Traffic preemption system
First Claim
1. A traffic preemption system, comprising:
- a vehicle equipped with an onboard computer system configured to;
capture diagnostic information;
estimate the location of the emergency vehicle using information provided by a GPS receiver connected to the onboard computer system; and
transmit the captured diagnostic information and estimated location using a wireless transmitter connected to the onboard computer system via a first wireless network;
a fleet management computer system connected to a wireless receiver, where the fleet management computer system and wireless receiver are configured to;
receive information transmitted by the on-board equipment;
determine whether the received information is from a vehicle requiring intersection preemption;
provide the estimated location of vehicles requiring intersection preemption to a traffic management computer system configured to receive estimated locations of vehicles requiring intersection preemption from the fleet management computer system, and forward preemption requests;
an intersection controller receiving a preemption request and preempting one or more traffic lights at an intersection in response; and
a real-time status monitor verifying preemption of the traffic lights at the intersection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A traffic preemption system is described that includes onboard equipment located on a vehicle and a fleet management center in communication with the onboard equipment. The fleet management center is also in communication with a traffic management center that is in communication with at least one intersection controller, which controls the signals displayed at a traffic intersection. In one embodiment, the invention includes a vehicle equipped with an onboard computer system capable of capturing diagnostic information, estimating the location of the emergency vehicle using information provided by a GPS receiver connected to the onboard computer system and transmitting the captured diagnostic information and estimated location using a wireless transmitter connected to the onboard computer system via a first wireless network. Also included is a fleet management computer system connected to a wireless receiver, where the fleet management computer system and wireless receiver are capable of receiving information transmitted by the on-board equipment, determining whether the received information is from a vehicle requiring intersection preemption and providing the estimated location of vehicles requiring intersection preemption to a traffic management computer system. The traffic management computer system is capable of receiving estimated locations of vehicles requiring intersection preemption from the fleet management computer system and forwarding preemption requests to intersection controllers via a second network.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A traffic preemption system, comprising:
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a vehicle equipped with an onboard computer system configured to; capture diagnostic information; estimate the location of the emergency vehicle using information provided by a GPS receiver connected to the onboard computer system; and transmit the captured diagnostic information and estimated location using a wireless transmitter connected to the onboard computer system via a first wireless network; a fleet management computer system connected to a wireless receiver, where the fleet management computer system and wireless receiver are configured to; receive information transmitted by the on-board equipment; determine whether the received information is from a vehicle requiring intersection preemption; provide the estimated location of vehicles requiring intersection preemption to a traffic management computer system configured to receive estimated locations of vehicles requiring intersection preemption from the fleet management computer system, and forward preemption requests; an intersection controller receiving a preemption request and preempting one or more traffic lights at an intersection in response; and a real-time status monitor verifying preemption of the traffic lights at the intersection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A traffic preemption system, comprising:
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at least one onboard diagnostic means mounted on a vehicle and connected to a GPS receiver and a wireless transmitter for determining the location of a vehicle and the preemption requirements of the vehicle; at least one fleet management means connected to a wireless receiver for receiving information concerning the location and preemption requirements of vehicles and for forwarding information concerning vehicles requiring intersection preemption to at least one traffic management means, the traffic management means for determining the preemption requirements of vehicles based on information provided by the fleet management means and for preempting at least one intersection controller in response to the vehicles'"'"' preemption requirements; and a real-time status monitor verifying preemption of the at least one intersection controller.
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18. A method of preempting an intersection, comprising:
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estimating the location of at least one vehicle; providing the estimated location to a fleet management system; determining whether any of the vehicles require the preemption of an intersection; forwarding the estimated location of vehicles requiring preemption to a traffic management system; sending a preemption request to an intersection controller in satisfaction of the preemption requirements of at least one of the vehicles, the intersection controller receiving a preemption request and preempting one or more traffic lights at an intersection in response; and verifying preemption of the traffic lights at the intersection. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification