Method and apparatus for traffic incident detection
First Claim
1. A method for recognizing a vehicle in a roadway, the method comprising:
- acquiring an infrared image;
locating within the roadway image a thermal emission pair having an area of relatively low thermal emission adjacent to and above an area of relatively high thermal emission; and
recognizing a vehicle as being indicated by said thermal emission pair.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods effective for detecting, locating and characterizing traffic-related incidents are based upon improved image processing techniques applied to infrared and visible light spectrum roadway images in a time sequence. Substantially real-time isolation and identification of anomalous or unexpected traffic conditions allows control of traffic signals and dispatch of law enforcement, maintenance or emergency medical care resources to reduce cost and increase safety. Detectable traffic-related incidents include, for example, the appearance of a stationary object on a roadway, the appearance of a pedestrian on a roadway, and the identification and location of vehicles obstructing traffic flow by moving too slowly or erratically or in the wrong direction. Programmable digital computer image processing allows automatic classification of the severity of detected incidents based on the potential for further traffic hazards and injuries, and can support automatic signals to alter traffic flow patterns for reducing the likelihood of incidents, as well as automatic alerts to law enforcement, maintenance and emergency medical personnel.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for recognizing a vehicle in a roadway, the method comprising:
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acquiring an infrared image;
locating within the roadway image a thermal emission pair having an area of relatively low thermal emission adjacent to and above an area of relatively high thermal emission; and
recognizing a vehicle as being indicated by said thermal emission pair. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of recognizing the traffic lane portion of a roadway, comprising the steps of:
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acquiring a series of infrared images of the roadway;
in each image of the series, locating a vehicle by detecting within the image a thermal emission pair having an area of relatively low thermal emission adjacent to and above an area of relatively high thermal emission;
tracking the motion of the thermal emission pair;
identifying the traffic lane as the path followed by the thermal emission pair. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A traffic incident detection system, comprising:
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an infrared detector; and
a processing system having a processor and processor memory, operable to receive image data signals of a roadway from the infrared detector, and further operable to process the image data signal by locating a thermal emission pair having an area of relatively low thermal emission adjacent to and above an area of relatively high thermal emission, and to identify the thermal emission pair as a vehicle.
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Specification