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US3675196A
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Traffic signal control system
Assignee: Computer Systems Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1971-01-25
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1991-01-25
Abstract
Abstract An automobile traffic signal control system controls traffic signals (lights) at a plurality of traffic intersections by way of a master controller which communicates with a local controller at each intersection and transmits pulse trains containing sets of data bits in sequence to the receivers at all the intersections, whereupon the intersection to which a specific set of data bits is addressed stores the set and uses each specific bit in the set to control a specific light or signal at that intersection. In this manner, all lights and signals at all intersections are specifically each controlled by a specific bit in a specific set of bits transmitted by the master controller to the local controllers at the intersections.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth H Molloy
- 👤 John P Ward
- 👤 Victor Mark Benson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:58
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/07; G08G1/081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In a traffic signal control system for controlling traffic signal lights at a plurality of intersections from a master controller, a communication and control system comprising, means at the master controller for generating and transmitting sets of data bits, local controller means at each of N intersections for receiving and storing said sets of data bits, signal transmission means between said transmitter and said receiver means, and means at each intersection local controller responsive to said sets of data bits for energizing said intersection lights, each data bit being independently effective to control a specific light at a specific intersection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a traffic signal control system for controlling traffic signal lights at a plurality of intersections from a master controller, a communication and control system comprising, means at the master controller for generating and transmitting sets of data bits, local controller means at each of N intersections for receiving and storing said sets of data bits, signal transmission means between said transmitter and said receiver means, and means at each intersection local controller responsive to said sets of data bits for energizing said intersection lights, each data bit being independently effective to control a specific light at a specific intersection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A traffic control system as in claim 1 where, data bit transmitter means are included at each of said intersection local controllers, whereby each set of data bits is transmitted from the master controller to a first of said local controllers and from said first local controller to a second of said local controllers and so forth to all of said intersection local controllers one after another in sequence from one to N.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A traffic signal control system as in claim 1 wherein, included with each set of bits is an intersection address set of bits, each local controller includes means for detecting said address set of bits, and means responsive thereto for applying each received data bit to control at least one light at the intersection when the address set of bits for said local controller is detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A traffic signal control system as in claim 1 wherein, the master controller includes a receiver, at least some intersections include vehicle detectors and pedestrian actuators which produce vehicle and pedestrian data return signals, each intersection local controller includes a return signal transmitter and a return signal receiver feeding said return signal transmitter, such that the nth local controller receives return signals from the n plus 1 and transmits them to the n minus 1 controller and also transmits the local nth intersection vehicle and pedestrian data return signals to the n minus 1 controller and so forth from local controllers N to one, whereby the return signals from all local controllers are transmitted in relay fashion to a master controller receiver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A traffic signal control system as in claim 1 wherein, the sets of data bits are each in a train of pulses, each intersection local controller includes a shift register for storing data bits of the received data set, each bit of a set being stored therein at a stage of said shift register representative of a given intersection light, means responsive to the last stage of said register for applying the output of said register to said means for energizing said intersection lights.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A traffic signal control system as in claim 1 wherein, the sets of data bits are each in a train of pulses, each train includes an intersection address set of bits, each local controller includes means for detecting said address seT, and means responsive thereto for applying each received data bit to control at least one light at the intersection when the address set for said local controller is detected, each intersection local controller includes a shift register for storing the data bits of the received set, each bit of a set being stored therein at a stage of said shift register representative of a given intersection light, means responsive to the last stage of said register for applying the output of said register to said means for energizing said intersection lights.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A traffic signal control system as in claim 3 wherein, the sets of data bits are each in a train of pulses, said pulse trains are transmitted during transmit intervals which are spaced by local controller logic intervals, and during said local controller logic intervals, one of said local controllers detects said address set and in response thereto, applies each received data bit, whereby the stored data bits initiate control of the lights at said one local controller intersection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
164 words
A traffic signal control system as in claim 7 wherein, the master controller includes a receiver, at least some intersections include vehicle detectors and pedestrian actuators which produce vehicle and pedestrian data return signals, each intersection local controller includes a return signal transmitter and a return signal receiver feeding said return signal transmitter, such that the nth local controller receives return signals from the n plus 1 and transmits them to the n minus 1 controller and also transmits the local nth intersection vehicle and pedestrian data return signals to the n minus 1 controller and so forth from local controllers N to one, whereby the return signals from all local controllers are transmitted in relay fashion to a master controller receiver, and during the local controller logic interval that said nth local controller responds to the received data signal train by energizing the intersection lights, said return transmitter at said local controller transmits to the return signal receiver of the n+1th local controller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A traffic signal control system as in claim 8 wherein, each intersection local controller includes a shift register for storing the data bits of the received data set, each bit of a set being stored therein at a stage of said shift register representative of a given intersection light, means responsive to the last stage of said register for applying the output of said register to said means for energizing said intersection lights, said vehicle and pedestrian data signals at a given intersection are stored in the shift register of the local controller for that intersection during said local controller logic intervals and are fed therefrom to the return signal transmitter during said same interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A traffic signal control system as in claim 9 wherein, said sets of data bits are addressed in sequence to the local controllers in the order 1 to N.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A traffic signal control system as in claim 9 wherein, said sets of data bits are addressed in sequence to the local controllers in an order other than 1 to N.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |