Intelligent warning system and method for a traffic flow

Abstract

A smart traffic flow warning system and method are disclosed. The smart traffic flow warning system includes: a plurality of bases, a display device, an unmanned vehicle, and a computer device. The bases are disposed on one side of a road. The bases are spaced apart from each other, and each base includes a first engagement structure. The display device is used to display warning information. The display device has a top and a bottom, and the bottom has a second engagement structure. The second engagement structure matches the first engagement structure to be engaged with the first engagement structure. The unmanned vehicle includes a carrying device for carrying the display device. The computer device performs the following functions: controlling the unmanned vehicle to carry the display device; controlling the unmanned vehicle to move to a target base based on a position signal; and controlling the unmanned vehicle to place the display device on the target base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an intelligent traffic flow warning system and warning method. Prior Technology

[0002] To maintain smooth and safe traffic flow, authorities typically install warning signs to manage traffic. For example, when traffic congestion occurs on highways, electronic signs on the highways will display relevant warning information about the congestion.

[0003] However, existing highway signs are all fixed and only installed on certain key sections. Therefore, if traffic congestion occurs at interchanges or on certain sections of the road, causing a sudden drop in vehicle speed, there is no way to inform road users in time. As a result, rear-end collisions often occur because following vehicles do not notice the sudden drop in speed ahead, leading to unfortunate accidents. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention proposes a smart traffic flow warning system and warning method, which can use an unmanned vehicle to move a display device to the vicinity of the traffic congestion location to warn road users.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the intelligent traffic warning system includes: a plurality of bases, a display device, an unmanned vehicle, and a computer device. The bases are disposed on one side of a road. The bases are spaced apart from each other, and each base includes a first engagement structure. The display device is used to display warning information. The display device has a top and a bottom, and the bottom has a second engagement structure, which matches the first engagement structure to be engaged with the first engagement structure. The unmanned vehicle includes a carrying device for carrying the display device. The computer device is electrically connected to the bases, the display device, and the unmanned vehicle. The computer device includes: a memory and a processor. The memory is used to store a plurality of instructions. The processor is electrically connected to the memory to load instructions to: control the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle to carry the display device; control the unmanned vehicle to move to one of the target bases according to a position signal; and control the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle to place the display device on the target base.

[0006] In some embodiments, the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle is a fixed frame used to grasp the top of the display device to support the display device.

[0007] In some embodiments, each of the aforementioned bases further includes a detection device for detecting traffic flow on the road.

[0008] In some embodiments, the detection device described above includes a LiDAR device or a camera.

[0009] In some embodiments, the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle or a rail-mounted unmanned transport vehicle.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the above-described intelligent traffic flow warning method is applicable to the above-described intelligent traffic flow warning system, and includes: providing a plurality of bases, a display device, and an unmanned vehicle, wherein the bases are disposed on one side of a road; controlling the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle to carry the display device; controlling the unmanned vehicle to move to one of the target bases according to a position signal; and controlling the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle to place the display device on the target base.

[0011] In some embodiments, the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle is a fixed frame, and the step of controlling the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle to carry the display device includes: controlling the fixed frame of the unmanned vehicle to grasp the top of the display device to carry the display device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the above-described intelligent traffic flow warning method further includes: using a plurality of detection devices on the base to detect traffic flow on the road to obtain traffic flow information; and generating the location signal based on the traffic flow information.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of the detection devices includes a light source or a camera.

[0014] In some embodiments, the above-described intelligent traffic flow warning method further includes: controlling a display device to display a warning message.

[0015] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings for detailed explanation. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture of a smart traffic warning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a base according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams illustrating a lane according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lane according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the intelligent traffic warning method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0017] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments provided are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and the description of the structural operation is not intended to limit the order of execution. Any structure resulting from the recombination of elements and producing a device with equivalent functionality is within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to their original dimensions.

[0018] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this article do not specifically refer to order or sequence; they are merely used to distinguish elements or operations described using the same technical terms.

[0019] Please refer to Figure 1, which illustrates the architecture of a smart traffic flow warning system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The smart traffic flow warning system 100 includes: a computer device 110, an unmanned vehicle 120, a display device 130, and a base 140. The computer device 110 is electrically connected to the unmanned vehicle 120, the display device 130, and the base 140 to receive / send signals for traffic flow warnings. Embodiments of the present invention include multiple bases 140, which are disposed on one side of the road to monitor traffic flow.

[0020] Computer device 110 includes memory 112 and processor 114. Memory 112 stores a plurality of instructions, while processor 114 is electrically connected to memory 112 to load the instructions from memory 112 to receive / send signals for traffic alerts. Specifically, computer device 110 receives traffic information from base 140 and analyzes the traffic information to determine the target base that unmanned vehicle 120 needs to go to. Computer device 110 controls unmanned vehicle 120 to carry / carry display device 130 to the target base, places display device 130 on the target base, and then controls display device 130 to display warning messages.

[0021] In some embodiments, the computer device 110 may be located in a server room to receive / send signals for traffic alerts. In some embodiments, the computer device 110 may be located within a base 140 to save on server room setup costs.

[0022] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram illustrating a base 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the base 140 has a first engagement structure 210, which facilitates the engagement of the base 140 with the display device 130. In this embodiment, the first engagement structure 210 is an elongated columnar structure, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. In addition, the base 140 includes a control detection device 220 and a control module 230. The detection device 220 is used to detect traffic flow on the road, and the control module 230 is used to receive the detection results of the detection device 220 to calculate the corresponding traffic flow information. In some embodiments, the control module 230 also provides a charging function and a wireless data transmission function. For example, when the display device 130 is disposed on the base 140, the control module 230 can charge the display device 130 through the first engagement structure 210. For example, after calculating the traffic flow information, the control module 230 can transmit the traffic flow information to the computer device 110 through the wireless data transmission function.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a display device 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The display device 130 includes: a transport mechanism 131, a display screen 132, a second coupling structure 133, and a control module 134. The transport mechanism 131 is disposed on the top of the display device 130 so that an unmanned vehicle 120 can grasp the display device 130 through the transport mechanism 131 to carry and transport the display device 130. In some embodiments, the transport mechanism 131 is a fitting structure. When the unmanned vehicle 120 grasps the top of the display device 130, the unmanned vehicle 120 can fix the display device 130 to the unmanned vehicle 120 through the fitting structure; however, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. The display screen 132 is located on the front of the display device 130 and is used to display warning messages. For example, the display device 130 can receive warning messages from the computer device 110 and display them on the display screen 132. The second coupling structure 133 is located on the back of the display device 130 and is used to engage the base 140. For example, the second engagement structure 133 has a groove that matches the first engagement structure 210 of the base 140, allowing the first engagement structure 210 of the base 140 to engage with the display device 130 through the second engagement structure 133. The control module 134 is used to control the operation of the display device 130. For example, the control module 134 can control the charging operation (stop or start charging) of the display device 130 and the display operation of the display screen 132.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 4 and 5 simultaneously, which are schematic diagrams illustrating lane 410 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Bases 141-145 are spaced apart (e.g., 50 meters apart) along one side of lane 410 to monitor traffic flow. Lane 410 can be a highway lane, an interchange lane, or a general lane, and bases 141-145 can be installed therefor traffic flow monitoring. When traffic congestion occurs in lane 410, bases 141-145 can measure the specific details of the congestion. In some embodiments, the detection device 220 of bases 141-145 is a camera that can capture images of lane 410. Since bases 141-145 are located at different locations on lane 410, they can capture images of vehicles 421-423 in traffic flow 420. The control module 230 of the base 140 can analyze traffic flow information, such as vehicle speed and the head and tail positions of the traffic flow 420, based on the captured images, and then transmit the traffic flow information to the computer device 110. In some embodiments, the detection device 220 of the bases 141-145 is a LiDAR device, and the control module 230 can also analyze traffic flow information based on the LiDAR data and transmit the traffic flow information to the computer device 110.

[0025] In some embodiments, when the speed of vehicles 421-423 is below a threshold, it is determined that traffic flow 420 is congested, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0026] To warn vehicles 424 behind traffic flow 420, computer device 110 controls unmanned vehicle 120 based on traffic flow information. This unmanned vehicle 120 transports display device 130 behind traffic flow 420 to inform vehicles 424 that traffic ahead is congested and they need to slow down. For example, computer device 110 calculates a base location based on traffic flow information transmitted from the base and sends a location signal to unmanned vehicle 120 accordingly. Based on the location signal, computer device 110 controls unmanned vehicle 120 to move to a target base located at that base location. In this embodiment, computer device 110 calculates base 144 as the target base. Therefore, computer device 110 first controls unmanned vehicle 120 to move to base 142 to carry display device 130. Then, it controls unmanned vehicle 120 to transport display device 130 to base 144. Next, it controls display device 130 to display a warning message. The warning message may include light / text messages.

[0027] In this embodiment, the unmanned vehicle 120 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and has a mounting frame (not shown). When the UAV 120 flies above the display device 130 on the base 142, the UAV 120 uses the mounting frame to grab the transport mechanism 131 on the top of the display device 130, so that the display device 130 is engaged with the UAV 120. In this way, the UAV 120 can transport the display device 130 to the base 144. When the UAV 120 flies above the base 144, the UAV 120 places the display device 130 on the base 144, so that the second engagement structure 133 of the display device 130 engages with the first engagement structure 210 of the base 140, thereby fixing the display device 130 to the base 144. Then, the UAV 120 releases the mounting frame, so that the display device 130 is placed on the base 144.

[0028] The unmanned vehicle 120 in this embodiment of the invention is not limited to unmanned aerial vehicles. In some embodiments, the unmanned vehicle 120 may also be a rail-mounted unmanned transport vehicle.

[0029] Furthermore, although the base in this embodiment is disposed on the outer side of the lane, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the base may also be disposed on both the inner side (e.g., the median) and the outer side of the lane to enhance the monitoring of lane traffic flow.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram illustrating lane 410 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, two display devices 130 are used to provide warning messages. For example, computer device 110 calculates the positions of two bases (e.g., base 144 and base 145) based on traffic flow information transmitted by the bases, and controls unmanned vehicle 120 to transport the two display devices 130 to bases 144 and 145 respectively, thus utilizing more display devices 130 to warn vehicles behind traffic flow 420.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a flowchart illustrating the intelligent traffic flow warning method 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The intelligent traffic flow warning method 700 is applicable to the intelligent traffic flow warning system 100 described above.

[0032] In step 710, the aforementioned unmanned vehicle 120, display device 130, and base 140 are provided. Then, in step 720, the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle 120 is controlled to carry the display device 130. Next, in step 730, the unmanned vehicle 120 is controlled to move to the target base based on a position signal. Then, in step 740, the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle is controlled to place the display device 130 on the target base.

[0033] In some embodiments, the intelligent traffic flow warning method 700 may further include: using a detection device on the base to detect traffic flow on the road to obtain traffic flow information; and generating the aforementioned position signal based on the traffic flow information. In this way, the display device 130 can be appropriately placed behind the traffic flow 420, and the display device 130 can be controlled to display a warning message to warn vehicles behind the traffic flow 420 to slow down.

[0034] In some embodiments, the display device 130 may be used to display traffic reports or other messages that need to be notified to road users, in addition to displaying warning messages. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0035] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0036] 100: Intelligent Traffic Warning System 110: Computer devices 112: Memory 114: Processor 120: Unmanned vehicle 130: Display device 131: Transportation Agency 132: Display screen 133: Second joint structure 134: Control Module 140: Base 141~145: Base 210: First joint structure 220: Detection device 230: Control Module 410: Lane 420: Traffic Flow 421~424: Vehicles 700: Intelligent Traffic Flow Warning Methods 710~740: Steps

[0037] none

Claims

1. A smart traffic flow warning system, comprising: a plurality of bases disposed on one side of a road, wherein the bases are spaced apart from each other, each of the bases including a first engagement structure; a display device for displaying warning information, wherein the display device has a top and a bottom, the bottom having a second engagement structure, the second engagement structure being matched with the first engagement structure to engage with the first engagement structure; an unmanned vehicle including a carrying device for carrying the display device; and a computer device electrically connected to the bases, the display device, and the unmanned vehicle, and including: a memory for storing a plurality of instructions; and a processor electrically connected to the memory for loading the instructions to perform: controlling the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle to carry the display device; generating a location signal based on traffic flow information, wherein the traffic flow information is obtained by detecting traffic flow on the road using a plurality of detection devices on the bases; The unmanned vehicle is controlled to move to one of the target bases based on a location signal; and the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle is controlled to place the display device on the target base.

2. The intelligent traffic warning system as described in claim 1, wherein the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle is a fixed frame for gripping the top of the display device to support the display device.

3. The intelligent traffic alert system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the detection devices comprises a LiDAR device or a camera.

4. The intelligent traffic flow warning system as described in claim 1, wherein the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle or a rail-mounted unmanned transport vehicle.

5. A smart traffic flow warning method, applicable to a smart traffic flow warning system, wherein the smart traffic flow warning method includes: providing a plurality of bases, a display device, and an unmanned vehicle, wherein the bases are disposed on one side of a road; controlling a carrying device of the unmanned vehicle to carry the display device; using a plurality of detection devices on the bases to detect traffic flow on the road to obtain traffic flow information; generating a position signal based on the traffic flow information; controlling the unmanned vehicle to move to a target base among the bases based on the position signal; and controlling the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle to place the display device on the target base.

6. The intelligent traffic flow warning method as described in claim 5, wherein the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle is a fixed frame, and the step of controlling the carrying device of the unmanned vehicle to carry the display device includes: controlling the fixed frame of the unmanned vehicle to grab one of the tops of the display device to carry the display device.

7. The intelligent traffic alert method as described in claim 5, wherein each of the detection devices comprises a lidar device or a camera.

8. The intelligent traffic flow warning method as described in claim 5 further includes: controlling the display device to display a warning message.

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