Intelligent Traffic Alerting and Control System

• US 20140191882A1
• Filed: 03/09/2012
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maya Varma
• Original Assignee: Maya Varma
• Inventors: Varma, Maya
• Granted Patent: US 9,035,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0108 based on the source of data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096725 where the received information generates an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096758 where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A system to alert drivers approaching a traffic intersection controlled by a traffic signal light. The system may alert about an impending change in the state of the signal from green to red, to allow them to plan ahead and stop the vehicle safely. The system can be used to slow down and stop an autonomous vehicle (driven by a robot) safely at an intersection. It can also be used to implement “active” or “intelligent” stop signs that warn the driver if the vehicle does not slow down when it has crossed the safe stopping distance at an intersection. It may be used as a virtual hazard warning system to warn motorists of temporary hazards or bottlenecks on the roadway; or as an aid for visually impaired drivers (drivers with color blindness, partially or fully blind drivers).

Claims

1. A traffic alerting and control system comprising

a transmitter module associated with a traffic alerting device to generate messages containing information about the traffic alerting device and transmitting the messages in direction of vehicles approaching the traffic alerting device;

and

a receiver module associated with a vehicle to receive messages from the transmitter module, extract the information about the traffic alerting device, determine location, direction and speed of the vehicle, determine if the vehicle is on path of the traffic alerting device, and determine if alerts associated with the traffic alerting device should be provided to the vehicle.

2. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter module includes a location sensing module.

3. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 2, wherein the location sensing module includes a GPS receiver and/or a digital compass.

4. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 2, wherein the messages generated by the transmitter module include location and orientation of the traffic alerting device.

5. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the messages generated by the transmitter module include a current state of the traffic alerting device.

6. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 5, wherein the messages generated by the transmitter module include a time to change (TTC) from the current state to a new state.

7. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the traffic alerting device is a traffic light.

8. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the traffic alerting device is a stop sign.

9. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the traffic alerting device is a dynamic traffic alerting system that can dynamically generate alerts based on current situation.

10. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module includes at least some subset of a GPS receiver, a digital compass, an acceleration sensing module and a speed sensing module.

11. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module maintains a time to change state counter internally.

12. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module determines alert zones for the traffic alerting device based on location and speed of the vehicle.

13. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module predicts where the vehicle will be when the state of the traffic alerting device changes based on location and speed of the vehicle and time to change counter.

14. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 13, wherein the receiver module determines if the predicted location of the vehicle will be in one of the alert zones.

15. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a robot driven vehicle.

17. The traffic alerting and control system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module is further to

determine if the traffic alerting device has multiple states,

determine which of the multiple states the traffic alerting device is currently in,

capture a time to change to a different state that would require action be taken by the vehicle from the messages,

track the time to change between receipt of messages,

predict where the vehicle will be when the state of the traffic alerting device changes based on location and speed of the vehicle and time to change;

and

determine if the predicted location of the vehicle will be in one of the one or more alert zones.

16. A traffic alerting and control system comprising

a transmitter module associated with a traffic alerting device to generate messages containing information about the traffic alerting device and transmitting the messages in direction of vehicles approaching the traffic alerting device;

and

a receiver module associated with a vehicle to

receive messages from the transmitter module,

extract the information about the traffic alerting device,

determine location, direction and speed of the vehicle,

determine if the vehicle is on path of the traffic alerting device, and if the vehicle is on the path of the traffic alerting device to

determine one or more alert zones for the traffic alerting device based on location and speed of the vehicle;

determine when the vehicle is in any of the one or more alert zones; and

initiate an appropriate alert for the one or more alert zones.

18. A traffic alerting and control device in communication with a vehicle, the device including

a receiver to receive messages associated with a traffic alerting device, wherein the messages include information about the traffic alerting device;

a location sensing module to determine location and direction of the vehicle;

a speed sensing module to determine the speed of the vehicle; and

a controller to

extract the information about the traffic alerting device;

determine if the vehicle is on path of the traffic alerting device,

determine one or more alert zones for the traffic alerting device based on location and speed of the vehicle;

determine when the vehicle is in any of the one or more alert zones; and

initiate an appropriate alert for the one or more alert zones.

19. The traffic alerting and control device of claim 18, wherein the controller is further to

determine if the traffic alerting device has multiple states,

determine which of the multiple states the traffic alerting device is currently in,

capture a time to change to a different state that would require action be taken by the vehicle from the messages,

track the time to change between receipt of messages,

predict where the vehicle will be when the state of the traffic alerting device changes based on location and speed of the vehicle and time to change;

and

determine if the predicted location of the vehicle will be in one of the one or more alert zones.

20. The traffic alerting and control device of claim 18, wherein the vehicle is a robot driven vehicle and the controller is further to provide appropriate sensory inputs to the robot driving the vehicle.