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US 6,441,750 B1Granted
Light alignment system for electronically steerable light output in traffic signals
AssigneePower Signal Technologies, Inc.
InventorMichael C. Hutchison
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solid state traffic control signal adapted to facilitate light alignment and viewing angles during installation. The traffic control signal includes a video camera or a detachable optical sighting system with a grid representing the various viewing angles of individual LED's for quick alignment and viewing angle programming. This system greatly reduces the amount of trial-and-error and multi-man requirements for installation.
Claims20
A control light comprising:
- a housing;
- a solid state light source comprising an array of LED's coupled to said housing and adapted to generate a light beam;
- and
- an alignment device comprising a video camera optically coupled to said light source providing an image indicating an orientation of said light beam, said image including a grid defining a plurality of windows, each said window being associated with at least one LED in said array.
1 more element
A method of aligning a traffic control light, comprising:
- a housing;
- an array of LEDs coupled to said housing and adapted to generate a light beam;
- and
- an optical alignment device optically coupled to said LED array providing an indication of the orientating said light beam is oriented, wherein said optical alignment device generates markings comprising a grid defining windows, each window aligned with respect to a respective LED in said array, wherein each said window is associated with one of the LEDs;
- comprising steps of:
- orienting a direction of said light beam by using said optical alignment device, further comprising the step of associating objects with said windows to determine which objects are illuminated by said LEDs.
3 more elements
A control light, comprising:
- a housing;
- a solid state light source coupled to said housing and adapted to generate a light beam;
- an alignment device comprising an optical sighting apparatus optically coupled to said light source providing an Indication of the orientation said light beam;
- and
- a transparent member disposed to pass said light beam, said transparent member having markings operative with said optical sighting apparatus to facilitate indicating the orientation said light beam is directed.
2 more elements
A control light, comprising:
- a solid state light source comprised of an LED array adapted to generate a light beam;
- a video camera generating an image associated with an orientation of said light beam;
- and
- a control adapted to turn selected said LEDs on and off as a function of the video image to steer the light beam.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.