Traffic signal devices and methods of using the same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A traffic signal system, comprising:
- a first traffic signal device, including a first communications device and a first plurality of lights;
a second traffic signal device, including a second communications device and a second plurality of lights;
said first traffic signal device running a first program for controlling said first plurality of lights in a particular sequence based on a first clock defined in said first traffic signal device;
said second traffic signal device running a second program for controlling said second plurality of lights in a particular sequence based on a second clock defined in said second traffic signal device;
said first traffic signal device communicating with said second traffic signal device to synchronize said second clock with said first clock; and
said second traffic signal device periodically communicating information back to said first traffic signal device.
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Abstract
A traffic control system and device is provided. The traffic control system of the instant invention permits two-way communication between a plurality of traffic signal devices. Each traffic signal device locally controls the state of the traffic signals, while communication between the traffic signal devices is used to synchronize the internal timers or clocks of the plurality of traffic control devices.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A traffic signal system, comprising:
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a first traffic signal device, including a first communications device and a first plurality of lights; a second traffic signal device, including a second communications device and a second plurality of lights; said first traffic signal device running a first program for controlling said first plurality of lights in a particular sequence based on a first clock defined in said first traffic signal device; said second traffic signal device running a second program for controlling said second plurality of lights in a particular sequence based on a second clock defined in said second traffic signal device; said first traffic signal device communicating with said second traffic signal device to synchronize said second clock with said first clock; and said second traffic signal device periodically communicating information back to said first traffic signal device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 33)
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23. A traffic signal system, comprising:
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a first traffic signal device, including a first communications device and a first plurality of lights; a second traffic signal device, including a second communications device and a second plurality of lights; said first traffic signal device running a first program for controlling said first plurality of lights in a particular sequence; said second traffic signal device running a second program for controlling said second plurality of lights in a particular sequence; said first traffic signal device and said second traffic device being part of a network; each of said first traffic signal device and said second traffic signal device being assigned a unique network address; said first traffic signal device periodically querying said second traffic signal device using said second traffic signal device'"'"'s unique network address; at least a third traffic signal device, including a third communications device and a third plurality of lights, said third traffic signal device additionally being assigned a unique network address; said first traffic signal device additionally periodically querying said at least a third traffic signal device using its unique network address; and said first traffic signal device causing the traffic signal system to enter a cautionary state if at least two traffic signal devices on the network fail to respond to a query. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 34, 35, 36)
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26. A method of setting up a temporary traffic signal system, comprising:
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initializing a first traffic signal device by selecting a first program of operation of the first traffic signal device, the first program of operation running according to a first clock in the first traffic signal device; initializing at least a second traffic signal device in communication with the first traffic signal device, the at least a second traffic signal device running a second program of operation according to a second clock in the second traffic signal device; with the first traffic signal device, periodically synchronizing the first clock with the second clock; and periodically communicating information from the second traffic signal device to the first traffic signal device. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 37)
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Specification