Traffic Signal with Integrated Sensors

• US 20080158354A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: M&K Hutchison Investments, LP
• Original Assignee: M&K Hutchison Investments, LP
• Inventors: Hutchison, Michael Cole
• Granted Patent: US 8,466,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• 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; and

a visor 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.

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

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

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

a power supply connected to the camera, wherein the power supply provides a direct current to the camera.

4. The traffic monitoring device of claim 3 wherein the power supply provides about twelve volts direct current to the camera.

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

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

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

a Bayonet Neill Concelman (BNC) connector attached to a control board for controlling the camera, wherein the BNC connector is inside the housing.

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

a negative ion generator adjacent the optical aperture.

8. The traffic monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the visor comprises an acrylic, polymethyl methacrylate material.

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

a lens cap attached to the optical aperture, wherein the lens cap comprises a polycarbonate material.

10. The traffic monitoring device of claim 9 wherein the lens cap further comprises MAKRALON.

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

12. The traffic monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the object is one of a traffic signal, a visor of a traffic signal, a back plate of a traffic signal, a cross beam supporting the traffic signal, a pole supporting the traffic signal, a span wire supporting the traffic signal, and a span wire threaded across a traffic intersection.

13. The traffic monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the object is a traffic signal comprising a second housing and a traffic light, and wherein the second housing is an existing housing.

14. A traffic monitoring device comprising:

a camera operably disposed within a first housing, wherein the camera comprises at least an optical aperture, and wherein the housing is attached to an object such that the camera can observe traffic flowing past a traffic signal; and

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

15. The traffic monitoring device of claim 14 further comprising:

a visor attached to the first 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 first housing, towards the optical aperture, wherein the visor further comprises a floor connected to the roof, and wherein the floor extends outwardly from the first housing.

16. The traffic monitoring device of claim 14 further comprising:

a lens cap attached to the optical aperture, wherein the lens cap comprises a polycarbonate material; and

a negative ion generator adjacent the optical aperture.

17. The traffic monitoring device of claim 14 wherein the traffic monitoring device has a weight of less than one pound.

18. A traffic monitoring device comprising:

a camera operably disposed within a housing, wherein the camera comprises at least an optical aperture, and wherein the housing is attached to an object such that the camera can observe traffic flowing past a traffic signal; and

a negative ion generator adjacent the optical aperture.

19. The traffic monitoring device of claim 18 further comprising:

a visor 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.

20. The traffic monitoring device of claim 18 wherein the traffic monitoring device has a weight of less than one pound.