Vehicular traffic signalization method and apparatus for automatically documenting traffic light violations and protecting non-violating drivers

• US 6,100,819 A
• Filed: 08/12/1999
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark White
• Original Assignee: Mark White
• Inventors: White, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/374,083
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 340/902, 340/906, 340/907, 340/908, 340/930, 340/933, 340/937, 364/436, 364/438, 364/424, 364/565
• US Class Current: 340/933
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals

Abstract

The subject invention relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring and regulating the flow of traffic through intersections and specifically to an improved method and apparatus for automatically detecting and documenting disregard of traffic signals for purposes of prosecuting offenders and reducing the risk posed to the driving public posed by disregard of traffic signals without the need for police presence. The present invention comprises traffic signalization lights at adjacent street intersections; a traffic detection and speed measurement means; a traffic light state sensor means; and a traffic light delay means designed to coordinate the traffic detection and speed measurement means and timing of the traffic signalization lights and a recording means to document the license plate number of violating vehicles. The system is designed to automatically detect and document disregard of traffic signals for purposes of creating evidence crucial for prosecuting traffic light violations and reducing the risk posed to innocent drivers by delaying the change to green of adjacent traffic signals when the system detects that a traffic signal has not been obeyed. A simple means for recording the date, time, and place of the violation can be easily incorporated as well.

Claims

1. An improved method and apparatus for automatically monitoring, regulating and recording disregard of traffic signals comprising:

a) a first set of traffic signalization lights; and

b) a second set of traffic signalization lights at a street intersecting the street possessing the first set of traffic signalization lights;

c) a traffic detection and speed measurement means in data communication with the first and second sets of traffic signalization lights;

d) a traffic light state sensor means in data communication with the traffic detection and speed measurement means and the first and second sets of traffic signalization lights; and

e) a traffic signal delay means in data communication with the first and second sets of traffic signals, the traffic detection and speed measurement means, and traffic signal state sensor means in order to coordinate the timing of the first and second traffic signalization lights in the event a traffic light violation is detected by the traffic detection and speed measurement means and signal state sensor means.

2. The method and apparatus as described in claim 1 and further an excessive speed detection and recording means which documents the license plate number of violating vehicles when the traffic detection and speed measurement means registers a vehicle running a red light in excess of the maximum posted speed.

3. The method and apparatus as described in claim 1 and further a recording means to document the license plate number of the violating vehicle.

4. The method and apparatus as described in claim 1 or claim 2 and further a means for recording the date, time, and place of the violation simultaneously with recording the license plate number of the violating vehicle.