METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTING TARGET VEHICLES FOR OCCUPANCY DETECTION

• US 20140363051A1
• Filed: 06/05/2013
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC (Conduent, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Burry, Aaron Michael, Paul, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,336,450 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/105
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/141 Control of illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/593 Recognising seat occupancy

Abstract

Methods and systems for selecting a target vehicle for occupancy detection utilizing vehicle identification information. The vehicle identification information (e.g., license plate information) can be obtained from a vehicle identification unit (e.g., ALPR) to identify a vehicle approaching a high occupancy measurement zone. The vehicle identification information from the vehicle identification unit can be transferred to a vehicle occupancy unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit. The flash illuminator unit and the image-capturing unit are not enabled if the vehicle'"'"'s occupancy state has already been measured at a prior location based on the vehicle identification information. The vehicle occupancy detection unit and the vehicle identification unit work together in a coordinated fashion to reduce the number of times the flash illuminator unit needs to fire and extends the life of the illuminator unit, thus reducing the cost of maintenance.

Claims

1. A method for selection of a target vehicle for occupancy detection, said method comprising:

obtaining vehicle identification information of a vehicle via a vehicle identification unit to identify said vehicle as said vehicle approaches a high occupancy measurement zone;

transferring said vehicle identification information from said vehicle identification unit to an occupancy detection unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit; and

enabling said flash illuminator unit and said image-capturing unit if said vehicle occupancy state has not already been measured at a prior location based on said vehicle identification information reducing the number of times said flash illuminator unit needs to fire and extending the life of said flash illuminator unit.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising configuring said vehicle identification information to comprise license plate data.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising configuring said vehicle identification unit to comprise at least one of the following:

said image-capturing unit and an automatic license plate recognition engine;

a radio-frequency identification transponder; and

an onboard unit that utilizes a dedicated short range communication channel.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing an allowance by calculating a number of miles said vehicle has been on the roadway; and

tracking a number of times said vehicle has been missed utilizing said occupancy detection unit.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising factoring a more complex trip information into calculation of which vehicles to flash at a given measurement site and a given moment in time to encompass a plurality of information.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising addressing a hardware limit while said illuminator life span is increased by selectively flashing said vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising recording an occluded vehicle and performing an additional occupancy detection at a later station by integrating said vehicle identification information.

8. A system for selection of a target vehicle for occupancy detection, said system comprising:

a vehicle identification unit, wherein vehicle identification information of a vehicle is obtained via said vehicle identification unit to identify said vehicle as said vehicle approaches a high occupancy measurement zone; and

an occupancy detection unit, wherein said vehicle identification information is transferred from said vehicle identification unit to said occupancy detection unit, said occupancy detecting unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit, wherein said flash illuminator unit and said image-capturing unit are enabled, if said vehicle occupancy state has not already been measured at a prior location based on said vehicle identification information to reduce the number of times said flash illuminator unit needs to fire and extend the life of said flash illuminator unit.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said vehicle identification information comprises license plate data.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said vehicle identification unit comprises at least one of the following types of units:

said image-capturing unit and an automatic license plate recognition engine;

a radio-frequency identification transponder; and

an onboard unit that utilizes a dedicated short range communication channel.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein:

an allowance is provided by calculating a number of miles said vehicle has been on the roadway; and

a number of times said vehicle has been missed is tracked utilizing said occupancy detection unit.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein more complex trip information is capable of being factored into a calculation of which vehicles to flash at a given measurement site and a given moment in time to encompass a plurality of information.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein a hardware limit is addressable while said illuminator life span is increased by selectively flashing said vehicle,

14. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a memory for recording an occluded vehicle; and

a processor for performing an additional occupancy detection at a later station by integrating said vehicle identification information.

15. A system for selection of a target vehicle for occupancy detection, said system comprising:

a processor;

a data bus coupled to said processor; and

a computer-usable medium embodying computer program code, said computer-usable medium being coupled to said data bus, said computer program code comprising instructions executable by said processor and configured for;

obtaining vehicle identification information of a vehicle via a vehicle identification unit to identify said vehicle as said vehicle approaches a high occupancy measurement zone;

transferring said vehicle identification information from said vehicle identification unit to an occupancy detection unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit; and

enabling said flash illuminator unit and said image-capturing unit if said vehicle occupancy state has not already been measured at a prior location based on said vehicle identification information reducing the number of times said flash illuminator unit needs to fire and extending the life of said flash illuminator unit.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said vehicle identification information comprises license plate data and wherein said vehicle identification unit comprises at least one of the following types of units:

said image-capturing unit and an automatic license plate recognition engine;

a radio-frequency identification transponder; and

an onboard unit that utilizes a dedicated short range communication channel.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said instructions are further configured for:

providing an allowance by calculating a number of miles said vehicle has been on the roadway; and

tracking a number of times said vehicle has been missed utilizing said occupancy detection unit.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said instructions are further configured for factoring more complex trip information into a calculation of which vehicles to flash at a given measurement site and a given moment in time to encompass a plurality of information.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein said instructions are further configured for addressing a hardware limit while said illuminator life span is increased by selectively flashing said vehicle.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein said instructions are further configured for recording an occluded vehicle and performing an additional occupancy detection at a later station by integrating said vehicle identification information.