Distributed, roadside-based real-time ID recognition system and method

• US 20060017562A1
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: E-Views Safety Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E-Views Safety Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Bachelder, Aaron D.
• Application Number:
  US11/186,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20060017562A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/017 identifying vehicles G08G1/015, G08G1/054 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0175 by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/054 photographing overspeeding vehicles

Abstract

A comprehensive ID recognition system including mobile units equipped with sensor detection hardware for obtaining sensor data. The sensor data is forwarded to a nearby intersection controller equipped with sensor processing software. The intersection controller processes the sensor data for ID recognition, and transmits real-time alerts to the mobile unit if the recognized ID has been flagged for such alerts. The mobile ID recognition data and/or analysis results may then be stored on a local, city, or regional basis, in varying levels of detail.

Claims

1. A method for identification (ID) recognition via a mobile unit equipped with sensor detection hardware and an intersection controller equipped with sensor processing software, the method comprising:

invoking the sensor detection hardware of the mobile unit for obtaining sensor data;

determining location information for the mobile unit in response to the sensor detection hardware obtaining the sensor data;

wirelessly transmitting by the mobile unit to one or more intersection controllers, the obtained sensor data and the location information;

wirelessly receiving at a particular intersection controller the sensor data and the location information transmitted by the mobile unit;

invoking the sensor processing software at the particular intersection controller for analyzing the received sensor data and outputting ID recognition information; and

storing in a data store coupled to the particular intersection controller, the output ID recognition information in association with the location information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is a license plate image.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor data is a facial image.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the intersection controller controls traffic signals at the intersection.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

programming the sensor detection hardware for continuously obtaining and forwarding the sensor data to the intersection controller under predetermined conditions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing of the received sensor data includes:

searching a notification criteria database for a match of the sensor data with stored ID indicia; and

wirelessly transmitting a notification to the mobile unit responsive to the match.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the stored ID indicia is a list of license plate numbers, and the notification criteria database further stores violations associated with each stored license plate.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the notification includes the license plate number matching the sensor data and the associated violation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information is determined via a global positioning system.

10. A method for identification (ID) recognition via a mobile unit equipped with sensor detection hardware and a roadside controller equipped with sensor processing software, the method comprising:

invoking the sensor detection hardware of the mobile unit for obtaining sensor data;

wirelessly transmitting by the mobile unit to one or more roadside controllers, the obtained sensor data;

wirelessly receiving at a particular roadside controller the sensor data transmitted by the mobile unit;

invoking the sensor processing software at the particular roadside controller for searching a notification criteria database for a match of the sensor data with stored ID indicia; and

wirelessly transmitting a notification to the mobile unit responsive to the match.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensor data is a license plate image.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensor data is a facial image.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the roadside controller is an intersection controller controlling traffic signals at the intersection.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

programming the sensor detection hardware for continuously obtaining and forwarding the sensor data to the roadside controller under predetermined conditions.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

obtaining position information of the mobile unit; and

transmitting the position information to the roadside controller in association with the sensor data.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the stored ID indicia is a list of license plate numbers, and the notification criteria database further stores violations associated with each stored license plate.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the notification includes the license plate number matching the sensor data and the associated violation.

18. An identification (ID) recognition system comprising:

a mobile unit including;

a sensor detection hardware obtaining sensor data;

a global positioning system unit obtaining location of the mobile unit in response to the obtained sensor data; and

a wireless interface for wirelessly transmitting the obtained sensor data and the location information; and

an intersection controller in communication with the mobile unit, the intersection controller including;

a wireless interface for wirelessly receiving the sensor data and the location information transmitted by the mobile unit;

a processor;

a memory operably coupled to the processor and storing sensor data processing instructions, the processor being operable to execute the sensor data processing instructions and output ID recognition information; and

a data store storing the ID recognition information in association with the location information.

19. An intersection controller wirelessly receiving sensor data obtained by a mobile unit, the intersection controller comprising:

a wireless interface for wirelessly communicating with the mobile unit;

a notification criteria database storing a plurality of ID indicia;

a processor; and

a memory operably coupled to the processor and storing program instructions therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including;

controlling traffic signals based on predetermined conditions;

analyzing the sensor data transmitted by the mobile unit;

searching the notification criteria database for a match of the sensor data with the stored ID indicia; and

wirelessly transmitting a notification to the mobile unit responsive to the match.

20. The intersection controller of claim 19, wherein the stored ID indicia is a list of license plate numbers, and the notification criteria database further stores violations associated with each stored license plate.