Traffic signal system for congested trafficways

• US 10,559,207 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2018
• Issued: 02/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amanda Reed, Daniel E. Reed
• Original Assignee: Amanda Reed, Daniel E. Reed
• Inventors: Reed, Amanda, Reed, Daniel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US16/223,695
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 340903, 340906, 340551, 3405731, 3404255, 3405391, 3406913, 3405451, 3406861-6866, 340687
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/01 Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled G08G1/07 - G08G1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A traffic signal system for congested trafficways has a plurality of stationary alarm light/sensor-reader combinations and mobile alarm light/sensor-reader combinations monitoring each other and monitory tags placed on individuals, machines, and hazards to provide real time alarms to not only pedestrians but also machine operators, who are potentially approaching harm'"'"'s way, or have the better ability to avert potential harm. Different forms of alarms are provided to indicate different kinds of alarm conditions and to reduce complacency to alarms, and thus improve effectiveness.

Claims

1. A method utilizing cameras as a vision smart sensors in a traffic signal system for any combination of heat transfer, motion, facial recognition or recognition of other objects for detection and/or identification of objects including people or machinery, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of wireless vision smart sensors, each having a Sensor area;

if the wireless visions smart Sensors detect any UNAUTHORIZED entries to a respective Sensor area using a combination of motion, face recognition, heat transfer or other detection methods, the wireless vision smart Sensors are programmed to activate the signal devices based on the programmed variable signal for an UNAUTHORIZED classified identity detected within range of the Sensors;

wherein sensor range can be adjusted through placement of Sensors or adjustment of Sensor range to eliminate the detection of nearby UNAUTHORIZED motion that is within the Sensor area;

the traffic signal system includes a camera assisted wireless mobile warning light system;

the camera assisted wireless mobile warning light system is installed in a protected area to create a signal system for motor vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic within a facility or area, and depicting a condition wherein moving single Transponders, mobile detection devices, of a plurality of Transponders, and camera assisted Sensor devices stationed or moving throughout a facility and connected together in a programmable mobile traffic warning system to protect the pedestrian or motor vehicle operator by signaling the detection of a traffic hazard including pedestrian, motor vehicle or other operating hazard and providing a signal warning of the hazard to pedestrians and motor vehicle operators and camera representation to the motor vehicle operator of the motor vehicle and detected hazard in the programmed range of the protected area;

stationary warning light systems installed at traffic safety hazards including traffic intersections, pedestrian crossings, motor vehicle door openings, or other traffic hazards including high hazard areas and the mobile warning light system installed within operating motor vehicles, the mobile traffic warning system can be integrated with system connected cameras positioned throughout the protected area and adhered to the motor vehicle;

The cameras provide three dimensional images of the area and the moving motor vehicle operating within the protected area;

The motor vehicle is equipped with a portable monitor that when activated by the wireless mobile Sensor device detecting a Transponder, the monitor provides three dimensional image representation of the motor vehicle and the detected Transponders or other programmable objects including proximity to high hazard areas or stationary objects present or moving within the Sensor range with programmable warning indication of hazard alert and action to be taken;

utilizing the composition of images compiled by all area installed camera angles and images from the cameras installed on the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle monitor displays an aerial view of the motor vehicle moving throughout the facility and alert the motor vehicle operator of non-viewable safety hazards including nearby pedestrians, operating motor vehicles or high hazard areas blocked by other objects such as racking, production equipment, walls, curtains, doors or blind corners within the programmed alert range;

Camera Sensors located on the motor vehicle can be programmed to alert the motor vehicle operator for collusion with stationary objects as the motor vehicle moves throughout the area;

All camera images and Sensor information, including movement of Transponders, transmitted throughout the integrated mobile traffic signal system are transferrable to connected data storage devices to allow for incident recording and review, traffic flow analysis.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

integration into operation controls is achieved with the connection of the wireless mobile Sensor devices into the operational controls with on-board or remote operator to stop or temporarily pause the motor vehicle or moving hazard to avoid impact with Transponders detected by the Sensors within programmed range including pedestrians or other motor vehicles, or when exceeding the programmed boundaries of other high hazard areas including rail road dock edges, high risk production areas, chemical storage, storage or restricted access areas;

further integration of wireless mobile Sensor devices into motor vehicle operational controls can stop or temporarily pause the motor vehicle to avoid impact with other wireless mobile detection devices including Transponders assigned to pedestrians or other motor vehicles, programmed high hazard areas, or other stationary objects.

3. A method of utilizing camera technology to provide wirelessly transmitted images to vehicles so operators of moving motor vehicles can avoid hazards or collisions in an area, comprising the steps of:

system connected cameras would providing three dimensional images of the area and the moving motor vehicle operating within the protected area;

The moving motor vehicle is equipped with a portable monitor that when activated by a wireless mobile Sensor device detecting a Transponder, the monitor provides three dimensional image representation of the motor vehicle and the detected Transponders present and moving within the Sensor range with programmable warning indication of hazard alert and action to be taken;

utilizing a composition of images compiled by all area installed camera angles and images from the cameras installed on the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle monitor displays an aerial view of the motor vehicle moving throughout the area and alert the motor vehicle operator of non-viewable safety hazards including nearby pedestrians, operating motor vehicles or high hazard areas blocked by other objects such as racking, production equipment, walls, curtains, doors or blind corners within the programmed alert range;

Camera Sensors located on the motor vehicle can be programmed to alert the motor vehicle operator for collusion with stationary objects as the motor vehicle moves throughout the area;

All camera images and Sensor information, including movement of Transponders, transmitted throughout the integrated mobile traffic signal system are transferrable to connected data storage devices to allow for incident recording and review, traffic flow analysis;

the traffic signal system includes a camera assisted wireless mobile warning light system;

camera assisted wireless mobile warning light system can be installed in a protected area including a pedestrian and motor vehicle intersection within an industrial production and warehouse facility for a camera assisted mobile traffic signal system in accordance with the invention to create a signal system for motor vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic within a facility or area, and depicting a condition wherein moving single Transponders, mobile detection devices, of a plurality of Transponders, and camera assisted Sensor devices stationed or moving throughout a facility and connected together in a programmable mobile traffic warning system to protect the pedestrian or motor vehicle operator by signaling the detection of a traffic hazard including pedestrian, motor vehicle or other operating hazard and providing a signal warning of the hazard to pedestrians and motor vehicle operators and camera representation to the motor vehicle operator of the motor vehicle and detected hazard in the programmed range of the protected area;

the stationary warning light system installed at traffic safety hazards including traffic intersections, pedestrian crossings, motor vehicle door openings, or other traffic hazards including high hazard areas and the mobile warning light system installed within operating motor vehicles, the mobile traffic warning system can be integrated with system connected cameras positioned throughout the protected area and adhered to the motor vehicle.