Communications: electrical – Traffic control indicator
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-26
2004-10-26
Trieu, Van Thanh (Department: 2636)
Communications: electrical
Traffic control indicator
C340S815450, C340S815650
Reexamination Certificate
active
06809655
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is in the field of signaling and specifically in the field of traffic control using signal lights.
2. Background
FIG. 1
illustrates a prior art traffic signal
100
typically including three or more lamps
110
A-
110
C. In a standard format these lamps are co-linear, shine with distinguishable colors red, yellow, and green, and display a filled circle pattern. When mounted vertically the red lamp is by convention (in the United States) located above the yellow and green lamps. As shown in
FIG. 2A
, each lamp
110
includes a single bulb
210
or alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 2B
, a series of bulbs
220
such as LEDs (light emitting diodes). Lamp
110
may also includes an optional lens (not shown) that modifies the apparent color of a bulb
210
or series of bulbs
220
. For example a red lamp
110
may have a red lens that makes light from the lamp appear red in color.
Lamp
110
optionally has a pattern (mask or shape) that forms a pattern meaningful to traffic control, such as an arrow or a default filled circle pattern, in a lit surface.
FIG. 3
illustrates four of these patterns, in addition to the default filled circle pattern, having different meaning to traffic control. An arrow pattern
310
is used for directional control. A bar pattern
320
and a “T” pattern
340
are used to control rail traffic. A cross pattern
330
is used in a variety of applications such as traffic direction control. Each pattern is rotated to other orientations and is used with a variety of colors. Both pattern and color determine the function of an individual lamp
110
meaningful to traffic control.
FIGS. 4A through 4C
illustrate variations of prior art traffic signal
100
. Advanced traffic signal
410
includes a green lamp
440
with an arrow pattern
310
used for direction control. In the figures, lamp
110
, not showing a specific pattern, are meant to illustrate a default filled circle pattern. Advanced traffic signal
420
includes a yellow lamp
450
with arrow pattern
310
used for direction control. Advanced traffic signal
430
includes a red lamp
460
with a cross pattern
330
and a green lamp
440
with an arrow pattern
310
rotated ninety degrees. Advanced traffic signal
430
is used for lane control. Advanced variations of traffic signal
110
, such as those illustrated, can include three or more lamps. A large number of lamp
110
in traffic signal
100
is a disadvantage. Each lamp
110
contributes to the cost and weight of traffic signal
100
. Prior art lamp
110
does not have variable patterns that allow an individual lamp to provide variable information meaningful to traffic control displays. For example as a signal cycles through a display pattern, wherein alternative lamps are lit, a light pattern on an individual lamp cannot be changed from a default filled circle pattern to an arrow pattern
310
of the same color. Lamps
440
,
450
, and
460
are variations of lamp
110
.
Prior art traffic signals are supported by supporting elements such as poles and cables. The weight of the traffic signal is a factor in the requirements and, therefore, cost of the support elements. In a typical installation several traffic signals are supported by one or more supporting elements and coupled through a single control module including electronics.
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Colby Steven M.
Trieu Van Thanh
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