Portable conflict monitor testing apparatus

• US 4,586,041 A
• Filed: 12/29/1983
• Issued: 04/29/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald A. Carlson
• Original Assignee: Donald A. Carlson
• Inventors: Carlson, Donald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heim, Michael F.
• Application Number:
  US06/566,928
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 340/22, 340/907, 340/931, 340/515, 340/661, 340/663, 361/86, 364/424, 371/16, 371/18, 371/23, 371/24
• US Class Current: 340/931
• 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

Abstract

Portable apparatus for checking, in place, a conflict monitor which includes a test signal generator that produces a test signal that is applied to a programmable switch array to develop AC voltages, simulating a malfunctioning traffic signal controller. The apparatus includes timing circuitry that is operable in response to the test signal to determine the time taken by the conflict monitor under check to respond to application of a simulated traffic signal controller malfunction.

Claims

1. Apparatus for simulating a malfunctioning traffic signal control for testing response times and operability of a conflict monitor of the type adapted to receive traffic controller signals from a traffic signal controller and to provide an indication of traffic signal controller and upon detection of such malfunction, the apparatus comprising:

circuit means for producing an enable signal;

switch means coupled to the circuit means for receiving the enable signal for initiating a test signal in response to the enable signal;

selection means adapted to be coupled to the conflict monitor for receiving the test signal to develop therefrom simulated traffic controller signals representative of a malfunctioning traffic controller for communication to the conflict monitor;

generating means coupled to the switch means and responsive to initiation of the test signal for generating a timing signal, the generating means including means adapted to receive said indication of traffic signal controller malfunction to terminate the timing signal upon receipt thereof; and

counter means coupled to the generating means to receive the timing signal and to produce therefrom indicia of a response time of the conflict monitor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the test signal is substantially zero volts before receipt of the enable signal by the switch means and an alternating voltage after receipt of the enable signal by the switch means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the test signal is an alternating voltage before receipt of the enable signal by the switch means and substantially zero volts after receipt of the enable signal by the switch means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch means is operable to receive an alternating voltage and to communicate the alternating voltage as the test signal upon receipt of the enable signal by the switch means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switch means includes second circuit means responsive to the enable signal to initiate the test signal at the first zero-crossing of the alternating voltage after receipt of the enable signal by the switch means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second circuit means includes a solid-state load switch for receiving the alternating voltage and for initiating the test signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the test signal is an alternating voltage, and wherein the switch means is operable to terminate the test signal at a predetermined voltage level obtained after appearance of the enable signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switch means is a solid-state load switch.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the simulated traffic controller signals are in the form of a plurality of AC voltages, and wherein the selection means includes means for selectively communicating the AC voltages as predetermined combinations of green, yellow or walk traffic control signals to simulate traffic signal conflicts.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the selection means includes means for selectively communicating the test signal as a simulated red traffic control signal, and wherein the switch means is operable to terminate the test signal at a predetermined voltage level after receipt of the enable signal by the switch means.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, and wherein the test signal is an alternating voltage;

and wherein the generating means includes first rectifier means for receiving the test signal to produce therefrom a start signal indicative of presence of the test signal, and gating means for receiving and communicating the timing signal to the counter in response to presence of the start signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the gating means includes an optical isolation device coupled to the first rectifier means and responsive thereto for producing the start signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, the generating means including second rectifier means responsive to an alternating voltage and to the indication of traffic signal controller malfunction to produce a gating signal during presence of said indication to terminate communication of the timing signal.

14. Apparatus for testing the response time and operability of a conflict monitor, the conflict monitor being of the type for monitoring a traffic signal controller and adapted to provide a fault indication upon occurrence of traffic signal controller malfunction, the apparatus comprising:

means for initiating a first test signal at a selectable point in time;

means for receiving and selectively communicating the test signal to the conflict monitor as a plurality of simulated traffic signal controller malfunctions;

means adapted to detect the indication of fault provided by the controller and to produce therefrom indicia representing a response time of the conflict monitor detection of traffic signal controller malfunction.

15. Apparatus for providing test signals that simulate operation of a traffic signal controller for testing a conflict monitor response, the conflict monitor being of the type operable to produce a fault signal in response to detection of indications of traffic control signal conflicts, the apparatus comprising:

first circuit means for providing a plurality of simulations of said indications of traffic signal controller conflicts;

second circuit means adapted to receive the fault signal from the conflict monitor; and

third circuit means coupled to the first and second circuit means and responsive to the simulations and the fault signal to produce therefrom an indication of response time operability of the conflict monitor; and

coupling means adapted to interconnect the apparatus and the conflict monitor to one another for communicating the simulations and the fault signal therebetween.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first circuit means includes means for selecting at least one of the simulations for communication to the conflict monitor.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first circuit means includes a test signal generating means for providing a test signal that originates at or after a predetermined point in time, the first circuit means including means for developing the simulations from the test signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, the first circuit means being adapted to receive a first alternating voltage and including means for originating the test signal at the first zero-crossing of the first alternating voltage.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the test voltage is substantially zero volts before the predetermined point in time and an alternating voltage after the predetermined point in time.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, including supply means for providing a variable DC voltage, and DC check circuit means for receiving said variable DC voltage for producing therefrom a number of said plurality of simulated traffic controller malfunctions in the form of at least a pair of DC test voltages that differ from one another by a predetermined voltage.