Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02543873 2006-04-18
AN INCURSION COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FOR
VEHICLE TRAFFIC CONTROL
RELATED APPLICATION
(OOOI] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Serial No.
10/990,806, filed
November 17, 2004, claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial
No.
60/530,713, filed December 18, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
(0002) This invention is directed generally to the field of airport ground
traffic control
systems and, more particularly, to a system for alerting the drivers of
vehicles in
and/or around protected areas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Unauthorized and/or inadvertent incursions of ground vehicles and
aircraft
onto runways and other restricted airport areas can often have serious safety
and
financial results, The number of aircraft accidents, which occur on the ground
is far
greater than the number of accidents that occur during flight. Considering the
number
of occupants of a modern commercial airline, this is a serious public safety
concern.
(0004) When an aircraft is issued instructions to circle the airport during a
landing
approach because of a runway incursion incident, there are financial
implications for
the airport and the airline. 'fhe plane, which was told to circle the airport,
must be
placed back into a landing pattern, causing delays and increasing fuel
consumption.
Both of these effects present a serious financial burden to airlines and
airports, which
run on tight schedules and have an increasing interest in maintaining low
operating
costs.
(0005) There are several types of incursion detection systems, such as the
Airport
Movement Areas Safety System (AMASS), Airport Sutface Detection Equipment
(ASDE), and the next generation (ASDE-X), to monitor runways and taxiways.
These
systems alert the air traffic controllers, who must then analyze the situation
and
determine a course of action. The instructions are then only sent to the
aircraft, often
informing them to continue circling, which is expensive and frustrating for
passengers. Moreover, these systems are usually designed to detect and monitor
the
movement of aircraft, which are themselves large and more easily distinguished
than
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CA 02543873 2006-04-18
ground traffic vehicles, which also traverse airfield taxiways, runways, and
critical
safety areas,
[0006] 1n a modern, large airport, and especially hub airports, there are
generally a
large number of ground support vehicles. There exists a need, therefore, for a
low-
cost runway incursion alerting system, which can be installed in or on ground
support
vehicles to provide a warning to the driver of protected zones and potentially
dangerous situations. Additionally, the alerting system must be easy to use
and
understand by a wide range of personnel.
[0007] Such a system would also be usafui in other restricted areas where a
collision
might occur between two vehicles, such as in a construction site, military
training
area, emergency response vehicles on public and/or private streets, or the
like,
[0008] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided
a method of alerting the drivers of traffic vehicles that they are approaching
restricted
area. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a method of alerting the pilots or mechanic of aircraft while taxiing
or
towing the aircraft that they are approaching an active runway or an otherwise
restricted airport area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A system to identify restricted areas to approaching vehicles according
to one
embodiment of the present invention includes a warning signal generator. The
generator is adapted to transmit the warning signal into areas traversed by
vehicles
approaching the restricted area. The system also includes a receiver in each
of the
vehicles. The receiver acts to t~eceive the transmitted warning signals when
the
vehicle approaches the restricted area. An alarm is also a part of the system.
In
response to receiving the warning signal, the alarm produces an alarm signal
detectable by a vehicle operator.
(OOlOj The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent
each
embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. The detailed description
and
Figures will describe many of the embodiments and aspects of the present
invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become
apparent
upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the
drawings.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a typical airport
runwayltaxiway
intersection, according to ane embodiment of the present invention,
[0013] FIG. Z is a block schematic diagram of incursion collision avoidance
system
(ICAS) transmitter module, according to one embodiment of the present
invention,
[OOi4] FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an ICAS receiver module,
according to
one embodiment of the present invention,
[0015] FIG. 4a is a diagrammatic representation of an ICAS receiver module
according to another embodiment of the present invention,
[0016] FIG. 4b is a diagrammatic representation of an ICAS receiver module
according to another embodiment of the present invention,
[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a typical airport
runway/taxiway
intersection protected by ICAS transmitters, according to one embodiment of
the
present invention,
[0018] FIG. 6a is a diagrammatic representation of a typical airport runway
with
taxiway intersections protected by an inductive incursion collision avoidance
field
according to one embodiment of the present invention,
[0019] FIG. 6b is a diagrammatic representation of a typical airport runway
with
taxiway intersections protected by an inductive incursion collision avoidance
fteld
according to another embodiment of the present invention,
[0020] FIG. 7a is a perspective view of an ICAS transmitter according to one
embodiment of the present invention,
[0021] FIG. 7b is a block diagram of an inside of the ICAS transmitter of FIG.
7a,
j0022] FIG. 8 is a state transition diagram of the ICAS receiver module mute
function, according to one embodiment of the present invention, and
[0023] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a typical two-street
intersection
protected by an inductive ICAS according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative
forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings
and
will be descr7bed in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the
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CA 02543873 2006-04-18
invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed.
Rather, the
invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and attematives falling
within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Although the invention will be described next in connection with
certain
preferred embodiments relating to ground vehicles at an airport, it will be
understood
that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments. On the
contrary, the
description of the invention is intended to cover all alternatives,
modifications, and
equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims, such as vehicles entering any
restricted
area, such a construction site or military training area. Alternatively, the
system may
be used by emergency vehicles approaching intersections on public andlor
private
streets as will be described below.
[0026] Referring now to the drawings, and initially to F1G. 1, an intersection
100 of a
typical airport runway 106 with an airport taxiway 110 is shown. The
approaches to
the intersection 100 are marked for ground traffic traveling in either
direction across
the intersection with holdbars 120a and 120b, guidance signs 130a and 130b and
guard lights I22a and 122b on their respective sides of the intersection 100
as shown.
The runway guarci lights 122a, b are operated from ground traffic control.
Guard
lights are installed at certain, but not all intersections of an airport and
are only a
visual guidance to alerts pilots and vehicle drivers of a runway intersection.
[0027] Normally, when a ground traffic vehicle 150 approaches an active runway
I06,
the vehicle 150 stops at a holdbar 120a as shown. The vehicle operator must
then
contact the air traffic control tower fot clearance to pass beyond the holdbar
120a and
through the intersection 100. There is a danger, however, that due to weather
conditions affecting the driver's visibility or other issues such as operator
confusion,
that the operator may be uncertain as to whether the runway 106, is in fact,
active.
[0028] There exists a need therefore, to provide an extra level of security at
such
intersections to visually and/or audibly alert the driver that he or she is
approaching an
active runway intersection.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an incursion collision avoidance
transmitter
module 200, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The 1CAS
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transmitter module 200, according to one embodiment of the present invention,
is
powered by a voltage source 208, such as a 9-V battery. Other power sources,
such
as, but not limited to, a 6-V or 12-V battery may also be used. A beacon
transmitter
module 202 produces a low-power beacon frequency in the 300-333 MHz band. For
some airports, especially those with multiple runways, ~it is desirable to be
able to
control the operational state of the ICAS transmitter module (on and off)
remotely
from a selected area on the airport. Under such a scenario, the alarm would
not be
activated in vehicles crossing an inactive runway. However, if on another day,
the
runway is active, the alarm would sound, indicating the active status to the
driver.
Therefore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the 1CAS
transmitter module 200 may draw its power from the secondary electrical system
of
the airport through a power converter 210. Thus, the ICAS transmitter module
200 in
the latter scenario only transmits a warning beacon when so controlled from
the
selected airport area.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an incursion collision avoidance receiver
module
300, according to one embodiment of the current invention. The ICAS receiver
module 300 is installed in a ground traffic vehicle, and has a controller 302,
powered
by the vehicle's electrical system by means of a utility lighter plug 330. In
an
alternate embodiment of the present invention, the ICAS receiver module is
hard-
wired into the electrical system of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the
receiver 300
has a battery back-up 331 to provide power to the receiver in case it becomes
unplugged or is tampered with.
[0031] In some embodiments of the present invention, a data voice recorder 354
may
be included in the receiver module 300. The data voice recorder 354 is coupled
to the
controller 302 and will record the data that the receiver module 300 receives
for a
period of time (e.g., 7-14 days). The data voice recorder 354 is similar to a
"black
box" device in an airplane and wilt record and time stamp events such as, but
not
limited to, the receiver module 300 being powered on/off and when the receiver
module 300 receives an alarm notification. The data voice recorder 354 will be
able
to record a power off event such as someone tampering with the receiver module
300
or turning of the power source to the receiver module 300. In the case of an
incident,
the data voice recorder would be removed from the receiver module 300 and the
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information would be downloaded onto a computer (similar to how a plane's
"black
box" is reviewed after an airplane incident).
[0032] According to different embodiments of the present invention, the ICAS
receiver module 300 is divided into two parts, a receiver case 301 a and the
receiver
remote sensor 301b. The receiver case 301a and the receiver remote sensor 301b
are
connected by a wire. The receiver remote sensor 301b is capable of receiving
beacon
signal inputs from different sources. Three types of source inputs are shown
in this
illustrative example, an RF antenna 304a and beacon filter 304, and an
inductive
pickup 306. The remote receiver sensor 301b may be placed on the inside of the
vehicle, or on the outside of the vehicle, such as on the front grill. If the
remote
receiver sensor 301b is located on the outside of the vehicle, it should be
encased in a
weather-proof plastic or fiberglass box,
[0033] The receiver case 301a includes a controller 302 that receives a
warning
beacon signal from one or more of the input sources mentioned and produces an
auditory warning signal, usually in the form of a digitized voice through a
driver
circuit 350 to a speaker 352. The controller 302 also provides a visual
warning
indication by controlling a series of lights on a light bar 342 in response to
the same
warning beacon input. In some embodiments, the light bar 342 may be an LCD
display with a scrolling message. In different embodiments of the present
invention,
the light bar driver 340 can be directed to pulse the lights of the light bar
342 or
provide a variety of noticeable patterns.
[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, -the receiver
antenna
302 is used to detect radio-frequency beacon signals in the 300-333 MHz band.
The
beacon filter 304 further refines the received signal, filtering out RF noise
and
unwanted signals.
(0035] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an inductive
pickup 306 senses a low frequency electrical field such as might be detected
from a
buried cable and are typically of a very low frequency (VLF).
[0036) When a vehicle equipped with an ICAS receiver 200 encounters a
protected
zone, such as a runway intersection 100, the vehicle driver is expected to
make
contact with airport ground control before entering the protected zone. The
auditory
warning signal is quite loud so as to not be ignored. Accordingly, in one
embodiment
of the present invention, a mute button 320 is provided so that when the ICAS
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CA 02543873 2006-04-18
receiver 300 detects a warning zone, the auditory signal can be muted so that
the
driver of the vehicle can communicate with the ground control tower.
[0037] Turning now to FIG. 4a, an alternative embodiment of a receiver case
401a is
illustrated. In this embodiment, the receiver case 401a is incorporated into a
rear-view
mirror 410 of the vehicle. The receiver case 401a may include flashing LED
lights
442 along the bottom of the minor 410 to provide the visual warning and a
speaker
452 to include an auditory warning. A mute button 420, similar in operation to
the
mute button 320 described above, is also included.
(0038] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 4b, instead of flashing lights 442,
the
rear view mirror 410 may include a message 460 that appears in the bottom
portion of
the mirror 410 when the vehicle approaches a controlled area. When the vehicle
is not
in a controlled or restricted area, the minor 410 will look like a normal rear-
view
mirror. The message may be a written warning as shown in the figure or it may
take
the form of a flashing light.
[0039] FIG. 5, illustrates a runway intersection 100 of an active runway 106
and a
taxiway 110. The intersection 100 has two ICAS transmitter modules 200a and
200b,
each of which produces a radio frequency warning beacon in the 300-333 MHz
hand.
The two ICAS transmitter modules 200a and 200b provide illustrative coverage
zones
202a and 202b, respectively, for vehicles approaching the intersection 100
from either
direction. When the vehicle 150 encounters a warning beacon zone 202b, the
driver is
alerted to the presence of the intersection by the audio and visual warning
signals of
the ICAS receiver as discussed above. The operator then approaches the holdbar
120a
or another vehicle in front, and stops, awaiting further communication with
the air
traffic control tower before proceeding over the intersection 100. The
operator may
choose to press the mute button 320 of the ICAS receiver 300 after the warning
signal
has been generated, as discussed above. As the vehicle passes through the
zones 202a
and 202b the warning indications remain active. When the vehicle 150 is clear
of the
intersection 100 and the ICAS transmitter zones 202a and 202b, as shown by the
position of vehicle 152, the warning indications of the ICAS receiver in the
vehicle
150 are terminated and the muting function is reset. The ICAS receiver 300 is
now
ready to provide warning indications when another protected intersection is
encountered.
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[0040] Turning now to FIG. 6a, an active runway 106, according to another
embodiment of the present invention, is protected by an inductive antenna 500.
The
inductive antenna 500 is a trenched buried cable, which is used to transmit a
very low
frequency. Preferably, the cable is a 14-gauge stranded cable that is capable
of
emitting signals through pavement and concrete. In other embodiments, the
cable
may be a 10 or 12 gauge stranded cable that is capable of emitting signals
through
pavement and concrete. The cable 500 may also be any other form of cable
capable of
transmitting a signal through the earth and/or concrete. The inductive antenna
500 is
buried outside the runway safety zone, as set by the FAA and the specific
airport
authority. Preferably, the inductive antenna 500 is 22,000 feet in length, and
surrounds the runway as shown. The inductive antenna 500 can be controlled
from a
single generating point 502 in synchronization with the other active mnway
indications such as the guard lights 122 previously mentioned.
[0041] Turning now to FIG. 6b, another embodiment utilizing inductive antennas
S00
is shown. In this embodiment, the inductive antenna 500 is shorter, and loops
only
around the road or taxiway right before an intersection. According to this
embodiment, there are four loops of inductive antenna 500, one transmitting on
each
side of the intersection. In other embodiments, there may only be two loops of
the
inductive antenna 500, for example, if the one taxiway is only used by
airplanes, the
taxiway may not have the loops of the antenna 500.
[0042] Thus, vehicles driving on taxiways 1 l0a and 1 lOb, respectively, sense
the very
low frequency warning beacon according to one embodiment of the present
invention,
when they come within 60-90 feet of the buried inductive antenna S00 as they
approach their respective intersections.IOOa and 100b. According to another
embodiment of the present invention, the approaching vehicles will sense the
very low
frequency warning beacon in a narrower 2-5 foot band.
(0043) Turning now to FIG. 7a, the single generating point 502, or
transmitter, will be
described. The transmitter 502 operates on a supplied voltage ranging from 120
volts
to 440 volts. The supplied voltage can be supplied by a standard AC voltage, a
12
volt battery, or a solar panel-charged battery. The solar panel-charged
battery includes
a battery block with solar panels, as is known in the art. The battery is
connected to
the transmitter 502 via a power connection.
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[0044] The transmitter 502 includes a housing 520 that may be made of steel,
plastic,
aluminum, fiberglass, or other waterproof material. On the front of the
housing 520, a
manual keypad 522 or other entry system is provided to limit access,to the
interior of
the transmitter 502. The entry system may also be a keyed switch , a biometric
reader
(e.g., fingerprint or retina scanner), and/or a card reader. Control or
operation of the
system can also be accomplished by a remote computer based software system.
The
housing 520 sits on a pair of frangible couplings 524a, 524b, which are on a
concrete
foundation. Alternatively, the couplings 524a, 524b may utilize earth anchors
to
secure them to the ground. '
[0045] Indicator lights 528, 530, 532 are also included for a visual
indication of the
system's operational status. The illustrated embodiment shows three lights,
but other
numbers may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the first light 528 is a
green
light that is activated when the ICAS system is fumed off This indicates to
personnel
that it is safe to proceed onto a runway or other restricted area.
[0046] The second light 530 is a steady red light that is activated when the
ICAS
system is turned on. The second light 530 indicates to personnel that the
runway or
restricted area is operational with aircraR (or other vehicles) and that no
entry is
granted. The third light 532 is a flashing yellow light that is activated when
there is a
problem with the system. For example, if the antenna loop 500 is cut or if
there is a
malfunction with internal components of the transmitter 502, the light 532
will flash
until the problem is corrected.
[0047] The housing 520 also includes a green LED 534 and a red L1:D 536 to
provide
an indication of when the system has been de-activated by the key pad 522
(green
LED 534) or activated by the key pad 522 (red LED 536). Activation and de-
activation switches 537, 538, respectively are also included. After the user
inputs the
number in the key pad 522, the user activates the appropriate switch 537, 538
to either
activate or de-activate the system.
[0048] Turning now to FIG. 7b, the inside of the transmitter 502 will be
described.
The inside contains two sides, a door side 540 and a box side 542. The door
side 540
contains a key pad logic control board 543 used to control the operation of
the system
and identifies the inputs for activation and deactivation. The key pad 522
(FIG. 7a) is
connected to the key pad logic control board 543 through a key pad control
harness
545. The key pad logic control board 543 is also connected to the green and
red LEDs
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534, 536 and the activation and de-activation switches 537, 538. The door side
542
also includes a ground terminal 539 that acts to ground the door of the
housing 520, so
as to prevent static electricity build-up.
[0049] Turning now to the box side 542, the transmitter 502 includes a main
control
board S50 that controls the sensitivity of the inductive antenna 500. The main
control
board 550 is manufactured by Miltronics Manufacturing, Inc. of Keene, New
Hampshire and sold as "Freedom Fence XMTR." The main control board includes a
sensitivity knob 551, whose operation is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,466
to
Venczel, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 'The main control board
550 is
connected to a flashing warning tight relay 552, which is in turn connected to
a power
and control distribution block 554. The power and control distribution block
554
takes the signal from the main control board and the key pad Logic control
board 543
and causes the three lights 528, 530, 532 to rum on, off and/or flash. The
power and
control distribution block 554 is also connected to a fuse that provides
protection for
many of the internal components. In some embodiments, the above circuitry
maybe
replaced by integrated circuits, as is known in the art.
(0050) The main control board 550 is also connected to a warning light
flashing relay
556, which is connected to the flashing indicator light 532. The inductive
antenna 500
is connected to the main control board 500 through loop output wires 558 and a
loop
output terminal block 560.
(0051] A 120V distribution block 562 is connected to the outside power source
and is
used to provide power to a power transformer 564 that transforms the 120V AC
from
the distribution block 562 into a 12V DC source. The power transformer 564
sends
the 12V DC source to a IZV distribution block 566. The distribution block S66
then
provides power to the key pad logic control board 543, the control board 550,
and the
indicator light relay 552.
[0052) The 120V power supply 562 is also coupled to a fuse 568 that provides
internal protection of the circuitry. If an overload is sensed, the fuse blows
and power
is cut. The power and control distribution block 554, the activation and de-
activation
switches 537, 538, the key pad logic control board 543 and the grounding
terminal
539 are all also connected to the 120V power supply 562.
(0053] A grounding terminal block 570 is also connected to the internal
circuits to
distribute grounding.
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(0054) One of the frequent operations performed by airport ground personnel is
the
permissible entry onto an runway for routine, daily inspection and/or repairs,
such as
construction, snow removal and surface maintenance. During these authorized
entries, it is desirable to maintain the active state of the runway 106.
Therefore,
during authorized runway entries by inspection or emergency repair vehicles,
the
visual and/or auditory warning signal of the ICAS receiver 300 continue to
alert the
driver and crew of the vehicle of their incursion during the entire period
that the
vehicle is on the runway. In some embodiments, the system can incorporate a
GPS
transceiver as is known in the art to further provide tracking of the vehicles
as they
traverse the runways. In the embodiments incorporating the GPS transceiver,
the GPS
transceiver would transmit the data to the ICAS receiver 300. In these
embodiments,
instead of using a system that incorporates a ground loop or wired technology,
a GPS
satellite will track the movement of a vehicle on the airport. The GPS will be
pre-
programmed with the location information of the intersections and will
activate an
alarm situation when the vehicle approaches the intersections (or other
protected
areas) within the airport. Segments and/or ranges of latitudinal and
longitudinal
coordinates of the critical areas will be pmgrammed into the GPS. Also, these
coordinates can be turned on/off, so that the GPS will not transmit an alarm
signal if
the runway is closed (or the area is not currently restricted). The receiver
300 may be
adapted to receive the GPS signals and may include all of the features
described
elsewhere in the description (data voice recorder, volume control, mute
button,
message scroll, LED lights, etc...)_
j0055J FIG. 8 is a state transition diagram, according to one embodiment of
the
present invention, of a mute alarm feature, activated by the mute button 320.
As
mentioned above, when the vehicle I SO approaches an active intersection 100,
the
ICAS receiver 300 in the vehicle produces both visual and auditory alarms
indications. The auditory indication is a recorded vocal warning at a fairly
high
volume using the speaker 352 so that it is difficult for the driver to ignore.
This type
of warning is also provided in aircraft cockpits to cover a variety of flight
warning
situations. Since it is also important for the driver to be able to talk to
the ground
control tower as well, to be able to hear ground control broadcasts, it is
desirable to be
able to suppress the auditory alarm feature for some duration of time. In some
embodiments, the speaker 352 may come with an adjustable volume control that
is
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either continuous or discrete. For example, the volume of the speaker 352 may
be
adjusted to 25, 50, or 75% of the full volume in some embodiments.
[0056] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ICAS receiver
300
is equipped with a mute button 320, as described earlier, to suppress the
auditory
alarm for a fxed period of time. If the vehicle remains in the runway
intersection 100
past the timeout period of the mute feature, the auditory alarm sounds again.
Thus,
the mute button 320 acts in a manner similar to the snooze feature of an alarm
clock.
[0057] According to one embodiment of the present invention, once the warning
message starts, the mute function silences the auditory warning for a period
of time.
The period of time can be pre-programmed into the receiver, or it may be set
by the
customer or operator. In some embodiments, the warning may only be muted for
as
little as 15 seconds. In other embodiments, it may be muted for a period of 2
to 3
minutes. After the mute period, the auditory warning starts again as long as
the
vehicle is within detection range of the ICAS transmitter 200. Examples of the
digitized auditory warnings are:
1. "STOP YOUR VEHICLE, APPROACHING RUNWAY CRITICAL
AREA"
2. "STOP, CONTACT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER FOR
CLEARANCE"
3. "DO NOT PROCEED ACROSS MANDATORY HOLD BAR
WITHOUT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CLEARANCE"
4. "CAUTION, APPROACHING RUNWAY SAFETY AREA"
[0058] If the vehicle I50 remains in the active runway intersection 100 for a
very long
time, as when waiting during long landing pattern intervals, the constant
resetting of
the mute button 320, to silence the auditory warning, may be a nuisance, and
could
result in the driver missing an important control tower broadcast. Therefore,
according to another embodiment of the present invention, the mute button 320
suppresses the auditory alarm during the time that the vehicle is within the
active
intersection protection area zone and resets when the vehicle exits the
protected zone.
This activity is described by the finite state diagram of the mute system 400
shown in
FIG. 7. When the vehicle 150 does not detect a signal from a protection zone
100, the
ICAS receiver alarming state 402 idles and no alarms are provided. When a
protection zone is detected, by any of the warning beacon inputs available, a
transition
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404 is made to the AN alarm state 410 and both visual and auditory alarms are
continually provided. While at the AN alarm state, if the ICAS receiver 300
ceases to
detect a warning beacon signal, a transition 414, is made back to state 402
and all
alarm indications are fumed off. However, if the mute button is activated
during the
signal detect state 410, a transition 416 is made to the silent alarm state
420 where the
auditory alarm indication is turned off but the visual alarm continues to be
provided.
The silent alarm/signal detect state remains until the ICAS receiver 300 no
longer
detects a warning signal and transition 422 is made to the no beacon signal
detect state
402, and all alarms are discontinued.
[0059) In some embodiments, the transmitter
[0060) The above embodiments have been described relative to a system in use
at an
airport. However, as explained above, the invention may also be utilized at
other
restricted areas, such as construction sites and military training areas.
While the
preferred embodiment described above is a permanent system, the transmitter
502 and
inductive loop 500 may be temporary. A moveable or temporary system is
especially
useful in construction sites, which are likely to be temporarily restricted to
vehicles.
In such an embodiment, the inductive loop 500 of cable may or may not be
buried and
the transmitter 502 is portable and not fixed into the ground.
[0061) Turning now to FIGS. 9a and 9b, another embodiment of the present
invention
is described. In FIG. 9a, a regular street intersection is shown. An inductive
loop 600
is located near the intersection. The inductive loop 600 operates the same as
the
inductive loop 500 described above in reference to FlGs. 6a-7b. In this
embodiment,
a receiver module is located on a stop light 606 (FIG. 9b}. The receiver
module 604
operates the same as the receiver module 300 described above in reference to
FIG. 3.
The receiver module 604 may include a separate receiver case 605a and a remote
sensor 605b that are the same as the receiver case 301a and the remote sensor
301b
described above. The receiver case 605a and the remote sensor 605b may be
included
in separate housings and in different locations (e.g., the receiver case 605a
may be
near or under the lights as shown while the remote sensor 605b is located on
the post)
as illustrated. Alternatively, the receiver module 604 may include both
systems in one
location (e.g_, near the stop lights).
[00621 In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9a, a transmitter module 610 is
located
on a vehicle 508 as opposed to being stationary. The vehicle 608 may be any
type of
13
CA 02543873 2006-04-18
emergency vehicle such as a police car, ambulance, or fire truck. 1n
operation, as the
emergency vehicle 608 approaches the inductive 3oop 600, the transmitter 610
is
activated and sends a signal to the stationary receiver module 604. The
receiver
module b04 acts as the receiver module 300 described above and provides
auditory
and/or visual warnings regarding the approaching emergency vehicle 608. Such a
system would provide warning to other vehicles approaching the intersection so
that
the other vehicles may wait for the emergency vehicle to pass through the
intersection.
Although most emergency vehicles have sirens, these may not be heard by all
drivers
of the other vehicles. Also, the drivers of the vehicles may not be able to
tell which
direction the emergency vehicle 608 is headed and where it is going - thus
making it
diffcult for the drivers to properly maneuver out of the way. However, the
above
described system may include visual warnings indicating the dir~tion of the
emergency vehicle, helping the other drivers make better decisions.
[0063] In the above description, the term "vehicle" has generally Been used to
describe ground transportation vehicles. However, it should be understood that
vehicle can refer to vehicles such as airplanes. In some situations, an
airplane may
need to cross over an active runway, and it is important that the pilot be
alerted as to
the status (whether active or inactive) of the runway. The airplane would
include the
receiver 300 as described above.
(0064) While the present invention has been described with reference to one or
more
particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many
changes may
be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as
failing
within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in
the following
claims.
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