Traffic Control Indicator Patents (Class 340/907)
  • Patent number: 10957193
    Abstract: The reception unit receives the traffic light information at least a transition between first and second light colors of a traffic light at an intersection and turn-on times of the first and the second light colors, using a wireless signal received from a server via a transceiver. A position acquisition unit acquires a position of a vehicle. A passing speed range calculation unit calculates a speed range in which the vehicle is allowed to pass through the intersection in accordance with light colors of the traffic light, based on the traffic light information and on the position of the vehicle. The messaging unit outputs a message of driving assistance information including suggestions for deceleration or a passage possibility through the traffic intersection. A vehicle behavior storing unit stores content of the message and a behavior of the vehicle corresponding to the content of the message in a behavior memorizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Kurehashi, Yoshinori Kinoshita, Hiroki Nakajima, Masataka Izawa, Hiroshi Kamakura, Minoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10950122
    Abstract: A system is provided for distributed sensing and flashing of a beacon or sign for alerting vehicle drivers. A version is provided where a solar flasher having a wireless receiver is configured with multiple strategically located sensors to detect pedestrian and vehicle motion and wirelessly transmit detections to the beacon or sign. A method of locating and processing the sensors is provided to enable detection of various dangerous pedestrian and vehicle motion patterns to thereby alert on-coming drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Bo Ling
  • Patent number: 10942518
    Abstract: A parking assist system and method for aligning a capture resonator mounted on a vehicle with a source resonator, charging pad, disposed on a ground surface is disclosed. The parking assist system includes a vehicle GPS receiver, a vehicle external sensor, an ultra-wide band (UWB) sensor, a controller; and a display device. The controller is configured to process information collected from the vehicle GPS receiver, the vehicle external sensor, and the UWB sensor to determine the location of the source resonator and to calculate a path to park the vehicle such that the capture resonator is aligned with the source resonator. A rendering of a trajectory path is displayed on a display device. The calculated path may be communicated to an autonomous driving system to autonomously maneuvering the vehicle into a parking space such that the capture resonator is aligned with the source resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Murad, Eugene F. Saltzberg, Michael J. Bliss, Apral S. Hara, Junhua Tang
  • Patent number: 10943479
    Abstract: A system and method of acquiring and maintaining location information associated with traffic apparatus deployed in connection with a traffic flow monitoring or regulation system are disclosed. In some implementations, an apparatus identifier may distinguish a particular traffic apparatus from others that are deployed in proximity, and a functional identifier may define a functionality of the particular traffic apparatus; positioning, orientation, and movement or acceleration data may also be provided for real-time or near real-time system applications. These apparatus data may be used to derive and to maintain a record of location data associated with each traffic apparatus deployed in a particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: Serge Beaudry, Alexandre Langlois
  • Patent number: 10909842
    Abstract: An apparatus to generate a user-defined crosswalk comprises a processor to receive an input from a user to request a crosswalk across a roadway at a selected location and a memory coupled to the processor to store information regarding the crosswalk. The processor is to transmit the request to one or more vehicles using the roadway, and to receive a response indicating whether the crosswalk request is accepted such that the one or more vehicles are to stop to allow the user to cross the roadway using the crosswalk at the selected location in the event the crosswalk request is accepted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: G. Nowel Anderson
  • Patent number: 10878346
    Abstract: The intelligent driving method applied to a vehicle includes a support vector machine providing step in which the support vector machine is provided. The support vector machine has been trained by a training process. In the training process, a training dataset is provided to the support vector machine. The training dataset is obtained after an original dataset processed by a dimensionality reducing module and a time scaling module. The intelligent driving method includes a dataset processing step in which p features from an environment sensing unit are processed by the dimensionality reducing module and the time scaling module, and the processed dataset will be provided to the support vector machine. The intelligent driving method further includes a deciding step for providing a driving decision for the vehicle according to a classed result of the support vector machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Automotive Research & Testing Center
    Inventors: Tsung-Ming Hsu, Cheng-Hsien Wang
  • Patent number: 10872530
    Abstract: A Display device gives a visual warning to a car driver who is turning off a main road into a side road about a person who is approaching the side road parallel to the main road, the display device includes at least one sensor for sensing the person and at least one light which emits a visual warning signal when a person approaches, wherein the emission angle of the light which emits the visual warning signal is oriented so as to open into the intersection region between a first axis running transversely with respect to the course of the main road and a second axis running transversely with respect to the course of the side road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Martin Budde
  • Patent number: 10873287
    Abstract: A support system for a sign mountable on at least two spaced apart foundation members, the system comprising: i) a base, preferably a length adjustable base, having a first end and a second end; ii) a vertical sign support having a first end and a second end wherein the second end is connected to the base; iii) a first foundation member bracket for connection to a first foundation member, the first foundation member bracket proximate the first end of the base; and iv) a second foundation member bracket for connection to a second foundation member distant the first foundation member, the second foundation member bracket proximate the second end of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Stinson Equipment Limited
    Inventors: Ben Powell, James Delamere, John David Pierson, Mohammad Bagher Vakili
  • Patent number: 10867512
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for an Intelligent Road Infrastructure System (IRIS), which facilitates vehicle operations and control for connected automated vehicle highway (CAVH) systems. IRIS systems and methods provide vehicles with individually customized information and real-time control instructions for vehicle to fulfill the driving tasks such as car following, lane changing, and route guidance. IRIS systems and methods also manage transportation operations and management services for both freeways and urban arterials. In some embodiments, the IRIS comprises or consists of one of more of the following physical subsystems: (1) Roadside unit (RSU) network, (2) Traffic Control Unit (TCU) and Traffic Control Center (TCC) network, (3) vehicle onboard unit (OBU), (4) traffic operations centers (TOCs), and (5) cloud information and computing services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: CAVH LLC
    Inventors: Bin Ran, Yang Cheng, Shen Li, Zhen Zhang, Fan Ding, Huachun Tan, Yuankai Wu, Shuoxuan Dong, Linhui Ye, Xiaotian Li, Tianyi Chen, Kunsong Shi
  • Patent number: 10861339
    Abstract: A vehicle detection system includes a server connected to be able to communicate with a camera installed at an intersection and a client terminal connected to be able to communicate with the server. The client terminal sends, in response to input of information including date and time and a location at which an incident occurred and a feature of a vehicle which caused the incident, an information acquisition request relating to a vehicle which passes through the intersection at the location at the date and time to the server. The server extracts vehicle information and a passing direction of the vehicle passing through the intersection at the location in association with each other based on a captured image of the camera of the camera installed at the intersection at the location at the date and time in response to a reception of the information acquisition request and sends an extraction result to the client terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic I-PRO Sensing Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rie Sakito, Takahiro Yoshimura, Takeshi Wakako
  • Patent number: 10860029
    Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous mobile robot for carrying out a task in a local region of an area of application of the robot. According to one embodiment, the method comprises the following steps: positioning the robot in starting position within the area of application of the robot; detecting information relating to the surroundings of the robot by means of at least one sensor; selecting a region with a determined geometric basic shape; and automatically determining, based on the detected information relating to the surroundings, at least one of the two following parameters: size and position (also including the orientation/alignment) of the selected region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Robart GmbH
    Inventors: Harold Artes, Erwin Mascher, Reinhard Vogel
  • Patent number: 10861340
    Abstract: A vehicle detection system includes a server connected to be able to communicate with a camera installed at an intersection and a client terminal connected to be able to communicate with the server. The client terminal sends, in response to input of information including date and time and a location at which an incident occurred and a feature of a vehicle which caused the incident, an information acquisition request relating to a vehicle which passes through the intersection at the location at the date and time to the server. The server extracts vehicle information and a passing direction of the vehicle passing through the intersection at the location in association with each other based on a captured image of the camera of the camera installed at the intersection at the location at the date and time in response to a reception of the information acquisition request and sends an extraction result to the client terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic I-PRO Sensing Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rie Sakito, Takahiro Yoshimura, Takeshi Wakako
  • Patent number: 10861330
    Abstract: A method for obtaining signal light duration data is provided. The method includes obtaining, from running track data of plural positioning terminals, an intersection phase and a set of track sequences that correspond to the intersection phase. A state alternation sequence is obtained from the set of track sequences for the intersection phase. A signal light duration sample value of the intersection phase is obtained from the state alternation sequence, and signal light duration data is generated according to the signal light duration sample value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Li Guang Sun
  • Patent number: 10832572
    Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle actuated signal includes: a vehicle terminal that transmits actuated signal light information and estimated arrival time information when an actuated signal lane on a travel route is reserved to be used; a telematics server that requests a signal change reservation based on the actuated signal light information and the estimated arrival time information; and a traffic light control server that sets the signal change reservation in response to a request of the telematics server and controls a signal of the actuated signal light based on set reservation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yeon Joo Cha, In Ho Yoon, Su Jin Kwon
  • Patent number: 10775010
    Abstract: An emergency lighting device includes a housing containing a high voltage connection. A light emitter is connected to the housing. A compartment in the housing having an opening is separated from the high voltage connection. A battery is positioned in the compartment and accessible through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony Louis Brunelli, Robert Richard Papstein
  • Patent number: 10733881
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for detecting vehicle queue events and managing traffic flow. A computing system recognizes whether a queue event occurred for each vehicle located in an area of interest based on collected vehicle data. The area of interest includes an intersection, and the vehicle data for the each vehicle includes location information and speed information. The location information further includes a distance to an intersection. The computing system identifies differences in queue length among queues in the area of interest based on the vehicle data and determines queue indicators for each of the queues in the area of interest. Based on queue indicators for each of the queues in in the area of interest generated over multiple sampling periods, traffic signal lights at the intersection in the area of interest are managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jing Xu, Yang Zhang, Jun Wang, Ji Hui Yang, Wen Pei Yu
  • Patent number: 10718638
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting alignment anomaly. A sensor enclosure can be translated along a fixture to a final alignment location on the fixture. A signal transmitted by a signal transmitter can be received by a signal receiver. The signal transmitter can be integrated into the sensor enclosure. The signal receiver can determine a signal intensity based on the received signal. The signal intensity can be determined based in part on the final alignment location of the sensor enclosure on the fixture. An enclosure alignment anomaly can be identified based on the signal intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Diehl, Cheng Jin
  • Patent number: 10692367
    Abstract: A system for adaptively controlling traffic control devices having a traffic signal system, a computing network, a communication system, and a mobile device. The traffic signal system is configured to be in communication with the computing network through the communication system. The mobile device is also configured to be in communication with the computing network through the communication system. Then the computing network adaptively controls the traffic signal system using a location of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: David Hong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10692368
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for detecting vehicle queue events and managing traffic flow. A computing system recognizes whether a queue event occurred for each vehicle located in an area of interest based on collected vehicle data. The area of interest includes an intersection, and the vehicle data for the each vehicle includes location information and speed information. The location information further includes a distance to an intersection. The computing system identifies differences in queue length among queues in the area of interest based on the vehicle data and determines queue indicators for each of the queues in the area of interest. Based on queue indicators for each of the queues in in the area of interest generated over multiple sampling periods, traffic signal lights at the intersection in the area of interest are managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jing Xu, Yang Zhang, Jun Wang, Ji Hui Yang, Wen Pei Yu
  • Patent number: 10679508
    Abstract: A vehicle detection system includes a server connected to be able to communicate with a camera installed at an intersection and a client terminal connected to be able to communicate with the server. The client terminal sends, in response to input of information including date and time and a location at which an incident occurred and a feature of a vehicle which caused the incident, an information acquisition request relating to a vehicle which passes through the intersection at the location at the date and time to the server. The server extracts vehicle information and a passing direction of the vehicle passing through the intersection at the location in association with each other based on a captured image of the camera of the camera installed at the intersection at the location at the date and time in response to a reception of the information acquisition request and sends an extraction result to the client terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC I-PRO SENSIG SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rie Sakito, Takahiro Yoshimura, Takeshi Wakako
  • Patent number: 10679495
    Abstract: A system and method that enables individual travelers, including pedestrians or individuals on smaller conveyances, to communicate their location and direction of travel to signal light controllers at an intersection, enables traffic networks to receive this communication and output the detected data to the corresponding intersection traffic-signal controller to allow for individuals not in standard motor vehicles to be detected by traffic detection systems and to allow for priority of traveler flow either independent of vehicle use, or based on specifics of the vehicle used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: STC, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Cross, Terry Fryar, Nicholas Freed
  • Patent number: 10681528
    Abstract: A method for device-to-device direct communication in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed by a first terminal, and the method comprises the steps of: setting, as a transmission gap period, a candidate time period in which a first message including location information of a second terminal will be periodically received from the second terminal; and periodically receiving the first message from the second terminal within the transmission gap period. A message is not transmitted from the first terminal through a candidate carrier on which the first message is to be received within the transmission gap period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hanbyul Seo
  • Patent number: 10660183
    Abstract: Position indicating devices, systems and methods useable for signaling the positions of pedestrians or vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventors: James R Selevan, Adam Jordan Selevan, Daniel Joseph Selevan
  • Patent number: 10650671
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable program product are disclosed for traffic intersection distance signaling. In an embodiment, the method comprises determining a distance between a first vehicle and a traffic intersection, said first vehicle being on a first side of the intersection; using this determined distance to determine if a pre-defined distance is available between the first vehicle and the intersection; and when this pre-defined distance is available between the first vehicle and the intersection, signaling to a second vehicle, on a second side of the intersection, that space is available for the second vehicle on the first side of the intersection. In embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises measuring a specified length of the second vehicle, and the pre-defined distance is based on this measured specified length. In an embodiment, the predefined distance is equal to or greater than this measured specified length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Marshall Barker
  • Patent number: 10645156
    Abstract: A method and system for distributed spatial control of a formation of vehicles includes receiving at a first formation vehicle via a peer-to-peer communication interface, direction of travel and formation density information that indicate a course of travel for the first vehicle while travelling as a member of the formation of vehicles. The peer-to-peer formation density information indicates a distance to maintain from other neighboring formation vehicles. A formation vehicle self-navigation command is generated for navigating the first vehicle when travelling in one dimensional, two dimensional, or three dimensional space as a member of the formation of vehicles. The self-navigation command is based on the peer-to-peer direction of travel and formation density information. The direction of travel information is based on locally determined spatial relationships of a portion of the formation of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Tansel Yucelen, Dzung Minh Duc Tran
  • Patent number: 10643463
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a road work area characteristic set comprising at least one characteristic associated with a road work area. The method comprises: determining a starting position of the road work area, receiving actual vehicle status information from each vehicle in a vehicle set, wherein each vehicle in the vehicle set has passed or is determined to pass the starting position of the road work area, the actual vehicle status information being generated by an individual generation component associated with the vehicle, the actual vehicle status information comprising vehicle position data for the vehicle, determining an actual vehicle status information set from the actual vehicle status information of each vehicle in the vehicle set, and determining the road work area characteristic set using the actual vehicle status information set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sebastian Thelen, Erik Israelsson
  • Patent number: 10636299
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods and computer-readable mediums for controlling traffic using traffic rules generated based on types of vehicles and associated traffic flow rates. In one aspect, a device includes memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to receive video data of traffic flowing through an intersection; based on the video data, determine if a rate of flow of the traffic is greater than a predetermined threshold; determine a correlation between the rate of flow and one of a plurality of object types if the rate of flow is not greater than the predetermined threshold; determine a rule for controlling the traffic flow through the intersection based on the correlation; and cause adjustments to traffic control settings of a traffic light at the intersection based on the rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Malkes, William S. Overstreet, Jeffery R. Price, Michael J. Tourville
  • Patent number: 10629069
    Abstract: An approach is provided for a localized link-centric metric for directional traffic propagation. The approach, for instance, involves designating a base link of the road network. The approach also involves determining a plurality of vehicle trajectories that pass through the base link. The plurality of vehicle trajectories is based on probe data collected from one or more sensors of a plurality of vehicles travelling in the road network. The approach further involves determining a frequency at which the plurality of vehicle trajectories passes through the base link to each of one or more other links in the plurality of vehicle trajectories within a proximity threshold. The approach further involves computing a link-centric metric for said each of the one or more other links relative to the base link based on the determined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Evan Smothers, Antonio Haro, Andrew Lewis, Davide Pietrobon
