Key information

Title
System of handling road traffic in snow conditions
Application number
20240055
Case type
National
Status
24.11.2025 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
22.01.2024
Effective date
22.01.2024
Publicly available
23.07.2025
Next annual fee due
31.01.2027
Applicant
ROADTECH NORGE AS (NO)
Owner
ROADTECH NORGE AS (NO)
Inventor
Peder Kristian Strømsvåg (NO)
Agent
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS (NO)
Granted
24.11.2025
Patent number
349286
Expiry date
22.01.2044

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
A system (100) of performing snow clearance and assisting in a bumper-to-bumper driving in a convoy across a stretch of highway exposed to severe winter driving conditions. The (100) system comprises a number of components: a pole machine (200), a snow clearance assistant 300), a convoy guard assistant (400), a digital platform (500), and an application programming interface (API) & database component (600). Information about weather, vehicle status, road, convoy status including accidents and medical incidents is employed to assist snowplow trucks performing snow clearance, or guidance of a convoy trespassing a stretch of highway subject to severe winter driving conditions.

Publications

B1A1
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Documents

 Expand Download files (23)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 27.11.2025 09-01 Saksbehandling 20240055(349286) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20240055)
30.10.2025 02-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2025/11018 UT GH Forespørsel ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 27.10.2025 01-02 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2025/11018 INN GPOA - Roadtech Norge AS ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 27.10.2025 01-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2025/11018 INN Generell henvendelse ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 12.09.2025 08-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 UT Intention to grant ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 12.08.2025 10-05 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN P31520NO00_Norwegian translation of claims_Aug_12,_2025 ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 12.08.2025 10-04 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN P31520NO00_Letter_to_EPO_-_Munchen_Aug_11,_2025 ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 12.08.2025 10-03 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN P31520NO00_Document for grant (marked copy) ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 12.08.2025 10-02 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN P31520NO00_Document for grant (clean copy) ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 12.08.2025 10-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 14.07.2025 07-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 UT Substantive examination ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 11.03.2025 11-02 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN P31520NO00_Letter_to_NIPO_Mar_11_2025 ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 11.03.2025 11-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 19.02.2025 06-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 UT PT Bekreftelse på fristutsettelse CURO AS
 20.08.2024 05-02 Saksbehandling 20240055 UT PT report 01:36:15
20.08.2024 05-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 UT Substantive Examination CURO AS
 14.03.2024 04-02 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN 20240055 - Fullmakt og overdragelseserklæring CURO AS
 14.03.2024 04-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) CURO AS
 22.01.2024 03-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 UT Infobrev til oppfinner CURO AS
 22.01.2024 02-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 UT Formal Examination 1 CURO AS
 22.01.2024 01-03 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN Patent application CURO AS
 22.01.2024 01-02 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN Drawings CURO AS
 22.01.2024 01-01 Saksbehandling 20240055 INN Søknadsskjema Patent CURO AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
3492861System of handling road traffic in snow conditionsThe present invention is related to a system of handling road traffic in snow conditions, in particular snow clearance of highways, and guidance of convoys trespassing highways subject to severe winter driving conditions, and a use of the system.5 BackgroundNorthern part of the hemisphere and elevated areas are often subject to challenges in handling of road traffic. In particular, snowplow truck drivers experience threats such as collision with approaching vehicles, for example an approaching snowplow truck driving in an opposite direction. Due to low visibility due to drifting snow a snowplow truck driver might encounter a meeting vehicle 10 when it is too late to slow down vehicle speed. Hence the snowplow truck may drive into the ditch or into a snow drift at the roadside, or even worse, collide with the meeting vehicle.During a snow clearance operation, snowplow truck drivers do at their very best try to navigate along road sticks located at a certain mutual distance at each side of the road. However, road sticks may have been deployed inaccurately into the ground (or snow), so that a position of certain road 15 sticks indicate a wrong position to the driver with respect to the hard shoulder of the highway. This may result in improper snow clearance or in that the snowplow truck drives into the ditch.In another circumstance, numerous vehicles traveling along a road subject to drifting snow and low visibility are requested to wait at respective ends of a stretch of highway, such as a mountain pass or mountain plateau, experiencing severe weather and driving conditions due to drifting snow, 20 which makes it too risky to drive on their own along the highway without assistance. When a certain number of vehicles waiting to be guided across the stretch of highway in question has been reached, a snowplow truck is placed in front of a line of waiting vehicles, whereupon a column is established to initiate a bumper-to-bumper driving across the exposed stretch of highway.During a bumper-to-bumper driving like this, the snowplow truck at the front leading the trailing 25 line of vehicles is often not aware that one or more of the guided vehicles stop within a blocking snowdrift or even drive into the ditch or any other obstacle outside the road. In a situation like this, several trailing vehicles may be prevented from continuing across the exposed stretch of highway, whereupon critical situations may arise where thinly dressed passengers and poorly equipped vehicles may become stuck at low temperatures and no food, heating and drink supplies. 3492862WO 2020085920 A2 relates to a snow isntallation system. The system is provided with an installation assembly and a snow pole holder with snow poles and a first computer for short-range communication and long-range wireless communication. A central system with one or more second computer communication means for communication with the transport and installation 5 arrangement.EP 2963192 B1 relates to a method for providing a warning to an operator handling a material machine. A computer implemented method for detection of hazardous object located near a material handling machine and issues a warning when it estimates a probability of occurance of a hazardoues event.10 3492863ObjectIn view of the above, there is a need for a system of handling road traffic in snow conditions to assist in a bumper-to-bumper driving in a convoy across an exposed stretch of highway. Moreover, there is a need for providing a system of clearing snow across a stretch of highway subject to severe driving 5 conditions due to drifting snow.The inventionThe objects above are achieved by a system in accordance with claims 1 and 2, and a use of the same in accordance with claim 3.In accordance with the invention, a system of performing snow clearance of a highway by a 10 snowplow truck, said system comprises:• an application programming interface (API) & database component,• a pole machine,• a snow clearance assistant,• a digital platform, arranged to provide static information about15 said API & database component constituting a central component of the system exchanging data between the remaining components, in that• the pole machine is arranged to provide exact position data of poles deployed at a roadside to the API & database component, prior to snow clearance operations,• the snow clearance assistant is, from the API & database component, arranged to obtain 20 said information about position of adjacent poles, current snowplow truck position, road geography, and any other nearby snow clearance trucks.Moreover, the system of the present invention may comprise a convoy guard assistant, arranged to communicate with vehicles participating in a convoy trespassing a stretch of highway subject to severe winter driving conditions. The convoy guard assistant is arranged to exchange information 25 with vehicles participating in a convoy, and to process convoy information with information about road conditions provided from said API & database component.The invention also concerns use of a system in accordance with the invention, in guiding emergency response vehicles by providing information about driving conditions, highly accurate position of emergency response vehicle and reporting its current position to other road users. 3492864Detailed description of the inventionThe invention is hereinafter described in further details with reference to figures, whereFig.1 is an overall schematic illustration of the main components of a system,Fig.2 is a detailed illustration of the components of Fig.1,5 Fig.3 is a schematic illustration of a pole machine component of the system,Fig.4 is an illustration similar to Fig.3, showing a snowplow truck component and its interaction with external components of the system,Fig. 5 is an illustration similar to Fig. 4, showing a convoy guard application and its interaction with external components of the system, and10 Fig.6 is a schematic illustration of actors external to the system, communicating with a database system component of the system.DefinitionsThe term “entity” used herein is meant to represent physical items, such as a hand-held digital device, a portable computer, executable software programs residing therein, communication 15 devices such as cellular phones (or similar) antennas, including stationary antennas, alone or taken in combination.The term “component” used herein is meant to represent at least one “entity” as defined above, categorized to reside within a “component”. Accordingly, a “component” represents a group of physical items and/or digitally executable items and/or electronic communication means, all 20 “entities” arranged to serve a certain task as explained below.The term “pole” used herein is meant to represent a road stick, in particular a road stick deployed down into the ground or snow at the respective sides of a road to be subjected to snow clearance. The term “CPOS” is an abbreviation for a commercially available geographical position service, e.g. from the Norwegian service provider Kartverket. CPOS delivers highly accurate positions of a 25 stationary or moving object, down to a resolution of a few centimeters.The term “ple position”, “poles position data” and similar concerns exact positions of road sticks or poles deployed along a roadside. The position data is measured by a pole deployment machine and 3492865made persistent and available within the system at a dabase system. However, poles position data is not limited only to physical poles. In certain circumstances, it may not be possible to deploy physical poles at a roadside. Hence, one or more geographical pole positions can be virtual or “dummy” by determining and storing a desired road stick location between adjacent physical road 5 sticks, or even between virtual pole positions.Description of drawingsInitially, the system 100 of the present invention comprises the following main components as shown in Fig.1:• A pole machine 20010 • A snow clearance assistant 300,• A convoy guard assistant 400• A digital platform 500, and• An application programming interface (API) & database component 600Now referring to Figs.1 & 2, the main parts of a system 100 in accordance with the present invention 15 with its main components 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 listed above, is detailed below.Main componentAPI & database component 600 in Fig. 2 is sub-divided into two logical sub-components: a “Calculations” sub-component 610, and a “Communication” sub-component 620.Sub-components and their entities20 Sub-component 610 again is comprised by the entities “Poles position data” 611 received from the Pole machine 200. Moreover, the received Poles position data 611 is further split into “Road axis data” 612, and “Obstacles positions” 613.Sub-component 620 comprises a central “Database” entity denoted by reference numeral 621, which receives data from the respective entities within calculations sub-component 610, as 25 indicated by arrows.At the upper left side of Fig. 2, the pole machine 200 known per se, represents a component constituting a part of a truck (not show in the figures). The pole machine component 200 is described in more details in Fig.3. A pole machine does normally not participate in snow clearance or convoy 3492866operations, but is included here as a crucial part of the system of the present invention, supplying data to API & database component 600.Pole machine component 200 is comprised by a road stick/pole position entity denoted as GPS CPOS correction entity 201 which senses practically exact position of a vehicle deploying poles into 5 the ground along the road sides ahead of a winter season. When a pole just bas been deployed into the ground, the pole position is sensed, digitally processed, and reported to the API & database component 600. Hence, the exact position is determined by means of GPS location sensed at the truck, corrected by position information of the pole deployment equipment at the truck, and truck driving speed, and reported back to the API & database component 600 and stored there for future 10 use. The road stick/pole position entity 201 is typically a GPS antenna arranged upon or within the pole deployment truck, a digital processing entity (not further illustrated), and an information sender entity (not further illustrated), sending processed position information of every single pole deployed. Typical pole information involved is listed at reference number 202 in Fig.3. The arrow heads show the information flow directions.15 Now with reference to Fig.4, the snow clearance assistant component 300, hereinafter also referred to as “assistant”, or “assistant application” 300, also exhibits a GPS CPOS correction entity 301, similar to the corresponding entity 201 of the pole machine 201 above. An information entity of the snow clearance assistant 300 is shown at reference numeral 302, comprising GPS data, selected entrepreneur contract data, type of convoy to be guided across a stretch of highway in question 20 exposed to severe winter conditions, emergency status of a convoy, such as accidents and vehicle halts, and position of emergency situation occurred. Here, the GPS CPOS correction entity 301 send position and speed information of the convoy leader (snow clearance truck) sends data to the snow clearance assistant component 300, where information is processed together with any convoy data 303 and road axis data 304, both received from the API & database component 600. The 25 information received and processed at the assistant component 300 is presented to the driver of the snow clearance truck in question, enabling the driver to make the correct decisions and act accordingly.In Fig.5, the convoy guard assistant component 400 is shown in further details. Based upon position and speed information about the convoy leader truck (entity shown at the left side of Fig.5), convoy 30 guard assistant component 400 decides whether a convoy is on the run:• if the result is “NO”, convoy guard assistant component 400 sends convoy data comprising GPS data, type of vehicle in question, number of passengers, and logged user data, 3492867associated with respective trailing vehicles participating in the convoy, to the API & database component 600. API % database component 600 returns information about nearest roads and convoys, and number of cars already waiting for the convoy (data entity 401b) back to convoy data assistant component 400.5 • if the answer is “YES”, convoy guard entity 400 sends GPS data and possible car emergency (400c) to the API & database component 600. API & database component 600 returns convoy snowplow position and convoy emergency status (400d) to convoy guard assistant component 400.Fig.6 illustrates main items within the digital platform component 500, included up to the right in 10 Fig. 2. Here, static data field data entity 501 manly related to contracts, road owners and entrepreneurs, road name, road length, boundary points, terminal data management and platform users. Here, the term “static” means data which is sent to and updated at database 621 in API & database component 600 (Fig.2), and remains persistent there. On the other hand, API & database component 600 returns data related to contracts, roads, road owners and entrepreneur users, 15 indicated at entity 502, and data related to current convoys, reported accidents and truck currently deploying road sticks, indicated by entity 503.Operations served by the systemThe main services provided by the system of the present invention are:• Assistance during snow clearance of roads20 • Assistance to convoy leader during a convoy operation guiding numerous vehicles driving behind the convoy leader across a stretch of highway exposed to severe wither conditions in the terms of driving.Snow clearanceA truck performing snow clearance of a road can benefit from the system of the present invention 25 by:• preventing the truck from driving into the ditch or into a snow drift at the roadside• preventing the truck from colliding with another snow clearance truck driving in the opposite direction• obtaining satisfactory snow clearance due to a highly accurate position of the truck upon 30 the road being served 3492868ConvoysA truck performing a convoy operation along a stretch of high subject to severe winter conditions can benefit from the system of the present invention by:• setting up or halting a convoy5 • initiating a convoy based on current participant status, including informing participating vehicles about the progress of their convoy• informing another about the present convoy• providing external services, such as rescueConvoy participants delivers data concerning intention to attend, or presence in, a convoy with 10 respect to their own position, number of passengers etc. The data are at preferably sent by attendants’ cellular phone or another portable or in-vehicle stationary devices provided with GPS functionality receiving data from satellites, and GSM functionality sending said data to a commercial GSM base station in the terrain nearby.Participant data is handled by the API & database component described above, which again interacts 15 with a convoy leader. Accordingly, a convoy leader can monitor information and status about participating vehicles, such as accidents or even medical incidents of persons within the participating vehicle. Then, the convoy leader is able to act, such as halting the convoy or calling for rescue service or medical assistance.Alternative use20 It should also be mentioned that the system in accordance with the present invention also is applicable to emergency response vehicles per se, such as an ambulance. Then, rescue vehicles will be able to simplify navigation along a highway subjected to severe winter driving conditions due to current road information provided by the present system. On the other hand, other road users may observe current position of an emergency response vehicle due to position information reported by 25 the system of the present invention.Technical effectFrom the above, it should be evident that the system of the present invention has several beneficial technical effects:• satisfactory snow clearance, resulting in a road surface presently fit for driving by the public 3492869• prevent collisions between snow clearance trucks• prevent convoy participants from driving into another vehicle ahead, driving into the ditch or a snow drift• provide services such as rescue or medical assistance reported by one or more convoy 5 participating vehiclesIt should also be mentioned that the invention represents a socio-economic benefit in that it enables safer guidance of road users across winter highways in question.
Claims
34928610Claims1. System (100) of performing snow clearance of a highway by a snowplow truck, said system comprising:• an application programming interface (API) & database component (600),5 • a pole machine (200),• a snow clearance assistant (300),• a digital platform (500), arranged to provide static information aboutsaid API & database component (600) constituting a central component of the system (100) exchanging data between the remaining components, in that10 • the pole machine (200) is arranged to provide exact position data of poles deployed at a roadside to the API & database component (600), prior to snow clearance operations, • the snow clearance assistant (300) is, from the API & database component (600), arranged to obtain said information about position of adjacent poles, current snowplow truck position, road geography, and any other nearby snow clearance trucks.15 2. The system (100) of claim 1, further comprising a convoy guard assistant (400), arranged to communicate with vehicles participating in a convoy trespassing a stretch of highway subject to severe winter driving conditions, said convoy guard assistant (400) is arranged to exchange information with vehicles participating in a convoy, and to process convoy information with information about road conditions provided from said API & database component (600).20 3. Use of a system of the preceding claims in guiding emergency response vehicles by providing information about driving conditions, highly accurate position of emergency response vehicle and reporting its current position to other road users.34928611PATENTKRAV1. System (100) for å gjennomføre snørydding på en vei med en brøytebil, der nevnte system omfatter:5 - et applikasjonsprogrammeringsgrensesnitt (API) & databasekomponent (600),- en pinne-maskin (200),- en snørydderassistent (300),- en digital plattform (500) som er anbrakt for å tilveiebringe statisk10 informasjon om nevnte API- og databasekomponent (600) som utgjør en sentral komponent av systemet (100) som utveksler data mellom de andre komponentene, ved at- pinne-maskinen (200) er anbrakt for å tilveiebringe eksakte posisjonsdata for pinner som er utplassert på en veiside for API- & databasekomponenten (600), før 15 snøryddingsoperasjoner,- snøryddingsassistenten (300) er, fra API- & databasekomponenten (600), anbrakt for å oppnå nevnte informasjon om posisjon for nabopinner, nåværende brøytebilposisjon, veigeografi og alle andre brøytebiler i nærheten.20 2. System (100) ifølge krav 1,videre omfattende en konvoihjelpeassistent (400) som er anbrakt for å kommunisere med kjøretøyer som deltar i en konvoi som ferdes på en vei som er utsatt for vanskelige vinterkjøreforhold, der nevnte konvoihjelpeassistent (400) er anbrakt for å utveksle informasjon med kjøretøyer som deltar i en konvoi, og for å prosessere 25 konvoi-informasjon med informasjon som gjelder veiforhold som er tilveiebrakt fra nevnte API- & databasekomponent (600).3. Anvendelse av et system ifølge de foregående krav i styring av utrykningskjøretøyer ved å tilveiebringe informasjon om kjøreforhold, svært34928612nøyaktig posisjon for utrykningskjøretøyer og rapportere dets nøyaktige posisjjon til andre brukere av veien.
Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesE01F 9/627G08G 1/16G08B 5/22CPC classesE01F 9/629G08G 1/164G08B 5/22

Citations

WO 2020085920 A2 (A2)EP 2963192 B1 (B1)US 10684352 B2 (B2)US 2022277349 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
ROADTECH NORGE AS
Sykkylvsvegen 125 6230 SYKKYLVEN NO (SYKKYLVEN Municipality, Møre og Romsdal county)Org. number: 936010067Inventors
Peder Kristian Strømsvåg
STRAUMSNESVEGEN 380 6670 ØYDEGARD NO (TINGVOLL Municipality, Møre og Romsdal county)

Agent

ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS

Org. number: 932214636

Name and address are automatically synchronized with the Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Edvard Griegs vei 1 5059 BERGEN NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)
Org. number: 932214636
Reference: P31520NO00

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