Information device

Abstract

The invention relates to an information device for a traffic control signal, for interacting with a mobile communication system and / or with a traffic system, said information device being integrated into at least one light source of the traffic control signal and / or being arranged as an adapter on the light source.

Description

[0001] Information device

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to an information device for a traffic light system, inter alia for determining dangerous situations when using mobile communication systems.

[0004] Mobile communication systems, such as telephones, smartphones, or similar devices, are frequently used by users in everyday life, particularly in road and rail traffic. Dangerous situations often arise when road users, especially pedestrians, are distracted while using the mobile communication systems and are no longer able to recognize dangerous situations with the necessary attention. Dangerous situations can include, for example, the status of a traffic light, such as a red pedestrian light.

[0005] Attempts have been made to solve these problems by installing, for example, a supplementary traffic light system in the roadway in front of traffic lights, at an angled viewing direction and easily visible to pedestrians using mobile communication systems. This is, however, very costly. When they become dirty, obscured by leaves or glare, or in winter, with ice or snow, these traffic lights, which are integrated into the roadway, are no longer visually perceptible.

[0006] However, when using mobile communication systems, pedestrians are particularly distracted, and if these systems are used with headphones, acoustic warning signals from vehicles, such as a tram, may not be heard by pedestrians, or may not be heard sufficiently. This increases the risk of accidents.

[0007] In this context, a system is already known from DE 10 2018 006 831 A1, in which an information device for a traffic light signal system, which includes, among other things, pedestrian, road and rail traffic, has a data processing unit, in which a danger state of the traffic light signal system, thus a signal state of the traffic light signal system, can be wirelessly transmitted in the form of at least one piece of information data to a mobile communication system by means of the data processing unit, so that this at least one piece of information data can be perceived by means of the mobile communication system, thus by means of at least one signal device.

[0008] The information device for a traffic light system can preferably determine a spatial distance between the mobile communications system and the traffic light system in order to specifically make a dangerous state of the traffic light system perceptible to the mobile communications system, for example when a defined spatial distance between the mobile communications system and the traffic light system is exceeded. This is generally achieved by the information device sending at least one piece of data, at least one so-called position determination piece of data, to the mobile communications unit, which can then process it.

[0009] Known information devices associated with traffic lights are typically mounted on a pole within a separate housing. These provide, among other things, a wireless connection, such as a wireless LAN for mobile communication devices.

[0010] As mentioned, in the past, known information devices were arranged as a separate component in a housing near the traffic light system, for example on its post. Installation was relatively complex. For example, an installation opening had to be created in the post and a separate electrical cable had to be laid to supply the information device with electrical power. This required work to be carried out on the electrical installation of the traffic light system. For example, cabling had to be carried out inside the post and / or outside the traffic light post.

[0011] The invention has the object of improving the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular of ensuring an optimized installation of the information device.

[0012] The object is achieved according to the invention by an information device for a traffic light system having the features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims. A traffic light system within the meaning of the invention is any traffic system that has replaceable light sources.

[0013] It should be mentioned here that the information device within the meaning of the invention can have any technical design that allows a data item from the traffic light system, for example a dangerous state or any state of the traffic light system, such as the current traffic signal, to be forwarded to a mobile information device, for example a smartphone, a smartwatch, smart glasses or similar devices or to another traffic system, for example another traffic signal system, or even just to make a mobile data network available, for example a wireless LAN or another known wireless connection. The information device is therefore an information device for interaction with a mobile communication system, which can also be a road user, and / or with a traffic system.In this context, the term "mobile communications system" or "traffic control system" refers to one or more such systems. Traffic control systems can also interact with each other. This could, for example, be different traffic lights or one or more traffic lights and intelligent traffic signs that, for example, indicate a speed limit.

[0014] The object is achieved according to the invention in that the information device is integrated in at least one lamp, either as a separate component or in conjunction with an already existing component of the lamp and / or the information device can be arranged as an adapter on the lamp. The information device can be arranged as an adapter between the socket and the lamp. A socket within the meaning of the invention can be a lamp socket of any type, for example a screw or bayonet socket, or a connection socket, such as a power socket. Any suitable connection sockets already available in traffic signal systems can be used.

[0015] The information device can be supplied with electrical energy via the electrical connection of the light source in the traffic signal system, or wired data transmission is possible. How the information device is integrated and specifically connected to the electrical energy supply depends on the specific technical conditions of the specific light source in the traffic signal system. When reference is made to at least one light source, this refers to one of the light sources in the traffic signal system if the traffic signal system contains several. The information device can in principle be integrated into a single light source or into several light sources in the traffic signal system, separately or in combination if there are several light sources. This depends on the specific technical requirements.If the information device is integrated into a combination of several light sources of the traffic signal system, then several light sources interact, and the information device integrated therein is provided by the several light sources. A module of the information device is then integrated into each of the several light sources. The integration of the respective light sources into the traffic signal system, which is usually connected by wire, results in the modules interacting, whereby the information device becomes a functioning unit.

[0016] It should also be noted that the lamps in signaling systems must be replaced regularly. Depending on the device, this usually occurs every two to four years, which also requires a replacement of the information device.

[0017] Furthermore, it also depends on the respective technical conditions which of the light sources of the traffic signal system the information device is integrated into, provided the traffic signal system has multiple light sources, which is usually the case. However, traffic signal systems that have only one light source can also be considered, such as an illuminated warning cross at a railway crossing. In such a case, an advantageous selection of the light source into which the information device is to be integrated is not possible.

[0018] The integration can, for example, take place in a base of the at least one light source. Other components are also possible. The base can contain the information device with all necessary components, such as, among others, at least one antenna of the information device. Furthermore, it has been found to be advantageous if the at least one antenna of the information device is designed in a defined size that can ensure optimized data transmission.

[0019] Therefore, the at least one antenna can be arranged on the at least one illuminant itself, for example on a cover of the at least one illuminant, for example a diffuser. The at least one antenna can be configured in a mesh-like or spiral shape.

[0020] It can also be provided that the information device is connected via at least one electrical line of the traffic light system to a storage device that stores data. This storage device can, for example, be integrated into a switching unit, such as an existing switch cabinet, of the traffic light system. This also eliminates the need for a separate wired connection between the information device and the storage device.

[0021] If the information device is part of at least one light source, it is possible to systematically equip all traffic light systems with the information device in a relatively short period of time due to the mandatory replacement of the light source.

[0022] If the information device is integrated into the at least one light source of the traffic signal system, remote monitoring of the traffic signal system itself by the information device is also possible. The information device then has a further purpose in addition to providing a wireless network connection, such as public Wi-Fi, and / or the function of wirelessly transmitting a danger state of the traffic signal system, such as a signal state of the traffic signal system, in the form of at least one piece of information data to a mobile communications system.

[0023] Advantageously, this solution eliminates the need for new electrical connections. Furthermore, it is not necessary to use separate mounting hardware or create mounting openings. The existing connections, into which at least one of the traffic signal system's lamps is inserted, ensure the information device's electrical power supply.

[0024] The necessary regular replacement of at least one light source and thus of the information device also ensures that maintenance of the information device is essentially eliminated. During the regular replacement of at least one light source, an updated version of the information device can be easily installed.

[0025] An information device integrated into a traffic signal system in this way can also enable wireless transmission of data from one traffic signal system to another and / or to another traffic facility and / or another road user, such as a vehicle, for example, if the other device in question also has an information device, in this specific case a further information device, which is suitable for receiving information / data from another information device. This can trigger communication between all of the aforementioned devices, thereby ensuring particularly effective transmission of information, in particular traffic information.

[0026] Another advantage is that for the

[0027] The information device provides better thermal protection and, in addition, eliminates the need for a housing. As already mentioned, the information device enables the traffic signal system to be easily networked with other traffic signal systems and / or generally with traffic engineering systems and / or other road users, such as vehicles of any kind.

[0028] The invention is further explained below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures. Further advantages, features, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent.

[0029] It shows :

[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the information device according to the invention,

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a lamp 1 of a traffic light system. The information device 4 according to the invention is integrated in the lamp 1 and is thus a component of the lamp 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the information device 4 is arranged in a functionally reliable manner on a circuit board 3 of the lamp 1, so that the information device 4 can be supplied with electrical energy, among other things. Likewise, the information device 4 can be connected via an electrical line of the lamp 1 of the traffic light system and thus also via an electrical line of the traffic light system itself to a storage device which can store data sent and / or received by the information device 4. The information device 4 is surrounded by a housing 2 of the lamp 1 and is thus protected. There is no need for a separate housing for the information device 4.The power supply of the information device 4 is thus ensured by the illuminant 1 when it is reliably mounted in a traffic signal system. The information device 4 is used for interaction with a mobile communication system, such as a smartphone or similar devices and / or with a traffic control system. It has an antenna 6, which in the exemplary embodiment is arranged in the region of a diffuser 5 of the illuminant 1.

[0032] List of reference symbols

[0033] 1 . Light bulbs

[0034] 2 . Housing

[0035] 3. Circuit board

[0036] 4 . Information device 5 . Diffuser

[0037] 6 . Antenna

Claims

Patent claims 1. An information device (4) for a traffic signal system for interaction with a mobile communication system and / or with a traffic control system, wherein the information device (4) is integrated in at least one illuminant (1) of the traffic signal system and / or the information device (4) can be arranged as an adapter on the illuminant (1).

2. Information device (4) according to claim 1, wherein the information device (4) is integrated in a single or in a plurality of lighting means (1) of the traffic light system separately or in combination.

3. Information device (4) according to claim 2, wherein the Information device (4) is integrated in several lighting means (1) of the traffic signal system in combination and the several lighting means (1) interact and by the several lighting means (1) the integrated information device (4) is provided.

4. Information device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a base of the at least one illuminant (1) of the traffic light system contains the information device (4).

5. Information device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the information device (4) has at least one antenna (6) and the arrangement of the at least one antenna (6) takes place on a cover of the at least one illuminating means (1), for example a diffuser (5).

6. Information device (4) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one antenna (6) is designed in a net-like or spiral shape.

7. Information device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the information device (4) is connected to a storage device via at least one electrical line of the traffic signal system.

8. Information device (4) according to claim 7, wherein the storage device is integrated in a switching unit of the traffic signal system.

9. Information device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the traffic light system can be remotely monitored by the information device (4) integrated into the at least one lighting means (1).

10. Information device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the information device (4) can be arranged as an adapter between the socket and the illuminant (1).

11. Information device (4) according to claim 10, wherein the socket is a lamp socket or a connection socket, such as a power socket.

Images