Traffic control system

• US 4,025,922 A
• Filed: 07/07/1975
• Issued: 05/24/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanley G. Grote
• Original Assignee: Stanley G. Grote
• Inventors: Trawick, James C. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Hubler, Malcolm F.
• Application Number:
  US05/593,377
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 340/3 E, 340/44, 340/407, 340/408, 343/6.5 R, 343/6.5 LC
• US Class Current: 342/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/061 with electronic detecting or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/068 Sticks for blind persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/825 with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/006 using audible presentation of the information

Abstract

A traffic control system particularly suitable for aiding the blind includes an interrogating FM radio transmitter-receiving unit, which can be incorporated into a cane or the like, and a responding FM radio receiver-transmitter unit operatively associated with the traffic signal light control circuits at a street intersection. The interrogating unit transmits an FM signal modulated by a coded signal indicative of which direction its blind operator wishes to cross the intersection. The responding unit, in response to the FM signal received from the interrogating unit, transmits an FM signal modulated by a coded signal corresponding to that received from the interrogating unit whenever the traffic signal light conditions are such that a safe crossing in the desired direction is possible. The interrogating unit produces an audio or mechanical output signal when the coded signal received from the responding unit corresponds to the coded signal it transmitted under the control of its blind operator, this output signal indicating that it is safe to cross the intersection in the desired direction.

Claims

1. In a traffic control system having at least one set of traffic signal lights at a traffic intersection and traffic signal control circuit means coupled to said set of traffic signal lights, the improvement comprising:

(a) at least one portable interrogating unit having manually operable means for producing selectively a signal indicative of desired crossing direction, and means coupled to said manually operable means and responsive to the signal indicative of desired crossing direction for transmitting a safe-to-cross directional request signal; and

(b) a stationary responding unit having means coupled to said traffic signal control circuit means and responsive to signals therefrom, which correspond to energization conditions of said signal lights, and to the safe-to-cross directional request signal received for producing a safe-to-cross particular directional signal upon occurrence of a signal from said signal control circuit means indicative of signal light energization conditions acceptable for safe crossing in the desired direction, and means coupled to said means for producing the safe-to-cross particular directional signal and responsive thereto for transmitting said safe-to-cross particular directional signal; and

(c) means forming part of said interrogating unit which receive and respond to the safe-to-cross particular directional signal transmitted from said responding unit for producing a safe-to-cross signal sensible to persons who may operate said portable interrogating unit.

2. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said interrogating unit includes a cane, said manually operable means, said means for transmitting a safe-to-cross directional request signal and said means for producing a safe-to-cross signal sensible to persons being housed within said cane.

3. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for producing a safe-to-cross signal sensible to persons comprises loudspeaker means.

4. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for producing a safe-to-cross signal sensible to persons comprise electrical-to-mechanical transducer means.

5. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 4, wherein said interrogating unit includes a cane having a retractable tip, said transducer means being coupled to said tip for extending said tip when energized.

6. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means coupled to said manually operable means comprises means for encoding safe-to-cross directional request signals and radio transmitting means for transmitting coded safe-to-cross directional request signals.

7. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 6, wherein said responding unit includes radio receiving means for receiving radio signals from said radio transmitting means, and means coupled to said radio receiving means for decoding received coded safe-to-cross directional request signals.

8. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 7, wherein said means forming part of said responding unit for producing the safe-to-cross particular directional signal includes further means for encoding safe-to-cross particular directional signals and further radio transmitting means for transmitting coded safe-to-cross particular directional signals.

9. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 8, wherein said further means for encoding includes means for producing a validity signal.

10. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 8, wherein said interrogating unit includes further radio receiving means for receiving radio signals from said further radio transmitting means, and further means coupled to said further radio receiving means for decoding received coded safe-to-cross particular direction signals.

11. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 10, wherein said interrogating unit includes logic circuit means coupled to said further means for decoding and to said manually operable means and responsive to signals from these components for selectively producing an electrical output safe-to-cross signal.

12. An improved traffic control system as defined in claim 11, wherein said means for producing a safe-to-cross signal sensible to persons comprises transducer means coupled to said logic circuit means and responsive to its output signal.

13. A portable interrogating unit comprising manually operable means for producing selectively a signal indicative of desired traffic intersection crossing direction, transmitting means coupled to said manually operable means and responsive to the signal indicative of desired crossing direction for transmitting a safe-to-cross directional request signal to a responding unit, and means which receive and respond to safe-to-cross particular directional signals from a responding unit responsive to the request signal for producing a safe-to-cross signal sensible to persons who may operate the portable interrogating unit.

14. A portable interrogating unit as defined in claim 13, wherein said portable interrogating unit includes a housing, said housing being developed as a cane.

15. A responding unit including traffic control circuit means for controlling at least one set of traffic signal lights, means coupled to said traffic signal control circuit means and responsive to signals therefrom, which correspond to energization conditions of the signal lights, and to safe-to-cross directional request signals from an interrogating unit for producing a safe-to-cross particular directional signal upon occurrence of a signal from said signal control circuit means indicative of signal light energization conditions acceptable for safe crossing in the desired direction, and means coupled to said means for producing the safe-to-cross particular directional signal and responsive thereto for transmitting said safe-to-cross particular directional signal.