Patent attributes
A secure optical-communication traffic-preemption system and method is provided that securely communicates an identification code from an optical emitter to a traffic location. The optical emitter transmits light pulses that represent an encrypted code that is an encryption using a time-varying encryption key of at least an identification code. An optical detector situated at a traffic location receives the transmitted light pulses. Validation, including decryption using a time-varying decryption key, is attempted for the encrypted identification code represented within the received light pulses. In response to validating the included identification code, a traffic-preemption command is generated for a traffic light at the traffic location.