicles in the path of the oncoming vehicle.
If the vehicle is not going in the proper direction, an alert or alarm may be displayed to the driver in vehicle dashboard 412. In these examples, vehicle dashboard 412 may include visual indicator 414 and audio alarm 416. Visual indicator 414 is a visual alert that the vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction. For example, text, a wrong direction indicator, or a visual warning message may be displayed to the user. The visual alert may be displayed or flashed to vehicle instruments, warning lights, seat vibrator, or heads-up displays. In one illustrative embodiment, all of the lights in the vehicle may begin to flash to attract the attention of the driver. Additionally, the tail light flashers, visible from the dashboard, and head lights may be caused to blink.
Audio alarm 416 is an audio alert that the vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction. For example, audio alarm 416 may have an audio portion of navigation system 404 repeat “You are traveling in the wrong direction down the road”. The audio alarm may also be a whistle, beep, ping, or other sound to attract the attention of the driver. Audio alarm 416 may also sound the horn of the vehicle to warn other drivers.
In other embodiments, different alerts, indicators or alarm systems may be used. For example, the driver's seat or steering wheel may vibrate to indicate the vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction. In another example, vehicle computer 402 may establish a maximum speed of twenty miles per hour. Vehicle computer 402 may also activate the braking system to decelerate the vehicle based on the location of the vehicle, such as when the vehicle is entering a ramp or major highway in the wrong direction. In another embodiment, the radio frequency identification tags may also be used in conjunction with navigation system 404 to indicate known distances from specified geographic locations.
Turning next to
The process begins by reading a first radio frequency identification tag (step 502). The first tag may be a tag, such as radio frequency identification tags 308 and 310 of
Next, the process determines whether the second radio frequency identification tag was read within “n” milliseconds of the first radio frequency identification tag (step 506). Step 506 may be performed by embedded processor 408 of
If the process determines the second radio frequency identification tag was read within “n” milliseconds of the first radio frequency identification tag, the process determines whether the first radio frequency identification tag value was less than or equal to the second radio frequency identification tag value (step 508). Step 508 may also be performed by embedded processor 408 of
If the first radio frequency identification tag value was greater than the second radio frequency identification tag value, the process gives a wrong direction indication (step 510). The wrong direction indication may be signaled or otherwise presented to the driver by visual indicator 414 or audio alarm 416 both of
Next, the process returns again to step 502. If the first radio frequency identification tag value was less than or equal to the second radio frequency identification tag value, the process returns again to step 502 without an alarm condition as the vehicle was traveling in the proper direction. The process of
With reference to
In one illustrative embodiment, the radio frequency identification tags may be embedded in a reoccurring sequence. The reoccurring sequence does not require that the values of the radio frequency identification tag only increase but instead may follow the predefined sequence. For example, the information or values of the radio frequency identification tags may be encoded as two bits that are stored in the radio frequency identification tag in which the numbers follow the sequence 0, 1, 2, 3, 0, . . . The transition from 3 to 0 is not monotonically increasing and is treated as a special case when traveling in the correct direction. Conversely, the transition from 0 to 3 is taken as a special case when traveling in the wrong direction.
The process begins by reading the last tag (step 602). For example, the last tag may be the value “0” stored in radio frequency identification tag 310 of
If the last tag value is greater than the current tag value, the process determines whether the wrap around condition from the last value is in sequence with the first value (step 608). The last identification is in sequence if the last value and the current value follows the predefined sequence even if the current value is greater than the last value. For example, a vehicle is still traveling in the correct direction if the last value was “3” and the current value is “0” where the sequence is 0, 1, 2, 3, 0, . . . If the wrap around condition from the last value is in sequence with the first value, the process sets the last value equal to the current value (step 610). Next, the process reads the current tag (step 604).
If the wrap around condition from the last value is not in sequence with the first value in step 608, the process gives a wrong direction indication (step 612). The wrong direction indication may be signaled or otherwise presented to the driver by visual indicator 414 or audio alarm 416 both of
If the process determines the last value is less than or equal to the current value in step 606, the process determines whether the wrap around condition from the first value is in sequence with the last value (step 614). If the wrap around condition from the first value is in sequence with the last value, the process gives a wrong direction indication (step 612). If the wrap around condition from the first value is not in sequence with the last value in step 614, the process sets the last value equal to the current value.
The values used in
Thus, the illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for indicating whether vehicle is traveling in the proper direction. One or more radio frequency identification tags embedded in the roadway are read by a radio frequency identification tag reader on a vehicle as the vehicle traverses the radio frequency identification tags. The radio frequency identification tags include an associated value to indicate whether the vehicle is traveling in the correct direction. Any type of ordinal sequential arrangement may be used. If the vehicle is traveling contrary to an indicated direction of travel, such as opposing traffic of a freeway or in the wrong lane of a highway, the driver and/or other devices and individuals are alerted.
The invention can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is implemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.
Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any tangible apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
The medium can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.
A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution.
Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.
The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
