Wireless roadway monitoring system
First Claim
1. A wireless roadway sensor comprising:
- (a) a sensing circuit configured for installation beneath a roadway surface, the sensing element, when so installed, sensing at least one of (i) a vehicle on the roadway passing the sensor, (ii) an average speed of vehicles on the roadway passing the sensor, (iii) types of vehicles on the roadway passing the sensor, (iv) water on the roadway, and (v) ice on the roadway; and
(b) a wireless transmitter, in communication with the sensor, for periodically broadcasting sensed information.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless, in-road traffic sensor system using sensors that are small, low-cost, and rugged. The sensors may be capable of measuring the speed of passing vehicles, identifying the type of passing vehicle and measuring information about roadway conditions, e.g., wet or icy. The sensor includes a wireless transmitter and may be configured for installation beneath a roadway surface. The sensors may be configured as a traffic sensor system including distributed sensors across a roadway system, concentrators for receiving the sensor broadcasts and a central computer for accumulating and organizing the sensed information. The sensed information may also be made available responsive to user requests via the Web through such reports as traffic delays, alternate route planning and travel time estimates. Alternatively, the sensed information may also be used to control traffic through a traffic control means, such as a traffic signal.
83 Citations
69 Claims
-
1. A wireless roadway sensor comprising:
-
(a) a sensing circuit configured for installation beneath a roadway surface, the sensing element, when so installed, sensing at least one of (i) a vehicle on the roadway passing the sensor, (ii) an average speed of vehicles on the roadway passing the sensor, (iii) types of vehicles on the roadway passing the sensor, (iv) water on the roadway, and (v) ice on the roadway; and
(b) a wireless transmitter, in communication with the sensor, for periodically broadcasting sensed information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
-
-
4. The apparatus of 2 further comprising circuitry for adjusting the magnetic-field sensor.
-
29. A method for sensing roadway information comprising the steps of:
-
(a) installing a sensor beneath a roadway surface, the sensor, when so installed, sensing at least one of (i) vehicles on the roadway passing the sensor, (ii) an average speed of vehicles on the roadway passing the sensor, (iii) types of vehicles on the roadway passing the sensor, (iv) water on the roadway, and (v) ice on the roadway; and
(b) transmitting sensed information by means of periodic wireless broadcasts.
-
-
45. A wireless roadway sensor comprising:
-
(a) a sensing element configured to sense at least one roadway condition; and
(b) a wireless transmitter in communication with the sensing element, the wireless transmitter being responsive to the sensing element and periodically broadcasting sensed information on a communication channel by means of a randomized multiplexing scheme, the multiplexing scheme allowing the channel to be shared with other sensors broadcasting in accordance with the scheme.
-
-
51. A method for sensing roadway information comprising the steps of:
-
(a) sensing at least one roadway condition; and
(b) transmitting sensed information on a communication channel through periodic wireless broadcasts by means of a randomized multiplexing scheme, the multiplexing scheme allowing the channel to be shared with other sensors broadcasting in accordance with the scheme. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
-
-
57. A wireless roadway sensing and information-integration system comprising:
-
(a) a plurality of sensors distributed across a roadway system, the sensors being organized into sets, each of the sets comprising at least one sensor, each of the sensors comprising;
(i) a sensing circuit configured to sense at least one roadway condition; and
(ii) a wireless transmitter responsive to the sensing circuit and periodically broadcasting sensed information;
(b) a plurality of concentrators for receiving the broadcasts, each concentrator receiving broadcasts from the sensors of one of the sets; and
(c) a computer in communication with the concentrators, the computer being configured to accumulate and organize the sensed information obtained by the sensors.
-
-
65. A method for controlling traffic comprising the steps of:
-
(a) installing a sensor beneath a roadway surface, the sensor, when so installed, sensing a roadway condition;
(b) transmitting information relevant to the sensed condition through periodic wireless broadcasts; and
(c) actuating, in accordance with the broadcasts, a traffic-controlling device responsive thereto. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69)
-
Specification