Density Patents (Class 340/934)
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Patent number: 8428856Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for implementing condition alert services are provided. A method includes receiving information elements from a source that identify a condition, aggregating the information elements from the source with information elements from other sources that identify the same condition, and creating a composite file that includes the aggregated information elements representing each of the sources. The method also includes generating a condition alert from the composite file and transmitting the condition alert to a recipient communications device.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventor: Steven Tischer
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Patent number: 8416300Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise a system and method for improving visibility of a roadway using an improved visibility system. The method comprising receiving data from a plurality of fog detectors located proximate a roadway and determining, based on the data from the plurality of fog detectors, that fog is present about the roadway. The method further comprising obtaining, after the determining that fog is present about the roadway, a plurality of images of the roadway by activating a plurality of cameras located proximate the roadway. The method further comprising creating a composite image by combining two or more of the plurality of images, wherein the composite image depicts the roadway unobstructed by fog and transmitting the composite image to a display device located in a vehicle traveling along the roadway.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Giuseppe Longobardi
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Patent number: 8405521Abstract: A statistic DB creation processing section creates a statistic traffic DB, based on past actual traffic data (probe DB or VICS DB), and stores it in a statistic DB storage section. A reference-link-candidate extraction processing section extracts a complement target link (temporal missing link) from the statistic traffic DB, and further extracts complementary-reference-link-candidates for the complement target link, according to plural extraction rules to extract complementary-reference-link-candidates.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junsuke Fujiwara, Takumi Fushiki
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Patent number: 8390477Abstract: Disclosed is an inventory control system or parking space detector including an inductive loop technology that is either embedded in the concrete or located atop the concrete, or any other feasible method of setting an inductive loop. By monitoring the change in inductance of the magnetic field that is generated by the loop as cars of various sizes and weights enter the looped area, a determination of whether or not the inventory is controlled or the parking spaces are all full is made when the inductance value reaches a certain predetermined level. This predetermined level will be determined by calibration in the initial installation in order to determine the exact inductance values when a group of parking spaces are full.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Inventor: Phares A. Noel, II
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Patent number: 8386156Abstract: A roadside equipment (RSE) system that can be used for controlling traffic signals and other equipment and corresponding method. A method includes wirelessly receiving vehicle data from an onboard equipment (OBE) system connected to a vehicle, the vehicle data including location data, time data, and vehicle identification data related to the vehicle. The method includes determining motion data for the vehicle and determining the current state of at least one traffic device. The method includes determining a roadway lane corresponding to the vehicle, based on the motion data and the current state of the at least one traffic device, and storing the vehicle and associated roadway lane.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: David Dodd Miller
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Patent number: 8368559Abstract: A Network of Traffic Behavior-monitoring Unattended Ground Sensors (NeTBUGS) is configurable to detect the passing of vehicles, determine when and where individual vehicles have stopped for a period of time that raises suspicion of illegal or dangerous activity, track the vehicles after the stop and to generate a location-tagged alert for the timely dispatch of a response asset to investigate the anomalous behavior of the vehicle. NeTBUGS sensors are small, camouflaged, easily concealed, and operate for long durations independent of the electrical grid or large, obvious power generators and thus well suited for operation in a hostile environment.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Michael D. Pixley, Martt Harding
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Publication number: 20120299750Abstract: Data acquisition from a sampling of vehicle sensors includes identifying a vehicle population density for a defined region, calculating a proportional representation ratio from the vehicle population density, and transmitting a request for data over a network. The request includes the response criteria configured with the proportional representation ratio. The data acquisition also includes receiving the data from vehicles that are located in the defined region and that fall within the proportional representation ratio, and which meet the response criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Norman J. Weigert, Vyacheslav Berezin, Kier M. Mathieson
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Patent number: 8280617Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring traffic, such as vehicle traffic on a roadway, using identification information acquired using a Bluetooth protocol. A sensor is configured to scan for discoverable Bluetooth devices within a flow of vehicle traffic and to create a log of identified Bluetooth devices. A system includes multiple sensors at known locations along a route and is operable to identify a Bluetooth device identified at multiple sensors.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: University of MarylandInventors: Stanley E. Young, Philip Tarnoff, Nicholas J. Ganig
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Publication number: 20120182160Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for detecting and counting vehicles on a roadway are presented. The roadway need not be partitioned into directional lanes. The matrix may have a plurality of matrix elements in communication with a master matrix element. Each matrix element contains two sensors, a processor and a transceiver. Matrix elements transmit sensor data to the master matrix element, which uses the sensor data to calculate the number of vehicles traveling through the detection area of the sensor matrix, and the point of entry and the point of exit of each such vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: TCS International, Inc.Inventor: Arie Hod
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Patent number: 8219306Abstract: The present invention includes a traffic information collection unit for collecting weight information of a vehicle running on a road and vibration and noise information generated on the road; a traffic jam determination unit for determining a traffic jam and traffic jam type based on the collected weight information, the vibration and noise information; a traffic jam information transceiving unit for transmitting the traffic jam information or the received traffic jam information of a front road to a vehicle on a rear road by receiving the traffic jam information of a front road from another apparatus for providing traffic jam information installed on the front road; and a display unit for displaying the determination result of the traffic jam determination unit, or a traffic condition of the front road.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Jin-Kyeong Kim, Woo-Yong Lee, Yong-Sun Kim, Kyeong-Pyo Kim
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Patent number: 8209114Abstract: A CPU specifies factors related to the month, the day of the week, and a time period including the current point in time, based on time data obtained by a timer. The CPU also specifies factors that are related to a grid ID and a road category of a given link, based on map display data, link data, and the like stored in an update map information database. The CPU then reads a sample collection number indicating the number of samples of probe information required to generate traffic information for that link and in sequence for other links. When a center traffic information DB contains stored therein, samples of probe information equal to or greater than the sample collection number for a link, the CPU generates the traffic information for that link and stores the generated traffic information as current traffic information.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Ishikawa, Kenji Nagase
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Patent number: 8169340Abstract: A parking assist device has a touch display (58) including a display unit for displaying a situation around a vehicle and an input unit for entering a target parking position of a vehicle, and also has a control device (60) performing parking assist control by calculating a path according to the target parking position. The control device (60) further performs, under a predetermined condition, assist control for position alignment of a vehicle-side power transmission/reception unit placed on the vehicle with an apparatus-side power transmission/reception unit of an apparatus placed on a ground. Preferably, the parking assist device further has a back monitor camera (53) for taking an image of a surrounding situation of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Makoto Nakamura
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Patent number: 8144032Abstract: A method of checking the quality of traffic disturbance reporting processes records a total number of traffic disturbance reports generated by a traffic disturbance reporting process, which traffic disturbance reports each relate to at least one defined reporting time period and at least one defined reporting route segment, over a predefined analyzing time period and a predefined analyzing range. A number of reported conditions is formed from the total number of traffic disturbance reports, and a first statistical frequency distribution of the reported conditions is determined. A total number of reference observations are recorded, which each relate to at least one defined observation time period and at least one defined observation route segment, within the analyzing time period and within the analyzing range. A number of actual conditions is formed from the total number of reference observations and a second statistical frequency distribution of the actual conditions is determined.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Klaus Bogenberger, Robert Hein, Ronald Kates
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Patent number: 8125350Abstract: Method of detecting vehicles on at least one stretch of a carriageway implementing at least two types of detection chosen from: a video detection comprising a step of acquiring and processing the video images of at least one zone, termed the video monitoring zone, of the stretch of carriageway; an acoustic detection comprising a step of acquiring and processing the sound originating from at least one zone, termed the acoustic monitoring zone, of the stretch of carriageway; a radar detection comprising a step of emitting a microwave electromagnetic radiation towards at least one zone, termed the radar monitoring zone, of the stretch of carriageway and a step of acquiring and processing the microwave electromagnetic radiation reflected, and comprising at least one step of processing the results of the optical and/or sound and/or radar detections so as to deliver an item of information regarding the presence or absence of at least one vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Neavia TechnologiesInventor: Jean-Hubert Wilbrod
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Publication number: 20110309950Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for vehicle speed acquisition and citation. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, multiple different imaging systems can be placed individually at different locations along a route of travel, such as a highway, byway or waterway. Images of different vehicles can be captured at each of the locations and different ones of the different vehicles can be image-recognized. A time of travel between pairs of the locations can be determined for selected ones of the different vehicles in order to compute a rate of travel for the selected ones of the different vehicles. A citation signal is generated when a speed of a vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed limit such that the vehicle owner may be automatically cited for speeding.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: ARIEL INVENTIONS, LLCInventor: Leigh M. ROTHSCHILD
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Patent number: 8078373Abstract: A method for predicting the dynamics of a vehicle using information about the path on which the vehicle is travelling that has particular application for enhancing active safety performance of the vehicle, to improve driver comfort and to improve vehicle dynamics control. The method includes generating a preview of a path to be followed by the vehicle where the preview of the path is generated based on actual values of a plurality of vehicle parameters. The method further includes obtaining a corrected value of at least one of the plurality of vehicle parameters corresponding to the actual values of each of the plurality of vehicle parameters, wherein the corrected value of the at least one of the vehicle parameters is obtained based on a target path to be followed by the vehicle on the road, and wherein the target path is obtained on the basis of a plurality of road parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Weiwen Deng, Yong H. Lee
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Patent number: 8049615Abstract: In some embodiments, a technique for logging an item encountered by a mobile device comprises automatically detecting an item in an uncontrolled environment, extracting an identity associated with the item, logging an encounter, wherein the encounter includes the identity, and deleting the encounter after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, wherein the encounter is not marked as relevant.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Inventors: Aaron T. Emigh, James A. Roskind
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Patent number: 7978097Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert Thomas Arenburg, Franck Barillaud, Bradford Lee Cobb, Shivnath Dutta
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Patent number: 7969324Abstract: An automatic vehicular traffic flow control technique defines a controlled area, wherein vehicles belonging to different traffic streams contend for occupancy of a conflict zone. A traversal order is computed for the vehicles in the controlled area, wherein the ordered vehicles are assigned to traverse the conflict zone sequentially in accordance with their respective positions in the traversal order. Tracking and tracked vehicles are designated, wherein a respective tracked vehicle immediately precedes each of the tracking vehicles in the traversal order. The tracking vehicles maintain a specified physical relationship with their respective tracked vehicles until the tracked vehicle has traversed the conflict zone. The speed of the traffic streams is increased as necessary so as to achieve a desired throughput through the conflict zone.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Dan Shmuel Chevion, Dov Ramm, Yuval Shimony, Ron Sivan
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Patent number: 7948400Abstract: Methods for decision making about sensor location/configuration for traffic sensing and routing are described. Construction of predictive models via machine learning that infer variance of road speeds, in general or for specific contexts (e.g., rush hours for a traffic system) occurs. The predictive models for road reliability are built from libraries of data about sensed variances and road segments. The datasets include information for road segments monitored by fixed sensors/moving probes, road segment properties, geometric relationships among road segments, and proximal resources. Road segments are labeled by the sensed variance seen in traffic speeds over similar contexts. A model is created that can apply estimates of the variance of the traffic speed for a segment, including non-sensed segments via generalization to non-sensed road segments. Methods are described for employing the predictive models of variance, along with demand and propagation models, to make decisions about configuration of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric J. Horvitz, Sridhar Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20110115648Abstract: The information system concerning traffic in a road network (R) comprises a server (30) comprising: means (34) for obtaining at least one real duration (DEAB) of a run traveled by at least one vehicle (5) between two points (A, B) of the network, on the basis of information transmitted by a device (10) on board said vehicle (5); means (31) for statistically calculating, on the basis of said real durations (DRAB), an estimated duration (DEAB) for a run between two points (A, B) of the network; and means (34) for making the estimated duration (DEAB) available to at least one terminal (40, 10).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: Association Pour La Recherche Et Le Developement De Methods Et Processus Insdustriels ArminesInventors: Claude Laurgeau, Arnaud de la Fortelle, Bruno Steux
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Patent number: 7936284Abstract: The invention provides a system for parking time estimations, the system comprising at least one device able to sense at least momentary location and respective time; and an application server to receive from a plurality of the devices time series of location points and to calculate, based on the received time series of location points, duration of searches for parking spots. The invention provides a method for parking time estimations, the method comprising detecting beginning of searching for a parking spot by a user of a device able to sense at least momentary location and respective time; detecting time of parking; and calculating at least estimated duration of searching for a parking spot.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Waze Mobile LtdInventors: Uri Levine, Amir Shinar, Ehud Shabtai
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Patent number: 7899612Abstract: A traffic information system includes: a past information database for storing past information, which is collected for road links in a predetermined area, of a past mobile object on a road; a current information database for storing running information, which is collected for the road links in the predetermined area, of a current mobile object; link correlation analyzing means in which correlations of traffic information among each road link in the predetermined area are calculated from the past information stored in the past information database, and output as link correlation information among the road links; combination calculating means for calculating weighting information for obtaining the current information as a sum of the link correlation information; and traffic information estimating means for calculating estimated traffic information for a link where the current information is not collected based on the link correlation information and the weighting information.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masatoshi Kumagai, Takumi Fushiki, Takayoshi Yokota, Kazuya Kimita
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Patent number: 7894980Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for estimating real-time travel times or traffic loads (e.g., traffic flows or densities) over a transportation network based on limited real-time data. In one embodiment, a method for estimating a travel time over a transportation network comprising at least a first link and a second link includes receiving a data feed associated with a real-time traffic flow over the first link, estimating a first travel time over the first link based at least in part on the data feed, and estimating a second travel time over the second link, also based at least in part on the data feed. The method assumes that a real-time data feed is not available for the second link, and thus estimates the traffic flow over the second link based on the known traffic flow over the first link and other known data, such as historical traffic patterns and physical parameters of the transportation network.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Zhen Liu, Laura Wynter, Li Zhang
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Patent number: 7884740Abstract: A vehicle detection apparatus adopting microwave sensing schemes for performing the multi-lane vehicle detection is provided in the present invention. According to the present invention, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the detected reflecting wave is varied within an inconsiderable range so that the provided apparatus may exhibit a unique property which is adoptable for the multi-lane vehicle detection and the precision is unachievable by the existing detectors.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: National Chiao Tung UniversityInventors: Ching-Kuang C. Tzuang, Chi-Ho Chang
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Patent number: 7817064Abstract: A detecting unit that is provided at a detection position on a road detects a road condition near the detection position. A light emitting unit that is provided at the detection position emits a light. A control unit controls a light emission of the light emitting unit based on detected road condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: FourieInventor: Shinsuke Nishida
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Patent number: 7804423Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time traffic information using a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communications network. A vehicle includes a plurality of sensors that detect other vehicles around the vehicle. The wireless communications system on the vehicle uses the sensor signals to calculate a traffic condition index that identifies traffic information around the vehicle. The vehicle broadcasts the traffic condition index to other vehicles and/or road side infrastructure units that can present the information to the vehicle driver, such as in a navigation system, and/or rebroadcast the traffic information to other vehicles. The traffic condition index can be calculated using the speed of the surrounding vehicles, posted speed limits, the distance between the surrounding vehicles and the traffic density of the surrounding vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Upali Priyantha Mudalige, William C. Lin, Rami I. Debouk, Cem U. Saraydar
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Patent number: 7751973Abstract: An in-vehicle system and method for warning a driver of upcoming curves in a road including. In general, a vehicle positioning module determines the vehicle's position in a global positioning system and a map matching module determines the vehicle's position on a map based on the position in the global positioning system. A look ahead module looks ahead on the map for a curve, determines a candidate list of probable driving paths through the curve, and from this candidate list determines the most likely path of the vehicle around the curve. A warning module then assesses the threat the upcoming curve poses to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2004Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Faroog Abdel-kareem Ibrahim
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Patent number: 7741961Abstract: An obstacle detection and tracking system identifies objects in the path of a vehicle equipped with the system and issues a visual, audible, and/or control system warning. The system includes a depth imaging system that acquires depth data from objects in the field of view of a detection zone encompassing at least a portion of the road to be driven upon. It is assumed most of the acquired data represents road plane information. Statistical analysis of the depth image data identifies in (X,Y,Z) space at least one plane of the road being driven, after which identification threshold normal heights above and below the road plane are defined. Imaged objects within the detection zone that are higher or lower than a threshold normal are deemed of potential concern and will generate a warning to the vehicle operator or vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Canesta, Inc.Inventors: Abbas Rafii, Colin Tracey, Stephen Charles Hsu
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Publication number: 20100145759Abstract: A computer system and a method as a part of the registration and/or inspection system of a state or other jurisdiction results in the assignment of a vehicle identification code to each vehicle and notification to the registrant to take the vehicle to an inspection/installation facility wherein a GPS receiver and transmitter are either installed, updated or checked for operability on a regular basis, such as yearly. Each registered vehicle in a state or other jurisdiction, as a result of the regular registration process or as the result of a temporary registration process when the vehicle enters the state temporarily, has a GPS receiver and transmitter transmit in real time location data of the vehicle via a wireless communication system such a WiFi, cellular, satellite or other system to an electronic storage subsystem which stores for each vehicle identification code the location data and time in real time and maintains it for a predetermined period of time, such as twelve months.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventor: Christine M. Hembury
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Publication number: 20100079306Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining travel time through intersections by assigning an initial position for a virtual probe in the intersection and updating the position and velocity for the virtual probe such that the position and velocity of the virtual probe are determined multiple times from a time when the virtual probe is at an initial position until the time when the updated position of the virtual probe is past a stop line at the intersection. Updating the position and velocity of the virtual probe involves retrieving vehicle detection data and traffic control signal data to determine a distance from the virtual probe to the closer of a stop line and a vehicle in a queue in front of the virtual probe. The length of the queue is determined using the intersection of two shockwaves.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTAInventors: Xianghong Liu, Wenteng Ma, Xinkai Wu
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Publication number: 20100073196Abstract: A method of checking the quality of traffic disturbance reporting processes records a total number of traffic disturbance reports generated by a traffic disturbance reporting process, which traffic disturbance reports each relate to at least one defined reporting time period and at least one defined reporting route segment, over a predefined analyzing time period and a predefined analyzing range. A number of reported conditions is formed from the total number of traffic disturbance reports, and a first statistical frequency distribution of the reported conditions is determined. A total number of reference observations are recorded, which each relate to at least one defined observation time period and at least one defined observation route segment, within the analyzing time period and within the analyzing range. A number of actual conditions is formed from the total number of reference observations and a second statistical frequency distribution of the actual conditions is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Klaus Bogenberger, Robert Hein, Ronald Kates
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Patent number: 7664483Abstract: A method for identification and registration of a moving object, entering a pre-determined area to be monitored. The identification operation has interaction between the moving object and an area access system associated with the predetermined area and including supplying identification information, while the registration operation is carried out over a wireless communication link to a control center. The method further includes identifying the moving object through a mutual interaction between the moving object and the area access system, the mutual interaction being performed over a wireless short range communication link, preferably a Bluetooth wireless link; and performing the registration operation by establishing a wireless communication link of the long-range type between the moving object and the control center upon activation of the mutual interaction on the wireless short range communication link. Preferred application is safety monitoring of tunnels.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Telecom Italia S.p.A.Inventors: Marco Annoni, Antonio Ascolese, Nicoletta Salis
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Patent number: 7660663Abstract: A traffic information transmitting apparatus, method, and program store accumulated traffic information including past traffic information and estimate traffic information at a time when a vehicle passes through a predetermined link based on the accumulated traffic information. The apparatus, method, and program determine whether the estimated traffic information is substantially different from traffic information stored in the vehicle. The apparatus, method, and program transmit, when the estimated traffic information and the traffic information stored in the vehicle are substantially different, the substantially different estimated traffic information to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Ishikawa, Kazutaka Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 7646311Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses relation to traffic control systems. In one embodiment, a traffic condition is identified by capturing a traffic image, masking the traffic image to obtain an image portion including a traffic image object, and generating the traffic condition based on the traffic image object and the traffic image portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Inventors: Nitin Afzulpurkar, Huynh Huu Phuong
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Publication number: 20090309757Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time traffic information using a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communications network. A vehicle includes a plurality of sensors that detect other vehicles around the vehicle. The wireless communications system on the vehicle uses the sensor signals to calculate a traffic condition index that identifies traffic information around the vehicle. The vehicle broadcasts the traffic condition index to other vehicles and/or road side infrastructure units that can present the information to the vehicle driver, such as in a navigation system, and/or rebroadcast the traffic information to other vehicles. The traffic condition index can be calculated using the speed of the surrounding vehicles, posted speed limits, the distance between the surrounding vehicles and the traffic density of the surrounding vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Upali Priyantha Mudalige, William C. Lin, Rami I. Debouk, Cem U. Saraydar
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Patent number: 7634352Abstract: A computer-implemented method of displaying traffic conditions on a road system includes creating a 3D graphical map of the road system that includes one or more segments. The status of at least one of the segments on the 3D graphical map is determined. The status of the segment corresponds to traffic data associated with that segment. A 3D model of the road system is created by combining the 3D graphical map and the status of that segment.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Navteq North America, LLCInventors: Robert M. Soulchin, Chris Braddock, Jonathan K. Agree
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Publication number: 20090243890Abstract: A vehicle detection apparatus adopting microwave sensing schemes for performing the multi-lane vehicle detection is provided in the present invention. According to the present invention, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the detected reflecting wave is varied within an inconsiderable range so that the provided apparatus may exhibit a unique property which is adoptable for the multi-lane vehicle detection and the precision is unachievable by the existing detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Institute of Transportation, MOTCInventors: Ching-Kuang C. TZUANG, Chi-Ho CHANG
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Patent number: 7580788Abstract: In a traffic information system, the principal component analysis of the floating car data collected in the past is performed for each traffic area. From among the bases representing the traffic data collected on the road-links in the traffic area, the bases which have strong correlation to the road-links on which real-time traffic data were collected are selected. The weighting coefficients for the selected bases are calculated by projecting the real-time traffic data onto the selected bases. The traffic estimation data are calculated by linearly combining the selected bases with the obtained weighting coefficients as the coefficients of the respective bases. The calculated traffic estimation data are used for the interpolation of the road-links on which the real-time traffic data were not collected.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Tomoaki Hiruta, Masatoshi Kumagai, Koichiro Tanikoshi
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Patent number: 7579965Abstract: A system for collecting, storing, linking and processing license plate data to provide compilations of information and displays of such compiled information. The system has a license plate reading system that may record time and location data in addition to license plate data, license plate image data, and image data of a vehicle. The data is collected over an extended period of time and stored for later searching. The data may be correlated, indexed and/or categorized in storage. The collected data may be compared to various existing or other databases and correlated and/or indexed to such databases. That collected data may be processed, searched, and/or analyzed for a variety of purposes.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventor: Andrew Bucholz
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Patent number: 7555381Abstract: A probe center server (10) previously performs filtering to determine whether or not a projection norm of a link in a feature space can be interpolated, and notifies a probe terminal (20) to preferentially collect and upload detected probe data for the link whose missing data can not be interpolated.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Xanavi Informatics CorporationInventors: Masatoshi Kumagai, Mariko Okude, Koichiro Tanikoshi
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Patent number: 7542844Abstract: A traffic situation is predicted based on the correlation in the traffic situation between road sections. A base vector generation unit generates the base vectors constituting a feature space representing the correlation between a plurality of links by making a principal component analysis for the necessary time in the past recorded in a necessary time database. A projection point trajectory generation unit records a projection point trajectory of projecting the necessary time in the past recorded in the necessary time database to the feature space in a projection point database.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masatoshi Kumagai, Tomoaki Hiruta, Mariko Okude, Koichiro Tanikoshi
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Patent number: 7536254Abstract: A traffic information system includes: a past information database for storing past information, which is collected for road links in a predetermined area, of a past mobile object on a road; a current information database for storing running information, which is collected for the road links in the predetermined area, of a current mobile object; link correlation analyzing means in which correlations of traffic information among each road link in the predetermined area are calculated from the past information stored in the past information database, and output as link correlation information among the road links; combination calculating means for calculating weighting information for obtaining the current information as a sum of the link correlation information; and traffic information estimating means for calculating estimated traffic information for a link where the current information is not collected based on the link correlation information and the weighting information.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masatoshi Kumagai, Takumi Fushiki, Takayoshi Yokota, Kazuya Kimita
