Central Station Responsive To Traffic Detectors Patents (Class 340/910)
  • Patent number: 8457808
    Abstract: An automatic delivery system for an infrastructure comprising passenger transportation, freight delivery, electrical grid, oil, gas, water pipelines, communication, sewer removal, etc. The automation at the current state of technology is mostly achieved by enclosing the delivery system inside of an enclosure for achieving automatic weather independent transportation and eliminating costs related to protecting the aforementioned infrastructure components from outside elements. In addition, the system is simple enough to avoid traffic and collisions automatically by processing in real time just a single piece of information: a location of each vehicle; as the result, the system is inexpensive since no hardware is necessary for between-vehicles communications, for road condition detection, for GPS, etc. Plus every person will be able to use transportation on-demand with or without sharing a commute and at a desired comfort level including but not limited to entertainment, exercise, working on the go, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Alisa Michnik, Yefim Michnik
  • Patent number: 8445826
    Abstract: An outdoor lighting fixture includes at least a first ballast for controllably providing power to at least one lamp for illuminating an outdoor area. The outdoor lighting fixture further includes a housing and a radio frequency transceiver. The outdoor lighting fixture yet further includes an antenna coupled to the radio frequency transceiver and extending away from the housing. The outdoor lighting fixture also includes a control circuit that operates the radio frequency transceiver as a wireless router for wireless network communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal R. Verfuerth
  • Publication number: 20130099942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a traffic signal control system for controlling a plurality of signal junctions comprising a signal group oriented multi-agent control scheme, each agent operates independently and represents one or more traffic signals at a signal junction; means for each agent for determining traffic conditions at its signal junction and traffic conditions at neighbouring agents; and means for applying fuzzy logic in signal control operations, wherein signal control operation is based on traffic conditions at each agent and one or more neighbouring agents, such that the control operation is distributed to each agent to control each of said plurality of signal junctions. An advantage of the system is that this approach in combining the flexible signal group control with the artificial intelligence of fuzzy logic dynamic control is achieved. The operation of the control system is based on detector data input, that is refined to real time traffic situation model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: ROAD SAFETY MANAGEMENT LTD
    Inventor: Martin Mantalvanos
  • Patent number: 8395530
    Abstract: A traffic control system for converting an intersection into a roundabout during periods of heavy traffic includes a mechanism for monitoring traffic flow through the intersection and about the roundabout. The system also includes a concave opening in and around the intersection and a concrete disc disposed in the cavity, a hydraulic lift is constructed and arranged to elevate the concrete disc above the level of the road and lights provided to alert motor vehicles to enter a roundabout defined by the elevated disc. The system also includes traffic lights for alerting a motor vehicle operator to drive onto the disc or around the disc to use the intersection and/or roundabout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Khaled Jafar Al-Hasan
  • Patent number: 8386156
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: David Dodd Miller
  • Patent number: 8344909
    Abstract: A distributed individual vehicle information capture method for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is provided. The method includes capturing individual vehicle information at a plurality of intersections (122) and transmitting the individual vehicle information from the intersections to a central station (124). Consequently, the individual vehicle information is available to be stored and processed by a device at the central station (126). Traffic intersection equipment for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is also disclosed. The equipment includes a traffic detection device (159) for capturing individual vehicle data at an intersection (158) and a network connection to a central station (174).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean W. Teffer, Alexander Sherwood
  • Patent number: 8339283
    Abstract: Device for viewing the aerial environment for aircraft, including a display, a processor and memory configured to generate and to provide a first data processing resource, the data being a graphical representation of the aerial environment composed of colored zones, each color being associated with a danger level for the aircraft, said data comprising environmental data; and a second data processing resource for cartographic data. The device further comprises a graphical mixer to overlay the graphical representation arising from the environmental data onto a representation of the cartographic data on one viewing screen, each zone of a color of the representation of environmental data having a transparency coefficient dependent on the danger level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Eric Filliatre, Philippe Neto
  • Patent number: 8260533
    Abstract: The invention relates to traffic flow monitoring devices. The system includes stationary traffic monitoring points that includes reading devices to receive data from electronic tag located on a vehicle, and is connected to a remote server that includes a database of vehicles and associated electronic tags, and their owners. The stationary traffic monitoring points are in the form of autonomous small-sized computer devices with a cellular communication module, and includes automatic devices for photo-video-radar recording and for processing information about vehicles and traffic situation, and with automatic software tools for determining the parameters of the vehicles, traffic laws and for comparing them with the permissible parameters for the particular road section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Igor Y. Matsur
