Traffic signal light control for emergency vehicles

Claim 1

Traffic signal light control system for emergency vehicles, comprising: a plurality of traffic signal lights for directing traffic through a plurality of street intersections; at least one emergency vehicle, having a vehicle identity code; emergency vehicle traffic control apparatus disposed in said emergency vehicle; a plurality of traffic signal light control apparatus equal to said plurality of traffic lights, each disposed in the vicinity of a respective traffic signal light for controlling it; central control apparatus disposed in a spaced-away location from said plurality of said traffic signal light control apparatus; a plurality of wire communication links equal to said plurality of traffic signal light control apparatus, connecting said central control with a respective traffic signal light control apparatus; two-way radio communications link which includes a vehicle radio receiver-transmitter in the emergency vehicle connected with the emergency vehicle traffic control apparatus and a fixed radio receiver-transmitter, all receiver-transmitters using the same frequency, and the fixed receiver-transmitter operatively connected with the central control apparatus; emergency vehicle control console disposed in said emergency vehicle operatively engaging said emergency vehicle traffic control apparatus, for receiving a command which includes the vehicle's identity; said signal control apparatus comprising a central processing unit having electronic memory, at least one selected signal pattern and a control program stored in said electronic memory and being responsive to said command which is received from said emergency vehicle via said two-way radio communications link, said central control and said wire communications link for activating said selected signal pattern for guiding the emergency vehicle through the intersection.