Vibration actuated traffic light control system
First Claim
1. A method of controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections, said method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a pattern of vibrations transmitted through the ground wherein said pattern of vibrations is incited by a vehicle passing over one or more grooves formed in a traffic-bearing surface;
converting the pattern of vibrations into a control signal if the pattern of vibrations matches a reference pattern; and
triggering a traffic light in response to said control signal.
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Abstract
A device for controlling a traffic light, where the controlling of the traffic light is dependent upon receipt and recognition of vibrations. The device includes a vibration receiver for detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, a processor for converting one or more of the vibrations into a control signal and a controller to trigger a traffic light in response to the control signal. The device may also include a vibration generator, e.g., at least one channel or groove in a traffic-bearing surface. The vibration generator preferably facilitates the production of a pattern of vibrations when the tire of a vehicle passes over the vibration generator. Further, the device may include a vibration receiver, capable of detecting a pattern of vibrations and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to said pattern of vibrations.
96 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a pattern of vibrations transmitted through the ground wherein said pattern of vibrations is incited by a vehicle passing over one or more grooves formed in a traffic-bearing surface; converting the pattern of vibrations into a control signal if the pattern of vibrations matches a reference pattern; and triggering a traffic light in response to said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a pattern of vibrations transmitted through the ground, said vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over a vibration generator; producing a pattern of signals corresponding to said pattern of vibrations; comparing said pattern of signals to a reference pattern; converting said pattern of signals into a control signal if said pattern of signals matches said reference pattern; and triggering a traffic light in response to said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections, said method comprising the steps of detecting, with a geophone, a preselected pattern of vibrations transmitted through the ground, said vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over at least one groove in a traffic-bearing surface proximate a traffic intersection;
- converting said pattern of vibrations into a control signal; and
triggering a first traffic light to switch from a red color to a green color upon receipt of said control signal rendered in response to said preselected pattern of vibrations, wherein the geophone is configured to detect vibration through the ground and not through the air. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
- converting said pattern of vibrations into a control signal; and
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11. A method of controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections, said method comprising the steps of:
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forming one or more grooves in a traffic-bearing surface proximate a traffic intersection; detecting, with a geophone, a pattern of vibrations transmitted through the ground, said vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over said one or more grooves; converting said pattern of vibrations into a control signal; and triggering a traffic light in response to said control signal, wherein the geophone is configured to detect vibration through the ground and not through the air. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections, comprising:
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a geophone for detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, said vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over a vibration generator; a processor for converting said vibrations into a control signal; and a controller to trigger a traffic light in response to said control signal, wherein the geophone is configured to detect vibration through the ground and not through the air. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections, comprising:
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a patterned vibration generator extending across a traffic-bearing surface for generating a pattern of vibrations; a geophone for detecting said pattern of vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over said vibration generator; a processor for converting said pattern of vibrations into a control signal; and a controller to trigger a traffic light in response to said control signal, wherein the geophone is configured to detect vibration through the ground and not through the air. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections, comprising:
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a geophone capable of detecting a pattern of vibrations and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to said pattern of vibrations, said vibrations incited by a vehicle passing over a vibration generator; a processor to convert said pattern of signals into a control signal; and a controller to trigger a traffic light in response to said control signal, wherein the geophone is configured to detect vibration through the ground and not through the air. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. An apparatus for controlling traffic lights at traffic intersections, comprising:
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a traffic-bearing surface proximate a traffic intersection, said surface having a predetermined number of spaced grooves to produce a pattern of vibrations; a geophone positioned proximate the traffic-bearing surface, wherein the geophone is capable of detecting said pattern of vibrations incited by said grooves and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to said pattern of vibrations; a processor to convert said pattern of signals into a control signal; and a controller to trigger a traffic light in response to said control signal, wherein the geophone is configured to detect vibration through the ground and not through the air.
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Specification