Remote control of light signaling devices

• US 10,163,343 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC (Savant Systems, LLC)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Truong-Khoa, Richard, Jean-Francois, Neser, Morne, Langlais, Justin, Rana, Shahzil
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US14/985,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20160247400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/006 Portable traffic signalling devices G08B5/004 takes precedence; emergency signalling devices to be placed on roads or vehicles B60Q7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/07 Controlling traffic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/081 Plural intersections under common control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/097 Supervising of traffic control systems, e.g. by giving an alarm if two crossing streets have green light simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/00 Network topologies

Abstract

Provided is a traffic communication network that includes a signaling system including a plurality of light signaling devices, and a controller configured to wirelessly control the plurality of light signaling devices; and a remote control system in wireless communication with the controller and configured to control the controller.

Claims

1. A method for controlling signaling system including a plurality of light signaling devices and a controller of a traffic communication network, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting commands from a remote control system to the controller, to receive status information of the plurality of light signaling devices;

wirelessly obtaining, at the controller, the status information from the plurality of light signaling devices; and

wirelessly transmitting the status information from the controller to the remote control system, for controlling the light signaling devices in real-time;

the method further comprising;

transmitting, from the remote control system, command signals to the controller to;

(i) activate a heating function of the light emitting face of a light signaling device;

(ii) locate and mitigate failures on the signaling system; and

(iii) modify an operational status of the light signaling devices;

wherein locating and mitigating failures comprises;

locating, via the remote control system, any light signaling devices in failure mode; and

performing diagnostics on the respective light signaling devices located;

wherein the method further comprises;

transmitting and receiving, via each light signaling device, signals to and from the controller; and

self-detecting faults at each light signaling device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

synchronizing, via the remote control system, the controller, based on global positioning; and

synchronizing, via the controller, the plurality of light signaling devices, simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying, via the remote control system, real-time parameters of the signaling system at the remote control system; and

performing, via the remote control system, real-time diagnostics and modifications of the signaling system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein activating a heating function comprises:

obtaining environmental condition information from the controller;

activating the heating function based on the environmental condition information obtained.

5. A method for controlling signaling system including a plurality of light signaling devices and a controller of a traffic communication network, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting commands from a remote control system to the controller, to receive status information of the plurality of light signaling devices;

wirelessly obtaining from the plurality of light signaling devices, at the controller, the status information from the plurality of light signaling devices;

wirelessly transmitting the status information from the controller to the remote control system, for wirelessly controlling the light signaling devices in real-time; and

transmitting, from the remote control system, command signals to the controller to;

(i) activate a heating function of the light emitting face of a light signaling device;

(ii) locate and mitigate failures on the signaling system using global positioning; and

(iii) modify an operational status of the light signaling devices;

wherein locating and mitigating failures includes;

adjusting the output current or input voltage of the plurality of light signaling devices; and

modifying intersection phasing of the plurality of light signaling devices.

6. A method for controlling signaling system including a plurality of light signaling devices and a controller of a traffic communication network, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting commands from a remote control system to the controller, to receive status information of the plurality of light signaling devices;

wirelessly obtaining from the plurality of light signaling devices, at the controller, the status information from the plurality of light signaling devices;

wirelessly transmitting the status information from the controller to the remote control system, for wirelessly controlling the light signaling devices in real-time;

transmitting, from the remote control system, command signals to the controller to;

(i) activate a heating function of the light emitting face of a light signaling device;

(ii) locate and mitigate failures on the signaling system; and

(iii) modify an operational status of the light signaling devices;

wherein locating and mitigating failures includes modifying intersection phasing of the plurality of light signaling devices.