Systems and methods for vehicle flocking for improved safety and traffic optimization
US11427224B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60W2555/20
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for generating a virtual environment in a flock of vehicles are provided. In this method a reflector is utilized to define a coverage area. Sensory data from autonomous vehicles within this coverage area is collected, along with non-vehicle data. Then a virtual environment may be replicated using the data at a local computational device on each of the vehicles via the transmission of messages through the reflector. Each vehicle can use this data to make decisions regarding movements, as well as having the traffic patterns optimized based upon an objective. When traffic flow is being optimized it is also possible to assign weights to the vehicles to provide them preferential treatment in the traffic flow model. The traffic flow model that is generated may be a fluid dynamics model, or may be based upon deep learning techniques. The objective for the model is generally to maximize total vehicle throughput in order to reduce overall traffic congestion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.