Hybrid distributed prediction of traffic signal state changes
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for use in a vehicle for traffic signal predictions, comprising:
- a processor coupled to a memory to execute non-transient, machine-readable instructions stored in the memory;
a first interface coupled to the processor for wireless data communications over a network with a remote back-end server;
a receiver coupled to the processor to receive a current state of a target traffic signal;
the stored instructions configured to;
implement a signal state prediction process;
when the vehicle is approaching or near a traffic signal, send a request message via the first interface to the remote back-end server, the request message including information to identify the traffic signal as a target traffic signal;
receive a reply message from the remote back-end server, the reply message including statistical data based on historical operation of the target traffic signal, wherein the back-end server generates the statistical data by acquiring call data and signal status data provided by a field traffic signal controller (FSC) associated with the target traffic signal during a selected collection period, and storing the acquired call data in a database coupled to the-remote-back-end server;
input the statistical data to the signal state prediction process;
commence executing the signal state prediction process whereinexecuting the signal state prediction process includes;
identifying a signal status at a last sync point of the FSC, initializing the signal state prediction process to an initial state, advancing the signal state prediction process from the initial state to a second state, the second state corresponding to the last sync point of the FSC, and further advancing the signal state prediction process from the second state, based on the statistical data in the reply message, for a time period from the last sync point to a current time state so that at the current time the FSC and the signal state prediction process running in the vehicle are synchronized to the current time state;
receive the current state of the target traffic signal via the receiver;
in the signal state prediction process, update a state of the target traffic signal to match the current state of the target traffic signal;
in the signal state prediction process, generate a prediction of a next state change of the target traffic signal in the future, by;
fast forwarding the signal state prediction process from the current time state, based on the received statistical data, terminating the signal state prediction process at a future time state, andgenerating a prediction of future signal status of the target traffic signal based on the future time state of the emulator;
and then transmit the generated prediction to an on-board network in the vehicle for display in the vehicle or input to engine control units or other on-board computers for use in controlling operation of the vehicle.
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Abstract
Computer-implemented predictions of upcoming traffic control signal states or state changes can be used to improve driver convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Such information can be used advantageously by a human operator, or by an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle control system. Predictions can be computed with suitable machines installed in a vehicle, in cooperation with a remote back-end server system. The prediction computations in the vehicle may be supported by data communicated to the vehicle computing machinery over various wireless communications, including telecom systems, DSRC, etc.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in a vehicle for traffic signal predictions, comprising:
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a processor coupled to a memory to execute non-transient, machine-readable instructions stored in the memory; a first interface coupled to the processor for wireless data communications over a network with a remote back-end server; a receiver coupled to the processor to receive a current state of a target traffic signal; the stored instructions configured to; implement a signal state prediction process; when the vehicle is approaching or near a traffic signal, send a request message via the first interface to the remote back-end server, the request message including information to identify the traffic signal as a target traffic signal; receive a reply message from the remote back-end server, the reply message including statistical data based on historical operation of the target traffic signal, wherein the back-end server generates the statistical data by acquiring call data and signal status data provided by a field traffic signal controller (FSC) associated with the target traffic signal during a selected collection period, and storing the acquired call data in a database coupled to the-remote-back-end server; input the statistical data to the signal state prediction process; commence executing the signal state prediction process wherein executing the signal state prediction process includes; identifying a signal status at a last sync point of the FSC, initializing the signal state prediction process to an initial state, advancing the signal state prediction process from the initial state to a second state, the second state corresponding to the last sync point of the FSC, and further advancing the signal state prediction process from the second state, based on the statistical data in the reply message, for a time period from the last sync point to a current time state so that at the current time the FSC and the signal state prediction process running in the vehicle are synchronized to the current time state; receive the current state of the target traffic signal via the receiver; in the signal state prediction process, update a state of the target traffic signal to match the current state of the target traffic signal; in the signal state prediction process, generate a prediction of a next state change of the target traffic signal in the future, by; fast forwarding the signal state prediction process from the current time state, based on the received statistical data, terminating the signal state prediction process at a future time state, and generating a prediction of future signal status of the target traffic signal based on the future time state of the emulator; and then transmit the generated prediction to an on-board network in the vehicle for display in the vehicle or input to engine control units or other on-board computers for use in controlling operation of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle comprising:
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a processor coupled to a memory to execute non-transient, machine-readable instructions stored in the memory, the stored instructions including instructions to implement a signal state prediction process; a first interface coupled to the processor for wireless data communications over a network with a remote back-end server; a camera coupled to the processor for capturing image data including an image of a target traffic signal located in front of the vehicle; the stored instructions configured to; when the vehicle is approaching or near a traffic signal, send a request message via the first interface to the remote back-end server, the request message including information to identify the traffic signal as a target traffic signal; receive a reply message from the remote back-end server, the reply message including statistical data based on historical operation of the target traffic signal; input the statistical data to the signal state prediction process; begin executing the signal state prediction process, starting at a last sync point for the target traffic signal, and informed by the statistical data, advance the signal state prediction process to catch up to a current real-world time by clocking it at a clock rate faster than real world time, so that at the current time a field traffic signal controller (FSC) associated with the target traffic signal and the signal state prediction process running in the vehicle are synchronized to the same state; process image data captured by the camera to determine a current state of the target traffic signal; input the current state of the target traffic signal to the signal state prediction process; in the signal state prediction process, update a state of the target traffic signal to match the current state of the target traffic signal; in the signal state prediction process, generate a prediction of a next state change of the target traffic signal in the future, by; fast forwarding the signal state prediction process from the current state, by clocking the signal state prediction process at a clock rate faster than real-world time, and then terminating the signal state prediction process at a selected future time state, and generating a prediction of a future state of the target traffic signal based on the future time state of the signal state prediction process; and transmit the prediction to an on-board network for display in the vehicle or input to engine control units or other on-board computers for use in controlling operation of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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loading and executing an emulator process in a processor in a vehicle to emulate operation of a field traffic signal controller (FSC) at a physical location; at a back-end server system capable of wireless communication with the vehicle, acquiring call data and signal status data provided by the FSC during a selected collection period, and storing the acquired call data in a database; at the back-end server system, predicting future detection data for the FSC based on a statistical analysis of the acquired call data stored in the database; in the processor in the vehicle, as the vehicle is approaching the location of the FSC, sending a request message to the back-end server, the request message identifying the FSC; in the processor in the vehicle, receiving a reply message from the back-end server, the reply message comprising prediction system input data for the FSC, the input data including the predicted future detection data to predict likely upcoming state changes of the FSC; in the processor in the vehicle, identifying a signal status at a last sync point of the FSC in the database; in the processor in the vehicle, initializing the emulator process to an initial state; in the processor in the vehicle, advancing the emulator process from the initial state to a second state, the second state corresponding to a last sync point of the FSC; in the processor in the vehicle, further advancing the emulator process from the second state, based on the prediction system input data in the received response, for a time period from the last sync point to a current time, so that at the current time the FSC and the emulator process running in the vehicle are synchronized to a current time state; in the processor in the vehicle, receiving real-time state information from the FSC; in the processor in the vehicle, adjusting a current state of the emulator process to match a current state of the FSC based on the real-time state information; in the processor in the vehicle, fast forwarding the emulator process from the adjusted current state, based on the predicted future detection data, by clocking the emulator process at a rate faster than real-world time, so that it “
gets ahead”
of the current state of the FSC;in the processor in the vehicle, terminating the emulator process at a future time state; in the processor in the vehicle, predicting a signal status based on the future time state of the emulator process; and in the processor in the vehicle, communicating a result based on the predicted signal status to a network on board the vehicle for display in the vehicle or input to engine control units or other on-board computers for use in controlling operation of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification