Direction Processing Based on Multi-State Inputs
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for determining the direction of a moving object across a sensor having a plurality of inputs, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. assigning an initial value to a direction variable;
b. monitoring state changes of the inputs as the moving object passes across the sensor;
c. upon detection of a state change of a particular input from a lowest state to a higher state, comparing the magnitude of the state changes in the order in which a forward-moving object would cause inputs to switch to a particular state;
d. for each comparison, incrementing the value of the direction variable by a fixed amount to indicate a forward-moving object, and decrementing the value of the direction variable by the fixed amount to indicate a reverse-moving object;
e. monitoring the order of state changes for all inputs until all inputs return to their lowest state and thereby indicating passage of the moving object; and
f. assigning a direction of movement to the moving object on the basis of the final value of the direction variable after the object has moved past the sensor.
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Abstract
A computer-implemented method for determining the direction of a moving object across a sensor having a plurality of inputs is disclosed. The invention determines the direction of a moving object, such as a vehicle on a roadway, based on inputs provided by sensors along the object'"'"'s path. The methods involve monitoring state changes of the inputs as the object passes the sensor and comparing the magnitude of state changes in the order in which a forward-moving object would cause inputs to switch to a particular state. For each state change comparison, a direction variable is adjusted to indicate forward or reverse movement. After passage of the object, a direction of movement is assigned to the moving object on the basis of the final value of the direction variable. The invention provides a high degree of accuracy, is simple to reconfigure, and more economical than other methods.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for determining the direction of a moving object across a sensor having a plurality of inputs, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. assigning an initial value to a direction variable; b. monitoring state changes of the inputs as the moving object passes across the sensor; c. upon detection of a state change of a particular input from a lowest state to a higher state, comparing the magnitude of the state changes in the order in which a forward-moving object would cause inputs to switch to a particular state; d. for each comparison, incrementing the value of the direction variable by a fixed amount to indicate a forward-moving object, and decrementing the value of the direction variable by the fixed amount to indicate a reverse-moving object; e. monitoring the order of state changes for all inputs until all inputs return to their lowest state and thereby indicating passage of the moving object; and f. assigning a direction of movement to the moving object on the basis of the final value of the direction variable after the object has moved past the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification