Real time messaging interface for vehicle detection sensors

Abstract

A sequential messaging method for use in a vehicle detector and classification system having a processor and that uses first and second beams to detect transitions of front and rear ends of a vehicle. The method comprises detecting the vehicle when its front end breaks the first beam, assigning a new vehicle ID number to the vehicle, and transmitting a vehicle detection report containing the vehicle ID number to the processor. The vehicle is detected when its front end passes the second beam, and a vehicle detection update report is transmitted to the processor comprising left edge position, right edge position, range to each edge, vehicle height, and vehicle speed, all of which are derived from the beams reflected from the vehicle. The vehicle is detected when its rear end passes the first beam, and a rear vehicle detection report is transmitted to the processor comprising the left edge position, right edge position, range to each edge, vehicle height, and vehicle speed. The vehicle is detected when the rear end of the vehicle passes through the second beam, and a trigger report is transmitted to the processor. The data accumulated for the vehicle is compiled, and a classification report that best fits the vehicle and a confidence level of the classification estimate are generated. The classification report and confidence level are transmitted to the processor.