Abstract: A traffic light timer is provided that provides a visible and accurate warning that a traffic light signal is about to change. The time remaining before the change is displayed in numeric form on a display and visibly counts down the seconds remaining. In one configuration of the invention, the display is alphanumeric. In another configuration the display is graphical allowing for the display of free form icons. The icon library is contained on an easily replaced icon memory module.

Abstract: The present invention is a locator device for the visually impaired including a transmitter and a dual sensing system having a receiver with earphones which are attached to opposite sides of a unit worn on the user's head. The sensing system is capable of determining a direction and distance of the signal, and capable of producing first and second audible notifiers in each of the earphones. The notifier produced in each earphone is different and is associated with the direction and distance of the transmitted signal. When the notifier produced in each earphone is the same, the user is directly in front of the desired object to be located.

Abstract: A cross-walk warning light system for warning drivers that a pedestrian has entered a cross-walk by shining a light, preferably a laser, having a beam parallel to the cross-walk. The cross-walk warning light system detects a pedestrian entering the cross-walk and activates a light that is aimed across the intersection, thus the driver sees this beam of light, which is projected across the intersection and is warned of the presence of a pedestrian in the cross-walk. The cross-walk warning light system is timed so as to deactivate the light after a predetermined interval of time. In the preferred embodiment, a first and an adjacent laser are spaced apart a distance substantially the width of the crosswalk, provide parallel beams of light on each side of the cross-walk. Also in the preferred embodiment, a second laser, disposed at the opposite end of the crosswalk, provides a second beam of light, aimed substantially co-linearly with the first.

Abstract: A vehicle pedestrian communication system including portable transmitting and receiving devices carried by the pedestrians, designed to generate request signals corresponding to the data related to the destinations desired by the pedestrians. The portable transmitting and receiving devices also designed to detect an acceptance signal from a vehicle. The system also comprises on-board transmitting and receiving devices for the vehicles designed to detect request signals generated by the portable transmitting and receiving devices and generate an acceptance signal for transmission to an inquiring pedestrian.

Abstract: A rearview mirror with an operating condition display to be positioned in front of a driver's seat within the passenger cabin of a vehicle is composed of an operating display provided with an operating condition display portion visible through the windshield by illumination of preselected portions thereof and a rearview mirror which is capable of being adjusted to a predetermined angle of use with respect to the operating condition display construction.

Abstract: Sound signaling and optical signaling at a crosswalk are both activated by a single push button. An activation of optical signaling such as green and red figurines is immediate, whereas the transmission of a sound message authorizing or forbidding a crossing is activated only when the pedestrian pushes the button for a predetermined time. The generation device for sound signals is controlled by a microprocessor including logic and analog inputs and outputs, the messages being stored in digital form and transmitted according to the ADPCM method.

Abstract: A radio frequency message apparatus for aiding ambulatory travel by handicapped persons such as blind individuals. The apparatus generally comprises a portable, radio frequency transceiver and a stationary, radio frequency base transceiver unit. The portable radio frequency transceiver is carried on the person of the handicapped individual and transmits a message request signal in response to manual activation of a transmit button thereon by the handicapped individual. The message request signal is received by the base transceiver, which causes the base transceiver to transmit a pre-recorded message signal back to the portable transceiver unit in radio frequency form. The message signal contains location identifying information such as the streets of an intersection at which the base unit is located.

Abstract: A pedestrian crossing signal which incorporates a face plate having a "WALK" symbol and a "DONT WALK" symbol. The "WALK" symbol is illuminated by a mercury vapor tubular lamp mounted on the planar rear wall of a housing and which emits white light, and the "DONT WALK" symbol is illuminated by a neon tubular lamp also mounted on the planar rear wall of the housing and which emits red or orange light. At least a portion of the rear wall of the housing on which the tubular lamps are mounted is formed of heat conductive material. This material serves to conduct heat from the neon lamp to the mercury vapor lamp when the former is illuminated to obviate any likelihood of failure of the mercury vapor lamp to become illuminated when it is energized even in cold weather.

Abstract: A street crossing signal for the visually impaired is disclosed. The signal acts cooperatively with the traffic signals to provide a tactile indication of the proper time to cross a street. A vibrator unit is retained relative to a panel having an indicator window therethrough which allows contact with the vibrator unit. The vibrator unit is retained relative to the panel and frame so that vibration of the unit is not transferred to the panel or the frame.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicles and pedestrians on intersecting one-way roadways. Vehicles on a first one-way street are only allowed, with a "go" signal to either cross the intersection and continue on the street or to turn onto the intersecting one-way street. The vehicles on the intersecting, second one-way street are stopped while vehicles on the first street are moving. During this time pedestrians are allowed to cross in front of the stopped vehicles on the second one-way street. Then, when the light changes, the vehicle traffic on the second one-way street are only allowed to turn onto the first one-way street, i.e., they are blocked from crossing the intersection and continuing onto the second one-way street. During this time, the vehicles on the first one-way street are blocked, too, from entering the intersection.

Abstract: A portable electronic warning device for temporary conditions including a sensor to detect the presence of a pedestrian at a minimum first predetermined position, the sensor connected to circuitry which provides output to a plurality of focusing lights, preferably concentric bands of light, which direct the attention of the pedestrian to a message positioned concentrically within the lights, the device optionally including an audible alarm to simultaneously audibly alert a pedestrian.

Abstract: A siren detector for detecting siren sounds which precess at known yelp, wail and high-low warble rates within a selected frequency band. A transducer detects siren sounds and produces a corresponding electrical output signal. The output signal is filtered to reject signal frequencies outside the selected frequency band. The signal amplitude is monitored and varied as required to produce a constant amplitude output signal. The constant amplitude output signal is low pass filtered for detection of siren high-low sounds and is also low pass filtered for detection and output of precession signals which pass through a selected center frequency. Subsequent filters are provided for detecting signals which vary at the wail and yelp warble rates. Wail, high-low and yelp warble rate signals output by the various filters respectively trigger wail and yelp clock generators which in turn drive don't walk and red light output flip-flops respectively.

Abstract: An audio-tactile pedestrian signalling system for use in conjunction with traffic control signal installation having a transducer (16) providing audio and tactile signals by means of signal generator (11, 12, 13, 14). The transducer acts as a microphone to provide a feedback signal to an automatic gain control circuit (19) to adjust the signal to noise level ratio with respect to ambient traffic noise.

Abstract: A street crossing signal device for blind pedestrians. The device indicates the directions of pedestrian crosswalks at an intersection, so that the blind person can orient himself in a desired direction for crossing the street at one of the crosswalks, and provides a signal to that person when that crosswalk is safe for pedestrian crossing. The device comprises a pair of rigid hand rails secured to a post at the corner of the intersection, each hand rail having at least a portion thereof oriented in the direction of a corresponding crosswalk. The device further comprises a vibrator means which is secured within each hand rail. The vibrator means when actuated causes its associated hand rail to vibrate. Also provided is means to mechanically isolate each hand rail from the post so that vibrations from the hand rails are not transmitted to the post.

Abstract: A visor assembly for a pedestrian traffic signal, which is intended to be mounted across the face of the signal and which serves to screen the signal from sunlight. The visor assembly of the invention includes a frame, and a grating mounted in the frame. The grating is formed of a plurality of zig-zag strips and straight strips interposed between one another, and adhesively attached to one another, so as to provide a solid grating which is locked into the frame, and which cannot be pried out of the frame by vandals.