Traffic Control System
First Claim
1. A traffic control system for switching a traffic switch, comprising:
- an intersection control module for sending information regarding an intersection, the intersection control module capable of receiving information and requests from incoming traffic and analyzing incoming traffic information in order to determine if the traffic switch changes;
a vehicle control module capable of identifying location and analyzing information received from the intersection control module, the vehicle control module capable of sending a light switch request when a vehicle is traveling toward the intersection; and
a virtual loop detector that is defined by a dimension from the intersection, wherein requests from incoming vehicles traveling within the virtual loop detector will be analyzed to determine if the traffic switch changes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A virtual road loop detector has a traffic control system that sends out a signal identifying location and intersection. The traffic control system, used for efficiently switching a traffic control switch, includes an intersection control module that communicates with a vehicle control module in order to determine if the traffic switch changes. The intersection control module is designed to send information regarding the intersection, which provides a virtual loop detector that assists in identify incoming vehicles and relevant switch requests from those vehicles. The virtual loop detector is a theoretical loop and defined by a pre-determined dimension from the intersection. The vehicle control module is provided to identify location and analyze information received from the intersection control system, such as proximity to or within the virtual loop detector. A light switch request may be sent by the incoming vehicle when the vehicle receives signals from the intersection and is traveling toward that same intersection. The intersection control module would then receive any information and light switch requests from the vehicle or any other incoming traffic. An analysis is performed by the intersection control module with regard to various incoming traffic information and requests in order to determine if the traffic light changes from a light schedule.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A traffic control system for switching a traffic switch, comprising:
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an intersection control module for sending information regarding an intersection, the intersection control module capable of receiving information and requests from incoming traffic and analyzing incoming traffic information in order to determine if the traffic switch changes; a vehicle control module capable of identifying location and analyzing information received from the intersection control module, the vehicle control module capable of sending a light switch request when a vehicle is traveling toward the intersection; and a virtual loop detector that is defined by a dimension from the intersection, wherein requests from incoming vehicles traveling within the virtual loop detector will be analyzed to determine if the traffic switch changes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for switching a traffic switch, comprising the steps of:
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sending signals from an intersection control module, the signals including information concerning the intersection; providing a virtual loop detector that is defined by set dimensions from the intersection; receiving intersection signals through a vehicle control module having vehicle positioning module; identifying a vehicle position using the vehicle positioning module; analyzing signals received from the intersection control module in regard to vehicle position and virtual loop detector; sending a signal including a light switch request when the vehicle is traveling toward the intersection; receiving signals from incoming vehicles by the intersection control module; analyzing received signals in regard to the virtual loop detector in order to determine if the traffic switch changes; and switching or maintaining a current traffic light controller according to analysis of incoming information. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for switching a traffic switch, comprising the steps of:
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sending signals from an intersection control module, the signals including information concerning the intersection; providing a virtual loop detector that is defined by set dimensions from the intersection; receiving intersection signals through a vehicle control module having vehicle positioning module; identifying vehicle position using the vehicle positioning module; analyzing signals received from the intersection control module in regard to vehicle position and the virtual loop detector; sending a signal including a light switch request when the vehicle is traveling toward the intersection and within the virtual loop detector; receiving signals including the light switch request from incoming traffic by the intersection control module; analyzing incoming information and requests from incoming vehicles in regard to position of incoming vehicles; and switching a current traffic light controller or disregarding the request according to analysis of incoming information. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification