Vibration actuated traffic monitoring system

• US 6,333,701 B1
• Filed: 07/23/1999
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Davis, Clint A., Mee, Gary L.
• Original Assignee: Davis, Clint A., Mee, Gary L.
• Inventors: Mee, Gary L., Davis, Clint A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US09/360,231
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 340/907, 340/908, 340/933, 340/683, 340/904, 340/902, 340/905, 340/909, 340/910, 340/916, 340/917, 340/925, 340/938, 340/940, 340/939
• US Class Current: 340/907
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals

Abstract

A device for controlling a traffic light, where the controlling of the traffic light is dependent upon receipt and recognition of vibrations. The device includes a vibration receiver for detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, a processor for converting one or more of the vibrations into a control signal and a controller to trigger a traffic light in response to the control signal. The device may also include a vibration generator, e.g., at least one channel or groove in a traffic-bearing surface. The vibration generator preferably facilitates the production of a pattern of vibrations when the tire of a vehicle passes over the vibration generator. Further, the device may include a vibration receiver, capable of detecting a pattern of vibrations and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to said pattern of vibrations.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring moving vehicles, the method comprising:

detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, wherein the vibrations are incited by a vehicle passing over a vibration generator;

determining whether a speed of the vehicle exceeds a speed limit based on the detected vibrations; and

triggering a camera to capture an image of the vehicle if the vehicle exceeds the speed limit wherein the vibration generator incites a pattern of vibrations which triggers a control signal if the pattern of vibrations matches a reference pattern.

2. A method of monitoring moving vehicles, the method comprising:

detecting a pattern of vibrations transmitted through the ground, the vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over one or more grooves formed in a traffic-bearing surface;

producing a pattern of signals corresponding to the pattern of vibrations;

comparing the pattern of signals to a reference pattern;

converting the pattern of signals into a control signal if the pattern of signals matches the reference pattern;

determining whether a speed of the vehicle exceeds a speed limit based on the detected vibrations; and

triggering a camera in response to the control signal and the determination of whether the vehicle exceeds the speed limit to capture an image of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the grooves are internally spaced by a uniform integral multiple length of the grooves.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the pattern of signals matches the reference pattern if a time delay between signals with respect to the internal spacing of the grooves corresponds to a uniform delay.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the pattern of signals matches the reference pattern if the time delay corresponds to the uniform delay within a predetermined variance.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

converting each vibration of the pattern of vibrations into an electrical signal;

amplifying the electrical signals; and

digitizing the amplified signals.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the electrical signal is an analog voltage waveform having a magnitude proportional to a displacement produced by said vibrations.

8. A method of monitoring moving vehicles, the method comprising:

detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, wherein the vibrations are incited by a vehicle passing over a vibration generator;

determining whether a vehicle travels into an intersection in violation of a traffic signal; and

triggering a camera to capture an image of the vehicle if the vehicle violates a traffic signal wherein the vibration generator incites a pattern of vibrations which triggers a control signal if the pattern of vibrations matches a reference pattern.

9. An apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles comprising:

a vibration generator extending across a traffic-bearing surface for generating a pattern of vibrations;

a vibration receiver for detecting the pattern of vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over the vibration generator;

a processor for converting the pattern of vibrations into a control signal and for producing a violation signal when a speed of a vehicle exceeds a speed limit; and

a controller to trigger a camera in response to the violation signal.

10. The apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles of claim 9, wherein the vibration generator comprises a series of one or more grooves in a traffic-bearing surface proximate a traffic intersection having a predetermined internal spacing of uniform integral multiple length.

11. The apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles of claim 9, wherein the vibration receiver converts the pattern of vibrations into a pattern of electrical signals.

12. The apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles of claim 11, wherein the processor converts the pattern of electrical signals into a control signal if a time delay between electrical signals corresponds to a uniform delay within a predetermined variance.

13. An apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles, comprising:

a geophone capable of detecting a pattern of vibrations and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to the pattern of vibrations;

a processor to convert the pattern of signals into a control signal and for producing a violation signal when a vehicle traverses an intersection in violation of a traffic signal; and

a controller to trigger a camera in response to the violation signal.

14. The apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles of claim 13, additionally comprising a vibration generator for generating the pattern of vibrations.

15. The apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles of claim 13, wherein the vibration generator comprises a series of one or more grooves in a traffic-bearing surface proximate a traffic intersection having a predetermined internal spacing of uniform integral multiple length.

16. An apparatus for monitoring moving vehicles, comprising:

a traffic-bearing surface proximate a traffic intersection, the surface having a predetermined number of grooves to produce a pattern of vibrations;

a geophone positioned proximate the traffic-bearing surface, wherein the geophone is capable of detecting the pattern of vibrations incited by the grooves and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to the pattern of vibrations;

a processor to convert the pattern of signals into a first control signal and to produce a second control signal when at least one predetermined condition is met; and

a controller to trigger a traffic device in response to the first and second control signal.