CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNALLING APPARATUS

• US 3,825,890 A
• Filed: 07/17/1970
• Issued: 07/23/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Keiichi Nakayama, Masao Fujii, Takanori Miyazato
• Original Assignee: Keiichi Nakayama, Masao Fujii, Takanori Miyazato
• Inventors: Nakayama, Keiichi, Miyazato, Takanori, Fujii, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): Claffy, Kathleen H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Myers, Randall P.
• Application Number:
  US05/055,929
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 340/40,41,35
• US Class Current: 340/913
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/082 Controlling the time between beginning of the same phase of a cycle at adjacent intersections
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/085 using a free-running cyclic timer

Abstract

A traffic signalling apparatus having green, yellow and red signal lamps is controlled by a control system comprising a standard signal generator source having a constant high frequency output and a time cycle generator for generating time signals. A receiving circuit periodically receives a broadcast wave serving as a reference frequency source and appropriate frequencies are selected and used to compensate for frequency variations occuring in the time cycle generator. The control system may include a programming device whereby a programmed time cycle pattern of operation of the various colored signal lamps may be selectively changed at certain times of the day to most effectively control the traffic flow. The programming device may be used in conjunction with a series of traffic lights to variably stagger the operation of successive traffic lights in dependence upon changing traffic conditions.

Claims

1. In a signal apparatus of the local traffic controller type having a plurality of signal lamps and means for cyclically lighting said signal lamps in a predetermined time cycle pattern in response to a time cycle signal applied thereto:

standard signal generating means for generating a standard signal;

time cycle signal generating means receptive of said standard signal For developing therefrom a time cycle signal having a constant frequency and applying same to said means for cyclically lighting said signal lamps to thereby effect lighting of said signal lamps in accordance with said predetermined time cycle pattern;

receiving means normally in a non-working mode and operable when placed in a working mode to receive a broadcast wave containing reference time information and developing therefrom a reference signal;

regulating means responsive to said reference signal for resetting said time cycle signal generating means to effectively compensate for frequency variations occurring in said time cycle signal generating means; and

timer means for placing said receiving means in its working mode only at predetermined times when said time cycle signal generating means is to be compensated.

2. A signal apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein said time cycle signal generating means comprises frequency converting means receptive of said standard signal for converting same into said time cycle signal.

3. A signal apparatus according to claim 2;

wherein said standard signal generating means comprises a vibrator;

said frequency converting means comprises a gear train mechanically connected to said vibrator and operative to convert the vibratory motion of said vibrator into a corresponding rotary motion, and transducer means for converting the rotary motion of said gear train into an electric time cycle signal; and

said regulating means comprises electromagnetic driving means for effecting regulation of said gear train in accordance with said reference signal.

4. A signal apparatus according to claim 2;

wherein said frequency converting means comprises a synchronous motor rotationally driven in response to said standard signal, and transducer means for converting the rotary motion of said synchronous motor into a corresponding time cycle signal.

5. A signal apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein said time cycle signal generating means includes means for developing a plurality of different time cycle signals each representative of a different time cycle pattern of operation of said signal lamps; and

programming means for individually selecting said time cycle signals and applying them to said signal apparatus in accordance with a preselected program.

6. A signal apparatus according to claim 1;

including in combination therewith at least one additional signal apparatus having signal lamps, standard signal generating means, time cycle signal generating means, regulating means and receiving means alike those defined in claim 1;

wherein each time cycle signal generating means in each signal apparatus includes means for developing a plurality of different time cycle signals each representative of a different time cycle pattern of operation of said signal lamps and wherein the time period of each time cycle signal developed by said time cycle generating means is the same; and

programming means for individually and sequentially selecting said time cycle signals from respective ones of said time cycle generating means and applying them to their corresponding signal apparatus in accordance with a preselected program to accordingly vary the offset time of signal indication between corresponding signal lamps in adjacent signal apparatus.

7. A signal apparatus according to claim 1;

including in combination therewith at least one additional signal apparatus having signal lamps, standard signal generating means, time cycle signal generating means, regulating means and receiving means alike those defined in claim 1;

wherein each time cycle signal generating means in each signal apparatus includes means for developing a plurality of different time cycle signals each representative of a different time cycle pattern of operation of said signal lamps and wherein the time period of each time cycle signal developed by said time cycle generating means is the same; and

programming means for individually and sequentially selecting said time cycle signaLs from respective ones of said time cycle generating means and applying them to their corresponding signal apparatus in accordance with a preselected program to accordingly vary the offset time of signal indication and the time cycle pattern of signal indication between corresponding signal lamps in adjacent signal apparatus.

8. In a signal apparatus of the local traffic controller type having a plurality of signal lamps and having means for cyclically lighting said signal lamps in a predetermined time cycle pattern in response to a time cycle signal applied thereto:

an oscillator for generating a high frequency standard signal;

frequency converting means receptive of said standard signal for converting same into a time cycle signal and applying same to said means for cyclically lighting said signal lamps to thereby effect lighting of said signal lamps in accordance with said time cycle pattern;

receiving means operable independently of the application of said time cycle signal to said means for cyclically lighting said signal lamps and receptive of a broadcast wave containing reference time information for developing therefrom a reference signal; and

regulating means operable independently of the application of said time cycle signal to said means for cyclically lighting said signal lamps and responsive to said reference signal for resetting said frequency converting means to effectively compensate for frequency variations occurring in said frequency converting means.

9. A signal apparatus according to claim 8;

including timer means for placing said receiving means in its working mode only at predetermined times when said frequency converting means is to be compensated.

10. A signal apparatus according to claim 8;

wherein said frequency converting means includes means for converting the standard signal into a plurality of different time cycle signals each representative of a different time cycle pattern of energization of said signal lamps and programming means for individually selecting said time cycle signals and applying same to said signal apparatus to effect cyclical energization of said signal lamps in accordance with a preselected program.