Vehicle Detectors Patents (Class 340/933)
  • Patent number: 8830046
    Abstract: A normal image quality coding unit generates normal-quality compressed moving image data by compressing moving image data generated by capturing an image around a vehicle with a normal image quality. A high image quality coding unit generates high-quality compressed moving image data by compressing the moving image data with an image quality higher than the normal image quality. The normal-quality compressed moving image data is recorded in a normal image quality data storage unit. A trigger detection unit detects an abnormal condition which possibly happens to the vehicle currently travelling. A high image quality data storage unit records therein the high-quality compressed moving image data based on a timing by which the abnormal condition is detected by the trigger detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoriko Yagi, Junichi Nakahashi, Miho Tanji
  • Patent number: 8830087
    Abstract: A beacon with a transceiver for radio communication with vehicle OBUs of a road toll system, wherein the transceiver has a directional antenna and is configured to communicate wirelessly with OBUs on a selected channel directed via the directional antenna wherein the transceiver is additionally equipped with an omnidirectional antenna and is configured to transmit, before the beginning of a directional radio communication, by means of the omnidirectional antenna a channel reservation message and/or to check, before the beginning of a directional radio communication, by means of the omnidirectional antenna whether the selected channel is free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kapsch TrafficCom AG
    Inventors: Jasja Tijink, Robert Povolny, Gerald Zottl
  • Patent number: 8823553
    Abstract: The invention concerns a traffic detector (200) comprising: a hermetically closed tube (202); the said tube (202) delimiting at least one chamber (218), each chamber (218) extending from one of the ends of the said tube (202), for each chamber (218), a piezoelectric sensor placed at the corresponding end of the tube (202) and suitable for transforming the shock waves received into an electrical signal; the traffic detector (200) being characterised in that it comprises an elastic band (204) and fixing devices (208, 210) intended to keep the said elastic band (204) tensioned between the ends of the said tube (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Eco Compteur
    Inventors: Christophe Milon, Jean-Claude Dubois
  • Patent number: 8823552
    Abstract: A combination includes a vehicle and an apparatus disposed in the vehicle for generating and displaying a predefined light pattern. The apparatus includes an actuator, a light source productive of collimated light disposed in operable communication with the actuator, and an optical beam shaper disposed in optical communication with the light source. The optical beam shaper is operable to transform collimated light from the light source into non-collimated light productive of a predefined light pattern on a projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Raphael, James N. Nickolaou, Anna Saadatjoo
  • Publication number: 20140240146
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods of the present invention include efficient, reliable aggregation and transfer of one or more sensor pods detect status to the base station and then the traffic controller. An embodiment of an access point maintains a sensor state array, which is the current status of the sensor pods in communication with the access point. The access point can maintain the sensor state array in its memory and relay the sensor state array to the base station. An embodiment of a base station can use the sensor state array information to generate and update a vehicle detector array, which is the current status of all the sensor pods in the wireless vehicle detector network. An embodiment of the base station emulates one or more bus interface units and uses the vehicle detector array to relay detector information to the traffic controller periodically or when polled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NAZTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Clyde Neel, Darren Beyer, Timothy Fiebrich, Michael Green, Kenneth W. MacLeod, Srikar Vadlamani, Mark Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20140232563
    Abstract: Magnetometers under the road surface detect variations in the vertical and longitudinal horizontal components of the magnetic field over time in response to passing vehicles. A trajectory of these components in the phase space of these field components is regularized to obtain a magnetic signature. Magnetic signatures are compared using cross-correlation over arc length to identify vehicles. Inductance sensors can be used to detect vehicles and help determine the beginning and end of magnetic signatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Wolfgang Engler, Brian Heath, Cedar Mah
  • Patent number: 8810385
    Abstract: A handheld, portable device is used to facilitate inspection of vehicles, by wirelessly conveying an activation command to the vehicle to actuate a vehicle component, to facilitate inspection of the actuated component. The activation command is received by a wireless data link in the vehicle, which is electrically/logically coupled to either a switch that controls actuation of the component, an actuator configured to manipulate the component, and/or a vehicle processor configured to selectively convey an actuation command to the component. In some embodiments, in response to conveying the activation command, the handheld device enables the user to input a condition of the actuated component, which is added to an inspection record. In some embodiments, the handheld device sends a query to the vehicle, which results in the handheld device providing an indication to a user of each component in the vehicle that is capable of remote actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Zonar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Brett Brinton
  • Patent number: 8810381
    Abstract: A head-up display device is presented having first and second display units that are provided on a surface of an instrument panel of a vehicle opposed to a windshield of the vehicle. The display device is configured to selectably indicate a plurality of information dots in a row on the windshield such that the plurality of information dots are superposed on a real image in a traveling direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching Fong, Rodrigo Said Ocampo Ayub, Pedro Morales Ramirez, Victor Hugo Salinas Fox
  • Publication number: 20140226016
    Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting traffic objects. Radiated energy is captured at a detection device, wherein the radiated energy is radiated from traffic objects. Data associated with the radiated energy is generated. The data associated with the radiated energy is transmitted using a communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Doug FINLAY
  • Patent number: 8800390
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for detecting contact within a monitored area. A piezoelectric sensor is attached to one end of a detector which is positioned for contact by passing items or individuals. The detector may correspond to a plurality of parallel, rubber calendared cables or a strip of polycarbonate resin. Body deformations induced into the detector upon contact travel to the piezoelectric sensor and are detected as strain coupled to the piezoelectric sensor. The apparatus and methodology may be employed to detect vehicular traffic along travel paths, human contact with walls or floors, manufactured product contact with delivery systems or any other physical contact by animate or inanimate objects or individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: David Alan Weston
  • Patent number: 8797188
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a low power operated loop type vehicle detecting apparatus, and particularly, to a low power operated loop type vehicle detecting apparatus that comprises an LC resonator with a loop coil installed in a detecting area, a resonance oscillation circuit unit, and a vehicle behavior determination unit. The vehicle detecting apparatus further comprises: a behavior determination clock generator for generating a behavior determination clock; a count controller for setting clock count time in a steady-state period; a behavior determination clock counter for counting the behavior determination clock during the clock count time set by the count controller; and a vehicle behavioral state determiner for determining a vehicle behavioral state in a detecting area, based on the counting value of the behavior determination clock counter. Power consumption can thereby be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Moru Inven Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 8791838
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for parking based route navigation and/or parking resource management are disclosed to facilitate navigation to parking spots associated with a destination and/or management of respective parking spots. Navigation may be provided to a parking spot based upon parking criteria (e.g., such as distance to a destination and/or costs associated with the parking spot). Additionally, navigation (e.g., instructions, alternate transport, such as public transit) from the parking spot to the destination may be provided. Parking spots may be reserved by a parking management system based upon reservations received through a parking based route navigation system. Travelers may be re-routed based upon parking factors (e.g., traffic around a parking location, parking density, etc.). Accordingly, travelers may be routed to a destination in a more efficient manner and/or a management system may price and/or allocate parking spots in a desired manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: INRIX, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Scofield, Kush G. Parikh
  • Patent number: 8788187
    Abstract: A method and system for providing taxiway navigational information to a crewmember of an airplane taxiing at an airport. An airport taxiway navigation system (“ATNS”) that executes on an onboard computer system that displays a map of the taxiways of an airport, receives the name of each taxiway of the taxi route specified by the taxi clearance, and highlights the taxiways on a displayed map to provide a visual indication of the cleared taxi route for the crewmembers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Reagan Doose, Richard W. Ellerbrock, Glade L. Hulet, John M. Jauglias, Matthew T. Majka
  • Patent number: 8788136
    Abstract: In a lane keeping assistance method for a vehicle which is traveling in a lane, it is checked whether an activation criterion for an automatic driving dynamics intervention is satisfied, and in response to the satisfaction of the activation criterion, control signals are output for the driving dynamics intervention. A remaining travel time to crossing or reaching a lateral lane line is ascertained and compared to a threshold value as the activation criterion. During the automatic driving dynamics intervention, a deactivation criterion for ending the automatic driving dynamics intervention is checked, the deactivation criterion including a comparison of a vehicle alignment to a lane direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Rentschler, Florian Hauler
  • Patent number: 8780100
    Abstract: A display is disclosed, such as for a vehicle. A brightness sensor receives light from a flexible fiber-optic cable. An adapter element is provided proximate, such as between, the light output point of the optical fiber and the brightness sensor. The adapter element may be an angled piece, and may be extruded onto the optical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas Arheit, Markus Loeffler, Gerhard Kammerer, Detlef Kuehn, Mike Duss, Thomas Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8779938
    Abstract: A road traffic control system is applied to an intersection to control traffic and includes a light support, three traffic lights, a speed measuring device, a light controller, and an alarm. The light support is installed at one lane at the intersection; the three traffic lights are installed on the light support to control traffic. The speed measuring device is installed on guardrails on the lane to measure current speed of vehicle. When one of the traffic lights changes its color to indicate stopping, the light controller synchronously controls the speed measuring device to detect the current speed of the vehicle that is passing through the speed measuring device, and compares the measured speed of the vehicle with a preset speed limit. The alarm outputs warning signals when the measured speed is above the preset speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Jiang-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 8779942
    Abstract: A vehicle detector detects bicycles and discriminates between a bicycle and a motorized vehicle using a specific signature analysis technique when operated in the bicycle detect mode and the bicycle only detect mode. The signature analysis technique employs two sets of rules: one set for a bicycle which produces a signature having at least two peaks and two valleys when passing over a loop connected to the vehicle detector; the other for a bicycle which produces a signature having two peaks and only one valley when passing over a marginal side region of a loop connected to the vehicle detector. Peak and valley searches are conducted sequentially, with a peak search being conducted first upon start-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Reno A & E
    Inventors: Thomas Ray Potter, Jason Zhen-Yu Lu
  • Patent number: 8781172
    Abstract: Methods, systems and processor-readable media for enhancing performance of an automated license plate recognition system utilizing multiple results. Multiple images can be captured as a vehicle passes through an observation zone and each image can be processed utilizing an ALPR unit to obtain a plate code result and associated confidence values. Iterative processing of character level information across an OCR code followed by a higher level error checking based on learned context information can be performed. A string correlation approach can be employed to optimally align the OCR code from multiple images despite noise factors. The OCR confidence and state mask information can then be leveraged to select a character for an output plate code taking into account the ALPR error sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir Kozitsky, Aaron Michael Burry
  • Patent number: 8773283
    Abstract: A road traffic control system is applied to an intersection to control traffic and includes a light support, three traffic lights, a bracket, a number of indicators and a light controller. The light support is installed at one side of one lane at the intersection; the traffic lights are fixed on the light support and above the lane. The bracket is installed at one side of another lane at the intersection, and a number of stop lines are formed on the lane. The indicators are fixed on the bracket and above the stop lines to control traffic. The light controller controls to synchronously turn on or off the plurality of indicators and the traffic lights, and the indicators emit the same color light as the traffic lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Jiang-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 8773287
    Abstract: A vehicle detector (10) comprises a vehicle sensor (14) arranged for sensing disturbances caused by a vehicle, a digitizer of a microprocessor (20) connected to the vehicle sensor (14). The vehicle detector (10) further comprises a memory (18) connected to the digitizer and arranged for storing the digital representation, an antenna (12) and a transmitter of a radio unit (40). The microprocessor (20) also comprises a controller arranged for controlling operation of the vehicle sensor (14), and the transmitter. The vehicle detector has a housing (49) enclosing the vehicle sensor (14), the digitizer, the memory, the transmitter and the controller. The housing (49) provides protection against mechanical damage and moisture, thereby enabling the housing to be placed under ground. The antenna (12) is provided outside the housing (49) and at a distance from the housing (49) for enabling placement of the antenna (12) within a roadway surface coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sensebit AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Zettergren, Patrik Söderberg, Karl Nilvér, David Kulander
  • Patent number: 8766818
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for allocating parking spaces for vehicles in a parking area. In one embodiment, the invention provides a system comprising a sensor system for generating output representing measurements of vehicles in the parking area, a marking system for identifying parking spaces in the parking area, and a controller for calculating parking spaces for vehicles. The controller obtains defined measurements for the vehicles in the parking area, and calculates for each of the vehicles, a respective one parking space in the parking area. In an embodiment, the controller allocates a size and a position for each parking space in the parking area, and operates the marking system to mark each parking space to facilitate driving the vehicles into the parking spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rudranil D. Gupta, Kaushik Lahiri
  • Patent number: 8760317
    Abstract: An upstream vehicle detection system captures images of a vehicle as it travels through a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane or high occupancy vehicle tolling (HOT) station and generates an hypothesis as to whether the vehicle is complying with HOV or HOT rules based on image analysis. A database of historical information about various vehicles' compliance with HOV or HOT rules is consulted to determine whether the vehicle has previously been identified as a potential violator and pulled over by law enforcement as a result. If the vehicle was previously pulled over by law enforcement and determined to be complying with HOV or HOT rules (a false positive), then the violation hypothesis may be weighted in favor of not pulling the vehicle over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Paul, Mark Cantelli, Beilei Xu, Abu Islam
  • Patent number: 8760318
    Abstract: A method for monitoring of traffic patterns and securely processing events of violations of traffic regulations on at least one designated surface incorporating steps of positioning at least one mobile traffic monitoring and recording module arranged to monitor traffic on at least one designated surface, to detect events of potential violations of traffic regulations, to store information pertinent to the monitored traffic and detected events of potential violations of traffic regulations, and to transmit, using a secure wireless method, at least a portion of the stored information for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Optotraffic, LLC
    Inventors: Jacobo Marcos Sirota, David Keshvar Mostofi, Stephen John Kay, Mario Alberto Bohorquez
  • Patent number: 8760274
    Abstract: When a cargo trailer is coupled to a truck, a trailer tracking device on the trailer acquires an identifier of a truck tracking device attached to the truck. The trailer tracking device then transmits a message to a central server indicating that the trailer is coupled to the truck, which message includes the identifiers of the two tracking devices. The central server associates the identifiers of the two tracking devices in a database. When the trailer is decoupled from the truck, the trailer tracking device transmits a message to the central server indicating that the trailer is decoupled. The trailer tracking device then goes into a sleep mode until the trailer is again coupled to a truck, a predetermined time interval expires, a motion sensor indicates trailer movement, location coordinates indicate a geofence violation, or a low battery voltage condition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Spireon, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Boling, Ezra T. Peachey
  • Patent number: 8761997
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least one component of a motor vehicle provided with energy storage means. The method comprises the steps of determination of an energy reserve value of the vehicle; evaluation of at least one critical energy autonomy threshold; and comparison of the energy reserve value with at least one critical autonomy threshold so as to deduce therefrom a setpoint signal for controlling the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Martin Grimm, Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 8760316
    Abstract: A transponder communication system and method for communicating with a transponder in an electronic toll collection system. A roadside reader attempts to program the transponder in a normal mode in which a programming signal is transmitted to a first coverage area. If the programming attempt in the normal mode is unsuccessful, the reader attempts to program the transponder in an enhanced mode in which a programming signal is transmitted to a second coverage area. The coverage area is adjusted after the programming attempt in the normal mode by using an adjacent antenna to the antenna used to transmit in the normal mode or by increasing the power of the programming signal to a level that is greater than the level used to transmit the programming signal in the normal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kapsch Trafficcom Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Japjeev Kohli, Alastair Malarky
  • Patent number: 8754784
    Abstract: A system for providing parking information based on dual wireless communication including a vehicle terminal configured to connect to a server via a first wireless communication network when a parking information request is generated, and configured to connect to the server via a second wireless communication network if a connection via the first wireless communication network is failed, thereby receiving and displaying the parking information on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Woo Ji, Jun Hyeong Lee, Hyun Cheol Bae, Hun Joung Yoon
  • Patent number: 8754785
    Abstract: A system and method to capture a plurality of images and store the captured images. The system has multiple camera systems capable of transmitting image data. At least one camera system is equipped with an apparatus for determining location coordinates such as GPS. A computer system monitors location coordinates, retrieves image data from the camera systems, and stores the image data into a file. A contiguous array of location coordinates is entered and the computer system locates camera systems within the contiguous array of location coordinates; retrieves image data from the located camera systems; and files the image data taken from each of the camera systems to obtain a file of image data. The system provides the ability to serially interleave frames or video captured from multiple sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Rauscher, Carl E. Werner
  • Patent number: 8749403
    Abstract: A parking meter receives data indicative of a remote payment being completed and displays an amount of time purchased by the remote payment for a parking session. The parking meter determines an amount of time remaining in the parking session and powers down at least a portion of a meter communication subsystem subsequent to receiving the data indicative of the remote payment being completed. The parking meter wakes up the powered down portion of the communication subsystem upon determining that the amount of time remaining is below a threshold time, and can receive an indication of additional time being paid for remotely, and can update the displayed time remaining to reflect the additional time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: IPS Group Inc.
    Inventors: David W. King, Chad P. Randall
  • Publication number: 20140152473
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle for monitoring cross-traffic includes a transmitting device for transmitting electromagnetic signals and operable for monitoring a kidney-shaped area in both a first monitoring direction and in a second monitoring direction and a receiving device for receiving electromagnetic signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Martin Mühlenberg, Thomas Wixforth
  • Publication number: 20140152472
    Abstract: An object location confirmation system for use in an area is provided. The area includes a first zone and a second zone. The object location confirmation system includes a first retrieving device, a second retrieving device, and a data processing apparatus. The first retrieving device is disposed on a path of the area to retrieve a first datum of an object. The second retrieving device is disposed in a boundary region of the second zone. The data processing apparatus is configured to receive the first datum and identify the first datum so as to generate a piece of identification information related to the object. The data processing apparatus determines and records that the object is located in the first zone when the data processing apparatus receives the identification information related to the object and has not received a second datum of the object retrieved from the second retrieving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUTE FOR INFORMATION INDUSTRY
    Inventors: Sheng-Po TSENG, Shih-Yao DAI
  • Patent number: 8742948
    Abstract: A server device may receive parking information that identifies a first plurality of parking spots, within a parking structure, that are available for parking, and a second plurality of parking spots, within the parking structure, that are unavailable for parking; store the parking information in association with information identifying the parking structure; receive, from a user device, a request for parking information associated with the parking structure; populate, in response to the request, a visual representation of the parking structure with the parking information, where the visual representation of the parking structure identifies the first plurality of parking spots and the second plurality of parking spots; and transmit the visual representation of the parking structure to the user device to assist a user, of the user device, in locating one of the first plurality of parking spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Dahai Ren
  • Patent number: 8736464
    Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system and method for presenting a dynamic checklist are disclosed. The system may be comprised of one or more vehicular sources of internal system data and a checklist generating processor, and a presentation unit such as a visual display unit. An automated response corresponding to each checklist item appearing on the dynamic checklist may be determined after real-time internal system data is received and applied to an acceptability configuration defined by a manufacturer and/or end-user. Then, a presentation data set representative of a dynamic vehicular checklist and comprised of each checklist item and its corresponding automated response could be generated and provided to a presentation unit which presents the dynamic checklist, whereby the user is presented with acceptability information of one or more of the checklist items. Additionally, the dynamic checklist may receive and present external data, and may provide for pilot interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Downs Mullen
  • Patent number: 8736419
    Abstract: Position data received wirelessly from a vehicle enrolled in an inspection waiver program are employed to determine when the enrolled vehicle is approaching an inspection station. After determining that the enrolled vehicle is approaching an inspection station, and if the enrolled vehicle has a valid inspection waiver, a bypass confirmation can selectively be provided to the vehicle operator, authorizing the operator to bypass the inspection station. The task of determining when an enrolled vehicle is approaching the location of an inspection station can be performed using a processor disposed in the vehicle, or at a remote location separate from both the vehicle and the inspection station, or at the inspection station. The inspection stations can be mobile so that their locations are varied to prevent operators from intentionally avoiding an inspection, as may occur with fixed inspection stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Zonar Systems
    Inventors: Charles Michael McQuade, Brett Brinton, William Brinton, Jr., Christopher Oliver, Frederíck Fakkema
  • Patent number: 8736463
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to maneuvering autonomous vehicles. Specifically, the vehicle may use a laser to collect scan data for a section of roadway. The vehicle may access a detailed map including the section of the roadway. A disturbance indicative of an object and including a set of data points data may be identified from the scan data based on the detailed map. The detailed map may also be used to estimate a heading of the disturbance. A bounding box for the disturbance may be estimated using the set of data points as well as the estimated heading. The parameters of the bounding box may then be adjusted in order to increase or maximize the average density of data points of the disturbance along the edges of the bounding box visible to the laser. This adjusted bounding box may then used to maneuver the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jiajun Zhu, Dirk Haehnel
  • Publication number: 20140139360
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor module 1 for embedding in street A, comprising an outer housing (casing, box) 2 fitted with a lid 3 in the housing of which there is at least one sensor 4 of presence or arrival/departure of vehicles, characterized by the fact that it is comprised of a second box 6 arranged inside the first housing 2 and attached to the lid 3 and inside which is the sensor 4, so as to obtain a module made of two parts, one that remains in the ground and one that is easily removed, removing it at the same time or the sensors with associated electronics. The invention also relates to a system using a plurality of sensor modules as this, in communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Ignasi Vilajosana Guillen, Jordi Llosa Melich
  • Patent number: 8730061
    Abstract: A method comprises: disposing an on-board unit at a preset relative position with respect to a road-side unit; transmitting a signal by the road-side unit; receiving the signal by the on-board unit and detecting a strength of the received signal; calculating, by the on-board unit, a calculated strength of the received signal according to the detected strength of the received signal; storing the calculated strength of the received signal in a memory accessible by the on-board unit; using the stored calculated strength of the received signal to determine if payment of a toll should be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Beken Corporation
    Inventors: Yanfeng Wang, Dawei Guo, Jiazhou Liu
  • Patent number: 8730062
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing gun shot detection through a centralized parking services server is provided. Smart parking devices are physically proximate parking spaces. Acoustic sensors are deployed with at least one acoustic sensor in a smart parking device. Vehicle occupancy sensors and parking availability indicators are associated with the parking spaces. Parking space occupancy is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. Use of the parking space is processed based on an identity of a driver. Potential gunshots are detected by aurally monitoring ambient sounds in the service region through the acoustic sensors. The potential gunshots are identified by evaluating the ambient sounds for sound characteristics of gunfire and triangulating the ambient sounds relative to the locations of the acoustic sensor comprised in one of the smart parking devices and at least one other of the acoustic sensors. Finally, an alert is generated for the potential gunshot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Xerox Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig Eldershaw, Mark Jeffrey Stefik, Alan G. Bell, Lance E. Good, Daniel H. Greene, Francisco Eduardo Torres, Serdar Uckun, David Preston Cummins
  • Patent number: 8729446
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal R. Verfuerth
  • Patent number: 8730063
    Abstract: A fail-safe circuitry for a vehicle barrier security system prevents accidental raising of the barrier due to inadvertent closing of an activation relay causing power to be provided to an activation mechanism raising the barrier. A latching relay, having a latched state and reset state, is placed in series between the activation relay and the activation mechanism. The latching relay is reset whenever the OPEN switch is pressed for lowering the barrier or an automatic reset relay is energized by a controller whenever passage of a vehicle is sensed. Prior to raising the barrier, the latching relay must be reset, which can occur by pressing the OPEN switch or by the controller detecting passage of a prior vehicle and activating a automatic reset relay. Accidental raising of the barrier due to malfunctions of the activation relay due to vibrations is prevented by latching and resetting the latching relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: SecureUSA, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Lee Souther
  • Publication number: 20140132426
    Abstract: A method, system or computer usable program product for a wireless unit of a first vehicle detecting and locating other nearby vehicles including emitting a first short range wireless signal with the first wireless unit, the first wireless signal including a first unique identifier and a first location of the first vehicle, detecting a second short range wireless signal of a second wireless unit of a second vehicle without the first wireless unit establishing a connection with the second wireless unit, the second wireless signal including a second unique identifier and a second location of the second vehicle, and computing a relative location of the second vehicle from the second wireless signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Giovanna Cannizzaro, Patrizia Manganelli, Elisa Matteagi, Alessandro Raniolo
  • Publication number: 20140132425
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for monitoring roadway traffic. A method includes transmitting wireless signals from at least one roadside equipment (RSE) device and receiving responses by the RSE device from a wireless device, the responses including a unique identifier corresponding to the wireless device. The method includes determining a signal strength of each of the responses by the RSE device and transmitting response data from the RSE device to a control system, the response data including the unique identifier, the signal strength of each of the responses, and times that the responses were received. The method includes detecting at least one vehicle by the control system using a vehicle detection device and associating the response data with the detected vehicle. The method includes determining traffic information associated with the wireless device based on the received response data and the associated detected vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Wolfgang Erich Buckel
  • Patent number: 8723690
    Abstract: Methods and arrangements for employing roadside acoustics sensing in ascertaining traffic density states. Traffic monitoring input is received from a road segment, the traffic monitoring input including traffic audio input. The traffic monitoring input is processed and the processed traffic monitoring input is classified with a predetermined traffic density state. The classified traffic monitoring input is combined with other classified traffic monitoring input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Biplav Srivastava, Vivek Tyagi
  • Patent number: 8723688
    Abstract: A vehicle detection unit (VDU) is embedded beneath each of a plurality of parking spaces. Each VDU has a sensor which detects magnetic field fluctuations caused by the arrival and departure of a vehicle in the parking space. The VDU runs a vehicle detection algorithm to distinguish magnetic fluctuations caused by vehicles from “exceptional” magnetic fluctuations from other sources. The VDU also stores parameters which define notifiable vehicle space occupancy events. A processor of the VDU processes the sensor signal to determine occupancy status of the vehicle space, and compare the occupancy status of the vehicle space with the parameters in order to determine whether a notifiable event has occurred, such as a vehicle going into violation of parking restrictions. As necessary, the VDU initiates radio communications with a supervisory device, either a transient portable device such as a Parking Officer's PDA or a fixed radio node mounted within range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Sarb Management Group Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Carboon, Stephen Toal, Sandy Del Papa
  • Patent number: 8723689
    Abstract: A system and a method for detecting availability of a parking space in a parking facility are provided. A first method has the steps of providing a lighting system having at least one visible-light source for illumination of at least part of the parking space. Providing an available space time-of-flight trace. Providing an availability threshold value. Illuminating the at least part of the parking space using the at least one visible-light source. Emitting a status visible-light signal from the visible-light source in the predetermined direction toward the predetermined target in the parking space. Capturing a status reflection trace at the visible-light source. Determining a time-of-flight difference value by comparing the status reflection trace to the available space time-of-flight trace. Comparing the time-of-flight difference value with the availability threshold value and determining a status of the parking space to be one of available and not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Leddartech Inc.
    Inventor: Yvan Mimeault
  • Publication number: 20140125499
    Abstract: A barrier operator feature enhancement device is designed to provide one or more features found in modern barrier operator devices and to incorporate those features into a previously installed barrier operator system. To facilitate ease of use, the barrier operator feature enhancement device can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. To facilitate the ease of installation, the device is designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator. Once configured to be able to communicate with the previously installed barrier operator, the feature enhancement device works with the barrier operator to provide one or more additional features to enhance the capabilities of the previously installed barrier operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: THE CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Casparus Cate, James J. Fitzgibbon, Robert R. Keller, Jr., Sapta Gireesh Pudipeddi, Cory Sorice
  • Patent number: 8717197
    Abstract: A method is provided for assessing the attentiveness of the driver of motor vehicle traveling in a lane including, but not limited to detecting the position of the motor vehicle on the lane transverse to the direction of travel, determining the extent of fluctuations of the position, and assessing the attentiveness as insufficient if within an observation period at least one first significant period is detected in which the extent of fluctuations of the position falls below a first low limiting value and a second significant period is detected in which the extent of the fluctuations exceeds a second high limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ralf Rathmacher, Thomas Schramm, Oliver Schepp
  • Patent number: 8711006
    Abstract: The vehicle detection apparatus includes a communication unit, a magnetic sensing unit, a calibration information generation unit, a vehicle detection unit, and a control unit. The communication unit receives information about movement of a reference vehicle from a central management center. The magnetic sensing unit senses the change in a magnetic field attributable to the movement of a vehicle, and generates a magnetic signal. The calibration information generation unit generates calibration information. The vehicle detection unit calibrates the change in the magnetic signal attributable to movement of an actual vehicle based on the calibration information, and detects the movement of the actual vehicle. The control unit controls the above units, and sets the mode to calibration information generation mode in order to generate the calibration information and to vehicle detection mode in order to sense the movement of the actual vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jae-Jun Yoo, Do-Hyun Kim, Jong-Hyun Park, Kyong-Ho Kim, Jong-Woo Choi
  • Patent number: 8704680
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved large-area parking-monitoring system. It comprises first and second parking-monitoring devices. The first parking-monitoring device transmits its parking occupancy data to the second parking-monitoring device via WiFi signals. The second parking-monitoring device transmits the collected parking occupancy data to a base station via cellular signals. This parking-monitoring system has a reduced cellular usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: HangZhou HaiCun Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8704679
    Abstract: A packet processing framework is provided for a vehicle-to-vehicle communication packet processing system. The framework includes a neighborhood vehicle tracking module for tracking neighboring vehicles relative to a host vehicle. The neighborhood vehicle tracking module assigns a priority level of neighboring vehicles relative to a host vehicle. An adaptive security processing module regulates messages streamed to the neighboring vehicle tracker module that are in accordance with the priorities set forth by the neighborhood vehicle tracking module. The adaptive security processing module selects security modes and schedules messages streamed to the neighborhood vehicle tracking module as a function of priorities set forth by the neighborhood vehicle tracking module, a communication reliability of the transmitting neighboring vehicle, and a likelihood that a message from the neighboring vehicle is genuine as determined by the adaptive security processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Aravind V. Iyer, Aditya R Karnik, Bhargav R. Bellur