Fault detection for traffic light systems using electronic lighting elements

An optical assembly for providing lighting signals in a traffic light system, said optical assembly comprising:

• a plurality of electronic lighting elements;
• a power control circuit coupled to said plurality of electronic lighting elements;
• a monitoring circuit having a monitoring input and a monitoring output, said monitoring input being coupled to said power control circuit;
• and
• an indicator controller comprising:
• a control signal generator having at least one control input and a control output;
• and
• a power control section having an actuating input and a blocking section, said actuating input being coupled to said control output, said blocking section being coupled to said power control circuit and at least one electronic lighting element of said plurality of electronic lighting elements.

A traffic light system to provide traffic light signals, said traffic light system comprising:

• at least one optical assembly having:
• a plurality of electronic lighting elements;
• a power control circuit coupled to said plurality of electronic lighting elements;
• a monitoring circuit having a monitoring input and a monitoring output, said monitoring input being coupled to said power control circuit;
• and
• an indicator controller comprising:
• a control signal generator having at least one control input and a control output;
• and
• a power control section, having an actuating input and a blocking section, said actuating input being coupled to said control output, said blocking section being coupled to said power control circuit and at least one electronic lighting element of said plurality of electronic lighting elements.

A method for fault indication in a traffic light system by an indicator controller, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a comparator input signal when the amplitude of a monitored signal exceeds a predetermined threshold relative to a reference setting;
• comparing said comparator input signal with a comparator threshold;
• disabling a control signal based upon said comparing step;
• and
• blocking current flow through at least one electronic element of a plurality of electronic lighting elements of said traffic light system.