Inductive Patents (Class 340/941)
  • Publication number: 20120026013
    Abstract: Sensor nodes are disclosed that act like inductive loops to detect the presence and/or movement of vehicles on at least one roadway. Processors are disclosed using at least one sensor node to communicate vehicle detection that is statistically compatible with the inductive loop response to the vehicles. Installation may configure at least one of the sensor nodes to implement the inductive loop compatibility. Sensor clusters of sensor nodes installed in a roadway may act as inductive loops. Computer readable memories, installation devices and/or servers may deliver a program system and/or a Finite State Machine (FSM) configuration to implement the compatibility and/or an installation package to install the program system and/or the FSM configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Anthony Fuller, Michael T. Volling, Kenneth Brian Cox
  • Patent number: 8035530
    Abstract: A system and method for regulating the flow of traffic at a roadway intersection having one or more traffic signals by positioning a processor in the vicinity of the intersection to store cycle times of the traffic flow directions, mounting an RFID reader in the vicinity of each traffic signal in communication with the processor, interrogating with the RFID reader an RFID tag on each RFID-tagged vehicle at the roadway intersection to count the number of RFID-tagged vehicles present in each traffic flow direction at the roadway intersection, calculating an unused time slice of the cycle time for a first traffic flow direction at the intersection; reducing the cycle time for the first traffic flow direction in accordance with the unused time slice; and, increasing the cycle time for a second traffic flow direction at the intersection in accordance with the unused time slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Sridhara Subbiah Ramasubbu
  • Patent number: 8035533
    Abstract: This document discloses using multiple wireless vehicular sensor nodes to wirelessly receive multiple, time-interleaved vehicular waveform reports from the nodes. Each vehicular waveform report approximates a raw vehicular sensor waveform observed by a magnetic sensor at the node based upon the presence of a vehicle. The vehicular waveform reports are products of this wirelessly receiving process. The document also discloses apparatus supporting the above outlined process. The vehicular waveform reports may be time synchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sensys Networks Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kavaler
  • Patent number: 8011694
    Abstract: A steering member unit includes a metal steering member body disposed to extend substantially in a vehicle width direction; metal side brackets that are fixed respectively to both ends of the steering member body and are attachable respectively to vehicle body side parts; and a metal stay that is fixed to an intermediate part of the steering member body and is attachable to a vehicle body floor. In an intermediate part of the steering member body, multiple ground current connecting members connectable to a vehicle body metal part are provided at intervals in a longitudinal direction (vehicle width direction) of the steering member body. Thereby, a resonance frequency of a wavelength depending on the distance of a magnetic field generated by a current flowing into the steering member body can be changed and adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Suzuki, Fumihiro Okazaki, Takeshi Anzai, Kazuhiko Horikoshi
  • Publication number: 20110193723
    Abstract: The present invention providing a system and installation method of wireless vehicle detection based on earth magnetic induction a signal collection module, a signal conditioning module, a MCU control module, a wireless communication module, a battery module and a signal receiver module includes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Zhong QIN, Keyi Wang, Shengyang Wang, Rushan Pan
  • Patent number: 7978097
    Abstract: A method, medium and implementing processing system are provided in which the presence of workers in a long highway construction zone is monitored and the electronically-controlled posted speed limit is adjusted in accordance with the detected presence of workers in the immediate area. In an example, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanners or readers are strategically placed in a construction or working area. Such RFID reading devices may be embedded, for example, in construction speed limit signs. The displayed speed limit is controlled by the detected proximity of construction workers wearing RFID-embedded clothing, for example, such as safety vests or helmets. The speed limit sign includes logic to display one of many possible speed limit displays based on the nearest, and/or the number of RFID signals detected in a given area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Arenburg, Franck Barillaud, Bradford Lee Cobb, Shivnath Dutta
  • Patent number: 7973675
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of sensors that provide information regarding instantaneous traffic conditions incident to an intersection. An inference engine of the system receives the sensor information and processes user-defined traffic control algorithms and weighted management parameters. Control signals are derived in accordance with the processing. Multi-state signaling devices are driven in accordance with the control signals so as to manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow at the intersection. Playback of historic traffic information permits analysis and verification of the traffic management strategies implemented by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John W. Glatfelter
  • Patent number: 7925440
    Abstract: A system and method for accurate express tolling of highway vehicles. A multilane tolling system comprises a tolling (MVIC) unit that collects information from tolling subsystems arranged to take various vehicle measurements. Preferably, an intelligent vehicle identification subsystem sends vehicle information to the MVIC unit many times per second. Preferably, a vision tracking system (VTS) communicates with the MVIC unit and sends the latter information about the vehicle position using vision tracking sensors. Preferably, an RF subsystem conducts multiple reads of a transponder on a passing vehicle and forwards the read information to the MVIC unit. Preferably, a vehicle image capture unit (VICU) captures images of the passing vehicle when a camera in the VICU receives a trigger from the MVIC unit. Preferably, a driver alert module is used alert a driver passing through a tolling point as to account balance associated with a silent toll tag or pay by plate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: United Toll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Allen, Sheng Zhong, Raghavan Venugopal, Tiegang Xie, Fajie Sun, Sangmesh Reddy, Brijesh Rai Chawla, Balaraju Banna, Shyamnath Harinath
  • Publication number: 20110074605
    Abstract: Provided are a loop type automobile sensing device formed integrally with a small loop coil, which has the automobile sensing sensitivity of a related art loop type automobile sensing device using a large loop coil, so as to greatly facilitate installing and maintaining of the loop type automobile sensing device and to expand the application scope of the loop type automobile sensing device, and a parking information system using the loop type automobile sensing device. In addition, the loop type automobile sensing device integrally formed with the loop coil is provided in plurality as automobile sensors to detect the presence and moving state of an automobile according to a signal from the automobile sensors, to control operations of a plurality of cameras, warning lamps, and display devices installed to a parking lot, and to notify parking information and automobile movement information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: MORU INVEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jeong Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 7907065
    Abstract: A system and method for activating vehicle sensors which are based on inductive loops. A transformer is used to couple the vehicle frame to activation circuitry. Within the activation circuitry, a voltage controlled oscillator which drives the transformer is scanned throughout the required frequency range while a balanced mixer, low-pass filter, and detector are arranged to show the presence of a signal from an inductive loop by the amplitude of the resultant signal at a difference frequency. The voltage controlled oscillator is then made to dwell at or near the frequency of the sensor loop by adjusting so as to keep the amplitude of that low-frequency difference as high as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Edward Anthony Richley
  • Patent number: 7880643
    Abstract: A method for tracking objects, especially for monitoring traffic, wherein a sensor measuring in an essentially horizontal and radial manner detects metrical data on moving objects in the form of raw data and transmits said data to a computer unit. The raw data is processed in the computer in such a way that the objects are tracked and the geometric properties thereof are determined. The static background is autonomously recognized and adapted or updated if changes occur. Objects in a present scene are tracked and current parameters are determined and correlated with the parameters of the objects of previous scenes. The method is particularly suitable for the detection and recognition of non-static traffic infractions which can only be recognized by analyzing the tracking of an object. The invention can be used in conjunction with several sensors in existing traffic control systems. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out the above-mentioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Logobject AG
    Inventors: Roberto Brega, Felix H. Wullschleger
  • Patent number: 7853402
    Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring the location of a mining vehicle in a mine. The first mine section (18) is provided with a wireless network (10) for data transmission between the mining vehicle (1, 1a, 1b) and the mine control system (11). In addition, the network is used for positioning. In the second mine section (21), the location is determined by means of measuring devices provided in the mining vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction OY
    Inventors: Hannu Mäkelä, Riku Pulli, Timo Soikkeli
  • Patent number: 7765056
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Viviane Cattin, Roland Blanpain, Bruno Flament, Bernard Guilhamat
  • Patent number: 7764197
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: United Toll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Allen, Balaraju Banna, Malcolm Talley, David C. Allen, Sr., Allen Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7739000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Sensys Networks, Inc
    Inventor: Robert Kevaler
  • Patent number: 7719413
    Abstract: An occupant detection system includes occupant sensors on each of plural seats, first resistors in connection to each of the occupant sensors with different resistance values, a power supply line that supplies electric power to the sensors and resistors from a power source by connecting those parts and the power source, and a control unit that detects occupancy of each of the plural seats based on an electric current value of the power supply line. The occupant detection system having the above configuration detects the occupancy of each of the plural seats without increasing the number of input terminals on the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Saitoh, Hiroyuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 7714712
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a technique for logging an item encountered by a mobile device comprises automatically detecting an item in an uncontrolled environment, extracting an identity associated with the item, logging an encounter, wherein the encounter includes the identity, and deleting the encounter after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, wherein the encounter is not marked as relevant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventors: Aaron T. Emigh, James A. Roskind
  • Patent number: 7609175
    Abstract: An RFID system for determining the location of a vehicle or mobile object that passes thereover is presented. The system comprises a tag arrangement having at least one tag where the arrangement having a width of between approximately 0.5 m and 2 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Psion Teklogix Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Porte, Pierre Bonnefoy
  • Publication number: 20090174576
    Abstract: A system and method for accurate express tolling of highway vehicles. A multilane tolling system comprises a tolling (MVIC) unit that collects information from tolling subsystems arranged to take various vehicle measurements. Preferably, an intelligent vehicle identification subsystem sends vehicle information to the MVIC unit many times per second. Preferably, a vision tracking system (VTS) communicates with the MVIC unit and sends the latter information about the vehicle position using vision tracking sensors. Preferably, an RF subsystem conducts multiple reads of a transponder on a passing vehicle and forwards the read information to the MVIC unit. Preferably, a vehicle image capture unit (VICU) captures images of the passing vehicle when a camera in the VICU receives a trigger from the MVIC unit. Preferably, a driver alert module is used alert a driver passing through a tolling point as to account balance associated with a silent toll tag or pay by plate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Jim Allen
    Inventors: Jim Allen, Sheng Zhong, Raghavan Venugopal, Tiegang Xie, Fajie Sun, Sangmesh Reddy, Brijesh Rai Chawla, Balaraju Banna, Shyamnath Harinath
  • Patent number: 7557731
    Abstract: A system and method for regulating the flow of traffic at a roadway intersection having one or more traffic signals by positioning a processor in the vicinity of the intersection to store cycle times of the traffic flow directions, mounting an RFID reader in the vicinity of each traffic signal in communication with the processor, mounting a plurality of RFID tags in the vicinity of a license plate so as to be within the communication range of an RFID reader at the intersection and so that the RFID readers interrogate the RFID tags of the vehicles, calculating an unused time slice of the cycle time for at least one of the traffic flow directions at the intersection; and, reducing the cycle time for the traffic flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: Sridhara Subbiah Ramasubbu
  • Publication number: 20090135026
    Abstract: Disclosed is a traffic information detection system and method. According to the traffic information detection method of the present invention, at least one loop coil on a road transmits a signal indicative of electric change induced in the loop coil by a vehicle, at least one loop detection device installed at the central line or a safety zone of the road receives the signal transmitted from the loop coil and wirelessly transmits a signal indicative of whether or not a vehicle exists on a road, the velocity of and type of the vehicle, and a traffic signal controller wirelessly receives the signal transmitted from the loop detection device, thereby acquiring traffic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Jeong Jun LEE
  • Publication number: 20090115634
    Abstract: This invention relates a vehicle detecting system based on ground sense coil, mainly comprising a sense coil and a vehicle detector. The ground sense coil possesses a driving and detecting unit while the vehicle detector has central processing unit (CPU). The drive, the detecting unit and the CPU own separate power supply circuits, there are filter circuits on the input terminal of the CPU and/or on the input terminals of the drive as well as the detecting unit, and common input terminal used to connect external power supply circuit. A voltage regulator circuit can be employed on the power supply circuit of the CPU and will be placed in the same electromagnetic shielding shell with the CPU. This invention has simple structure, is convenient to use and effectively avoids interference of the ground sense coil to the CPU. This invention can be applied on roads or other locations that the vehicles pass to detect the vehicles as well as the traffic condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: AOCHENGTONGLI S&T DEVELOPMENT ( BEIJING ) CO., LTD
    Inventor: Zhilong LIANG
  • Patent number: 7515068
    Abstract: A roadway vehicle sensor includes a coextrusion having a linear conductive section and a linear non-conductive section forming a vehicle deformable closed housing. The linear conductive section has an inwardly projecting conductive plunger along the length thereof which is fused to wedge removal arms. The linear non-conductive section has a pair of inwardly projecting insulating wings having wing tips spaced apart a distance defining a plunger gap. The insulating wings also define a contact chamber into which the plunger protrudes only upon deformation of the vehicle deformable housing by a vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle deformable housing has a flat side on the exterior for engagement with a roadway surface. A contact assembly in the contact chamber has one or more flat conductive lane switch segment, each flat conductor lane switch segment having a width which avoids phantom switch closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Traffic Monitoring Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Tyburski
  • Patent number: 7481400
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of wheels of a rail vehicle includes first and second Hall Effect devices, a magnet for supplying a magnetic field to the first and second Hall Effect devices, the first and second Hall Effect devices and the magnet being mounted adjacent to the rail, whereby a railway vehicle wheel changes the magnetic field in the Hall Effect devices to produce wheel indication signals, and a processing circuit for receiving the wheel indication signals from the first and second Hall Effect devices and for producing an output signal in response to the wheel indication signals. A method of detecting the presence of a wheel is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Portec, Rail Products Ltd.
    Inventors: Glen Appleby, Stephen W. Brown, Kostas Papazoglou
  • Patent number: 7474233
    Abstract: A vehicle detection device with a parking gate and a parking stand includes a geomagnetic field sensor in the parking stand for detecting a vehicle at the parking stand and/or a geomagnetic field sensor in the parking gate for detecting a vehicle beneath the opened parking gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Skidata AG
    Inventor: Gregor Ponert
  • Patent number: 7460027
    Abstract: A sensing device for sensing activity on or around an object, includes sensor cords provided in a parallel or a substantially parallel arrangement. Each sensor cord includes sensors disposed adjacent one another. Each sensor includes a resilient top portion having at least one resilient conductive member, and a resilient lower portion having active sections and resilient lower portion conductive members channeled and interconnected through the lower portion, the lower portion conductive members being separated by non-conductive material. Each active section further includes a layer of resilient conductive material at a top of the lower portion, resilient non-conductive material arranged over the lower conductive members to insulate the lower portion conductive members from the conductive layer, and a communicating conductive material to connect one of the conductive members to the resilient conducting material on top of the active section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Progressive Engineering Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: John W. Reed
  • Patent number: 7450029
    Abstract: A system to identify junctions of restricted areas to approaching vehicles, including at least one warning signal generator adapted to transmit the warning signal into areas traversed by the vehicles approaching the restricted areas, a receiver in each of the vehicles receiving the transmitted warning signals when the vehicle approaches one of the restricted areas, and an alarm responsive to the warning signal, which produces an alarm signal detectable by a vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: George Vickas
  • Patent number: 7432827
    Abstract: A system and method for activating vehicle sensors which are based on inductive loops. A voltage controlled oscillator is scanned throughout the required frequency range while a balanced mixer, low-pass filter, and detector are arranged to show the presence of a signal from an inductive loop by the amplitude of the resultant signal at a difference frequency. The voltage controlled oscillator is then made to dwell at or near the frequency of the sensor loop by adjusting so as to keep the amplitude of that low-frequency difference as high as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Edward Anthony Richley
  • Patent number: 7427931
    Abstract: Method using raw signal from magneto-resistive sensor through the use of recent variance (RV) of raw signal (RS) for first-capture of first time RV crosses variance detect, second-capture start enable for first time when RS crosses above raw detect and RV above variance detect, third-capture ending time when RS crosses below raw undetect and RV below variance undetect. Starting and ending times are products of the process, often used for traffic flow counts. Apparatus supporting this method as a processor and/or a vehicular sensor node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Sensys Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Kavaler, Karric Kwong
  • Publication number: 20080218382
    Abstract: The invention includes using multiple wireless vehicular sensor nodes to wirelessly receive multiple, time-synchronized vehicular waveform reports from the nodes to create a time synchronized system report, and preferably a time synchronized vehicular report. Each vehicular waveform report approximates a raw vehicular sensor waveform observed by a magnetic sensor at the node based upon the presence of a vehicle. The vehicular waveform reports, the time-synchronized system report, and the time synchronized vehicular report are products of this wirelessly receiving process. The invention includes apparatus supporting the above outlined process. Reception of the vehicular waveform reports may be time interleaved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Kavaler
  • Publication number: 20080150762
    Abstract: This invention relates, on the one hand, to a device for detecting vehicles, comprising a loop detection unit (1) which is designed to interwork with an inductive loop detector, whereby an inductive electrical circuit (5) is connected to the loop detection unit (1), whereby the inductance of this circuit (5) can be modified by means of an electronic control means (6), and whereby the detection device comprises a detector (4) which is designed to influence the aforementioned electronic control means. On the other hand, this invention relates to a traffic control system equipped with a device of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Jo Versavel
  • Publication number: 20080150759
    Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of RFID (Radio Frequency ID) technology in Vehicle's Number plates that can be issued by the Motor vehicle administration of the respective state governments. This RFID's will be communicating with the Intelligent Traffic signaling system to efficiently handle traffic. The same RFID's can also be used to store the owners information along with critical medical information like blood group, primary physician's name and contact. This life saving information can be used to help the Police and Paramedics to save the life in trouble with no delay. The active radio frequency signals transmitted from the above RFID's can be used to switch the traffic signals ON/OFF to get the life in trouble to hospital on time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Sridhara Subbiah Ramasubbu
  • Patent number: 7388517
    Abstract: Vehicular sensor node, circuit apparatus and their operations are provided. Power from a power source is controlled for delivery to radio transceiver and magnetic sensor, based upon a task trigger and task identifier. The radio transceiver and the magnetic sensor are operated based upon the task identifier, when the task trigger is active. The power source, radio transceiver, magnetic sensor, and circuit apparatus are enclosed in vehicular sensor node, placed upon pavement and operating for at least five years without replacing the power source components. Magnetic sensor preferably uses the magnetic resistive effect to create magnetic sensor state. Radio transceiver preferably implements version of a wireless communications protocol. The circuit apparatus may further include light emitting structure to visibly communicate during installation and/or testing, and second light emitting structure used to visibly communicate with vehicle operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Sensys Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kavaler
  • Patent number: 7382282
    Abstract: The invention includes using multiple wireless vehicular sensor nodes to wirelessly receive multiple, time-synchronized vehicular waveform reports from the nodes to create a time synchronized system report, and preferably a time synchronized vehicular report. Each vehicular waveform report approximates a raw vehicular sensor waveform observed by a magnetic sensor at the node based upon the presence of a vehicle. The vehicular waveform reports, the time-synchronized system report, and the time synchronized vehicular report are products of this wirelessly receiving process. The invention includes apparatus supporting the above outlined process. Reception of the vehicular waveform reports may be time interleaved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Sensys Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kavaler
  • Patent number: 7382238
    Abstract: Wireless Vehicular Sensor Node (WVSN) gating radio transmission of a message of the vehicle sensor state of a magnetic sensor by a vehicle-present indication. WVSN may further include ambient sensor generating and transmitting an ambient report. Alternatively, WVSN includes magnetic sensor and ambient sensor used to create messages for radio trasnmission. Method and apparatus for wireless receiving multiple ambient reports from multiple WVSN to create road condition report. The received ambient reports and the road condition report are product of this process. The wireless vehicular sensor network including at least two WVSN sending ambient reports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Sensys Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kavaler
  • Patent number: 7382281
    Abstract: The invention includes using multiple wireless vehicular sensor nodes to wirelessly receive multiple, time-interleaved vehicular waveform reports from the nodes. Each vehicular waveform report approximates a raw vehicular sensor waveform observed by a magnetic sensor at the node based upon the presence of a vehicle. The vehicular waveform reports are products of this wirelessly receiving process. The invention includes apparatus supporting the above outlined process. The vehicular waveform reports may be time synchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Sensys Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Kavaler
  • Patent number: 7345595
    Abstract: The apparatus is a vehicle motion detection apparatus for short driveways which uses passive ferromagnetic detecting coils reacting to the fluctuation in the earth's magnetic field caused by moving vehicles. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses two sensor coils located on a line that is approximately perpendicular to the adjacent road and parallel to the driveway. The sensor coils are designed and connected so that they generate signals of opposite polarity so that together they cancel out the signals generated by vehicles on the road, but the signals generated by a vehicle moving on the driveway do not cancel each other and are electronically processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Preferred Security Components, Inc of PA
    Inventor: LeRoy F. Heckman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080055115
    Abstract: A system and method for activating vehicle sensors which are based on inductive loops. A voltage controlled oscillator is scanned throughout the required frequency range while a balanced mixer, low-pass filter, and detector are arranged to show the presence of a signal from an inductive loop by the amplitude of the resultant signal at a difference frequency. The voltage controlled oscillator is then made to dwell at or near the frequency of the sensor loop by adjusting so as to keep the amplitude of that low-frequency difference as high as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Edward Anthony Richley
  • Publication number: 20080048888
    Abstract: A system and method for activating vehicle sensors which are based on inductive loops. A transformer is used to couple the vehicle frame to activation circuitry. Within the activation circuitry, a voltage controlled oscillator which drives the transformer is scanned throughout the required frequency range while a balanced mixer, low-pass filter, and detector are arranged to show the presence of a signal from an inductive loop by the amplitude of the resultant signal at a difference frequency. The voltage controlled oscillator is then made to dwell at or near the frequency of the sensor loop by adjusting so as to keep the amplitude of that low-frequency difference as high as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Edward Anthony Richley
  • Patent number: 7330112
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a technique for providing location-based functionality comprises providing functionality, wherein the functionality uses information provided by a location-aware device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventors: Aaron T. Emigh, James A. Roskind
  • Patent number: 7330132
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating an inductance loop vehicle detector is disclosed, wherein a magnet is positioned within a casing and attached to a vehicle. In order to activate the inductance loop vehicle detector, the vehicle, attached magnet, and casing are moved in relation to an induction loop embedded within a roadway. A reaction between the magnet and induction loop causes the inductance loop vehicle detector to register the presence of a vehicle. The casing may be configured to form a separation distance between the magnet and the vehicle to enhance the magnetic field proximal the induction loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Scott Kauffman
  • Patent number: 7324014
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed to the elimination of cross talk between inductive loop detector units in a security system. The system includes appropriate devices for assigning different operational frequencies of each loop detector circuit to avoid cross talk. In a further aspect it provides a system and method for determining actual operational frequencies of various loop detector circuits in a security system and for changing the resonant frequencies to eliminate cross talk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Parsadayan, Daniel Perez
  • Patent number: 7324015
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Jim Allen, Balaraju Banna, Malcolm Talley, David C. Allen, Sr., Allen Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7307548
    Abstract: A system and method for providing geographical information to a driver of a vehicle using radio frequency identification (RFID). Also provided is a traffic information supply system using RFID. The geographical information supply system includes a reader provided near a road which outputs a first signal and receives a second signal generated in response to the first signal; a tag that senses the first signal, converts information on a destination into the second signal in response to the first signal, and outputs the second signal. Also included is a first control unit which extracts and outputs the destination information from the second signal, receives geographical information to the destination, and supplies the geographical information to a driver. A server generates the geographical information corresponding to the destination information and outputs the generated geographical information to the first control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-bo Park, Woo-shik Kang, Si-gyoung Koo, Ji-hun Koo, Pierre Dehaut
  • Patent number: 7298261
    Abstract: An operation section 2 is provided to a proximity sensor including: a detection section having an oscillation circuit 10; and an amplification section 2 having a function detecting a metal body using an oscillation amplitude of the oscillation circuit 10. In a set mode, when an operation to set an adjustment value for a sensitivity adjustment (a sensitivity adjustment value) is conducted in an operation section 22, CPU 20 generates a sensitivity adjustment signal in digital quantity indicating the sensitivity adjustment value and outputs the signal to a D/A converter 25. The sensitivity adjustment signal digital-to-analog converted by the D/A converter 25 is given to a feedback circuit 13 through a voltage adjustment circuit 26. Since the feedback circuit 13 is designed so as to change a feedback current quantity according to an applied voltage, a current with a magnitude matching a value the sensitivity adjustment signal is fed back to a resonance circuit 11 to thereby control an oscillation amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Fujimori, Satoshi Motouji, Hidetomo Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 7289040
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor is provided alongside a roadway in order to detect vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Skidata AG
    Inventor: Gregor Ponert
  • Patent number: 7215240
    Abstract: A noncontacting short-range communication device for a slide door for excellently performing bidirectional data communication by electromagnetic induction coupling between the side of a vehicle body and the side of the slide door is provided. Data are transmitted and received between the first communication unit 31 connected to the first antenna member 17 and the second communication unit 41 connected to the second antenna member 18 by the electromagnetic induction coupling of the first and second antenna members 17, 18. Each of the first and second communication units 31, 41 includes a microcomputer 34, 44 and a data communication circuit 33, 43 for performing semi-duplex bidirectional communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiko Uehara
  • Patent number: 7187302
    Abstract: A method of assessing the accuracy of a roadside traffic monitoring system (TMS) arranged to measure the speed and/or other parameters of vehicles passing a predetermined measurement point adjacent the TMS is disclosed. The method includes measuring the speed of each vehicle passing the measurement point using the TMS, measuring the moment in time that each vehicle passes the measurement point using the TMS, and recording the measured speeds and times as data pairs. The method further includes driving an Instrumented Probe Vehicle (IPV) at the measurement point, the IPV having an onboard system for measuring speed, determining the location of the IPV, determining a calibration time at which the determined location of the IPV corresponds to the location of the measurement point, and measuring a calibration speed of the IPV using the onboard system when the determined location of the IPV corresponds to the location of the measurement point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Golden River Traffic Limited
    Inventor: Michael John Dalgleish
  • Patent number: 7161472
    Abstract: A host vehicle system includes a blind-spot warning system providing an indication to the host vehicle a target vehicle entering a blind-spot. The system includes a vehicle bus receiving various vehicle control signals, magneto-resistive sensors receiving proximity information as a function of magnetic field variations, a smart algorithm controller analyzing bus signals and sensor signals, and various vehicle collision systems such as passive restraints, optical light guides, and audible warnings operating in response to a threat from a target vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary S. Strumolo, Hanaan Elmessiri, David M. DiMeo, Ronald H. Miller, Aric David Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7158051
    Abstract: A host vehicle system includes a lane change system providing an indication to the host vehicle a target vehicle entering a destination lane. The system includes arrays of magneto-resistive sensors on both sides of the vehicle receiving proximity information as a function of magnetic field variations, a vehicle bus receiving various vehicle control signals, a smart algorithm controller analyzing bus signals and sensor signals, and various vehicle collision systems such as passive restraints, optical light guides, and audible warnings operating in response to a threat from a target vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary S. Strumolo, Hanaan Elmessiri, David M. DiMeo, Ronald H. Miller, Aric David Shaffer