Active 3D monitoring system for traffic detection

Abstract

There is provided a system and a method for detecting the presence of an object in a detection zone using a traffic detection system. The traffic detection system includes an optical unit having an emitter module emitting pulses within a predetermined field of emission; a receiver module receiving a part of the pulses reflected by an object in the field of emission toward a field of view of the receiver module, the field of view including a plurality of adjacent detection channels, the receiver module acquiring and converting the received pulses into a corresponding plurality of a digital signal waveforms; an image sensing module providing an image that encompasses the field of emission of the emitter module and the field of view of the receiver module. The method comprises providing a status overlay image for the field of view including the image and a visual indication on the image of an outline of the plurality of adjacent detection channels; positioning the field of view of the receiver module to cover the detection zone using the status overlay image; obtaining the plurality of digital signal waveforms using the traffic detection system; detecting a signal echo in one of the digital signal waveforms at a position within the field of view, the signal echo being caused by the presence of the object in the field of view; determining a location in the field of view for the object using the position; storing the location for the object.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 61 / 289,211, filed December 22, 2009, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. [0003] This application is related to U.S. Application No. 12 / 664,744, filed December 15, 2009, which is the U.S. national phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT / CA08 / 01161, filed June 18, 2008, which in turn claims Priority to US Provisional Application No. 60 / 944,658, filed June 18, 2007, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0004] The present invention relates to a system and method for traffic detection, and more particularly to an optical system for sensing the presence of vehicles and objects within a predetermined area by using an active three-dimensional sensor based on the principle of time-of-flight ranging. Background technique [0005] Increased demand for transport has created traffic congestio...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One type of intrusive detector involves the inductive coil detector, which is still a common technique for detecting vehicles, even though this technology has disadvantages such as long interruptions in traffic during installation and maintenance, relatively high cost, high failure rate and inflexibility

However, sensor installation requirements are often costly and cause traffic disruptions during installation

Images