System and related methods for powering and controlling traffic preemption system components

• US 8,742,946 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2012
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tomar Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tomar Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Worthy, David G., Geiger, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, QUANG
• Application Number:
  US13/436,233
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 340/906, 340/301, 340/902, 340/903, 340/907, 340/425.5, 701/1, 701/117, 701/118, 701/119
• US Class Current: 340/906
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/087 Override of traffic control, e.g. by signal transmitted by an emergency vehicle

Abstract

A traffic preemption system comprising an intersection control module, an intersection preemption unit comprising a signal detector configured to receive a signal transmitted by a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle and a remotely located electronic device comprising a controller configured to detect a variation in voltage. The system further comprises a cable coupling the intersection controller, the intersection preemption unit, and the remotely located electronic device, the cable comprising a power wire configured to carry a modulated voltage level and share power among the intersection preemption unit and the remotely located electronic device, a ground wire, and a communications wire configured to transmit a communications signal between the intersection preemption unit and the intersection controller.

Claims

1. A traffic preemption system comprising:

an intersection control module;

an intersection preemption unit comprising a signal detector configured to receive a signal transmitted by a vehicle preemption unit mounted to a vehicle;

a remotely located electronic device to provide a confirmation output of receipt by said intersection preemption unit of said signal transmitted by said vehicle preemption unit, comprising a controller configured to detect a variation in voltage; and

a cable coupling the intersection control module, the intersection preemption unit, and the remotely located electronic device, the cable comprising;

a power wire configured to carry a modulated voltage level to provide said variation in voltage, and share power among the intersection preemption unit and the remotely located electronic device;

a ground wire; and

a communications wire configured to transmit a communications signal between the intersection preemption unit and the intersection control module to control traffic light signals according to a preemptive traffic light control procedure responsive to receipt by said intersection preemption unit of said signal transmitted by said vehicle preemption unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remotely located electronic device comprises a confirmation light configured to indicate receipt of the signal by the signal detector of the intersection preemption unit.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a diode coupled in series with the power wire; and

a transistor located across the diode.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor configured to create a digital control signal for transmission over the power wire.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the confirmation light further comprises a confirmation light controller that is further configured to engage or disengage the confirmation light in response to a digital control signal transmitted over the power wire.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the remotely located electronic device further comprises a microprocessor configured to process the digital control signal received via the power wire.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the remotely located electronic device controller further comprises a comparator circuit configured to compare a voltage on the power wire at different points in time.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications wire is further configured to convey a signal from the remotely located electronic device to the intersection control module.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the signal is conveyed from the remotely located electronic device to the intersection control module using handshaking.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the communications wire is further configured to convey a superimposed signal in addition to the communications signal transmitted between the intersection preemption unit and the intersection control module.

11. A method of constructing a traffic preemption system, the method comprising:

providing an intersection control module;

providing an intersection preemption unit comprising a signal detector configured to receive a signal transmitted by a vehicle preemption unit configured to mount to a vehicle;

remotely locating an electronic device to provide a confirmation output of receipt by said intersection preemption unit of said signal transmitted by said vehicle preemption unit, comprising a controller configured to detect a variation in voltage; and

coupling the intersection control module, the intersection preemption unit, and the remotely located electronic device with a cable comprising;

a power wire configured to carry a modulated voltage level to provide said variation in voltage, and share power among the intersection preemption unit and the remotely located electronic device;

a ground wire; and

a communications wire configured to transmit a communications signal

between the intersection preemption unit and the intersection control module to control traffic light signals according to a preemptive traffic light control procedure responsive to receipt by said intersection preemption unit of said signal transmitted by said vehicle preemption unit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the remotely located electronic device comprises a confirmation light configured to indicate receipt of the signal by the signal detector of the intersection preemption unit.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

coupling a diode in series with the power wire; and

locating a transistor located across the diode.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising coupling a microprocessor to the power wire, the microprocessor configured to create a digital control signal for transmission over the power wire.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a confirmation light controller that is further configured to engage or disengage the confirmation light in response to a digital control signal transmitted over the power wire.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a microprocessor configured to process the digital control signal received by the remotely located electronic device via the power wire.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a comparator circuit coupled to the controller of the remotely located electronic device, the comparator circuit configured to compare a voltage on the power wire at different points in time.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the communications wire is further configured to convey a signal from the remotely located electronic device to the intersection control module.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the remotely located electronic device and the intersection control module are configured to communicate using handshaking.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the communications wire is further configured to convey a superimposed signal in addition to the communications signal transmitted between the intersection preemption unit and the intersection control module.