With Determination Of Traffic Speed Patents (Class 701/119)
  • Patent number: 8849551
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for managing ground transportation in a geographical area are disclosed. A system for managing ground transportation in a geographical area in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one airborne surveillance platform, a graphical information systems (GIS) database, receiving information from the airborne surveillance platform, the GIS database storing data that represents the geographical area, the GIS database including at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area, and a routing tool, coupled to the GIS database, wherein the dynamic routing tool accepts data from the GIS database and determines a transportation route for at least one vehicle within the geographical area using at least the data from the GIS database and the information from the airborne surveillance platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Gadler
  • Publication number: 20140288811
    Abstract: A traffic condition monitoring system, provided in a base station installed by a side of a road for monitoring a traffic condition based upon communication signals transmitted from mobile terminals in a plurality of vehicles traveling on the road, includes a receiver part operable to receive the communication signals transmitted from the mobile terminals in the respective vehicles to output received signals, a speed/direction estimation part operable to estimate traveling speeds and traveling directions of the respective vehicles based upon the received signals, and a traffic condition analysis part operable to determine effective traveling speeds of the respective vehicles in each traveling direction, to calculate an average traveling speed of a group of vehicles in each traveling direction, and to analyze a traffic condition in each traveling direction based upon the average traveling speed of the group of vehicles in each traveling direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Satoshi Oura
  • Publication number: 20140278840
    Abstract: Vehicles operation is often regulated by vehicle operation policies, such as operator and vehicle licensing, safe operation rules, and emissions testing, as well as advisory policies (e.g., safety tips) and infrastructure policies (e.g., traffic congestion reduction). However, enforcement of vehicle operation policies may be infrequent, costly, inaccurate, and/or ineffective for particular types of problems. Presented herein are techniques for enforcing vehicle operation policies using vehicle telemetrics detected by a vehicle telemetry sensor and reported to telemetric monitoring components during operation of the vehicles. For example, in-car emissions sensors may regularly report emissions data to roadside monitors, enabling continuous monitoring, early detection of emissions problems, and accurate measurements during road travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher L. Scofield, Scott Marshall Sedlik
  • Publication number: 20140278034
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved traffic flow reporting (e.g., system bandwidth conservation and timely traffic flow updates) using in-vehicle devices, service hub, and communications system for transmitting aggregated traffic flow data to the vehicles. In-vehicle devices store data relating to monitored segments of roadways (e.g., segment identifiers or location codes and designated range(s) of speed), and send messages to the hub when current vehicle speed is not within a selected range designated for the current segment of roadway where the vehicle is located. The hub provides updated traffic flow data based on the messages to the communications system for transmission to the vehicles. Vehicles can be configured to send messages based on various criteria. One or more selected vehicles can be commanded to send a message to the hub. Vehicles can respond to location-specified content in broadcast data when they determined themselves to be in the specified location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Sirius XM Radio Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Marko
  • Publication number: 20140278035
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for identifying a first location, at time one, of a plurality of automobiles using cell phone tower triangulation to locate a cell phone within each of the plurality of automobiles, identifying a second location, at time two, for each of the plurality of automobiles using cell phone tower triangulation to locate the cell phone within each of the plurality of automobiles, calculating a vehicle speed for each of the plurality of automobiles using the first and second locations already identified, and creating a traffic condition measure for a route in proximity to the first and second locations. The computer program product may repeat this process in real-time to calculate a real-time traffic condition measure that may be a traffic density measure the computer program product may use to predict a travel time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Edward H. Nortrup
  • Patent number: 8830048
    Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
  • Patent number: 8825350
    Abstract: Systems and method are disclosed for adaptive and/or autonomous traffic control. In one illustrative implementation, there is provided a method for processing traffic information. Moreover, the method may include receiving data regarding travel of vehicles associated with an intersection, using neural network technology to recognize types and/or states of traffic, and using the neural network technology to process/determine/memorize optimal traffic flow decisions as a function of experience information. Exemplary implementations may also include using the neural network technology to achieve efficient traffic flow via recognition of the optimal traffic flow decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Kurt B. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8825356
