초록 ▼

A method and system for detecting actual road surface temperature and other conditions from mobile units traveling about roadways and the like throughout a given area and transmitting that detected information, tagged to accurate, corresponding longitude and latitude positional information identifyi

A method and system for detecting actual road surface temperature and other conditions from mobile units traveling about roadways and the like throughout a given area and transmitting that detected information, tagged to accurate, corresponding longitude and latitude positional information identifying the location of the detected information and transmitting the resulting information to a base station where the temperature and other information is accurately plotted on a computer-generated map, whereby viewing personnel may determine the effective and efficient dispatching of ice-related material application equipment and personnel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having thus described the method and system of my invention and the manner in which it may be used, I claim:] [1.] A thermal mapping and monitoring system for the efficient and effective management and application of gravel, chemical and other wintertime road treatment materials associated with ro

[ Having thus described the method and system of my invention and the manner in which it may be used, I claim:] [1.] A thermal mapping and monitoring system for the efficient and effective management and application of gravel, chemical and other wintertime road treatment materials associated with road surface icing and potential icing conditions, the system comprising:a) at least one vehicle-mounted, roving mobile station for travel along roadways throughout a designated area, said roadways including, but not limited to, public streets, highways and interstates, and airport runways, taxiways and terminal approachways, each said mobile station comprising:1) An infrared road temperature monitoring unit configured to detect infrared temperature radiation emitted by the material of a road surface as the mobile station travels therealong, the monitoring unit arranged to output detected road surface material temperature information as electronic signals to a signal processing unit,2) Position locating means for accurately identifying the correct longitude and latitude information corresponding to the location of the mobile station during operation of the temperature monitoring unit, said corresponding location information being output as electronic signals to a signal processing unit,3) A signal processing unit configured to receive said output electronic signals representing said detected temperature and identified position information and process said electronic signals into communicatable, processed output signals that correctly tag the detected road surface material temperature information with its particular, corresponding position information, and4) Communication means for communicating the just-processed, tagged output signals by electronic radio signal transmission to a base station,b) a base station for communication with said mobile station as it travels along said roadways, the base station comprising:1) communication means corresponding to said mobile station communication means, the base station communication means for receiving said just-processed, radio transmitted, tagged output signals from the traveling mobile stations and delivering the tagged, current temperature and position information to a computer, and2) a computer, equipped for user-readable output, and programmed with an accurate map of roadways of the designated area, the computer further programmed to process the tagged information and plot the particular communicated, processed, current temperature information accurately onto the map in proper, corresponding position thereon utilizing the communicated, corresponding position information tagged to the particular temperature information,c) whereby said information may be collected, processed and transmitted by the mobile station independently of the involvement of and distraction to the personnel in the vehicle as the vehicle travels along roadways and, substantially simultaneously, personnel at a remote base station viewing the map of a designated area are provided with accurate, current and easily updatable road surface material temperature information upon which to base the most effective and efficient dispatching of material application crews to optimize the use of material and manpower while enhancing the public's safety.