System and method for signaling status of traffic flow

• US 20060125655A1
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ent Services Development Corporation LP (DXC Technology Company)
• Original Assignee: Electronic Data Systems, LLC
• Inventors: McMahon, Timothy H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,414,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/907
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/087 Override of traffic control, e.g. by signal transmitted by an emergency vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice

Abstract

In one general aspect, a method for signaling traffic flow information includes monitoring a status for a traffic restrictor, generating a wireless signal indicative of the status of the traffic restrictor, and communicating the wireless signal to a receiver. In another general aspect, a wireless receiver includes a wireless interface and a processor. The wireless interface receives a wireless signal indicative of a status of a traffic restrictor. The processor determines a portion of a route for a vehicle based upon the status of the traffic restrictor.

Claims

1. A method for signaling traffic flow information, comprising:

monitoring a status for a traffic restrictor;

generating a wireless signal indicative of the status of the traffic restrictor; and

communicating the wireless signal to a receiver.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to change the status of the traffic restrictor; and

changing the status of the traffic restrictor in response to the request.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the traffic restrictor is a traffic light; and

the status comprises a color for the traffic light associated with a particular direction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the traffic restrictor is selected from the group consisting of:

a weather condition and a road hazard.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a wireless receiver in a vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the receiver is located at a central station; and

the method further comprises relaying the wireless signal from the central station to at least one vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising encrypting the wireless signal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a position of the traffic restrictor using a global positioning system (GPS) locator, wherein the status of the traffic restrictor comprises the position.

9. A signaling station, comprising:

a processor operable to monitor a status for a traffic restrictor; and

a wireless interface operable to generate a wireless signal indicative of the status of the traffic restrictor and to communicate the wireless signal to a receiver.

10. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein:

the wireless interface is further operable to receive a request to change the status of the traffic restrictor; and

the processor is further operable to change the status of the traffic restrictor in response to the request.

11. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein:

the traffic restrictor is a traffic light; and

the status comprises a color for the traffic light associated with a particular direction.

12. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein the traffic restrictor is selected from the group consisting of:

a weather condition and a road hazard.

13. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein the receiver comprises a wireless receiver in a vehicle.

14. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein:

the receiver is located at a central station; and

the central station is operable to relay the wireless signal from the central station to at least one vehicle.

15. The signaling station of claim 9, wherein the processor is further operable to encrypt the wireless signal.

16. The signaling station of claim 9, further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) locator operable to determine a position for the traffic restrictor, wherein the status of the traffic restrictor comprises the position.

17. An article comprising a machine-readable medium storing instructions for causing data-processing equipment to perform operations comprising:

receiving a wireless signal indicative of a status of a traffic restrictor; and

determining at least a portion of a route for a vehicle based upon the status of the traffic restrictor.

18. The article of claim 17, wherein:

the step of determining at least the portion of the route comprises determining that a change in the status of the traffic restrictor is required for the route; and

the method further comprising communicating a wireless request to change the status of the traffic restrictor.

19. The article of claim 17, wherein:

the traffic restrictor is a traffic light; and

the status comprises a color for the traffic light associated with a particular direction.

20. The article of claim 17, wherein the traffic restrictor is selected from the group consisting of:

a weather condition and a road hazard.

21. The article of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further operable to cause the data-processing equipment to perform the operation of determining a speed and a heading for the vehicle, wherein at least the portion of the route is determined based on the speed and the heading of the vehicle.

22. A wireless receiver, comprising:

a wireless interface operable to receive a wireless signal indicative of a status of a traffic restrictor; and

a processor operable to determine at least a portion of a route for a vehicle based upon the status of the traffic restrictor.

23. The wireless receiver of claim 22, wherein:

the processor is further operable to determine that a change in the status of the traffic restrictor is required for the route; and

the wireless interface is further operable to communicate a wireless request to change the status of the traffic restrictor.

24. The wireless receiver of claim 22, wherein:

the traffic restrictor is a traffic light; and

the status comprises a color for the traffic light associated with a particular direction.

25. The wireless receiver of claim 22, wherein the traffic restrictor is selected from the group consisting of:

a weather condition and a road hazard.

26. The wireless receiver of claim 22, further comprising a positioning system operable to determine a position for the vehicle.

27. The wireless receiver of claim 26, wherein:

the positioning system is further operable to determine a speed and a heading for the vehicle; and

the processor is further operable to determine at least the portion of the route based on the speed and the heading of the vehicle.

28. The wireless receiver of claim 26, wherein the positioning system comprises a global positioning system (GPS) locator.