Light emitting traffic sign having vehicle sensing capabilities
DCFirst Claim
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1. A method for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle to a traffic sign, comprising the steps of:
- detecting a motor vehicle; and
illuminating at least one light source responsive to the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is unlikely to act in conformance with said traffic sign, wherein illumination associated with said traffic sign is unaffected by the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is likely to act in conformance with said traffic sign.
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Abstract
A traffic system for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle to a traffic sign includes a sensor, a light source and a control unit. The sensor provides a motor vehicle detection signal and the control unit illuminates the light source responsive to the motor vehicle detection signal.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle to a traffic sign, comprising the steps of:
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detecting a motor vehicle; and illuminating at least one light source responsive to the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is unlikely to act in conformance with said traffic sign, wherein illumination associated with said traffic sign is unaffected by the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is likely to act in conformance with said traffic sign. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A traffic system for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle to a traffic sign, the system comprising:
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a sensor for providing a motor vehicle detection signal; at least one light source attached to the traffic sign; and a control unit coupled to the sensor and the at least one light source, the control unit illuminating the at least one light source responsive to the motor vehicle detection signal when the detected motor vehicle is unlikely to act in conformance with the traffic sign, wherein illumination associated with said traffic sign is unaffected by the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is likely to act in conformance with said traffic sign. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A traffic control device for motor vehicles, comprising:
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a traffic sign; a sensor for providing a motor vehicle detection signal; at least one light sources attached to the traffic sign; and a control unit coupled to the sensor and the at least one light source, the control unit periodically illuminating the at least one light source responsive to the motor vehicle detection signal when the detected motor vehicle is unlikely to act in conformance with the traffic sign, wherein illumination associated with said traffic sign is unaffected by the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is likely to act in conformance with said traffic sign. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A traffic control device for a stop sign, the device comprising:
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a sensor for providing a motor vehicle detection signal; at least one light source; a control unit coupled to the sensor and the at least one light source, the control unit periodically illuminating the at least one light source responsive to the motor vehicle detection signal when the detected motor vehicle is not acting in conformance with a stop sign, wherein illumination associated with said traffic sign is unaffected by the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is likely to act in conformance with said stop sign. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A traffic system for alerting a driver of a motor vehicle to the presents of a traffic sign, the system comprising:
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a sensor for providing a motor vehicle detection signal, wherein the sensor is attached to the traffic sign; at least one light source for emitting a light signal directed to a driver of an oncoming vehicle; and a control unit coupled to the sensor and to the at least one light source, wherein the control unit activates the at least one light source when the motor vehicle detection signal indicates that operation of the oncoming vehicle is likely to be in conflict with an instruction provided by the traffic sign, wherein illumination associated with said traffic sign is unaffected by the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is likely to act in conformance with said traffic sign. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A self-contained traffic sign for motor vehicles, the sign comprising:
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an electronic sensor for sensing of the motion of an oncoming vehicle; a light for alerting a driver of the oncoming vehicle; and an electronic control unit for receiving input from the sensor and activating the light when the oncoming vehicle motion indicates that the oncoming vehicle is unlikely to perform in accordance with a purpose of the traffic sign, wherein illumination associated with said traffic sign is unaffected by the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is likely to act in conformance with said traffic sign. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. A traffic sign for motor vehicles, the sign comprising:
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a detector for monitoring the motion of an approaching vehicle; and a light source coupled to the detector, wherein the light source provides a light warning signal when an approaching vehicle is unlikely to perform in accordance with a purpose of the traffic sign, and wherein illumination associated with said traffic sign is unaffected by the detected motor vehicle when the detected motor vehicle is likely to act in conformance with said traffic sign. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification