Patents by Inventor Martin Ferman

Martin Ferman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8340889
    Abstract: A system and method for combining sequential map segments to aggregate, analyze, and display traffic data collected from one or more probe vehicles located on one or more of the map segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Martin A. Ferman, Xiaowen Dai, Robert P. Roesser
  • Patent number: 8112219
    Abstract: A system and method for updating and communicating traffic information to at least one receiving vehicle includes a traffic information center and at least one probe vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, major road sections are represented as links, the center stores and updates a parent map database of links that are associable with a first value of a condition, each probe vehicle is configured to receive a copy of the database either periodically or upon request, determine a second value of the condition, and compare the first and second values to determine a condition discrepancy. Where the discrepancy surpasses a threshold, each probe vehicle is further configured to upload at least the second value to the center, so as to update the parent map database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Johnson, Martin A. Ferman
  • Patent number: 7706963
    Abstract: A probe-vehicle traffic information system for and method of gathering traffic data utilizing a host probe vehicle having onboard exterior sensors. The host vehicle is configured to detect at least one condition from at least one traveling target vehicle, aggregate and process the condition data, and report only the processed data to a traffic information center, so as to reduce the number of simultaneous communication channels typically required to report condition data from a plurality of probe vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jayendra S. Parikh, Hariharan Krishnan, Martin A. Ferman
  • Publication number: 20080242315
    Abstract: A system for collecting request signal and probe data from telematics units using a cellular communication network, wherein the units each cause to be transmitted registration request signal data to a carrier, the carrier periodically compiles a cell history log comprising a list of cell hand-offs for each unit, and a facility is communicatively coupled to the carrier; includes map and unit identification databases; is configured to determine cell-handoffs of interest; preferably queries the carrier for only target units presenting a cell-handoff of interest; determines for each target unit a recently traveled path (RTP) based on the log, an estimated time of travel (ETT) based on the RTP and map database, and a probe unit status; calls each probe unit to upload probe data therefrom; and utilizes the probe data to enhance the ETT or provide additional information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Martin A. Ferman
  • Publication number: 20070233359
    Abstract: A system and method for combining sequential map segments to aggregate, analyze, and display traffic data collected from one or more probe vehicles located on one or more of the map segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Martin Ferman, Xiaowen Dai, Robert Roesser
  • Patent number: 7246007
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically communicating traffic information from a traffic probe vehicle to a traffic information and management system when the probe vehicle is operated within an active traffic information reporting region. Geographic information about a traffic reporting region, or plurality of regions, is stored in the probe vehicle as an array of geographic cells so as to reduce the data storage requirements. The geographic cells have associated with them certain cell parameters related to the cell, such as a recording priority, a recording interval and a reporting interval. The recording priority of a cell may be associated with certain roadway types located within that cell. As a probe vehicle travels within an active traffic information reporting region, its location is established within the traffic information reporting region and a corresponding geographic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Martin A. Ferman
  • Publication number: 20070112503
    Abstract: A system and method for updating and communicating traffic information to at least one receiving vehicle includes a traffic information center and at least one probe vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, major road sections are represented as links, the center stores and updates a parent map database of links that are associable with a first value of a condition, each probe vehicle is configured to receive a copy of the database either periodically or upon request, determine a second value of the condition, and compare the first and second values to determine a condition discrepancy. Where the discrepancy surpasses a threshold, each probe vehicle is further configured to upload at least the second value to the center, so as to update the parent map database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Johnson, Martin Ferman
  • Publication number: 20070100537
    Abstract: A probe-vehicle traffic information system for and method of gathering traffic data utilizing a host probe vehicle having onboard exterior sensors. The host vehicle is configured to detect at least one condition from at least one traveling target vehicle, aggregate and process the condition data, and report only the processed data to a traffic information center, so as to reduce the number of simultaneous communication channels typically required to report condition data from a plurality of probe vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Jayendra Parikh, Hariharan Krishnan, Martin Ferman
  • Publication number: 20050216147
    Abstract: A system and method of automatically communicating traffic information from a traffic probe vehicle to a traffic information and management system when the probe vehicle is operated within an active traffic information reporting region. Geographic information about a traffic reporting region, or plurality of regions, is stored in the probe vehicle as an array of geographic cells so as to reduce the data storage requirements. The geographic cells have associated with them certain cell parameters related to the cell, such as a recording priority, a recording interval and a reporting interval. The recording priority of a cell may be associated with certain roadway types located within that cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventor: Martin Ferman