Traffic signal with integrated sensors

• US 8,466,962 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: M&K Hutchison Investments, LP
• Original Assignee: M&K Hutchison Investments, LP
• Inventors: Hutchison, Michael Cole
• Primary Examiner(s): Boutah, Alina N
• Assistant Examiner(s): COONEY, ADAM A
• Application Number:
  US11/772,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20080158354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,181 Days
• Field of Search: 348/149, 348/148, 348/143, 382/104
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights

Abstract

An apparatus for integrating sensors with a traffic signal. A camera is operably disposed within a housing. The housing is attached to an object such that the camera can observe traffic flowing past a traffic signal. A visor is attached to the housing such that an optical aperture of the camera is covered by the visor, wherein the visor comprises a roof having an angle that slopes, relative to the housing, towards the optical aperture, wherein the visor further comprises a floor connected to the roof, and wherein the floor extends outwardly from the housing.

Claims

1. A traffic monitoring device comprising:

a camera operably disposed within a housing, wherein the housing is attached to an object such that the camera can observe traffic flowing past a traffic signal;

a visor attached to the housing, wherein the visor comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is attached to the housing and extends outwardly from the housing and from the optical aperture a first distance, wherein the second section is attached to the housing opposite the first section and extends outwardly from the housing and from the camera a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance, wherein the first section slopes away from the housing and towards the optical aperture relative to the housing, and wherein the visor is configured such that the optical aperture is exposed to an outside environment;

a power supply connected to the camera and to the object, wherein the power supply is disposed within a second housing, and wherein the second housing is physically separated from the first housing; and

a lens cap attached to the optical aperture, wherein the lens cap comprises a polycarbonate material having a diameter of about 1.5 inches or less than about 1.5 inches.

2. The traffic monitoring device of claim 1 further comprising:

a gimbal attached to the camera, wherein the gimbal is inside the housing.

3. The traffic monitoring device of claim 1 further comprising:

a negative ion generator adjacent the optical aperture.

4. The traffic monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the traffic monitoring device has a weight of less than one pound.