Controller, When Changing Right Of Way, Alters Or Skips Normal "go" Cycle Of Street Having No Traffic Detected Patents (Class 340/918)
  • Patent number: 10259457
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor configured to detect a traffic flow pattern relative to an intersection. An autonomous mode controller is configured to determine the state of the traffic control device. The autonomous mode controller may estimate when the state of the traffic control device is likely to change based on the traffic flow pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 9550498
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor configured to detect a traffic flow pattern relative to an intersection. An autonomous mode controller is configured to determine the state of the traffic control device. The autonomous mode controller may estimate when the state of the traffic control device is likely to change based on the traffic flow pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 8917190
    Abstract: A method of restricting turns at vehicle intersections imposes a policy that is dynamic and congestion based. Vehicle turns are allowed only to the extent that such a maneuver does not cause a hindrance to other vehicles traveling the same direction that are not turning. A hindrance may be defined in a variety of ways based on whether other vehicles are substantially impeded in their progress. In this way, such a “no hinder” turn restriction is dependent on actual driving conditions and allows for more efficient movement of traffic in both heavily congested and light driving conditions. A no hinder turn restriction may be combined with or may replace other types of turn restrictions and may be utilized for both left and right turns and for streets with single or multiple lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen Waller Melvin
  • Patent number: 8854230
    Abstract: Reducing traffic signal obstruction, through reproducing the contents of traffic signals, so the driver of a small vehicle blocked by a big vehicle also can be aware of the contents of traffic signals indicated by an obstructed traffic signal indicator. The system of reproducing traffic signals on a vehicle includes: a signal receiver, configured to receive the contents of traffic signals, wherein the contents of traffic signals is indicated by at least one traffic signal indicator; a signal processor, configured to determine whether to reproduce the received contents of traffic signals; and a reproducer, configured to reproduce the contents of traffic signals if it is determined to do so by the signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ying Chen, Rong Yao Fu, Qian Ma, Hao Wang, Yue Da Xiong, Yuan Yuan
  • Patent number: 8847788
    Abstract: Methods and systems for traffic management are disclosed. Location information and a vehicle identifier for a vehicle are received. A current status of the vehicle is determined. Further, it is determined whether the vehicle is located within a defined distance from a lane intersection. A traffic indicator is generated when the vehicle is located within the pre-defined distance from the lane intersection. The traffic indicator is one of a Right of Way (ROW), Stop, Yield or Null. The generated traffic signal is transmitted back to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad K. Borland, Brian G. Funke, Mathew Chacko
  • Patent number: 8773282
    Abstract: Systems and methods for requesting modification of traffic flow control systems that combine satellite position navigation systems and dead reckoning technology with secure radio communications to accurately report a vehicle's real-time location and estimated arrival times at a series of signal lights within a traffic grid or at a distant signal light, while enabling signal controllers to accommodate priority requests from these vehicles, allowing for these vehicles to maintain a fixed schedule with minimal interruption to other grid traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: STC, Inc.
    Inventor: Brad Cross
  • Patent number: 8760315
    Abstract: A system for controlling traffic for allowing passage of an emergency vehicle through an intersection controlled by traffic signals includes an intersection module for transmitting signals for preempting the traffic signals and one or more circuit cards coupled to the intersection module. Each expansion card includes a plurality of contact closures for outputting one or more of the signals for preempting the traffic signals. The intersection module selects an expansion card based on a type of output desired, and further selects one or more contact closures of the selected card for the desired output. The expansion cards allow preempt or vehicle outputs beyond the output that a single card can provide. According to another embodiment, the output expansion is achieved by emulating the communication interface between the intersection module and the traffic signal controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: E-Views Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jarrid Michael Gross, Jonathan Youngman, William Thomas Williamson
  • Patent number: 8717195
    Abstract: A traffic signal control method comprises confirming the shortest green light interval; confirming the conflict area of the different traffic flow and the key conflict point position according to the engineering design for road canalization; confirming the longest clear distance si(m) of the traffic tail unit of green light i and the shortest entry distance sj(m) of the traffic head unit of green light j in conflict with green light i; calculating the longest clear time Max{ti} of the traffic tail unit of green light i and the shortest entry time Min{tj} of the traffic head unit of green light j; calculating the shortest green light interval Iij=A+Max{ti}?Min{tj}; confirming the control scheme for the crossing according to the shortest green light interval and sending the control instruction to the traffic signal display device for displaying in real time according to the control scheme. A traffic signal control system and special equipment are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: HWYL-HUBBL Tech. Development Co, Ltd. In Beijing
    Inventors: Qian Wang, Dahai Wang, Nan Ye
  • Patent number: 8629785
    Abstract: A traffic resource allocation method is provided for allocating traffic resources around an intersection formed by a first road and a second road. The method includes dividing the first road into two or more first lanes at a first direction and two or more second lanes at a second direction opposite but parallel to the first direction. The method also includes dividing the second road into two or more third lanes at a third direction and two or more four lanes at a fourth direction opposite but parallel to the third direction. Further, the method includes controlling traffic movements in the intersection by allocating traffic permit to both pedestrian traffic and vehicle traffic on the first road and the second road. The method also include, when permitting pedestrian traffic along the first direction and the second direction, permitting through vehicle traffic along the first direction and the second direction, and prohibiting turn traffic at any of the first, second, third, and fourth directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Jiantong Ni
  • Patent number: 8581746
    Abstract: A drive assist device and method capable of preventing the confusion of a driver at a traffic signal with an arrow lamp are provided. An ECU has a section for determining whether or not it is possible to pass a signal, which determines whether or not a vehicle can pass a signal, and a signal waiting time notification control section, which determines a signal waiting time of the vehicle and displays it on a display unit when the section for determining whether or not it is possible to pass a signal determines that the vehicle cannot pass a signal. The section for determining whether or not it is possible to pass a signal determines not only a lighting time of only a red signal but also a lighting time of a red signal and an arrow lamp and a lighting time of a yellow signal subsequent thereto are determined as a no-pass time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 8502697
    Abstract: A method and system for a mid-block traffic detection and traffic signal control system is provided herein that is suited to monitoring heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks is provided. The method comprises detecting a vehicle and determining at least one pre-determined parameter of the vehicle. A traffic condition is evaluated based on the at least one pre-determined parameter. In response to the evaluation of the traffic condition, a traffic signal is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: International Road Dynamics Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Bushman
  • Patent number: 8050854
    Abstract: An adaptive control system controls a traffic signal at a critical intersection that has a most conflicting volume of traffic among volumes of traffic at intersections in a traffic network. The adaptive control system determines a plan identifying a guaranteed green light time and a minimum green duration and a period for the plan. The adaptive control system determines, based on the plan, a non-linear schedule with one or more states corresponding to one or more individual phases with each state having a state start time and a state duration. Queues for individual traffic movements at the critical intersection also may be used to determine the non-linear schedule. The adaptive control system controls the traffic signal according to the non-linear schedule. The adaptive control system transmits its plan to one or more other adaptive control systems for other intersections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Rhythm Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Reggie J. Chandra, James W. Bley, Stephen S. Penrod, Arthur S. Parker
  • Patent number: 7482948
    Abstract: Disclosed are alert systems and methods for a roadway. According to one exemplary method, there is a step of receiving an identification signal from a device carried by a human having a medical condition. Subsequently, circuitry acts to conditionally cause a changeable road sign to display the medical condition, and conditionally transmit a radio warning signal to a vehicle, the radio warning signal indicating the medical condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tedrick N. Northway, Randy S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7327273
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device to monitor the administration of a fluid through a conduit, such as intravenous fluid, and detect the completion of fluid delivery by monitoring the fluid level inside a chamber. The device will monitor, through an optical fluid sensor comprising a radiation source, two sensors, a logic means, and an indicating means, the bottom half of any “user supplied” drip chamber that is normally full during the administration of fluids. When the fluid level in the chamber drops below a predetermined level, the indicating means will initiate an electromechanical device that releases a pinching device to occlude the conduit. The pinching device is a rotary pincher that derives its force from a torsion spring and is held in the open position by the electromechanical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventors: Orlando R. Hung, Peter H. Gregson, David C. Roach
  • Patent number: 7274306
    Abstract: A smart traffic control device transmits information to approaching vehicles regarding its current and future state enabling vehicles to control their speed to avoid arriving at the traffic control device until it permits the passage of traffic, thus avoiding stopping, idling and reaccelerating when reaching the traffic control device. In other embodiments the traffic control device or systems receives information from vehicles, transmitting it to other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Mark W. Publicover
  • Patent number: 6937161
    Abstract: In traffic signal control for setting a green light time to a value between the lower limit time and the upper limit time in real time depending on a traffic volume sensed by vehicle sensors Sa, Sb, and so forth, the upper limit time Gmax is set longer with an increase of a traffic volume on an access road corresponding to a phase in question (Steps T8 and T9). This arrangement is effective for use at an intersection where a traffic volume in one direction is far heavier than in any other direction, and thereby makes it possible to forestall the occurrence of traffic jam (FIG. 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Nishimura
  • 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: 6320515
    Abstract: The method and the means concern a system for control of motorway traffic, with focus on access control. The network characteristics of the traffic, according to the invention, is treated by traffic control functions based on the traffic as well as the access itself, as at the closest section upstream the access, and at connected parts of the road network. The invention goal is safer traffic and an effective utilization of the motorway. The system is creating possibilities for a dynamic traffic management with control of traffic flows. A smoother and better controlled weaving process is effected by preparatory actions and the functions create more margins, as well in space as in time, for the performance of the usually complicated and dangerous driving procedures on the motorway. Modern information technology is used as a means for carrying out the invented solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Kjell Olsson
  • Patent number: 6072408
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is driven by a generator that provides a cyclic voltage having a sawtooth waveform. The VCO cyclicly provides a signal at a frequency that varies over a range that includes a frequency of a transmitted signal that causes a vehicular traffic signal light control system, of a type that has an inductive loop buried in a roadway, to provide a desired illumination of traffic signal lights of the system. The VCO is connected to a power amplifier that has its output connected to an antenna. In a second embodiment, a signal processor provides a train of pulses at a frequency of radiation from the inductive loop. The number of the pulses of the pulse train that are provided during a timing interval is stored by a counter. A digital to analog converter is connected to the output of the counter. After the timing interval, a signal is transmitted substantially at the frequency of radiation in response to the output of a VCO that is connected to the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventors: Chuck E. Baer, Gary Sunda
  • Patent number: 6049295
    Abstract: Vehicles are prevented from colliding with each other at an intersection provided with no traffic light or having an obstructed view. A road-side apparatus is provided in the intersection and a on-board apparatus is provided on a vehicle. The on-board apparatus communicable with the road-side apparatus via a wireless packet communication. An empty wireless packet is periodically transmitted from the road-side apparatus in each of directions corresponding to roads extending from the intersection. The on-board apparatus returns a returning wireless packet to the road-side apparatus by providing a vehicle ID code to the empty wireless packet. A wireless packet including the vehicle ID code of one of the vehicle is transmitted to each of the directions corresponding to the roads when the one of the vehicle is determined to be provided with permission for entering the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 5844502
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for sensing an object or vehicle in proximity to a sensing zone, wherein the device is exposed to an environment temperature. The object sensing device comprises a sensor, such as an inductive loop having a characteristic, such as the inductance of the inductive loop, responsive to the proximity of the object is to the sensor; a signal generator, such as an oscillator, coupled to the sensor for producing a first periodical signal cycling at a first frequency dependent on the sensor characteristic and the environment temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Elite Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Perez, Walter Parsadayan