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US5345232A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Traffic light control means for emergency-type vehicles

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-11-19
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Granted: 1994-09-06
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Expires: 2012-11-19
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Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to traffic control means for emergency-type vehicles including an on-board plotter screen having a diagram of streets, roads, highways and the like displayed thereon. A light pen is used to draw the preferred route which is then either accepted or rejected in part or as a whole by a computer based on a current street condition program. Once the route has been accepted a traffic signal map program can be activated that will automatically control traffic along the route to the destination of the emergency vehicle.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael T. Robertson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 12:56
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/07; G08G1/087

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 89 words
A traffic control for emergency-type vehicle comprising: means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to a pre-determined destination; a street condition program operatively connected to said means for plotting said route whereby the route plotted will automatically be either accepted or rejected by said street condition program; once a selected route is accepted by said street condition program, means for automatically signalling emergency warning means at intersections along said accepted route whereby said emergency-type vehicle can reach its said predetermined destination without undue delay.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 89 words
A traffic control for emergency-type vehicle comprising: means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to a pre-determined destination; a street condition program operatively connected to said means for plotting said route whereby the route plotted will automatically be either accepted or rejected by said street condition program; once a selected route is accepted by said street condition program, means for automatically signalling emergency warning means at intersections along said accepted route whereby said emergency-type vehicle can reach its said predetermined destination without undue delay.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
The traffic control of claim 1 wherein a road map program is operatively associated with said means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to the predetermined destination.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 70 words
The traffic control of claim 2 wherein a traffic signal control program is operatively connected between said means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to the predetermined destination and the means for signalling emergency warning means at said intersections along said accepted route whereby said warning means can be activated in the manner for said emergency vehicle to reach its pre-determined destination without undue delay.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
The traffic control of claim 1 wherein the emergency warning means at said intersections along said accepted route include flashing light warning and audible warning.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The traffic control of claim 4 wherein said audible warning are coded to give specific information to a visually impaired.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The traffic control of claim 4 wherein said emergency warning means include a battery back-up means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The traffic control of claim 6 wherein the battery back-up means is charged by solar electric panels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
The traffic control of claim 4 wherein the emergency warning means is operatively connected to a battery back-up means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
The traffic control of claim 1 wherein the emergency warning means are mounted adjacent traffic control lights and include means for cutting off said traffic control lights and turning on light warning and audible warning.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The traffic control of claim 9 wherein said light warning is a flashing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 17 words
The traffic control of claim 9 wherein the audible warning means is coded for a visually impaired.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 130 words
A traffic control for emergency-type vehicle comprising: means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to a pre-determined destination including a road map program operatively connected thereto; a street condition program operatively connected to said means for plotting said route whereby the route plotted will automatically be either accepted or rejected by said street condition program; once a route is accepted by said street condition program, a traffic signal control program operatively connected to said means for selectively plotting said route for determining the manner of controlling emergency warning means at intersections along said accepted routes; and means for signalling information from said traffic signal control program to said warming means at said intersections whereby said emergency-type vehicle can reach its predetermined destination without undue delay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 130 words
A traffic control for emergency-type vehicle comprising: means for selectively plotting a route from the location of the vehicle to a pre-determined destination including a road map program operatively connected thereto; a street condition program operatively connected to said means for plotting said route whereby the route plotted will automatically be either accepted or rejected by said street condition program; once a route is accepted by said street condition program, a traffic signal control program operatively connected to said means for selectively plotting said route for determining the manner of controlling emergency warning means at intersections along said accepted routes; and means for signalling information from said traffic signal control program to said warming means at said intersections whereby said emergency-type vehicle can reach its predetermined destination without undue delay.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-09-05 1998-03-07 1998-09-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-09-05 2002-03-07 2002-09-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-09-05 2006-03-07 2006-09-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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