System and method for monitoring a road infrastructure

Abstract

It is disclosed a system for monitoring a road infrastructure. The system comprises: a sensor installed along the road infrastructure which provides measurements of a parameter indicative of a state of the road infrastructure; a beacon device associated with the sensor which receives from the sensor the measurements of the parameter and transmits, via a short-range radio communication technology, a broadcast radio signal comprising an information content corresponding to at least one measurement; and a mobile communication device comprising a short-range connectivity module and a mobile connectivity module. The mobile communication module receives the radio signal broadcast via the short-range connectivity module, when the mobile communication device is located within the coverage range of the beacon device, and transmits the information content to a processing apparatus by means of the mobile connectivity module via a mobile communication network.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention in general relates to the field of solutions for monitoring road infrastructures. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and a method for monitoring the state of a road infrastructure suitable for pedestrian and / or vehicle traffic (for example, a road and / or motorway section).

[0004] Prior art

[0005] It is known to monitor the state of a road infrastructure by means of sensors distributed along said infrastructure.

[0006] The sensors for monitoring the state of the road infrastructure may be service sensors for detecting state parameters indicative of the operating conditions of the road infrastructure (for example, structural conditions of the road infrastructure or parts thereof and / or environmental conditions to which it is subject) and / or travel mobility sensors for detecting state parameters indicative of travel mobility conditions of the road infrastructure. The state parameters detected by the sensors in general are transmitted to a processing apparatus, which processes them in order to provide information indicative of the road infrastructure.

[0007] The direct communication between sensor and processing apparatus typically requires a dedicated communication network.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] The Applicant has noticed that the implementation of a dedicated communication network between sensors and processing apparatus has some drawbacks.

[0010] Firstly, a dedicated communication network results in high installation and maintenance costs, so that it is not possible (or in any case is extremely costly) to obtain a widespread deployment of the sensors along the road infrastructure. Furthermore, because of its inherent complexity, a dedicated communication network has a limited adaptability to the context in which it is used. In particular, since it is particularly difficult to move the communication network to another location, it is equally difficult and costly to displace the sensors so as to vary the monitoring area (as would instead be desirable in certain cases, such as for example monitoring of ongoing mobile worksites), so it is not possible to obtain a dynamic deployment of the sensors along the road infrastructure.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for monitoring a road infrastructure which overcomes at least one of the aforesaid drawbacks.

[0012] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for monitoring a road infrastructure which is particularly efficient in terms of costs and adaptability.

[0013] According to embodiments of the present invention, this object is achieved by a system and a method whereby a beacon device receives from a sensor associated with it a measurement of one or more parameters indicative of the state of the road infrastructure and transmits, via a short-range radio communication technology, a broadcast radio signal comprising said measurement; and wherein a mobile communication device receives, when it is within the coverage range of the beacon device, the broadcast radio signal by means of the short-range connectivity technology and transmits this information to a processing apparatus via a mobile communication network.

[0014] In the following description and the claims, the expression “beacon device” will indicate a device comprising a radio transmitter configured, when activated, to transmit at least one broadcast radio signal, i.e. a radio signal without a predefined recipient.

[0015] Below, in the following description and the claims, “short-range radio communication technology” is understood as meaning a radio communication technology which has a coverage range of less than 100 metres.

[0016] The system and the method according to the present invention are particularly efficient with regard to monitoring of the road infrastructure.

[0017] In particular, with the system and the method according to the present invention it is possible to obtain widespread deployment of the sensors along the road infrastructure, since the beacon devices associated with the sensors have low costs, as well as high autonomy in terms of energy and operation, which allows diffusion on a huge scale and limited maintenance thereof.

[0018] Furthermore, the system and the method according to the present invention ensure simple installation, since during installation the beacon devices require only quick and basic configurations. They also have small dimensions so that it is particularly simple to position them along the road infrastructure and, if necessary, subsequently move them to other points along the road infrastructure.

[0019] In addition, the system and the method according to the present invention ensure a continuous working service. Indeed, since the transmission of the information detected by the sensors makes use of the mobile communication devices on-board vehicles (which, in usual circumstances, generally transit in large numbers along the road infrastructure) and their corresponding capacity to connect up to the mobile communication network, any interruptions in service are avoided, or at least significantly reduced.

