FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to Traffic Light Systems. More particularly, the invention
relates to a multifunctional compact traffic light system having a multiple multi-
color LEDs to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The existing traffic lights on the road generally consists of five lamps that is Red,
Yellow, Green, Left turn and Right turn.
(a)Conventional Traffic Lights using Electric Lamps
1. The high prevalence of traffic lights for controlling the flow attest to the
effectiveness in reducing the incidence of accidents and more recently, their
utility in controlling the flow of traffic in large metropolitan areas has been
reinforced. The basic traffic lights still employ red, yellow and green filters
over incandescent bulbs that are sequentially turned on and off by an
electromechanical timing switch or by solid state controllers. Each bulb is
electrically coupled to a conventional power source, such as conventional
power distribution network.
2. One of the main drawbacks associated with the use of conventional traffic
lights arise in situations when the source of electrical energy to the bulb is cut
off, such as in the event of a power failure. The use conventional traffic
lights have become so widespread and embedded in present day

transportation culture that the situation often creates traffic chaos and may
lead to potentially dangerous situations.
3. Another drawback of the conventional system is that it consumes very hgih
power making it difficult to provide a battery back up system in case of power
failure.
4. A still another drawback is that the conventional system has to have three
casings to hold three lamps of different colors due to high heat generated by
the differently colored incandescent bulbs.
5. Highly inefficient and expensive requiring bulky controls and involves low
efficiency.
(b)Conventional Traffic Lights using LEDs
1. The major drawback in such a conventional system is that ist is expensive as
it requires more labour for manufacturing but is efficient, having possibility of
battery back up because it consumes very less power.
2. Although it consumes much less power and no heating is involves for
emission of light, however all the three colours are still hosed in three
different casings. It is mainly due to inefficient control system used to drive
the LEDs of the system.
3. Another drawback is that, the system makes use of limited functionality
without adapting additional functionality available to the current days LEDs.

4. The system still consumes higher power due to provision of inefficient driving
mechanism and hence, battery back up is expensive. Further, direct driving
of the LEDs reduces the life of the system vis-a-vis the LEDs.
As the known systems having LED signal modules make use of hundreds of
individual LEDs to generate the light that is sufficient and satisfactory for spatial
distribution, the large number of LEDs leads to a more expensive module
requiring higher power consumption. The increased power usage in turn, leads
to greater thermal output, which, if not adequately addressed at additional
expense, largely affects the reliability of the system.
In the conventional system, centralized monitoring and parameter setting to
individual light on busy roads and synchronization thereof is not possible.
In the conventional system, the maintenance personnel have to go to each light
for checking malfunctioning leading to waste of time and cost.
In the conventional system, fuse of one bulb/LED makes the entire system un-
functional.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a multifunctional compact
traffic light system which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to propose a multifunctional compact traffic
light system which is controllable from a central control room.

An yet another object of the invention is to propose a multifunctional compact
traffic light system which is capable of functioning during power failure with an
in-built battery back-up device.
A still another object of the invention is to propose a multifunctional compact
traffic light system which is capable of maintaining full functionality even in case
of malfunctioning a partial number of LEDs.
A further object of the invention is to propose a multifunctional compact traffic
light system which is capable to accommodate all the LEDs of different colors in
one housing.
A still further object of the invention is to propose a multifunctional compact
traffic light system which consumes less power.
An yet further object of the invention is to propose a multifunctional compact
traffic light system which is less costly in respect of initial construction including
maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventor in course of arriving at the present invention has considered several
issues while using LEDs in lieu of incandescent lamps for traffic signals and other
applications. First, the light emitted from a given LED is of low intensity
compared to that of a comparably large sized incandescent lamp. Second,
conventional LEDs emit light in a relatively tight pattern that requires
redistribution of that light in order to attain spatial distributions in compliance
with, for example, Institute of Transportation Engineers requirements or other
Regulations. Due to thermal sensitivity of the LEDs, heat generated during

operation of the LEDs and associated components must be low enough inter-alia
must be adequately dissipated to ensure reliable operation of the system over
extreme temperature ranges.
Accordingly, there is provided a multifunctional compact traffic light system
comprising a plurality of triangular clusters formed using LEDs of the three
colours for example red, green and yellow. The clusters are then put into arrays
forming a matrix so that it becomes possible to address individual colour cluster
and then individual LED in the cluster.
A micro controller and a real-time operating system is provided to drive individual
LEDs in individual cluster in the matrix.
The operating system is based on the FACT RTOS and the SAS technology. The
micro controller structure is selected based on the SOC technology. According to
the invention, it is possible to drive individual LED, and thus an alpha numeric
message, viz., STOP/GO, etc. can be written using respective colours. It can
animate the graphic/picture wherever required, viz. pedestrian, crossing in
green, etc.
The invention enables accommodating LEDs of the three colours into a single
casing which reduces the cost to a great extent, that is nearly 30% in materials
and more than 50% in labour during manufacturing of a compact traffic light
system. The invention reduces the maintenance cost without compromising on
the functionality of the system.
The system also provides means for centralized monitoring and parameter
setting to individual lights due to adaptation of the SAS (Station Automation
System) technology.

Individual light has its own memory to store up to 40 parameters per day and for
30 days extendable to 365 days. Because system uses the non-volatile type of
memory, no battery power is wasted to maintain the data/parameters. It can
keep additional 32 parameters for manipulating the traffic manually through light
in situations on extraordinary rush/crowd.
The parameters can be altered in the event of emergencies.
Since the system uses SOC technology, the component count relatively is much
less which ensures high reliability and low power consumption, hence longer
battery back ups are possible.
All connectivity through modems (Landlines/GSM/WLL/VSAT/SMS) from the
central monitoring unit to the individual light are possible for data transfer.
Synchronization of signals is possible. All the signals on a ring/circular road in
synchronization with each other at a particular speed range. So the vehicles
crossing the signal on green light will find all the further signals green if the
driving of the vehicle is within the speed range.
Centralized Monitoring means allows monitoring the health and functionality of
the individual traffic light including power on/off. Such monitoring enables the
control room to know the functioning of the light and can send the maintenance
person to a particular traffic signal whichever is malfunctioning.
The estimated cost reduction is to nearly 30% in materials and more than 50%
in labour during manufacturing of the traffic light system and the efficiency will
be increased by 98%. It also reduces the maintenance cost without
compromising on the functionality.

SYSTEM DESIGN
The proposed invention will be better understood from the following description
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 (a and b) is conventional outside view of a typical 3 lamp and single
lamp traffic light system.
Figure 2 represents traffic system with LEDs by SAS-Embedded server according
to the invention.
Figure 3 shows schematically controller connected with SAS-Embedded server of
the traffic light system according to the invention.
Figure 4 shows schematically Intelligent Traffic Light System with Base Module
and complete unit/system according to the invention.
■ Each Led pair is placed in a manner so that the maximum area is illuminated
with a particular colour.
The combination is in series and parallel in such a way even if one LED blows or
fuses because of some reason, the system keeps functioning
■ The driver used to drive the LEDs is based on MOSFET technology which
gives very high reliability with protection to the system.
■ The controller is based on the Embedded technology of micro-controllers with
application oriented Real-time operating system.

■ The system is built with non-volatile memory to keep the program sent to it
by the controller and then manages the light locally to avoid unnecessary
burden on the micro-controller. The system has the EZLAN in-built with
Embedded network compatibility. This can help synchronizing the traffic
signals at multiple locations viz. ring roads or a stretch of road with number
of signals.
Figure 2 shows the mode of operation of red, green and yellow LED when
functioned in combination of two or all the colours when operated and controlled
through SAS- The Embedded server. The system has unlimited memory with
virtual brain built into it. It consumes very low power and through this system.
In this system the specifically designed triangular clusters are formed using three
colours red, green and yellow LEDs. Clusters are then formed into arrays so that
it becomes possible to address individual colour cluster and the individual LED in
the clusters.
MICRO CONTROLLER
The micro-controller is an imput device for setting up time and sequence of
operation of the signals.
It has connectivity to SAS (Station Automation System) - Embedded server
based on FACT RTORS which will receive the program number and other
parameters for a first side of the signal and transfer the program to a second
side of the signal. The controller will get the feed back from the signal on a LCD
display to ensure correct transfer of data.

The controller can store up to 9 programs expandable to 99 or more, if required.
All the sides of signal will be receiving the selected program from the server and
then keep giving the feed back to the central monitoring means showing the
status of all the signal lights on a control panel display.
Controller 8888 in Fig 3 has points such as 123, 456, 789 at which signals from
the networking device enter the control monitoring station. The driver
ASDFGHJKL is of MOSFET type. The controller is real time operating system
which is used to drive individual LED in individual cluster (1, 2, 3, or 4) in entire
matrix.
Figure 4 shows schematically the Intelligent Traffic Light system according to the
invention. It has two main components 1) Basic Module and 2) a complete
Unit/system.
The 1st unit consist of a logie controller (ASLC), Mosfet Driver, Timer Display, 4
set of LED array (3 RG and 1 RY), the said unit being connected both way
through a RS Port 232 to the second unit consisting of LCD display, a keyboard
operating with red, green or yellow indicating to feed data to ASLC to store in its
memory and control when change is required, a 7 segment LED for selection of
timing of LED display for traffic control and a SAS- Embedded server system
being connected via port 232 with both the units 1 and 2 on receiving signals
and adapted to process all the parameters by the two units in a synchronized
manner.

GENERAL PARAMETERS OF THE INNOVATED COMPACT TRAFFIC LIGHT
SYSTEM
■ Can store data up to 64 parameter's time/day and can keep data for 30 days
optionally extendable to 365 days.
■ Special setting up to 32 timing for special occasions.
■ Optionally can have audio output for social messages.
■ Choice of relaying emergency messages.
■ Multi-level Embedded Networking Compatible
■ Time Tested SAS- The Embedded server Technology
■ Easy to synchronize all the signal lights on the corss road.
■ On circular ring roads and highways it is possible to synchronize all the cross
roads.
■ Possible to control all the traffic signals from a central control room.
■ Single light shows all the colours. It is possible to show them individually or
in combination simultaneously.
■ Reduces the cost by almost 30 to 40% in material and more than 50% labour
cost, power efficient.
■ Reliable, very low power consuming and most efficient. Easy to upgrade in
the field, as well as from the central control, to set parameter.
■ Employs data transfer means for synchronizing, which reduces the error in
transmission to near zero.
■ Can facilitate the control centre to monitor the individual traffic signal. In
auto mode it can indicate on the central control room about the
malfunctioning of a particular signal and any signal can be disabled from the
control room in the event of special VIP movement.
■ It can animate the picture, viz. pedestrian movement etc.

■ Any alfa numeric message up to 4 character/page/colour can be
displayed/flashed individually on the traffic light.
■ Option to make it a moving message display giving message up to 48
characters.
SALIENT FEATURES
1. Low power consumption
2. Minimum hardware
3. Possibility of Embedded Networking
4. High bright LED used for display
5. Feed back on control panel connectivity display about all the lights
6. Low fabrication cost
7. Low fabrication cost low maintenance practically near zero
8. Simple installation
9. Central monitoring possible for all signals
10. Message scroller connectivity possible
11. Connectivity to central station via Land-line/GSM/WILL MODEM possible
TERMS
ASLC-Application Specific Logic Controller
It should be understood that the compact traffic light of the invention can
include more auxiliary elements, and can be of a different configuration.
However, for the purpose of illustration of the present invention, only the
essential components are schematically illustrated. It shall also be understood
that the present invention can be used with other types of traffic lights without

departing from the scope of the present invention, by making appropriate
modifications.
However, it should be apparent to a person skilled in the filed that the present
invention is not limited to LEDs, and that any other light source, based on any
other technology or pico technology or KRD technology, which proivdes adequate
luminosity and low power consumption will meet the objects of the present
invention.
The invention as narrated herein with exemplary embodiments is defined within
the scope and limit of in the invention in the appended claims.

WE CLAIM
1. A multifunctional compact traffic light system controllable from a central
control room comprising of
■ A plurality of triangular clusters formed using LEDs of three colours such as
red, green and yellow and clusters transformed into array forming a matrix;
■ The said matrix of arrays being addressed to individual cluster and then
individual LED in the cluster being operated and controlled by an integrated
operating system with a micro controller and a SAS (Station Automation
System)-Embedded server based on FACTRTO as real time operating system
consisting of two units namely basic module and complete unit wherein the
first unit comprises of a logic controller (ASLC) for setting up time and
sequencing of operation of the signals of LEDs, Mosfet Driver to drive the
LEDs connected with the logic controller, a timer display, multiple sets of LED
arrays (RG and RY), synchronizing means of signals (EZLAN) and the second
unit consist of a LCD display, a keyboard operating to feed data to ASLC to
store in its memory and control when change is necessary, a multiple
segment LED for selection of timing of LED display for traffic control and a
SAS-Embedded server device being connected via a port 232 to the first unit
and is adapted to process all the parameters on program number being fed
from the controller and transfer the program to the second unit of the signal
transmission and thus showing the status of all the signal lights on a control
panel display via a central monitoring means.
2. A traffic light system as clamed in claim 1 wherein the signal unit takes care
of all the possible directional instructions from the traffic movement in
straight, left and right directions.

3. A traffic light system as claimed in claim 1 wherein individual light has its own
non volatile memory built-in with the system to store upto 40 parameters per
day and for 30 days extendable to 365 days and the system has additional 32
parameters for manipulating the traffic manually through light in situation of
extraordinary rush/crowd.
4. A traffic light system as claimed in claim 3 wherein due to having non volatile
memory of a light signals no power is wasted to maintain data/parameters.
5. A traffic light system as claimed in claim 1 wherein all the connectivity
between the two units for data transfer are carried out through modems
(Land line/GSM/WLL/VSAT/SMS) from the central monitoring unit to the
individual light.
6. A traffic light system as claimed in the preceding claims wherein monitoring
the health and functionality of an individual traffic signal at the centre
including power on/off is carried out through the centralized monitoring
means and enable the control room to know the function/malfunction of the
light signal and check/maintain a particular traffic signal.
7. A traffic light system as claimed in the preceding claims wherein Led pair is
placed in a manner that maximum area is illuminated with a particular colour
and the LEDs are arranged in series and parallel combination in such a way
that the light signal system keeps functioning even if one LED blows or fuses.
8. A traffic light system as claimed in the preceding claims wherein the system is
operable with embedded networking compatibility with in-built synchronizer E
ZLAN to synchronize the traffic signals at multiple locations viz ring roads or a
stretch of road with multiple number of signals.

9. A traffic light system as claimed in claim 1 wherein all the sides of light signal
will receive the selected program form the server and then keep giving the
feed back to the central monitoring means.
10. A traffic light system as claimed in the preceding claims wherein on driving
individual LED an alpha numeric message viz STOP/GO etc. is written using
respective colours and animate the graphic/picture wherever required viz
pedestrian, crossing in green etc.

This invention relates to a multifunctional compact traffic light system controllable from a central control room comprising of a plurality of triangular clusters formed using LEDs of three colours such as red, green and yellow and
clusters transformed into array forming a matrix; the said matrix of arrays being
addressed to individual cluster and then individual LED in the cluster being
operated and controlled by an integrated operating system with a micro
controller and a SAS (Station Automation System)-Embedded server based on FACTRTO as real time operating system consisting of two units namely basic module and complete unit wherein the first unit comprises of a logic controller
(ASLC) for setting up time and sequencing of operation of the signals of LEDs,
Mosfet Driver to drive the LEDs connected with the logic controller, a timer display, multiple sets of LED arrays (RG and RY), synchronizing means of signals (EZLAN) and the second unit consist of a LCD display, a keyboard operating to
feed data to ASLC to store in its memory and control when change is necessary,
a multiple segment LED for selection of timing of LED display for traffic control
and a SAS-Embedded server device being connected via a port 232 to the first
unit and is adapted to process all the parameters on program number being fed
from the controller and transfer the program to the second unit of the signal
transmission and thus showing the status of all the signal lights on a control
panel display via a central monitoring means.