Remote control of traffic heads

• US 10,192,435 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions LLC (Savant Systems, LLC)
• 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): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/985,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20160247399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 340907, 340908, 340468, 3404255, 340471, 340531, 3405391, 340463, 340464, 340929, 340465, 340475, 340473
• 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 having a plurality of light signaling devices, a controller disposed at at least one traffic intersection, and configured to wirelessly control the plurality of light signaling devices. A remote control system is also provided to wirelessly transmit commands to the controller and directly to the plurality of light signaling devices.

Claims

1. A traffic communication network comprising:

a signaling system comprising a plurality of light signaling devices disposed around at least one traffic intersection, each including a wireless node having a processor; and

a remote control system configured to wirelessly transmit commands to (i) a traffic intersection controller and (ii) the plurality of light signaling devices via the wireless node, the commands being configured for controlling each of the plurality of light signaling devices;

wherein the plurality of light signaling device are in wireless communication with the remote control system and are configured to transmit status information and provide location information to the remote control system;

wherein the remote control system is configured to wirelessly receive the status information from the plurality of light signaling devices and controls the plurality of light signaling devices, based on the status information received.

2. The traffic communication network of claim 1, wherein the remote control system is further configured to synchronize the traffic intersection controller and the plurality of light signaling devices using at least one of global positioning, network time and computer system time, and the controller is configured to synchronize the light signaling devices.

3. The traffic communication network of claim 2, wherein the remote control system further comprises a memory configured to store the status information, historical data and identification information for the light signaling devices and the traffic intersection controller of the signaling system.

4. The traffic communication network of claim 1, wherein the status information comprises current environmental conditions and historical traffic patterns regarding the light signaling devices, and the remote control system is configured to perform real-time modifications of the signaling system based on the status information.

5. The traffic communication network of claim 1, wherein the remote control system comprises:

a transmitter/receiver configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the controller and the light signaling devices;

a graphical user interface configured to receive input data;

a display configured to display real-time parameters of the signaling system;

a processor configured to perform real-time diagnostics and modifications of the light signaling devices.

6. A method for controlling a signaling system, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting, by a remote control system, commands to a plurality of light signaling devices disposed around at least one traffic intersection to receive status information therefrom, each including a wireless node having processor;

wirelessly obtaining, at the remote control system, the status information from the plurality of light signaling devices;

wirelessly transmitting location information of the plurality of light signaling devices to the remote control system; and

wirelessly controlling each of the plurality of light signaling devices via the respective wireless node, based on the status information.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

synchronizing, via the remote control system, a traffic intersection controller and the plurality of light signaling devices.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the status information comprises current environmental conditions and historical traffic patterns regarding the plurality of light signaling devices, and the remote control system is configured to perform real-time modifications of the signaling system based on the status information.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

storing, at the remote control system, the status information and identification information for the plurality of light signaling devices, and the controller of the signaling system.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising modifying an operational status of the light signaling devices based on the status information received, wherein modifying the operational status comprises:

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.

11. A method for controlling a signaling system including a plurality of light signaling devices via a remote control system in wireless communication with the plurality of light signaling devices in a traffic communication network, the method comprising:

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

wirelessly obtaining, at the remote control system, the status information from the plurality of light signaling devices; and

modifying intersection phasing based on the status information received.