Patent Description:
Industrial settings, such as warehouses, may include traffic and/or pedestrian intersections. In some instances, these intersections are used by both vehicles and pedestrians. The publication <CIT> represents background art to the present application, and discloses an apparatus equipped with sensors to detect traffic approaching an intersection from different directions as well as plural displays facing said directions for the provision of warning signals.

The figures are not to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.

Conditions may be present in industrial settings (e.g., factories and/or warehouses) that may place pedestrians and vehicle (e.g., fork trucks and/or other material handling equipment) in close proximity to one another. Potential collision hazards may occur when vehicles and pedestrians are in close proximity to one another. An example potential collision hazard may be present when a fork truck and a pedestrian are both approaching the same intersection.

To reduce the possibility of collisions between vehicles and pedestrians and/or between vehicles, the examples disclosed herein relate to example dynamically configurable traffic controllers that provide different warning levels based on a detected danger and/or a potential collision hazard. In some examples, when a fork truck is detected approaching an intersection, the examples disclosed herein provide a first warning level in a direction(s) in which no other pedestrians or vehicles are approaching and a second warning level in a direction(s) in which a pedestrian(s) and/or another vehicle(s) is approaching. Thus, when a pedestrian and/or vehicle is approaching an intersection, the examples disclosed herein provide different warning levels (e.g., a caution warning, a danger warning) based on both the presence or absence of pedestrians and/or vehicles approaching the intersection in one direction or more than one direction.

In other words, when a pedestrian and/or vehicle is approaching an intersection, the example traffic controllers provide a first warning level in directions in which no traffic and/or pedestrians are detected and provide a second warning level in directions that pedestrians (e.g., traffic) and/or vehicles (e.g., traffic) are detected. In response to the vehicles and/or the pedestrians no longer being detected, the example traffic controllers provide different outputs (e.g., no warnings).

In some examples, the first warning level may be conveyed as a first shape (e.g., a triangle) and a first color (e.g., yellow) and the second warning level may be conveyed as a second shape (e.g., an octagon) and a second color (e.g., red). However, any other warning level and/or indication may be provided. For example, the different warning levels may include a flashing signal(s), an audible signal(s), a rotating beacon(s), etc..

In some examples, to provide additional and/or alternative signaling to a vehicle and/or a pedestrian, a warning(s) may be projected from the example traffic controllers onto the floor or onto any other object. In some examples, the projection may include an illuminated shape, an illuminated symbol, a solid signal, a flashing signal, a combination of a solid signal and a flashing signal, a pictographic warning symbol, etc. In some examples, the projector and/or projection source (e.g., the traffic controller) may be wall mounted, ceiling mounted and may be implemented using lights, high intensity light-emitting diodes (LED), lasers, etc..

While the example traffic controllers may be independently operable (e.g., not communicatively coupled to other traffic controllers), in some examples, the example traffic controllers may be communicatively coupled to enable a first traffic controller to provide input to a second traffic controller to initiate an output from the second traffic controller and for the second traffic controller to provide input to the first traffic controller to initiate an output from the first traffic controller. For example, when an oncoming vehicle is identified approaching a first traffic controller from the North, the first traffic controller and/or the second traffic controller may cause warning signals to be displayed at the South side of the first traffic controller, the East side of the first traffic controller, the West side of the first traffic controller and the East side of the second traffic controller. However, any additional or alternative warning signals may be displayed in any direction. In other examples, when an oncoming vehicle is identified approaching a first traffic controller from the North and an oncoming vehicle is identified approaching a second traffic controller from the East, the first traffic controller and/or the second traffic controller may cause a danger signal to be displayed at the North side of the first traffic controller and the East side of the first traffic controller and for warning signals to be displayed at the South side of the first traffic controller and the West side of the first traffic controller. Additionally, because the first and second traffic controllers are communicatively coupled in this example, the first traffic controller and/or the second traffic controller may cause a danger signal to be displayed at the East side of the second traffic controller and the West side of the second traffic controller and for warning signals to be displayed at the South side of the second traffic controller and the North side of the second traffic controller.

In some examples, to enable the examples disclosed herein to be dynamically configurable, inputs may be received that identify which sensor inputs influence which display outputs. For example, a North sensor input from a first traffic controller may be identified to influence and/or cause a warning signal and/or a danger signal to be displayed at an East display output of a second traffic controller. For example, a North sensor input from a first traffic controller may be identified to influence and/or cause a warning signal and/or a danger signal to be displayed at an East display output of the first traffic controller. In some examples, after the example traffic controllers are dynamically configured, example simulations may be run to enable a user to verify the configurations.

In some examples, the example traffic controllers are enclosed (e.g., fully enclosed) and/or include an integrated sensor(s). In some examples, the sensors detect and/or distinguish between a pedestrian approaching the sensor(s) and a vehicle(s) approaching the sensor. In examples in which the sensors distinguish between vehicles and pedestrians, when two pedestrians are detected approaching an intersection from different directions and no vehicles are detected approaching the intersection, the example traffic controllers may cause the first warning level to be conveyed as opposed to the heightened second warning level. However, any additional warning signal may be displayed in any direction.

In some examples, the examples disclosed herein provide a selectable option(s), via an input, user interface or otherwise, that enables the sensors and/or the processers disclosed herein to perform different actions when the example sensors and/or the processors differentiate between pedestrians and vehicles. For example, a user can select, using an example user interface, a first option in which no signals (e.g., the first signal, the second signal) are provided when pedestrians are identified as approaching the example traffic controls and no other vehicles are identified as approaching the example traffic controllers. In some examples, a user can select, using an example user interface, a second option in which signals (e.g., the first signal, the second signal) are provided when pedestrians are identified as approaching the example traffic controls and no other vehicles are identified as approaching the example traffic controllers.

In some examples, multiple sensors and/or display outputs may be positioned to face a particular direction. For example, an example first traffic controller may include a first display output and a first sensor facing a first direction and an example second traffic controller may include a second display output and a second sensor facing the first direction. In some examples, the first traffic controller is ceiling mounted and the second traffic controller is floor mounted. In some examples, the example displays are directly mounted to the floor such that the display(s) projects a signal (e.g., the first signal, the second signal) upward. In some examples, the displays are embedded into and/or integral to the flooring. For example, lights of the display may be positioned within apertures of the floor. In some examples, the displays are coupled to and/or part of a mat or floor covering that is positioned on the floor. In some examples, the first and second sensors are capable of detecting the presence of vehicles and/or pedestrians in different ranges and/or different zones. For example, the first sensor may be capable of detecting an approaching vehicle and/or pedestrian at a greater distance from the intersection than the second sensor and the second sensor may be capable of detecting an approaching vehicle and/or pedestrian at a greater width relative to the intersection than the first sensor. In some examples, the first display may be more visible to a fork truck driver due to the first traffic controller being mounted at a greater height than the second traffic controller while the second traffic controller may be more visible to a pedestrian due the second traffic controller being mounted at a lesser height than the first traffic controller.

<FIG> illustrates an example floor plan <NUM> including a first intersection <NUM> at which an example first traffic controller <NUM> is positioned and a second intersection <NUM> at which an example second traffic controller <NUM> is positioned. In the illustrated example, to detect approaching vehicles and/or pedestrians (e.g., traffic), the first traffic controller <NUM> includes a first sensor <NUM>, a second sensor <NUM>, a third sensor <NUM>, a fourth sensor <NUM>, a fifth sensor <NUM> and a sixth sensor <NUM> facing respective directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> differentiate between traffic approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> and traffic departing from the first traffic controller <NUM>. In some examples, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> differentiate between vehicles and pedestrians approaching the first traffic controller <NUM>. The sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be implemented by any suitable sensor and/or technology including, for example, microwave sensors (e.g., <NUM> microwave sensors), photo sensors, infrared sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, sensors performing video analytics, etc. While two sensors are illustrated facing the West <NUM> and the South <NUM> and one sensor is illustrated facing the East <NUM> and the North <NUM>, any number of sensors (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) may be provided to detect oncoming traffic in any direction.

In the illustrated example, to provide notice and/or warning indicative of approaching traffic (e.g., vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic, etc.), the first traffic controller <NUM> includes a first display output <NUM>, a second display output <NUM>, a third display output <NUM>, a fourth display output <NUM>, a fifth display output <NUM> and a sixth display output <NUM> facing the respective directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. While two display outputs are illustrated facing the West <NUM> and the South <NUM> and one display output is illustrated facing the East <NUM> and the North <NUM>, any number of display outputs (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) may be provided in any direction to provide notice of oncoming traffic and/or to display any other data.

In some examples, the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> provide different signals and/or displays depending on the traffic identified and/or based on an association and/or relationship between the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, an association and/or relationship between the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is defined by an example traffic controller configurer <NUM> and stored in an example database <NUM> of the configurer <NUM>. The relationships may define actions taken by one or more of the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in response to received inputs from one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, a relationship between the first sensor <NUM> and the third display <NUM> may cause the third display <NUM> to display data and/or a signal (e.g., a first signal, a second signal) in response to an input received from the first sensor <NUM>.

In some examples, a user may use the configurer <NUM> to define and/or identify the relationships between the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, the configurer <NUM> may define and/or identify the relationships between the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> without user input using, for example, pre-defined relations and/or default settings stored in the database <NUM>. In some examples, the first traffic controller <NUM> includes a first configurer and the second traffic controller <NUM> includes a second configurer different from the first configurer. However, in the illustrated example, the configuruer <NUM> is used to control and/or configure the first traffic controller <NUM> and the second traffic controller <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM> are mounted to the ceiling and/or are suspended. In the illustrated example, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted to the floor and/or are at eye level. However, any of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM> may be mounted in any position to enable bodies (e.g., pedestrians, vehicles, etc.) to be detected and for data (e.g., warnings, etc.) to be displayed to the bodies and/or others (e.g., pedestrians, vehicles, etc.).

In some examples in which the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured by the configurer <NUM> to be responsive to the first sensor <NUM> and/or the second sensor <NUM>, upon detecting a vehicle <NUM> approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the West <NUM> and no other traffic approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the other directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the first traffic controller <NUM> and/or a processor <NUM> of the configurer <NUM> cause the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to output a first signal toward the South <NUM>, the East <NUM> and the North <NUM> and for no signal to be displayed toward the West <NUM>. In some examples, the first signal is indicative of caution and/or yield and is a triangle having a first color (e.g., orange or amber).

In some examples, one or more of the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured by the configurer <NUM> to not be responsive to the first sensor <NUM>, the second sensor <NUM> and/or any of the other sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In such examples, upon detecting the vehicle <NUM> approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the West <NUM> and no other traffic approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the other directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the first traffic controller <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM> do not cause the non-responsive ones of the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to output, for example, the first signal and/or any other signal.

In some examples in which the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured by the configurer <NUM> to be responsive to the first sensor <NUM> and/or the second sensor <NUM> and the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured by the configurer <NUM> to be responsive to the sixth sensor <NUM>, upon detecting the vehicle <NUM> approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the West <NUM>, a pedestrian approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the North <NUM> and no other traffic approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the other directions <NUM>, <NUM>, the first traffic controller <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM> cause the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to output a second signal toward the West <NUM> and the North <NUM> and cause the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to output the first signal toward the South <NUM> and the East <NUM>. In some examples, the second signal is an indication of danger and/or a hazard and is an octagon having a second color (e.g., red).

In the illustrated example, to detect approaching traffic, the second traffic controller <NUM> includes a first sensor <NUM>, a second sensor <NUM>, a third sensor <NUM>, a fourth sensor <NUM> and a fifth sensor <NUM> facing respective directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. While two sensors are illustrated facing the South <NUM> and one sensor is illustrated facing the West <NUM>, the East <NUM> and the North <NUM>, any number of sensors (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) may be provided to detect oncoming traffic in any direction. In the illustrated example, to provide notice and/or warning in response to approaching traffic, the second traffic controller <NUM> includes a first display output <NUM>, a second display output <NUM>, a third display output <NUM>, a fourth display output <NUM> and a fifth display output <NUM> facing the respective directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. While two display outputs are illustrated facing the South <NUM> and one display output is illustrated facing the North <NUM>, the West <NUM> and the East <NUM>, any number of display outputs (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) may be provided in any direction to provide notice of oncoming traffic and/or to display any other data.

In some examples, the configururer <NUM> configures the first traffic controller <NUM> to be communicatively coupled to the second traffic controller <NUM> such that one or more of the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second traffic controller <NUM> are responsive to one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first traffic controller <NUM> and one more of the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first traffic controller <NUM> are responsive to one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second traffic controller <NUM>.

In some examples in which the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured by the configurer <NUM> to be responsive to the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, upon detecting the vehicle <NUM> approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the West <NUM> and no other traffic approaching from the other directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the first traffic controller <NUM>, the second traffic controller <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM> cause the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to output the first signal toward the respective directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, one or more of the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured and/or defined by the configurer <NUM> not to be responsive to one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some examples in which the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured by the configurer <NUM> to be responsive to the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, upon detecting the vehicle <NUM> approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the West <NUM>, pedestrians <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> approaching the second traffic controller <NUM> from the South <NUM>, the East <NUM>, and the North <NUM>, and no other traffic approaching the traffic controllers <NUM>, <NUM> from the other directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the first traffic controller <NUM>, the second traffic controller <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM> cause the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to output the first signal toward the respective directions <NUM>, <NUM> and cause the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to output the second signal toward the respective directions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

To independently configure the first traffic controller <NUM>, in the illustrated example, input is received at an input <NUM> of the configurer <NUM> to enable one or more of the output displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first traffic controller <NUM> to be responsive to inputs from one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and for the output displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second traffic controller <NUM> not to be responsive to inputs from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, in response to inputs received by the input <NUM> and/or processes performed by the processor <NUM>, an output <NUM> of the configurer <NUM> displays an example simulation illustrating the response of the output displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to inputs received from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some examples, the configurer <NUM> and/or the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to differentiate between pedestrians and vehicles to not provide signals (e.g., a first signal, a second signal) when no vehicle traffic is detected. In some such examples, upon detecting the only pedestrians approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> from the respective directions, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the configure <NUM> enables no signals to be output from the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In examples in which the first traffic controller <NUM> is positioned at a three-way intersection as opposed to a four-way intersection, one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and one or more of the output displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> not facing an aisle may be deactivated and/or not activated by the configurer <NUM>. In other words, the example traffic controllers disclosed herein can be dynamically configured to be implemented in different types of intersections (e.g., four-way intersection, three-way intersection, etc.) and/or be dynamically configured to cause output displays to respond (e.g., display data and/or signals) and/or not respond to sensor input(s) received.

To independently configure the second traffic controller <NUM>, in the illustrated example, input is received at the input <NUM> to enable one or more of the output displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second traffic controller <NUM> to be responsive to inputs from one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and for the output displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first traffic controller <NUM> not to be responsive to inputs from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, in response to inputs received by the input <NUM> and/or processes performed by the processor <NUM>, the output <NUM> of the configurer <NUM> displays an example simulation illustrating the response of the output displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to inputs received from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, if an example simulation input is representative of the vehicle <NUM> approaching the first sensor <NUM> and the sixth display <NUM> is response to the first sensor <NUM>, the output <NUM> of the configurer <NUM> may provide a visual representation of the sixth display <NUM>.

To configure the first traffic controller <NUM> and the second traffic controller <NUM> to be communicatively coupled and/or to be networked, in the illustrated example, input is received at the input <NUM> to enable one or more of the output displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to be responsive to one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, in response to inputs received by the input <NUM> and/or processes performed by the processor <NUM>, the output <NUM> of the configurer <NUM> displays an example simulation illustrating the response of the output displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to inputs received from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

While an example manner of implementing the configurer <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, one or more of the elements, processes and/or devices illustrated in <FIG> may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, the example input <NUM>, the example output <NUM>, the example processor <NUM>, the example database <NUM> and/or, more generally, the example configurer <NUM> of <FIG> may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, for example, any of the example input <NUM>, the example output <NUM>, the example processor <NUM>, the example database <NUM> and/or, more generally, the example configurer <NUM> could be implemented by one or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits, programmable processor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)). When reading any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the example input <NUM>, the example output <NUM>, the example processor <NUM>, the example database <NUM> and/or, more generally, the example configurer <NUM> is/are hereby expressly defined to include a tangible computer readable storage device or storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. storing the software and/or firmware. Further still, the example configuruer <NUM> of <FIG> may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in <FIG>, and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices.

<FIG> illustrates an example floor plan <NUM> including a first intersection <NUM> at which the example first traffic controller <NUM> is positioned and a second intersection <NUM> at which the example second traffic controller <NUM> is positioned. In contrast to the intersections <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> that are four-way intersections, the intersections <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> are three-way intersections. Thus, in the example of <FIG>, the configurer <NUM> does not activate and/or disables the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM> not facing an aisle. In the illustrated example, the first and second traffic controllers <NUM>, <NUM> are communicatively coupled to enable the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to be responsive to the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example traffic controller <NUM> including an example first traffic controller <NUM> mounted to a ceiling <NUM> and an example second traffic controller <NUM> mounted to a floor <NUM> where both the first and second traffic controllers <NUM>, <NUM> are communicatively coupled and are displaying the first signal and/or a yield signal. In the illustrated example, the first and second traffic controllers <NUM>, <NUM> include first and second sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and example displays <NUM> including a first signal <NUM> illustrated as a triangle contained and/or positioned within a second signal <NUM> illustrated as an octagon. The first signal <NUM> may be defined by lights (e.g., LEDs) and the second signal <NUM> may be defined by lights.

In some examples, the first and second sensors <NUM>, <NUM> face the same direction and the first sensor <NUM> monitors a first area and/or zone to identify vehicles and/or pedestrians approaching the traffic controller <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> monitors a second area and/or zone to identify vehicles and/or pedestrians approaching the traffic controller <NUM>. In some examples, the first and second areas and/or zones overlap. In some examples, the first and second areas and/or zones do not overlap. In the illustrated example, the first signal <NUM> is represented as a triangle and is shown being displayed and/or illuminated and the second signal <NUM> is represented by an octagon and is shown as not being displayed and/or illuminated.

<FIG> illustrates the example traffic controller <NUM> including the first traffic controller <NUM> mounted to the ceiling <NUM> and the second traffic controller <NUM> mounted to the floor <NUM> where both the first and second traffic controllers <NUM>, <NUM> are displaying the second signal and/or a danger signal. In this example, the second signal represents a greater warning level than the first signal to garner greater attention to a potential collision hazard. In the illustrated example, the second signal <NUM> is represented by an octagon and is shown as being displayed and/or illuminated and the first signal <NUM> is represented as a triangle is shown as not being displayed and/or illuminated. In addition to the display <NUM>, the example first traffic controller <NUM> includes a projector <NUM> that projects a projection <NUM> onto the floor <NUM> when the second signal <NUM> is being displayed. In some examples, the projection <NUM> may include an illuminated shape, an illuminated symbol, a solid signal, a flashing signal, a combination of a solid signal and a flashing signal, a pictographic warning symbol, etc..

<FIG> illustrates an example user interface <NUM> that can be used in connection with the example configurer <NUM> of <FIG> to designate the relationships between different display outputs <NUM> and different sensor inputs <NUM>. In the illustrated example, a truth table <NUM> illustrates designated relationships between a sensor input corresponding to a 1N sensor <NUM> and a 1E display <NUM>, a <NUM> display <NUM>, a 1W display <NUM> and a 2E display <NUM>. In some examples, the acronym 1E corresponds to the East facing display of the first traffic controller <NUM>, the acronym <NUM> corresponds to the South facing display of the first traffic controller <NUM>, the acronym 1W corresponds to the West facing display of the first traffic controller <NUM> and the acronym 2E corresponds to the East facing display of the second traffic controller <NUM>. In some examples, based on input received from a user, a relationship between one of the output displays and one of the sensors may be toggled between an active relationship in which an input from the sensor causes corresponding data and/or a message to be shown at the output display or an inactive relationship in which an input from the sensor does not cause corresponding data and/or a message to be shown at the output display.

<FIG> illustrates an example user interface <NUM> including a vehicle and/or pedestrian input at the 1N sensor <NUM>. In illustrated example, based on the relationships between the 1N sensor <NUM> and the displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the sensor inputs from the 1N sensor <NUM> cause a first signal and/or a yield signal to be displayed at the 1E display <NUM>, the <NUM> display <NUM>, the 1W display <NUM> and the 2E display <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, other than the vehicle and/or pedestrian detected by the 1N sensor <NUM>, no other vehicles and/or pedestrians are identified approaching the first traffic controller <NUM> or the second traffic controller <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example user interface <NUM> that can be used in connection with the example configurer <NUM> of <FIG> to designate the relationships between the different display outputs <NUM> and the different sensor inputs <NUM>. In the illustrated example, a relationship is shown as being designated between a sensor input corresponding to a 2E sensor <NUM> and a 1N display <NUM>, the <NUM> display <NUM>, the 1W display <NUM>, a 2N display <NUM>, a <NUM> display <NUM> and a 2W display <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example user interface <NUM> including a vehicle and/or pedestrian input at the 1N sensor <NUM> and a vehicle and/or pedestrian input at the 2E sensor <NUM>. In the illustrated example, based on the relationships between the 1N sensor <NUM>, the 2E sensor <NUM> and the displays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the sensor inputs from the 1N sensor <NUM> and the 2E sensor <NUM> cause a first signal and/or a yield signal to be displayed at the 1E display <NUM>, the <NUM> display <NUM>, the 1W display <NUM>, the 2N display <NUM>, the <NUM> display <NUM> and the 2W display <NUM> and a second signal and/or a danger signal to be displayed at the 1N display <NUM> and the 2E display <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example user interface <NUM> that can be used in connection with the example configurer <NUM> of <FIG> to designate the relationships between the different display outputs <NUM> and the different sensor inputs <NUM>. In the illustrated example, a relationship is shown as being designated between a sensor input corresponding to a 2W sensor <NUM> and the 2N display <NUM>, a 2E display <NUM> and the <NUM> display <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example user interface <NUM> including a vehicle and/or pedestrian input at the 2W sensor <NUM>. In the illustrated example, based on the relationships between the 2W sensor <NUM> and the displays <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the sensor inputs from the 2W sensor <NUM> cause a first signal and/or a yield signal to be displayed at the 2N display <NUM>, the 2E display <NUM> and the <NUM> display <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example user interface <NUM> that can be used in connection with the example configurer <NUM> of <FIG>. In the illustrated example, a configure button <NUM> is displayed for user selection to enable the relationships designated between the display outputs and the sensor inputs to be set and/or defined.

<FIG> illustrates an example user interface <NUM> that can be used in connection with the example configurer <NUM> of <FIG> to designate the relationships between the different display outputs <NUM> and the different sensor inputs <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the user interface <NUM> includes a main menu button <NUM>, an independent mode default button <NUM>, a hallway mode default button <NUM> and a set up button <NUM>.

In this example, the independent mode default button <NUM> provides default settings in which the first traffic controller <NUM> independently operates without being influenced by the second traffic controller <NUM> and in which the second traffic controller <NUM> independently operates without being influenced by the first traffic controller <NUM>. In other words, in the independent mode, sensors of one of the traffic controllers may only influence the displays of the traffic controller to which the sensors are coupled (e.g., physically coupled, communicatively coupled).

In some examples, the hallway mode default button <NUM> provides default settings in which the first traffic controller <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the second traffic controller <NUM> such that the first traffic controller <NUM> is influenced by the second traffic controller <NUM> and the second traffic controller <NUM> is influenced by the first traffic controller <NUM>. In other words, in the hallway mode, sensors of the traffic controllers influence the displays of other traffic controllers.

<FIG> illustrates an example table <NUM> including inputs from the various sensors and outputs of the various displays of, for example, the first and/or second traffic controllers <NUM>, <NUM>.

A flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions for implementing the first traffic controller <NUM>, the second traffic controller <NUM>, the input <NUM>, the output <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, the database <NUM> and/or the configurer <NUM> of <FIG> is shown in <FIG>. In this example, the machine readable instructions comprise a program for execution by a processor such as the processor <NUM> shown in the example processor platform <NUM> discussed below in connection with <FIG>. The program may be embodied in software stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor <NUM>, but the entire program and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than the processor <NUM> and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware. Further, although the example program is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>, many other methods of implementing the first traffic controller <NUM>, the second traffic controller <NUM>, the input <NUM>, the output <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, the database <NUM> and/or the configurer <NUM> of <FIG> may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.

As mentioned above, the example processes of <FIG> may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a cache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable storage medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and transmission media. As used herein, "tangible computer readable storage medium" and "tangible machine readable storage medium" are used interchangeably. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes of <FIG> may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/or machine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, a random-access memory and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and transmission media. As used herein, when the phrase "at least" is used as the transition term in a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term "comprising" is open ended.

The program of <FIG> begins at block <NUM> by a floor plan being accessed and/or obtained (block <NUM>) by, for example, a user accessing and/or obtaining a default floor plan <NUM>, <NUM> using the configurer <NUM> and/or one or more of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the user accessing and/or obtaining a floor plan <NUM>, <NUM> using the configurer <NUM> and/or one or more of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the user providing input using the configurer <NUM> and/or one or more of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> on the floor plan <NUM>, <NUM>. The program accesses or obtains the positioning of a traffic controller(s) relative to the floor plan (block <NUM>) by, for example, a user identifying a location of the traffic controllers <NUM>, <NUM> on the floor plan <NUM>, <NUM> using the configurer <NUM> and/or one or more of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The program identifies input sensors that are active (block <NUM>) by, for example, a user using the configurer <NUM> and/or one or more of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to identify which of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are to be used based on the type of intersection (e.g., four-way intersection, a three-way intersection) in which the traffic controller <NUM>, <NUM> is implemented.

The program identifies output displays that are active (block <NUM>) by, for example, a user using the configurer <NUM> and/or one or more of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to identify which of the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are to be used based on the type of intersection (e.g., four-way intersection, a three-way intersection) in which the traffic controller <NUM>, <NUM> is implemented.

A relationship between a sensor input and an output display is defined (block <NUM>) by, for example, a user using the configurer <NUM> and/or one or more of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to identify a relationship between one or more of the display outputs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and one or more of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, the configurer <NUM> and/or the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are receive inputs to differentiate between pedestrians and vehicles. In some examples, such inputs enable no signals to be provided when pedestrian traffic is identified and no vehicle traffic is identified.

The program determines if there is another relationship between a sensor input and an output display is to be defined (block <NUM>).

A simulation input is received (block <NUM>) by, for example, a user using the configurer <NUM> and/or one or more of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to simulate one of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> detecting a vehicle and/or a pedestrian. A simulation output is provided (block <NUM>) by, for example, displaying a response to an input(s) received from one or more or the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> using the configurer <NUM> and/or one or more of the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The program determines if another simulation sensor input is to be received (block <NUM>).

<FIG> is a block diagram of an example processor platform <NUM> capable of executing the instructions of <FIG> to implement the first traffic controller <NUM>, the second traffic controller <NUM>, the input <NUM>, the output <NUM>, the processor <NUM> and the database <NUM> and/or the configurer <NUM> of <FIG>. The processor platform <NUM> can be, for example, a server, a personal computer, a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as an iPad™), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, or any other type of computing device.

The input device(s) <NUM> permit(s) a user to enter data and commands into the processor <NUM>.

The output devices <NUM> can be implemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen, a tactile output device, a light emitting diode (LED), a printer and/or speakers). The interface circuit <NUM> of the illustrated example, thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chip or a graphics driver processor.

In some examples, the network interface is implemented using an RS-<NUM> serial interface.

The coded instructions <NUM> of <FIG> may be stored in the mass storage device <NUM>, in the volatile memory <NUM>, in the non-volatile memory <NUM>, and/or on a removable tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the above disclosed methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture relate to providing different warning levels when there is traffic identified approaching an intersection in one direction and when there is traffic identified approaching the intersection in two directions. In some examples, a heightened warning is provided to the traffic approaching from separate directions and a lesser warning is provided in a direction in which no traffic is detected.

In some examples, by providing an alert in the direction where the traffic (e.g., vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic) is present, the examples disclosed herein substantially ensure that operators and/or pedestrians are not desensitized to the warnings. The examples disclosed herein provide a warning signal (e.g., a first signal) when traffic is detected from, for example, only one direction and a danger signal when an impending collision is detected. In some examples, the sensors are configured to differentiate between a vehicle (e.g., a fork truck) and a pedestrian to enable warning signals and/or danger signals to be provided when a vehicle is present and not to provide warning signals and/or danger signals when a vehicle is not present but a pedestrian(s) is identified as being present.

In some examples, to provide additional and/or alternative signaling to an operator and/or a pedestrian, a warning(s) may be projected onto the floor or in any other direction. In some examples, the projection may be an illuminated shape, an illuminated symbol, a solid signal, a flashing signal, a combination of a solid signal and a flashing signal, a pictographic warning symbol. In some examples, the projection source (e.g., the traffic controller) may be wall mounted, ceiling mounted and be employed using lights, lasers, etc. In some examples, the example traffic controllers include sensors facing the same direction having different detection zones and different displays facing the same direction where one of the displays is mounted overhead and another of the displays is mounted at eye level to enable additional signals to be provided in a single direction.

In examples where multiple intersections are present, the example traffic controllers may communicate and/or be networked together to enable a first traffic controller to provide input to a second traffic controller. For example, an oncoming vehicle identified approaching a first traffic controller from the North may cause warning signals to be displayed at the South side of first traffic controller, the East side of the first traffic controller, the West side of the first traffic controller and cause the East side of a second traffic controller to also display a warning signal. In other examples, when an oncoming vehicle is identified approaching a first traffic controller from the North and an oncoming vehicle is identified approaching a second traffic controller from the East, a first traffic controller and/or a second traffic controller may cause a danger signal to be displayed at the North side of the first traffic controller and for warning signals to be displayed at the South side of first traffic controller, the East side of the first traffic controller, the West side of the first traffic controller. Additionally, in this example, because the first and second traffic controllers are communicatively coupled, the traffic controller and/or the second traffic controller may cause a danger signal to be displayed at the East side of the second traffic controller and for warning signals to be displayed at the South side of second traffic controller, the North side of the second traffic controller, the West side of the second traffic controller.

In some examples, to enable the examples disclosed herein to be dynamically configurable and for the traffic controllers to be usable with different layouts (e.g., four-way intersections, etc.), input may be received to identify which sensors influence which warning directions. For example, a North sensor input from a first traffic controller may be identified to influence and/or cause a warning and/or danger signal to be displayed at an East warning direction of a second traffic controller. In some examples, after the example traffic controllers are dynamically configured, example simulations may be run to enable a user to verify the configurations.

In examples in which the traffic controllers are used with three-way intersections, the traffic controller may include displays and sensors facing three directions and include a blank on the fourth face. To retrofit and/or convert a three-way traffic controller to a four-way traffic controller, the blank may be removed and a panel including a display and/or a sensor may be coupled to the traffic controller in place of the blank. In some examples, the display and/or the sensor may be coupled to (e.g., plugged into) a printed circuit board (PCB) of the traffic controller to enable communication between the traffic controller, the sensor, the display and/or the configurer.

As set forth herein, an example apparatus includes a first sensor to be directed in a first direction to detect oncoming traffic; a first display to face the first direction; a second sensor to be directed in a second direction to detect oncoming traffic; a second display to face the second direction; and a processor, the processor to define a relationship between the first sensor and the second display, the relationship to cause the second display to display a first signal in response to the first sensor identifying traffic and a second signal in response to the first sensor and the second sensor identifying traffic, the first signal indicative of a first warning level, the second signal indicative of a second warning level greater than the first warning level, in response to traffic being identified by the first sensor and no traffic being identified by the second sensor, the processor to cause the first signal to be displayed by the second display and for no signal to be displayed by the first display.

In some examples, the relationship is a first relationship, further including: a third sensor to be directed in a third direction to detect oncoming traffic; a third display to face the third direction; a fourth sensor to be directed in a fourth direction to detect oncoming traffic; and a fourth display to face the second direction, the processor to define a second relationship between the first sensor and the third display, the processor to define a third relationship between the first sensor and the fourth display, the second relationship to cause the third display to display the first signal in response to the first sensor identifying traffic and the second signal in response to the first sensor and the third sensor identifying traffic, the third relationship to cause the fourth display to display the first signal in response to the first sensor identifying traffic and the second signal in response to the first sensor and the fourth sensor identifying traffic.

In some examples, the relationship is a first relationship, the processor is to define a second relationship between the second sensor and first display, the second relationship to cause the first display to display the first signal in response to the second sensor identifying traffic and the second signal in response to the first sensor and the second sensor identifying traffic. In some examples, in response to traffic being identified by the second sensor and no traffic being identified by the first sensor, the processor is to cause the first signal to be displayed by the first display and for no signal to be displayed by the second display. In some examples, in response to the traffic being identified by the first sensor and traffic being identified by the second sensor, the processor is to cause the second signal to be displayed by the first display and the second signal to be displayed by the second display. In some examples, the apparatus includes a housing including the first sensor, the first display, the second sensor, and the second display.

In some examples, the apparatus includes a third sensor to be directed in the first direction to detect oncoming traffic and a third display facing the first direction, the first sensor to monitor a first zone to identify oncoming traffic, the third sensor to monitor a second zone to identify oncoming traffic, the first display to be positioned at a first location and the third display to be positioned at a second location. In some examples, the first sensor, the first display, the second sensor, and the second display are to be disposed at a first intersection, the relationship is a first relationship, further including: a third sensor to be directed in a third direction to detect oncoming traffic; a third display to face the third direction, the third sensor and the third display to be disposed at a second intersection; the processor to define a second relationship between the first sensor and the third display, the second relationship to cause the third display to display the first signal in response to the first sensor identifying traffic and the second signal in response to the first sensor and the third sensor identifying traffic.

In some examples, the apparatus includes an input to enable the relationship between the first sensor and the second display to be dynamically defined. In some examples, the input is associated with a modular device, a mobile device, or a computer. In some examples, the first display defines the first signal and the second signal, lights of the second signal surrounding lights of the first signal. In some examples, the second signal includes different illuminated signals in different directions.

An example apparatus includes a first display facing a first direction; a second display facing a second direction; a third display facing a third direction; and a processor, in response to a first input being received indicative of traffic approaching the first display and no traffic approaching the second display and the third display, the processor to cause the second display and the third display to display a first signal and for the first display not to display the first signal or a second signal, the first signal indicative of a first warning level, the second signal indicative of a second warning level greater than the first warning level, the first signal being illuminatable on the second display, the second signal being illuminatable on the second display, the first signal, when illuminated, being disposed within a perimeter of the second signal, when illuminated.

In some examples, in response to a second input being received indicative of traffic approaching the first display and the second display and no traffic approaching the third display, the processor to cause the first display and the second display to display the second signal and for the third display to display the first signal. In some examples, the apparatus includes a first sensor to be directed in the first direction to detect oncoming traffic, a second sensor to be directed in the second direction to detect oncoming traffic, a third sensor to be directed in the third direction to detect oncoming traffic, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor to provide input to the processor indicative of traffic approaching the respective ones of the first display, the second display, and the third display.

In some examples, the first signal is a first illuminated shape and the second signal is a second illuminated shape. In some examples, the apparatus includes a housing including the first display, the second display, and the third display. In some examples, the first display, the second display, and the third display are to be disposed at a first intersection, further including a fourth display facing a fourth direction, the fourth display to be disposed at a second intersection, in response to second input being received indicative of traffic approaching the first display and no traffic approaching the fourth display, the processor to cause the fourth display to display the first signal and for the first display not to display the first signal or the second signal.

An example method includes defining a relationship between a first sensor and a second display, the first sensor to be directed in a first direction and the second display to be directed in a second direction, the relationship to enable the second display to: display a first signal in response to a first input indicative of traffic approaching a first display and traffic not approaching the second display; and display a second signal in response to a second input indicative of traffic approaching the first display and traffic approaching the second display, the first signal indicative of a first warning level, the second signal indicative of a second warning level greater than the first warning level; receiving the first input; displaying the first signal from the second display; and not displaying the first signal or the second signal from the first display. In some examples, the method includes receiving the second input and displaying the second signal from the first display and displaying the second signal from the second display.

Claim 1:
An apparatus, comprising:
a first sensor to detect traffic approaching an intersection from a first direction;
a second sensor to detect traffic approaching the intersection from a second direction different than the first direction;
a first display panel to:
face toward the first direction;
generate a first warning signal; and
generate a second warning signal, the first warning signal associated with a higher warning level than the second warning signal; and
a second display panel to:
face toward the second direction;
generate the first warning signal; and
generate the second warning signal;
a database to store a relationship between the first and second display panels and the first and second sensors; and
processor circuitry to control operation of the first and second display panels based on the relationship,
wherein the relationship is to cause the first display panel to generate the first warning signal in response to inputs from the first and second sensors indicating traffic approaching the intersection from the second direction is detected concurrently with traffic approaching the intersection from the first direction detected, and to generate the second warning signal in response to the inputs indicating traffic approaching the intersection from the second direction is detected concurrently with traffic approaching the intersection from the first direction not being detected, and
wherein the relationship is to cause the second display panel to generate the first warning signal in response to the first and second sensors indicating traffic approaching the intersection from the first direction is detected concurrently with traffic approaching the intersection from the second direction detected, and to generate the second warning signal in response to the first and second sensor indicating traffic approaching the intersection from the first direction is detected concurrently with traffic approaching the intersection from the second direction not being detected.