  • Patent number: 10611304
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a vehicle can use one or more sensors to monitor a condition external to a vehicle while a driver is operating the vehicle and the vehicle is temporarily stopped. The system can detect a change in the condition external to the vehicle and transmit a signal wirelessly to a computing device of the driver, which can cause the computing device to output an alert indicating the change in the condition external to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brennan T. Lopez-Hinojosa, Kermit D. Lopez
  • Patent number: 10607514
    Abstract: A Traffic Handheld Control Warning Sign including a first and second display sign which are fastened together and have the capability to display different traffic control warnings and commands simultaneously. The invention is battery powered and can be controlled by a separate or built in remote control. The invention can be hand held or can be used hands free by placing it in a tripod or pole and operating it with a remote control from a distance of up to 40 meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Victor White
  • Patent number: 10593200
    Abstract: An apparatus for indicating a traffic hindrance risk, having a traffic hindrance information generating server that generates traffic hindrance information for links that define a driving route, and a weather information generating server that generates weather information from weather data distributed by a meteorological agency with respect to an area including the driving route. In the apparatus, a tabular data is generated together with congestion degree information by sorting foul weather information into a plurality of level categories in accordance with a degree of traffic hindrance when the weather information includes at least one item of foul weather information, and a traffic hindrance occurrence risk predictive value meaning possibility of traffic hindrance occurrence with respect to the driving route for a predetermined future period is calculated to be viewed by an operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., JAPAN WEATHER ASSOCIATION
    Inventors: Takuro Masuda, Kazuhiro Tanji, Shigeyuki Nomura
  • Patent number: 10559198
    Abstract: Systems and methods for triggering changes to traffic signals based on the number and/or types of vehicles occupying a detection zone are disclosed. One aspect of the present disclosure includes a device with memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to receive identification of zones and corresponding traffic light rules for a traffic intersection; and for each identified zone, detect a number of objects in the zone; based at least in part on the number of objects detected in the zone, determine if a corresponding condition is met; and upon determining that the corresponding condition is met for the zone, send a corresponding output signal to a traffic signal controller to change a traffic signal for the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Price, Timothy F. Gee
  • Patent number: 10535259
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for controlling traffic in response to information associated with vehicular traffic includes receiving a signal at an input of a data aggregator and transmitting the signal to a server. A control signal is generated in response to signal transmitted by the data aggregator. The control signal is used to control traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Eberle Design, Inc.
    Inventors: William Russell, William Sowell, Joseph Dudich, Matt Zinn, Timothy McCall
  • Patent number: 10528825
    Abstract: There is provided a system including at least one image capturing device configured to capture an image of an object from a vehicle, and at least one display device configured to display the image of the object to an occupant of the vehicle. The system further includes at least one control unit configured to determine whether to alert the occupant to proximity of the object, and in response to determining to alert the occupant to proximity of the object, superimpose, on the image of the object for display on the at least one display device, a moving pattern through which the image of the object remains visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Oba
  • Patent number: 10529230
    Abstract: Described is an algorithm to optimize traffic light activity and minimize traffic congestion. Traffic conditions are monitored by sensors and the algorithm dynamically controls the green light time to account for traffic conditions and enhance the traffic flow. In one example, the green light time of each lane is reduced or increased according to traffic flow in the lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Ofer Hofman
  • Patent number: 10497259
    Abstract: A system and method for use in controlling traffic signaling devices located along public roadways. The method carried out by the system includes: receiving, at one or more computers, time-location (TL) data from a plurality of wirelessly connected devices traveling through an intersection of a public roadway; determining, by the one or more computers using the received TL data, a traffic volume estimation value representative of a volume of traffic at the intersection; and sending the traffic volume estimation value to a traffic signaling control system configured to control a traffic signaling device at the intersection based on the traffic volume estimation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Xianghong Liu, Jianfeng Zheng
  • Patent number: 10490066
