초록 ▼

A transport system which includes a communications network and one or more vehicles each having an on-board control and data exchange unit, wherein the communications network includes a transport control unit; and a plurality of road units arranged in series along a vehicle travel route, each road u

A transport system which includes a communications network and one or more vehicles each having an on-board control and data exchange unit, wherein the communications network includes a transport control unit; and a plurality of road units arranged in series along a vehicle travel route, each road unit being adapted for communication with the transport control unit so as to exchange data therewith, and being further adapted for direct communication with at least two road units positioned adjacent thereto, wherein the on-board control and data exchange unit includes transceiver apparatus for communicating with each of the plurality of road units in series while traveling therepast; data processing apparatus connected to the transceiver apparatus; and control apparatus, connected to the data processing apparatus for selectably controlling and sensing any of a predetermined plurality of vehicle operating functions in response to signals received by the transceiver apparatus from the road units.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A transport system which includes:a network of intersecting travel routes (12) having associated therewith a corresponding network of road-based communications units (10) therealong;a plurality of vehicles (16) for travel along said network of intersecting routes; anda control and c

[ I claim:] [1.] A transport system which includes:a network of intersecting travel routes (12) having associated therewith a corresponding network of road-based communications units (10) therealong;a plurality of vehicles (16) for travel along said network of intersecting routes; anda control and communications system for controlling travel of said vehicles along said network,wherein the network is characterized by subdivision into a plurality of contiguous segments, andwherein the control and communications system is characterized by being a decentralized, hierarchical modular system providing real-time individualized control of each said vehicle within said network and guidance thereof to a selected travel destination while taking into account the operational status and guidance of others of said vehicles traveling within said network, and said control and communications system includes:at least first, second and third hierarchical intercommunicating levels of control and communications, whereinsaid first level includes vehicle mounted on-board control and data exchange apparatus (34);said second level includes a plurality of said road-based units arranged in series along each said segment such that each said road-based unit located along a selected travel route is operative, in turn, to establish two-way communications with said on-board control and data exchange apparatus (34) of each said vehicle traveling therepast,said on-board control and data exchange apparatus (34) being further operative to utilize said two-way communications for providing lateral and longitudinal positioning of said vehicle relative to a travel route; andsaid third level includes a plurality of intercommunicating network segment control units (30) for data processing and two-way communications with each of said road-based units in a corresponding plurality of predetermined network segments,wherein said on-board control and data exchange apparatus (34) is operative to selectably sense and control operational functions of said vehicle so as to permit automated guidance thereof to a selected travel destination, and said two-way communications between said on-board control and data exchange apparatus (34) and said road-based units in proximity therewith includes at least transmission therebetween of mutual identification data and transmission of vehicle operating data from said on-board apparatus (34) to said road-based units, andwherein said on-board control and data exchange apparatus (34) is operative to maintain two-way communications with at least one of said road-based units (10) at all times during vehicle operation, and each said segment control unit includes:interface apparatus (70) for exchanging with each of said plurality of said road-based units located in each said network segment at least identification and operation data of each said vehicle traveling in a selected network segment in proximity to said plurality of road-based units therein; andapparatus (68) for evaluating optimal travel parameters for each said vehicle,wherein said interface apparatus is operative to transmit to said road-based units vehicle operation commands for each said vehicle proximate thereto, in accordance with said optimal travel parameters,wherein said road-based units are operative to transmit said vehicle operation commands to said vehicle traveling in proximity thereto, andwherein, in response to reception of vehicle operation data, said apparatus for evaluating optimal travel parameters is operative to re-evaluate said travel parameters and to update said vehicle operation commands in accordance therewith.