Enhanced visibility traffic signal
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A traffic control signal comprising:
- a structure having traffic control indicia formed thereon;
two or more LEDs mounted on the structure, each LED having an output light intensity of at least 6,000 millicandella, wherein each such LED is disconnectable without interrupting the operation of any other such LED, and wherein each such LED is individually mounted on approximately the same plane and separate from one another to provide discrete points of light as viewed by oncoming traffic when approaching said structure;
a power source for providing direct current to the two or more LEDs mounted on the structure; and
a control circuit for regulating a duty cycle of the two or more LEDs to operate at some desired blink frequency.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A traffic control signal has a structure upon which traffic control indicia are formed. At least one LED is formed upon the structure so as to attract attention to the indicia. The LED(s) have a brightness of at least 6,000 millicandella and preferably have a brightness of between approximately 6,000 millicandella and approximately 60,000 millicandella.
-
Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A traffic control signal comprising:
-
a structure having traffic control indicia formed thereon;
two or more LEDs mounted on the structure, each LED having an output light intensity of at least 6,000 millicandella, wherein each such LED is disconnectable without interrupting the operation of any other such LED, and wherein each such LED is individually mounted on approximately the same plane and separate from one another to provide discrete points of light as viewed by oncoming traffic when approaching said structure;
a power source for providing direct current to the two or more LEDs mounted on the structure; and
a control circuit for regulating a duty cycle of the two or more LEDs to operate at some desired blink frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method for enhancing visibility of conventional traffic signs or structures by mounting two or more discrete LEDs thereupon, directing the two or more LEDs such that an output light from each LED is aimed approximately towards oncoming traffic, positioning the two or more LEDs so as to form a recognizable geometric pattern and approximately defining a physical size of the sign or structure, wherein each of said one or more LEDs:
-
provides an output light intensity of 6,000 millicandella or more;
is disconnectable without interrupting the operation of any other such LED;
is provided with a suitable source of direct current electrical power; and
is caused to blink at a desired frequency by a suitable blink cycle timer and control circuit. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
-
-
24. A method for enhancing visual perception of a traffic sign comprising a structure, the method comprising:
-
mounting two or more LEDs on the structure such that an output light from each LED is aimed approximately towards oncoming motor vehicle traffic, wherein the two or more LEDs are located at vertices or midpoints between vertices along at least a portion of a periphery of the structure to visually define a physical size of the structure with blinking of the two or more LEDs;
connecting the two or more LEDs with an electrical power source and with a blink cycle timer such that the electrical power energizes the blink cycle timer which then causes the two or more LEDs to blink, wherein the electrical power is derived either from an external source of electric power or from sunlight by suitable solar photovoltaic panel and rechargeable battery means; and
wherein each of the two or more LEDs;
provides an output light intensity of at least 6,000 millicandella, and is electrically disconnectable from the electrical power without interrupting the blinking operation of any remaining LEDs.
-
-
25. A method for enhancing the visibility of a traffic sign, the method comprising:
mounting two or more LEDs on a traffic control structure, each of the one or more LEDs being configured such that;
output light of each LED forms a cone angle less than approximately 20 degrees;
output light intensity of each LED is at least 6,000 millicandella; and
each LED is aimed approximately towards oncoming motor vehicle traffic.
-
26. A method for enhancing visibility of conventional traffic signs or structures by mounting two or more LEDs thereupon such that output light from each LED is aimed approximately towards oncoming motor vehicle traffic, wherein each LED:
-
is disconnectable from the traffic sign or structure without interrupting the blinking operation of any remaining LEDs;
provides an output light intensity of 6,000 millicandella or more; and
is provided with suitable direct current electrical power derived from a suitable source, wherein a suitable control circuit and blink cycle timer means is used to effect illumination of the two or more LEDs. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
Specification