[0020] Finally, the system and method according to the present invention ensure a high degree of versatility during use. By suitably configuring (and if necessary reconfiguring) the beacon devices and / or the mobile communication devices, it is indeed possible to adapt (and readapt) one or more operating features, such as the mode and / or type and / or quantity of measurements to be transmitted to the processing apparatus, depending on specific and / or contingent needs.

[0021] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a system for monitoring a road infrastructure is provided, the system comprising: - a sensor installed along the road infrastructure and configured to provide at least one measurement of a parameter indicative of a state of the road infrastructure;

[0022] - a beacon device associated with the sensor, the beacon device being configured to receive from the sensor said at least one measurement of said parameter and to transmit, via a short-range radio communication technology, a broadcast radio signal comprising an information content corresponding to said at least measurement; and

[0023] - a mobile communication device comprising a short-range connectivity module and a mobile connectivity module, the mobile communication device being configured to:

[0024] - receive the broadcast radio signal by means of the short-range connectivity module, when the mobile communication device is within the coverage range of the beacon device, and

[0025] - transmit said information content to a processing apparatus by means of the mobile connectivity module via a mobile communication network.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the system also comprises the processing apparatus, the processing apparatus being configured to receive the information content and to monitor the road infrastructure on the basis of the information content.

[0027] For example, the parameter indicative of a state of the road infrastructure detected by the sensor comprises a parameter indicative of a structural condition of the road infrastructure, and / or a parameter indicative of an environmental condition to which the road infrastructure is subject, and / or a parameter indicative of a travel mobility condition of the road infrastructure.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the beacon device is further configured to insert into the broadcast radio signal at least one of a unique identifier of the beacon device and a unique identifier of the sensor.

[0029] For example, the beacon device is configured to transmit the broadcast radio signal:

[0030] - when the at least one measurement of said parameter received represents a variation with respect to a previous measurement of said parameter; or

[0031] - when the at least one measurement of said parameter received exceeds a predefined threshold value.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the short-range radio communication technology is a Bluetooth® Low Energy technology.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the broadcast radio signal also comprises an indication of the power of the broadcast radio signal transmitted, the mobile device being further configured to estimate, based on said indication of the power of the broadcast radio signal and an indication of the power of the broadcast radio signal received by means of the short-range connectivity module of the mobile communication device, a distance between the beacon device and the mobile communication device.

[0034] For example, the mobile device is further configured to transmit to the processing apparatus at least one of the following:

[0035] - power of the broadcast radio signal received at the mobile communication device;

[0036] - estimate of distance between the beacon device and the mobile communication device;

[0037] - position of the beacon device; and

[0038] - geolocation information of the mobile communication device.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the sensor and the beacon device associated with the sensor are integrated into a single electronic or electromechanical module.

[0040] According to a second aspect, a method for monitoring a road infrastructure is provided, said method comprising:

[0041] - by means of a sensor installed along the road infrastructure, providing at least one measurement of a parameter indicative of a condition of the road infrastructure;

[0042] - by means of a beacon device, receiving from the sensor said at least one measurement of said parameter and transmitting, via a short-range radio communication technology, a broadcast radio signal comprising an information content corresponding to said at least one measurement; and

[0043] - by means of a mobile communication device located within the coverage range of the beacon device and comprising a short- range connectivity module and a mobile connectivity module, receiving the broadcast radio signal by means of the short-range connectivity module and, by means of the mobile connectivity module, transmitting the information content included in the broadcast radio signal received to a processing apparatus via a mobile communication network.

[0044] Brief description of the drawings

[0045] Features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of possible embodiments thereof, provided by way of a non-limiting example, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0046] - Figure 1 shows in schematic form a system for monitoring a road infrastructure, according to embodiments of the present invention and

[0047] - Figure 2 shows a flow chart schematically illustrating the operation of the system shown in Figure 1 , according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0049] Figure 1 shows in schematic form a system 100 for monitoring a road infrastructure IF according to embodiments of the present invention. The road infrastructure IF, which is not part of the system 100, preferably comprises a road and / or motorway section suitable for pedestrian and / or vehicle traffic.

[0050] The system 100 preferably comprises one or more sensors, indicated overall by the reference number 105, positioned along the road infrastructure IF and configured to detect one or more parameters indicative of a state of the road infrastructure IF (state parameters herein below). In the non-limiting exemplary embodiment considered, the system 100 comprises a plurality of sensors (for example, five sensors) which are individually indicated by respective reference numbers 1051-1055. Below, for the sake of simplicity, reference will be made to the sensor 105 or to the sensors 105 in order to indicate, respectively, the generic sensor among the plurality of sensors 1051 -1055 or the plurality of sensors 1051-1055 as a whole, when it is not relevant (for the purposes of the features discussed) to distinguish between the individual sensors.

[0051] As mentioned above, the sensors 105 are preferably positioned along the road infrastructure IF. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sensors 105 are positioned along a single side of the road infrastructure IF and are substantially equidistant from each other. This is however not limiting, since the sensors 105 may be distributed along the road infrastructure IF in any position and / or at variable positions from each other (depending for example on the type of sensors and / or operating features of the sensors and / or state parameters being measured).

[0052] In the present description and in the claims, “state of the road infrastructure IF” is understood as meaning the operating condition thereof (for example, the structural conditions of the road infrastructure IF or parts thereof and / or the environmental conditions to which is subject), in which case the sensors 105 comprise service sensors; or travel mobility conditions, in which case the sensors 105 comprise travel mobility sensors.

[0053] Examples of service sensors comprise, but are not limited to, one or more crack meters, strain gauges, inclinometers (for example tilt sensors fixed to the road signs in order to determine the upright or tilted-over condition thereof), sensors for detecting the state of the road surface, visibility and wind sensors, snow sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, and automatic weather stations. Examples of travel mobility sensors comprise, but are not limited to, traffic sensors (for example, for measuring the presence / transit of vehicles, traffic queues, traffic intensity), event sensors (for example, for detecting accidents, accidental occurrences, bottlenecks, turning manoeuvres, lane changing), vehicle sensors (for example, for detecting features of the vehicles such as total weight, axial weight, length, height, classification, occupancy), sensors for detecting infractions or defects of vehicles (for example, excessive speed, failure to stop at red lights or stop signs, illegal parking, travel in a direction not permitted, defective headlights, flat tyres).

[0054] Each sensor 105 may comprise one or more service sensors (for example, configured to detect the same or different state parameters) and / or one or more traffic sensors (for example, configured to detect the same or different state parameters).

[0055] The system 100 preferably comprises a processing apparatus 110. The processing apparatus 110 preferably is a processing apparatus comprising, for example, one or more servers and / or one or more databases. The processing apparatus 110 may be implemented at a distance which is far or relatively far from the sensors 105, or close to one of the sensors 105.

[0056] The processing apparatus 110 is preferably configured to process at least part of the measurements of the state parameter(s) performed by the sensors 105 (as will be described below, according to some embodiments not all the measurements performed by the sensors 105 are transmitted to the processing apparatus 110). The processing by the processing apparatus 110 of at least part of the measurements performed by the sensors 105 may for example be aimed at, or support, one of the following tasks: traffic flow control, user information, toll collection, parking monitoring, infraction detection, driver assistance, level crossing surveillance, roadway maintenance, studies and research. By way of mere example, in the event of detection (for example via tilt sensors) of the upright or tilted- over condition of the roadway signs along the road infrastructure IF, the processing apparatus 110 could be configured to allow an operator to display the map of the road signs and their condition. This would allow, for example, prompt action in the event of one or more road signs being detected as being in a tilted-over condition.

[0057] The system 100 preferably comprises one or more beacon devices, indicated overall by the reference number 115, associated with the sensors 105. In the following description and the claims, the expression “beacon device” will indicate a device comprising a radio transmitter configured, when activated, to transmit at least one broadcast radio signal, i.e. a radio signal without a predefined recipient.

[0058] By way of example, the number of beacon devices 115 is equal to the number of sensors 105, with each beacon device 115 being associated with a respective sensor 105. In the non-limiting exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 , in which the system 100 comprises five sensors 1051 -1055, the system 100 for example comprises five beacon devices, individually indicated by the respective reference numbers 1151-1155, each of which is associated with a respective sensor 1051 -1055. Below, for simpler illustration, reference will be made to the beacon device 115 or beacon devices 115 in order to indicate, respectively, the generic beacon device among the plurality of beacon devices 1151 -1155 or the plurality of beacon devices 1151 -1155 as a whole, when it is not relevant (for the purposes of the features discussed) to distinguish between the individual beacon devices.

[0059] The number of beacon devices 115 is not necessarily equal to the number of sensors 105. For example, the number of beacon devices 115 may be less than the number of sensors 105 such that each beacon device 115 may be associated with two or more sensors 105 (for example in order to keep costs down). According to other embodiments, the number of beacon devices 115 may be greater than the number of sensors 105, such that two or more beacon devices 115 may be associated with the same sensor 105 (for example for redundancy purposes).

[0060] Each beacon device 115 is configured to transmit radio signals which are broadcast (below referred to as “broadcast radio signals” or simply “broadcast signals”) via a short-range radio technology. Below, in the following description and the claims, “short-range radio communication technology” is understood as meaning a radio communication technology which has a coverage range of less than 100 metres.

[0061] The short-range radio communication technology is preferably based on Bluetooth® technology, even more preferably on BLE ("Bluetooth® Low Energy) technology. By using BLE technology it is advantageously possible to implement beacon devices 115 with low costs, operation at extremely low energy levels (with consequent prolonged duration of the respective power supply devices, not shown in the drawings), and high versatility of use. In particular, as regards versatility of use, the transmission of broadcast signals may be advantageously performed without prior identification between the beacon devices 115 and the receiving devices.

[0062] Each beacon device 115 is preferably communication-linked to the sensor 105 associated with it, so as to receive the corresponding measurements performed by the sensor 115. The communication link between each beacon device 115 and the respective sensor 105 is schematically illustrated in Figure 1 by means of an arrow connecting line.

[0063] Each beacon device 115 may be communication-linked to the respective sensor 105 by means of wired or wireless connection.

[0064] The beacon device 115 is preferably co-located (namely located close or very near) to the sensor 105 associated with it. According to advantageous embodiments, the beacon device 115 and the sensor 105 associated with it may be integrated into a single electronic or electromechanical module.

[0065] The beacon device 115 is configured to transmit, via the short- range radio technology, a broadcast signal comprising an identifier of the beacon device 115 and an information content in turn comprising one or more measurements performed by the associated sensor 105.

[0066] The identifier of the beacon device 115 preferably comprises a code (for example a numerical or alpha-numerical code) which uniquely identifies the beacon device 115.

[0067] In embodiments wherein the beacon device 115 is associated with two or more sensors 105, the broadcast signal may comprise, in addition to or instead of the identifier of the beacon device 115, an identifier of each sensor 105 so as to be able to distinguish between measurements performed by different sensors 105.

[0068] The broadcast signal may further comprise an indication of the power of the transmitted broadcast signal so that, together with an indication of the power of the broadcast signal received at the receiving device (or RSSI, namely "Received Signal Strength Indicator”), the receiving device (or the processing apparatus 110) may advantageously estimate (or contribute to estimate) the distance between the beacon device 115 and the receiving device (for example in order to determine, or contribute to determine, the position of the beacon device 115).

[0069] The transmission power of the broadcast signal is preferably configurable according to the needs of the operator of the road infrastructure IF or operator of the system 100, for example by adjusting suitable configuration parameters of the beacon device 115.

[0070] In the exemplary embodiment considered, in which the beacon device 115 is based on BLE technology, the transmission of the broadcast signal is preferably performed in accordance with one of the protocols used by BLE technology. Merely by way of a nonlimiting example, the broadcast signal may be compliant with the BLE advertising packet.

[0071] The beacon device 115 may be configured to transmit the broadcast signals periodically. In this case, the information content of the broadcast signal transmitted by the beacon device 115 at a first time may be unchanged or differ from the information content of the broadcast signal transmitted by the same beacon device 115 at a second time depending, respectively, on the absence or presence of variations in the measurements between the first time and the second time.

[0072] The transmission periodicity of the broadcast signals is preferably configurable according to the needs of the operator of the road infrastructure IF or operator of the system 100, for example by adjusting suitable configuration parameters of the beacon device 115.

[0073] In addition or alternatively, the beacon device 115 may be configured to transmit the broadcast signals in a non-periodic manner. For example, the beacon device 115 may be configured to transmit a broadcast signal when there is a variation in the measurements performed by the sensor 105 associated with it. By way of a further example, the beacon device 115 may be configured to transmit a broadcast signal when the measurements performed by the sensor 105 associated with it exceed (for example, are higher than or less than) one or more predefined threshold values.

[0074] The system 100 preferably also comprises a mobile communication device 120 (referred to below in short as “mobile device”).

[0075] The mobile device 120 is an electronic device having a processing capacity and mobile connectivity.

[0076] The mobile device 120 may comprise a personal portable mobile device of the user, such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a wearable device (for example a smartwatch), a personal computer or a portable computer. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the device 120 is the mobile device of a user in transit (on foot or on-board his / her vehicle) along the road infrastructure IF.

[0077] Alternatively, the mobile device 120 may form part of a device or apparatus associated with the user’s vehicle, such as an OBU ("On Board Unit”) for remote toll collection, or an on-board apparatus such as an on-board computer, an infotainment system, or an EDR ("Event Data Recorder”, also known as “black box”).

[0078] The mobile device 120 preferably comprises a short-range connectivity module (for example a BLE module), not shown, configured to receive the signals broadcast from the beacon device 115 when the mobile device 120 is within the coverage range of the beacon device 115. The mobile device 120 further preferably comprises a mobile connectivity module, such as a 3G, 4G and / or 5G connectivity module, also not shown, configured to communicate with a mobile communication network 125 (for example a 3G, 4G and / or 5G mobile communication network) for transmission of the data packets to the processing apparatus 110.

[0079] The mobile device 120 is suitable for implementing (or accessing) a function (referred to below also as “forwarding function”) comprising the reception of the broadcast signal from the beacon device 115, the recognition of the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information content included in it, and the transmission of the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information content (or a data packet obtained from them, as discussed below) to the processing apparatus 110.

[0080] The forwarding function in the mobile device 120 may be activated manually in response to a command of the user, or automatically in response to external events, such as the presence of the beacon device 115 and / or the reception of the respective broadcast signal.

[0081] According to some embodiments of the invention, the mobile device 120 may be provided with a software application configured to implement the forwarding function. The software application may comprise a mobile application, such as a mobile app or a web app. The software application may be a dedicated software application, namely a software application developed specifically by or on behalf of the operator of the system 100 for the purpose of implementing the forwarding function. Alternatively, the software application may be not dedicated, i.e. it may consist of a software application provided by third parties and having a forwarding function which can be accessed by or on behalf of the operator of the system 100.

[0082] The software application may, for example, be downloaded from a digital distribution platform associated with the operating system of the mobile device and installed in it. Without losing its general character, the installation of the software application in the mobile device 120 may involve registration and / or authentication by the user and the definition of settings and / or preferences. Examples of settings and / or preferences comprise, but are not limited to, consent or withdrawal of the consent to the forwarding function, limitation of the forwarding function (for example, maximum use of data traffic, automatic enabling / disabling of the forwarding function depending on one or more operating conditions such as the percentage of residual charge of the mobile device, and non-availability or limited availability of the radio coverage of the mobile communication network 125), periodicity of transmission of the data packets to the processing apparatus 110 (for example, data packets transmitted periodically or non-periodically, as discussed below), and mode of transmission of the data packets to the processing apparatus 110 for each transmission (for example, predefined number of packets for each transmission, or predefined grouping of the data packets for each transmission, as discussed below).

[0083] Alternatively, the mobile device 120 may be able to access the forwarding function for example made available by its own operating system or by software already installed and implemented by the mobile device 120 for other purposes.

[0084] When it implements or accesses the forwarding function, the mobile device 120 receives the broadcast signal from the beacon device 115 via its short-range connectivity module, recognizes the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information content included in the broadcast signal, making use of the processing capacity of its central processing unit (or CPU), and transmitting the aforementioned data packet to the processing apparatus 110 via its mobile connectivity module.

[0085] The mobile device 120 may be further configured to allow the user to access historical measurements (or a subset thereof) collected by the processing apparatus 110 (for example, presenting these measurements in the form of aggregates, statistics and by means of graphs, maps and thematic summary dashboards).

[0086] As discussed in greater detail below, the mobile device 120 may also be configured to include, in the data packet to be transmitted to the processing apparatus 110, information such as power of the broadcast signal received at the mobile device and / or estimate of the distance between the beacon device 115 and the mobile device 120 and / or position of the beacon device 115 and / or geolocation of the mobile device 120.

[0087] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, when, during the movement of the vehicle (movement shown in Figure 1 by means of a sequence of dashed-line representations of the vehicle), the vehicle with the mobile device 120 on-board it (for example the mobile device of the driver or a passenger) passes close to (i.e. within the coverage range of) a beacon device 1151-1155, the mobile device 120 receives from it the corresponding broadcast signal, processes it and obtains a respective data packet (or several data packets, as discussed below), which it transmits to the processing apparatus 110. Therefore, the mobile devices 120 (or rather their software applications) of users in transit along the road infrastructure IF, intercepting the measurements of the sensors 105 via the short- range communication technology and forwarding them to the processing apparatus 110 via the mobile communication network 125, act themselves as a measurement collecting network. As a result, it is advantageously possible to avoid the implementation of a dedicated communication network for direct communication between the sensors 105 and the processing apparatus 110, which would require disruptive work along the road infrastructure both during deployment and during modification / maintenance.

[0088] The data packets may be transmitted to the processing apparatus 110 periodically, for example at predefined transmission times. Alternatively, the data packets may be transmitted to the processing apparatus 100 non-periodically, for example using a data packet transmission mode based on single transmissions. The data packet transmission mode based on single transmissions may comprise, but is not limited to, a predefined number of data packets per transmission or a predefined grouping of data packets per transmission (for example, grouping in blocks of predefined size and / or grouping based on the type of state parameters detected).

[0089] The data packet corresponding to the broadcast signal received from the beacon device 115 may comprise, in addition to the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information content included in the broadcast signal, geolocation information about the mobile device 12 (for example, position and instantaneous speed of the mobile device 120), preferably obtained by making use of the geolocation hardware and software integrated in the mobile device 120.

[0090] If the broadcast signal received from a beacon device 115 includes, in addition to the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information content, an indication of the power of the broadcast signal transmitted, the corresponding data packet may further comprise (in addition to the identifier of the beacon device 115, the information content and an indication of the power of the broadcast signal transmitted) an indication of the power of the broadcast signal received at the mobile device 120. In this way, together with the indication of the power of the transmitted broadcast signal, the processing apparatus 110 may advantageously determine (or contribute to determine) an estimate of the distance between the beacon device 115 and the mobile device 120, for example in order to determine, or contribute to determine, the position of the beacon device 115. If the broadcast signal received from a beacon device 115 includes, in addition to the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information content, the indication of the power of the transmitted broadcast signal, the corresponding data packet may comprise (in addition to the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information content) an estimate of the distance between the beacon device 115 and the mobile device (and / or the position of the beacon device 115 derived from said estimate) determined by the mobile device 120 on the basis of the indication of the power of the transmitted broadcast signal and the indication of the power of the received broadcast signal.

[0091] The use of information such as the estimate of the distance between the beacon device 115 and the mobile device 120, and / or position of the beacon device 115, and / or geolocation of the mobile device 120 advantageously allows implementing or contributing to implement or improve activities such as the tracking of special vehicles (for example exceptional transport vehicles or vehicles transporting dangerous goods), detection of traffic flows and congestion, without the need for dedicated detection points along the road infrastructure. One or more of these activities could require auxiliary information (for example, the vehicle data and / or the vehicle features), which may be entered manually in the mobile device 120 or may be retrieved or determined automatically by the mobile device 120 (for example by means of access to suitable external databases, not shown, and / or by making use of any measurements of the vehicle sensors).

[0092] With reference to the flow chart of Figure 2 operation of the system 110 for monitoring a road infrastructure (such as the road infrastructure IF) according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

[0093] Each step in the flow chart of Figure 2 may correspond to one or more instructions executable to implement the corresponding logic function on a relevant software component of the respective element involved (i.e. sensor 105, beacon device 115, mobile device 120 and processing apparatus 110).

[0094] For simpler description, the method 200 will be discussed with reference to a single sensor 105 and a single beacon device 115. This is not limiting, since the steps of the method 200 discussed with reference to a single sensor 105 and to a single beacon device 115 may be applied where there is a plurality of sensors and / or where there is a plurality of beacon devices, irrespective as to the ratio between the number of sensors 105 and number of beacons 115.

[0095] The method 200 preferably provides for installing the sensor 105 along the road infrastructure IF (step 205). The installation of the sensor 105 along the road infrastructure IF preferably comprises the positioning of the sensor 105 at a suitable point along the road infrastructure IF. Without losing its general character, the installation point of the sensor 105 may depend on the state parameter(s) detected by the sensor 105.

[0096] The installation of the sensor 105 along the road infrastructure IF may further comprise operations such as the configuration of the sensor 105 and / or the activation of the sensor 105. For example, the configuration of the sensor 105 may comprise the setting of one or more measurement parameters (for example the measurement time interval).

[0097] The method 200 preferably also provides for installing the beacon device 115 along the road infrastructure IF and reciprocally associating the beacon device 115 and the sensor 105 (step 210).

[0098] The installation of the beacon device 115 along the road infrastructure IF preferably comprises positioning the beacon device 115 at a suitable point along the road infrastructure IF, for example close to or very near to the sensor 105.

[0099] The installation of the beacon device 115 along the road infrastructure IF may further comprise operations such as the configuration of the beacon device 115. Examples of configuration of the beacon device 115 comprise, but are not limited to, setting of transmission parameters (for example, transmission power and / or transmission frequency and / or periodic or non-periodic transmission mode), activation of the beacon device 115, and assignment (and memorization) of the identifier of the beacon device 115.

[0100] The reciprocal association of the beacon device 115 and the sensor 105 preferably comprises the creation of a communication link (for example by means of a wired or wireless connection) between the beacon device 115 and the sensor 105. The reciprocal association of the beacon device 115 and the sensor 105 may further comprise storing (inside the beacon device 115) an identifier of the sensor 105 suitable for uniquely identifying the sensor 105. This may be useful, for example, in situations where a single beacon device 115 is associated with several sensors 105, as discussed above.

[0101] Although in Figure 2 the installation of the sensor 105 (step 205) and the installation of the beacon device 115 and the association thereof to the sensor 105 (step 210) are shown as steps which are performed at the same time, this is not necessary. Situations may indeed arise where the installation of the sensor 105 and the beacon device 115 is not performed at the same, for example in the case where the beacon device 115 is to be installed in association with an already previously installed sensor 105 from which the measurements are to be subsequently collected making use of the forwarding function.

[0102] Once the installation of the sensor 105 and the beacon device 115 has been completed, the sensor 105 performs measurements of the corresponding state parameter(s) and communicates the measurements (for example periodically or non-periodically) to the associated beacon device 115 (step 215). Step 215 is preferably cyclically repeated continuously, until a forced stop event occurs, such as deactivation or manual or programmed switching off of the sensor 105.

[0103] As long as the beacon device 115 does not receive any measurement from the sensor 105 (condition N at step 220), it preferably remains in a standby state. Upon reception of a measurement performed by the sensor 105 (condition Y at step 220), the beacon device 115 preferably transmits, via short-range radio communication technology (for example BLE technology), a broadcast signal comprising the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information content corresponding to the measurement received (step 225).

[0104] In the case where the beacon device 115 is configured to start transmission of the broadcast signal only upon occurrence of a certain condition in the measurements received from the sensor 105 (for example a variation in the measurements performed by the sensor 105, or the exceeding of a threshold by the measurements performed by the sensor 105), the beacon device 115 remains in the standby state until this condition occurs.

[0105] Although not shown, the transmission of the broadcast signal (step 225) may comprise the transmission of a plurality of identical broadcast signals at successive times. Broadcast signals transmitted from the beacon device 115 are identical if the information content included therein is the same, i.e. if the measurements contained therein have the same value and have been performed by the same sensor 115 at the same measurement time (which measurement time for example may be associated with each measurement in the form of a timestamp). The transmission of the plurality of identical broadcast signals may continue until a predefined transmission time interval has lapsed or until the beacon device 115 does not receive a further measurement from the sensor 105. The transmission of a plurality of identical broadcast signals at successive times advantageously maximizes the possibility of interception of the broadcast signals by the on-board mobile devices of the vehicles in transit along the road infrastructure IF and therefore forwarding of the measurement contained in them to the processing apparatus 110.

[0106] As long as the mobile device 120 does not receive any broadcast signal (condition N in step 220), it preferably remains in a standby state.

[0107] Upon reception of the broadcast signal via the short-range radio communication technology (condition Y at step 230), the mobile device 120 preferably recognizes the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information content included in the broadcast signal (step 235). Then, preferably, the mobile device 120 generates a data packet which includes at least the identifier of the beacon device 115 and the information contact included in the broadcast signal and transmits it to the processing apparatus 110 via the mobile communication network 125 (step 240).

[0108] Following the reception of the broadcast signal (step 230), the mobile device 120 may optionally compare the broadcast signal and the broadcast signal previously received in order to determine whether they are identical (at step 225 a plurality of identical broadcast signals may be transmitted at successive times for redundancy purposes, as discussed above). In case the broadcast signal is identical to the previous broadcast signal, the mobile device 120 may ignore the broadcast signal received, since the information content included in it has already been forwarded to the processing apparatus 110.

[0109] Finally, the processing apparatus 110 receives and processes the data packet received (step 245).

Claims

CLAIMS1 . System (100) for monitoring a road infrastructure (IF), the system (100) comprising: a sensor (105) installed along the road infrastructure (IF) and configured to provide at least one measurement of a parameter indicative of a state of the road infrastructure (IF); a beacon device (115) associated with the sensor (105), the beacon device (115) being configured to receive from the sensor (105) said at least one measurement of said parameter and to transmit, via a short-range radio communication technology, a broadcast radio signal comprising an information content corresponding to said at least one measurement; and a mobile communication device (120) comprising a short- range connectivity module and a mobile connectivity module, the mobile communication device (120) being configured to: receive the broadcast radio signal by means of the short- range connectivity module, when the mobile communication device (120) is within the coverage range of the beacon device (115), and transmit said information content to a processing apparatus (110) by means of the mobile connectivity module via a mobile communication network (125).

2. The system (100) according to claim 1 , further comprising said processing apparatus (110), said processing apparatus (110) being configured to receive said information content and to monitor the road infrastructure (IF) on the basis of said information content.

3. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the parameter indicative of a state of the road infrastructure detected by the sensor (105) comprises a parameter indicative of astructural condition of the road infrastructure (IF), and / or a parameter indicative of an environmental condition to which the road infrastructure (IF) is subject, and / or a parameter indicative of a travel mobility condition of the road infrastructure (IF).

4. The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beacon device (115) is configured to insert into the broadcast radio signal also at least one of a unique identifier of the beacon device (115) and a unique identifier of the sensor (105).

5. The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beacon device (115) is configured to transmit the broadcast radio signal: when the at least one measurement of said parameter received represents a variation with respect to a previous measurement of said parameter; or when the at least one measurement of said parameter received exceeds a predefined threshold value.

6. The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the short-range radio communication technology is a Bluetooth® Low Energy technology.

7. The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the broadcast radio signal also comprises an indication of the power of the broadcast radio signal transmitted, the mobile device (120) being further configured to estimate, based on said indication of the power of the broadcast radio signal and an indication of the power of the broadcast radio signal received by means of the short-range connectivity module of the mobile communication device (120), a distance between the beacon device (115) and the mobile communication device (120).

8. The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile device (120) is further configured to transmitto the processing apparatus (110) at least one of the following: power of the broadcast radio signal received at the mobile communication device (120); estimate of distance between the beacon device (115) and the mobile communication device (120); position of the beacon device (115); and geolocation information of the mobile communication device (120).

9. The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (105) and the beacon device (115) associated with the sensor (105) are integrated into a single electronic or electromechanical module.

10. Method (200) for monitoring a road infrastructure (IF), said method comprising: by means of a sensor (105) installed along the road infrastructure, providing at least one measurement of a parameter indicative of a state of the road infrastructure (IF); by means of a beacon device (115), receiving (220) from the sensor (105) said at least one measurement of said parameter and transmitting (225), via a short-range radio communication technology, a broadcast radio signal comprising an information content corresponding to said at least one measurement; by means of a mobile communication device (120) located within the coverage range of the beacon device and comprising a short-range connectivity module and a mobile connectivity module, receiving the broadcast radio signal by means of the short-range connectivity module and, by means of the mobile connectivity module, transmitting the information content included in the broadcast radio signal received to a processing apparatus (110) via a mobile communication network (125).

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