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Publication number: 20090040069Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses relation to traffic control systems. In one embodiment, a traffic condition is identified by capturing a traffic image, masking the traffic image to obtain an image portion including a traffic image object, and generating the traffic condition based on the traffic image object and the traffic image portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2007Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Nitin Afzulpurkar, Huynh Huu Phuong
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Patent number: 7486201Abstract: A system and method for generating and delivering to users combined personalized traffic and weather report and alerts including forecast traffic and weather conditions. A user defines a travel route of interest and alert conditions. Based on current weather information, weather forecast information, current traffic information, and forecast traffic conditions a combined traffic and weather report for the user specified route is generated and delivered to the user via the internet and/or a wireless communications channel. The combined report may include a graphic display on a map background showing traffic conditions with a graphic representation of weather conditions overlaid thereon along with a tabular representation of traffic and weather conditions including forecast traffic and weather conditions for a plurality of future time periods. Alerts are generated and delivered when the traffic and weather alert conditions are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: MyWeather, LLCInventors: Terence F. Kelly, Victor W. Marsh, Christopher W. Kelly, Kevin E. Baird
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Publication number: 20090024309Abstract: A system and method for tracking and monitoring vehicles on a roadway. RFID tags are positioned along the roadway and may be interrogated by vehicles equipped with an RFID scanner and a transceiver as the vehicles encounter the RFID tags along the roadway. The RFID tag information received by the RFID scanner is transmitted by the transceiver to a roadside repeater station which in turn sends the RFID tag information, as well as other identifying information, to a remote central tracking station. The remote central tracking station processes the RFID tag information and other information to determine a current position of a corresponding vehicle. Driver ranking profiles may be generated for drivers of vehicles and stored in a database in the central tracking station. The driver ranking profiles are used to restrict drivers in certain ways.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: CRUCS HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: Kevin M. CRUCS
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Patent number: 7474259Abstract: A traffic sensor is mounted at a fixed location to monitor multiple lanes of traffic. The traffic sensor (a) generates a programmable time-varying modulating signal; (b) generates a modulated microwave signal based on the programmable time-varying modulating signal; (c) radiates the modulated microwave signal in a radiation beam at an object; (d) provides a proportional calibration signal based on the modulated microwave signal; (e) measures parameters of the calibration signal, and (f) corrects the programmable time-varying modulating signal based on the parameters of the calibration signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: EIS Electronic Integrated Systems Inc.Inventor: Dan Manor
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Publication number: 20090002195Abstract: Methods for decision making about sensor location/configuration for traffic sensing and routing are described. Construction of predictive models via machine learning that infer variance of road speeds, in general or for specific contexts (e.g., rush hours for a traffic system) occurs. The predictive models for road reliability are built from libraries of data about sensed variances and road segments. The datasets include information for road segments monitored by fixed sensors/moving probes, road segment properties, geometric relationships among road segments, and proximal resources. Road segments are labeled by the sensed variance seen in traffic speeds over similar contexts. A model is created that can apply estimates of the variance of the traffic speed for a segment, including non-sensed segments via generalization to non-sensed road segments. Methods are described for employing the predictive models of variance, along with demand and propagation models, to make decisions about configuration of sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Eric J. Horvitz, Sridhar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 7460949Abstract: This method of detecting the presence of a disruptive object on a stretch of road comprises: a step (66) of enumerating the vehicles simultaneously present on the stretch of road on the basis of data gleaned by a first and a second vehicle detector placed respectively at an entrance and at an exit of this stretch, and a step (74) of instructing the activation of an image processing step, triggered automatically as a function of the enumeration.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: NeaviaInventor: Jean-Hubert Wilbrod
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Patent number: 7460027Abstract: A sensing device for sensing activity on or around an object, includes sensor cords provided in a parallel or a substantially parallel arrangement. Each sensor cord includes sensors disposed adjacent one another. Each sensor includes a resilient top portion having at least one resilient conductive member, and a resilient lower portion having active sections and resilient lower portion conductive members channeled and interconnected through the lower portion, the lower portion conductive members being separated by non-conductive material. Each active section further includes a layer of resilient conductive material at a top of the lower portion, resilient non-conductive material arranged over the lower conductive members to insulate the lower portion conductive members from the conductive layer, and a communicating conductive material to connect one of the conductive members to the resilient conducting material on top of the active section.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Progressive Engineering Technologies Corp.Inventor: John W. Reed