Processor architecture for traffic sensor and method for obtaining and processing traffic data using same
First Claim
1. A method for obtaining vehicular traffic data using a traffic sensor having an antenna/transceiver module, a DSP and a microcomputer, the method comprising:
- (a) transmitting radiation at a vehicles on a roadway;
(b) receiving the radiation reflected back from the vehicles;
(c) producing a stream of electrical signals based on the radiation reflected back from the vehicles;
(d) processing the stream of electrical signals using the DSP to determine if a vehicle detection threshold is met, and, if the vehicle detection threshold is met, to determine an initial vehicle position;
(e) when the vehicle detection threshold is met, generating a first signal representing the initial vehicle position using the DSP;
(f) transmitting the first signal to the microcomputer (g) deriving a first traffic information signal from the first signal using the microcomputer;
(h) transmitting the first traffic information signal to an external traffic management system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Vehicular traffic data is obtained using a traffic sensor having an antenna/transceiver module, a DSP and a microcomputer. This involves (a) transmitting radiation at a vehicles on a roadway; (b) receiving the radiation reflected back from the vehicles; (c) producing a stream of electrical signals based on the radiation reflected back from the vehicles; (d) processing the stream of electrical signals using the DSP to determine if a vehicle detection threshold is met, and, if the vehicle detection threshold is met, to determine an initial vehicle position; (e) when the vehicle detection threshold is met, generating a first signal representing the initial vehicle position using the DSP; (f) transmitting the first signal to the microcomputer; (g) deriving a first traffic information signal from the first signal using the microcomputer; (h) transmitting the first traffic information signal to an external traffic management system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for obtaining vehicular traffic data using a traffic sensor having an antenna/transceiver module, a DSP and a microcomputer, the method comprising:
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(a) transmitting radiation at a vehicles on a roadway;
(b) receiving the radiation reflected back from the vehicles;
(c) producing a stream of electrical signals based on the radiation reflected back from the vehicles;
(d) processing the stream of electrical signals using the DSP to determine if a vehicle detection threshold is met, and, if the vehicle detection threshold is met, to determine an initial vehicle position;
(e) when the vehicle detection threshold is met, generating a first signal representing the initial vehicle position using the DSP;
(f) transmitting the first signal to the microcomputer (g) deriving a first traffic information signal from the first signal using the microcomputer;
(h) transmitting the first traffic information signal to an external traffic management system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A sensor for obtaining vehicular traffic data, the sensor comprising:
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an antenna/transceiver module for transmitting microwave radiation at a vehicle passing the sensor and for receiving the microwave radiation reflected back from the vehicle, and for producing a stream of electrical signals based on the microwave radiation reflected back from the vehicle;
a DSP for processing the stream of electrical signals, the DSP having a vehicle detection function for determining a vehicle detection if a vehicle detection threshold is met and for determining a vehicle position, and a signal generation function for generating a first signal representing the vehicle detection and the vehicle position, the signal generation function being linked to the vehicle detection function for communication therewith; and
,a microcomputer for receiving and processing the first signal to derive a first traffic information signal for transmission to an external traffic management system, the microcomputer being electronically coupled to the DSP and having a communication function for electronic communication with an external traffic management system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification