Traffic detection and signal system and method therefor

• US 7,408,479 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2004
• Issued: 08/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Door-Man Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Door-Man Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Johnson, Andrew P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins; Davetta W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan; Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US10/921,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20050151670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/686.6, 340540- 9, 340916-917, 340/906, 250/221
• US Class Current: 340/917
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/164 Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles

Abstract

A traffic detection and signal system for pathways within an industrial work environment and method therefor includes at least one sensor positioned to detect objects approaching a pathway intersection and at least one visual indicator electronically linked to the at least one sensor to visually indicate that an object is approaching. The system further includes a controller electronically coupled to the at least one sensor and visual indicator to receive a signal that an object is approaching a pathway intersection and transmit a signal to energize the at least one visual indicator.

Claims

1. A traffic detection and signal system for pathways within an industrial work environment comprising:

at least one sensor positioned to detect objects approaching a pathway intersection within an industrial work environment, said at least one sensor having an adjustable detection field to distinguish between objects approaching a pathway intersection and objects leaving a pathway intersection;

at least one visual indicator electronically linked to said at least one sensor to visually indicate that an object is approaching a pathway intersection from another direction; and

a controller electronically coupled to said at least one sensor and said at least one visual indicator, said controller including a processor to receive a signal from said at least one sensor that an object is approaching a pathway intersection and to transmit a signal to activate said at least one visual indicator.

2. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the adjustable detection field is adjustable to detect objects approaching a pathway intersection greater than the size of an average human being.

3. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor has an adjustable sensing range to sense objects approaching a pathway intersection less than one hundred feet from the location of said at least one sensor in a particular direction.

4. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one visual indicator comprises a light capable of producing a strobe-effect to be seen by a person approaching a pathway intersection from a direction other than the direction of the detected object approaching the pathway intersection.

5. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said at least one visual indicator further comprises a sign illuminated by said light that display indicia to a person approaching a pathway intersection from a direction other than the direction of the detected moving object approaching the pathway intersection.

6. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one visual indicator comprises an indicia display screen to display a programmed message transmitted by said controller to provide a visual display that a moving object is approaching a pathway intersection.

7. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said controller includes a memory bank having a plurality of memory cells each including a pre-programmed message and an input member to select a pre-programmed message to be transmitted to said indicia display screen.

8. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of visual indicators and a plurality of sensors corresponding to the number of directions approaching a particular intersection.

9. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controller is electronically coupled to said at least one sensor and said at least one visual indicator by radio frequency.

10. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controller includes an alpha-numeric input member to input a customized message to be displayed by said at least one visual indicator and said processor processes said customized message to be transmitted to said at least one visual indicator.

11. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controller further includes a time-delay to activate said at least one visual indicator for a predetermined time after a moving object exits a pathway intersection.

12. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 1 further includes a housing having a base member and a plurality of sidewalls fixed to said base member, wherein said at least one visual indicator is operatively supported by said housing.

13. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said at least one sensor is operatively supported by said housing.

14. A traffic detection and signal system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said controller is operatively disposed within said housing and is electronically coupled to said at least one sensor and said at least one visual indicator by conductive wiring.

15. A traffic detection and signal system for pathways within an industrial work environment comprising:

at least one sensor positioned to detect objects approaching a pathway intersection within an industrial work environment;

at least one visual indicator electronically linked to said at least one sensor to visually indicate that an object is approaching a pathway intersection from another direction;

a controller electronically coupled to said at least one sensor and said at least one visual indicator to receive a signal from said at least one sensor that an object is approaching a pathway intersection and to transmit a signal to activate said at least one visual indicator; and

a reflective dome operatively supported by said housing and adapted to provide a reflective visual image of the adjacent pathway or other directions of approaching an intersection.

16. A traffic detection and signal system for pathways within an industrial work environment comprising:

at least one sensor positioned to detect objects approaching a pathway intersection within an industrial work environment;

at least one visual indicator electronically linked to said at least one sensor to visually indicate that an object is approaching a pathway intersection from another direction;

a controller electronically coupled to said at least one sensor and said at least one visual indicator to receive a signal from said at least one sensor that an object is approaching a pathway intersection and to transmit a signal to activate said at least one visual indicator; and

at least one arcuately shaped mirror operatively supported by said housing and adapted to provide a reflective visual image of the adjacent pathway or other directions of approaching an intersection.

17. A method for detecting and signaling movement along pathways within an industrial work environment, said method comprising the steps of:

sensing for objects approaching a pathway intersection within a predetermined sensing range with at least one sensor, the at least one sensor having an adjustable detection field to distinguish between objects approaching a pathway intersection and objects leaving a pathway intersection;

detecting an object approaching a pathway intersection within a predetermined detection field;

receiving a signal by a controller including a processor from at least one sensor positioned toward a first direction;

transmitting a signal from the processor of the controller to activate at least one visual indicator positioned toward all directions but the first direction until the object is no longer approaching the pathway intersection; and

energizing the at least one visual indicator to provide visual indication in all directions but the first direction until the object is no longer approaching the pathway intersection.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17 including the steps of:

setting the predetermined detection field to detect an object greater than the size of an average human being approaching a pathway intersection;

setting the predetermined sensing pattern to sense objects approaching a pathway intersection within a predetermined sensing range; and

setting a time delay to continue to transmit a signal from the controller to the at least one visual indicator that energize the visual indicator for a predetermined length of time after the object is no longer approaching the pathway intersection.

19. A method as set forth in claim 17 including the steps of:

transmitting a signal to an indicia display screen to display one of a plurality of pre-programmed messages within a memory bank of the controller; and

energizing the indicia display screen to provide a visual display that an object is approaching a pathway intersection.