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Traffic light collision avoidance system

  • US 6,281,808 B1
  • Filed: 11/22/1999
  • Issued: 08/28/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A collision avoidance system for a first traffic signal having a current light phase equal to one of the set consisting of at least red and green and a second traffic signal having a current light phase equal to one of the set consisting of at least red and green, comprising:

  • at least one violation prediction image capturing device;

    a plurality of violation prediction images showing at least one vehicle approaching said first traffic signal, said violation prediction images derived from an output of said violation prediction image capturing device;

    a violation prediction unit, responsive to said plurality of violation prediction images and indication of said current first traffic signal light phase, for generating at least one violation prediction for said at least one vehicle approaching said first traffic signal, said violation prediction indicating a likelihood that said at least one vehicle approaching said first traffic signal will violate an upcoming red light phase of said first traffic signal, and wherein said violation prediction unit is further operable to generate said violation prediction in the event that said at least one vehicle crosses a virtual violation line maintained by said violation prediction unit;

    a collision avoidance unit, responsive to said violation prediction, for asserting at least one violation predicted signal coupled to said second traffic signal; and

    a traffic light controller f or said second traffic signal, for controlling said second traffic signal responsive to said violation predicted signal in order to prevent traffic approaching said second traffic signal from entering said intersection.

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