TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD USING POSITIONED DATA

• US 20110102202A1
• Filed: 07/13/2010
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Original Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Inventors: Lin, Chih-Yin
• Application Number:
  US12/834,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20110102202A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a traffic control system and method. In particular, the traffic control system and method according to the invention utilizes GPS, AGPS, GLONSS, Galileo global navigation satellite system, and so on to generate and transmit a preemption request signal for an emergency vehicle, such as ambulance, etc. At a designated traffic signal, the preemption request signal is received and filtered to get designated data associated with the designated traffic signal. Afterward, if the designated signal is judged to be valid, a state change request data is selectively generated according to the designated data, and the designated traffic signal is controlled based on the state change request data.

Claims

1. A traffic control system, comprising:

an emergency vehicle unit relative to an emergency vehicle, comprising;

a first positioning module, for periodically acquiring current location coordinates associated with said emergency vehicle;

a first storage module therein storing data associated with a plurality of traffic signals;

a second storage module therein storing map data;

a first navigation module, coupled to the first positioning module, the first storage module, and the second storage module, respectively, for generating an emergency vehicle data and determining a plurality of designated traffic signals from the plurality of traffic signals in accordance with an emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the emergency vehicle, the data associated with the traffic signals, and the map data;

a radio signal transmitting module;

a first processing module, coupled to the first storage module, the first navigation module, and the radio signal transmitting module, respectively, for generating a preemption request signal in accordance with the emergency vehicle data and the plurality of designated traffic signals, and transmitting the preemption request signal through the radio signal transmitting module; and

a traffic signal control unit associated with one of the designated traffic signals, comprising;

a first radio signal receiving module;

a first validation module, coupled to the first radio signal receiving module, for receiving the preemption request signal through the first radio signal receiving module, filtering a designated data associated with the designated traffic signal from the preemption request signal, and judging if the designated data is valid;

a state indication module, coupled to the first validation module, for receiving the designated data, and selectively generating and transmitting a state change request data in accordance with the designated data if the first validation module judges the designated data to be valid; and

a control module, coupled to the state indication module, for receiving the state change request data transmitted by the state indication module, and controlling the designated traffic signal based on the state change request data.

2. The traffic control system of claim 1, wherein the first positioning module is configured to receive data transmitted from one selected from the group consisting of a global positioning system (GPS), an assisted global positioning system (AGPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), and a Galileo satellite navigation positioning system.

3. The traffic control system of claim 1, wherein the preemption request signal comprises an identity code relating to the emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the emergency vehicle, a speed of the emergency vehicle, identity codes of the traffic signals been passed among the plurality of designated traffic signals, identity codes of the traffic signals not been passed yet among the plurality of designated traffic signals, state set requests for the traffic signals not been passed yet, and an authorization check code.

4. The traffic control system of claim 1, further comprising:

an ordinary vehicle unit relating to an ordinary vehicle, comprising;

a second positioning module, for periodically acquiring current location coordinates associated with said ordinary vehicle;

a third storage module therein storing the map data;

a second navigation module, coupled to the second positioning module and the third storage module, respectively, for generating an ordinary vehicle data in accordance with an ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the ordinary vehicle, and the map data;

a second radio signal receiving module;

a second validation module, coupled to the second navigation module and the second radio signal receiving module, respectively, for receiving the preemption request signal through the second radio signal receiving module, judging if the preemption request signal is valid, and if YES, judging if the ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle overlaps the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle in accordance with the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal; and

a second processing module, coupled to the second validation module, for receiving the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal, and selectively generating a warning signal in accordance with the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal if the second validation module judges that the ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle overlaps the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle.

5. The traffic control system of claim 4, wherein the ordinary vehicle unit also comprises a warning module, coupled to the second processing module, for receiving the warning signal, and then playing a sound and/or a light triggered by the warning signal.

6. The traffic control system of claim 4, wherein the ordinary vehicle unit also comprises a display module, coupled to the second processing module, for receiving and displaying the warning signal.

7. The traffic control system of claim 4, wherein the second positioning module is configured to receive data transmitted from one selected from the group consisting of a global positioning system (GPS), an assisted global positioning system (AGPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), and a Galileo satellite navigation positioning system.

8. A traffic control method, comprising the steps of:

(a) at an emergency vehicle, performing the steps of;

(a1) periodically acquiring current location coordinates associated with said emergency vehicle;

(a2) generating an emergency vehicle data and determining a plurality of designated traffic signals from a plurality of traffic signals in accordance with an emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the emergency vehicle, data associated with the traffic signals, and map data; and

(a3) generating and transmitting a preemption request signal in accordance with the emergency vehicle data and the plurality of designated traffic signals; and

(b) at one of the designated traffic signals from the plurality of designated traffic signals, performing the steps of;

(b1) receiving the preemption request signal, and filtering a designated data associated with said one designated traffic signal from the preemption request signal;

(b2) judging if the designated data is valid; and

(b3) if YES in step (b2), selectively generating a state change request data in accordance with said one designated data, and controlling said one designated traffic signal based on the state change request data.

9. The traffic control method of claim 8, wherein the step (a1) is performed by receiving data transmitted from one selected from the group consisting of a global positioning system (GPS), an assisted global positioning system (AGPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), and a Galileo satellite navigation positioning system.

10. The traffic control method of claim 8, wherein the preemption request signal comprises an identity code relating to the emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the emergency vehicle, a speed of the emergency vehicle, identity codes of the traffic signals been passed among the plurality of designated traffic signals, identity codes of the traffic signals not been passed yet among the plurality of designated traffic signals, state set requests for the traffic signals not been passed yet, and an authorization check code.

11. The traffic control method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

(c) at an ordinary vehicle, performing the steps of;

(c1) periodically acquiring current location coordinates associated with said ordinary vehicle;

(c2) generating an ordinary vehicle data in accordance with an ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the ordinary vehicle, and the map data;

(c3) receiving the preemption request signal, and judging if the preemption request signal is valid;

(c4) if YES in step (c3), judging if the ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle overlaps the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle in accordance with the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal; and

(c5) if YES in step (c4), selectively generating a warning signal in accordance with the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal.

12. The traffic control method of claim 8, wherein the ordinary vehicle unit comprises a warning module for receiving the warning signal, and then playing a sound and/or a light triggered by the warning signal.

13. The traffic control method of claim 8, wherein the ordinary vehicle unit comprises a display module for receiving and displaying the warning signal.

14. The traffic control method of claim 8, wherein the step (c1) is performed by receiving data transmitted from one selected from the group consisting of a global positioning system (GPS), an assisted global positioning system (AGPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), and a Galileo satellite navigation positioning system.

15. A traffic control system, comprising:

an emergency vehicle unit relative to an emergency vehicle, comprising;

a first positioning module, for periodically acquiring current location coordinates associated with said emergency vehicle;

a first storage module therein storing data associated with a plurality of traffic signals;

a second storage module therein storing map data;

a first navigation module, coupled to the first positioning module, the first storage module, and the second storage module, respectively, for generating an emergency vehicle data and determining a plurality of designated traffic signals from the plurality of traffic signals in accordance with an emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the emergency vehicle, the data associated with the traffic signals, and the map data;

a radio signal transmitting module;

a first processing module, coupled to the first storage module, the first navigation module, and the radio signal transmitting module, respectively, for generating a preemption request signal in accordance with the emergency vehicle data and the plurality of designated traffic signals, and transmitting the preemption request signal through the radio signal transmitting module; and

an ordinary vehicle unit relating an ordinary vehicle, comprising;

a second positioning module, for periodically acquiring current location coordinates associated with said ordinary vehicle;

a third storage module therein storing the map data;

a second navigation module, coupled to the second positioning module and the third storage module, respectively, for generating an ordinary vehicle data in accordance with an ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the ordinary vehicle, and the map data;

a first radio signal receiving module;

a first validation module, coupled to the second navigation module and the first radio signal receiving module, respectively, for receiving the preemption request signal through the first radio signal receiving module, judging if the preemption request signal is valid, and if YES, judging if the ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle overlaps the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle in accordance with the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal; and

a second processing module coupled to the first validation module, for receiving the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal, and selectively generating a warning signal in accordance with the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal if the first validation module judges that the ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle overlaps the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle.

16. The traffic control system of claim 15, wherein the first positioning module is configured to receive data transmitted from one selected from the group consisting of a global positioning system (GPS), an assisted global positioning system (AGPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), and a Galileo satellite navigation positioning system.

17. The traffic control system of claim 15, wherein the second positioning module is configured to receive data transmitted from one selected from the group consisting of a global positioning system (GPS), an assisted global positioning system (AGPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), and a Galileo satellite navigation positioning system.

18. The traffic control system of claim 15, wherein the preemption request signal comprises an identity code relating to the emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the emergency vehicle, a speed of the emergency vehicle, identity codes of the traffic signals been passed among the plurality of designated traffic signals, identity codes of the traffic signals not been passed yet among the plurality of designated traffic signals, state set requests for the traffic signals not been passed yet, and an authorization check code.

19. The traffic control system of claim 15, wherein the ordinary vehicle unit also comprises a warning module, coupled to the second processing module, for receiving the warning signal and then playing a sound and/or a light triggered by the warning signal.

20. The traffic control system of claim 15, wherein the ordinary vehicle unit also comprises a display module, coupled to the second processing module, for receiving and displaying the warning signal.

21. The traffic control system of claim 15, further comprising:

a traffic signal control unit associated with one of the designated traffic signals, comprising;

a second radio signal receiving module;

a second validation module, coupled to the second radio signal receiving module, for receiving the preemption request signal through the second radio signal receiving module, filtering a designated data associated with the designated traffic signal from the preemption request signal, and judging if the designated data is valid;

a state indication module, coupled to the second validation module, for receiving the designated data, and selectively generating and transmitting a state change request data in accordance with the designated data if the second validation module judges the designated data to be valid; and

a control module, coupled to the state indication module, for receiving the state change request data transmitted by the state indication module, and controlling the designated traffic signal based on the state change request data.

22. A traffic control method, comprising the steps of:

(a) at an emergency vehicle, performing the steps of;

(a1) periodically acquiring current location coordinates associated with said emergency vehicle;

(a2) generating an emergency vehicle data and determining a plurality of designated traffic signals from a plurality of traffic signals in accordance with an emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the emergency vehicle, data associated with the traffic signals, and map data; and

(a3) generating and transmitting a preemption request signal in accordance with the emergency vehicle data and the plurality of designated traffic signals; and

(b) at an ordinary vehicle, performing the steps of;

(b1) periodically acquiring current location coordinates associated with said ordinary vehicle;

(b2) generating an acquiring ordinary vehicle data in accordance with an ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the ordinary vehicle, and the map data;

(b3) receiving the preemption request signal, and judging if the preemption request signal is valid;

(b4) if YES in step (b3), judging if the ordinary vehicle route relating to the ordinary vehicle overlaps the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle in accordance with the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal; and

(b5) if YES in step (b4), selectively generating a warning signal in accordance with the ordinary vehicle data and the preemption request signal.

23. The traffic control method of claim 22, wherein the step (a1) is performed by receiving data transmitted from one selected from the group consisting of a global positioning system (GPS), an assisted global positioning system (AGPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), and a Galileo satellite navigation positioning system.

24. The traffic control method of claim 22, wherein the step (b1) is performed by receiving data transmitted from one selected from the group consisting of a global positioning system (GPS), an assisted global positioning system (AGPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), and a Galileo satellite navigation positioning system.

25. The traffic control method of claim 22, wherein the preemption request signal comprises an identity code relating to the emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle route relating to the emergency vehicle, the current location coordinates associated with the emergency vehicle, a speed of the emergency vehicle, identity codes of the traffic signals been passed among the plurality of designated traffic signals, identity codes of the traffic signals not been passed yet among the plurality of designated traffic signals, state set requests for the traffic signals not been passed yet, and an authorization check code.

26. The traffic control method of claim 22, wherein the ordinary vehicle unit also comprises a warning module for receiving the warning signal and then playing a sound and/or a light triggered by the warning signal.

27. The traffic control method of claim 22, wherein the ordinary vehicle unit also comprises a display module for receiving and displaying the warning signal.

28. The traffic control method of claim 22 further comprises:

(c) at one of the designated traffic signals from the plurality of designated traffic signals, performing the steps of;

(c1) receiving the preemption request signal, and filtering a designated data associated with said one designated traffic signal of the preemption request signal;

(c2) judging if the designated data is valid; and

(c3) if YES in step (2), selectively generating a state change request data in accordance with said one designated data, and controlling said one designated traffic signal based on the state change request data.