阅读说明：本技术 用于为紧急车辆创建专用车道的设备 (Apparatus for creating a dedicated lane for emergency vehicles ) 是由 萨兰什·古普塔 希达·古普塔 于 2017-12-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的实施例提供了一种能够在道路上创建临时专用车道的装置,用于向紧急车辆提供不受干扰的通道。本发明的一个方面涉及一种包括可部署资产的装置,该可部署资产可以配置在第一位置和第二位置,在所述资产未部署时配置第一位置并且通过支撑机构垂直悬挂。当所述资产通过从所述第一位置垂直下降而在道路上展开时配置第二位置,使得在部署时,所述资产能够在道路上创建临时专用车道以为限定车辆提供不受干扰的通道。(Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus capable of creating temporary dedicated lanes on a roadway for providing an undisturbed passageway to emergency vehicles. One aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus comprising a deployable asset configurable in a first position and a second position, the first position configured when the asset is undeployed and suspended vertically by a support mechanism. The second position is configured when the asset is deployed on a roadway by being lowered vertically from the first position such that, when deployed, the asset is able to create a temporary exclusive lane on the roadway to provide an undisturbed passage for the defined vehicles.)

1. An apparatus comprising a deployable asset configurable in a first position when the asset is undeployed and suspended vertically by a support mechanism and a second position when the asset is deployed by being vertically lowered from the first position such that, when deployed, the asset is able to create a temporary exclusive lane on a roadway such that a defined vehicle can pass uninterrupted.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said defined vehicle is selected from the group consisting of any one or a combination of an emergency vehicle, an ambulance, and a vehicle requiring uninterrupted passage due to design characteristics.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the asset is deployed with a set of assets deployed in proximity to the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the asset is deployed at a first trigger event or at a first predefined time before the defined vehicle arrives at the asset and returns to the first location at a second predetermined time after a second trigger event or after vehicle passage.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, the asset being deployed after the apparatus receives a deployment instruction from a computing device, the instruction being received over a wireless or wired connection.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, the computing device being a server or a cloud device operatively coupled with the vehicle, and the computing device to issue a deployment instruction to the device upon receiving the real-time location coordinates of the vehicle.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the computing device is configured in a vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, the computing device to receive a destination location from the vehicle and based on a current location of the vehicle and the destination location, determine an optimal travel path for the vehicle and issue one or more deployment instructions to the respective apparatuses based on the determined optimal travel path.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, the asset being a traffic cone marker.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is operatively connectable to a street light.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, the asset being moved between the first position and the second position using a pulley/motor system.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, the asset having a reflective surface for night vision functions.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, the asset comprising any one or combination of a display and a light, or configured to generate an audio signal to alert other vehicles on the road that the vehicle is approaching and indicate that the dedicated lane is cleared.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus activates the assets deployed on a roadway by switch operation.

15. A system configuration capable of systematically deploying an asset located at a defined location between a first location and a second location, the system deployment being performed when the system receives a signal representing a defined vehicle proximate the defined location, the first location being configured when the asset is undeployed and suspended vertically by a support mechanism, the second location being configured when the asset is deployed on a roadway by being lowered vertically from the first location, such that, when deployed, the asset is capable of creating a temporary exclusive lane on the roadway to provide an undisturbed passage for the defined vehicle.

16. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a computing device, a signal representative of a defined vehicle approaching a defined location; and

enabling deployment of a resource using the computing device, the asset operatively coupled with the computing device and positioned at the defined location between an initial location configured and vertically suspended by a device (as shown) when the asset is undeployed and a desired location configured when the asset is deployed by vertically descending from the initial location and spreading on a roadway such that, when deployed, the asset is capable of creating a temporary exclusive lane on the roadway providing an undisturbed exclusive passage for a defined vehicle.

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of transportation of traffic roads. The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method that can create temporary exclusive lanes on a road to provide an undisturbed passage for emergency vehicles.

Background

An emergency vehicle is designated and authorized to respond in an emergency. Such vehicles may include ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and the like. The response time of such vehicles is a critical factor, as any delay in response time can result in life-threatening events. For example, when a critically ill patient is being transported in an ambulance, any delay in delivery to the hospital may jeopardize the patient's life. Therefore, in order to prevent a delay in the transportation of the emergency vehicle, the relevant vehicle is usually equipped with an emergency light, an alarm, or the like, which can remind other vehicles on the road to make an immediate way and pass quickly.

Background art an emergency vehicle signaling system has been developed in the past to enable an emergency vehicle to transmit RF signals with a narrow cone that can be calculated for reception by a second vehicle. The receiver for the second vehicle is provided with an indicator in the form of a white light which flashes to alert the driver of the emergency vehicle that the RF signal it is transmitting has been received by the second vehicle. Thus, when the visual indicator confirms receipt of the RF signal, the driver of the second vehicle or non-emergency vehicle will be aware of the presence of the emergency vehicle. In addition to this, another emergency vehicle signaling system has been developed that uses a transmitter in an emergency vehicle that is capable of generating an omnidirectional radio signal and triggering a receiver in a non-emergency vehicle that has a variable intensity audible warning that can vary depending on the distance from the emergency vehicle.

However, the above-described signal system may not create a dedicated channel for emergency vehicles and may not indicate a clear channel between non-emergency vehicles. The random movement of various non-emergency vehicles may cause emergency vehicle access to become blocked and chaotic. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved transportation facility for emergency vehicles that provides a clear path dedicated to emergency vehicles and capable of responding in a timely manner and indicates clearance between non-emergency vehicles.

Objects of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can create temporary exclusive lanes on a road to provide an undisturbed path for emergency vehicles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for emergency vehicles which ensures a safe and fast passage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can immediately notify a non-emergency vehicle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can indicate the pathway between other vehicles so that emergency vehicles can quickly pass through the dedicated pathway.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be integrated with existing structures installed on roadways.

The above and other objects of the present invention can be found in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus capable of creating temporary dedicated lanes on a roadway for providing an undisturbed passageway to emergency vehicles.

One aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus comprising a deployable asset configurable in a first position and a second position, the first position configured when the asset is undeployed and suspended vertically by a support mechanism. The second position is configured when the asset is deployed on a roadway by being lowered vertically from the first position such that, when deployed, the asset is able to create a temporary exclusive lane on the roadway to provide an undisturbed passage for the defined vehicles.

In one embodiment, the defined vehicle may be selected from a group of vehicles including emergency vehicles, ambulances and vehicles (any one or combination of vehicles) requiring uninterrupted passage due to design requirements.

In one embodiment, the assets may be deployed with a set of assets deployed near the device.

In one embodiment, the asset may be deployed at a first triggering event or at a first predetermined time before the defined vehicle reaches the asset, and may be returned to the first location at a second triggering event or at a second predetermined time after the vehicle passes.

In one embodiment, the asset may be deployed after the apparatus receives deployment instructions from a computing device, and the instructions may be received over a wireless or wired connection.

In one embodiment, the computing device may be a server or cloud operatively coupled with the vehicle and receiving real-time location coordinates of the vehicle, and the computing device may issue the deployment instruction to the apparatus.

In one embodiment, the computing device may be configured in a vehicle.

In one embodiment, a computing device may receive a destination location from the vehicle, and based on a current location of the vehicle and the destination location, the computing device may determine an optimal travel path for the vehicle and issue one or more deployment instructions to respective apparatuses based on the determined optimal travel path.

In one embodiment, the asset may be a traffic cone label.

In one embodiment, the device may be operatively connected to a street light.

In one embodiment, the asset may be moved between the first position and the second position using a pulley/motor system.

In one embodiment, the asset may have a reflective surface for better visibility at night.

In one embodiment, the asset may include any one or combination of a display or lights, or may be configured to generate an audio signal to alert other vehicles on the road of the vehicle and indicate clearing of the dedicated lane.

In one embodiment, the device may be operated by a switch and the asset deployed on the road activated.

Exemplary aspects of the invention also relate to a system configured to systematically deploy assets located at defined locations between a first location and a second location, when the system receives a signal representative of a defined vehicle approaching the defined location, meaning that system deployment has been completed. The first position is configured when the asset is undeployed and suspended vertically by a support mechanism, and the second position is configured when the asset is lowered vertically from the first position onto the roadway, such that when the system is deployed, the asset from one or more devices can create a temporary exclusive lane on the roadway to allow the defined vehicle to pass undisturbed.

An exemplary aspect of the present invention also relates to a method comprising the steps of: receiving, at a computing device, a signal representative of a defined vehicle approaching a defined location; and effecting deployment of an asset using the computing device, the asset being operatively couplable with the computing device and positioned at the defined location between an initial position and a desired location, the initial position being configured when the asset is undeployed and vertically suspended by a support mechanism, the configuring of the desired location being accomplished when the asset is deployed on a roadway by vertical descent from the initial position such that, upon deployment, the asset is capable of creating a temporary exclusive lane on the roadway for the defined vehicle to pass through undisturbed.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like parts.