Patents Assigned to Kapsch TrafficCom AB
  • Patent number: 10777075
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a device for tolling or telematics systems provided with a pixel based image sensor. The image sensor is adapted to be arranged above a surveillance zone provided on a road, wherein the surveillance zone has an extension along the direction of the road. The image sensor is adapted to be arranged in between a first and a second end zone of said surveillance zone. The image sensor is provided with a wide-angle optical system having a refraction and which is arranged such, relative said image sensor that an image captured by said image sensor comprises both said first and said second end zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventor: Carl-Olov Carlsson
  • Patent number: 10699567
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a traffic surveillance system. The method comprises the steps of: capturing first images and second images over time by a plurality of the stereoscopic sensors; processing, by the processing unit, a first image and a second image from a first stereoscopic sensor of the plurality of the stereoscopic sensors to produce a first height image; analyzing said first height image to detect a moving object such as a vehicle located within the primary view; and analysing a part of a primary view of at least a first image, a second image or a combination of the first image and the second image captured by a second stereoscopic sensor based on the detected moving object in said first height image to determine a characteristic of the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Johan Bäckvall, Ulf Ärlig, Björn Crona, Christian Karlström
  • Patent number: 10432911
    Abstract: A method for identifying contamination upon a lens of a stereoscopic camera is disclosed. The stereoscopic camera is arranged such that it has the same capturing area over time, and is provided with a first camera providing first images of said capturing area and a second camera providing second images of said capturing area. The first and second images are divided into at least one evaluation area correspondently located in respective image. A traffic surveillance system is also disclosed where contamination upon a lens of a stereoscopic camera is identified according to said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventor: Björn Crona
  • Patent number: 10163341
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stereoscopic sensor comprising: a first camera pair for capturing a first and a second image wherein the stereoscopic sensor is adapted to monitor and define a main surveillance zone in a surveillance plane at a predetermined distance from the stereoscopic sensor, said main surveillance zone comprising a first and a second surveillance zone and the first camera pair defines a first surveillance zone with a primary coverage in a first direction and a secondary coverage in a second direction wherein the stereoscopic sensor further comprises a second camera pair for capturing a first and a second image, said images being processable into a height image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Göran Boström, Björn Crona
  • Patent number: 10031566
    Abstract: Described are an on board unit (OBU) and a method to control an OBU within a communication zone of a road side unit (RSU), said OBU can be set into an active mode and a sleep mode. Said OBU is set into sleep mode upon receiving a release command from said RSU, and the OBU electronics are shut down so no or a minimum of power is consumed, and is set into active mode when entering said communication zone. A communication unit of said OBU is thereby powered such that the OBU can communicate with said RSU. Said OBU can be set into a tracking mode by said RSU, whereby in said tracking mode at least said communication unit is shut down and a timer is activated in said OBU, such that said OBU can restart said communication unit within a specified time limit from when it is shut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Johan Rogö, Robert Povolny, Markus Krapfenbauer, Heinz Liebhart
  • Publication number: 20170330453
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stereoscopic sensor comprising: a first camera pair for capturing a first and a second image wherein the stereoscopic sensor is adapted to monitor and define a main surveillance zone in a surveillance plane at a predetermined distance from the stereoscopic sensor, said main surveillance zone comprising a first and a second surveillance zone and the first camera pair defines a first surveillance zone with a primary coverage in a first direction and a secondary coverage in a second direction wherein the stereoscopic sensor further comprises a second camera pair for capturing a first and a second image, said images being processable into a height image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Göran Boström, Björn Crona
  • Publication number: 20170330454
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a traffic surveillance system. The method comprises the steps of: capturing first images and second images over time by a plurality of the stereoscopic sensors; processing, by the processing unit, a first image and a second image from a first stereoscopic sensor of the plurality of the stereoscopic sensors to produce a first height image; analyzing said first height image to detect a moving object such as a vehicle located within the primary view; and analysing a part of a primary view of at least a first image, a second image or a combination of the first image and the second image captured by a second stereoscopic sensor based on the detected moving object in said first height image to determine a characteristic of the moving object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Johan Bäckvall, Ulf Ärlig, Björn Crona, Christian Karlström
  • Patent number: 9768972
    Abstract: A method for communication within a co-operative system is provided. The co-operative system comprises a plurality of communication units, which are adapted to execute a group of tasks repeatedly in a repetition cycle: acquire raw data from at least one raw data collector, process the raw data into an information package, and broadcast of the information package. The repetition cycle lasts a predetermined time period from a start of a repetition cycle, and the at least one raw data collector collects data from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The raw data from the GNSS comprises a global timing signal, to which said communication units synchronize. A timing of said execution of tasks is dependent of said global timing signal. An individual acquisition time for acquiring raw data from the raw data collectors is set for each of the plurality of communication units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Huus, Johan Rogö{umlaut over ( )}, Håkan Wennerholm
  • Patent number: 9715733
    Abstract: A road calibration system and a method for calibration of a road surveillance system are provided. The road surveillance system monitors a surveillance area of a road using vehicle surveillance devices. The vehicle surveillance devices measure a position of a vehicle passing the surveillance area and are synchronized with a global timing signal. In order to calibrate the vehicle surveillance devices such that a position determination of the vehicle surveillance devices is equal, a calibration vehicle with predefined calibration markers is passed through the surveillance area. During the passage each measurement device measures a position of an assigned calibration marker at a predetermined time and compares a measured distance between the positions of the calibration markers with a reference distance between the positions of the calibration markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventor: Göran Boström
  • Publication number: 20160241839
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to monitoring traffic behavior between vehicles using a device connected to a processing unit, said device comprising first and second cameras, said cameras being adapted to capture first and second images, respectively, said device being adapted to be directed at a road such that the first and second cameras monitor the same predetermined road section, said device thereby monitors said section, wherein the processing unit continuously performs the steps of capturing a first and second image over time; processing said images to produce a height image therefrom by the processing unit; analyzing said height image to determine a value of a variable being indicative of the location of said first vehicle relative to the location of said second vehicle on said section; comparing the value of the variable with a predetermined condition; and indicating that the value of the variable fulfills the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: KAPSCH TRAFFICCOM AB
    Inventor: Björn CRONA
  • Patent number: 9183457
    Abstract: A method for shadow detection in an image comprising multiple color channels is disclosed wherein said image is compared with a background image. Said image and said background image comprises the same multiple color channels, have an exposure of a common background and are divided into a plurality of corresponding evaluation areas. For each combination of two color channels, a shadow region is defined in the two-dimensional coordinate system spanned by the two color channels. For each image evaluation area to be evaluated and for each combination of two color channels, the method comprises checking if a difference value between a first value pair defining values of said two color channels in the image evaluation area and a second value pair defining the values of said two color channels in the corresponding background evaluation area falls within said shadow region in said coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventor: Björn Crona
  • Publication number: 20150169018
    Abstract: Described are an on board unit (OBU) and a method to control an OBU within a communication zone of a road side unit (RSU), said OBU can be set into an active mode and a sleep mode. Said OBU is set into sleep mode upon receiving a release command from said RSU, and the OBU electronics are shut down so no or a minimum of power is consumed, and is set into active mode when entering said communication zone. A communication unit of said OBU is thereby powered such that the OBU can communicate with said RSU. Said OBU can be set into a tracking mode by said RSU, whereby in said tracking mode at least said communication unit is shut down and a timer is activated in said OBU, such that said OBU can restart said communication unit within a specified time limit from when it is shut down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Johan Rogö, Robert Povolny, Markus Krapfenbauer, Heinz Liebhart
  • Publication number: 20140254480
    Abstract: A method for communication within a co-operative system is provided. The co-operative system comprises a plurality of communication units, which are adapted to execute a group of tasks repeatedly in a repetition cycle: acquire raw data from at least one raw data collector, process the raw data into an information package, and broadcast of the information package. The repetition cycle lasts a predetermined time period from a start of a repetition cycle, and the at least one raw data collector collects data from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The raw data from the GNSS comprises a global timing signal, to which said communication units synchronise. A timing of said execution of tasks is dependent of said global timing signal. An individual acquisition time for acquiring raw data from the raw data collectors is set for each of the plurality of communication units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Huus, Johan ROGÖ, Håkan Wennerholm
  • Patent number: 8659444
    Abstract: An On Board Equipment (OBE) suitable for mounting on a vehicle comprises an OBE antenna connected to an OBE transmit/receive unit. The OBE antenna is arranged to receive a signal from a station via a first wireless communication link. The signal comprises at least one traffic information message from the station. The OBE is arranged to convert the traffic information message for transfer to an audio output through at least one speaker in an existing audio system of the vehicle wherein said transfer of the traffic information message to the existing audio system is arranged to be performed via a second wireless communication link. The traffic information message is arranged to be picked up by standard receiving means of the existing audio system and to be delivered as a voice message on said speakers through a prioritized channel of the existing audio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventor: Bengt Svensson
  • Patent number: 8396516
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to a vehicle transponder comprising an active radio unit, an antenna, a wake-up unit and a power directing means which has a first port, a second port and a third port, where the power directing means is arranged to direct power from the first port to the second port and/or the third port. The antenna is connected to the first port and the second port is connected to the radio unit. Furthermore, the third port is connected both to a power detection port at the radio unit and to the wake-up unit, such that during a first mode of operation, a part of a signal that is transmitted from the radio unit to the antenna is coupled from the second port to the third port and further fed to the power detection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventor: Johan Rogo
  • Publication number: 20120262337
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a vehicle transponder comprising an antenna and a power directing means, the power directing means having a first port, a second port and a third port. In various embodiments, the power directing means is arranged to direct power from the first port to the second port and/or the third port. The transponder further comprises a modulator, which comprises a first port, a second port and a third port, where the second port of the power directing means is connected to the first port of the modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Kjell-ake Johannesson, Johan Rogo
  • Publication number: 20120242504
    Abstract: An On Board Equipment (OBE) suitable for mounting on a vehicle comprises an OBE antenna connected to an OBE transmit/receive unit. The OBE antenna is arranged to receive a signal from a station via a first wireless communication link. The signal comprises at least one traffic information message from the station. The OBE is arranged to convert the traffic information message for transfer to an audio output through at least one speaker in an existing audio system of the vehicle wherein said transfer of the traffic information message to the existing audio system is arranged to be performed via a second wireless communication link. The traffic information message is arranged to be picked up by standard receiving means of the existing audio system and to be delivered as a voice message on said speakers through a prioritized channel of the existing audio system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventor: Bengt Svensson
  • Publication number: 20120083227
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to a vehicle transponder comprising an active radio unit, an antenna, a wake-up unit and a power directing means which has a first port, a second port and a third port, where the power directing means is arranged to direct power from the first port to the second port and/or the third port. The antenna is connected to the first port and the second port is connected to the radio unit. Furthermore, the third port is connected both to a power detection port at the radio unit and to the wake-up unit, such that during a first mode of operation, a part of a signal that is transmitted from the radio unit to the antenna is coupled from the second port to the third port and further fed to the power detection port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventor: Johan Rogo
  • Patent number: 7705750
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for use with stations for road tolls, comprising a first optical apparatus for recording images of the roadway and a second apparatus for wireless communication with a vehicle apparatus. The height above the roadway and the angle in a lateral and a vertical direction in relation to the roadway are known for the first apparatus, and the second apparatus can determine coordinates for the vehicle apparatuses in at least two directions through its communication with the vehicle apparatuses. The system comprises means for being able to detect one or more number plates from an image taken using the optical apparatus, and means for calculating the positions of the detected number plates in three directions, and means for being able to determine any associations between number plates and vehicle apparatuses by comparison between the said positions of the number plates and the said positions of the vehicle apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AB
    Inventors: Mats Holmberg, Martin Löfving, Magnus Westroth