    Abstract: A system for sharing and processing traffic information includes a number of traffic information computer systems within individual vehicles or devices and a virtual traffic information server on a mobile network. The traffic information computer systems are each connected through a peer-to-peer radio, cellular, Wi-Fi, or other similar types of communications network, and which each operate with a database for displaying road maps, with a database storing average speed data for directions of travel along roadways, and with a location sensor used to determine the location and average speed of the vehicle or device, which are transmitted to other vehicles. The virtual server returns average speed data for road segments, which is displayed on the road maps. The system includes sharing average speed data calculated as well average speed data received from the plurality of vehicles to other vehicles, thereby enhancing the real-time communication of traffic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Dimitri Vorona
  • Patent number: 8825359
    Abstract: Provided are systems, methods, and computer-readable for verifying the traffic designations of roads of a geographic map. Location data for a geographic area is obtained and location data points are filtered based on speed. A road network for the geographic area is obtained, and location data points are associated with a road based on proximity and heading with respect to the orientation of the road. The associated location data points in each direction are counted and used to determine a traffic direction. The traffic direction is compared to the existing traffic designation for the road, and conflicts are identified, such as missing one-way designations, unlikely one-way designations, and incorrect one-way designations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Wolf
  • Patent number: 8825358
    Abstract: The present description refers in particular to a computer-implemented method, a computer program product and a device for ensuring the privacy of a user and the utility of data communicated by a device, such as a vehicle telematics device, to a server, the method comprising: moving the device during a time period; receiving data at the device during the time period; processing, by the device, the received data; summarizing, by the device, the processed data in a matrix, wherein the rows and columns of the matrix define circumstances of movement of the device, wherein the matrix includes a plurality matrix-entries, and wherein each matrix-entry includes a distance covered by the device during the time period under a pair of said predefined circumstances of movement; and transmitting the summarized data from the device to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: Jörg Schäfer, David Toma
  • Patent number: 8825357
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of determining speed information for one or more road segments in map data by receiving probe data relating to the one or more road segments, determining a speed formula for the one or more road segments based on the probe data, and determining the speed information for the one or more road segments according to the speed formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: TomTom North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Van de Velde
  • Patent number: 8823556
    Abstract: A method of estimating the type of intersection control for two or more roadways includes steps of classifying each roadway at an intersection and estimating the type of intersection control used for each roadway. Roadways can be classified by size, traveling speed, number of lanes as well as any other roadway characteristics. In some cases, a warning system can be operated using the estimated intersection control type for each roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John L. Yester
  • Publication number: 20140244148
    Abstract: Velocity information can be beneficial to various entities including other vehicles and a central traffic monitoring and routing system. Vehicles with sensors can serve as velocity probes to update speeds that are shared via a more global service. However, individuals may be reluctant to provide location and velocity information given privacy preferences. Local policies about sharing personal data are described that can be harnessed to enhance privacy while minimizing communication costs. The local data-sharing policies allow devices to monitor their own speeds and locations and to employ models and analyses that determine the value of sharing flow information with a larger service in accordance with privacy preferences, and to make local decisions as to when to respond to broadcasted queries for specific information, while minimizing the redundancy of signals from multiple vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Horvitz, Jonathan David Canan, Gur Kimchi
  • Patent number: 8818695
    Abstract: A targeted area audio distribution system for Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services Receivers (“SDARS”) provides specific content to listeners based on location. A service provider can facilitate delivery of local content using a telematics device installed in the listener's vehicle. The telematics device uses a content database indexed on an identifier formed from coordinates of a desired geographical area to target particular content for users in a targeted area as small as a few blocks. In addition, interstate drivers can receive location specific advertisements for exits that they may be approaching. Digital audio content can be queued up for insertion into the audio stream based on specific locations. The identifier can also be used to report vehicle performance information from a plurality of vehicles to facilitate providing real-time traffic conditions for many traffic corridors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: HTI IP, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Charles M. Link, II
  • Publication number: 20140222324
    Abstract: A traffic condition detection system is provided for accessing traffic detection units and obtaining traffic data from the accessed traffic detection units. By analyzing the obtained traffic data, an end to a traffic congestion pattern may be estimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
  • Patent number: 8793063
    Abstract: Velocity information can be beneficial to various entities including other vehicles and a central traffic monitoring and routing system. Vehicles with sensors can serve as velocity probes to update speeds that are shared via a more global service. However, individuals may be reluctant to provide location and velocity information given privacy preferences. Local policies about sharing personal data are described that can be harnessed to enhance privacy while minimizing communication costs. The local data-sharing policies allow devices to monitor their own speeds and locations and to employ models and analyzes that determine the value of sharing flow information with a larger service in accordance with privacy preferences, and to make local decisions as to when to respond to broadcasted queries for specific information, while minimizing the redundancy of signals from multiple vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Horvitz, Jonathan David Canan, Gur Kimchi
  • Publication number: 20140207362
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of estimating a waiting time at an energy refilling facility for each of drive types. A center-side system includes a center-side receiver that receives, from a vehicle-side system, probe vehicle position information and drive type information that is information regarding a drive type of a probe vehicle. Then, the center-side system includes: a traffic condition estimation unit that estimates a traffic condition, which includes a drive type-classified number of vehicles, based on the probe vehicle position information and the drive type information, which are received by the center-side receiver; and a center-side transmitter that transmits, to an outside, the traffic condition estimated by the traffic condition estimation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo Shimotani, Hidehiko Ohki, Makoto Mikuriya
  • Patent number: 8788185
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating traffic information by using integration of location update events and call events uses a sample capturing and analyzing device to associate location area update (LAU) and call sample data of a plurality of mobile users. The sample data at least includes at least one LAU event of at least one mobile user of the plurality of mobile users, and call arrival (CA) or call completion (CC) events of at least one call. Based on the sample data, a computation device is used to determine the location information and time information of the at least one LAU event and the CA or CC event of the at least one call, and estimate traffic information of one or more designated roads according to the location information and time information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Ying Yen, Chih-Yen Huang, Ya-Yun Cheng, Chien-Hsiang Chen, Chung-Yung Chia
  • Publication number: 20140200797
    Abstract: An eco-friendly intelligent traffic detection system is provided, the traffic detection system is based on wireless network architecture. The system is linked to a navigation network, and reminds drivers of road conditions, the system can also be linked to mobile base station, in order to achieve a purpose of rational planning, a government department of transportation can manage and analyze the road conditions by uploading data. A purpose of the present invention is realized by: locating a vehicle by a built-in navigation system and a GIS system; recording average vehicle speeds and calculating effective speeds of the mobile devices within a certain range; the present invention has advantages of low cost, environment protection, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Song Ye
  • Patent number: 8781707
    Abstract: The amount of traffic on the road is greatly affected by both an inter-vehicle distance and a vehicle speed. When the amount of traffic increases and is more than a threshold value, an ECU 20 and an ACC 30 control the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed such that the amount of traffic is a predetermined value equal to or more than the threshold value. In this way, it is possible to effectively suppress traffic congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Kagawa, Masayoshi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8781718
    Abstract: A system is provided for estimating time travel distributions on signalized arterials. The system may be implemented as a network service. Traffic data regarding a plurality of travel times on a signalized arterial may be received. A present distribution of the travel times on the signalized arterial may be determined. A prior distribution based on one or more travel time observations may also be determined. The present distribution may be calibrated based on the prior distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Pelmorex Canada Inc.
    Inventors: J. D. Margulici, Kevin Adda, Andre Gueziec, Edgar Rojas
  • Patent number: 8779938
    Abstract: A road traffic control system is applied to an intersection to control traffic and includes a light support, three traffic lights, a speed measuring device, a light controller, and an alarm. The light support is installed at one lane at the intersection; the three traffic lights are installed on the light support to control traffic. The speed measuring device is installed on guardrails on the lane to measure current speed of vehicle. When one of the traffic lights changes its color to indicate stopping, the light controller synchronously controls the speed measuring device to detect the current speed of the vehicle that is passing through the speed measuring device, and compares the measured speed of the vehicle with a preset speed limit. The alarm outputs warning signals when the measured speed is above the preset speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Jiang-Feng Liu
  • Publication number: 20140195138
    Abstract: A number of roadway sensing systems are described herein. An example of such is an apparatus to detect and/or track objects at a roadway with a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors can include a first sensor that is a radar sensor having a first field of view that is positionable at the roadway and a second sensor that is a machine vision sensor having a second field of view that is positionable at the roadway, where the first and second fields of view at least partially overlap in a common field of view over a portion of the roadway. The example system includes a controller configured to combine sensor data streams for at least a portion of the common field of view from the first and second sensors to detect and/or track the objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Image Sensing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Stelzig, Kiran Govindarajan, Cory Swingen, Roland Miezianko, Nico Bekooy
  • Patent number: 8775116
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining the direction of a moving object across a sensor having a plurality of inputs is disclosed. The invention determines the direction of a moving object, such as a vehicle on a roadway, based on inputs provided by sensors along the object's path. The methods involve monitoring state changes of the inputs as the object passes the sensor and comparing the magnitude of state changes in the order in which a forward-moving object would cause inputs to switch to a particular state. For each state change comparison, a direction variable is adjusted to indicate forward or reverse movement. After passage of the object, a direction of movement is assigned to the moving object on the basis of the final value of the direction variable. The invention provides a high degree of accuracy, is simple to reconfigure, and more economical than other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
    Inventor: Julio Sesti
  • Patent number: 8775061
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a road-to-vehicle communication device which acquires information regarding the volume of traffic in a predetermined section on a road where a vehicle travels and which transmits the traffic volume information to a determination section; a deceleration acquisition section which acquires deceleration of a vehicle in front in the predetermined section and transmits information regarding the deceleration to the determination section; the determination section which determines whether or not a lane change is necessary on the basis of the traffic volume information acquired by the road-to-vehicle communication device and the deceleration acquired by the deceleration acquisition section; and an instruction section which instructs at least either the host vehicle or a vehicle behind to change lane when the determination section determines that a lane change is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunihito Sato
  • Patent number: 8773283
    Abstract: A road traffic control system is applied to an intersection to control traffic and includes a light support, three traffic lights, a bracket, a number of indicators and a light controller. The light support is installed at one side of one lane at the intersection; the traffic lights are fixed on the light support and above the lane. The bracket is installed at one side of another lane at the intersection, and a number of stop lines are formed on the lane. The indicators are fixed on the bracket and above the stop lines to control traffic. The light controller controls to synchronously turn on or off the plurality of indicators and the traffic lights, and the indicators emit the same color light as the traffic lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Jiang-Feng Liu
  • Publication number: 20140188376
    Abstract: The automated lane management assist method, data structure and system receive unprocessed lane-specific limited-access highway information, including lane use and speed limits, from freeway transportation management centers or traffic management centers, process and convert the unprocessed information to a form that assists in the selection of driving lanes and target speeds for vehicles, and communicate the processed information to the vehicles by suitable means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Gordon
  • Patent number: 8768597
    Abstract: A navigation system acquired information relating to a point, such as a sag where a decrease in vehicle speed is induced in front of a system-mounted vehicle. When the system-mounted vehicle has reached a predetermined distance from the sag concerning the information acquired by the navigation system or when a predetermined time has come before reaching the sag, an ECU and an ACC controls the traveling of the system-mounted vehicle such that the inter-vehicle distance from an ordinary vehicle behind the system-mounted vehicle increases. Therefore, even when a vehicle control device is not mounted in an ordinary vehicle behind the system-mounted vehicle, it becomes possible to prevent a decrease in the speed of the ordinary vehicle behind the system-mounted vehicle, thereby more effectively suppressing congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunori Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8768606
