Traffic monitoring system and method

• US 6,384,739 B1
• Filed: 05/10/1999
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Roberts, Jr., Evans V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/309,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20020030605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 340/905, 340/933, 340/934, 340/928, 701/117, 701/118, 708/109, 368/6, 368/13, 377/9, 377/13
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/01 Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled G08G1/07 - G08G1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station

Abstract

The system provides a method for gathering and sending monitored traffic data via a short messaging system message over a wireless network through a publicly switched telephone network (“PSTN”) to a central computer. A remote traffic monitoring unit acts as a data collection device collecting data regarding the traffic count and other conditions at its particular location. The remote traffic monitoring unit can monitor different types of traffic—for example, motor vehicles, trains, and pedestrians. The system routes data messages including monitored traffic count data from the remote traffic monitoring unit to a central computer and routes control information from the central computer to the remote traffic monitoring unit. The system maintains and processes count data of traffic at a remote location and is capable of collecting the count data including a remote traffic monitoring device adapted to gather traffic count data, formatting the traffic count data into a short message service message, and transmitting the short message service message via a wireless transmission; comprising a central computer for receiving the traffic count data from the remote traffic monitoring device.

Claims

1. A remote traffic monitoring device for use with a wireless network, having a control channel, comprising:

a) a first object sensing device adapted to generate a signal representing the presence of the object;

b) a first counting device coupled to the object sensing device, the counting device adapted to maintain count data, receive the signal representing the presence of the object from the sensing device, and increment the count data for each signal received from the sensing device;

c) a processor coupled to the counting device, the processor adapted to receive the count data from the counting device and format count data and data identifying the device in a short message service message; and

d) a messaging transceiver coupled to the processor, the transceiver adapted to receive the short message service message from the processor and transmit the short message service message over the control channel of the wireless network.

2. The remote traffic monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensing device electrically coupled to the processor, the temperature sensing device adapted to generate temperature data.

3. The remote monitoring device of claim 2, wherein the temperature data is assembled in the short message service message with the count data.

4. The remote traffic monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising a water level sensing device electrically coupled to the processor, the water level sensing device adapted to generate water level data.

5. The remote monitoring device of claim 4, wherein the water level data is assembled in the short message service message with the count data.

6. The remote traffic monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising an interface electrically coupled to the processor for connecting an input device to the processor.

7. The remote traffic monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the processor stores the count data in a predetermined storage location.

8. The remote traffic monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is a Personal Communication System transceiver.

9. The remote monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the short message service message includes error detection data regarding the function of the remote monitoring device.

10. The remote monitoring device of claim 1 further comprising a power supply coupled to the first counting device, the processor, and the wireless telephone transceiver.

11. A system for maintaining count data of traffic at a remote location and capable of collecting the count data, the system comprising:

a) a remote traffic monitoring device adapted to gather traffic count data, format the traffic count data and data identifying the device into a short message service message, and transmit the short message service message via a control channel on a wireless network; and

b) a central computer for receiving the traffic count data from the remote traffic monitoring device.

12. The system of claim 11, where in the central computer can send control information to the remote traffic monitoring device.

13. A method for collecting traffic count data within a system having a remote traffic monitoring device and a central computer, comprising:

a) sensing the presence of an object to be counted;

b) generating a signal representative of the sensing of the object;

c) incrementing traffic count data upon the detection of the signal;

d) formatting traffic count data and data identifying the device into a short message service message format; and

e) transmitting the short message service message via a control channel on a wireless network and a public switched telephone network to the central computer.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the short message service message contains error detection data regarding the function of the remote monitoring device.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising programming the remote traffic monitoring device.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting a message from the central computer to the remote traffic monitoring device.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising storing the count data at the remote monitoring device.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising sensing a ambient temperature at the remote monitoring device;

generating ambient temperature data representative of the roadway temperature conditions; and

formatting the temperature data into the formatted short message service message.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting the short message service message to the central computer.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising sensing ambient road conditions and quality as determined by monitoring moisture level for transmittal in the short message service message.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting the short message service message to the central computer.

22. The method of claim 13 wherein the short message service message is transmitted to the central computer after predetermined time period.

23. The method of claim 13 wherein the short message service message is transmitted to the central computer at the request of the central computer.

24. The method of claim 13 wherein the short message service message is transmitted to the central computer when the count data reaches a predetermined number.