Intelligent traffic alerting and control system

• US 9,035,797 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2012
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maya Varma
• Original Assignee: Maya Varma
• Inventors: Varma, Maya
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Zhen Y
• Application Number:
  US13/416,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20140191882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 340/903, 340/905
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0104 Measuring and analyzing of parameters relative to traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0108 based on the source of data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096725 where the received information generates an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096758 where no selection takes place on the transmitted or the received information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A system to alert drivers approaching a traffic intersection controlled by a traffic signal light. The system may alert about an impending change in the state of the signal from green to red, to allow them to plan ahead and stop the vehicle safely. The system can be used to slow down and stop an autonomous vehicle (driven by a robot) safely at an intersection. It can also be used to implement “active” or “intelligent” stop signs that warn the driver if the vehicle does not slow down when it has crossed the safe stopping distance at an intersection. It may be used as a virtual hazard warning system to warn motorists of temporary hazards or bottlenecks on the roadway; or as an aid for visually impaired drivers (drivers with color blindness, partially or fully blind drivers).

Claims

1. A traffic alerting and control device in communication with a vehicle, the device comprising

a receiver to receive messages associated with a traffic alerting device, wherein the messages include information related to the traffic alerting device including location of the traffic alerting device and a time until a current state of the traffic alerting device changes;

a location sensing module to determine location and direction of the vehicle;

a speed sensing module to determine speed of the vehicle; and

a controller to

extract information from the messages;

determine when the messages are associated with the vehicle based on path of the vehicle and location of the traffic alerting device;

determine braking zone and warning zone based on the speed of the vehicle, wherein the braking zone is a range of distances from the traffic alerting device in which brakes can be applied to safely stop the vehicle and the warning zone is a range of distances outside of the brake zone that can be utilized to provide advance notice that the vehicle is approaching the braking zone;

determine when the vehicle is in either the braking zone or the warning zone;

set a counter to the time until the current state changes;

update the counter using an internal clock at defined intervals between receipt of messages;

estimate location of the vehicle when the traffic alerting signal is set to change state based on the counter, distance from traffic alerting signal and speed of the vehicle;

estimate when the vehicle will be in either the braking zone or the warning zone when the traffic alerting system is set to change state; and

issue an appropriate alert based on which zone the vehicle is in.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein an alert for braking zone instructs the vehicle to apply the brakes.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein an alert for the warning zone instructs the vehicle to prepare to brake.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further to

determine when the vehicle is braking;

and

disable any alerts that have been issued.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the controller is to determine when the vehicle is braking by determining when the vehicle is decelerating by greater than a defined amount.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is to determine the braking zone by calculating a stopping distance based on the current speed.

7. A traffic alerting and control device in communication with a vehicle, the device comprising

a receiver to receive messages associated with a traffic alerting device, wherein the messages include information related to the traffic alerting device including location of the traffic alerting device and time until a current state of the traffic alerting device changes;

a location sensing module to determine location and direction of the vehicle;

a speed sensing module to determine the speed of the vehicle; and

a controller to

extract information from the messages;

determine when the messages are associated with the vehicle based on path of the vehicle and location of the traffic alerting device;

set a counter to the time until the current state of the traffic alerting system changes;

update the counter using an internal clock at defined intervals between receipt of messages;

estimate a stopping distance for the vehicle based on the current speed;

determine a braking zone based on the estimated stopping distance, wherein the braking zone is a range of distances from the traffic alerting device in which brakes can be applied to safely stop the vehicle;

predict location of the vehicle when the traffic alerting signal is set to change state based on the counter, distance from traffic alerting signal and speed of the vehicle;

predict when the vehicle will be in the braking zone; and

issue a braking alert.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the controller is further to

determine when the vehicle is braking;

and

disable the braking alert.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the controller is to determine when the vehicle is braking by determining when the vehicle is decelerating by greater than a defined amount.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the controller is further to determine a warning zone outside of the braking zone that can be utilized to provide advance notice that the vehicle is approaching the braking zone.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the warning zone is defined as distance the vehicle will travel at current speed for a defined amount of time, wherein the defined amount of time is associated with how much of an advance notice of the braking zone is desired.

12. A traffic alerting and control device in communication with a vehicle, the device comprising

a receiver to receive messages associated with a traffic alerting device, wherein the messages include information related to the traffic alerting device including location of the traffic alerting device, current state of the traffic alerting device, and time until a current state of the traffic alerting device changes;

a location sensing module to determine location and direction of the vehicle;

a speed sensing module to determine the speed of the vehicle; and

a controller to

extract information from the messages;

determine when the messages are associated with the vehicle based on path of the vehicle and location of the traffic alerting device;

estimate a stopping distance for the vehicle based on the current speed;

determine a braking zone based on the estimated stopping distance, wherein the braking zone is a range of distances from the traffic alerting device in which brakes can be applied to safely stop the vehicle;

determine a warning zone outside of the braking zone that can be utilized to provide advance notice that the vehicle is approaching the braking zone;

when current state of the traffic alerting system is not a clear condition;

determine when the vehicle is in either the braking zone or the warning zone; and

issue an appropriate alert; and

when the current state of the traffic alerting system is a clear condition;

set a counter to the time until the current state of the traffic alerting system changes;

update the counter using an internal clock at defined intervals between receipt of messages;

estimate location of the vehicle when the traffic alerting signal is set to change state based on the counter, distance from traffic alerting signal and speed of the vehicle;

estimate when the vehicle will be in either the braking zone or the warning zone based on the estimated location; and

issue an appropriate alert.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein when the current state of the traffic alerting system is not a clear condition the controller is to

determine if the vehicle is in the braking zone;

if the vehicle is in the braking zone, issue a braking alert;

if the vehicle is not in the braking zone, determine if the vehicle is in the warning zone; and

if the vehicle is in the warning zone, issue a warning alert.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the controller is further to

determine when the vehicle is braking, wherein the vehicle is deemed to be braking when it is determined that the vehicle is decelerating by greater than a defined amount;

and

set a braking flag.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein when the current state of the traffic alerting system is not a clear condition the controller is to

determine if the vehicle is in the braking zone;

if the vehicle is in the braking zone, determine if the breaking flag is set;

if the breaking flag is not set, issue a braking alert;

if the vehicle is not in the braking zone, determine if the vehicle is in the warning zone; and

if the vehicle is in the warning zone, issue a warning alert.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein when the current state of the traffic alerting system is a clear condition the controller is to

determine when the estimated location of the vehicle when the traffic alerting signal is set to change has not passed the breaking zone;

determine if the estimated location of the vehicle is in the braking zone;

if the estimated location of the vehicle is in the braking zone, issue a braking alert;

if the estimated location of the vehicle is not in the braking zone, determine if the estimated location of the vehicle is in the warning zone; and

if the estimated location of the vehicle is in the warning zone, issue a warning alert.