The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 12, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 03, 2007
Robert Thomas Arenburg, Round Rock, TX (US);
Franck Barillaud, Austin, TX (US);
Bradford Lee Cobb, Cedar Park, TX (US);
Shivnath Dutta, Round Rock, TX (US);
Robert Thomas Arenburg, Round Rock, TX (US);
Franck Barillaud, Austin, TX (US);
Bradford Lee Cobb, Cedar Park, TX (US);
Shivnath Dutta, Round Rock, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method, medium and implementing processing system are provided in which the presence of workers in a long highway construction zone is monitored and the electronically-controlled posted speed limit is adjusted in accordance with the detected presence of workers in the immediate area. In an example, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanners or readers are strategically placed in a construction or working area. Such RFID reading devices may be embedded, for example, in construction speed limit signs. The displayed speed limit is controlled by the detected proximity of construction workers wearing RFID-embedded clothing, for example, such as safety vests or helmets. The speed limit sign includes logic to display one of many possible speed limit displays based on the nearest, and/or the number of RFID signals detected in a given area. Vehicular traffic is thereby enabled to travel faster through construction zones where no workers are present and, when appropriate, traffic is slowed when workers are present within a given proximity of the RFID reading devices.