    Abstract: In some implementations, a method includes receiving, by one or more processing devices configured to control a traffic signal at an intersection of roads, camera data providing images of the intersection, the processing devices being located proximate to the intersection, using one or more local machine learning models to identify objects at the intersection and paths of the objects based on the camera data, providing traffic data generated from outputs of the one or more local machine learning models to a remote traffic planning system over a network, receiving, from the remote traffic planning system, a remote instruction for the traffic signal determined using one or more remote machine learning models, and providing a control instruction to the traffic signal at the intersection that is determined based on (i) the remote instruction from the remote traffic planning system, and (ii) a local instruction generated by the processing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Julian Green, Michael Jason Grundmann, Sylvia Joan Smullin, Joseph Pieter Stefanus van Grieken
  • Patent number: 10490075
    Abstract: A system and method for providing road user related data based on vehicle communications that include detecting at least one road user located within a surrounding environment of a vehicle. The system and method also include sending vehicle communication signals to the at least one road user detected within the surrounding environment of the vehicle. The system and method additionally include receiving reflected vehicle communication signals that are reflected back from the at least one road user. The system and method further include analyzing the reflected vehicle communication signals to determine a received signal strength of each of the reflected vehicle communication signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xue Bai, Ehsan Moradi-Pari
  • Patent number: 10446025
    Abstract: A traffic light control system includes a first traffic light apparatus and multiple second traffic light apparatuses for displaying a direction pattern indicating intended movement of an emergency vehicle about to pass through an intersection, and a controller storing direction patterns each indicating a direction to take and a specific movement manner of the emergency vehicle. In response to a direction signal corresponding to one of the direction patterns, the controller controls the first traffic light apparatus to display the one direction pattern, and controls each of the second traffic light apparatuses to display a corresponding oriented version of said one direction pattern based on a location of the second traffic light apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Kuo-Chen Yu
  • Patent number: 10407076
    Abstract: In one embodiment, planning data is received, for example, from a planning module, to drive an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) from a starting location and a destination location. In response, a series of control commands are generated based on the planning data, where the control commands are to be applied at different points in time from the starting location to the destination location. A cost is calculated by applying a cost function to the control commands, a first road friction to be estimated in a current trip, and a second road friction estimated during a prior trip from the starting location to the destination location. The first road friction of the current trip is estimated using the cost function in view of a prior termination cost of the prior trip, such that the cost reaches minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Qi Luo, Fan Zhu, Sen Hu, Qi Kong, Xiang Yu, Zhenguang Zhu, Yuchang Pan, Wenli Yang, Guang Yang
  • Patent number: 10395528
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to transportation vehicle traffic management. A traffic controller detects a first traffic state parameter value for a first lane. In response to detecting the first traffic state parameter value, the traffic controller establishes a first broadcast of a first movement value (e.g., speed, acceleration, direction). The first movement value may indicate a first movement pattern for a first set of vehicles in the first lane. In response to establishing the first broadcast of the first movement value, the traffic controller detects a second traffic state parameter value for the first lane. In response to detecting the second traffic state parameter value the traffic controller modifies the first broadcast of the first movement value. The modified first movement value may indicate a second movement pattern for the first set of vehicles in the first lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Weijun Li, Chong Liu, Xiao Ting Xiao, Jinfan Zhu
  • Patent number: 10360796
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of controlling vehicle traffic through an intersection comprising: receiving a request, by one or more processors of a traffic flow controller and from each of a plurality of vehicles, to use the intersection; allocating, by the one or more processors and to a first subset of the plurality of vehicles, a first ticket to use the intersection; allocating, by the one or more processors and to a second subset of the plurality of vehicles, a second ticket to use the intersection; authorizing, by the one or more processors, the first subset of the plurality of vehicles to use the intersection; determining, by the one or more processors, that all vehicles of the first subset of the plurality of vehicles have cleared the intersection; and authorizing, by the one or more processors, the second subset of the plurality of vehicles to use the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Li, Jiafeng Zhu
  • Patent number: 10311721
    Abstract: A traffic control system includes at least one traffic signal, an aircraft and a ground control station. The aircraft includes a position sensor and a wireless communication device. The ground control station includes an electronic controller and a wireless communication device. The electronic controller is configured to control the at least one traffic signal based on at least one of position data of the aircraft and direction data of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Shibata
  • Patent number: 10304308
    Abstract: The disclosed technology comprises a system to provide warning of a rail or vehicle approaching a work area for a transit worker or group of transit workers. In some implementations, the disclosed technology includes a sensor station that detects rail or vehicles approaching the work area, which transmits a warning signal to a safety vest worn by workers. In some implementations, the safety vest has a transceiver to receive the warning signal and activates an alarm mounted to the vest. The alarm may be a flashing light or a vibration that can be felt by the vest wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Numan Mujeeb
  • Patent number: 10303257
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method for an autonomous vehicle (e.g., a fully autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle) to communicate with external observers. The method includes: receiving a task at the autonomous vehicle; collecting data that characterizes a surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle from a sensor coupled to the autonomous vehicle; determining an intended course of action for the autonomous vehicle to undertake based on the task and the collected data; and conveying a human understandable output via an output device, the human understandable output expressly or implicitly indicating the intended course of action to an external observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Invention, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Kjerstin I. Williams, Thomas A. Tombrello, James W. Sarrett, Luke W. Khanlian, Adrian L. Kaehler, Russel Howe
  • Patent number: 10293750
    Abstract: There is provided a digital display system for use with a first vehicle. The first vehicle includes a vehicle body, a vehicle front end and a vehicle rear end. The system includes a front-facing camera affixed with the vehicle body configured to capture digital images from in front of the vehicle front end. The system further includes a wireless receiver affixed with the vehicle body configured to receive an activation request signal from a wireless transmitter of a second vehicle. The system further includes a digital display affixed with the vehicle body disposed at the vehicle rear end. The digital display is configured to display captured digital images from the front-facing camera in response to receipt of an activation request signal by the wireless receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: BCAT, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis M. Brubaker
  • Patent number: 10282694
    Abstract: Transportation services are matched with demand, in multiple segments in accordance with capabilities and business practices of a transportation service provider. A request for transportation services is received, including an origin, destination and a characterization of a load or service. Origin and destination geographical areas or locations are identified, and a main line segment and at least one distinct segment are identified to form a contiguous multi-segment routing. A transportation service provider is matched to the specified demand for transportation services, in order to comply with the scheduled sequence. One or more competitive bids are aggregated to provide a total bid price and provision of the transportation services are arranged using the candidate service interests winning the bid or bids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CARGO CHIEF ACQUISITION INC.
    Inventors: Russell Jones, Abtin Hamidi, Srinivasa Sarma, Steve Harkness, Jarrod Jodoin
  • Patent number: 10249183
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (roadside relay device 2) configured to generate a traffic index used for traffic signal control. This device includes: a storage unit 24 configured to store therein area information on a coordinate system, the area information forming a predetermined area on a road; a communication unit 21 configured to receive probe information S5 including a vehicle position and temporal information of a traveling vehicle 5; and a control unit 23 configured to generate the traffic index on the basis of the area information and the probe information S5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeki Umehara, Hiroshi Matsumoto, Masafumi Kobayashi, Osamu Hattori
  • Patent number: 10239526
    Abstract: Systems and processes are provided for adaptive cruise control. The process includes receiving information about a distance between vehicle and a traffic signal, receiving information about a state of the traffic signal, and determining whether to adjust the speed of the vehicle based upon the distance between the vehicle and the traffic signal and the state of the traffic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: William F. Durgin, Cody D. Berman, Justin K. Francisco, Brunno L. Moretti
  • Patent number: 10242568
    Abstract: Technologies are described to adjust a learning rate of Q-learning being used to control traffic signals at an intersection. In some examples, a method may include generating control actions for traffic signals at an intersection based on Q-learning, determining a frequency of change in traffic pattern of the intersection, and adjusting a learning rate of the Q-learning based on the determined frequency of change in traffic pattern of the intersection. The Q-learning may determine the generated control actions based on at least a portion of historical traffic data of the intersection, and the change in traffic pattern may be a change from a first traffic pattern of the intersection to a second traffic pattern of the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Lei Liu, Wei-Peng Chen, Ying Liu