SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN A NETWORK OF MOVING THINGS

• US 20170085632A1
• Filed: 07/21/2016
• Published: 03/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veniam Inc.
• Original Assignee: Veniam Inc.
• Inventors: Cardote, Andre
• Granted Patent: US 10,122,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

Systems and methods for traffic management in a network of moving things. As non-limiting examples, various aspects of this disclosure provide systems and methods for utilizing vehicles, vehicle sensors, and/or vehicle-based networks of the Internet of moving things for traffic control optimization.

Claims

1. A mobile access point (MAP) comprising:

at least one module operable to, at least;

establish communication links with sensors along a travel route of the MAP;

collect traffic-related sensor data from the sensors; and

communicate the collected traffic-related sensor data to a central traffic controller (CTC).

2. The mobile access point of claim 1, wherein the at least one module is operable to:

receive data collection control information from the CTC indicating a manner in which the MAP is to collect the traffic-related sensor data; and

collect the traffic-related sensor data in accordance with the received data collection control information.

3. The mobile access point of claim 2, wherein the data collection control information identifies a sensor from which the MAP is to collect the traffic-related sensor data.

4. The mobile access point of claim 3, wherein the data collection control information identifies a geographical location of the identified sensor.

5. The mobile access point of claim 1, wherein the at least one module is operable to:

receive traffic control command information from the CTC, wherein the traffic control command information identifies a local traffic control system; and

communicate the received traffic control command information to the identified local traffic control system.

6. The mobile access point of claim 5, wherein the at least one module is operable to communicate the received traffic control command information to the identified local traffic control system in a direct wireless communication link between the MAP and the identified local traffic control system.

7. The mobile access point of claim 5, wherein the at least one module is operable to communicate the received traffic control command information to the identified local traffic control system in a multi-hop wireless communication link comprising at least one other mobile access point.

8. A traffic control system comprising:

at least one module operable to, at least;

establish communication links with a mobile access point (MAP) of a vehicle communication network;

receive traffic-related sensor data from the MAP; and

determine whether to command operation of a local traffic control system, based at least in part on the received traffic-related sensor data.

9. The traffic control system of claim 8, wherein the at least one module is operable to communicate data collection control information to the MAP indicating a manner in which the MAP is to collect the traffic-related sensor data.

10. The traffic control system of claim 9, wherein the data collection control information identifies a sensor from which the MAP is to collect the traffic-related sensor data.

11. The traffic control system of claim 10, wherein the data collection control information identifies a geographical location of a sensor from which the MAP is to collect the traffic-related sensor data.

12. The traffic control system of claim 8, wherein the at least one module is operable to communicate traffic control command information to the MAP, wherein the traffic control command information identifies a local traffic control system.

13. The traffic control system of claim 12, wherein the traffic control command information comprises information identifying a geographical location of the local traffic control system.

14. A traffic control system comprising:

at least one module operable to, at least;

receive traffic-related sensor data from a mobile access point (MAP) of a vehicle communication network;

receive vehicle situational data;

determine whether to implement traffic control measures based, at least in part, on the received traffic-related sensor data and the received vehicle situational data; and

if it is determined to implement traffic control measures, then generate a traffic control command to control operation of a local traffic control system.

15. The traffic control system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module is operable to communicate data collection control information to the MAP indicating a manner in which the MAP is to collect the traffic-related sensor data.

16. The traffic control system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module is operable to receive vehicle situational data from a fleet controller.

17. The traffic control system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module is operable to determine whether to implement traffic control measures by, at least in part, operating to:

identify a route for an emergency vehicle; and

determine whether to implement traffic control measures based also at least in part on the identified route.

18. The traffic control system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module is operable to implement traffic control measures in a prioritized manner in which emergency vehicles have priority over public transportation vehicles, which have priority over private vehicles.

19. The traffic control system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module is operable to select a communication network via which to communicate the traffic control command.

20. The traffic control system of claim 19, wherein the at least one module is operable to select the communication network from a set of communication networks comprising:

the vehicle communication network, and another communication network independent of the vehicle communication network.