Satellite supported traffic signal controller
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A traffic control system, comprising:
- at least one traffic signal;
a traffic signal controller coupled to said traffic signal for controlling operation thereof, said traffic signal controller being responsive to first information to control said operation;
a satellite subscriber unit located within said traffic signal controller to provide said first information to said traffic signal controller, said satellite subscriber unit receiving said first information via an earth orbiting communication satellite; and
wherein said satellite subscriber unit receives second information signals from said traffic signal controller for transmission via said earth orbiting communication satellite.
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Abstract
A local traffic signal controller (3) is interfaced to a satellite subscriber unit (10) to provide for centralized control of the traffic signals (1) controlled by the local controller (3). A central controller (7) provides central control and can download program control information to local controller (3). Dial-up access to local controller (3) is provided to central controller (7) with the subscriber unit (10). The resultant communication path may be utilized to provide for accessing information from the local traffic signal controller (3). Such information may include indications of lamp failures, traffic pattern information and other status or traffic related information.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A traffic control system, comprising:
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at least one traffic signal; a traffic signal controller coupled to said traffic signal for controlling operation thereof, said traffic signal controller being responsive to first information to control said operation; a satellite subscriber unit located within said traffic signal controller to provide said first information to said traffic signal controller, said satellite subscriber unit receiving said first information via an earth orbiting communication satellite; and wherein said satellite subscriber unit receives second information signals from said traffic signal controller for transmission via said earth orbiting communication satellite. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for operating a traffic control system, comprising:
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utilizing a traffic signal controller for controlling the operation of one or more traffic signals in accordance with a predetermined program; providing control information to said traffic signal controller from a central traffic controller wherein said control information is received by a satellite subscriber unit located within said traffic signal controller over a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite system; and providing response information to said central traffic controller from said traffic signal controller wherein said response information is transmitted by said satellite subscriber unit to said central traffic controller over said LEO satellite system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for controlling traffic control apparatus from a central traffic controller, comprising:
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monitoring the operation of a plurality of traffic control apparatus at a central traffic controller wherein information regarding the operation of said plurality of traffic control apparatus is transmitted by satellite subscriber units located within one or more of said traffic control apparatus to said central traffic controller; and altering the operation of a selected one of said plurality of traffic control apparatus by communicating information from said central traffic controller to said selected one traffic control apparatus by transmission of said information via a satellite communication link from said central traffic controller to said satellite subscriber unit located within said selected one traffic control apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of operating a traffic control apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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controlling the operation of said traffic control apparatus by a traffic controller located proximate said traffic control apparatus; operating a satellite subscriber unit to transmit first information from said traffic controller to a central traffic controller via a satellite system, wherein said satellite subscriber unit is located within said traffic controller; receiving second information from said central traffic controller to said traffic controller via said satellite subscriber unit; and altering the operation of said traffic control apparatus in accordance with said second information. - View Dependent Claims (18, 20, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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17. A traffic control system, comprising:
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at least one central control unit; a communication link between said one central control unit and an earth orbiting communication satellite; and a plurality of local controllers each comprising; at least one traffic signal; a traffic signal controller coupled to said traffic signal for controlling operation thereof, said traffic signal controller being responsive to first information to control said operation; a satellite subscriber unit coupled to said traffic signal controller to provide said first information to said traffic signal controller, said satellite subscriber unit receiving said first information via said earth orbiting communication satellite; and wherein each local controller of said plurality of local controllers receives second information signals from its respective said traffic signal controller for transmission to said at least one central control unit via said earth orbiting communication satellite. - View Dependent Claims (19, 21, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification