LED Traffic Signal Optical Vehicle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic management systems face challenges with intrusive detectors like inductive loop detectors, which cause traffic disruption and are costly, and non-intrusive detectors like cameras have limitations, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution for detecting objects and particles to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.
Innovation Solution
A novel lighting system that integrates Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or lasers for both illumination and detection, using pulsating or modulating light to detect the presence, position, and velocity of objects, allowing for real-time control of traffic signals without the need for additional sensors or infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If inductive loop detectors are used for vehicle detection, then detection capability is provided, but traffic disruption during installation and maintenance occurs and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces intrusive mechanical inductive loop detectors embedded in road pavement with non-intrusive optical detection systems using light sources and photodetectors mounted on traffic signals. This substitution eliminates the need for road excavation and pavement installation, completely resolving the traffic disruption issue while maintaining vehicle detection capability through optical sensing of vehicle presence and movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium for vehicle detection. Instead of direct electrical contact with the road surface, the system uses light emission and reflection/detection to sense vehicle presence. The light acts as a mediator between the detection system and vehicles, enabling non-intrusive detection while preserving road integrity and eliminating installation disruption.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If inductive loop detectors are used for vehicle detection, then detection capability is provided, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive inductive loop detector systems with cost-effective optical components already present in traffic signal infrastructure (LEDs and photodetectors). This substitution eliminates the need for specialized detection equipment and complex installation processes, significantly reducing overall system cost while maintaining detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing traffic signal components serve dual functions: illumination/signaling and vehicle detection. By programming LEDs to emit detectable light patterns and using photodetectors to sense vehicle presence, the system eliminates the need for separate detection equipment, reducing component quantity and installation cost while achieving reliable vehicle detection.
3Ease of operation
If cameras with video processing are used for detection, then non-intrusive detection is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from complex camera systems with video processing algorithms. By isolating the core requirement of detecting vehicle presence and movement through simple optical sensing, the system eliminates unnecessary complexity while retaining non-intrusive detection capability. The solution uses basic photodetector responses to light changes rather than full video analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex camera systems with simple, inexpensive optical sensors that have no moving parts and require minimal processing. The system uses basic photodetector circuits that are far simpler and cheaper than camera-based video processing systems, achieving the same non-intrusive detection function with dramatically reduced complexity and cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enhances traffic management by providing accurate and efficient detection capabilities, reducing congestion, fuel consumption, and emissions, while minimizing installation and maintenance disruptions, and can be retrofitted into existing traffic lights, offering a cost-effective and flexible solution.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a reflection/backscatter of the emitted visible light from an object
Implementation Method 2
receiving a reflection/backscatter of the emitted visible light from an object
Implementation Method 3
calculating at least a distance of the object by measuring a time delay between emitting the visible light and receiving the reflection/backscatter from the object
Implementation Method 4
calculating the distance comprises continuously calculating the distance so as to calculate a speed of the object
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
The present lighting system adds detection capabilities to perceive the presence and measure the velocity of objects such as automobiles, trucks, pedestrian and other users, to lighting modules for transportation applications like traffic signal, pedestrian control, rails signal, street light, message board and speed monitoring board. For example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) has the capability to be used as lighting source for illumination as a first function and also be pulsed or modulated as a source for the detection sub-system as a second function.