Vehicle mounted travel surface and weather condition monitoring system
US6535141B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2001/028
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and apparatus for detecting and evaluating surface conditions on a road surface and atmospheric conditions simultaneously from a moving vehicle. The system comprises a sensor for detecting the presence of deposited material on a road surface, a detector for determining one or more characteristics of the deposited material such as its freezing temperature, process means for converting a detected signal and display means for displaying the condition of the road surface, and a sensor for detecting falling precipitation. An embodiment of the present invention includes a remote sensing apparatus which utilizes electromagnetic radiation to sense actual surface material conditions, temperatures, and composition and local atmospheric conditions at the vehicle as it is moving over a travel surface. This information is then processed through a computer in order to determine, preferably while the vehicle is in motion, those additional steps necessary to apply additional materials to the road surface in order to minimize hazardous driving conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.