System and method for classifying vehicles

• US 20030011492A1
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dale M. Klamer, Donald K. Owen
• Original Assignee: Dale M. Klamer, Donald K. Owen
• Inventors: Owen, Donald K., Klamer, Dale M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,828,920 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/941
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/015 with provision for distinguishing between two or more types of vehicles, e.g. between motor-cars and cycles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/042 using inductive or magnetic detectors

Abstract

A system and method have been provided for classifying electronic signatures, obtained through the detection of a vehicle with a single loop inductive sensor, into one of a plurality of vehicle classification groups. A neural networking process is able to learn the plurality of vehicle classifications. In response to an electronic signature stimulus, the neural networking process is able to recall the classification group corresponding to the signature.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a vehicle, the method comprising:

generating electronic signatures in response to receiving data from a single sense point;

analyzing the signatures; and

classifying vehicles in response to analyzing the signatures.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

electrically sensing vehicles at the single sense point; and

wherein generating electronic signatures includes generating electronic signatures in response to sensing vehicles.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein electrically sensing vehicles at the single sense point includes:

supplying an electrical signal;

generating a field at the first sense point in response to the electrical signal; and

in response to changes in the field, measuring changes in the electrical signal; and

wherein generating electronic signatures includes generating electronic signatures in response to the measured changes in the field.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein electrically sensing vehicles at a single sense point includes using a single loop inductive sensor as the sense point;

wherein supplying an electrical signal includes supplying an electrical signal to the inductive loop; and

wherein generating a field in response to the electrical signal includes generating a field with the electrical signal supplied to the inductive loop.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

learning a process to form boundaries between the plurality of vehicle classification groups; and

wherein analyzing the signatures includes recalling the boundary formation process.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein classifying vehicles includes making a decision to associate a signature with a vehicle classification group.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

converting the classified vehicle into a symbol; and

supplying the symbol for storage and transmission.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein learning and recalling a process to form boundaries between the plurality of vehicle classification groups includes using a multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural networking process.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining vehicle lengths in response to vehicle classifications.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

following the determination of vehicle length, calculating vehicle velocities.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein analyzing signatures includes determining vehicle transition times across the single sense point;

and

wherein calculating vehicle velocities includes calculating velocities in response to the determined vehicle lengths and the determined vehicle transition times.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein each sensor comprises an inductive loop.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein each sensor comprises an inductive loop underneath the highway.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein each sensor comprises an inductive loop embedded in material used to make the highway.

19. The system of claim 15 further comprising means for calculating the speed of a vehicle passing over an inductive loop.

20. The system of claim 15 further comprising sensor electronics, the sensor electronics including a detector for detecting a vehicle and generating a detection signal, a classifier for selecting an identification of a vehicle from a predetermined number of vehicle signatures associated with the detected signals, and a means for estimating the speed of the vehicle in response to the detected signal.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the classifier comprises a neural network.

22. The system of claim 20 further comprising a means for sensing a vehicle stopped over the sensor.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the sensor receives a first electrical signal to generate a field, and the sensor supplying an electronic signature that is responsive to changes in the field.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the sensor is an inductive loop sensor to generate a field in response to electrical signals, and to supply an electrical signature responsive to changes in the field.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the classifier classifies vehicles into vehicle classification groups including passenger vehicles, two-axle trucks, three-axle vehicles, four-axle vehicles, five or more axle vehicles, buses, and motorcycles.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the classifier classifies vehicles into classification groups based upon criteria selected from vehicle mass, vehicle length, the proximity of the vehicle to the loop.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the classifier learns a process to form boundaries between the plurality of vehicle classification groups, and analyzes the signatures by recalling the boundary formation process.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the classifier makes decisions to associate a signature with a vehicle classification group.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the classifier converts each classified vehicle decision into a symbol supplied at the output.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the classifier includes a multilayer perceptron neural network processor to learn and recall a process for forming boundaries between the plurality of vehicle classification groups.

32. The system of claim 23 wherein the classifier determines vehicle lengths in response to vehicle classifications.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the classifier calculates vehicle velocities in response to determining the vehicle length.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the classifier determines vehicle transition times across the sensor, from analyzing the electronic signature, and calculates vehicle velocities in response to determining vehicle length and the vehicle transition time.

5. A method for identifying a vehicle, the method comprising:

electrically sensing vehicles at the single sense point using a single loop inductive sensor as follows;

supplying an electrical signal to the inductive loop;

generating a field with the electrical signal supplied to the inductive loop; and

in response to changes in the field, measuring changes in the electrical signal;

generating electronic signatures in response the measured changes in the field received from the single sense point sensing vehicles;

analyzing the signatures;

establishing a plurality of vehicle classification groups; and

selecting a vehicle classification group in response to each analyzed signature.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein establishing a plurality of vehicle classification groups includes establishing vehicle classifications selected from the group including passenger vehicles, two-axle trucks, three-axle vehicles, four-axle vehicles, five or more axle vehicles, buses, and motorcycles.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein establishing a plurality of vehicle classification groups includes establishing vehicle classifications based upon criteria selected from the group including vehicle mass, vehicle length, and the proximity of the vehicle to the loop.

15. A system for classifying traffic on a highway, the system comprising:

one or more sensors positioned at predetermined locations along a highway to generate a signal when a vehicle passes near a particular sensor; and

means for assigning a classification to the vehicle in response to the signal generated by a particular sensor.

23. A system for classifying traffic on a highway, the system comprising:

a single sensor positioned at a predetermined location along a highway, having a port to supply an electronic signature generated in response to a proximal vehicle; and

a classifier having an input connected to the sensor output, and an output to supply a vehicle classification from a plurality of classification groups, in response to receiving the electronic signature.