  • Patent number: 8212688
    Abstract: A method of controlling traffic signals at a road intersection, which has a plurality of signal groups, each of which controls at least one direction of traffic within the intersection. The method comprises the steps of obtaining and utilizing traffic data to calculate a current traffic state and the rate of change in the traffic state. The method further comprises formulating at least one action and the duration of the action in response to these calculations. Each action comprises switching at least one traffic signal. One or more policies based on the calculations and the action are resolved. A continuous decision making process is applied to evaluate a reward for the policies resolved and a policy that maximizes the reward is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Morioka, Eric Enyang Huang, Bernhard Hengst
  • Patent number: 8199976
    Abstract: An image pickup device that acquires images is controlled by an image pickup device controller that accepts image acquisition requests from multiple application programs, and an application scheduler selects application programs to be executed. Information indicative of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates required for each of the multiple application programs is stored and used to select multiple concurrently executable application programs on the basis of the image data volumes and image data acquisition rates. An image acquisition scheduler determines the timing and intervals at which the multiple executable application programs repeat receiving image data from the image pickup device, without overlapping in terms of time. In addition, an operations section, which explicitly presents concurrently executable application programs to a user and commands the startup of these programs, is displayed on a navigation screen menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Muramatsu, Yuuji Otsuka, Hiroshi Takenaga, Tatsuhiko Monji, Jiro Takezaki, Isao Furusawa
  • Patent number: 8135175
    Abstract: An image processing system and the like capable of accurately recognizing lane edges defined by dotted lane marks are provided. According to an image processing system (100) of the present invention, a first processing unit (110) searches a road surface image captured by a vehicle-mounted camera for a “small area,” which is composed of high- or low-luminance pixels and satisfies “eligibility conditions” on the “size,” “shape,” and “arrangement” in the road surface image. Additionally, a second processing unit (120) recognizes “lane edges” of the lane along which the vehicle travels on the basis of the “small area.” Furthermore, a third processing unit (130) sets a “search range” of the small area searched by the first processing unit (110) on the basis of a result of the foregoing recognition of the lane edges by the second processing unit (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Aoki, Sachio Kobayashi, Naoki Mori, Takuma Nakamori
  • Publication number: 20120038490
    Abstract: An outdoor lighting fixture for communicating with a traffic light system is shown and described. The outdoor lighting fixture includes a ballast for providing current to at least one lamp and a fixture housing at least partially surrounding the ballast and the at least one lamp. The outdoor lighting fixture further includes a mount configured to hold the fixture housing to a pole and a control circuit wired to the ballast. A sensor and a radio frequency transceiver are wired to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to process inputs from the sensor to determine whether to send a light change instruction to the traffic system via the radio frequency transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Neal R. Verfuerth
  • Patent number: 8103434
    Abstract: A method for coordination of concurrent processes or for control of the transport of mobile units within a network, wherein a) the control of the network occurs in a decentralized and self-organizing manner in the controllers of node points or local defined sub-networks, whereby the control units of adjacent node points or sub-networks are connected to each other for data exchange of, b1) data from prediction models for local process sequences at each node and/or data from prediction models for the local process sequences of adjacent nodes and/or b2) data from data recording elements of each node or the boundaries associated therewith and/or data from data recording elements of adjacent nodes or the boundaries associated therewith, c) local simulation and optimization of switching the controller to establish the performance of the nodes or sub-networks with regard to the buffer capacity of the boundaries based on models for short-term predictions with fixed switch states for adjacent nodes, are applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: ETH Zuerich
    Inventors: Dirk Helbing, Stefan Lämmer
  • Patent number: 8098889
    Abstract: A method for vehicle detection and tracking includes acquiring video data including a plurality of frames, comparing a first frame of the acquired video data against a set of one or more vehicle detectors to form vehicle hypotheses, pruning and verifying the vehicle hypotheses using a set of course-to-fine constraints to detect a vehicle, and tracking the detected vehicle within one or more subsequent frames of the acquired video data by fusing shape template matching with one or more vehicle detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: Siemens Corporation, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ying Zhu, Gregory Baratoff, Thorsten Köhler
  • Patent number: 8077921
    Abstract: An apparatus that determines the presence of an element such as fog interfering with the visibility of a frontal view of an driver in an vehicle in an environmental atmosphere in ahead of the vehicle equipped with the apparatus in the daytime is provided. In this apparatus, the determination of whether the presence of the element is determined based on an image that captured by a vehicle-mounted camera and in which a picture of an obstacle located on a road over which the vehicle is traveling is masked. In the determination, a reliability of determining the presence of the element is considered by measuring the effect of masking the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20110109479
    Abstract: A distributed individual vehicle information capture method for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is provided. The method includes capturing individual vehicle information at a plurality of intersections (122) and transmitting the individual vehicle information from the intersections to a central station (124). Consequently, the individual vehicle information is available to be stored and processed by a device at the central station (126). Traffic intersection equipment for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is also disclosed. The equipment includes a traffic detection device (159) for capturing individual vehicle data at an intersection (158) and a network connection to a central station (174).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Teffer, Alexander Sherwood
  • Patent number: 7893846
    Abstract: A distributed individual vehicle information capture method for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is provided. The method includes capturing individual vehicle information at a plurality of intersections (122) and transmitting the individual vehicle information from the intersections to a central station (124). Consequently, the individual vehicle information is available to be stored and processed by a device at the central station (126). Traffic intersection equipment for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is also disclosed. The equipment includes a traffic detection device (159) for capturing individual vehicle data at an intersection (158) and a network connection to a central station (174).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean W. Teffer, Alexander Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20110037619
    Abstract: A traffic routing system reduces emissions from commuter and other traffic, eases congestion on roadways, and decreases transit time by use of communications among vehicles and traffic controls, such as traffic lights. In one aspect, a traffic light receives a signal that a vehicle is approaching and in response turns green to allow the vehicle to pass without impairment. In another aspect, a vehicle receives a signal to adjust a current rate of speed to arrive when a traffic signal allows vehicles to pass. In still another aspect, a combination of congestion, emergency traffic, roadwork and similar factors influence proposed routes sent to vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: ON TIME SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Ginsberg, Matthew M. Austin, Paul A.C. Chang, Stephen C. Mattison
  • Patent number: 7860639
    Abstract: The invention relates to a road traffic control method and corresponding traffic facilities. The method includes: setting roads mounted or vehicles mounted devices for controlling queens passing; setting associated traffic facilities which assist controlling queens; guiding, including and controlling to vehicle flows in various directions by the above devices and facilities; arranging the vehicle queens into sequential array at the same time or by turns in roads and crosses according to preset procedure. By the method, the vehicle flows can pass continuously or non-continuously without crossing or with less crossing in multi-driveway road. The invention has small investment, wide application and can greatly improve the cross passing ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Shaopeng Yang
  • Publication number: 20100321209
    Abstract: A system and method for traffic information delivery may be implemented as a static network device for sharing information with network nodes. The system includes a processor in communication with a transceiver and memory, the memory containing code that when executed by the processor effects the method steps for determining an occurrence of a traffic incident within a defined distance from the device, establishing communication with a network node, receiving a device identifier over a public network from the network node, the device identifier based on a user-configurable parameter and a non-user-configurable parameter of the network node, establishing in response to the device identifier matching an authorized device identifier corresponding to a known network node, a secure private network with the network node, and sending information about the traffic incident to the network node via the secure private network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Craig Stephen Etchegoyen
  • Patent number: 7768427
    Abstract: Vehicular traffic data is obtained using a traffic sensor having an antenna/transceiver module, a DSP and a microcomputer. This involves (a) transmitting radiation at a vehicles on a roadway; (b) receiving the radiation reflected back from the vehicles; (c) producing a stream of electrical signals based on the radiation reflected back from the vehicles; (d) processing the stream of electrical signals using the DSP to determine if a vehicle detection threshold is met, and, if the vehicle detection threshold is met, to determine an initial vehicle position; (e) when the vehicle detection threshold is met, generating a first signal representing the initial vehicle position using the DSP; (f) transmitting the first signal to the microcomputer; (g) deriving a first traffic information signal from the first signal using the microcomputer; (h) transmitting the first traffic information signal to an external traffic management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Image Sensign Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Manor
  • Patent number: 7755510
    Abstract: A novel vehicular traffic management system that requires no special equipment in any vehicle is disclosed. More specifically, the novel system may be used when approaching a lane closure or lane reduction. The system comprises sequencing signaling devices along the roadway and a central controller. The controller commands the signaling devices to flash (or signal) according to a calculated trajectory. Vehicles traveling along side the signaling devices can pace their speed with cues from the signaling devices. Through this pacing, the system can position the vehicles such that they can merge safely and efficiently. The system can be expanded to merge more than just two lanes. Further refinements to the system include external connections that may include GPS tracking and Internet down/uploading. A feasibility condition/determination can be used with the system to make the system even more robust and efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Mergex Traffic Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yaz Bilimoria, Gabriel Gomes
  • Patent number: 7688224
    Abstract: A distributed individual vehicle information capture method for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is provided. The method includes capturing individual vehicle information at a plurality of intersections (122) and transmitting the individual vehicle information from the intersections to a central station (124). Consequently, the individual vehicle information is available to be stored and processed by a device at the central station (126). Traffic intersection equipment for capturing individual vehicle data at traffic intersections and transmitting the data to a central station for storage and processing is also disclosed. The equipment includes a traffic detection device (159) for capturing individual vehicle data at an intersection (158) and a network connection to a central station (174).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Teffer, Alexander Sherwood
  • Patent number: 7650228
    Abstract: A real time traffic control system that includes a plurality of roadside sensors and variable message displays arrayed along the highway connected to the Internet, and communicating with a central computer using the Internet. Each roadside device includes a modem and has a unique internet address. The central computer is programmed to create on demand a plurality of individual virtual communication ports, each of the ports corresponding to each of the unique device addresses, whereby said computer communicates in a quasi-simultaneous manner with all of the roadside devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: ASTI Transportation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter C. Krikelis
  • Patent number: 7573400
    Abstract: The present invention extends to configuring detection zones in a traffic monitoring system and to association of detection zones with corresponding traffic signal phases. One or more sensors detect targets within a roadway intersection. The sensors integrate acquired sensor data for the targets into track files. The track files are subsequently used to identify common target paths. A histogram is used to identify common target positions for stationary targets. From the common target positions and the common target paths detection zones are configured. Detection zones are associated with traffic signal phases so that specific detections can be created. Lane boundaries within the roadway intersection are inferred from the common target paths. Permanent stationary target locations are identified from the common target positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Wavetronix, LLC
    Inventors: David V. Arnold, Bradley C. Giles, Logan C. Harris, Bryan R. Jarrett, Thomas W. Karlinsey, Jonathan L. Waite
  • Patent number: 7538689
    Abstract: Methods and systems use a programmable sign display located in proximity to a traffic light to provide information to motorists upon the motorists directing their attention toward the traffic light. The programmable sign display may receive programming for content to be displayed in various ways, such as through an interface to a telephone network accessible by a cell phone that sends programming information to the sign. The programmable sign may be used to inform motorists of a radio frequency upon which relevant information such as advertising or traffic reports is being broadcast. The programmable sign may be used to provide textual or graphical information, such as an instruction to motorists that relates to avoiding an approaching emergency vehicle. Additionally, management of the sign is provided to coordinate programming and control of the content being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael A. Haase
  • Patent number: 7486201
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: MyWeather, LLC
    Inventors: Terence F. Kelly, Victor W. Marsh, Christopher W. Kelly, Kevin E. Baird
  • Patent number: 7466241
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a refresh rate of a dynamic billboard. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: obtaining traffic flow information; and determining the refresh rate of the dynamic billboard based on the traffic flow information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruthie D. Lyle, Xiaohu S. Yao
  • Publication number: 20080238720
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for intelligent traffic control using wireless sensor and actuator networks. The system comprises a control center, M regional gateways, and N sensor and actuator nodes. The N sensor and actuator nodes and L cluster heads form L clusters. Each cluster includes a cluster head and at least a sensor and actuator node. The control center, the M regional gateways, and the N sensor and actuator nodes form a multi-layer structure. Each N sensor and actuator node may real-time detect traffic states, and exchange information with other nodes via a wireless communication having a self-recovery function. The system and method applies a distributed computing strategy to automatically adjust the traffic control on each traffic flow, thereby achieving an efficient traffic control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Jin-Shyan Lee
  • Publication number: 20080204277
    Abstract: This patent provides a process that utilizes the vehicle to infrastructure communication process to gather anonymous vehicle trajectories that describe vehicles approaching a signalized intersection. This information is used to project forward in-time the positions of vehicles to calculate the optimal time to change the traffic signal at a point that will minimize the delay to the traffic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Roy Sumner
  • Publication number: 20080169939
    Abstract: A system for alerting drivers and maintenance personnel of approaching commercial vehicles at train or maritime crossings and for alerting train engineers and ship captains of obstructions in the crossing. The system includes video monitoring and the ability to transmit one or more video feeds by broadband directly to the operators of the commercial vehicle. The system also selectively ties into a broader network to record data, such as traffic counts at the crossing based on relative size of the counted vehicles, or video for review and processing. Maintenance personnel can electronically provide contact information to the system so that the personnel are alerted via cellular communications when a train is approaching the personnel's work area. Properly equipped vehicles will also receive and transmit alert broadcasts to the system to further increase safety and notification times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: CHARLES E. DICKENS, Bob Wilson
  • Patent number: 7375652
    Abstract: Traffic disturbances are detected and data is collected by various sensors where the data reflects the entity that is responsible for the disturbance and the number of vehicles that are impacted by the disturbance. The data is analyzed to determine whether a traffic violation has occurred and to then assess a fine based at least on the number of vehicles that have been impacted as a result of the traffic violation. The fine may then be collected by notifying the entity that is responsible, such as by sending a message to an electronic device of the entity. The notification may provide for an automated payment of the fine or an option to appeal the fine. Additionally, those affected by the traffic disturbance may be identified and granted a portion of the fine that has been imposed and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Reeves, Barrett Kreiner
  • Patent number: 7369503
    Abstract: Disclosed is an information distribution system in which a receiving terminal installed in a mobile object can reliably receive high quality distribution information from the beginning. The information distribution system comprises data transmission units, each for transmitting a plurality of data signals including same distribution information using a plurality of different radio channels with sequentially delaying the transmission start time of the data signals; an auxiliary transmission unit for transmitting signals according to communication status of the data transmission units; a communication control unit for controlling the auxiliary transmission unit and the data transmission units; and detection means for detecting the velocity control information for the mobile object. A receiving terminal for receiving the data signals transmitted from the data transmission units is installed on the mobile object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Takahashi, Toshiaki Tsuchiya, Kenji Mito, Kiyoshi Yajima, Tomoyuki Fujieda
  • Patent number: 7317406
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for controlling a traffic signal at an intersection includes a signal controller having an artificial intelligence based situational analyzer. The signal controller receives vehicle data related to the speed and position of vehicles approaching the intersection, and optionally time and ambient condition data. If the artificial intelligence based situational analyzer predicts a signal violation, operation of the traffic signal is modified to reduce the probability of a vehicular collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Technical Center USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Wolterman
  • Publication number: 20070273552
    Abstract: Traffic is controlled by sensing a current state of traffic and comparing it to a common state of traffic to determine deviations. A control scheme is determined based on the deviations, and control signals representative of the control scheme are generated to optimize the flow of traffic. The current state of traffic for an intersection or other advantageous monitoring location may be considered relative to a common state at the intersection or other location as well as relative to a current state of traffic at nearby locations, adjacent intersections, and locations where sensor equipped vehicles are traveling. Sensing occurs over time so the control scheme may be optimized based on consideration of historical data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Tischer
  • Patent number: 7289039
    Abstract: A vehicle navigation system for use with a traffic information broadcast system which transmits traffic data relating to primary road segments and a communication system which transmits traffic data relating to road segments in a local geographic area. A broadcast receiver receives the broadcast traffic data from the broadcast system and stores the received data. A communication transmitter, when activated, transmits a data request to the communication system. A communication receiver receives the local traffic data from the communication system in response to the data request while a processor displays traffic information on a display screen corresponding to the received broadcast traffic data and the received local traffic data. The local traffic data includes both traffic information relating to local road segments as well as non-traffic temporal events, such as weather, and time-related events which affect traffic flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Xanavi Informatics Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Kato, Deepak Ramaswamy, Sadanori Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 7102538
    Abstract: The present invention provides an LED signal light device comprising a central processing unit, a control panel, an LED signal light, an output and input interface, a battery and an adapter. The central processing unit comprises a microprocessor, a memory and an interface circuit for controlling the operation of the whole device, and outputting a signal and receiving a command through the output and input interface. The control panel is a printed circuit board recorded a circuit therein. The LED signal light consists of plural LEDs, which are three coloring LEDs or color changing LEDs. The LEDs actively show a light display in a closed circuit and show various colors accompanying with various arrangements into abstract symbols for indicating various traffic situations. The device can be connected to an AC power supply of 110 V or 220 V, and the AC power is converted to DC power by an adapter, which also stabilizes the current provided to the whole device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Kuo-Chin Chen
  • Patent number: 7098805
    Abstract: A system for providing advertising information. The system includes a plurality of motion sensors and a database. The plurality of motion sensors are configured to detect traffic information along one or more roadways and transmitting the detected traffic information. The database is configured to receive and store the detected traffic information transmitted by the plurality of motion sensors. The database includes advertising information of advertisers. The database is configured to presented at least a portion of the advertising information of advertisers when at least a portion of the detected traffic information is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Vernon Meadows, Samuel N. Zellner
  • Patent number: 7057529
    Abstract: An LED traffic signal having a single switching power supply placed inside the load switch to supply power to each of the aspect signals. The traffic signal has several aspects, such as red, yellow and green. The load switch comprises a switching power supply to supply power to the signals, an output selection circuit to select the desired aspect, and a conflict monitor interface circuit to mimic an incandescent circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: GELcore LLC
    Inventor: Jean Simon Bourgault
  • Patent number: 7027915
    Abstract: A personal traffic congestion avoidance system for drivers of motor vehicles traveling on roadways in motor vehicles with GPS-based navigational systems. The system includes a GPS-based navigational system that includes a GPS receiver connected to a visual display, a map database and a wireless communication device for communicating with a remote computer over a wireless communication network. The GPS-based navigation system continuously determines the motor vehicle exact physical location in a region that is intermittently or continuously uploaded to a remote computer via the wireless communication network. The remote computer is connected to a traffic monitoring database or service that provides current traffic affecting events in the region thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Dean A. Craine
  • Patent number: 6985090
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for controlling a system of multiple traffic signals for regulating the traffic of vehicles is described. Traffic data is transmitted by wireless transmission to traffic data processing units assigned individually to a locally limited group of traffic signals, and each traffic data processing unit performs an analysis of the local traffic situation for the environment of the locally limited group of traffic signals up to, at the maximum, the neighboring locally limited groups of traffic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andre Ebner, Matthias Lott, Egon Schulz, Ruediger Halfmann, Hermann Rohling
  • Patent number: 6961758
    Abstract: A personalized content server system is described that includes a profile module that receives a profile file specifying personal preferences of a user for some content. An access module accesses remote content servers external to the personalized content server system for the content specified by the profile file. A content storage stores the content such that the content can be retrieved from the content storage when the user accesses the personalized content server system for the content via an access client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Venkatesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 6895324
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing, accessing, generating and using information about speed limits and speed traps are described. The system includes a positional sensor such as a GPS device. Position information is used to access a database of speed limit and/or speed trap information. The database may be local or remote. Access to a remote database may be achieved using a wireless communications device such as a wireless (cellular) modem. Encountered speed traps are logged in response to the activation of a speed trap alert button by a user of the device or the output of a radar/laser detector. Speed trap position, date and time information is transmitted to the remote database system. Speed limit information is used to control the speed of the automobile as part of a cruise control operation and/or is used to provide the motor vehicle operator with warnings, e.g., that the applicable speed limit is being exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: Michael P. Straub
  • Patent number: 6850840
    Abstract: A method is for describing and generating road networks for determining traffic information or road traffic data and/or for determining the traveling times on routes or stretches of routes by at least one mobile detector. The mobile detector includes a position determining device and a device for data communication with a control center. A road network is for determining traffic information and/or for determining the traveling time by at least one mobile detector, e.g., a vehicle. The road network and/or parts of the road network are substantially described by node and/or contour points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, PTV AG
    Inventors: Ralf Willenbrock, Hans Hubschneider, Ulrich Mehlhaus, Michael Ortgiese
  • Patent number: 6816779
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for programmatically deriving street intersections from address data which is presented in textual format, or alternatively, from street geometry data which has been derived from such address data. Preferred embodiments leverage built-in functions and data types of a spatially-enabled object relational database system. Information about streets is analyzed to determine which streets intersect, as well as the intersection locations. This information is stored in a spatially-enabled table for subsequent retrieval. The derived street intersections data supports retrievals which do not rely on proprietary file formats or binary files, thereby enabling faster retrievals and reduced resource consumption requirements. The derived street intersection information may be used in many ways, such as to compute a path from one location to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Feng-wei Chen, Robert R. Cutlip
  • Patent number: 6801638
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device, which make it possible to reliably, with the least amount of computing power, recognize traffic signs and to display these as memory aids for an observer. Image data of an image sensor are analyzed and classified in an information processing unit, and on the basis of the results classification image segments and/or symbolic image representing data stored in a memory unit are recorded in a memory unit and are displayed by means of a display unit. In the further processing of the image data, extracted objects are separated and classified into traffic sign specific upper classes and lower classes. Subsequently, a synthetic image of a traffic sign is generated, stored in a memory unit, and displayed by means of a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Janssen, Frank Lindner, Berthold Ulmer
  • Patent number: 6781523
    Abstract: Roadside wireless devices are installed at roadside positions corresponding to the traffic lanes entering an intersection. Roadside wireless devices are also installed at roadside positions corresponding to the traffic lanes exiting an intersection. The roadside wireless devices on the entrance side receive an identification number from vehicle-mounted wireless ID devices of vehicles entering the intersection and transmit them to a roadside traffic monitoring device. Thereafter, the roadside wireless devices on the exit side receive an identification number from the vehicle-mounted wireless ID devices of vehicles exiting the intersection and transmit them to the roadside traffic monitoring device. From the identification numbers received, the roadside traffic monitoring device is able to determine the entrance from which a vehicle judged to be the same one had entered and the exit from which it exited, along with the type of vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kinashi Denki Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Matsui, Harunobu Yuzawa, Akira Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6774816
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicular and pedestrian traffic, which combines a variety of concepts into an integrated operating system for traffic management in cities. The design elements of this system include a combination of the dynamic checkerboard arrangements of alternating bands in paired sets of two or three bands for one-way and two-way streets respectively, the recessed crosswalks, the configuration of the flow pattern for bikeways on one-way grid, the opening of crosswalks on the left side of moving green bands at two-way grid intersections, the placement of bikeways between the sidewalk and the parking lane, and the creation of a separate phase for the movement of bicycle traffic on one-way streets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Subhash Raswant
  • Patent number: 6728629
    Abstract: The on-road reference point positional data delivery device according to the present invention has a reference point positional data delivery device, and this reference point positional data delivery device has a beacon identification device for indicating a reference point position for service information delivered from a beacon provided on a road to a vehicle and also selecting the beacon delivering the service information from among a plurality of beacons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
    Inventors: Kenichiro Oka, Hiroyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6710722
    Abstract: A traffic light control and information transmission device compromising a microprocessor on the cross road, the microprocessor further connects to a traffic light controller, an electronic display board, a video camera, a compression circuitry, an I/O interface, a traffic flow detector and connected to the central traffic control computer through the DSL (Digital Subscriber Loop). The control signals, traffic, public information or news of the central traffic control computer can go through the DLS to the microprocessor; the microprocessor can control the traffic light and display all the information on the electronic display board. The traffic flow data of the cross roads can be accessed by the traffic flow detector and the video camera and transmitted back to the central traffic control computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Hsi-Che Lee