Traffic signalling system
First Claim
1. A traffic signalling system, for detecting targets contained in any of at least two approach paths in a signal zone, and for providing signals responsive to the targets detected, said traffic signalling system comprising:
- (a) a presence detector effective to receive a minimum threshold stimulus, at one or more frequencies outside the human visible spectrum and outside the human audible spectrum, from each target, including each vehicle and each human, entering the signal zone in any one of the at least two approach paths, and to generate output signals responsive to the stimuli so received;
(b) visual display apparatus for directing visual displays toward each of the at least two approach paths; and
(c) electrical processing circuitry for receiving and processing output signals from said presence detector, and for delivering corresponding warning display signals to said visual display apparatus, directing visual warning displays, representing the presence of the respective target, toward each of the at least two approach paths outside the approach path occupied by the respective target.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention pertains to a traffic signalling system, and methods of use, for monitoring a signal zone about an intersection having at least two approach paths, detecting each target entering the signal zone, and giving warning visual display signals to traffic in approach paths outside the approach path occupied by the respective target. The traffic signalling system may direct a second visual display signal, different from the visual warning display, toward the approach path occupied by the respective target, and may indicate, in the visual warning displays, the approach path occupied by the respective target. The traffic signalling system may concurrently receive and process stimuli from first and second targets in respective first and second different approach paths, and indicate, to the targets in the respective approach paths occupied by the targets, the presence of the other target in the other approach path. Timing apparatus may be included in the traffic signalling system, for setting and running a delay timer which maintains the detection indication for the set time after the target has been detected.
52 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A traffic signalling system, for detecting targets contained in any of at least two approach paths in a signal zone, and for providing signals responsive to the targets detected, said traffic signalling system comprising:
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(a) a presence detector effective to receive a minimum threshold stimulus, at one or more frequencies outside the human visible spectrum and outside the human audible spectrum, from each target, including each vehicle and each human, entering the signal zone in any one of the at least two approach paths, and to generate output signals responsive to the stimuli so received; (b) visual display apparatus for directing visual displays toward each of the at least two approach paths; and (c) electrical processing circuitry for receiving and processing output signals from said presence detector, and for delivering corresponding warning display signals to said visual display apparatus, directing visual warning displays, representing the presence of the respective target, toward each of the at least two approach paths outside the approach path occupied by the respective target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for signalling traffic, by detecting targets in a signal zone having at least two approach paths, and providing signals responsive to targets detected, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting the presence of each target in any of the approach paths, using a presence detector effective to receive a minimum threshold stimulus, at one or more frequencies outside the human visible spectrum and outside the human audible spectrum, from each target, including each vehicle and each human entering the signal zone in any one of the at least two approach paths and to generate output signals responsive to the stimuli so received; (b) receiving and processing output signals from the presence detector in electrical processing circuitry, and delivering corresponding warning display signals from the electrical processing circuitry to a visual display apparatus; and (c) directing visual warning displays, responsive to corresponding warning display signals, representing the presence of the respective target, toward each of the at least two approach paths outside the approach path occupied by the respective target. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification