Vibration actuated traffic monitoring system

Details Vibration actuated traffic monitoring system Vibration actuated traffic monitoring system

1999-07-23

2001-12-25

Tong, Nina (Department: 2632)

Communications: electrical

Traffic control indicator

C340S908000, C340S933000, C340S683000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06333701

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
Broadly, this invention relates to traffic monitoring and in a specific embodiment to a system for controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections by detecting and processing vibrations actuated by a vehicle passing over a vibration generator. In another specific embodiment, the invention relates to a system which utilizes a vibration receiver to detect vibrations and a processor to convert the vibrations into a control signal which triggers traffic lights.
2. Description Of Related Art
A well-known fixture at traffic intersections is the common “traffic light,” which traditionally has three “light elements,” red, yellow, and green. Traffic lights are typically used to prevent collisions at intersections, to determine which vehicle has the right-of-way, and to control traffic flow.
Many, if not most, traffic intersections have a predetermined timing mechanism that sets a time for the traffic light's green light element, yellow light element and red light element to be activated. The various traffic lights at the intersection are coordinated by the timing mechanism to control traffic flow. For example, when vehicles traveling in one direction through an intersection see a green light, vehicles traveling through the intersection in a way that could result in a collision are faced with a red light. With this mechanism, the time that a traffic light remains in one state, i.e., the time the green light element is activated, before switching to the other element is often preselected based on the anticipated traffic flow through the intersection. For example, if a large business street intersects with a small residential street, then the traffic timing mechanism and traffic lights may be preset to activate the green light element for the business street for longer time than for the residential street.
Other traffic light systems have a variable timing mechanism that is responsive to the actual flow of traffic. These systems are far superior in terms of controlling traffic flow since the often inaccurate estimation of anticipated traffic flow can be eliminated and the actual traffic flow can trigger the timing of the traffic lights. For example, these systems may utilize an actuating element that is disposed and embedded in a traffic-bearing surface. For example, traffic lights at intersections are often connected to inductive loops. The inductive loops provide a signal responsive to the presence of a vehicle passing over the loops. However, these and other types of embedded element systems have various shortcomings. They are costly and inconvenient since the road surface must be excavated in order to implant the sensors. For example, it is not unusual for mere sensor installation of such an embedded system to be highly expensive, which is, of course, borne by the taxpayer. Consequently, it may be cost prohibitive to install such system at an intersection. Further, since the actuating elements, e.g., the inductive loops, are physically connected to the processor and controller of the traffic light system, these systems are, for the most part, permanent, thus preventing easy removal and implementation at another location.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In a broad aspect, this invention relates to traffic monitoring. In a specific embodiment, the invention is directed to a method and apparatus for accurately controlling a traffic light, preferably upon receipt of a pattern of vibrations produced by the passing of a vehicle over a vibration generator. Preferably, the traffic monitoring system processes the vibrations to produce control signals which operate peripheral devices such as traffic lights. The control signal may also activate other peripheral devices such as speed monitoring devices, traffic cameras or traffic counters.
In a specific embodiment, an apparatus of the invention includes a device for controlling a traffic light, where the controlling of the traffic light is dependent upon receipt and recognition of vibrations. The device includes a vibration receiver for detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, i.e., “ground vibrations,” a processor for converting one or more of the vibrations into a control signal and a controller to trigger a traffic light in response to the control signal. The device may also include a vibration generator, e.g., at least one channel or groove in a traffic-bearing surface. The vibration generator preferably facilitates the production of a pattern of vibrations when the tire of a vehicle passes over the vibration generator. Further, the device may include a vibration receiver, preferably a geophone, capable of detecting a pattern of vibrations and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to said pattern of vibrations.
In a specific embodiment, a method of the invention includes the steps of detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, where such vibrations are incited by a vehicle passing over a vibration generator. Further steps may include converting the vibrations into a control signal and triggering a traffic light in response to the control signal. The method may also include the steps of detecting a pattern of vibrations and converting the pattern into a control signal if the pattern matches a reference pattern. Further, the method may also include the step of triggering a traffic light to switch from a red light to a green light when a preselected pattern of vibrations is detected and converted into a control signal.
In a specific embodiment, the vibration generator comprises at least one channel or groove in the traffic bearing surface. Preferably, each of the grooves or channels extends across the traffic-bearing surface substantially perpendicular to the flow of traffic. The number of channels or grooves and the pattern of spacing between channels or grooves may be used to distinguish the vibration pattern, thus fostering lane discrimination and recognition. The specific dimension and geometry of each of the grooves or channels may also be used to generate distinct vibrations to further distinguish vibration patterns. This embodiment is advantageous in that it can be easily and inexpensively implemented. For example, instead of requiring days of excavation and resurfacing of the traffic bearing surface to implant a sensor, grooves or channels can be “cut” into the traffic bearing surface quickly and easily using a conventional concrete cutter. Alternatively, the vibration generator may include raised strips, bumps, or cables stretched perpendicularly across the traffic-bearing surface. The grooves, channels, strips, bumps, or cables may also emanate distinct vibrations recognizable to the geophone according to their number, spacing, geometry, and dimensions.
In a preferred embodiment, the vibration receiver comprises a geophone, which is preferably positioned proximate the traffic-bearing surface, e.g., partially buried in the ground next to the roadside. Since the vibration receiver is not physically connected to the vibration generator, it can be installed and moved with little expense or difficulty. This is unlike other systems where sensors are imbedded in the traffic-bearing surface, thus requiring expensive and time consuming excavation to salvage monitoring system components or to move the monitoring system to a new location. Further, unlike other systems, repairs of the vibration receiver can be easily performed without tearing up the traffic bearing surface. Thus, this embodiment is advantageous in that it still maintains the superiority of controlling traffic flow based on the actual traffic in the area and avoids the cost prohibitive, installation, excavation and maintenance of other systems.
In another specific embodiment, the control signal produced by the processing circuit activates a traffic light to switch from red to green for an approaching vehicle. (Of course, such a system would preferably also activate another traffic light to switch from green to yellow, then to red, for intersecting traffic.) This control signal is produced when the vibr

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