Patent US3596239A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3596239A
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US
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Traffic signal control system
Assignee: Omron Corp
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Filing: 1968-12-09
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1988-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A system is provided for controlling the operation of traffic control systems at an intersection in the event of certain malfunctions in signal operation. A normally operative traffic signal controller is continuously monitored and in the event of malfunction, a malfunction signal is produced which causes deactivation of the normally operative signal controller and causes a normally inoperative controller to assume operation of the signals for a predetermined period of time, after which the normally operative controller is reactivated. However, if the malfunction signal recurs within the first operation cycle after reactivation of the normally operative controller, then it is again deactivated and the reactivating means is disabled.
Inventors
- 👤 Kimio Hata
- 👤 Yoshinori Maruta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:38
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for controlling traffic signals at a street intersection, comprising: a normally operative first signal controller for controlling said signals in accordance with a first cyclical pattern of operation; a normally inoperative second signal controller for controlling said signals in accordance with a second cyclical pattern of operation for a fixed period of time; means for continuously monitoring operation of said signals during operation of the first controller to detect predetermined malfunctions of said signals and produce a malfunction signal; means responsive to said malfunction signal for deactivating the first controller and activating the second controller; and means coupled with said second controller for reactivating said first controller upon completion of said fixed period of tIme.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for controlling traffic signals at a street intersection, comprising: a normally operative first signal controller for controlling said signals in accordance with a first cyclical pattern of operation; a normally inoperative second signal controller for controlling said signals in accordance with a second cyclical pattern of operation for a fixed period of time; means for continuously monitoring operation of said signals during operation of the first controller to detect predetermined malfunctions of said signals and produce a malfunction signal; means responsive to said malfunction signal for deactivating the first controller and activating the second controller; and means coupled with said second controller for reactivating said first controller upon completion of said fixed period of tIme.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein said monitoring means includes means responsive to completion of the first cycle of operation of said signals following reactivation of said first controller for detecting recurrence of said malfunction signal within said first cycle and producing a recurrence indication for disabling said reactivating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
The system defined in claim 2 wherein said monitoring means comprises a plurality of inputs to which individual signal control impulses are provided by said signal controllers, said inputs including go and caution inputs for each of the intersecting streets, the go and caution impulses for one street corresponding to stop impulses for the other street, an AND circuit and a first OR circuit, each having first and second inputs coupled respectively to said go inputs; a second OR circuit having first and second inputs coupled respectively to the caution inputs; first and second timing circuits coupled respectively to the outputs of the first and second OR circuits; and a third OR circuit having inputs coupled respectively to the outputs of said AND circuit and of said first and second timing circuits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system defined in claim 2 wherein said second signal controller comprises means for deenergizing said signals for a predetermined period of time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |