Vehicle Detectors Patents (Class 340/933)
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Patent number: 7868784Abstract: A system configured for parking management in a parking facility, the system comprising a plurality of parking spaces, and a plurality of sensor units corresponding to the plurality of parking spaces, each of the plurality of sensor units being configured to detect a parking status of a corresponding one of the plurality of parking spaces and transmit a first message including the parking status of the corresponding one parking space in a wireless communication network.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Lun-Chia Kuo, Chung-Yi Wu, Chung-Chou Shen, Shih-I Huang
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Publication number: 20110001635Abstract: A method (400) and a system (125) for monitoring traffic. A warning zone (130) can be defined based, at least in part, on a present location of a mobile traffic monitoring system (125). With the mobile traffic monitoring system, the warning zone can be optically monitored for movement of an object (175). Responsive to identifying the movement of the object in the warning zone, an alert (135) can be generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2007Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.Inventors: Jody H. Akens, Scott A. Fudally, Ali H. Zaidi
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Patent number: 7864072Abstract: A system, program product and method for automatically adjusting the traffic light of a traffic light controlled intersection. Personal data relative to a pedestrian cross walking the intersection, including walking speed, and the current speed of a vehicle approaching the intersection are simultaneously acquired. Both the personal data and the vehicle current speed are processed to generate cross walk control signals, such as indicators of risk of collision between vehicle and pedestrian. Where the risk warrants action, the “stop” condition of the traffic light is enable to warn the vehicle to stop. Traffic control signals are also generated to control the duration of the “walk” condition for slow moving pedestrians.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Sara H. Basson, Wilfredo Ferre, Julien Ghez, Dimitri Kanevsky, Frances W. West
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Publication number: 20100328105Abstract: A device is provided for detecting an automobile. The device includes a body, an energy harvesting portion, a sensing portion, a processing portion and a communication portion. The energy harvesting portion can harvest energy from a source external to the body. The sensing portion can output a signal and has a low-energy detector and a high-energy detector. The low-energy detector can detect a first parameter using a first level of energy. The high-energy detector can detect a second parameter using a second level of energy, wherein the first level of energy is lower than the second level of energy, and wherein the signal is based on the second parameter. The processing portion can output a signature based on the signal. The communication portion can wirelessly transmit an output signal based on the signature. The energy harvesting portion can supply energy to each of the sensing portion, the processing portion and the communication portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Mehdi Kalantari Khandani, Masoud Hamedi, Ali Haghani
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Patent number: 7860639Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Inventor: Shaopeng Yang
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Publication number: 20100320917Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a luminaire includes detection module and a control unit. The detection module is configured to detect traffic flow of a road and ambient light along the road. The control unit coupled with the detection module is configured to receive a detection result of the detection module and generate a control signal according to the detection result and a preset data stored therein for controlling illumination of the luminaire.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventor: Chia-Chun TSOU
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Patent number: 7855663Abstract: A system for utilizing RFID tags to manage automotive parts. A system is provided that includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to read data from RFID tags affixed to parts located throughout a vehicle, wherein each RFID tag uniquely identifies a part; a data processing system configured to process the data obtained by the RFID reader; and a service application that provides service related information to an end user based on an installation or removal of a part from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Tijs I. Wilbrink, Edward E. Kelley
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Patent number: 7855661Abstract: Apparatus for the individual monitoring of parking positions of a parking facility comprises a sensor (9) for vehicle detection and optical indicator means (5) for indicating the occupied/free status of a parking position (4). Sensor (9) has a transmit aerial (10) to radio the occupied/free status of parking position (4) to the parking facility control center. The optical indicator means (5) comprises a bistable indicating element.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Skidata AGInventor: Gregor Ponert
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Patent number: 7855662Abstract: A technique for recording the front image of vehicles which violate the regulation in the axle weight is desired. In general, the weight of the leading axle cannot be excessively heavy, so that the over weight axle is a second or more rear side axle. Further, the distance between an axle weight detector and a vehicle detector for taking a vehicle image is normally below 8 meters. Under these conditions, when the over weight axle is detected, the over axle weight vehicle is predicted to be a vehicle being presently detected, a vehicle to be detected next, or next to the next. From the images of those vehicles, vehicles having no possibility of violating the axle weight regulation are eliminated based on a license plate read from the vehicle image or the measured vehicle height. The images not eliminated are stored as over axle weight vehicle images.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Shinya Yano
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Publication number: 20100302070Abstract: Methods and systems include determining travel information from vehicles. In one embodiment, a system monitors traffic on a roadway in real-time. The system includes a plurality of reader devices. The reader devices are capable of asynchronously capturing a unique network identifier of a device in a vehicle when the device is disposed in reader range of the reader devices. The reader device time stamps each captured unique network identifier. The time stamped unique network identifier is forwarded to a host module. The host module receives the time stamped unique network identifier. In addition, the host module determines travel information from the time stamped unique network identifier by comparing the time stamped unique network identifier for a particular vehicle to other time stamped unique network identifiers captured for the particular vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEMInventors: Darryl D. Puckett, Michael J. Vickich
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Patent number: 7839303Abstract: The vehicle detecting apparatus includes an image sensor mounted on a host vehicle so as to be able to take an image ahead of the host vehicle, a light source area extracting function of extracting, from image data outputted from the image sensor, an area having luminance higher than a predetermined value as a light source area, a vehicle detecting function of detecting existence of at least one of an oncoming vehicle and a preceding vehicle by recognizing which of a headlight of the oncoming vehicle, a taillight of the preceding vehicle, and a roadside reflector causes the light source area in the image data. The vehicle detecting function is configured to lower a probability that the vehicle detecting function recognizes that the light source area is caused by the roadside reflector when the headlight of the host vehicle is in a low-beam position.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiroaki Kumon, Kenji Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7839271Abstract: The invention concerns a driving aid system for supplying data to a vehicle running on an infrastructure, and comprising a magnetic marking formed on the infrastructure and adapted to encode data addressed to the vehicle, the data being modifiable, and a detection device comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors onboard the vehicle for detecting a total magnetic field including the magnetic field generated by the magnetic marking and for producing signals representing the total magnetic field, and a processing unit adapted to process the representative signals, and to determine a first distance between the vehicle and the magnetic marking, and to decode the data encoded on the magnetic marking.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique -CNRS-, Universite Piere & Marie CurieInventors: Stephane Hole, Daniele Fournier, Celine Filloy-Corbrion
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Patent number: 7835853Abstract: A vehicle detection system is provided for detecting vehicles with high precision recognition with less misdetection and less electricity consumption, the installation of the vehicle detection system causing less damage to a town's aesthetic beauty. Vehicle detection is determined by processing an input level value provided from a sensor that detects infrared radiation irradiated from an object to be detected, and the vehicle presence judgment is carried out by calculating a background level value based on an input level value detected from infrared radiation during “absence of a vehicle”, and by comparing the value based on a difference between the input level value (comparative value) by a data processing unit. By using the sensor that passively detects infrared radiation, the system consumes less electricity, and maintains its accuracy of detection even if detection is performed sideways of vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yuichi Taniguchi, Hideaki Shiranaga
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Patent number: 7834746Abstract: A motorcycle-detecting device according to the present invention is mounted on an automotive vehicle. The device includes ultrasonic sensors for detecting objects around the vehicle, a device for predicting that a motorcycle is approaching the vehicle, and a device for adjusting a detection distance and a detection sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensors. When the predicting means predicts a motorcycle approach, the adjusting device makes the detection distance longer than a normal distance and the detection sensitivity higher than a normal sensitivity. Illuminating devices may be mounted on the vehicle to make the motorcycle passing by visible. A warning may be given to a driver when a motorcycle passing by is actually detected by the sensors. Information regarding the detected motorcycle may be given to other vehicles. According to the present invention, the motorcycle passing by the vehicle is surely and stably detected to thereby avoid any traffic accident with the motorcycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Tadao Suzuki, Masakazu Kagawa
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Patent number: 7825827Abstract: Provided are an intelligent parking guidance apparatus and method. The intelligent parking guidance apparatus includes: an image sensor node recognizing a vehicle number of a vehicle, sensor nodes determining whether the vehicle exists in their own positions, a parking management server generating information for guiding the vehicle to an available parking space, and a mobile communication terminal receiving the information. The intelligent parking guidance apparatus and method provide information regarding parking lots which are within a predetermined distance from a destination and available parking spaces of each parking lot, to a driver, as well as provide a road guidance service to the driver to guide his/her vehicle to the destination, so that the driver can select an optimal parking lot.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Byung Tae Jang, Do Hyun Kim, Jae Jun Yoo, Mi-Jeong Kim, Kyeong Tae Kim, Myung Hee Son, Jae Han Lim, Kyung Bok Sung, Jong-Hyun Park, Jung Sook Kim, Jeong-Dan Choi
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Patent number: 7825784Abstract: A display apparatus displaying an image of surroundings of a vehicle includes a camera capturing an image of the surroundings of the vehicle, and a display monitor provided inside the vehicle for superimposingly displaying the image of the surroundings of the vehicle captured by the camera, and a first distance indicator line and a second distance indicator line, wherein the first distance indicator line indicates a first predetermined distance from the vehicle and the second distance indicator line indicates a second predetermined distance from the vehicle, the second distance indicator line is positioned farther away from the vehicle than the first distance indicator line, and the first distance indicator line is wider than the second distance indicator line.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Yamanaka, Shoichi Hashiba
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Patent number: 7825829Abstract: A camera system comprises a CCD imaging device, an infrared illumination source, and a power modulator for amplitude modulating the infrared illumination, e.g., with a 7-kHz tone. A beam splitter is set in front of the CCD imaging device, and a photo-diode array is attached to the beam splitter to detect modulated infrared light returning from the same field of vision as the CCD imaging device Various tone filters, and triggers connected to the tone filters, will cause the CCD imaging device to take a digital picture when the returning modulated infrared light exceeds some threshold and comes from right areas of a picture frame. Such digital pictures will most probably include an image of a vehicle license plate that can be processed, and the results used to extract the registration data from a database.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Jai, Inc. USAInventor: Torben H. Madsen
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Patent number: 7825826Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for identifying overstay of a vehicle (624, 644) in a parking space (610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660) are disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of detecting presence of a vehicle in a parking space using a detection apparatus (612, 622, 632, 642, 652, 662), processing and storing data relating to presence of the vehicle in the detection apparatus, wirelessly (672, 674) waking-up the detection apparatus, wirelessly retrieving at least a portion of the data from the detection apparatus, and identifying overstay of the vehicle in the parking space based on the retrieved data. Wireless wake-up of a detection apparatus may be irregularly performed by an occasionally present data collection apparatus (680). Apparatuses and systems are disclosed for performing the foregoing method.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Vehicle Monitoring Systems Pty Ltd.Inventor: Fraser John Welch
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Publication number: 20100265104Abstract: A vehicle monitoring and traffic enforcement system in which a wireless communication device is associated with motor vehicles. The device will transmit vehicle identification data which is relayed to a database which maintains current information concerning insurance law compliance, motor vehicle registration and licensing compliance, traffic citations and other information. If a violation or compliance failure is noted, this is transmitted to a law enforcement agency and a nearby law enforcement vehicle. A law enforcement officer may be required to pursue the vehicle depending on the violation and traffic conditions. The system uses GPS and GIS technology to provide law enforcement with a real time display which will not only show the vehicle being tracked but also a map of the area showing roads, traffic conditions and even the location of other law enforcement or emergency vehicles so that officials may make a safe and fast response to situations.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventor: MILAN ZLOJUTRO
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Publication number: 20100265101Abstract: A traffic environment recognition system includes units for image-processing and information-merging, a radar unit. A network is connected to the image-processing unit. The radar, information-merging, and a vehicle control unit control the traveling operation of the vehicle. The image-processing unit recognizes headway distance, the azimuth, relative speed and width of a preceding vehicle, and the lane position of the host vehicle. The radar unit recognizes headway distance, the azimuth and relative speed of the preceding vehicle. The information-merging unit receives recognition results provided by the image-processing unit. The radar unit through the network, merges and identifies those results. When the recognition results provided by the image-processing unit and the radar unit relate to the same vehicle, output information is produced by the information-merging unit to identify the vehicles as one and the same vehicle and sends the output information through the network to the vehicle control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2007Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: HITACHI LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Takenaga, Shoji Muramatsu, Yuji Otsuka
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Publication number: 20100265100Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the intelligent lighting of large areas and structures such as parking garages. Ultrasonic distance measuring sensors can be used to obtain occupancy data for the area or structure, such as a parking garage, and to control the intensities of the individual lights in the system for energy conservation. Persons in the area, e.g. parking their cars, can be shown the path to the exit by specific preset intensity level and/or color of light. In parking garage embodiments, persons in the process of parking their cars are shown the empty spots by lights of a specific intensity and/or color. The addition of passive infrared motion detectors enables the system to illuminate the area around a moving person, and alarm if a person is behaving unexpectedly. A controller can communicate with sensors and/or lighting elements by wireless or wire (cable) communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2009Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: LSI INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Bassam D. Jalbout, Brian Wong
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Patent number: 7817021Abstract: A display device is mounted in a working vehicle equipped with a camera that monitors areas around the working vehicle. The display device includes: a monitor screen; first display means for displaying information about the working vehicle; second display means for displaying an image captured by the camera; first switching means for switching displayed image information; malfunction detection means for detecting a malfunction occured in the working vehicle; warning display means for displaying warning information; operation detecting means for detecting whether the working vehicle is working; and second switching means for automatically switching the image information displayed to the image information input by the first display means, where each referenced display is on the monitor screen. Thus, even if a malfunction occurs in the working vehicle, an operator is made aware of the malfunction in the working vehicle without being hindered from undertaking work while checking the safety.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Inventors: Kazuaki Date, Toshiro Kuwahara
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Patent number: 7817019Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and methods are provided for data communications associated with a vehicle. The apparatus preferably includes at least one electronic subsystem associated with the vehicle and a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the at least one electronic subsystem and associated with the vehicle. A vehicle data communications protocol converter is preferably connected to the plurality of electrical conductors for converting a first data communications protocol associated with data communications along the plurality of electrical conductors to a second data communications protocol such as an infrared, an RF data, an Internet, or other network communications protocol.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Innovative Global Systems, LLCInventor: Alan C. Lesesky
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Publication number: 20100245129Abstract: A system and method for identifying modifications made to a machine is disclosed. The method may include determining, by a scanning device, at least one actual dimension of the machine. The method may further include determining at least one previously known dimension of the machine. The method may further include comparing the at least one actual dimension of the machine with the at least one previously known dimension of the machine. The method may further include determining, based on the comparison, if the at least one actual dimension of the machine is within a threshold range of the at least one previously known dimension of the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventor: Kenneth Lee Stratton
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Patent number: 7804425Abstract: A vehicle parking assist system for assisting a driver of the vehicle in parking such vehicle in a garage located at a preselected global position. The system includes: a global positioning system mounted to the vehicle having stored therein the global position of the garage, for determining actual global position of the vehicle and providing a signal indicating when the vehicle is proximate the location of the garage; a range sensor for detecting a wall of the garage in front of a direction of motion of the vehicle into the garage; and a processor, responsive to the global positioning system provided by the global positioning system indicating when the vehicle is proximate the garage; the range sensor, for indicating when the vehicle has parked in the garage such that front of the vehicle is forward of the wall while enabling a door of the garage to be closed without striking the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Kwiecinski, Thomas Michael McQuade, Brian Gordon Bennie
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Patent number: 7804395Abstract: A mobile radio communication system estimates the positional relationship between an own moving terminal and another moving terminal around a view obstruction. If the absolute value of the difference between detected reception power levels is lower than a first power threshold value, the own moving terminal determines that the other moving terminal is positioned within the visual range of the own moving terminal, the distance from the own moving terminal to the other moving terminal being shorter than a predetermined distance BP, or that the other moving terminal is positioned outside thereof, the distance to the visual range of the own moving terminal being shorter than the predetermined distance BP. Also if the absolute value is higher than or equal to the first power threshold value, the own moving terminal determines in a similar manner.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota ChuoInventors: Junya Muramatsu, Satoshi Makido, Junji Imai, Kenji Ito, Yukihiro Tadokoro
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Patent number: 7800484Abstract: A vehicle safety device has a cabin unit which includes a cabin unit housing holding a keypad, a speaker, a cpu, and a transmitter. The speaker provides an audio signal when a vehicle speed input reaches a preset low-speed, a preset medium speed, and at a preset high speed. A rear unit receives signals from the cabin unit, and the rear unit has a housing holding a seat belt light. The seat belt light is interconnected to a vehicle seat belt sensor. A registration light and a proof of insurance light is also mounted on the rear unit. The rear unit is mounted on the vehicle exterior, preferably on the rear license plate frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Inventor: James Wang
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Patent number: 7786855Abstract: Traffic induction loop simulator (LOOPSIM) software, and a system and method designed for traffic research and education. The system is able to generate output signals in response to previously recorded real traffic events or simulated traffic. If directly connected to a controller cabinet or a traffic event data collection system, LOOPSIM can be used to simulate output signals from loop detectors and to test algorithms executable in the controller, or to test the performance of a traffic data collection/monitoring system. LOOPSIM can simulate different predefined patterns of traffic distributions and replay loop event data recorded by a detector event data collection (DEDAC) system or an advanced loop event data analyzer (ALEDA) at a pace responsive to controller feedback. Using LOOPSIM, many traffic system tests can be conducted for multi-purpose traffic control applications, and traffic arrival patterns can be generated for researchers and educators to test theoretical models.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for CommercializationInventors: Patikhom O. Cheevarunothai, Yinhai Wang, Nancy L. Nihan
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Patent number: 7786896Abstract: A parking assistance system for outputting parking instructions to the driver of a vehicle has a sensor device which is designed for performing a parking space measurement on the basis of parking space limits and generating parking space information on the basis of the parking space measurement; a program-controlled device which calculates the driving trajectory to be traveled on the basis of the parking space information generated and calculates a time to collision and/or a distance to collision, within which the vehicle will presumably collide with one of the parking space limits, from the parking space information generated and the calculated driving trajectory; and a warning signal transducer which generates a warning signal if the calculated period of time is less than a first limit value and/or the calculated distance to collision is less than a second limit value.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Dirk Schmid, Marcus Schneider, Wei-Chia Lee, Gunther Schaaf
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Patent number: 7782206Abstract: Systems and methods for disabling transponders used in electronic toll collection or other RFID systems, wherein the transponders include an antenna and RFID circuitry. The transponders can be selectively disabled by releasably securing a disabling device having a metallic portion at an operative position over the antenna of the RFID system, whereupon the metallic portion is coupled to the antenna in such a manner as to disable the RFID circuitry so long as the disabling device is at the operative position. The RFID circuitry is arranged to be automatically enabled upon removal of the disabling device from the operative position.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: TC License Ltd.Inventors: Matthew K. Burnett, Scott Noakes, Frank Mestas
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Patent number: 7777616Abstract: In an intersection information provision system, multiple cameras are installed oriented towards the direction where each road extends from the intersection. Each camera captures as an image or video the state ranging from the intersection to each road. Therefore, the area of the captured image by each camera is narrowed down. When this captured image is displayed in a display unit of a navigation apparatus in a vehicle, the driver of the vehicle can perform safety check easily. Furthermore, according to the traveling direction of the vehicle at the intersection, a display pattern of several captured images to be displayed is determined. According to the determined display pattern, multiple captured images are displayed in order. Therefore, image information required to pass through the intersection safely can be offered without shortage to the driver of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Mase, Ichirou Yoshida
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Patent number: 7778794Abstract: A system and method are provided in which an element of a structure may be reliably identified. For example, a system may include a part selection element configured to interact with at least one positional marker having a predefined location. The part selection element is also configured to select at least a portion of a structure, with the structure being positioned at a predetermined location and orientation. The part selection element may also be configured to identify a depth within the structure. The system also includes a computing device configured to identify an element of the structure based upon the position and orientation of the part selection element and the portion of the structure selected by the part selection element. In instances in which a depth is identified, the computing device may also be configured to identify the element of the structure at the depth identified within the structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Paul Robert Davies, Anthony E. Majoros
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Publication number: 20100205640Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method, system and computer-readable medium for conveying audio/video information. The method detects a presence of at least one automobile and communicates such presence to an information system comprising a number of display devices (DN) and an information processing unit. The processing unit contains a library of audio/video portions, each audio/video portion having a total run time (VTL), where each audio/video portion is divisible into segments (VN) having a segment run time (VSL) such that VN?DN and VTL÷Dn=VSL. The processing unit estimates a total viewing time (TV) to provide the audio/video information; parses the audio/video information into DN separate segments; and selects one parsed audio/video portion such that VTL of the selected audio/video portion is substantially equal to TV. The selected audio/video segments are communicated to the display devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey Steinborn, Robert Zimmerman, Joyce D. Peacock, Bill Morton, Daniel Hayes
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Publication number: 20100201544Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of air traffic detection systems for a first aircraft, said system having detection capabilities in a region situated about said first aircraft, said system comprising at least one head-up display device, said device comprising means of generating, collimating and superimposing symbols on the external landscape intended to assist in the piloting of said first aircraft in the horizontal and vertical planes. When a second aircraft is detected by the air traffic detection system, the display device displays a specific system of symbols representative of the location of said second aircraft. The position and the configuration of this system of symbols depend on the position of the second aircraft in relation to the first. It also depends on the type of system, depending on whether the latter is an anticollision system or a guidance system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: THALESInventors: Thierry Ganille, Regis Azarian, Eric Filliatre
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Patent number: 7773772Abstract: A device and method for easy correction of camera installation errors in a vehicle. A device comprises an input frame buffer receiving pixel data representing camera-generated images, a rearrangement table describing rules for rearrangement of the pixel data, an error-correction table describing rules for adjusting the pixel data to correct an installation error of the cameras, an output frame buffer receiving rearranged pixel data for display and a controller reading the pixel data from the input frame buffer, rearranging the pixel data based on the rearrangement and/or the error-correction table and storing rearranged pixel data in the output frame buffer. The method includes preparing plural error-correction tables corresponding to a magnitude of an installation error, displaying the composite image and correcting the installation error using at least one of the error-correction tables as a reference for a respective image used to create the composite image.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ken Oizumi
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Patent number: 7768427Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Image Sensign Systems, Inc.Inventor: Dan Manor
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Patent number: 7768426Abstract: The system described is an integrated parking management system which makes use of patented vehicle detectors to collect and transmit data, essentially in near real time, as to all events happening as to single or multiple parking spaces (e.g. current and historic use, length of time of occupancy of current occupant) to a central clearing device for which patent application has been made which serves as a logic core and repository, making use of proprietary software, analyzing, displaying and distributing the data so developed as to a parking plant and all of its components to allow all parties (including prospective users) who are concerned with the various aspects of a parking plant and its components (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Innovapark, LLCInventor: Eric Groft
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Patent number: 7764197Abstract: A method and system for synchronization of detection loops in a multilane environment. A plurality of loop sensors are arranged in a plurality of lanes such that loop sensors in adjacent lanes are mutually contiguous. A simultaneous synchronization signal is sent to each of the plurality of loop detector controllers, where each loop detector controller is in communication with a loop sensor. The signal causes a scheduling of sampling periods for each loop sensor, such that the sampling period of each loop sensor does not overlap with that of a contiguous loop in an adjacent lane.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: United Toll Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jim Allen, Balaraju Banna, Malcolm Talley, David C. Allen, Sr., Allen Jacobs
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Patent number: 7764196Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes cameras encased in vandalism and weather resistant housings, which attach to the outside or inside of a tunnel. The cameras provide for overhead, side, front, and rear views of a vehicle as the vehicle approaches and enters the tunnel and as the vehicle exits and leaves the tunnel. In order to provide the views, the camera devices are strategically located at the entrance of the tunnel, at the exit of the tunnel, and within the tunnel. The cameras are attached directly to the structure of the tunnel or are attached to a frame that can be installed inside the tunnel or attached to the tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Inventor: Kevin Allen Spears
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Patent number: 7765027Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a position and an orientation of a mobile robot. The apparatus includes: a ceiling image grabber for obtaining a ceiling image of an area where the mobile device travels; a mark detector for detecting a retro-reflective artificial mark from the ceiling image, the retro-reflective artificial mark including a first mark and a second mark, each including a non-reflective portion and an infrared reflective portion; and a position & orientation estimator for estimating a position and an orientation of the mobile device using a position of the artificial mark or encoder information according to whether detection of the artificial mark is successful.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sun-gi Hong, Seokwon Bang, Dong Ryeol Park
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Patent number: 7765056Abstract: A system for measuring a magnetic signature of a vehicle, including: at least a first set of sensors (Cxi) that are stationary and arranged along at least a first direction; at least a second set of sensors (Cyj) that are stationary and arranged along at least a second direction that intersects the first direction; a common sensor (Cxy0) arranged at a location where the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors intersect, said common sensor belonging to the first and the second sets of sensors, wherein the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors are arranged so that the vehicle passes above at least part of the sensors of the first and second set of sensors; and a calculation device for calculating a relation between a time signature So(t) of the vehicle passing above the common sensor and a spatial profile So(x) resulting from measurements made by the first set of sensors.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Viviane Cattin, Roland Blanpain, Bruno Flament, Bernard Guilhamat
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Publication number: 20100171641Abstract: A method for monitoring vehicle movement for use in a first vehicle includes the steps of determining a lane location at a first point in time, determining a position of a second vehicle at a second point in time, the second point in time being subsequent to the first point in time, and determining a path of the second vehicle based at least in part on the position of the second vehicle and the lane location.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: ERIC L. RAPHAEL, FREDERICK I. JOHNSON
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Patent number: 7751973Abstract: An in-vehicle system and method for warning a driver of upcoming curves in a road including. In general, a vehicle positioning module determines the vehicle's position in a global positioning system and a map matching module determines the vehicle's position on a map based on the position in the global positioning system. A look ahead module looks ahead on the map for a curve, determines a candidate list of probable driving paths through the curve, and from this candidate list determines the most likely path of the vehicle around the curve. A warning module then assesses the threat the upcoming curve poses to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2004Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Faroog Abdel-kareem Ibrahim
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Patent number: 7741977Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating the travel time of a vehicle as it transits through multiple locations. The method and apparatus includes a device for detecting a radio signal from a vehicle, attaching information to the radio signal, and transmitting a message packet with the signal and attached information to a central server. The central server stores the message packet. The central server compares the information in the message packet against other stored message packets received from multiple locations. When matching information is found, an algorithm is run to compute a vehicle travel time between two locations.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: John E. Buchalo, Paul M. Bocci, Richard H. Noens, Scott J. Propp
