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US007317406B2
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: Us 7,317,406 B2
Wolterman (45) Date of Patent: Jan. 8,2008
(54) INFRASTRUCTURE-BASED COLLISION WARNING USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
(75) Inventor: Mike Wolterman, Brighton, MI (US)
(73) Assignee: Toyota Technical Center USA, Inc.,
Ann Arbor, MI (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 186 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 11/050,045
(22) Filed: Feb. 3, 2005
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2006/0181433 Al Aug. 17, 2006
(51) Int. CI.
G08B 1/095 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 340/917; 340/905; 340/906;
340/907; 340/910
(58) Field of Classification Search 340/917,
340/905, 906, 907, 908, 910, 916 See application file for complete search history.
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,617,086 A * 4/1997 Klashinsky et al 340/907
5,777,564 A 7/1998 Jones 340/917
5,917,432 A 6/1999 Rathbone 340/907
6,008,741 A 12/1999 Shinagawa et al 340/907
6,198,410 Bl 3/2001 White et al 340/907
6,204,778 Bl * 3/2001 Bergan et al 340/936
6,281,808 Bl 8/2001 Glier et al 340/933
6,307,484 Bl 10/2001 Sasaki et al 340/903
6,351,208 Bl 2/2002 Kaszczak 340/425.5
6,516,273 Bl 2/2003 Pierowicz et al 701/301
6,559,774 B2 * 5/2003 Bergan et al 340/908
6,633,238 B2 10/2003 Lemelson et al 340/909
6,662,099 B2 12/2003 Knaian et al 701/117
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
JP 05-046897 2/1993
* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner—Daryl C Pope
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Gilford, Krass, Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, PC.
An improved apparatus for controlling a traffic signal at an intersection includes a signal controller having an artificial intelligence based situational analyzer. The signal controller receives vehicle data related to the speed and position of vehicles approaching the intersection, and optionally time and ambient condition data. If the artificial intelligence based situational analyzer predicts a signal violation, operation of the traffic signal is modified to reduce the probability of a vehicular collision.
27 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
