REMOTE CONTROL OF TRAFFIC HEADS

• US 20160247399A1
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Published: 08/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC (Savant Systems, LLC)
• Original Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC (Savant Systems, LLC)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Truong-Khoa, Richard, Jean-Francois, Neser, Morne, Langlais, Justin, Rana, Shahzil
• Granted Patent: US 10,192,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/006 Portable traffic signalling devices G08B5/004 takes precedence; emergency signalling devices to be placed on roads or vehicles B60Q7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/081 Plural intersections under common control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/097 Supervising of traffic control systems, e.g. by giving an alarm if two crossing streets have green light simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/00 Network topologies

Abstract

Provided is a traffic communication network that includes a signaling system having a plurality of light signaling devices, a controller disposed at at least one traffic intersection, and configured to wirelessly control the plurality of light signaling devices. A remote control system is also provided to wirelessly transmit commands to the controller and directly to the plurality of light signaling devices.

Claims

1. A traffic communication network comprising:

a signaling system comprising;

a plurality of light signaling devices,

a controller disposed at at least one traffic intersection, and configured to wirelessly control the plurality of light signaling devices; and

a remote control system configured to wirelessly transmit commands to the controller and directly to the plurality of light signaling devices.

2. The traffic communication network of claim 1, wherein the remote control system is configured to wirelessly receive the status information from the light signaling devices and controls the light signaling devices, based on the status information received.

3. The traffic communication network of claim 2, wherein the remote control system is further configured to synchronize the controller and the light signaling devices using at least one of global positioning, network time and computer system time and the controller is configured to synchronize the light signaling devices.

4. The traffic communication network of claim 2, wherein the status information comprises current environmental conditions and historical traffic patterns regarding the light signaling devices, and the remote control system is configured to perform real-time modifications of the signaling system based on the status information.

5. The traffic communication network of claim 1, wherein the remote control system comprises:

a transmitter/receiver configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the controller and the light signaling devices;

a graphical user interface configured to receive input data;

a display configured to display real-time parameters of the signaling system;

a processor configured to perform real-time diagnostics and modifications of the light signaling devices.

6. The traffic communication network of claim 3, wherein the remote control system further comprises a memory configured to store the status information, historical data and identification information for the light signaling devices and the controller of the signaling system.

7. The traffic communication network of claim 2, wherein each light signaling device comprises:

a wireless node comprising a transmitter/receiver for transmitting and receiving signals from the remote control system;

a processor configured to process the signals received;

a plurality of light emitting devices configured to emit light; and

a light engine for driving the light emitting devices.

8. The traffic communication network of claim 7, wherein the light signaling device is in wireless communication with the remote control system, and is configured to:

(i) transmit status information to the remote control system; and

(ii) provide location information using global positioning.

9. A method for controlling a signaling system including a plurality of light signaling devices via a remote control system in wireless communication therewith in a traffic communication network, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting commands from a remote control system to light signaling devices to receive status information thereof;

wirelessly obtaining, at the remote control system, the status information from the plurality of light signaling devices; and

wirelessly controlling the light signaling devices in real-time based on the status information.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

synchronizing, via the remote control system, the controller and the light signaling devices using global positioning, simultaneously.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the status information comprises current environmental conditions and historical traffic patterns regarding the light signaling devices, and the remote control system is configured to perform real-time modifications of the signaling system based on the status information.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

storing, at the remote control system, the status information and identification information for the light signaling devices, and the controller of the signaling system.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

wirelessly transmitting location information of the light signaling devices to the remote control system using global positioning.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

modifying an operational status of the light signaling devices based on the status information received.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein modifying the operational status comprises:

adjusting the output current or input voltage of the plurality of light signaling devices; and

modifying intersection phasing of the plurality of light signaling devices.