Traffic light control means for emergency-type vehicles

• US 5,345,232 A
• Filed: 11/19/1992
• Issued: 09/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael T. Robertson
• Original Assignee: Michael T. Robertson
• Inventors: Robertson, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US07/978,997
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 340/286.13, 340/286.14, 340/995, 340/994, 340/901, 340/902, 340/904, 340/906
• US Class Current: 340/906
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/087 Override of traffic control, e.g. by signal transmitted by an emergency vehicle

Abstract

This invention relates to traffic control means for emergency-type vehicles including an on-board plotter screen having a diagram of streets, roads, highways and the like displayed thereon. A light pen is used to draw the preferred route which is then either accepted or rejected in part or as a whole by a computer based on a current street condition program. Once the route has been accepted a traffic signal map program can be activated that will automatically control traffic along the route to the destination of the emergency vehicle.

Claims

1. A traffic control for emergency-type vehicle comprising:

means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to a pre-determined destination;

a street condition program operatively connected to said means for plotting said route whereby the route plotted will automatically be either accepted or rejected by said street condition program;

once a selected route is accepted by said street condition program, means for automatically signalling emergency warning means at intersections along said accepted route whereby said emergency-type vehicle can reach its said predetermined destination without undue delay.

2. The traffic control of claim 1 wherein a road map program is operatively associated with said means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to the predetermined destination.

3. The traffic control of claim 2 wherein a traffic signal control program is operatively connected between said means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to the predetermined destination and the means for signalling emergency warning means at said intersections along said accepted route whereby said warning means can be activated in the manner for said emergency vehicle to reach its pre-determined destination without undue delay.

4. The traffic control of claim 1 wherein the emergency warning means at said intersections along said accepted route include flashing light warning and audible warning.

5. The traffic control of claim 4 wherein said audible warning are coded to give specific information to a visually impaired.

6. The traffic control of claim 4 wherein said emergency warning means include a battery back-up means.

7. The traffic control of claim 6 wherein the battery back-up means is charged by solar electric panels.

8. The traffic control of claim 4 wherein the emergency warning means is operatively connected to a battery back-up means.

9. The traffic control of claim 1 wherein the emergency warning means are mounted adjacent traffic control lights and include means for cutting off said traffic control lights and turning on light warning and audible warning.

10. The traffic control of claim 9 wherein said light warning is a flashing means.

11. The traffic control of claim 9 wherein the audible warning means is coded for a visually impaired.

12. A traffic control for emergency-type vehicle comprising:

means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to a pre-determined destination including a road map program operatively connected thereto;

a street condition program operatively connected to said means for plotting said route whereby the route plotted will automatically be either accepted or rejected by said street condition program;

once a route is accepted by said street condition program, a traffic signal control program operatively connected to said means for selectively plotting said route for determining the manner of controlling emergency warning means at intersections along said accepted routes; and

means for signalling information from said traffic signal control program to said warming means at said intersections whereby said emergency-type vehicle can reach its predetermined destination without undue delay.