Vehicle braking apparatus system and method

• US 9,387,838 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Krayon Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Krayon Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Reisner, Ronald Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gurari, Erez
• Application Number:
  US11/403,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20070250240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,744 Days
• Field of Search: 180167-169, 246/182.B, 246/202, 701/2, 701/70, 701/117, 701/300, 340/435, 340/436
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/18 operated by wayside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/28 non-mechanical , e.g. following a line or other known markers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0265 using buried wires

Abstract

A vehicle braking apparatus, system and method is provided including electromagnetic signals emitted from an electromagnetic loop positioned on or under a roadway, wherein the signals emitted from the electromagnetic loop correspond to the status of a traffic control zone. The braking apparatus receives signals emitted by the loop and interprets the signals to facilitate remotely directed operation of a brake. A manual actuator is also configured to operate the brake and override remote braking directives.

Claims

1. A vehicle braking method comprising:

establishing compliant criteria for the position and velocity of a vehicle approaching an intersection controlled by a traffic light, wherein the traffic light is capable of indicating various statuses, and the compliant criteria vary based upon the status of the traffic light;

providing a plurality of electromagnetic loops, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic loops are located on or under a roadway near the intersection controlled by the traffic light;

detecting a vehicle approaching the intersection, wherein the vehicle is detected via electromagnetic variance in at least one of the electromagnetic loops as the vehicle electromagnetically interacts with the at least one of the electromagnetic loops;

providing an automated traffic control device linked to each electromagnetic loop of the plurality of electromagnetic loops and to the traffic light, wherein the automated traffic control device is configured to calculate the position and velocity of the detected vehicle in relation to the current status of the traffic light and to determine whether the condition of the vehicle, as detected in relation to the current status of the traffic light, is safely within the established compliant criteria for the current status of the traffic light;

transmitting braking control signals from at least one of the electromagnetic loops, wherein the braking control signals are initiated by the automated traffic control device if the condition of the vehicle is determined to be unsafe in relation to the compliant criteria established for the current status of the traffic light; and

receiving the control signals, by the vehicle, to remotely initiate braking of the vehicle so that the vehicle decelerates predictably in relation to the current status of the traffic light.

2. The vehicle braking method of claim 1, further comprising correlating braking based on specific lanes of vehicle travel in relation to a traffic light.

3. The vehicle braking method of claim 1, further comprising employing a secured operation to override remote braking initiatives, wherein the secured operation corresponds to an emergency vehicle.

4. The vehicle braking method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the condition of the vehicle, as detected in relation to the status of the traffic light, is safe includes consideration of vehicle type.

5. The vehicle braking method of claim 4, further comprising overriding remotely initiated braking via operation of a manual braking actuator located on the vehicle.

6. The vehicle braking method of claim 1, wherein the traffic control device includes monitoring software directing calculations and accessing relevant data applicable to the traffic light, such that when a specific criteria is met braking signals are initiated.

7. The vehicle braking method of claim 1, further including providing multiple electromagnetic loops independently linked to the traffic control device, each loop configured to detect a vehicle and transmit signals to a vehicle by emitting braking signals to the vehicle via a direct current carrier wave resulting from a radio frequency emission sent from the traffic control device.

8. The vehicle braking method of claim 1, wherein the multiple electromagnetic loops are positioned sequentially closer to one another as the distance to a desired slowing or stopping point is approached.

9. The vehicle braking method of claim 8, wherein braking signals transmitted from the electronic loops vary based on vehicle condition as determined by the traffic control device, and further wherein the varied signals remotely control braking differently based on vehicle condition.

10. A vehicle braking method comprising:

providing a traffic light at an intersection, the traffic light capable of signaling a traffic command to a driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection;

establishing, for each traffic command capable of being signaled by the traffic light, a range of compliant values for the position and velocity of the vehicle approaching the intersection;

providing a plurality of electromagnetic loops, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic loops are located on or under a roadway and substantially near the traffic light and the intersection, such that vehicles approaching the traffic light and the intersection are necessarily configured to pass over the electromagnetic loops;

detecting a vehicle approaching the traffic light and the intersection, wherein the vehicle is detected by electromagnetic variance in at least one of the electromagnetic loops as the vehicle electromagnetically interacts with the at least one of the electromagnetic loops while passing over the at least one electromagnetic loop;

providing an automated traffic control device linked to both the electromagnetic loops and the traffic light, wherein the automated traffic control device is configured to calculate the position and velocity of the detected vehicle;

determining whether the position and velocity of the detected vehicle are within the range of compliant values established for the traffic command signaled by the traffic light, wherein the determination is made by the automated traffic control device; and

transmitting braking control signals from at least one of the electromagnetic loops to the detected vehicle, wherein the braking control signals are initiated by the automated traffic control device if the automated traffic control device determines that the position or velocity of the detected vehicle is not within the range of compliant values established for the traffic command signaled by the traffic light.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the traffic command may be one of a green light, a yellow light, a blinking yellow light, a red light, and a blinking red light.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the range of compliant values is established based on any combination of vehicle size, vehicle type, intersection layout, topographical characteristics, geographical characteristics, traffic flow characteristics, time of day, and pedestrian activity.