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Patent number: 7739042Abstract: A system (10) for viewing location marker data on a display (14) located in a vehicle (16) has a transponder (20) located on a structure (18) and a transmitter (22) located on the vehicle, which transmits a first signal (24). The transponder receives the first signal and transmits a second signal (26) with a first identification tag. A receiver (28) in the vehicle receives the second signal. A microprocessor (30) in the vehicle interprets the first identification tag and displays location marker data corresponding to the first identification tag on the display.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Inventors: Sharon Stiller, Nelson Adrian Blish, Sierra Stiller-Saiger, Lou Horvath
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Patent number: 7739000Abstract: At least one waveform characteristic of a vehicular sensor waveform is reported in a wireless vehicular sensor network. The vehicular sensor waveform results a vehicle's presence near a wireless vehicular sensor node. The waveform characteristic may be rising edge, falling edge, waveform duration and/or waveform midpoint of vehicular sensor waveform. Report transmission uses at least one wireless physical transport. Transmitting the report may initiate a response across the wireless physical transport, preferably from an access point, an acknowledgement of receiving the report. The transmitted report may be received by an access point in the wireless vehicular sensor network. The wireless vehicular sensor network may create any of a vehicular traffic report, a vehicular parking report, and/or a vehicular speeding report, based upon the received vehicular sensor waveform report.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Sensys Networks, IncInventor: Robert Kevaler
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Patent number: 7739036Abstract: A navigation system (10) adapted for use with a vehicle (12) having an operator (14) includes a map database (16) presenting a current vehicle path, a locator device (20) communicatively coupled to the database (16) and configured to determine the location of the vehicle (12) and to associate the location with a position point within the database (16). The system (10) further includes an improved indicator (34) configured to predictively communicate an upcoming condition to the operator (14), determine a time-dependent-variable condition, compare a current condition of the vehicle (12) to the upcoming condition, and alert the operator (14) to a non-compliant comparison. The system (10) is further configured to receive preferences from the operator (14) and vehicle (12), so as to present a modifiable mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Donald K. Grimm, Varsha Sadekar, Sarmad Y. Hermiz
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Publication number: 20100141479Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting targets in roadway intersections. Transmit antennas transmit signals into a roadway intersection. Receive antennas receive corresponding signal reflections off objects in the roadway. The reflections correspond to two dimensional image data for the roadway intersection. The reflections are conditioned for compatibility with a processor. The processor processes the condition reflections into a two dimensional image of targets in the roadway intersection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: David V. Arnold, Bryan R. Jarrett, Thomas W. Karlinsey, Ryan L. Smith, Jonathan L. Waite
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Publication number: 20100141478Abstract: Provided are an adaptive communication method and a sensor node for performing the same. The sensor node adaptively selects transmitted signal output strength and a wakeup zone of transmitted data based on a received signal strength indication of a control packet received from a sink node and existence of an obstacle acquired through a sensor, and transmits data based on the adaptive selection. Also, during an operation as a receive mode, the sensor node wakes up and determines whether to receive the data from the transmit node based on wakeup zone configuration information per sensor node received from the sink node and a wakeup zone selected by a sensor node currently operable as a transmit node.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Jae Han LIM, Jungsook Kim, Kyeong Tae Kim, Byung Tae Jang, Kyung Bok Sung, Jaejun Yoo, Do Hyun Kim, Jeong Dan Choi, Jeong Ah Jang
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Patent number: 7722454Abstract: A system for generating revenue includes a fee collection station. The fee collection station may include a controller and a fee receiver in communication with the controller for receiving a predetermined fee from a plurality of users. The fee receiver may also receive a predetermined participation fee from the plurality of users that selectively participate in a game. The fee collection station may also comprise an indicator in communication with the controller and adjacent to the fee receiver for indicating to participating users one of a winning indication or a losing indication. The participating users that receive the winning indication may receive a predetermined reward.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Inventors: Kenneth R. Thompson, Debra R. Hatch