Wireless head for a traffic preemption system

• US 8,373,578 B1
• Filed: 04/02/2009
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tomar Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tomar Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Sikora, Scott T., Worthy, David Gerard, Geiger, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US12/417,558
• Time in Patent Office: 1,412 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/904, 340/905, 340/906, 340/907, 340/917
• US Class Current: 340/906
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/087 Override of traffic control, e.g. by signal transmitted by an emergency vehicle

Abstract

A wireless head for a traffic preemption system. Implementations may include one or more optical receivers adapted to identify an optical signal transmitted by an optical transmitter included in a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle and one or more head radio transceivers adapted to identify a radio signal transmitted by a vehicle radio transceiver included in the vehicle preemption unit. A head radio frequency (RF) modem may also be included adapted to transmit one or more radio signals to an intersection RF modem. The head may be mounted to a traffic support fixture. The one or more optical receivers, one or more head radio transceivers, and the head RF modem may all be operably coupled together within the wireless head. The intersection preemption unit may be adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted.

Claims

1. A wireless head for a traffic preemption system comprising:

one or more optical receivers adapted to identify an optical signal transmitted by an optical transmitter comprised in a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle;

one or more head radio transceivers adapted to identify a radio signal transmitted by a vehicle radio transceiver comprised in the vehicle preemption unit; and

a head radio frequency (RF) modem adapted to transmit one or more radio signals corresponding with one of the optical signal, the radio signal, and a combination of the optical signal and the radio signal to an intersection RF modem included in an intersection preemption unit coupled with an intersection system controller;

wherein the head is mounted to a traffic support fixture;

wherein the one or more optical receivers, one or more head radio transceivers, and the head RF modem are all operably coupled together within the wireless head; and

wherein the intersection preemption unit is adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted in response to one of the optical signal, the radio signal, and the combination of the optical signal and the radio signal from the vehicle preemption unit.

2. The wireless head of claim 1, further comprising a battery adapted to provide substantially all the power to operate the wireless head.

3. The wireless head of claim 1, further comprising a solar panel coupled with the wireless head, the solar panel adapted to supply a portion of the power to operate the wireless head.

4. The wireless head of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more wakeup optical receivers coupled with a wakeup circuit comprising a wakeup controller, the one or more wakeup optical receivers adapted to identify and receive the optical signal and the wakeup controller adapted to transmit a wakeup signal when the optical signal is identified;

one or more wakeup radio receivers coupled with the wakeup circuit, the one or more wakeup radio receivers adapted to identify and receive the radio signal and the wakeup controller adapted to transmit a wakeup signal when the radio signal is identified; and

a head controller coupled with the wakeup circuit and the one or more wakeup optical receivers and the one or more wakeup radio receivers, the head controller adapted to enter an operating state from a low power state in response to receiving the wakeup signal from the wakeup controller, the head controller further comprising a signal processor and a signal decoder, the signal processor adapted to condition and process the optical signal and the radio signal and the signal decoder adapted to determine the presence of the optical signal and the radio signal or to decode the optical signal and the radio signal to produce information relating to the vehicle.

5. The wireless head of claim 1, further comprising:

a wakeup circuit coupled with the one or more optical receivers, the wakeup circuit comprising a wakeup controller, the one or more optical receivers and the wakeup circuit adapted to identify and receive the optical signal and to transmit a wakeup signal when the optical signal is identified;

wherein the wakeup circuit is further coupled with the one or more radio receivers and the one or more radio receivers and the wakeup circuit are adapted to identify and receive the radio signal and to transmit a wakeup signal when the radio signal is identified; and

a head controller coupled with the wakeup circuit and the one or more optical receivers and the one or more radio receivers, the head controller adapted to enter an operating state from a low power state in response to receiving the wakeup signal from the wakeup controller, the head controller further comprising a signal processor and a signal decoder, the signal processor adapted to condition and process the optical signal and the radio signal and the signal decoder adapted to determine the presence of the optical signal and the radio signal or to decode the optical signal and the radio signal to produce information relating to the vehicle.

6. The wireless head of claim 1, further comprising a red light sensor coupled with the wireless head, the red light sensor adapted to detect when a red light included in a traffic light mounted on the traffic support fixture is illuminated.

7. The wireless head of claim 1, further comprising one of a temperature sensor, a light level sensor, a wind speed sensor, a humidity sensor, and any combination thereof coupled with the wireless head.

8. The wireless head of claim 1, further comprising at least a second wireless head adapted to receive the optical signal and the radio signal and to calculate a distance of the vehicle from an intersection by triangulating using one of the optical signal, the radio signal, and a combination of the optical signal and the radio signal.

9. The wireless head of claim 1, further comprising at least a second optical receiver or a second head radio transceiver adapted to receive the optical signal or the radio signal, respectively, and to calculate a distance of the vehicle from an intersection by triangulating using the optical signal or the radio signal.

10. A wireless head for a traffic preemption system comprising:

a wakeup optical receiver adapted to identify an optical signal transmitted by an optical transmitter comprised in a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle, the optical receiver coupled with a wakeup circuit comprising a wakeup controller;

a preemption optical receiver adapted to receive the optical signal from the optical transmitter of the vehicle preemption unit; and

a head radio frequency (RF) modem adapted to transmit one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal to an intersection RF modem included in an intersection preemption unit coupled with an intersection system controller;

wherein the head is mounted to a traffic support fixture;

wherein the wakeup optical receiver, the wakeup circuit, the preemption optical receiver, and the head RF modem are all operably coupled together within the head; and

wherein the intersection preemption unit is adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted in response to the optical signal from the vehicle preemption unit.

11. The wireless head of claim 10, further comprising a battery adapted to provide substantially all the power to operate the wireless head.

12. The wireless head of claim 10, further comprising a solar panel coupled with the wireless head, the solar panel adapted to supply a portion of the power to operate the wireless head.

13. The wireless head of claim 10, further comprising:

a head controller coupled with the wakeup circuit and the one or more wakeup optical receivers, the head controller adapted to enter an operating state from a low power state in response to receiving the wakeup signal from the wakeup controller, the head controller further comprising a signal processor and a signal decoder, the signal processor adapted to condition and process the optical signal and the signal decoder adapted to determine the presence of the optical signal or to decode the optical signal to produce information relating to the vehicle.

14. The wireless head of claim 10, further comprising a red light sensor coupled with the wireless head, the red light sensor adapted to detect when a red light included in a traffic light mounted on the traffic support fixture is illuminated.

15. The wireless head of claim 10, further comprising one of a temperature sensor, a light level sensor, a wind speed sensor, a humidity sensor, and any combination thereof coupled with the wireless head.

16. The wireless head of claim 10, further comprising at least a second wireless head adapted to receive the optical signal and to calculate a distance of the vehicle from an intersection by triangulating using the optical signal.

17. The wireless head of claim 10, further comprising at least a second optical receiver adapted to receive the optical signal and to calculate a distance of the vehicle from an intersection by triangulating using the optical signal.

18. A wireless head for a traffic preemption system comprising:

one or more optical receivers or one or more head radio transceivers adapted to identify and receive an optical signal or a radio signal, respectively, transmitted by an optical transmitter or a vehicle radio transceiver comprised in a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle, the one or more optical receivers or one or more head radio transceivers coupled with a wakeup circuit comprising a wakeup controller adapted to transmit a wakeup signal when the optical signal or radio signal is identified;

a head controller coupled with the wakeup circuit and the one or more optical receivers or head radio transceivers and adapted to enter an operating state from a low power state in response to the wakeup signal from the wakeup controller, the head controller further comprising a signal processor and a signal decoder, the signal processor adapted to condition and process the optical signal or the radio signal and the signal decoder adapted to determine the presence of the optical signal or the radio signal or to decode the optical signal or the radio signal to produce information relating to the vehicle;

a head radio frequency (RF) modem coupled with the head controller and adapted to transmit one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal or the radio signal to an intersection RF modem included in an intersection preemption unit coupled with an intersection system controller; and

an on-board power source coupled with the head controller, the on-board power source adapted to supply substantially all of the power needed to operate the head;

wherein the head is mounted to the traffic support fixture; and

wherein the intersection preemption unit is adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted in response to the optical signal from the vehicle preemption unit.

19. A method of forwarding a traffic preemption signal using a wireless head to an intersection controller comprised in a traffic preemption system, the method comprising:

identifying an optical signal using one or more optical receivers included in a wireless head coupled to a traffic support fixture, the optical signal transmitted by an optical transmitter comprised in a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle and adapted to indicate the presence of the vehicle;

transmitting a wakeup signal in response to the optical signal, the wakeup signal transmitted to a head controller using a wakeup controller included in a wakeup circuit included in the wireless head, the wakeup signal adapted to cause the head controller to enter an operating state from a low power state in response to the wakeup signal;

receiving the optical signal from the optical transmitter of the vehicle preemption unit using the one or more optical receivers coupled with the head controller;

transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the received optical signal using a head radio frequency (RF) modem, the one or more radio signals transmitted to an intersection RF modem included in an intersection preemption unit coupled with an intersection system controller, the intersection preemption unit adapted to change a traffic light in favor of the vehicle to which the vehicle preemption unit is mounted in response to the one or more radio signals;

receiving a confirmation radio signal from the intersection RF modem in response to receiving the one or more radio signals from the head RF modem, the confirmation radio signal adapted to indicate successful receipt of the one or more radio signals transmitted by the head RF modem; and

powering the one or more optical receivers, the head controller, and the head RF modem using a battery.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the optical signal from the optical transmitter of the vehicle preemption unit using one or more optical receivers coupled with the head controller further comprises identifying the presence of the optical signal and the amplitude of the optical signal without decoding or interpretation of the optical signal using the head controller, and wherein transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle further comprises transmitting one or more radio signals adapted to communicate the presence of the optical signal, the amplitude of the optical signal, and information relating to the operating status of the wireless head to the intersection RF modem.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the optical signal from the optical transmitter of the vehicle preemption unit using one or more optical receivers coupled with the head controller further comprises identifying the amplitude of the optical signal without decoding or interpretation of the optical signal using the head controller, and wherein transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle further comprises transmitting one or more radio signals modulated similarly to a modulation of the optical signal and adapted to communicate the amplitude of the optical signal and information relating to the operating status of the wireless head to the intersection RF modem.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the optical signal from the optical transmitter of the vehicle preemption unit using one or more optical receivers coupled with the head controller further comprises decoding and interpreting the optical signal with the head controller to produce one of a request, command, instruction, status, information, data, and any combination thereof, and wherein transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle further comprises transmitting one or more radio signals comprising one of the request, command, instruction, status, information, data, and any combination thereof to the intersection RF modem.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle further comprises relaying the information comprised in the optical signal with one or more radio signals to one of the intersection RF modem, another intersection RF modem, another vehicle, a central control system, one or more wireless heads, and any combination thereof.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle using the head RF modem further comprises:

measuring the amplitude of the optical signal;

comparing the amplitude with a predetermined threshold; and

transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle using a head RF modem if the amplitude is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle using the head RF modem further comprises continuing to transmit the one or more radio signals at one of a higher amplitude, a staggered time, a dithered time, a different channel, a frequency hopping pattern, a frequency hopping code, an error control coding technique, and any combination thereof.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting one or more timing radio signals using the intersection RF modem to two or more wireless heads located at an intersection, the one or more timing radio signals adapted to allow the two or more wireless heads to transmit one or more radio signals using their respective head RF modems at different times to prevent signal collision.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle using the head RF modem further comprises utilizing a listen before transmit protocol prior to transmitting the one or more radio signals and transmitting the one or more radio signals during a clear time.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle using the head RF modem further comprising transmitting one or more radio signals comprising a distance the vehicle is from an intersection wherein the distance of the vehicle from the intersection is determined by optically triangulating using multiple wireless heads or multiple optical receivers comprised in the wireless head.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting one or more radio signals corresponding with the optical signal from the vehicle using the head RF modem further comprises transmitting one or more radio signals when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from an intersection wherein the distance of the vehicle from the intersection is determined by optically triangulating using multiple wireless heads or multiple optical receivers comprised in the wireless head.

30. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

determine the status of a traffic light mounted to the traffic support fixture by using a red light sensor coupled with the system controller and coupled with the traffic light; and

transmitting one or more radio signals using the head RF modem to the intersection preemption unit that include the status of the traffic light.