Patent ID: 6198987
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: G07B,G08G

Abstract:
A multi-functional device for determining a class of a vehicle, comprising:a computer;a vehicle sensor that detects the entry of said vehicle into a lane to provide a vehicle detected signal;a separator sensor that determines when an end of said vehicle has passed said separator sensor;a treadle located in said lane, that detects an axle on said vehicle passing said treadle, and transmits an axle signal to said computer each time an axle of said vehicle is detected by said treadle;a camera located above said lane that receives said vehicle detected signal and photographs a reference image of a background of said vehicle when said vehicle detected signal is received, that photographs an image of said vehicle when a first axle of said vehicle is detected by said treadle during a period of time said separator sensor determines said vehicle is passing said separator sensor, and transmits an image signal representing said reference image and transmits an image signal representing said image of said vehicle to said computer, said image of said vehicle and said reference image being used by said computer to determine a length of said vehicle and a width of said vehicle; andsaid computer using a plurality of data from both said treadle and said camera to determine said class of said vehicle and said computer using a difference between said reference image and said image of said vehicle to determine said width of said vehicle and said length of said vehicle.