LED traffic light

• US 7,443,315 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2004
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Teddy Yeung Man Lo
• Original Assignee: Teddy Yeung Man Lo
• Inventors: Lo, Teddy Yeung Man
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US10/506,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20060202861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: 340/929, 340/930, 340/907, 340/909, 340/924, 340/925, 362/800, 362/231
• US Class Current: 340/907
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/608 for guiding, warning or controlling traffic, e.g. delineator posts or milestones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096 provided with indicators in which a mark progresses showing the time elapsed, e.g. of green phase
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A vertical by standing LED paneled traffic light that is capable of communicating approximately how much time remains before the traffic light changes from a signal directing motorists to proceed to a signal directing motorists to stop. The traffic light having an LED panel for directing motor traffic, an LED panel for directing pedestrian traffic, an LED street sign and an LED panel for displaying an animated advertisement or important message, such as traffic conditions ahead.

Claims

1. A unitary traffic light apparatus comprising:

a primary traffic panel including a first matrix of multicolored LEDs, said primary traffic panel directing motor traffic; and

a message panel coupled directly to said primary traffic panel, said message panel including a second matrix of multicolored LEDs, said message panel displaying information unrelated to the directing of traffic,

wherein said unitary traffic light apparatus is a column with at least three lateral sides, and wherein a plurality of said lateral sides comprise said primary traffic panel and said message panel.

2. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 1, wherein said primary traffic panel directs motor traffic by displaying images that communicate information relating to how much time remains before said primary traffic panel changes from a signal directing motorists to proceed to a signal directing motorists to stop.

3. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for causing said message panel to display messages provided over a computer communications network.

4. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for modifying a display scheme according to a special motif.

5. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 1, wherein said message panel includes means for displaying animated advertisements.

6. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 5, wherein said animated advertisements are provided over a computer communications network.

12. The unitary traffic light of claim 1, 7, or 11, wherein said column is rectangular or triangular.

7. A unitary traffic light apparatus comprising a first matrix of multicolored LEDs, said first matrix directing motor traffic and providing a visual indicator of how much time remains before a traffic light signal displayed on said first matrix changes from a signal directing motorists to proceed to a signal directing motorists to stop;

and a second matrix of multicolored LEDs coupled directly to said first matrix, said second matrix displaying information unrelated to the directing of traffic,

wherein said unitary traffic light apparatus is a column with at least three lateral sides, and wherein a plurality of said lateral sides comprise said first matrix and said second matrix.

8. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 7, wherein said visual indicator is a count-down timer.

9. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 7, wherein said visual indicator is a shrinking stripe.

10. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 7, wherein said visual indicator is a gradient horizontal strip.

11. A unitary traffic light apparatus comprising:

a primary traffic panel including a first matrix of multicolored LEDs, said primary traffic panel directing motor traffic;

a message panel including a second matrix of multicolored LEDs, said message panel displaying information unrelated to the directing of traffic; and

a pedestrian traffic panel including a third matrix of multicolored LEDs, said pedestrian traffic panel directing pedestrian traffic, wherein said pedestrian traffic panel, said primary traffic panel, and said message panel are directly coupled,

wherein said unitary traffic light apparatus is a column with at least three lateral sides, and wherein a plurality of said lateral sides comprise said primary traffic panel and said message panel.

13. A unitary traffic light apparatus comprising:

a primary traffic panel including a first matrix of multicolored LEDs, said primary traffic panel directing motor traffic;

a message panel which includes a second matrix of multicolored LEDs, said message panel displaying information unrelated to the directing of traffic; and

a spacer directly coupled between said primary traffic panel and said message panel,

wherein the unitary traffic light apparatus is a rectangular column with four lateral sides, and wherein a plurality of said lateral sides comprise said primary traffic panel, said spacer, and said message panel.

14. A unitary traffic light apparatus comprising:

a primary traffic panel including a first matrix of multicolored LEDs, said primary traffic panel directing motor traffic;

a pedestrian traffic panel including a second matrix of multicolored LEDs, said pedestrian traffic panel directing pedestrian traffic;

a message panel including a third matrix of multicolored LEDs, said message panel displaying information unrelated to the directing of traffic;

a first spacer directly coupled between said primary traffic panel and said pedestrian traffic panel; and

a second spacer directly coupled between said pedestrian traffic panel and said message panel,

wherein said unitary traffic light apparatus is a rectangular column with four lateral sides, and wherein a plurality of said lateral sides comprise said primary traffic panel, said first spacer, said pedestrian traffic panel, said second spacer, and said message panel.

15. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 14, further comprising at least one street sign coupled to said first spacer.

16. The unitary traffic light apparatus of claim 15, wherein said at least one street sign comprises an LED panel.