Automated Highway Control Units for Segmented Traffic Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle operations are typically manual, lacking efficient automated control systems for highways.

Innovation Solution

An Automated Highway System (AHS) that includes a network of Proximity Servers, Highway Control Units, and Vehicle Control Units for real-time data collection, vehicle tracking, and automated control of vehicle operations, utilizing databases and communication protocols to manage traffic flow and vehicle behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual vehicle control is used, then driver autonomy is maintained, but traffic efficiency and safety are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic efficiencyVSAvoidlevel of automated control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the highway into multiple zones with dedicated control units (e.g., lead vehicle zone, following vehicle zone, lane change zone) to manage automated control in segmented sections, allowing efficient coordination while maintaining driver autonomy where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A central control unit acts as an intermediary between the driver and automated control systems, receiving driver inputs, processing control commands, and coordinating with multiple vehicles and infrastructure components to achieve efficient traffic management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If automated control systems are implemented, then traffic flow management is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic flow managementVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control units are designed as multi-functional components that can perform various operations (acceleration control, deceleration control, lane change coordination, merging operations) using a unified architectural framework, reducing overall system complexity while improving traffic flow management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where control units receive real-time status information from vehicles and infrastructure, adjust control commands accordingly, and coordinate with other components to maintain optimal traffic flow with reduced complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If real-time data collection is implemented, then vehicle operation control is enhanced, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle operation controlVSAvoiddata processing load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data filtering and processing at edge locations (control units near vehicles) before transmitting data to central processing systems, reducing the overall data processing load while maintaining reliable vehicle operation control through real-time information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12451002B2Automated highway system (AHS)

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 EDI LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A system and method for controlling vehicles and for providing assistance to operated vehicles is discussed and described herein.