    Abstract: A user device may be configured to output, to a server device, a request for traffic congestion information, receive audio or visual information regarding an identified occurrence of traffic congestion; and present a visual representation of the occurrence of traffic congestion. The visual representation may include a selectable option to access at least a portion of the received audio or visual information regarding the occurrence of traffic congestion. The user device may further be configured to present, based on a selection of the selectable option, the at least a portion of the received audio or visual information regarding the occurrence of the traffic congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Dahai Ren
  • Patent number: 8768619
    Abstract: A road side data exchange net and method thereof is provided. The road side data exchange net includes a plurality of road side data exchange devices set on neighboring roads separately. The road side data exchange device includes a positioning system for receiving satellite data regularly, a calculator for calculating a calibration value of the satellite data to generate an analyzed result data, and a database for storing the analyzed result data. Further, each of the road side data exchange devices broadcasts the analyzed result data from its database to all of neighboring road side data exchange devices to provide the analyzed result data to an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Yu-Tsen Hsieh, Chih-Wei Hsu, Yuan-Po Cheng, Ming-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 8762037
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a software and hardware system capable of operating on a signal controller platform which detects and records individual vehicle data including but not limited to dangerous driving behavior such as red light running and speeding. The disclosure teaches sharing of the computing platform and infrastructure of the traffic control system. The disclosure also teaches receiving, interpreting, and organizing data collected through the traffic control system's vehicle detection infrastructure, and driving cameras, video, or other recording devices to provide additional evidence of an individual vehicle's behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean W. Teffer, Michael C. Stricklin, Alexander Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20140172283
    Abstract: An average vehicle speed calculation system and an average vehicle speed calculation method thereof are provided. The average vehicle speed calculation system comprises a calculation module and a mobile body. The mobile body includes a body speed detector, a radar speed detector and a transceiver. The body speed detector detects a body speed. The radar speed detector detects at least one speed of an adjacent vehicle. The transceiver connects to the calculation module via a network, and transmits the body speed and the at least one speed of the adjacent vehicle to the calculation module. The calculation module calculates an average vehicle speed according to the body speed and the at least one speed of the adjacent vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUTE FOR INFORMATION INDUSTRY
    Inventors: Jan-Shin HO, Wei-Shing WANG, Pei-Sen LIU, Kuen-Tai CHEN
  • Patent number: 8755991
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting traffic on a transportation network where real time data points are missing. In one embodiment, the missing data is estimated using a calibration model comprised of historical data that can be periodically updated, from select links constituting a relationship vector. The missing data can be estimated off-line whereafter it can be used to predict traffic for at least a part of the network, the traffic prediction being calculated by using a deviation from a historical traffic on the network. The invention further discloses a method for in-vehicle navigation; and a method for traffic prediction for a single lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: TomTom Global Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Laura Wynter, Wanli Min, Benjamin G. Morris
  • Patent number: 8755990
    Abstract: Traffic management reports are created from data provided by vehicle sensor devices placed at different fixed locations in a region. Data of vehicles that pass each of the vehicle sensor devices are captured and communicated to a central computer database. At the central computer database, traffic management reports are periodically created from the vehicle data. Each traffic management report incorporates vehicle data from a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle data is for a plurality of previous, non-current times so as to allow for analysis of past vehicle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Control Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. Johnson, Jason S. Geiger, John T. Graef
  • Patent number: 8754788
    Abstract: Provided is a communication device mounted in a vehicle or disposed at the roadside, which can adaptively and efficiently manage positional information relating to directly communicable surrounding in-vehicle communication devices and surrounding roadside communication devices and can stably transmit information to a specified communication destination even when the positional relationship between vehicles frequently changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8744700
    Abstract: A device comprising a processor that detects an autonomously sensed change in a vehicle's operational state from an initial state characterized by a sensed vehicle speed equal to about 0; to an immediately succeeding vehicle state characterized by sensed vehicle speed being greater than about 0 and, verification from a reverse operating mode sensor that longitudinal vehicle speed is in a reverse direction; and presumptively signals the thusly detected change of vehicle operational state as an instance of reverse operation of the associated vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Darren Beams, Neil Cawse
  • Patent number: 8744735
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a traffic information generating method for generating traffic information about a road on which a vehicle travels. A vehicle speed is detected by a vehicle speed sensor at predetermined distance or time intervals. By referring to a prescribed speed, a prescribed distance, and a link determination distance, a congestion degree associated with the vehicle speed is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Inoguchi, Tomoyuki Zaitsu, Shinichi Yamada, Kazutaka Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8744736
    Abstract: A self-contained vehicular traffic travel time information system for a vehicle in an inter-vehicle ad-hoc network includes an on-board vehicular broadcasting unit for communicating with other vehicles within the inter-vehicle ad hoc network. A positioning device identifies the vehicle's position throughout a course of travel. An on-board vehicle processing unit stores road segments throughout the vehicle path of travel. The on-board vehicle processing unit determines a starting position and an ending position for each respective road segment. A length of time for traveling through each respective road segment is determined. A memory storage device stores the segmented road portions and the time of travel associated with each respective road segment. The on-board vehicular broadcasting unit disseminates the determined travel times of recently traveled road segments via a broadcast message to other vehicles within the inter-vehicle ad hoc network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chaminda Basnayake, Fan Bai
  • Patent number: 8744680
    Abstract: A method for determining a vehicle body movement of a vehicle body of a vehicle (1) using a camera (3) arranged on the vehicle (1). Camera images of vehicle surroundings are thereby continuously recorded using the camera (3) and image position data of at least one static object (8) are determined by a processor in camera images recorded at different times. Using the time-based sequence of the determined image position data the vehicle body movement is determined by the processor. Further, a method for determining a spring compression movement of at least one wheel (7), mounted in a sprung fashion, of a vehicle (1) which comprises a camera (3) arranged on the vehicle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Karl-Josef Rieger, Thomas Schirle
  • Patent number: 8742946
    Abstract: A traffic preemption system comprising an intersection control module, an intersection preemption unit comprising a signal detector configured to receive a signal transmitted by a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle and a remotely located electronic device comprising a controller configured to detect a variation in voltage. The system further comprises a cable coupling the intersection controller, the intersection preemption unit, and the remotely located electronic device, the cable comprising a power wire configured to carry a modulated voltage level and share power among the intersection preemption unit and the remotely located electronic device, a ground wire, and a communications wire configured to transmit a communications signal between the intersection preemption unit and the intersection controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Tomar Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Worthy, Timothy A. Geiger
  • Patent number: 8744670
    Abstract: A method for quickly calculating mileage includes the steps: A, receiving report data from a vehicular terminal and updating data center according to the report data; B, receiving an inquiry request which includes a vehicle number, a first time point which is earlier than a second time point and the second time point which are requested to inquire; C, inquiring the data center to acquire a first total mileage value to which the time point that is proximate to the first time point corresponds and a second total mileage value to which the time point that is proximate to the second time point corresponds; D, obtaining a running mileage L from the first time point to the second time point by subtracting the first total mileage value from the second total mileage value. A system for quickly calculating mileage quickly is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ChinaGps Co., Ltd (Shenzhen)
    Inventors: Jie Zhu, Jialiang Chu, Decheng Huang, Youwen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140149030
    Abstract: Techniques are described for assessing road traffic conditions in various ways based on obtained traffic-related data, such as data samples from vehicles and other mobile data sources traveling on the roads and/or from one or more other sources (such as physical sensors near to or embedded in the roads). The road traffic conditions assessment based on obtained data samples may include various filtering and/or conditioning of the data samples, and various inferences and probabilistic determinations of traffic-related characteristics of interest from the data samples. In some situations, the inferences include repeatedly determining current traffic flow characteristics and/or predicted future traffic flow characteristics for road segments of interest during time periods of interest, such as to determine average traffic speed, traffic volume and/or occupancy, and include weighting various data samples in various ways (e.g., based on a latency of the data samples and/or a source of the data samples).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Inrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig H. Chapman, Kush G. Parikh, Oliver B. Downs, Robert C. Cahn, Jesse S. Hersch
  • Publication number: 20140149028
    Abstract: Techniques are described for assessing road traffic conditions in various ways based on obtained traffic-related data, such as data samples from vehicles and other mobile data sources traveling on the roads and/or from one or more other sources (such as physical sensors near to or embedded in the roads). The road traffic conditions assessment based on obtained data samples may include various filtering and/or conditioning of the data samples, and various inferences and probabilistic determinations of traffic-related characteristics of interest from the data samples. In some situations, the inferences include repeatedly determining current traffic flow characteristics and/or predicted future traffic flow characteristics for road segments of interest during time periods of interest, such as to determine average traffic speed, traffic volume and/or occupancy, and include weighting various data samples in various ways (e.g., based on a latency of the data samples and/or a source of the data samples).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Inrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig H. Chapman, Kush G. Parikh, Oliver B. Downs, Robert C. Cahn, Jesse S. Hersch
  • Patent number: 8738285
    Abstract: Techniques are described for generating and using information regarding road traffic in various ways, including by obtaining and analyzing road traffic information regarding actual behavior of drivers of vehicles on a network of roads. Obtained actual driver behavior information may in some situations be analyzed to identify decision point locations at which drivers face choices corresponding to possible alternative routes through the network of roads (e.g., intersections, highway exits and/or entrances, etc.), as well as to track the actual use by drivers of particular paths between particular decision points in order to determine preferred compound links between those decision point locations. The identified and determined information from the analysis may then be used in various manners, including in some situations to assist in determining particular recommended or preferred routes of vehicles through the network of roads based at least in part on actual driver behavior information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Inrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Scofield, Robert Cahn, Weimin Mark Wang, Alec Barker, Robert Frederick Leidle
  • Patent number: 8730059
    Abstract: According to a method of vehicular traffic management, a computer system receives, from devices distributed in a plurality of roadway segments of a physical roadway system, real-time traffic information individually describing vehicular traffic in each the plurality of roadway segments. The computer system determines from the real-time traffic information an advised speed for a particular roadway segment among the plurality of roadway segments. The computer system transmits, via a communication network, a speed advisory command specifying the advised speed to a device in the particular roadway segment for presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Davis, Robert C. McGinley
  • Patent number: 8730066
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting the location of a vehicle in an electronic toll collection system employing a wide area communication protocol. The vehicle includes a transponder that sends reports regarding the position of the vehicle and the time at which the position was determined. The system includes a vehicle position predictor for estimating the future position of the vehicle within a roadway based on two or more reports of past positions and the times at which they were recorded. Speed data or other data impacting likely future position may also be reported and factored into the estimate. The estimate of future position may be used in connection with triggering enforcement measures, timing a toll transaction, integrating wide area toll communications into a legacy toll transaction system, or for other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS Inc.
    Inventor: Alastair Malarky
  • Publication number: 20140136090
    Abstract: A vehicle terminal apparatus and method for controlling the apparatus that receives vehicle location information, registers a service based on service notification information subsequent to receiving the service notification information, and extracts traffic information based on the vehicle location information is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyun Jeong YUN, Jeong Ah JANG, Dong Yong KWAK
  • Patent number: 8725398
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved traffic flow reporting (e.g., system bandwidth conservation and timely traffic flow updates) using in-vehicle devices, service hub, and communications system for transmitting aggregated traffic flow data to the vehicles. In-vehicle devices store data relating to monitored segments of roadways (e.g., segment identifiers or location codes and designated range(s) of speed), and send messages to the hub when current vehicle speed is not within a selected range designated for the current segment of roadway where the vehicle is located. Vehicles can be configured to send messages based on various criteria. A selected vehicle or group of vehicles can be commanded to send a message to the hub. The hub provides updated traffic flow data based on the messages to the communications system for transmission to the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Marko
  • Patent number: 8723690
    Abstract: Methods and arrangements for employing roadside acoustics sensing in ascertaining traffic density states. Traffic monitoring input is received from a road segment, the traffic monitoring input including traffic audio input. The traffic monitoring input is processed and the processed traffic monitoring input is classified with a predetermined traffic density state. The classified traffic monitoring input is combined with other classified traffic monitoring input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Biplav Srivastava, Vivek Tyagi
  • Patent number: 8725394
    Abstract: A speed limit assistant (SLA) system includes a camera based SLA, a map based SLA, and a fusion unit. The camera based SLA is configured to determine a first set of probabilities for an input image, wherein the probabilities indicate how likely the image includes a discrete set of speed limit signs. The map based SLA is configured to determine a second set of probabilities for an input coordinate, wherein the probabilities indicate how likely the coordinate is to correspond to one of a discrete set of speed limits. The fusion unit is configured to perform a Bayesian fusion on the first and second set of probabilities to determine a final speed limit from the discrete set of speed limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Siemens Corporation, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Claus Bahlmann, Martin Pellkofer, Jan Giebel, Gregory Baratoff