Traffic communication system
First Claim
1. A traffic communication system wherein a traffic control device comprises:
- a first traffic management module, for determining a first system variable;
a first encoder communicatively coupled to said first traffic management module, for encoding said first system variable as a first signal according to a protocol; and
a first transmitter communicatively coupled to said first encoder, for optically transmitting said first signal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments in accordance with the invention provide communication between vehicles and traffic control devices and/or other vehicles. The communication system provides for communication of system variables such as: signal setting (e.g., red/yellow/green light), signal direction, time to signal change, signal sequence (e.g., next traffic flow), red light runner alert, signal failure, driver urgency, vehicle presence, absolute vehicle location, toll collection information, vehicle speed, roadway condition (e.g., ice on bridge surface), traffic impairments (e.g., delay ahead). The communication system also provides for communication of system variables such as: speed, acceleration/deceleration, braking, lane change with direction, malfunction (e.g., stall). The system communicates utilizing wireless optical, acoustic and/or radio frequency signaling methods.
172 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A traffic communication system wherein a traffic control device comprises:
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a first traffic management module, for determining a first system variable;
a first encoder communicatively coupled to said first traffic management module, for encoding said first system variable as a first signal according to a protocol; and
a first transmitter communicatively coupled to said first encoder, for optically transmitting said first signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A traffic communication system wherein a first traffic communication unit, configured to be coupled to a first vehicle, comprises:
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a first sensor, for receiving a first system variable;
a first encoder/decoder communicatively coupled to said first sensor, for encoding said first system variable as a signal; and
a first transceiver communicatively coupled to said first encoder/decoder, for transmitting said first signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of communicating a traffic network system variable comprising:
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receiving a system variable, by a first traffic communication unit;
encoding said system variable into a signal, by said first traffic communication unit; and
transmitting said signal, by said first traffic communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of communicating a traffic network system variable comprising:
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generating a system variable, by a traffic control device;
encoding said system variable into a signal, by said traffic control device; and
transmitting said signal, by said traffic control device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification