Location based vehicle traffic signal alert system
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a wireless signal message generator co-located with and operatively coupled to at least one traffic signal light;
an on-board vehicle signal alert system having a wireless signal message receiver, a GPS receiver that receives GPS (global positioning system) signals, and an alert service module operatively coupled to the wireless signal message receiver and to the GPS receiver;
the signal message generator outputting to the wireless signal message receiver at least one traffic signal message indicative of a location of the traffic signal and a current light status of the at least one traffic signal; and
an onboard alarm that is activated by the alert service module as a function of a received at least one traffic signal message and at least one received GPS signal; and
the wireless signal message generator having a predetermined broadcast range, which is predetermined as a function of the location of the traffic signal light and velocities of vehicles relative to the at least one traffic signal light.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the location based vehicle traffic signal alert system, according to the present method and apparatus, may alert drivers as to when vehicles are approaching the traffic signal lights while the signal is yellow or red. In addition, it may also warn drivers when the signal ahead is about to change colors, for example, from green to yellow or from yellow to red. In an alternative embodiment the signal alert system may also send a signal to the engine/brake system of the automobile to perform automatic throttle control or braking when the driver fails to attempt a required stop at the traffic light.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a wireless signal message generator co-located with and operatively coupled to at least one traffic signal light; an on-board vehicle signal alert system having a wireless signal message receiver, a GPS receiver that receives GPS (global positioning system) signals, and an alert service module operatively coupled to the wireless signal message receiver and to the GPS receiver; the signal message generator outputting to the wireless signal message receiver at least one traffic signal message indicative of a location of the traffic signal and a current light status of the at least one traffic signal; and an onboard alarm that is activated by the alert service module as a function of a received at least one traffic signal message and at least one received GPS signal; and the wireless signal message generator having a predetermined broadcast range, which is predetermined as a function of the location of the traffic signal light and velocities of vehicles relative to the at least one traffic signal light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method, comprising:
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sending, by a traffic signal message generator, a traffic signal message associated with at least one traffic signal light; receiving, by an on-board traffic signal receiver in a vehicle, the traffic signal message, when the vehicle is approaching the at least one traffic light, regardless of a moving direction of the vehicle; determining, via GPS (global positioning system), a location of the vehicle; calculating, by a signal alert service module in the vehicle, a speed and moving direction of the vehicle; and generating, when a direction in the traffic signal message matches the vehicle moving direction and when the vehicle speed is not zero, an alarm; and the traffic signal message generator having a predetermined broadcast range, which is predetermined as a function of the location of the traffic signal light and from velocities of vehicles relative to the at least one traffic signal light. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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broadcasting a traffic signal message associated with at least one traffic signal light; receiving the traffic signal message by a vehicle, when the vehicle is approaching the at least one traffic light, regardless of a moving direction of the vehicle; determining speed and moving direction of the vehicle; and generating an alarm, as a function of information in the traffic signal message and the speed and direction of the vehicle, when the vehicle is approaching the at least one traffic signal light; wherein the traffic signal message is broadcast over a predetermined broadcast range, which is predetermined as a function of a location of the traffic signal light and from velocities of vehicles relative to the at least one traffic signal light. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification