Traffic control signal with displayed time-elapse

Abstract

A transparent lens for motorist traffic light signals and pedestrian “Don't Walk” signs that displays, in Lcd countdown “real-time”, how much time remains before the traffic signal command will change. The lens is easily shaped to be adapted over any existing traffic control device or magnified over the existing control device and works in conjunction with existing technology for timing and control settings to provide a quick and economical installation. The covering lens is a traffic light signaling device combination manufactured as one assembly and comprised of known colored liquid crystal (LED), plasma or pixel generators or other imaging generating technology which is quickly affixed to existing signaling traffic devices.

1. A traffic light for pedestrians' and vehicle operators' safety, comprising:
 a traffic light device having a housing with one or more lighted surfaces to convey directive and active signals for directing traffic flow;  
 a uniquely programmed device aligned with said housing and in or about each lighted surface to provide a “real-time” advisement of the time remaining in which the directive and active signal(s) is displayed;  
 wherein said “real-time” advisement comprises an icon in the form of one of graphical, numerical or other known advisory or signatory communication reveals the time remaining as part of the associated signal;  
 wherein one or more of the signals meant to relay a directive message comprises, as part of that signal, a mechanism for visual representation that advises the “real-time” that signal is to remain in the current state of advisement; and  
   wherein said “real - time” advertisement and said directive and active signal associated with said “real - time” advertisement are in a single lens.    
 
     
     
       2. A traffic light as in  claim 1 , further comprises a plurality of traffic light devices and corresponding aligned uniquely programmed devices located on a plurality of streets and intersections, wherein each uniquely programmed device coordinates with each of the others of the plurality of uniquely programmed devices. 
     
     
       3. A traffic light as in  claim 1 , wherein the traffic light devices further comprises sound signals. 
     
     
       4. A method for signaling traffic, comprising:
 aligning a “real-time” display lens to the light(s) of an existing traffic signal that provides traffic flow advisement providing a status indication to remain in its current condition of advisement by said “real-time” display; the “real-time” elapse indication being an intrinsic, integral part of the signal; wherein the “real-time” display advises elapsed time; and  
 operates in conjunction with signal switching timing technology; and said “real- time” elapse indication and the traffic signal associated with said “real - time” elapse indication are in a single lens.    
 
     
     
       5. A method for signaling traffic as in  claim 4 , further comprises placing a plurality of traffic light devices and corresponding aligned uniquely programmed devices at a plurality of streets and intersections, wherein each uniquely programmed device coordinates with each of the other ones of the plurality of uniquely programmed devices. 
     
     
       6. A method for signaling traffic as in  claim 4 , wherein the traffic signal further comprises sound signals.