Smart power-saving system of traffic information electronic display board

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart power-saving system of a traffic information electronic display board, which adjusts the brightness of the electronic display board according to a signal of a passing vehicle detected by an operation detection sensor such as a radar sensor, to maintain power-saving brightness at a minimum power when there is no passing vehicle, and to display, when a passing vehicle is detected, normal brightness up until the passing vehicle has passed the electronic display board, and then automatically return to the power-saving brightness, thereby reducing the power consumption of the electronic display board during times when there are no passing vehicles.

Description

Smart energy-saving system for traffic information display boards

[0001] The present invention relates to a smart power-saving system for a traffic information display board. Specifically, the smart power-saving system for a traffic information display board adjusts the brightness of the display board to maintain a power-saving brightness of minimum power when there are no passing vehicles based on a signal of a passing vehicle detected by a motion detection sensor such as a radar sensor, and to display the display board at normal brightness only until the vehicle passes the display board when a passing vehicle is detected, after which it automatically returns to the power-saving brightness, thereby reducing the power consumption of the display board during times when there are no passing vehicles.

[0002] There are two types of traffic information displays on national roads and expressways: Variable Message Signs (VMS) installed on the main lanes of national roads and expressways to provide traffic information to drivers and Lane Control Systems (LCS) installed on the shoulder of tunnels or roads to guide smooth traffic conditions such as whether to allow passage in variable lanes and speed limits.

[0003] Separately, there are Variable Speed ​​Limit (VSL) signs, which gradually limit speeds depending on traffic conditions to prevent congestion or accidents. Generally, VSL signs are systems that display a variable speed limit according to road conditions, encouraging vehicles to drive safely at a lower speed than the limit. VSL signs are also known as variable speed limit systems or variable traffic information signs, but their English name is "VSL" (Variable Speed ​​Limit), and they all refer to the same system.

[0004] However, these devices have the same basic operating structure of the system, <Operation Center Control Unit ~ Main Controller (MCU) ~ Video Control Unit (VCU) ~ LED Display>, with only some differences in the names according to purpose and peripheral application devices (accessories).

[0005] The system configuration, specifications, and operating programs of traffic information display boards and variable traffic guidance signs are a comprehensive standardized system linked to various traffic information devices such as CCTV and VDS (highway vehicle detection system), and are operated and managed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year under a nationwide, consistent management system.

[0006] The "peak brightness" of the electronic signboard is the highest brightness white color and consumes the most power. "Normal brightness" is typically displayed at around 50-60% of each color, as driver visibility is impaired when the LED display brightness is too bright or too dark.

[0007] “Minimum brightness” is the lowest brightness black color and consumes the least power.

[0008] Differences in System Configuration and Field Application

[0009] However, existing prior art patents, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, improve the system by incorporating vehicle detection signals and power-saving functions into the main controller (MCU) / control unit. This method, in which the main controller (MCU) controls the system, necessitates changes to the program / operating system. Therefore, while the development concept is valid, it leads to significant flaws that make it difficult to apply in practice.

[0010] Specifically, traffic information displays provide comprehensive information in conjunction with other information such as vehicle detection systems (VDS) and CCTV on highways, and therefore have the absolute characteristic of being operated as a consistent standard system nationwide.

[0011] However, energy-saving systems are effective in mountainous or remote areas with little vehicle traffic, but may be inappropriate in areas with constant traffic and congestion, so their efficiency characteristics vary greatly depending on the regional situation.

[0012] Because of these two conflicting characteristics, a system that is efficient in some regions but unsuitable for others cannot be adopted as a national management system, nor can the existing system and energy-saving system be operated separately depending on the region.

[0013] For this reason, the prior patented method of controlling the main controller had the problem that it could not be applied in the field even though the development plan was established.

[0014] Conventional systems, where the main controller (MCU) controls the system, force users to choose between the existing operating system and a modified energy-saving system. However, because some areas benefit from energy-saving systems while others do not, and because the system must operate under a nationwide management system, practical implementation is difficult.

[0015] In other words, there is a need to solve the problem of the existing system configuration in which the main controller (MCU) controls the system, which made it difficult to apply to actual fields due to the problem of changing the operating system of the main controller (MCU).

[0016] First, existing traffic information electronic displays (hereinafter referred to as "electronic displays") operate at full capacity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even when there is no traffic, unnecessarily wasting electricity. To address this issue, the present invention aims to eliminate unnecessary power waste by ensuring that the display operates normally only when there is traffic, and maintaining a power-saving mode with minimal power consumption when there is no traffic.

[0017] Second, the present invention configures a new system in which a brightness control device causes a video control unit (VCU) to control only the brightness / normal brightness for display information controlled by a main controller (MCU) to achieve power saving performance, thereby allowing the existing operating system to be maintained without change while selectively applying the power saving function only to areas where it is desirable, thereby solving the existing problem of not being able to apply it to the field due to the nature of a nationwide integrated system.

[0018] In order to solve such a problem, the present invention configures a new system in which a brightness control device causes a video control unit (VCU) to control only the brightness / normal brightness for display information controlled by a main controller (MCU) to achieve power saving performance, thereby selectively applying the power saving function only to areas where it is desirable while maintaining the existing operating system without change.

[0019] Third, the prior patented method, in which the main controller (MCU) in the operations center controls the system, inevitably requires changes to the operating program. However, because some areas benefit from the energy-saving system and others do not, a uniform change to a standard program for a nationwide system is difficult. To address this issue, the present invention connects the vehicle detection signal to a video control unit (VCU) that includes a brightness control device, rather than the main controller (MCU) in the operations center.

[0020] As a means to achieve the above purpose, the composition of this invention is,

[0021] Based on the existing traffic information display board operation system,

[0022] A vehicle signal detection unit using a radar sensor's motion detection sensor and a remote wireless RF transmission module is installed 1km in front of the traffic information display board, and a remote wireless communication device and brightness control device that receive vehicle detection signals are installed around the traffic information display board.

[0023] The above brightness control device is connected to a video control device that supports a graphic function according to a vehicle detection signal, and adjusts the brightness control function of the video control device (VCU) so that the normal display information when there is no vehicle traffic is displayed at a power-saving brightness according to the vehicle detection signal from the vehicle signal detection unit.

[0024] When a vehicle signal is detected, the display is set to normal brightness for a certain period of time after the vehicle passes, and then automatically returns to power-saving brightness.

[0025] When a failure / malfunction occurs in the function of adjusting brightness according to the vehicle detection signal of the above vehicle signal detection unit, the power saving function is automatically blocked, and the display information controlled by the main controller (MCU) is displayed at normal brightness.

[0026] In addition, even if there is no problem with the power saving function, it has a function to enable the traffic information display to display at normal brightness when the operation control unit sounds a warning or alarm or wants to display the traffic information display arbitrarily as needed.

[0027] The above vehicle signal detection unit is composed of one or a combination of other devices having a motion detection sensor function, such as a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, a stereo CCTV, or an ultrasonic sensor.

[0028] The signal detected by the above vehicle signal detection unit is composed of one or more devices capable of remote communication within an area equivalent to 1 km, such as a wireless AP or optical communication network, in addition to a remote wireless RF transmission / reception module, depending on the surrounding circumstances.

[0029] It is more desirable to install two or more "vehicle signal detection units" installed on the central divider or shoulder 1km ahead of the traffic information display board to further supplement the self-detection function of the motion detection function for failure / malfunction.

[0030] The above brightness control device displays the traffic information display board at normal brightness for a certain period of time in response to a vehicle detection signal, and then adjusts the brightness back to power-saving brightness after a vehicle passes through the traffic information display board. The above-mentioned predetermined period of time is calculated based on the general vehicle speed on national roads or expressways, and refers to the time 15 seconds after a vehicle passes through the display board from 1 km ahead of the traffic information display board.

[0031] Normal brightness applies the same brightness as before, and power-saving brightness sets the color close to black to the lowest power-saving brightness of less than 3%, which is desirable for the lowest power consumption.

[0032] The video control unit (VCU) including a brightness control unit that directly receives a detection signal from a vehicle signal detection unit and adjusts the traffic information display board to normal or power-saving brightness controls the video data transmitted by the main controller (MCU) to be optimally displayed on the traffic information display board (LED), and directly receives a vehicle signal detected from the vehicle signal detection unit, and adjusts the traffic information display board to be displayed at power-saving brightness with minimum power when the vehicle signal is not detected, and when a vehicle signal is detected, displays the traffic information display board at normal brightness for a certain period of time, and then automatically returns to power-saving brightness 15 seconds after the vehicle passes the traffic information display board, and when a failure or malfunction is detected in the [function of adjusting brightness according to the vehicle signal detection unit ~ RF transmission / reception module ~ vehicle detection signal] through a self-detection function from the sensor unit, adjusts the traffic information display board to be displayed at normal brightness, and Even if there is no problem with the [function to adjust brightness], the traffic information display board is displayed at normal brightness when a warning or alarm is to be announced or when the situation operation room wishes to adjust or display it arbitrarily as needed.

[0033] The above brightness control device may be additionally installed separately between the main controller and the image control device, or may be included in the image control device to perform the function of the brightness control device.

[0034] First, the present invention minimizes unnecessary power waste by operating the display board at normal brightness only when there are passing vehicles, and by maintaining a power-saving mode with minimum power when there are no passing vehicles, thereby operating the display board at power-saving brightness.

[0035] Second, the present invention achieves the desired energy savings by simply adding a brightness control device, without modifying the existing operating system or program. This significantly reduces the work and costs involved in building a smart energy-saving system, eliminating the need for stabilization steps associated with system modifications and minimizing costs.

[0036] Third, the present invention allows a power-saving system to be built by operating a separate brightness control device without changing the operating system of the existing main controller (MCU), since the brightness control device is connected to an image control device that supports a graphic function according to a vehicle detection signal and only controls power-saving / normal brightness.

[0037] Fourth, the desired results are achieved by integrating the brightness control unit into the video control unit (VCU) and converting it into a "device with power-saving functions" without modifying the existing operating system / program. This avoids the stabilization phase associated with system modifications, and by incorporating the brightness control unit into the VCU, it directly receives and processes vehicle signals detected by the vehicle signal detection unit, enabling faster video control.

[0038] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of the conventional “traffic information display board operation system” currently in operation.

[0039] Figure 2 is a system concept diagram of the “LED display board brightness control device for automobile-only roads” of prior art patent No. 10-2377216 (patent document 001).

[0040] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of the “LED display board control system using artificial intelligence for power saving” of prior art patent No. 10-2497852 (patent document 002).

[0041] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram of a “power saving system” to which a brightness control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0042] Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of a “smart energy-saving system for a traffic information display board” to which a brightness control device is applied according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a “power saving system” in which a brightness control device is included and applied to a video control unit (VCU) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Hereinafter, to explain this invention in more detail, preferred embodiments of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Furthermore, the terms and expressions used in the specification and claims of this application are appropriately defined by the inventor to best explain his invention. Therefore, they should not be interpreted solely based on their conventional or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted in the sense and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0045] Figures 4 and 5 are configuration diagrams of a “smart energy-saving system for traffic information display boards” to which a brightness control device is applied.

[0046] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, it is based on the existing traffic information display board operation system.

[0047] It includes a vehicle signal detection unit (S-50) equipped with a motion detection sensor such as a radar sensor, a remote wireless communication device (S-60) such as a remote wireless RF transmission module, a brightness control device (S-70) connected to an image control device that supports graphic functions according to a vehicle detection signal and directly receives a vehicle signal from the vehicle signal detection unit, an operation center control unit (A-10), a main controller (A-20), a traffic information display board (A-40), and an image control device (A-30) of the traffic information display board.

[0048] The above main controller (A-20) controls the system through a program / operating system.

[0049] The above vehicle signal detection unit (S-50) is composed of one or two or more of other devices having a motion detection sensor function, such as a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, a stereo CCTV, or an ultrasonic sensor.

[0050] It is more desirable to install two or more vehicle signal detection units (S-50) in the concept of further supplementing the self-detection function of the motion detection function in the case of a malfunction / malfunction of the vehicle signal detection unit installed on the central divider or shoulder 1km ahead of the traffic information display board (A-40).

[0051] The above remote wireless communication device (S-60) is configured using one or a combination of methods that enable remote communication within an area of ​​1 km, such as using a wireless AP or an optical communication network, in addition to a remote wireless RF transmission / reception module, depending on the surrounding circumstances.

[0052] The above brightness control device (S-70) is connected to an image control device that supports graphic functions according to a vehicle detection signal, and displays the information displayed on the traffic information display board at the lowest brightness when there is no vehicle traffic according to the vehicle detection signal from the vehicle signal detection unit.

[0053] When a vehicle signal is detected, the display is set to normal brightness for a certain period of time after the vehicle passes, and then automatically returns to power-saving brightness.

[0054] In the present invention, the main controller (A-20) controls the system with respect to the display information instructed by the operation center control unit (A-10).

[0055] In the structure where the traffic information display board (A-40) is displayed after the above-mentioned video control device (A-30) provides video function support for the video data received from the main controller (A-20), the above-mentioned brightness control device (S-70) functions on the video control device (VCU) according to the vehicle detection signal to adjust the normal / power-saving brightness.

[0056] As shown in the conceptual diagram of the “power saving system with brightness control device applied in FIG. 4,” the brightness control device (S-70) controls the display information controlled by the main controller (MCU, A-20) to adjust the power saving / normal brightness of the traffic information display board (A-40) through the video control device VCU (A-30) that supports graphic functions according to the vehicle detection signal.

[0057] Through the above vehicle signal detection unit (S-50), in normal times when there is no vehicle traffic, the brightness control device (S-70, -a) operates the system in the same manner as before, while maintaining the lowest power consumption brightness for the display of the traffic information display board (A-40).

[0058] When a vehicle signal is detected through the above vehicle signal detection unit (S-50), the brightness control device (S-70, -b) operates the system in the same manner as before, but displays the display board at normal brightness for a certain period of time, and then automatically returns to power-saving brightness after the vehicle passes through the display board (A-40, -b).

[0059] Here, the above-mentioned period of time is calculated based on the general vehicle speed on national roads or expressways, and refers to the time 15 seconds after a vehicle passes the traffic information display board from 1 km ahead.

[0060] When a problem such as a breakdown or malfunction occurs in the function of the brightness control device to adjust brightness according to the vehicle detection signal of the vehicle signal detection unit (S-50) above, the brightness control device (S-70, -c) automatically blocks the power-saving control function and performs the function (A-40, -c) so that the traffic information display board (A-40) is displayed at its original normal brightness.

[0061] Even if there is no problem with the overall power saving function, when the operation center control unit sounds a warning or alarm or arbitrarily displays the traffic information display board (40) as needed, the brightness control device (S-70, -d) performs a function to display the display board at normal brightness (A-40, -d).

[0062] FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a “power saving system” in which a brightness control device is included and applied to a video control unit (VCU) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 6, it consists of a radar sensor and a remote wireless RF transmission module.

[0064] A vehicle signal detection unit (S-50) is installed 1km in front of the traffic information display board (A-40), on the median strip, or on the shoulder of the road.

[0065] The video control unit (VCU, A-30) of the display section of the traffic information display board (A-40) is modified into a “device with power-saving function” that controls / displays normal / power-saving brightness according to the vehicle detection signal.

[0066] By directly connecting the vehicle detection signal to the "video control unit with power saving function (VCU, A-30)", only the display of the traffic information display board (A-40) is adjusted to normal / power saving brightness without changing the program of the main controller (MCU, A-30).

[0067] The video control unit (VCU, A-30) having the above power-saving function adjusts only the display of the traffic information display board (A-40) to the minimum power-saving brightness while the system operates in the same system as before when there is no vehicle traffic, and when a vehicle signal is detected, the video control unit (VCU, A-30) adjusts the display of the traffic information display board (A-40) to the normal brightness for a certain period of time while the system operates in the same system as before, and then automatically returns to the power-saving brightness after 15 seconds when a vehicle passes.

[0068] The video control unit (VCU, A-30) having the above power-saving function automatically blocks the power-saving control function when a malfunction / malfunction problem is detected in the function of controlling brightness according to a vehicle detection signal, and controls the traffic information display board (A-40) to be displayed at its original normal brightness. In addition, even if there is no problem in the stage of controlling brightness according to a vehicle detection signal, the video control unit (VCU, A-30) having the above power-saving function preferably controls the video control unit (VCU, A-30) to be displayed at its normal brightness when the situation operation room wants to issue a warning or alarm or arbitrarily control / display the traffic information display board (A-40) as needed.

[0069] Here, the normal brightness is set to the same brightness applied when displaying in the existing operating system, and the power-saving brightness is preferably set to a brightness less than 3% of the display color so that it becomes black or a dark color close to it.

[0070] As a method of utilizing an existing sensor unit without newly installing a vehicle signal detection unit (S-50), it is desirable to include a vehicle detection signal for determining the presence or absence of a vehicle in the vehicle information transmitted by the existing sensor unit to the main controller (MCU, A-20), so that a video control unit (VCU) including a brightness control unit (A-70) adjusts only the display brightness of a traffic information display board (A-40) according to the new information including the vehicle detection signal.

[0071] The above brightness control device (S-70) may be separately installed between the main controller (A-20) and the image control device (A-30), or may be included in the image control device (A-30) to perform the function of the brightness control device (S-70).

Claims

1. In the smart power saving system of the traffic information display board for configuring the smart power saving system of the traffic information display board, A vehicle signal detection unit (S-50) consisting of a radar sensor motion detection sensor and a remote wireless RF transmission module is installed 1 km in front of the traffic information display board (A-40); A remote wireless communication device (S-60) that transmits and receives data from a remote wireless RF transmission module. A brightness control device (S-70) connected to an image control device (A-30) that supports graphic functions according to a vehicle detection signal, and displays normal display information with low brightness when there is no vehicle traffic according to a vehicle detection signal from the vehicle signal detection unit, and when a vehicle signal is detected, displays it with normal brightness for a certain period of time after a vehicle passes, and then automatically returns to low brightness; Main controller (A-20) that controls the system through the program / operating system; Includes a video control device (A-30) that displays a traffic information display board (A-40) by supporting text and video functions; The above brightness control device (S-70) displays the information on the traffic information display board (A-40, -b) at a low brightness level when there is no vehicle traffic according to the vehicle detection signal from the vehicle signal detection unit (S-50). When a vehicle signal is detected, the brightness control device (S-70, -a) displays the traffic information display board (A-40, -a) at normal brightness for a certain period of time after the vehicle passes, and then automatically returns to power-saving brightness. When a problem such as a breakdown or malfunction occurs in the function of the brightness control device that adjusts the brightness according to the vehicle detection signal of the vehicle signal detection unit (S-50), the brightness control device (S-70) automatically blocks the power-saving control function and performs the function so that the traffic information display board (A-40) is displayed at its original normal brightness. A smart power saving system for a traffic information display board, characterized in that when the operation center control unit (A-10) sounds a warning or alarm or arbitrarily displays the traffic information display board (40) as needed, even if there is no problem with the overall power saving function, the brightness control device (S-70) causes the traffic information display board (A-40, -d) to display at normal brightness.

2. In claim 1, A smart energy-saving system for a traffic information display board, characterized in that when a vehicle signal is detected according to a vehicle detection signal from the vehicle signal detection unit (S-50), the normal brightness of the brightness control device (S-70) is the same brightness applied when displayed in a conventional operating system, and the energy-saving brightness is set to black or a dark color close to it, resulting in an energy-saving brightness of less than 3%.

3. In claim 1, The above vehicle signal detection unit (S-50) is composed of one or two or more devices having a motion detection sensor function, such as a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, a stereo CCTV, or an ultrasonic sensor, in addition to the radar sensor. The above vehicle signal detection unit (S-50) is installed on the central divider or shoulder 1 km ahead of the traffic information display board, and is a smart power-saving system for a traffic information display board characterized in that two or more units are installed to supplement the self-detection function of the motion detection function for failure / malfunction.

4. In the smart energy-saving system of the traffic information display board, A brightness control device (A-70) that directly receives a detection signal from a vehicle signal detection unit (S-50) and adjusts the brightness of the traffic information display board (A-40) to normal or power-saving brightness, The image control device (VCU-A-30) including the brightness control device (A-70) controls the image data transmitted by the main controller (MCU) to be displayed in an optimal state on the traffic information display board (A-40). The vehicle signal detected from the vehicle signal detection unit (S-50) is directly received, and when the vehicle signal is not detected, the traffic information display board (A-40) is adjusted to display at the minimum power-saving brightness, and when the vehicle signal is detected, the traffic information display board (A-40) is displayed at normal brightness for a certain period of time, and then automatically returns to the power-saving brightness after 15 seconds when the vehicle passes the traffic information display board (A-40). If a failure or malfunction is detected in the [function for adjusting brightness according to the vehicle signal detection unit ~ RF transmission / reception module ~ vehicle detection signal] through the self-detection function of the above brightness control device (A-70), the traffic information display board (A-40) is adjusted to display at normal brightness. A smart power-saving system for a traffic information display board, characterized in that even if there is no abnormality in the above [vehicle signal detection unit ~ RF transmission / reception module ~ function for adjusting brightness according to vehicle detection signal], the traffic information display board (A-40) is displayed at normal brightness when a warning or alarm is announced or the situation operation room arbitrarily adjusts or displays it as needed.

5. In claim 1 or claim 4, A smart power saving system for a traffic information display board, characterized in that the brightness control device (S-70) can be separately installed between the main controller (A-20) and the image control device (A-30) or can be included in the image control device (A-30) to perform the function of the brightness control device (S-70).

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