Digital Intersection Wireless Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current standard-based intersections face limitations such as high installation, maintenance, and operational costs, limited extensibility, difficulty in diagnosing failures, and inability to adopt new technologies and manufacturing techniques due to their physical layouts and strict functional demarcation of devices.

Innovation Solution

A digital intersection system comprising a local control unit that generates and outputs an intersection state plan, and a safety control unit that validates and distributes this plan to interested devices, enabling remote communication and fault management, and allowing for the integration of new technologies and devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct connections through conduit are used to connect sensors and signal heads to the traffic cabinet, then reliable communication is achieved, but installation and maintenance costs increase due to extensive trenching and re-trenching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical conduit system with a wireless communication system. Sensors, signal heads, and control units communicate via wireless signals instead of physical cable connections, eliminating the need for trenching and conduit installation while maintaining communication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary layer between devices and the traffic cabinet. A wireless communication interface and protocol enable data transmission without direct physical connections, serving as a mediator that replaces the mechanical conduit connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional sensors or signal heads are added to the intersection, then intersection functionality is improved, but re-trenching is required to address collapsed or inadequate conduit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintersection functionalityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic, scalable wireless network where devices can be added or removed without fixed infrastructure constraints. The wireless communication system adapts to changing intersection needs, allowing easy addition of new sensors or signal heads without physical infrastructure modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the intersection control system into independent wireless communication nodes. Each sensor, signal head, and control unit operates as an independent node that communicates wirelessly, allowing individual devices to be added, removed, or maintained without affecting other parts of the system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If strict functional demarcation is maintained for each physical device, then device reliability is ensured, but manufacturers cannot adopt new technologies or combine functions into new physical devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice reliabilityVSAvoidtechnology adoption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal wireless communication interface that can accommodate multiple device types and functions. The standardized wireless protocol allows different manufacturers and device configurations to interoperate, enabling multi-functionality and technology adoption while maintaining system reliability through consistent communication standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If remote communication capability is added to devices, then diagnostic ability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic abilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the communication function into the existing wireless device architecture. The wireless communication interface is integrated into sensors, signal heads, and control units, combining diagnostic capability with the primary device function without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12300100B2System and method for providing a digital intersection

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 MIOVISION TECH INC

AI summary

There is provided a digital intersection system. The system can include at least one safety-critical device corresponding to a device controlling allowable movements into or through the intersection. The system can also include a local control unit configured to generate and output an intersection state plan, and a safety control unit configured to accept the intersection state plan from the local control unit, validate the state plan, and provide the state plan to any interested device in the intersection, the any interested device comprising the at least one safety-critical device. The system can optionally include at least one sensor corresponding to a device or data source capable of collecting information related to the intersection or local area surrounding the intersection, or impacting traffic patterns at an intersection, wherein the local control unit is further configured to accept inputs from the at least one sensor.