Patent US3631386A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3631386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Traffic signal control system
Assignee: Omron Corp
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Filing: 1969-02-14
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1989-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling the duration of an extended portion of the green or proceed phase displayed to traffic at an intersection of a major street and at least one minor street comprises first and second oscillators which normally provide pulse outputs having a predetermined frequency fo which are supplied to first and second counters, respectively. These counters provide a control signal to a third counter when separate, predetermined counts therein are reached for terminating the extended portion of the green phase. The first counter is reset by the passage of each vehicle by a detector on a major or minor street to which the green phase is displayed so that its output represents a plurality of unit extensions thereof. On the other hand, the second counter is reset at each change of phase and its output represents a limit to the total duration of the unit extensions. A congestion sensor furnishes an output signal corresponding to traffic occupancy on the major street. Amplifier means supply a control signal to the first and second oscillators in responses to this output signal such that their output frequency is changed from f0 to effect a corresponding change in the duration of both the unit extensions and the extension limit. If the right-of-way is given to the major street, the output frequency is lowered so that each unit extension and the extension limit are lengthened. If right-of-way is given to the minor street, the output frequency is increased such that each unit extension and the extension limit are shortened. An embodiment for immediately shifting right-of-way from the minor to the major street when congestion increases beyond a specified point is shown, as are embodiments permitting control of the green phase displayed to both streets in accordance with the individual traffic congestions thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Tutomu Saita
- 👤 Yasumasa Yoshida
- 👤 Norio Yamazaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:35
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/07; G08G1/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
13 words
A SECOND OSCILLATOR NORMALLY PROVIDING A PULSE OUTPUT HAVING A SECOND PREDETERMINED FREQUENCY,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
13 words
A SECOND OSCILLATOR NORMALLY PROVIDING A PULSE OUTPUT HAVING A SECOND PREDETERMINED FREQUENCY,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
AN OSCILLATOR NORMALLY PROVIDING A PULSE OUTPUT HAVING A PREDETERMINED FREQUENCY,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
AN OSCILLATOR NORMALLY PROVIDING A PULSE OUTPUT HAVING A PREDETERMINED FREQUENCY,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a system for controlling a traffic signal at an intersection of a major street and at least one minor street which includes means controlling the phase of said traffic signal in response to a control signal, and control means providing said control signal a fixed time after the last change in phase of said traffic signal, an improvement, for controlling said traffic signal in accordance with the traffic congestion on said streets, comprising: a. detector means providing a reset signal for every passage of a vehicle on said major street, b. extension-setting means connected to said detector means and to the control means for normally delaying the production of said control signal by one unit extension of said fixed time for each of said reset signals, c. sensor means furnishing an output signal corresponding to the degree of traffic occupancy on said major street, and d. extension-changing means responsive to said output signal for controlling said extension-setting means to vary the duration of each of said unit extensions in accordance therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a system for controlling a traffic signal at an intersection of a major street and at least one minor street which includes means controlling the phase of said traffic signal in response to a control signal, and control means providing said control signal a fixed time after the last change in phase of said traffic signal, an improvement, for controlling said traffic signal in accordance with the traffic congestion on said streets, comprising: a. detector means providing a reset signal for every passage of a vehicle on said major street, b. extension-setting means connected to said detector means and to the control means for normally delaying the production of said control signal by one unit extension of said fixed time for each of said reset signals, c. sensor means furnishing an output signal corresponding to the degree of traffic occupancy on said major street, and d. extension-changing means responsive to said output signal for controlling said extension-setting means to vary the duration of each of said unit extensions in accordance therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The improvement as recited in claim 1, further comprising means providing a green phase signal only when the phase of said traffic signal gives the right-of-way to said major street, and wherein said extension changing means includes first means responsive to said green phase signal for controlling said extension-setting means to lengthen the duration of each of said unit extensions in proportion to said output signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A COUNTER COUPLED TO SAID PULSE OUTPUT FOR ENABLING THE PRODUCTION OF SAID CONTROL SIGNAL AFTER A PREDETERMINED COUNT THEREOF HAS BEEN REACHED, SAID COUNTER HAVING A RESET TERMINAL, AND
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A COUNTER COUPLED TO SAID PULSE OUTPUT FOR ENABLING THE PRODUCTION OF SAID CONTROL SIGNAL AFTER A PREDETERMINED COUNT THEREOF HAS BEEN REACHED, SAID COUNTER HAVING A RESET TERMINAL, AND
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
a counter coupled to said pulse output for enabling the production of said control signal after a predetermined count thereof has been reached, said counter having a reset terminal, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
a counter coupled to said pulse output for enabling the production of said control signal after a predetermined count thereof has been reached, said counter having a reset terminal, and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A SECOND COUNTER COUPLED TO SAID SECOND PULSE OUTPUT FOR ENABLING THE PRODUCTION OF SAID CONTROL SIGNAL AFTER A PREDETERMINED COUNT THEREOF HAS BEEN REACHED, SAID COUNTER HAVING A RESET TERMINAL, AND
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A SECOND COUNTER COUPLED TO SAID SECOND PULSE OUTPUT FOR ENABLING THE PRODUCTION OF SAID CONTROL SIGNAL AFTER A PREDETERMINED COUNT THEREOF HAS BEEN REACHED, SAID COUNTER HAVING A RESET TERMINAL, AND
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
a second counter coupled to said second pulse output for enabling the production of said control signal after a predetermined count thereof has been reached, said counter having a reset terminal, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
a second counter coupled to said second pulse output for enabling the production of said control signal after a predetermined count thereof has been reached, said counter having a reset terminal, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement as recited in claim 2, wherein said extension-changing means includes second means for controlling said extension-setting means to shorten the duration of each of said unit extensions in proportion to said output signal, and means inhibiting said second means in response to said green phase signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
MEANS COUPLING SAID RESET TERMINAL OF SAID SECOND COUNTER TO THE CONTROL MEANS, AND C. WHEREIN BOTH SAID EXTENSION-CHANGING MEANS AND EXTENSIONLIMIT-CHANGING MEANS COMPRISE MEANS VARYING THE FREQUENCY OF SAID OSCILLATOR IN PROPORTION TO SAID OUTPUT SIGNAL FROM SAID SENSOR MEANS.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
MEANS COUPLING SAID RESET TERMINAL OF SAID SECOND COUNTER TO THE CONTROL MEANS, AND C. WHEREIN BOTH SAID EXTENSION-CHANGING MEANS AND EXTENSIONLIMIT-CHANGING MEANS COMPRISE MEANS VARYING THE FREQUENCY OF SAID OSCILLATOR IN PROPORTION TO SAID OUTPUT SIGNAL FROM SAID SENSOR MEANS.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
means coupling said reset terminal of said counter to said detector means, b. wherein said extension-limit-setting means comprises
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
means coupling said reset terminal of said counter to said detector means, b. wherein said extension-limit-setting means comprises
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
MEANS COUPLING SAID RESET TERMINAL OF SAID COUNTER TO SAID DETECTOR MEANS, B. WHEREIN SAID EXTENSION-LIMIT-SETTING MEANS COMPRISES
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
MEANS COUPLING SAID RESET TERMINAL OF SAID COUNTER TO SAID DETECTOR MEANS, B. WHEREIN SAID EXTENSION-LIMIT-SETTING MEANS COMPRISES
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
means coupling said reset terminal of said second counter to the control means, and c. wherein both said extension-changing means and extension-limit-changing means comprise means varying the frequency of said oscillator in proportion to said output signal from said sensor means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
means coupling said reset terminal of said second counter to the control means, and c. wherein both said extension-changing means and extension-limit-changing means comprise means varying the frequency of said oscillator in proportion to said output signal from said sensor means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
67 words
The improvement as recited in claim 3, further including level detector means coupled to said sensor means and said means providing a green phase signal and being responsive to the absence of said green phase signal for enabling the production of said control signal when said output signal exceeds a predetermined minimum value so that right-of-way is transferred to said major street to relieve traffic congestion thereon.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improvement as recited in claim 1, further comprising an extension-limit-setting means connected to the control means for providing an extension-limit to the delaying of said control signal by said extension setting means, and an extension-limit-changing means responsive to said output signal for controlling said extension-limit-setting means to vary the duration of said extension-limit in accordance therewith.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
77 words
The improvement as recited in claim 5, further comprising means providing a grEen phase signal only when the phase of said traffic signal gives right-of-way to said major street, and wherein both said extension-changing means and said extension-limit-changing means include first means responsive to said green phase signal for controlling said extension-setting means and said extension-limit-setting means to lengthen the duration of each of said unit extensions, and said extension-limit respectively, in proportion to said output signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
The improvement as recited in claim 6, wherein both said extension-changing means and said extension-limit-changing means further include second means for controlling said extension-setting means and said extension-limit-setting means to shorten the duration of each of said unit extensions, and said extension-limit, respectively, in proportion to said output signal, and means responsive to said green phase signal for inhibiting the operation of said second means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement as recited in claim 5, a. wherein said extension-setting means comprises
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
68 words
An improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein said extension-setting means comprises a. an oscillator normally providing a pulse output having a predetermined frequency, b. a counter coupled to said pulse output for enabling the production of said control signal after a predetermined count thereof has been reached, said counter having a reset terminal, and c. means coupling said reset terminal of said counter to said detector means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement as recited in claim 9, wherein said extension-changing means comprises means decreasing said predetermined frequency in inverse proportion to said output signal from said sensor means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a system for controlling a traffic signal at an intersection of a plurality of streets, which includes means controlling the phase of said traffic signal in response to a control signal thereto, and means providing said control signal a fixed time after the last change in phase of said traffic signal, an improvement for controlling said traffic signal in accordance with the traffic congestion on said plurality of streets, comprising a. extension-setting means for normally delaying the production of said control signal by a unit extension of said fixed time, b. sensor means furnishing an output signal corresponding to the degree of traffic-occupancy on one of said plurality of streets, c. extension changing means responsive to said output signal for controlling said extension-setting means to vary the duration of said unit extension in accordance therewith. d. extension-limit setting means for normally predetermining an extension-limit to the delaying of said control signal by said extension-setting means, and e. extension-limit-changing means responsive to said output signal for controlling said extension-limit-setting means to vary the duration of said extension-limit in accordance therewith.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a system for controlling a traffic signal at an intersection of a plurality of streets, which includes means controlling the phase of said traffic signal in response to a control signal thereto, and means providing said control signal a fixed time after the last change in phase of said traffic signal, an improvement for controlling said traffic signal in accordance with the traffic congestion on said plurality of streets, comprising a. extension-setting means for normally delaying the production of said control signal by a unit extension of said fixed time, b. sensor means furnishing an output signal corresponding to the degree of traffic-occupancy on one of said plurality of streets, c. extension changing means responsive to said output signal for controlling said extension-setting means to vary the duration of said unit extension in accordance therewith. d. extension-limit setting means for normally predetermining an extension-limit to the delaying of said control signal by said extension-setting means, and e. extension-limit-changing means responsive to said output signal for controlling said extension-limit-setting means to vary the duration of said extension-limit in accordance therewith.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
77 words
The improvement as reCited in claim 11, further comprising means providing a green phase signal only when the phase of said traffic signal gives right-of-way to said one of said plurality of streets, and wherein said extension changing means and said extension-limit-changing means are responsive to said green phase signal for controlling said extension-setting means and said extension-limit-setting means to lengthen the duration of said unit extension and said extension-limit, respectively, in proportion to said output signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
88 words
The improvement as recited in claim 12, further comprising a second sensor means furnishing a second output signal corresponding to the degree of traffic-occupancy on a second of said plurality of streets, and a level detector means coupled to said second output signal and responsive to said green phase signal for enabling the production of said control signal when said second output signal exceeds a predetermined minimum level so that right-of-way is transferred to said second one of said plurality of streets to relieve the traffic congestion thereon.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
215 words
The improvement as recited in claim 18, further comprising: a. a second sensor means providing a second output signal corresponding to the degree of traffic occupancy on a second of said plurality of streets, b. comparator means providing a first signal when said first output signal exceeds said second output signal and proportional to the difference therebetween, and a second signal when said second out put signal exceeds said first output signal and proportional to the difference therebetween, c. means for subtracting said second signal from said first output signal to produce a third output signal, , d. means for subtracting said first signal from said second output signal to produce a fourth output signal, e. means coupling said third output signal to both said extension and extension-limit-changing means in place of said first output signal, f. a second extension-changing means including means for controlling said extension-setting means to lengthen the duration of said unit extension in proportion to said fourth output signal, and g. a second extension-limit-changing means including means for controlling said extension-limit setting means to lengthen the duration of said extension limit in proportion to said fourth output signal, and h. means responsive to said green phase signal for inhibiting the operation of said second extension-changing means and said second extension-limit-changing means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |