Method for operating a signal luminaire for traffic areas

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a signal luminaire (1) for traffic areas, wherein a position sensor (2) is used to capture position data (3) at predefined time intervals and an illumination pattern selection device (4) applies an illumination pattern (6) to an illumination device (5) depending on the position data (3). In order to configure a method and a signal luminaire of the type described in the introduction so as to increase weather resistance and mechanical loading capacity and at the same time simplify glare-free illumination pattern selection for emergency services personnel with protective equipment, the invention proposes that the position data (3) are processed by a gesture detection device (7) to form gesture data (8) and by a transport detection device (9) to form transport pattern data (10), wherein depending on the gesture data (8) and the transport pattern data (10), an illumination pattern (6) is selected from an illumination pattern memory (11) in order to be applied to the illumination device (5).

Description

[0001] Method for operating a signal light for traffic areas

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a signal light for traffic areas, wherein position data is acquired via a position sensor at predetermined time intervals, and a light pattern selection device applies a light pattern to a light device depending on the position data. The invention also relates to a signal light for traffic areas with a control unit having a position sensor, which is connected to a light device, and a charging device for signal lights.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] WO2016077812A1 discloses signal lights for marking hazard areas or designated lanes. These use position sensors to detect movement and subsequently switch the signal lights on and off. Different light patterns can be set by operating a switch on the housing. A disadvantage of this design is that, depending on the transport conditions, the position sensors can cause false triggering and thus blind emergency personnel in already poor visibility conditions. Operating the switch is difficult for emergency personnel wearing protective equipment and thus prone to errors. Furthermore, the externally routed switch reduces the weather resistance and mechanical strength of such a signal light. Carrying cases for signal lights for marking hazard areas are known, for example, from US20220196215A1.The carrying case presented there has a remote control for adjusting the light patterns of the signal lights.

[0006] From US20110188229A1, light and sound emitting electronic devices for, for example, toothpaste caps or food containers are known, which can be activated by shaking sensors.

[0007] Description of the invention

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of designing a method and a signal light of the type described above in such a way that the weather resistance and mechanical strength are increased and at the same time the glare-free light pattern selection is simplified for emergency personnel in protective equipment.

[0009] The invention achieves this objective by processing the position data from a gesture detection device into gesture data and from a transport detection device into transport pattern data. Depending on the gesture data and the transport pattern data, a light pattern is selected from a light pattern memory to illuminate the light device. These measures allow for the light pattern selection from the position data to simultaneously consider longer-lasting, usually unconsciously generated transport patterns and short, conscious gestures of an emergency worker, thus preventing false triggering during transport while still enabling user-friendly gesture-based light pattern selection. Gesture-based light pattern selection has the advantage of eliminating the need for externally routed switches, thus avoiding any resulting weakening of the signal light housing.For example, the signal light can serve as a light source during transport to the scene of an accident, as long as the lighting device is directed towards the ground or horizontally. Once the scene of the accident is reached, a predefined flashing pattern in a specific color can be selected using gestures, for example an abrupt movement to the right. This pattern is activated once the signal light is placed on the ground. The position sensor required for this can comprise, for example, an acceleration sensor, an inertial sensor and / or a gyroscope. In the sense of the invention, the lighting pattern is understood to mean the switched-on state, but also a sequence of color and / or brightness values ​​of the lighting device. One or more LEDs can therefore be provided as the lighting device, which can be single-colored or multi-colored.Gesture data and transport pattern data are understood as corresponding classification symbols that represent a specific sequence of individual gestures or a specific class of longer-term movement patterns.

[0010] Although various gesture detection devices can be used to recognize gestures from the position data, particularly resource-efficient operating conditions are achieved when the gesture detection device includes a state machine. This allows basic individual gestures, such as a movement in a specific spatial direction or a rotation, to be detected first. A sequence of such individual gestures can then be evaluated via the state machine and processed into corresponding gesture data.

[0011] Classification devices based on time series data, which can be based on machine learning, for example, can be provided as a transport detection device. In order to be able to correctly classify even more complex movement patterns reliably and yet efficiently, the invention proposes that the transport detection device include a pre-trained decision tree. Such a decision tree can be created using pre-recorded and pre-classified training data and used for identical signal lights, without the need for the emergency responder to adapt each signal light to its own movement patterns before use.

[0012] The invention also relates to a signal light for traffic areas with a control unit having a position sensor which is connected to a lighting device.

[0013] To carry out the method according to the invention, it is provided that the control unit comprises a gesture detection device for processing position data of the position sensor into gesture data and a transport detection device for processing the position data into transport pattern data, and that a lighting pattern selection device actuated by the gesture detection device and the transport detection device is connected to the lighting device for selecting a lighting pattern depending on the gesture data and the transport pattern data.

[0014] To ensure that the signal light can be used safely even under adverse environmental conditions and over long periods of use, it is proposed that the control unit and lighting device be arranged in a common, hermetically sealed housing. This prevents the penetration of liquids and dust particles into the housing, thus preventing both direct liquid-related damage and contamination-related overheating of the electronic components. Furthermore, the emitted light is not affected by any contamination of the lighting device, which may be difficult to access and thus difficult to clean. To improve not only the ease of manufacture but also the mechanical stability of a signal light according to the invention, the control unit and lighting device can be arranged on a common circuit board.In a preferred embodiment, the hermetically sealed housing can have an inner housing and an outer housing. The outer housing can be made of a shock-absorbing material, for example, an elastomer. The housing can comprise two mutually sealed housing parts, which are screwed or reinforced together, for example, with an intermediate sealing ring. A housing according to the invention can have positioning magnets for positioning the signal light on magnetizable mounts, for example, parts of the protective equipment of emergency personnel.

[0015] To signal a large danger zone or the direction of a detour, the control unit can have a network interface for synchronizing light patterns with surrounding signal lights. This measure allows the light pattern of a signal light to be selected so that it illuminates simultaneously with neighboring signal lights, for example, to symbolize danger, or sequentially, which can indicate a direction of travel. The information for controlling and synchronizing with surrounding signal lights can be part of the light pattern, allowing synchronization with surrounding signal lights to be selected based on gesture and transport pattern data.In addition, the selected lighting pattern can be transmitted to a large number of surrounding signal lights via the network interface, so that the other surrounding signal lights can be operated via user interaction with one signal light.

[0016] To enable rapid and reliable, location-independent operation of a signal light according to the invention despite adverse environmental influences, the control unit and the lighting device can be connected to a rechargeable battery, for which external charging contacts are provided. This allows the signal lights to be charged with the housing closed before use on the traffic area, for example in an emergency vehicle, and positioned at the respective danger points without any delays in the assembly process and independently of cables. In a preferred embodiment, the battery can be provided together with the control unit and the lighting device on a circuit board. It is recommended that the housing include positioning magnets for positioning the charging contacts on a charging device.The control unit can be designed so that the charging process and / or the charge level of the battery is indicated by a corresponding light pattern of the lighting device.

[0017] The invention also relates to a charging device with signal lights, comprising a carrying handle and a plurality of light receptacles that have charging connections for contacting the charging contacts of the signal lights. The charging device can be constructed in one or more parts. Preferably, a stationary mounting part is provided, which is detachably connected to a transport part. The mounting part can be connected to a fixed power source. The transport part has one or more light receptacles for signal lights, so that these can be transported together to a destination with the aid of the transport part.

[0018] Brief description of the invention

[0019] The drawing shows an example of the subject matter of the invention.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a signal light according to the invention to illustrate the method according to the invention in a first embodiment and

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section of a signal light according to the invention in a second embodiment.

[0022] Ways to implement the invention

[0023] A signal light 1 for traffic areas comprises a position sensor 2, which detects position data transmitted via a signal line 3 at predetermined time intervals, for example, every half-second. Depending on the position data, a light pattern selection device 4 applies light patterns to a light device 5 via a control line 6. According to the invention, the position data are processed by a gesture detection device 7 into gesture data transmitted via a signal line 8 and by a transport detection device 9 into transport pattern data transmitted via a signal line 10. Depending on the position data, a light pattern is selected from a light pattern memory 11 for application to the light device 5 by the light pattern selection device 4.

[0024] As shown particularly in Fig. 2, in a further embodiment, a signal light 1 according to the invention comprises a control unit 12 comprising the position sensor 2, which is connected to the lighting device 5. The control unit 12 comprises the gesture detection device 7 and the transport detection device 9, which are capable of detecting short, deliberate gestures, such as turning, shaking, or tapping movements, and unconscious transport movements, such as steps taken by an emergency worker, based on the position data recorded by the position sensor 2. The control unit 12 and the lighting device 5 can be arranged in a hermetically sealed housing, which comprises an at least partially transparent inner housing 13, preferably made of hard plastic, and a shock-absorbing outer housing 14, preferably made of an elastomer.The inner housing 13 can comprise two housing parts which can be separated from one another, between which a sealing ring 15 is provided for hermetic sealing.

[0025] A signal light 1 according to the invention can also comprise a circuit board 16 on which the lighting device 5, the control device 12, a network interface 17 for communication with surrounding signal lights, and a battery 18 can be arranged. The battery 18 can be charged via charging contacts 19 arranged on the outside of the inner housing 13, which can be aligned, for example, with respect to a charging device by means of a positioning magnet 20.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for operating a signal light (1) for traffic areas, wherein position data (3) are detected by a position sensor (2) at predetermined time intervals and a lighting device (5) is supplied with a lighting pattern (6) by a lighting pattern selection device (4) as a function of the position data (3), characterized in that the position data (3) are processed by a gesture detection device (7) to form gesture data (8) and by a transport detection device (9) to form transport pattern data (10), wherein a lighting pattern (6) is selected from a lighting pattern memory (11) for supplying the lighting device (5) as a function of the gesture data (8) and the transport pattern data (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the gesture detection device (7) comprises a state machine.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transport detection device (9) comprises a pre-trained decision tree.

4. Signal light for traffic areas with a control unit having a position sensor which is connected to a lighting device, characterized in that the control unit comprises a gesture detection device for processing position data of the position sensor into gesture data and a transport detection device for processing the position data into transport pattern data, and that a lighting pattern selection device actuated by the gesture detection device and the transport detection device is connected to the lighting device for selecting a lighting pattern depending on the gesture data and the transport pattern data.

5. Signal light according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit and the lighting device are arranged in a common, hermetically sealed housing.

6. Signal light according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the control unit has a network interface for synchronizing light patterns with surrounding signal lights.

7. Signal light according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the control unit and lighting device are connected to a rechargeable battery, for which external charging contacts are provided.

8. Charging device with signal lights according to claim 7, characterized by a carrying handle and several light receptacles that have charging connections for contacting the charging contacts of the signal lights.

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