Portable traffic signaling system

A portable traffic signaling system includes a plurality of portable traffic signals, each of the portable traffic signals having a plurality of traffic lights and a stand having legs that fold for transport and unfold for deployment. A short range wireless traffic signal transceiver that communicates bidirectionally via a short range wireless communication link. A traffic signal processing module controls the operation of the plurality of traffic lights to at least: a stop condition, and a go condition based on control data, such as control data received from a remote control device via the short range wireless communication link.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to traffic signaling systems such as traffic lights.

2. Description of Related Art

As is known, conventional traffic signals provide the basis of controlling the majority of traffic. Fixed signals are installed at important intersections to control traffic flow. In some systems, the traffic signals are controlled based on time of day or to the presence and absence of traffic to enable or disable traffic flow along the roads that intersect to avoid collisions and otherwise in an attempt to maximize traffic throughput.

When a road is under construction, it is not uncommon for a road that normally permits two-way traffic flow to be limited to a single lane of traffic along the segment where the construction occurs. To permit two-way traffic flow, workers employing handheld stop and go signs, flags or other manual signals alternate the traffic flow from one direction to another to permit two way traffic flow along the one lane segment.

The disadvantages of conventional approaches will be evident to one skilled in the art when presented the disclosure that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1presents a pictorial representation of a portable traffic signaling system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a portable traffic signaling system is shown that includes two or more portable traffic signals, such as portable traffic signals100and102. In addition, a remote control device120is shown that includes a user interface that includes push buttons10, a light emitter14such as a light emitting diode (LED) or other emitter, and sound emitter12such as a beeper, buzzer, speaker or other audio device. While particular user interface devices are shown, the wireless device can similarly include other devices such as a touch screen or other display screen, a thumb wheel, trackball, and/or other input or output devices.

The portable traffic signals100and102each have corresponding traffic lights, such as a red, yellow and green light, directional indicators or other traffic lights. The portable traffic signals100and102can placed to assist in the control of traffic in area in need of temporary traffic signaling such as a construction zone, an area where conventional traffic signals are nonoperational, or in an area that is experiencing above normal traffic flows such as at a sporting event, concert of other event venue.

The remote control device120and the portable traffic signals100and102each include a short-range wireless transceiver that bidirectionally communicates a wireless infrared or RF signaling over one or more short-range wireless communication channels. The short-range wireless transceiver operates in conjunction with a communication standard such as 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, ultra-wideband, Wimax, infrared data association (IrDA), other standard short or medium range communication protocol, or other protocol.

Control signaling among the remote control device120and the portable traffic signals100and102can be used to coordinate the control of the traffic lights of the portable traffic signals100and102. In this fashion, for example, traffic in one direction can be stopped while traffic in another direction can be allowed to proceed to facilitate safe and efficient traffic flow.

Further details regarding the structure and operation of remote control device120and portable traffic signals100and102including several optional functions and features are presented in conjunction withFIGS. 2-9that follow.

FIG. 2presents a front view of a portable traffic signal100or102in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, portable traffic signal100or102includes a lighting head200having a plurality of traffic lights. The lighting head200is mounted on a stand having a telescoping pole202that can be extended for operation and collapsed for transport or storage; and legs, such as tripod204, that fold for transport and unfold for deployment. The stand further includes housing206that houses one or more weights for providing gravitational stability for the unit. It should be noted the communication and control elements of the portable traffic signal100or102could be located in either the lighting head200or the housing206. As discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1, the communication and control elements include a short-range wireless transceiver that is coupled to RF antenna148and/or to an infrared emitter/receptor pair not specifically shown.

While not specifically shown, the portable traffic signals100and102can include a traffic sensor, such as a metal detector, proximity detector, electric eye, or video imaging system that generates sensor data that indicates either the presence of one or more cars in queue waiting to pass. In another example the sensor data includes passage data that indicates passage of a vehicle past the portable traffic signals, for example to allow the system to count the number of vehicles that have passed during a particular cycle. In a further example, the portable traffic signals100and102can include an alarm that is activated via alarm data generated the passage data indicates the passage of the vehicle past the portable traffic signals when the portable traffic signals is in the stop condition (red light).

FIG. 3presents a side view of a portable traffic signal100or102in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, this view of portable traffic signal100or102includes common elements described in conjunction withFIG. 2.

FIG. 4presents a front view of a portable traffic signal104in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, the traffic lights of lighting head201include two directional indicators—corresponding to right and left turns. This alternative design can be used, for example, for traffic control on a side street, driveway or other site where directional control is required. Traffic entering a construction zone can be controlled to turn right or left at specific times.

FIG. 5presents a pictorial representation of a remote control device225in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, Remote control device225is a particular embodiment of remote control device120. The remote control device225includes a short-range wireless transceiver that bidirectionally communicates a wireless infrared or RF signaling over one or more short-range wireless communication channels with portable traffic signals100,102and104. The short-range wireless transceiver operates in conjunction with a communication standard such as 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, ultra-wideband, Wimax, infrared data association (IrDA), other standard short or medium range communication protocol, or other protocol. Control data sent from the remote control device225and the portable traffic signals100,102and104can be used to coordinate the control of the traffic lights of the portable traffic signals100,102and104. In this fashion, traffic in one direction can be stopped while traffic in another direction can be allowed to proceed to facilitate safe and efficient traffic flow.

In the embodiment shown, remote control device225includes a power indicator224, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or other indicator that indicates when the device is on and operational. Remote control device225also includes a transmit indicator220, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or other indicator that indicates when the short-range wireless transceiver is transmitting. Battery life indicator222, includes a bar graph display implemented by individual LED's that indicate an estimated remaining battery life. In addition, remote control device225includes a system reset226button, all stop button and run automatic timed program button230.

The operation of remote control device226can be described in terms of the following examples of operation. In particular, consider a case where the portable traffic signaling system includes two portable traffic signals100and102that are programmed to run an automatic timed program for an east-west street that is confined to one way flow due to construction.

Step 5: Return to Step 1

In response to a user pressing the run automatic timed program button230, the remote control device sends control data to portable traffic signals100and102via the short range wireless communications link to begin the timed program. In the event that the user of remote control device needs to stop all traffic flow in both directions due to, for example, an alarm condition from one of the portable traffic signals100or102, a car violating a red light, the need for a construction vehicle to pass, or other condition, the user can press the all stop button228. In response, the remote control device225sends control data to portable traffic signals100and102via the short range wireless communications link that either causes the unit100and102traffic lights to immediately go to red or to cycle to red while first presenting a yellow light for a predetermined period. In a further mode of operation, the user can press the system reset button226to send control data to portable traffic signals100and102via the short range wireless communications link to cause the portable traffic signals to enter into a reset state, such as a blinking red light, red light, blinking yellow light or other reset state.

It should be noted that other configurations of remote control device225are likewise possible in accordance with other embodiments. For example, the remote control device can further include a manual advance button that advances the automated program from its current step to the next step. In this fashion, a timed step can be shortened manually by the user in response to actual traffic conditions, for example if there is light traffic flow in one direction. In another example, the remote control device can further include a pause button, that holds the automated program on its current step. In this fashion, for example, a timed step can be lengthened manually by the user in response to actual traffic conditions, for example if there is heavy traffic flow in one direction.

FIG. 6presents a block diagram representation of remote control device120and portable traffic signal100,102or104in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, remote control120includes a short range wireless transceiver130, processing module131, user interface132and memory133. Portable traffic signal100,102or104includes a short range wireless transceiver130, processing module141, traffic signals142, memory143, power unit146, sensors148, alarm150and device interface (I/F)152.

The short-range wireless transceivers130provide bidirectionally communication of control data125via either a wireless infrared or RF signaling over one or more short-range wireless communication channels. The short-range wireless transceiver operates via antenna148to transmit and receive signals in accordance with a communication standard such as 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, ultra-wideband, Wimax, infrared data association (IrDA), other standard short or medium range communication protocol, or other protocol. Control data125sent from the remote control device120and the portable traffic signals100,102and104can be used to coordinate the control of the traffic lights142of the portable traffic signals100,102and104.

The processing module131can be implemented using a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions that are stored in memory, such as memory133. Note that when the processing module131implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Further note that, the memory module133stores, and the processing module131executes, operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated herein.

The memory module133may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. While the components of remote control device120are shown as being coupled by a particular bus structure, other architectures are likewise possible that include additional data busses and/or direct connectivity between components. Remote control device120can include additional components that are not expressly shown.

Likewise, the processing module141can be implemented using a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions that are stored in memory, such as memory143. Note that when the processing module141implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Further note that, the memory module143stores, and the processing module141executes, operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated herein.

The memory module143may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. While the components of portable traffic signal100,102or104are shown as being coupled by a particular bus structure, other architectures are likewise possible that include additional data busses and/or direct connectivity between components. Portable traffic signal100,102or104can include additional components that are not expressly shown.

User interfaces132and142each can contain one or more push buttons, a sound emitter, light emitter, a touch screen or other display screen, a thumb wheel, trackball, and/or other user interface devices. The traffic lights142can include traditional traffic lights implemented one or more light emitting elements that operate via incandescent, fluorescent or halogen technologies, via LEDs or via other light emitting devices, together with one or more drivers or relays used to selectable switch on and off each of the traffic lights142.

Device interface152provides an interface between the portable traffic signal100,102or104and an external device25, such as a computer or other host device, peripheral or charging unit. The device interface152can include one or more jacks or other connectors for coupling to a standalone charger or other source of power, and/or that provide a standard interface such as universal serial bus (USB), Firewire, or other standard or non-standard interface.

The power unit146can include a non-rechargeable battery or battery pack or a rechargeable battery pack that can be charged via an integral solar cell, via the device interface152when connected to a direct current (DC) power source, an alternating current (AC) power source, via connection to a PC or other charging device or the battery pack can be removable for charging on a standalone basis. The alarm150includes an audible alarm such as a buzzer, beeper, siren or other alarm device and/or a strobe, flashing light, or other visual alarm device.

Sensors148include one or more traffic sensors, such as a metal detector, proximity detector, electric eye, or video imaging system that generates sensor data that indicates either the presence of one or more cars in queue waiting to pass and/or that generates passage data that indicates passage of a vehicle past the portable traffic signal100,102and104, for example to allow the processing module141to count the number of vehicles that have passed during a particular cycle and to detect that a vehicle has passed through a red light, etc.

In operation, the processing module131executes instructions from memory133to generate control data125that is transmitted to a plurality of portable traffic signal100,102and104via the short range wireless communication link. Processing module141executes instructions from memory143to controls the operation of the traffic lights142to stop and go conditions, reset conditions, right and left turn conditions, a yellow light caution condition, yield conditions and or other states or conditions, based on control data125, based on sensor data and passage data from sensors148and optionally based on other control data received from other portable traffic signal100,102and104via the short range wireless communication link.

FIG. 7presents a block diagram representation of portable traffic signal100and portable traffic signal102or104in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, one or both of the processing modules141executes instructions from memory143to control the operation of the traffic lights142to stop and go conditions, reset conditions, right and left turn conditions, a yellow light caution condition, yield conditions and or other states or conditions, based on control data125, based on sensor data and passage data from sensors148and optionally based, but further based on other control data135received from the other portable traffic signal100,102or104via the short range wireless communication link.

In operation, a portable traffic signal100can operate as a master unit to generate control data135via its corresponding traffic signal processing module141and sends the control data to portable traffic signal102or104via the short range wireless communication link. One or more portable traffic signals102or104operates as a slave unit to generate control data to control operation of their corresponding traffic lights142based the control data135received from the master unit.

In operation, code that controls the automated timed program described above is loaded in memory143of portable traffic signal100and executed as program steps by processing module141of this device. As such processing module141includes either a hardware timer or executes one or more software timers to implement the timing functions of the automated timed program. Portable traffic signal100, via its processing module141, and further in response to control data125received from remote control device120or225generates internal control data to control the operation of its own traffic lights142. In addition, the portable traffic signal100, via its processing module141, generates control data135to control the operation of the traffic lights142of portable traffic signal102or104. In particular, the bidirectional communication that includes control data135further includes handshake signal or other acknowledgement returned from portable traffic signal102or104to portable traffic signal100via the short range wireless communication link. This acknowledgement structure allows the master unit to know that the slave unit has received the control data135and the automated timed program can proceed.

Considering again the example presented in conjunction withFIG. 5where the portable traffic signaling system includes two portable traffic signals100and102that are programmed to run an automatic timed program for an east-west street that is confined to one way flow due to construction.

Step 5: Return to Step 1

In Step 1, the master unit100sends control data135to slave unit102to produce a red light. When the acknowledgement is received, the master unit100controls its traffic lights to green and begins timing. In Step 3, the master unit100controls its traffic lights to red and sends control data135to slave unit102to produce a green light. When the acknowledgement is received, and master unit100begins timing. In Step 4, the sends control data135to slave unit102to produce a yellow light and then a red light, either as a single transaction or as two separate transactions. When the red light signal is acknowledged, the master unit100proceeds to Step 5 and on to Step 1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, alarm data generated by the processing module141of a particular portable traffic signal100,102or104that is used to activate its own alarm150can further be used to generate control data135that is sent via the short range wireless communication link to all other portable traffic signals100,102or104. The control data135, once received, can be processed by the processing modules of the other portable traffic signals100to activate their alarms150as well.

As previously discussed, sensor data from sensors148can generate information that is useful to the conduct of a traffic control. An automatic timed program executed by the master unit can be based on not only sensor data generated by the master unit but also based on sensor data generated by sensors148from one or more slave units and sent to the master unit via the short range wireless communication link as control data135.

Consider a different example where the portable traffic signaling system includes two portable traffic signals100and102that are programmed to run an automatic timed program for an east-west street that is confined to one way flow due to construction. Step 1 of the previous example can be modified to take into consideration the sensor data, from units100and102. In particular, when portable traffic signal100is the master unit, its own sensor data as well as sensor data received from unit102as control data135can be used to modify the conditions to change from Step 1 to Step 2.

Step 1: Traffic flow eastUnit100green light, unit102red light,Proceed to next step when either:60 seconds passes and, at the end of 60 seconds there is a car waiting in queue at unit102); or20 cars pass unit100; or120 seconds passes and there were no cars waiting in queue of unit102after 60 seconds

It should be noted that the transition from Step 3 to Step 4 could also be conditioned on a similar, though reciprocal set of circumstances.

FIG. 8presents a pictorial representation of a computer35and portable traffic signal100,102or104in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, computer35is an example of external device25that is coupled to a portable traffic signal100,102or104via a USB connection of device interface152. In particular, computer35includes an application run by its operating system that creates the automated timed program and downloads the parameters, code or other data to each of the portable traffic signals100,102or104(both the master unit and the in slave unit or units) in order to implement the automated timed program.

In particular, the user of computer35is able to set up the number and types of portable traffic signals100,102and104, the steps in the automatic timed program, the types of sensor data used and the conditions for proceeding from step to step including the times for each of the timed steps and conditions, the functionality of the remote control device120or225, and other parameters of the portable traffic signaling system.

FIG. 9presents a schematic diagram of a construction scene in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a construction scene300is shown having construction zone302. The traffic in the area is being controlled by a portable traffic signaling system that includes portable traffic signals100,102and104, where unit100is the master unit and units102and104are slave units. The timed automatic program includes step 1, step 3 and step 5 that occur at different times and allow car1, car2and car3to pass through the area safely, while traffic from other directions is stopped.

While the description above has set forth several different modes of operation, the devices described here may simultaneously be in two or more of these modes, unless, by their nature, these modes necessarily cannot be implemented simultaneously. While the foregoing description includes the description of many different embodiments and implementations, the functions and features of these implementations and embodiments can be combined in additional embodiments of the present invention not expressly disclosed by any single implementation or embodiment, yet nevertheless understood by one skilled in the art when presented this disclosure.

In preferred embodiments, the various circuit components are implemented using 0.35 micron or smaller CMOS technology and can include one or more system on a chip integrated circuits that implement any combination of the devices, modules, submodules and other functional components presented herein. Provided however that other circuit technologies including other transistor, diode and resistive logic, both integrated or non-integrated, may be used within the broad scope of the present invention. Likewise, various embodiments described herein can also be implemented as software programs running on a computer processor. It should also be noted that the software implementations of the present invention can be stored on a tangible storage medium such as a magnetic or optical disk, read-only memory or random access memory and also be produced as an article of manufacture.

Thus, there has been described herein an apparatus and method, as well as several embodiments including a preferred embodiment. Various embodiments of the present invention herein-described have features that distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than the preferred forms specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.