Methods and systems for selecting target vehicles for occupancy detection
First Claim
1. A method for selection of a target vehicle for occupancy detection, the method comprising:
- obtaining first vehicle identification information from a vehicle identification unit wherein the first vehicle identification information identifies a first vehicle as the first vehicle approaches a high occupancy measurement zone;
determining that a first vehicle occupancy state has already been measured wherein the first vehicle occupancy state indicates how many people are in the first vehicle;
electing to not measure the first vehicle occupancy state within the high occupancy measurement zone at least in part because the first vehicle occupancy state has already been measured;
obtaining second vehicle identification information from the vehicle identification unit wherein the second vehicle identification information identifies a second vehicle as the second vehicle approaches the high occupancy measurement zone;
determining that a second vehicle occupancy state has not already been measured wherein the second vehicle occupancy state indicates how many people are in the second vehicle;
electing to measure the second vehicle occupancy state within the high occupancy measurement zone at least in part because the second vehicle occupancy state has not already been measured;
providing the second vehicle identification information to an occupancy detection unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit wherein the occupancy detection unit measures how many people are in a measured vehicle; and
determining, by the occupancy detection unit, the second vehicle occupancy state.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for selecting a target vehicle for occupancy detection utilizing vehicle identification information. The vehicle identification information (e.g., license plate information) can be obtained from a vehicle identification unit (e.g., ALPR) to identify a vehicle approaching a high occupancy measurement zone. The vehicle identification information from the vehicle identification unit can be transferred to a vehicle occupancy unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit. The flash illuminator unit and the image-capturing unit are not enabled if the vehicle'"'"'s occupancy state has already been measured at a prior location based on the vehicle identification information. The vehicle occupancy detection unit and the vehicle identification unit work together in a coordinated fashion to reduce the number of times the flash illuminator unit needs to fire and extends the life of the illuminator unit, thus reducing the cost of maintenance.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for selection of a target vehicle for occupancy detection, the method comprising:
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obtaining first vehicle identification information from a vehicle identification unit wherein the first vehicle identification information identifies a first vehicle as the first vehicle approaches a high occupancy measurement zone; determining that a first vehicle occupancy state has already been measured wherein the first vehicle occupancy state indicates how many people are in the first vehicle; electing to not measure the first vehicle occupancy state within the high occupancy measurement zone at least in part because the first vehicle occupancy state has already been measured; obtaining second vehicle identification information from the vehicle identification unit wherein the second vehicle identification information identifies a second vehicle as the second vehicle approaches the high occupancy measurement zone; determining that a second vehicle occupancy state has not already been measured wherein the second vehicle occupancy state indicates how many people are in the second vehicle; electing to measure the second vehicle occupancy state within the high occupancy measurement zone at least in part because the second vehicle occupancy state has not already been measured; providing the second vehicle identification information to an occupancy detection unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit wherein the occupancy detection unit measures how many people are in a measured vehicle; and determining, by the occupancy detection unit, the second vehicle occupancy state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for selection of a target vehicle for occupancy detection, the system comprising:
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a vehicle identification unit wherein the vehicle identification unit obtains first vehicle identification information that identifies a first vehicle as the first vehicle approaches a high occupancy measurement zone, and wherein the vehicle identification unit obtains second vehicle identification information that identifies a second vehicle as the second vehicle approaches the high occupancy measurement zone; an occupancy detection unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit wherein the occupancy detection unit measures how many people are in a measured vehicle; a first vehicle occupancy state wherein the first vehicle occupancy state indicates how many people are in the first vehicle, and wherein the first vehicle occupancy state is not measured by the occupancy detection unit because, at least in part, the first vehicle occupancy state is already known; and a second vehicle occupancy state wherein the second occupancy state indicates how many people are in the second vehicle, wherein the second vehicle occupancy state is not known before the second vehicle enters the high occupancy measurement zone, and wherein the second vehicle occupancy state is measured by the occupancy detection unit because, at least in part, the second vehicle occupancy state is already known. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for selection of a target vehicle for occupancy detection, said system comprising:
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a processor; a data bus coupled to said processor; and a computer-usable medium embodying computer program code, said computer-usable medium being coupled to said data bus, said computer program code comprising instructions executable by said processor and configured for; obtaining first vehicle identification information from a vehicle identification unit wherein the first vehicle identification information identifies a first vehicle as the first vehicle approaches a high occupancy measurement zone; determining that a first vehicle occupancy state has already been measured wherein the first vehicle occupancy state indicates how many people are in the first vehicle; electing to not measure the first vehicle occupancy state within the high occupancy measurement zone at least in part because the first vehicle occupancy state has already been measured; obtaining second vehicle identification information from the vehicle identification unit wherein the second vehicle identification information identifies a second vehicle as the second vehicle approaches the high occupancy measurement zone; determining that a second vehicle occupancy state has not already been measured wherein the second vehicle occupancy state indicates how many people are in the second vehicle; electing to measure the second vehicle occupancy state within the high occupancy measurement zone at least in part because the second vehicle occupancy state has not already been measured; providing the second vehicle identification information to an occupancy detection unit having a flash illuminator unit and an image-capturing unit wherein the occupancy detection unit measures how many people are in a measured vehicle; and determining, by the occupancy detection unit, the second vehicle occupancy state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification