Digital Camera Traffic Signal Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic control systems are overly complex and inefficient, leading to wasted energy and increased air pollution due to long stops at intersections, and existing solutions require complex image processing or maintenance-intensive hardware.
Innovation Solution
A digital camera-based system that captures and analyzes only the necessary image parameters using a simplified digital image processing algorithm to determine right-of-way decisions, sending control signals to traffic lights to optimize traffic flow without converting entire images to digital format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex video camera systems with analog-to-digital conversion are used to capture and process traffic images, then traffic monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential image parameters needed for traffic control decisions (such as vehicle presence, lane occupancy, and basic motion detection) rather than processing entire images. This selective extraction of necessary information reduces computational complexity while maintaining adequate monitoring capability for traffic signal control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial image processing by analyzing only specific regions of interest within the captured images (such as roadway lanes and intersection areas) rather than processing the entire image. This partial action approach reduces computational load and device complexity while still providing sufficient traffic monitoring data.
2Measurement precision
If complex image processing algorithms are used to analyze traffic images, then traffic flow detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical traffic flow parameters from images (vehicle count, lane occupancy, basic speed estimation) rather than performing comprehensive image analysis. This selective extraction maintains adequate detection accuracy for traffic control while significantly reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial image processing by focusing computational resources on specific image regions containing traffic elements and using simplified processing algorithms appropriate for traffic monitoring rather than full-image analysis, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining functional accuracy.
3Device complexity
If traditional fixed-timed traffic signal protocols are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy waste and air pollution increase due to unnecessary stops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static fixed-timed signal protocols to dynamic adaptive control that adjusts signal timing based on real-time traffic conditions detected from image analysis. This dynamic approach optimizes energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary stops while maintaining system simplicity through rule-based decision logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring traffic conditions through image capture and using this information to adjust signal timing decisions. This feedback mechanism reduces energy waste by adapting signal phases to actual traffic flow rather than following predetermined fixed schedules, thereby minimizing unnecessary vehicle stops and idling.
4Speed
If radar systems with antenna arrays are used to detect traffic, then real-time traffic detection capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical radar systems with antenna arrays with digital image processing using standard digital cameras. This substitution maintains real-time detection capability while significantly reducing hardware complexity, eliminating the need for specialized radar components, and lowering maintenance requirements through the use of conventional digital imaging technology.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus or system and method to control traffic at an intersection which uses a digital camera with pan, tilt, zoom, fast position and autofocus to send information to an integrated central processing unit having image processing algorithms which evaluate and analyze less than the entire image to determine whether a vehicle(s) is (are) present or are approaching and its (their) size, speed and distance in order to solve logical propositions to maintain or change the right of way by signal to a conventional traffic control signal unit.