An apparatus and method for broadcasting road-sign signal

Abstract

An apparatus that broadcasts Road-signs signals to vehicles, drivers, and other Road-users, that is complimentary for a decision analysis system by allowing another route of information besides the standard visible, or soundable Road-signs. The apparatus, according to the present invention, is capable of providing the signal to any Road-user based on a one-way transmission only. The apparatus comprises a power unit, a setup module, a securing module, and a broadcasting module, wherein the broadcasting is continuous and spherical, and wherein the data includes the Road-sign signal, the position of the Road-sign and the direction or lane it is relevant to, and wherein the securing module enables validation of said broadcasting by any Road-user- receiver, and wherein, the apparatus is oblivious to any receiving and receiver identity of its broadcast.

Description

[0001] AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR BROADCASTING

[0002] ROAD-SIGN SIGNAL

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is in the field of broadcasting of Road-sign and symbol data, and more particularly in the field of one-way transmission broadcasting of Road-sign and symbol data made in a spherical manner and intended to be received by all Road-users.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Road-signs and symbols are used to convey information to Road-users, including smart and autonomous vehicles, as well as to drivers and pedestrians. However, current Road-sign and symbol systems are often limited in their effectiveness. For example, a blind pedestrian may not be able to see a road direction, and an autonomous vehicle may not be able to identify a traffic light color because of blurred visibility by a tree.

[0007] Some known methods to provide Road-signs signals to vehicles and Road-users are based on visible information and designed to imitate human senses (such as vision) that will receive and analyze the signal. It is usually based on a dedicated set of sensors on the vehicle that can receive the visible sight as seen by a driver or other Road-user. Other ways to convey information regarding Road-signs signals involved mutual communication with dedicated Road-signs. Such two-way communication systems provide the mutual flow of information between the sign transmitted and the receiver.

[0008] Such systems could be found in US6442473B1, which describes a method and apparatus for acquiring a traffic signal for presentation in a vehicular-mounted display. A receiver is located on the vehicle for receiving a traffic message from a traffic signal proximate to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a location and direction determining systems for determining a location and direction of the vehicle. A decoding system is present for decoding the traffic message. A selection system is used for determining an appropriate traffic signal display for the vehicular mounted display according to the location and direction of the vehicle relative to the traffic signal. The traffic signal display is displayed on a display in the vehicle.

[0009] US20180012492A1 discloses another method for operating a vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle, includes the steps of receiving a message from roadside infrastructure via an electronic receiver and providing, by a computer system in communication with said electronic receiver, instructions based on the message to automatically implement countermeasure behavior by a vehicle system. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include the steps of receiving a message from another vehicle via an electronic receiver and providing, by a computer system in communication with said electronic receiver, instructions based on the message to automatically implement countermeasure behavior by a vehicle system.

[0010] The cons of any two-way communication system are the involvement of privacy issues regarding the receiving Road-user and its road-using conduction and lack the anonymity and passive character of traditional Roadsings.

[0011] TW201104632A discloses an invention related to a traffic sign wireless broadcast device. The indication units on the roads are installed with transmitters, and the chips inside the transmitters are provided with related information of the traffic signs, the latitude and longitude position of the current location, first information of the direction of the road or a warning level pertinent to the traffic sign. The vehicles on the roads are provided with receivers to read the first information from the transmitter. The receiver incorporates a GPS unit that provides second information that contains the current coordinate, the direction, and the speed of the vehicle. The receiver also incorporates a processing unit that compares the first and the second information to select the traffic signs in the same direction with the vehicle's driving path and broadcasts the compared result via a speaker component according to the warning level pre-selected by the driver to warn the driver.

[0012] It is clear that the need for verifying data by usage of GPS and other controls is essential in this invention. Still, like other inventions in the art, it doesn't address the need to secure broadcasting data against malicious or other interference such as content manipulation, fraud, mimicking, retransmitting, or masking the signals by a party other than a genuine Road-sign broadcasting apparatus.

[0013] DEFINITIONS

[0014] In this specification and the claims, the following phrases have the meanings stated beside them.

[0015] Road-signs: All road, way, and traffic signs and symbols, including but not limited to symbol signs, word signs, traffic lights, traffic signs, road painted symbols and words, curve painted, including permanent and temporary signs, fixed or portable and moving signs and every means designed to deliver information regarding the way on the road, pedestrian way, sea or air route, its conditions or the legal fact about it, the traffic or the use thereof.

[0016] Broadcast: The transmission of data related to a Roadsign by the apparatus of the present invention.

[0017] Signal: The information a Road-sign is designed to deliver

[0018] Data: the comprehensive content of a broadcast, including the signal.

[0019] Road or way: including all sorts of public or private areas designed to be used for transportation, including but not limited to: streets, roads, ways, motorways, pavements, sidewalks, alleys, passages, air and sea traffic routes, and railways. Road-user: every user of a road, including but not limited to full or partially autonomous vehicles, smart vehicles, driving and navigation apparatuses, driving Artificial Intelligence apparatuses, drivers, pedestrians, bikes and motorbikes riders, aerial apparatuses including Helicopters, multirotors, or drones, flying, sailing, or other way moving apparatuses all driven manually or automatically.

[0020] Road-user-receiver: any apparatus capable of receiving broadcasted data from the apparatus of the present invention and allowing the Road-user to use it. It could be in a computerized way (e.g., a driving assisting system Al or other autonomous vehicle control, etc.), another system, or simply by reflecting it to the Road-user as a sound, visual, or digital signal.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all technical or / and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods or / and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

[0022] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] One object of the present invention is to provide for an apparatus that broadcasts Road-signs signals to vehicles, drivers, and other Road-users.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is complimentary for a decision analysis system by allowing another route of information besides the standard visible, or soundable Road-signs.

[0025] Much like visible or heard Road-signs, the apparatus, according to the present invention, is capable of providing the signal to any Road-user based on a one-way transmission only, i.e., the transmission is receivable by any equipped Road-user. Yet, the apparatus functionality is oblivious to any receipt acknowledgment of the transmission and the identity of the receivers, much like a Road-sign that is visible to all Road-users, yet has no knowledge of who views it, in a sense that it doesn't identify its users, cannot record or collect information of their activity, or anyway aware of being seen. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that receipt of the data by any Road-user could be acknowledged, yet it is not required. In this application and in the following claims, this feature will be referred to as ‘Oblivious” .

[0026] By transmitting the signal in a blind, oblivious manner, without acknowledging the recipients, the system aims to ensure privacy on one hand and limit liability on the other by not being involved in the decision-making of a Road-user (human, machine, Al, or other).

[0027] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a secured transmission of Road-sign signals that can be verified by any Road-user's receiver, prevent malicious interference such as manipulating the signal's content, identify and ignore fraud transmission from mimicking apparatus, identify and ignore retransmission of recorded signal, or identify and report masking of signals by a party other than a legitimate Road-sign.

[0028] The apparatus of the present invention is characterized by its continuous broadcasting, which is oblivious to any receiver.

[0029] In some embodiments, the apparatus is an integral member of the actual Road-sign, while in others, it is an independent apparatus that operates in parallel to a Road-sign or as an unaffiliated Road-sign.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular methodology, devices, items, or products, etc., described herein, as these may vary as the skilled artisan will recognize. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The following exemplary embodiments may be described in the context of exemplary devices or methods for ease of description and understanding. However, the invention is not limited to the specifically described products and methods and may be adapted to various applications without departing from the overall scope of the invention. All ranges disclosed herein include the endpoints. The use of the term "or" shall be construed to mean "and / or" unless the specific context indicates otherwise.

[0032] The present invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting Road-signs signals, which serves as a complementary and supportive mechanism for all or specific Road-users by providing an extra and enriching receipt of information regarding the road.

[0033] This complementary and supportive mechanism could be used by any Road-user or the Road-user receiver or any artificial intelligence mechanism of the Road-user, to plan, enhance, predict, or otherwise manage its behavior in the course or route of the road-using trip. Yet, the apparatus itself is oblivious and is not aware of its transmission being received or any other detail regarding the Road-user receiver.

[0034] The following specification describes certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] The broadcasted Road-signs are characterized by their ability to transmit broadcasts that are intended to be received by any Road-user, including both autonomous and non-autonomous vehicles, whether the receiving apparatus is part of the vehicle or a separate receiving device.

[0036] The characteristic of the Broadcasted Road-signs is that the transmission contains at least one signal, which represents a piece of information that represents the Road-sign location or the pertinent traffic direction it is assigned for so that its relevancy can be identified and analyzed by any Road-user.

[0037] The apparatus is based on a one-way communication apparatus, i.e., data transmission that may have but does not require a handshake or acknowledge-based communication apparatus. For this matter, the transmission is based on a spherical manner, in a way that any Road-user within a certain distance from the apparatus could receive the broadcast, while the apparatus does not need to receive nor collect any information about the Road-users who receive it nor use it.

[0038] The Road-users who receive the data can make their own decisions or analyses based on the received signal information apparatus. This architecture preserves the passive nature of a Road-sign and further ensures the privacy and security of the Road-users, as their road behavior, route, or any other PH information is not being collected or stored in any way.

[0039] Thus, the apparatus of the present invention is "oblivious" to any receiver of its broadcasts and transmits to all Road-users, not to a specific one. No acknowledged receipt and no log of Road-users need to be drafted. Broadcast is spherical, in a manner that any receiving Road-user within a receiving range from said broadcasting Road-sign can receive the data.

[0040] The apparatus transmits data that includes the Road-sign signal static or varying information based on predefined and agreed data protocol and structure, including at least one of the defined parameters detailed in the defined and agreed data structure protocol, such as the geographic location of the Road-sign, the road or lane dictated traffic direction the Roud-sign is relevant to, the type of Road-signs, and their status at any given time Depending on its location and route direction, a Roaduser may receive a large number of broadcasts from a plurality of apparatuses at any given time. As part of the Road-users, the apparatus's transmitted information is intended for both autonomous and non-autonomous Road-users with or without an artificial intelligence mechanism.

[0041] In some embodiments, the geographic location identifier includes at least one unique identifier information, such as the exact geographical position of the sign that sends the data, the direction and the specific lane it is relevant to, and the Road-sign type or purpose. For example, a set of lights standing on the same spot can include the lights for left turning or for straight, and this information is included by means of a direction or lane specified in the geographic identifier. If a flyover has a sign on two levels (the ground and the upper bridge), the broadcast includes the road's unique identifier and the direction information it refers to. Another example is if there is a sign in the middle of the road, it sends the identifier if it is northbound or south.

[0042] It is also understood to those skilled in the art that the geographic identifier could contain the exact location, including coordinates and height above the ground. This could be functional by helping determine the relevant lane or direction in a bridge, flyover, or a complex set of the same, as well as for aerial routes designed for airborne Road-users.

[0043] Another example relates to a movable Road-sign. Such Road-sign can be set and transmit the geographic identifier with a specific lane it may concern.

[0044] In some embodiments, said signal could send a present signal of a Road-sign related to a specific time and provide for a predictive future signal. For example, traffic lights can provide the red light and the time in which a green light is expected and vice versa, or any other time-related, changing Road-sign signal. This could be made either by stating the remaining time from the data's time-stamp or by directly specifying a designated time for the change and combining this time prediction information into the broadcast.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus comprises from part or all of the following units - a power unit, a transmission module, a relay module, a controller, a reporting module, and a controlling module.

[0046] The power unit of the present invention could be a wired connection to the local power network or an independent power supply, such as a battery, generator, solar generating power device, or any other combination allowing for powering a Road-sign.

[0047] The controller and controlling module could comprise a local or remote communication port allowing for the adjustment, setting up, monitoring, or defining the broadcast parameters, including the broadcasted data.

[0048] In some embodiments, the controlling module is designed to allow for multiple apparatus Road-signs or other parts of the apparatus of the present invention to relay each other's signals by using a relay module or to mutually connect to a central monitoring and control apparatus by using a reporting module. The relay module verifies received signal authenticity, analyzes received data relevancy, and forwards information to the report module and to the transmission module when applicable.

[0049] The reporting module forward Signals information from the Road-sign and other received Road-signs signals to a central analysis and monitoring center.

[0050] An example of such connectivity could be the connection of several traffic lights positioned along a way in which the closest set of lights receives the signal of the following set of lights and broadcasts accordingly the time of the expected green light signal along the road.

[0051] Another example could be a Road-sign which signal is a warning transmitted by a nearby Road-sign and allows to extend the transmission range that may contribute to analysis and better planning of the ride in the road ahead for any Road-user including Al mechanism.

[0052] In some of these embodiments, for purposes of setup and configuration, the controlling module is based on wired or wireless communication, while in other embodiments, it contains internal utility or it allows a physical on-spot connection such as a keyboard screen or other means of input / output. The transmission module includes a broadcast transmitter and a securing module.

[0053] Said transmitter is designed to transmit the broadcasted data in a spherical manner designed to be received by all Road-users within a defined distance of the apparatus.

[0054] The transmitter uses the secure module to protect the broadcasted data and assist Road-users to validate the time relevancy (time-stamp) of the received information by validating the authenticity and relevancy of the signal as an extra security measure. The added security relates to malicious attacks such as recording and retransmitting the data when it is no longer valid.

[0055] In the present invention, the transmission is carried out using a dedicated data structure protocol.

[0056] In some embodiments of the present invention, the transmission is secured in a manner that allows the Roaduser to verify its authenticity and the data integrity. For example, such verification could be carried out by using an encryption or digital signature. In these embodiments, the securing module will have a private-key that shall encrypt the transmitted data, while receivers having access to the public-key shall be able to decrypt, validate the key owner and, by that, the Road-sign authenticity, and verify the data integrity. In these embodiments, the secured broadcast ensures that no cyber-attack nor other malicious broadcasting that transmits false or manipulated information in order to sabotage or otherwise harm or mislead the Road-user or its immediate environment shall be accepted while allowing the recipient to validate data content integrity.

[0057] It will be understood to those skilled in the art that all embodiments and options related to the system apparatus are applicable to the method.

[0058] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Some embodiments of the invention are herein described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

[0060] In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a road and a junction thereof using Road-sign signals broadcasting apparatuses according to some embodiments of the present invention

[0061] The vehicles 222 and 224 are positioned on a two-way, one-lane per-direction road moving in the opposite direction of each other, while the vehicles 242 and 244 are positioned on a one-way, two-lane road moving in the same direction.

[0062] The traffic lights 422 and 424 are relevant to the Roadusers positioned like and moving in the direction of vehicles 222 and 224 accordingly, while the traffic lights 442 and 444 and the static signs 642 and 644, as well as the crosswalk are relevant to the Road-users positioned like and moving in the direction and on lanes of vehicles 242 and 244 accordingly.

[0063] Each one of the traffic lights and static signs is equipped with an apparatus according to some embodiment of the present invention. Said apparatus broadcasts data, including the Road-sign signal, the geographical identifier (position, lane, and intended road direction), the data validation indicator, and a time-stamp.

[0064] It will be understood to those skilled in the art that the waving circles representing the transmission are for illustrative purposes only, and the actual range of said broadcasting is broader and of a 3D spherical nature.

[0065] In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatuses can receive the broadcasting of other neighboring apparatuses of the invention and rebroadcast them according to a set of predetermined rules and with relevancy to each broadcasting original time-stamp, data validation indicator, and geographical identifier.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present invention, the broadcasting is also received by a monitoring center 800, which can monitor and analyze the broadcasting of a group of apparatuses according to the present invention.

[0067] The monitoring center could be used, for example, for the detection of an apparatus malfunctioning that stops broadcasting or that keeps broadcasting, but its transmission is weak as a result of a tamper, an accident, or other incident.

[0068] In other embodiments of the present invention, there is a system that includes a control center. The control center can, in turn, modify, set, or adjust the setup process of an apparatus of the present invention. Such setup could be an initial setup or other setup and could be automated or manually designed. Said setup could be related to time changing sign changing or to address an event such as a car crash or a traffic buildup.

[0069] Fig. 2 is a chart depicting an operating flow of an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0070] The Operating of the apparatus of the present invention initiates with a setup system 201. The setup includes assigning the Road-sign signal, the geographical identifier, the relevant road and lanes information, and the desired frequency-recurrence of broadcasting. In some embodiments, the setup includes assigning the correct time, while in other embodiments, the apparatus could acquire the actual time or even geographical position from other sources such as GPS or a control center.

[0071] The setup can be done manually on the spot or by using a control center communication 210. Accordingly, the setup could include partial or complete. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that the setup stage 201, actually refers to all the necessary measurements needed to determine what is the data broadcasted by the apparatus. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that any means, remote or local, can be used for the setup 201. It could be cable connected, integrated, plugin, or transmitting I / O.

[0072] The apparatus then starts its broadcasting routine by first signing the data that is to be transmitted 202.

[0073] The signing is a procedure related to the secure nature of the broadcasting, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the data and its reliability.

[0074] In some embodiments, the signing process involves encryption using a private key or any other authenticity and integrity measure, while any Road-user recipient of the data uses a public key or any other authenticity and integrity measure to validate it, while in other embodiments, the signing uses a different signing method. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that any method that can be verified for the authenticity of an origin of data could be used at this stage. The signed data is then reaching the broadcast relay 203 and then transmitted by the broadcasting transmitter to the Antenna.

[0075] It will be emphasized in this stage that the data broadcasting is transmitted to Road-user on the electromagnetic spectrum in a spherical pattern. This is essential to the one-way character of the broadcasting and its oblivious, lack of awareness of being received or by whom.

[0076] In some embodiments, the broadcast transmitter 204 broadcasts the data through an antenna 205, and may also transmit data to a control center. The data is then processed to suit the transmission to a control center 222 and sent to a transmitter 224 that broadcasts it through an antenna 226 to the control center. Such transmission could be linear, wired, non-wired, or any known method of transmitting data. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that while the data meant for Road-users is broadcasted in a spherical manner, the data meant for the control center could be aimed at a specific receiver.

[0077] In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus could receive and rebroadcast data from other apparatuses broadcasting other Road-signs signals.

[0078] The Relaying process starts with a receiver antenna 216. The data is received, gets into a dedicated receiver 214, and then analyses retransmission relevancy. If approved, it is processed to be rebroadcasted by one or two routes. The broadcasting to Road-user using stages 203-205, and / or the route to the control center using stages 222-

[0079] 226.

[0080] The processing stage 212 could include sorting the data, eliminating some of the data (such as due to expired relevancy based on time-stamped data, or identifying manipulation attempts of the data according to predefined rules and principles.

[0081] The usage of the route for Road-users could be beneficial both to range enlargement and for better-providing future needed data.

[0082] The apparatus of the present invention also has a power / energy unit 220. In some embodiments, the power consists of a battery, while others use a cable connection to a power network. In yet other embodiments, the power is solar, wind, or any other self-providing or connected power source.

[0083] Fig. 3 is the chart of Fig. 2, further comprising a Road- sign / Sensor information conversion unit 251.

[0084] Said conversion unit is designed to alter the signal in accordance with a real Road-sign signal change. Such change could be due to a predetermined changed signal, traffic conditions, car crashes, or any other. In some embodiments, a 251 sensor is capable of detecting icy or heavily wet road conditions. In other embodiments, it can sense fog or other light condition changes, etc.

[0085] Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing of a system containing numerous apparatuses, according to some embodiments of the present invention, that could receive each other broadcasting data to Road-user and, after processing it, rebroadcast it in the same route.

[0086] In some of those embodiments, the transmission is also received by a control and monitoring center 800.

[0087] The transmission between the apparatuses and to the control center could be made either through a dedicated one or two-way communication means or through the spherical antenna route made to Road-users.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data comprising a power unit, a setup module, a securing module, and a broadcasting module, wherein said broadcasting is continuous and spherical, and wherein, said data comprising the Road-sign signal, and a geographical identifier, wherein said geographical identifier includes the position of the Road-sign and the direction or lane it is relevant to, and wherein, said securing module enables validation of said broadcasting by any Road-user-receiver, and wherein, said apparatus is oblivious to any receiving and receiver identity of its broadcast,2. The apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data of claim 1, wherein said data further comprises a timestamp.

3. The apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data of claim 1, wherein said Road-sign signal is fixed.

4. The apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data of claim 1, wherein said Road-sign signal is changeable5. The apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data of claim 1, wherein said geographical identifier is fixed6. The apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data of claim 1, wherein said geographical identifier is changeable.

7. The apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data of claim 1, wherein said securing module enables validation of authenticity, integrity, or combination thereof.

8. The apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data of claim 1, wherein said securing module is based on: encryption, digital signature, hash, secured protocols, or any combination thereof.

9. The apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data of claim 1, further comprising a receiver, said receiver is designed to receive the broadcasting of another neighboring apparatus and allow the apparatus to rebroadcast them.

10. A system comprising at least one apparatus for broadcasting Road-sign data of claim 1, further comprising a monitoring center, said monitoring center is designed to receive and monitor the said broadcasting of said at least one apparatus.

11. A method for broadcasting a Road-sign signal comprising:Creating data packages, securing said data packages, and broadcasting said data packages, wherein said data comprises the Road-sign signal, a geographical identifier, and wherein said securing is designed to allow authenticating said data, and wherein said broadcast is of a spherical electromagnetic nature and oblivious to any receiver of its signals.T1

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