Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH TIMER INFORMATION
PRIOR APPLICATION INFORMATION
This application claims the benefit of Canadian Patent Application
2,472,514, filed June 25, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of traffic lights and
traffic control. More specifically, the present invention relates to a traffic
light with time
information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a traffic
light with time information comprising:
a control box having a stop light wire, a go light wire, a warning light wire
and a common wire extending therefrom;
base lights arranged to indicate stop, go and warning when active;
a plurality of interval lights;
a control unit operably linked to the stop light wire, the go light wire, the
warning light wire and the common wire and to the base lights and the interval
lights
such that said control unit activates an interval light when the stop base
light or go
base light is activated and activates subsequent interval lights In sequence
while the
corresponding base light is active.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a traffic
light with time information comprising:
a control box having a stop light wire, a go light wire, a warning light wire
and a common wire extending therefrom;
base lights arranged to indicate stop with a red base light, go with a
green base light and warning with a yellow base light when active;
a plurality of interval lights arranged in two separate columns, one
column extending from the red base light and one column extending from the
green
base light;
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a control unit operably linked to the stop light wire, the go light wire, the
warning light wire and the common wire and to the base lights and the interval
lights
such that said control unit activates an interval light when the stop base
light or go
base light is activated and activates subsequent interval lights in the
respective
column in sequence while the corresponding base light is active, said interval
lights
being activated according to a specific cadence such that each interval light
is active
for approximately the same amount of time,
said control unit comprising an intelligent circuit having a protocol which
determines the cadence of the interval lights, said protocol being arranged to
accept
instructions to either accelerate or de-accelerate the cadence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front view of a traffic light with time information.
Figure 2 is a side view of a traffic light with time information.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the connections between a
prior art control box and a prior art traffic light.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the connections between a
prior art control box with time information and a prior art traffic light with
time
information.
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the connections between a
prior art control box and the traffic light with time information of the
instant invention.
Figure 6 shows a traffic light with time information having a message
panel mounted thereon.
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Figure 7 shows an alternative arrangement for a traffic light with time
information with a variable message panel mounted thereon.
Figure 8 shows an alternative arrangement for a traffic light with time
information with a variable message panel mounted thereon.
Figure 9 is a front view of a pedestrian crossing light with time
information.
Figure 10 is an alternative arrangement of the traffic light with time
information including a variable message panel.
Figure 11 is an alternative arrangement of the traffic light with time
information including a variable message panel.
Figure 12 is a front view of the traffic light with time information of
Figure 1 including anti-glare panels which shows that the panels are of
different
lengths.
Figure 13 is a front view of the translucent cover for the traffic light
with time information shown in Figure 1.
Figure 14 shows how the panels of varying length block reflected
glare.
Figure 15 is an alternative arrangement of the traffic light with time
information of the instant invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill
in
the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials
similar
or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing
of the
present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
As used herein, "stop light" and "red light" are used interchangeably,
as are "green light" and "go light" and "yellow light" and "warning light"
respectively.
It is to be understood however that for example the stop light does not
necessarily
need to be red and may be any color in accordance with local customs.
Referring to Figure 3, a conventional or prior art traffic light
comprises a control box 2, wiring 3, a light pole 4 and a light housing 5. As
will be
well known to one of skill in the art, the control box 2 is connected to the
central
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station responsible for traffic lights. The wiring 3 from the control box
extends up
the light pole 4 and is connected to the traffic lights in the light housing
5.
Referring to Figure 4, a prior art traffic light with time information
comprises a control box 6, wiring 7, a light pole 4 and a light housing 5. As
will be
apparent and as discussed below, the control box 6 is larger than the
conventional
control box 2 and the number of wires extending therefrom is considerably more
than with the conventional wiring 3.
Described herein are a number of arrangements for traffic lights
having time information 1. As will be appreciated, several aspects of the
system,
for example, the specific positioning of the respective lights, the use of
horizontal
or vertical lighting arrangements, and having the interval lights 12 "move"
upwards
or downwards are to a large part a matter of choice and may be varied
accordingly
within the scope of the invention. However, the common inventive feature
shared
by the traffic lights having time information 1 described below is the use of
a
control unit 14 mounted either proximal to or within the light housing.
Specifically,
as discussed below, the control unit 14 is arranged to be operably linked to
the
standard four wires 3 of a conventional traffic light unit. The control unit
14 then
runs a protocol based on information provided through the wires 3 which in
turn
activates the interval lights 12 in sequence according to a specific cadence,
as
discussed below. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, as used
herein,
one light cycle is the sum of the duration of the green light interval plus
the yellow
light interval plus the red light interval, that is, the duration of a
complete light
cycle. As used herein "cadence" refers to. the time period during which a
given
interval light 12 is activated or at what intervals the interval lights 12 are
activated,
as discussed below. In most embodiments, multiplying the cadence by the number
of interval lights 12 associated with a specific color in turn gives the
duration of a
given light period, that is, for example, the duration of a green light. In an
alternative embodiment, when the light period or interval is long, the
interval lights
may only be activated towards the end of the light period. For example, if the
green
light period is greater than 20 seconds, the interval lights may only be
activated
towards the end of the green light period, for example, when 20 seconds
remain.
In this example, if there are 5 interval lights, each interval light would be
active for
4 seconds, that is, the total time of activation of the interval lights is
divided by the
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number of interval lights such that each interval light is active for
approximately the
same amount of time.
Thus, in some embodiments, the total time of the light period is
divided by the number of interval lights such that each interval light is
active for the
same amount of time. For example, if the light period is 30 seconds and there
are
6 interval lights, each interval light will be active for 5 seconds.
In an alternative embodiment, when the light period is long, the base
light and the first interval light in sequence may be activated for a period
of time
after which the remaining interval lights are activated in sequence. For
example, if
the light period is 30 seconds and there are 6 interval lights, the first
interval light
and the base light may be held active for 10 seconds before the second
interval
light is activated. Interval lights 2 through 6 would then each be active for
4
seconds (4 seconds X 5 lights = 20 seconds total).
In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the light housing 5 of the traffic
light with time information 1 includes 3 base lights 10 (red, yellow and
green)
located at the bottom of the light housing 5. Two columns of interval lights
12
extend upwardly from the red and green base lights 10 respectively. That is,
the
base lights 10 are arranged such that the red light is adjacent the yellow
light and
the yellow light is adjacent the green light and there are two separate
columns of
interval lights, each arranged to extend substantially upwards from the red
base
light and the green base light respectively.
As discussed herein, this is one possible arrangement for the traffic
-light with time information 1. In other embodiments, the base lights 10 may
be at
the top of the light housing 5 and the interval lights may be arranged in
columns
extending downward from the red and green base lights. Furthermore, in the
embodiment shown in Figure 1, there are 5 green interval lights 12 and 5 red
interval lights 12. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the
exact number
of interval lights 12 may be varied according to the preference of individual
municipalities or civic governments. For example, the number of interval
lights in a
given series may be for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 or any other
suitable
number, as discussed above.
The control unit 14 is also arranged to accept instructions to change
the cadence or light cycle, for example, the duration of the cadence or light
period
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or light cycle from a number of sources in addition to the central control
center. As
discussed below, these include but are by no means limited to emergency
vehicles, such as fire trucks, police cars, ambulances and the like; transit
vehicles;
and wireless, units held by traffic officials. As will be appreciated by one
of skill in
5 the art, as a result of this arrangement, the light cycles can. be modified
in real time
while still providing ample warning to users.
The control unit 14 is also arranged to notify the central control
center automatically when a light is burned out, as discussed below.
Furthermore,
in some embodiments, the control unit 14 is also arranged to respond to a
query
from a maintenance crew on the operating status of the traffic light with time
information 1, as discussed below.
In some embodiments, the control unit 14 may also, be connected to
a message panel 20, as shown in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 15 and as
discussed below. .
.15 Described herein is an improved device and method for use with
vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic lights, which provides the user, whether a
driver
or pedestrian with a clear reference for the time remaining in the signal
light period.
In preferred embodiments, the device is coupled to the wiring of a
conventional
traffic light but also informs the user of the time remaining before the light
will
change, that is, showing the user how long before green, for example, will
change
to yellow or red will change to green, as discussed below.
As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the addition of time
interval information to the traffic light increases the interaction between
the user
and the traffic light, thereby providing the user drivers and pedestrians with
sufficient and accurate information to enable them to decide if it is possible
to
cross the controlled intersection safely or not. This in turn reduces
accidents and
stress, and also reduces wear on vehicles' brakes .and decreases the
consumption
of fuel in comparison with a conventional traffic light.
Previously, in order to incorporate a traffic light with time information
1 into an existing intersection having conventional traffic lights, it was
necessary to
substitute the control boxes and cables for those suited specifically for use
with
traffic lights with time information. As will be appreciated, this represented
expensive electrical and civil work. As a result, many cities have resisted
utilizing
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traffic lights with time information, on the basis that even the benefits of
reducing
accidents, stress and fuel consumption which these lights provide still did
not
justify the additional costs.
As discussed above, the control unit 14 having an intelligent circuit that
through an embedded protocol allows the traffic light to start working in real
time
with the actual rate of progression of the timing light, that is, with the
cadence of
the interval light transition, as discussed below. Furthermore, as discussed
below,
in some embodiments, the control unit is part of the traffic light, that is,
the control
unit is either within the traffic light housing or is mounted proximal to the
housing
and operably linked to the interval lights and base lights, as discussed
below. As
will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, this arrangement diminishes
the cost
and eliminates the need for replacing control boxes and wiring. Rather, this
arrangement enables the utilization of existing control boxes without the
necessity
of multiple specific cables having multiple routes, thereby increasing safety
while
reducing the risk of rupture or other disruptions from the use of too many
cables.
As discussed herein, the control unit 14 is an integral part of the
traffic light with time information 1. Specifically, the control unit 14
transforms static
information, provided by the common traffic light control box 2 through the
four
wires 3, into dynamic information that, when connected, provides time
information
on traffic lights, as discussed below.
Contrast variations, or another form of color that makes them visible,
informs the length of time of the color that is in course without having to
use so
many wires as one part to another.
In some embodiments, the control unit is connected to the yellow
wire, the red wire, the green, and the common wire, already found extending
from
the control box of conventional traffic lights. Furthermore, the protocol
within the
control unit determines when the interval lights should start traveling down
the
panel, that is, the intelligent circuit determines at what interval and with
what
cadence the respective interval lights should be activated and inactivated, as
discussed below. It is of note that in some embodiments, the protocol is
arranged
to accept instructions to either accelerate or de-accelerate the velocity of
the
cadence, that is, to either decrease or increase the intervals between
respective
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interval lights, as discussed below. The instructions may be received from an
external source, for example, from an emergency or police vehicle, from a
traffic
monitoring station or traffic light control station, or from a transit
vehicle, or from an
internal source, for example, protocols embedded in the control unit for
different
interval patterns based on the time of day.
This flexibility solves the serious problems that may occur when the
changes to traffic signal duration can not be done in real time. That is, at
various
times of day, it may be desirable to alter the length of time of the green
light at a
specific crossing, according to the number of vehicles present at that
specific time
or due to unexpected changes in traffic flow.
For example, in the morning it is normal to have an increase in the
quantity of vehicles heading from suburban areas to downtown; similarly, at
lunch
time, traffic flow may increase from downtown to suburban areas. After lunch,
traffic flow towards downtown increases again.
Previously, the only way that it was possible to change interval time
in a traffic light with time: information was that of a "static circuit"
placed between
the prior art traffic controller and the traffic light with time information,
store in a
cycle the time of the color green of the executed period by the traffic
controller, and
in the next cycle execute the period of this time in the traffic light with
information
of time. That is, in many cases, manual intervention was required to change
the
period of a traffic light.
If, for example, a controller stays 30 seconds at a given period of
green color of one approximation, the circuit will store this value and in the
next
cycle will execute this period in the semaphore. In the next cycle, the
traffic
controller may, because. of the decrease of vehicle flow of that
approximation, or
because of a pre-programmed traffic plan, execute only 20 seconds in the
period
of the green color in that approximation and after that will remove the turned
on
condition of the green color and changes it to yellow or red. The "static
circuit" at
this time will still be executing the cadence of green colors, still missing
half way to
finish informing with security the time of the green color to the users
pedestrians
and drivers, when at this moment the condition of the turned on the green
color
has been removed by the controller, and transferred to yellow or red abruptly,
occurring an interruption of the cadence, exposing the users in this case, the
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motorists, to a dangerous situation , since they are in a crossing position
where if
they try to stop they will provoke a traffic pile-up or rear-end collisions
and if they
try to pass through they will probably be exposed to the risk of lateral
collisions.
Equally if the cadence of the green color is interrupted in the middle of the
crossing, it exposes the pedestrian to a situation of great risk, since he was
counting on having enough time to cross with security and all of a sudden he
is
surprised by the fact that the semaphore is closed for him and opened for the
vehicles. Another negative situation that is presented in this way of
functioning and
that gives rise to discredit of the traffic light with information of time is
that if we
utilize the already cited example, that in a cycle the traffic controller
executes 30
seconds in the period of green color and the "static circuit" stores and
prepares
itself to execute the next cycle cadence, but the controller changes in this
hour the
time of the green color period to 40 seconds, in this situation it occurs that
the
"static circuit" executes all the cadence and stays in the last position of
green color
stopped for at least 10 seconds more then it should have, thereby discrediting
the
continuity, coherence and security that the traffic light was supposed to
provide.
Presently, the only way of using traffic light with the information of
time with 4 wires is using a "static circuit " and a traffic controller with
fixed
settings, where the controller executes the same cycle and duration regardless
of
any changes in traffic flow.
Currently, in order to have traffic lights with information of time
respond to changes in traffic, it is necessary to have a wire for each type of
information, that is, for each light, as shown in fig. 4. For example, in US
Patent
5,726,648, it is necessary to use a traffic controller that is very large and
expensive, and that has multiple power switches and wires to interlink the
controller to the traffic light. Specifically, this device needs 1 wire for
common, 1
wire for red, 1 wire for yellow, 5 wires for the 5 colors that are below the
yellow,
and 14 wires to activate each segment of the 2 displays of 7 segments that are
in
the traffic light base, for a total of 22 wires. Similar arrangements are
shown in for
example US Patent 6,331,824, US Patent 5,838,260, Canadian Patent 2.175.780,
all of which may be impractical to implement on a large scale.
The solution to the problems presented is the integration of the
vehicular and pedestrian semaphores with time information with a control unit
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having an intelligent circuit which controls the division of time. This
intelligent
circuit acts through a protocol which allows the traffic lights to work in
real time with
the period of green color of the controller, and with a more efficacious
cadence for
that period. Because the intelligent circuit is an integral part of the
traffic light, as
shown in Figure 1, this greatly decreases the cost of implementation by
avoiding
the substitution of wires, traffic controllers and control boxes.
As discussed below, the protocol allows real time functioning and
synchronization of the traffic controller with the traffic light, and also
uses the wires
already in use in most pre-existing control boxes and wires.
In one embodiment, at the start of each light period, one of the wires,
either yellow, red or green, receives a pulse for 1/10 of a second. In this
moment
the intelligent circuit starts an internal counting and waits for the second
pulse;
when this occurs, the circuit calculates the time interval between the first
and
second pulse and locates this interval on a decreasing table stored in the
micro-
controller of the equipment. This table in turn dictates the timing period to
be used
and the corresponding timing of the cadence is used.
For example :
If the interval between pulses is: The cadence will be of:
0.8 seconds 6 seconds
1.8 seconds 9 seconds
2.8 seconds 12 seconds
3.8 seconds 15 seconds
4.8 seconds 17 seconds
5.8 seconds 18 seconds
6.8 seconds 19 seconds
7.8 seconds 20 seconds
As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, this is intended for
illustrative purposes only and other suitable tables may also be used.
Alternatively,
in other embodiments, specific pulse durations may correspond to specific
cadences or protocols, that is, for example, protocols which determine the
cadence
of all interval lights or the light period of each of the base lights, the
duration of a
light cycle and the like.
In some embodiments, once the timing cycle has started, if the
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intelligent circuit receives a pulse having a duration of % second on the
yellow, red
or green wire, it will increase the time of the cadence by, for example, 3
seconds. If
the circuit receives multiple pulses of 1/2 second on the yellow, red or green
wire,
the circuit will add as many multiples of 3 seconds as the number of pulses
5 received. That is, the duration of a specific light period can be increased
or
decreased while that light period is in progress by sending instructions to
the circuit
either through the wires or by wireless communication with the circuit.
Similarly, in some embodiments, if the circuit receives a pulse having
a duration of 1/10 of a second in the yellow, red or green, the circuit will
decrease
10 the cadence by, for example, 3 seconds. Similarly, multiple pulses of 1/10
of a
second will result in the cadence being shortened by 3 seconds for every
pulse.
As discussed above, the duration of these increasing pulses and
decreasing pulses are entirely arbitrary. That is, other pulse durations may
be used
to signal the control unit that the cadence of the timing cycle is to be
modified.
Similarly, a pulse of a given duration may be used to signal the control unit
to
restore the cadence to a default setting or begin flashing intermittently in
addition
to other suitable arrangements known to one of skill in the art.
Thus, in use, the control unit 14 of the traffic light with time
information 1 receives a pulse of a given duration from the central control
station
via one of the 4 wires 3 or via other means as discussed herein. As discussed
above, this establishes the protocol or cadence to be followed for the light
period.
As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, in some embodiments, the
control unit
14 may continue to execute this protocol until instructions are given either
from the
central control station via the wires 3 or from a wireless unit as discussed
above
that the protocol is to be changed.
The light period for the green light begins with the green base light 10
and the top-most green interval light 12 being activated by the control unit
14. In
some embodiments, once the interval time expires, the top-most interval light
is
turned off and the next interval light is activated. As discussed below, in
other
embodiments, there may be an overlap of a given time period wherein both
interval
lights are active, thereby providing even more accurate timing information to
the
user. This continues until the bottom-most interval light 12 completes its
cadence,
at which point the yellow light is activated. Once the yellow light completes
its
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period, the light period for the red light begins with the red base light 10
and the
top-most red interval light 12 being activated by the control unit 14. Once
the
cadence for a given interval light expires, that light is inactivated and the
next
interval light in sequence is activated. This continues until the bottom-most
interval
light is inactivated, at which point the green light period begins again.
It is important to note that while it is preferred that the cadence of
respective interval lights within a red light period or green light period be
constant,
to increase the confidence of users that the information they are receiving is
correct and consistent, it is not necessary that the cadence of red interval
lights
and green interval lights be identical. That is, the duration of a green light
period
may differ from the duration of a red light period for a given traffic light
with time
information. Furthermore, as discussed above, for example the approach of an
emergency vehicle may result in the cadence of a given light period being
shortened or increased temporarily.
As discussed above, it is important to note that during the light cycle,
the control unit 14 is also confirming that the interval lights 12 and base
lights 10
are functioning, as discussed herein.
Figure 3 shows the electrical connections of a control box, connected
by four wires to a prior art traffic light.
Figure 4 shows the electrical connections of a prior art traffic light
with time information connected by fourteen wires to a control box.
Comparing figure 3 with figure 4, we see that substituting the
common traffic light with the prior art traffic light with time information
required
work to substitute the underground wiring with more wires, each having a
greater
diameter than the previous wires.
Figure 5 shows a common traffic light control box connected by four
wires to the control unit having an intelligent circuit 14 that is operably
linked to the
traffic light with time information. As can be seen, use of the intelligent
circuit
makes it possible to incorporate a traffic light with time information with
great
savings to the public, as it is not necessary to substitute the control box of
the prior
art traffic light for a new one, or substitute underground tubulations for new
ones
(which also requires re-building of asphalt and/or sidewalk), nor did it have
to
substitute one wiring system for a new one.
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Another great advantage of the intelligent circuit is the increase in
safety for users, both pedestrians and motorists, as the intelligent circuit
also
detects burnt out lights and adjust accordingly by adding time to the adjacent
interval light, thereby eliminating the risk that a motorist or pedestrian
will
encounter a light suddenly turning red. As will be appreciated by one of skill
in the
art, this means fewer accidents which in turn will result in savings for the
city or
municipality in the form of fewer emergency calls and also fewer service calls
by
the crews responsible for the upkeep of the traffic light system.
As discussed above, the control unit is reliant upon existing wiring for
instructions. Furthermore, the control unit is arranged to determine if
different
colors, that is, groupings of interval lights and/or base lights, are being
activated
simultaneously and to take appropriate steps if a conflict arises. In some
embodiments, when a conflict arises, the control unit may inactivate the
colors that
allow movement (yellow and green) and activate the color that prevents
movement
(red) in all directions.
As discussed above, the control unit is arranged to determine if a
given interval light is burned out and to adjust the time interval of an
adjacent
interval light accordingly. However, the control unit may also be arranged to
notify
the central station that one of the lights isn't working by transmitting a
signal via the
control box to the central station. In addition or alternatively, the control
unit may
be arranged to provide a signal either automatically or in response to an
inquiry,
for example, from a wireless device or similar signaling device in a repair
truck.
The signal may be for example blinking of one of the lights at the ,start of a
timing
cycle, although other suitable signals may be used and will be apparent to one
skill
in the art.
In some embodiments, the traffic lights may also include variable
message panels 20 where important messages can be displayed at regular
intervals. The message(s) may be transmitted to the control unit by wireless
or
radio waves. For example, the traffic department may use a console (hand-held)
to program specific messages which would be entered into memory and then
displayed at programmed intervals. The panel can be.placed as shown in Figures
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15, although other suitable arrangements are within
the
scope of the invention. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the panel may be a
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vertical panel situated between the columns of vertical interval lights. As
shown in
Figure 7, the panel may be a horizontal panel positioned above the traffic
light,
wherein the traffic light also has a horizontal orientation. As shown in
Figure 8, the
panel may be a vertical panel on either the left or right side of the traffic
light. As
shown in Figure 9, the panel may be a vertical panel that extends along the
entire
length of the housing, with red and green interval lights and base lights
being
positioned on either side of the panel. As shown in Figure 10, the panel may
be a
horizontal panel, the interval lights may be arranged in series to the left of
the base
light and the interval lights and the respective base lights may be
approximately
the same size. A similar embodiment is shown in Figure 11 wherein the base
lights
are at the top of the traffic light display and the interval lights are
positioned
beneath the respective base lights in a column and the panel is to the right
of the
lights. In an embodiment shown in Figure 12, the panel is positioned between
the
interval lights, similar to Figure 6. In the embodiment shown in Figure 15,
the base
lights are arranged vertically and the panel is a horizontal panel at the base
of the
light housing. The content of the messages may include information about
traffic
conditions, accidents, which alternative routes to take, which plate numbers
can
drive in that area on that day, the maximum speed allowed for that street,
what
speed the vehicle must maintain to drive in the "green lane", as well as other
information that would contribute to the optimization of -traffic routes.
In some embodiments, the control unit also includes an audible
signal which can be activated by remote control for the visually or physically
handicapped. In these embodiments, the control unit includes an audible
signaling
device which is activated by a wireless device, preferably one having a
limited or
short range. Once activated, the audible signal may convey the time remaining
in
the light cycle, for example, by producing an audible signal that increases or
decreases in frequency or volume as the end of the cycle approaches. In some
embodiments, in response to an activation signal, the control unit may respond
with a short whistle or other similar audible signal indicating that the
request has
been received. In other embodiments, the control unit may emit an audible
signal
at the beginning of the light period, followed by a second signal when the
period is
almost over.
In other embodiments, the control unit may be responsive to a
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14
wireless signal from an emergency vehicle. In these embodiments, the
approaching emergency vehicle notifies the control unit that it is approaching
and
that the light should remain green. Alternatively, if the light is red, the
control unit
.may change the cadence of the light period, that is, shorten the time period
that
the interval light(s) are active and thereby the red light period so that the
light can
be changed to green as quickly as possible while still providing drivers with
the
opportunity to clear the intersection.
As discussed herein, the control unit with the intelligent circuit can be
incorporated into a number of different designs of lights for providing timing
information, such as, for example, traffic lights as shown in Figures 1, 6, 7,
8, 9,
10, 11 and 15, which are discussed above.
In some embodiments, the system is arranged so that when a given
interval light is activated, the previous interval light remains active
briefly as well so
that there is an overlap between the two interval lights. As will be
appreciated by
one of skill in the art, as a result of this arrangement, the user, whether
pedestrian
or motorist, is provided with even more information on how much time remains
in
each interval prior to the light changing. In some embodiments, the first
light may
remain active for the initial 20% of the time period for the next light. When
the
bottom-most timing light has completed its interval, the yellow light is
activated and
the bottom-most light is disabled. This provides the user with information on
how
long they have to clear the intersection. As will be appreciated by one of
skill in the
art, other suitable overlap intervals may be used at the discretion of the
traffic
authority, for example, 10%, 15%, 25%, 30%, 33%, 35%.and the like. This in
turn
results in greater traffic light effectiveness with the largest interaction
between
users and the traffic light with time information, because during the period
where
two interval lights are simultaneously activated, the visibility of the
traffic light is
increased and the information provided is dynamic. This in turn allows the
users to
make decisions with greater precision, that is, deciding whether to proceed,
to slow
down or to prepare to stop, which in turn greatly reduces the stress of the
users.
Given the concerns regarding "road rage", this is clearly not a small
advantage.
In some embodiments, the lateral and central compartments shown
in fig.1 will have mounted thereon glare protectors 16 which provide better
visibility
on sunny days. In one embodiment, the glare protectors are composed of
thirteen
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multiple folded panels which in turn form multiple compartments as shown in
fig.1.
In another embodiment, the glare protectors 16 are composed of 25 double
panels, as shown in fig. 12. Specifically, as can be seen in Figure 14, the
panels
decrease in length on a progressive scale, thereby forming multiple
compartments,
5 as shown in Figure 12. For example, there may be a compartment for each
interval
light as well as each base light and for the message panel if one is included
on the
traffic light design. These compartments improve the visibility of the lights
and the
panel by reducing glare, as illustrated in Figure 14 which shows, two full-
length
glare panels extending from the top or bottom of the light, for.example, a
base
10 light, to the front face of the light housing, thereby forming the
compartment and a
plurality of shorter glare panels extending from the front of the light
housing to
different positions in front of the light. This arrangement is particularly
suited for
open locations, specifically those with high solar reflection, for example,
from snow
and ice, and provide better visual observation of the traffic lights on a
sunny day.
15 As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, these panels may be used in
combination with any of the traffic lights described herein, for example,
those
shown in Figures 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 15.
In these embodiments, wherein the traffic lights utilize multiple folded
panels as the glare protectors 16, the panels may actually become effectively
shelves for ice and snow to accumulate, thus obstructing viewing of the lights
and
also potentially causing the lights to fall to the ground due to excessive
weight.
The solution is the incorporation in the front of the compartments of a
translucent sheet, shown in fig. 13, which thereby prevents accumulation of
snow
and ice in the internal divisions of the light visors.
It is of note that ice and snow may also accumulate on top of the
traffic light. The solution for the presented problem is shown in Fig.2, which
involves the placing of a slanted plate 22 on top of the lights, which
prevents the
accumulation of snow and ice on top.of the light housing. 5. As will be
appreciated
by one of skill in the art, the panels as described above may be incorporated
on
any of the lights described herein, for example, as shown in Figures 1, 6, 7,
8, 9,
10,11and15..
It is of note that the color of the individual lights as well as the color of
lights used in the message panel discussed above may be varied according to
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16
custom or desire and these alternative colors are within the scope of the
invention.
Alternatively, the lights used may be white or other appropriate color and
appropriate filters may be used to produce the desired color. Furthermore, the
light
source for the lights and/or message panels may be any suitable light source
known in the art, for example, incandescent bulbs, LEDs, liquid crystal
panels,
neon and the like. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, it is
preferred
that the lights be visible under a variety of conditions, including both day
and night.
Shown in Figure 9 is a pedestrian traffic light which is similar in form
to that shown in Figure 1, the exception being that the yellow color is not
set up .
and the size of the pedestrian traffic light is more appropriate for its
intended use.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the pedestrian traffic light includes a
variable message panel 20, although other embodiments may not include this
feature.
Figures 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of the traffic light
with time information wherein the traffic light with time information that
requires the
same amount of space as used by conventional traffic lights. As will be
appreciated by one of skill in the art, this arrangement allows the placing of
only
one color at a time. However, because of advances in suitable materials, it is
possible to arrange to have the base lights in the same approximate positions
as in
the tradition traffic lights which are activated in turn. Furthermore, when
the yellow
and red or green and yellow lights are inactive, this space is used to convey
time
information, for example, a series of interval lights which travel either away
from or
towards the active base light. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, these lights may
be
arranged horizontally or vertically. Furthermore, the interval lights may have
any
suitable shape or color and in some embodiments may correspond in color to the
respective base light. It is of note that in the embodiments shown in Figure 7
and
8, these traffic lights with time information also include variable message
panels 20
although in other embodiments, this feature may be omitted.
Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment of the invention
wherein the interval lights correspond substantially in size and shape to the
individual modules of traditional traffic lights. In this concept, as many
individual
modules per color as necessary, in a preferred embodiment, six, are activated
and
inactivated in accordance with the cadence designated by the control unit as
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17
discussed above. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the base
lights 10 are at the top of the traffic light with time information 1 although
in other
embodiments wherein the lights are arranged horizontally, the base lights 10
may
be at the bottom of the traffic light with time information 1. Similarly, in
the
embodiment shown in Figure 10, the base lights 10 are at the right-most
position
but in other embodiments, the base lights 10 may be the left-most lights.
In an embodiment shown in Figure 15, the traffic light with time
information comprises base lights arranged substantially as with a
conventional
vertical traffic light, specifically, with the red light at the top, the
yellow light in the
middle and a green light at the bottom. On each side of the light housing is a
display for providing time information relating to the time remaining in the
light
period. In some embodiments, the display may comprise a number of interval
lights as discussed above.
It is of note that as discussed above, the general shape of the light
housing, shown generally as 5 throughout the figures, may be varied
considerably
for use with the traffic light with time information 1, various examples of
which are
shown in Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15. As discussed above,
the
interval lights may also be of a variety of sizes and shapes, and may comprise
a
series of individual lights having a distinct shape and/or color. In other
embodiments, the interval lights may be represented by for example but by no
means limited to symbols either having discrete positions on a display screen
or
appearing to travel along in a display screen in a smooth motion.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described above, it will be recognized and understood that various
modifications
may be made therein, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
