Traffic beacon
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A traffic directing device comprising:
- a sign with a traffic directive;
a first light unit and a second light unit both in physical proximity to the sign such that the sign and both light units face in a same direction and, when the sign is positioned relative to a roadway, the sign and both lights can be seen together by oncoming traffic; and
a control unit coupled to the first light unit and the second light unit and configured to activate the light units so as to cause the first light unit and the second light units to generate a flashing sequence according to a repeating cycle, each cycle including at least a first pattern immediately followed by a second pattern, wherein the first pattern is a pattern wherein the light units each flash a plurality of times in an alternating fashion, and the second pattern is a simultaneous pattern wherein each light unit flashes a plurality of times as the same time;
wherein each light unit, when activated, will flash using strobed on durations of 200 mS or less, and flash at a rate greater than sixty times per minute.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flashing beacon may include a signal unit, a control unit associated with the signal unit, a solar panel or collector, and an activation device that may all be mounted or otherwise positioned on a post of a roadway sign. Light units associated with the signal unit may be programmed to flash on and off in a unique wig-wag pattern. Further, a light bar may also be used with the beacon to generate an intense flash of light soon after activation of the beacon as an additional means of grabbing the attention of the operator of a vehicle.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A traffic directing device comprising:
-
a sign with a traffic directive; a first light unit and a second light unit both in physical proximity to the sign such that the sign and both light units face in a same direction and, when the sign is positioned relative to a roadway, the sign and both lights can be seen together by oncoming traffic; and a control unit coupled to the first light unit and the second light unit and configured to activate the light units so as to cause the first light unit and the second light units to generate a flashing sequence according to a repeating cycle, each cycle including at least a first pattern immediately followed by a second pattern, wherein the first pattern is a pattern wherein the light units each flash a plurality of times in an alternating fashion, and the second pattern is a simultaneous pattern wherein each light unit flashes a plurality of times as the same time; wherein each light unit, when activated, will flash using strobed on durations of 200 mS or less, and flash at a rate greater than sixty times per minute. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
7. A traffic directing device comprising:
-
a sign with a traffic directive; a first light unit and a second light unit both in physical proximity to the sign such that the sign and both light units face in a same direction and, when the sign is positioned relative to a roadway, the sign and both lights can be seen together by oncoming traffic; a control unit coupled to the first light unit and the second light unit and configured to activate the light units so as to cause the first light unit and the second light units to generate a flashing sequence according to a repeating cycle, each cycle including at least a first pattern immediately followed by a second pattern, wherein the first pattern is a pattern wherein the light units each flash a plurality of times in an alternating fashion, and the second pattern is a simultaneous pattern wherein each light unit flashes a plurality of times as the same time; and a solar collector that provides power to the control unit, the first light unit and the second light unit; and wherein each light unit, when activated, will flash using strobed on durations of 50 mS or less, and flash at a rate greater than sixty times per minute. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
-
8. A method for controlling a traffic directing device, the device including a sign with a traffic directive, a first light unit and a second light unit both in physical proximity to the sign such that the sign and both light units face in a same direction and, when the sign is positioned relative to a roadway, the sign and both lights can be seen together by oncoming traffic, and a control unit coupled to the first light and the second light, the method comprising:
-
receiving a command indicating a pedestrian desire to use a crosswalk; and in response to the command and under control of the control unit, activating the light units so as to cause the first light unit and the second light units to generate a flashing sequence according to a repeating cycle, each cycle including at least a first pattern immediately followed by a second pattern, wherein the first pattern is a pattern wherein the light units each flash a plurality of times in an alternating fashion, and the second pattern is a simultaneous pattern wherein each light unit flashes a plurality of times as the same time; wherein each light unit, when activated, will flash using strobed on durations of 100 mS or less, and flash at a rate greater than sixty times per minute. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A traffic directing device, the device comprising:
-
a sign; a first light unit and a second light unit both in physical proximity to the sign such that the sign and both light units face generally in a first direction; and a control unit coupled to the first light unit and the second light unit and configured to activate the light units so as to cause the first light unit and the second light units to generate a flashing sequence according to a repeating cycle, each cycle including at least a first pattern immediately followed by a second pattern, wherein the first pattern is a pattern wherein the light units each flash a plurality of times in an alternating fashion, and the second pattern is a simultaneous pattern wherein each light unit flashes a plurality of times as the same time; wherein each light unit, when activated, will flash using a strobed on duty cycle of 25% or less. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
Specification