EP0566437A1 - Assembly of two beacons for road signalling and associated on board receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is an assembly of two beacons (1, 2) for road signalling, each attached to an information support (3) for road signalling (4) implanted in the ground, comprising means (7, 11; 9, 12) which are configured to produce a signal representing the signalling information of the associated support and for transmitting it towards the ground, obliquely with respect to the ground, towards an on-board receiver (20) installed on a vehicle (6). According to the invention, the two beacons (1, 2) are attached to the same support (3) and configured to transmit their signals respectively upstream and downstream of the support (3). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a set of two road signaling beacons, each associated with a road signaling information medium located on the ground, comprising means arranged to produce a signal representative of the signaling information of the associated medium and the transmit towards the ground, obliquely to the ground, to an on-board receiver on board a vehicle.

When a driver of a land vehicle is moving, he is made to visually take cognizance of various road signaling information, allowing him to respect this signaling or to locate himself geographically.

Road signs are produced by means of road signs, passive signs, traffic lights and markings. The driver of the vehicle must therefore see them, in good time, that is to say sufficiently early to be able to comply with the signs. In the case of road traffic lights, the light range of these is provided accordingly. A warning sign is sometimes added, in the event that vehicles are likely to be traveling at high speed or in the case of a passive sign, such as a STOP sign, the non-observance of which would affect the safety of persons.

However, the visual perception of road signaling signals is subject to hazards, whether due to the driver's inattention or poor visibility due, for example, to atmospheric conditions.

We can then seek to improve safety by doubling the most critical signs or traffic lights with an additional signaling device.

Thus, FR-A-2 641 888 describes a transmitter device, controlled by a road traffic light, which transmits, depending on the state of the light, a signal which is received by a receiver performing a sound reproduction. This receiver can be installed on the ground, near the fire, and is then used for pedestrians and in particular for the blind. It can also be installed in a vehicle, which warns the driver early enough of the presence of red traffic lights.

Such a device thus makes it possible to double the visual perception by an auditory perception. However, in the event of an offense or accident, it does not provide any means of proof. However, such proof is often useful in such a case, to engage or release the driver's responsibility. In the absence of such events, the driver may also have an interest in proving that he did not contravene, for at least a certain period, the traffic signal signals, in order, for example, to obtain a reduction in his insurance premium or to prove his usual good behavior if he is prosecuted for a traffic violation.

It must then be possible to detect, no doubt possible, an offense and then memorize this information in an unfalsifiable manner.

Furthermore, when the vehicle is equipped with a traffic or navigation aid device, the latter must periodically receive signals allowing it to perform a precise readjustment of its geographical position.

However, known navigation aid systems are based on measurements using long-range fixed transmitters. Due to the distance to the transmitters, a very precise receiver must be available on board the vehicle to determine the position of the vehicle. However, this still involves a relatively large degree of uncertainty, while the cost of the equipment required is high.

The present invention aims to solve these problems.

Actually, it relates, first of all, to a set of two road signaling beacons of the type specified above, characterized in that the two beacons are associated with the same support and arranged to transmit their signals respectively upstream and in downstream of the support.

Thus, a signal received from the beacon transmitting downstream can be used to detect a non-compliance with the corresponding road signs and store it.

The invention also relates to a set of two road signaling beacons, each associated with a road signaling information medium located on the ground, comprising means arranged to produce a signal representative of the signaling information of the associated medium and l '' transmit towards the ground, obliquely to the ground, to an on-board receiver on board a vehicle, characterized in that the two beacons are associated respectively with two complementary signaling information carriers and spaced apart to transmit their signals respectively one, upstream of its associated support and the other, downstream.

Thus, a driver can be warned of the existence of the signaling sufficiently in advance, by means of the beacon emitting upstream of the trajectory of the vehicle.

In addition, the upstream beacon does not need to have a high range and be of very directive emission since it is located near the place where its signal must be received, which reduces its complexity and cost. , while limiting the risk of interference with other tags.

Such an assembly is very suitable for signaling preceded by early warning, for example a stop sign.

The beacon signal can, in particular, be emitted by a microwave transmitter, which limits its range while allowing directivity to be chosen. Thus, several tags, concerning panels of different signs, can be placed in the vicinity of each other without risk of mutual disturbance.

In order to avoid work on connection to the electrical distribution network, an autonomous power source can be provided to power each beacon.

Each beacon may include means provided for emitting a signal representative of the geographical position of the corresponding beacon, which allows a vehicle, equipped with a navigation aid system, to simply and precisely readjust its estimated position, since the corresponding information only comes, at a given time, from a single beacon and the area illuminated by its transmitter is of limited size.

The invention finally relates to an on-board receiver on board a vehicle, arranged to receive the signal emitted by a set of two beacons according to the invention, as defined above, characterized in that it comprises means arranged to provide a signal representing the speed of the vehicle, calculating means arranged to receive the speed signal and the signal from the downstream beacon and provide in response a signaling violation signal and means for processing the violation signal.

It is thus possible to detect, without possible dispute, that the vehicle has not complied with the road signs associated with the beacons, and to store this information in appropriate means.

Advantageously, a receiver antenna is arranged so as to receive the signals transmitted by one of said beacons only when the latter is located in front of the vehicle. It is thus possible to determine, depending on whether this antenna has received or not the signal emitted by the downstream beacon, the direction of movement of the vehicle, that is to say respectively, whether it exited or entered, for example, at a crossroad with signaling lights associated with such beacons, the offense only existing in the second case.

The invention unquestionably presents a unique inventive concept. The tags must functionally be associated with the receiver of the invention but, obviously, the ones will be offered for sale separately from the other.

Similarly, it is clear that a set of two tags associated with the same support and a set of two tags associated with two respective complementary supports have the same functionality.

• - la figure 1 représente une première configuration de deux balises et du récepteur associé, pour le cas d'un feu tricolore ;
• - la figure 2 est un schéma par blocs représentant le récepteur et des éléments associés, et
• - la figure 3 représente une seconde configuration des deux balises et du récepteur associé, pour le cas d'une signalisation STOP.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of a preferred embodiment of the beacons and of the receiver of the invention, with reference to the appended drawing representing them, in which:

• - Figure 1 shows a first configuration of two beacons and the associated receiver, for the case of a three-color light;
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the receiver and associated elements, and
• - Figure 3 shows a second configuration of the two beacons and the associated receiver, for the case of STOP signaling.

A first beacon 1 and a second beacon 2, shown in FIG. 1, are associated with the operation of a three-color traffic signal light 4 fixed on a post 3 located at the edge of a roadway 5. The first beacon 1 is fixed on the post 3 while the second beacon 2 is fixed on a post 29 located downstream of the post 3 for a car 6 arriving facing the light 4, and placed on the other side of a crossroads separating the two posts. Although, in the figure, the post 29 carries a three-color signaling light 54, operating in synchronism with the light 4, the presence of the light 54 is not essential and only serves, as explained below, to provide the second beacon 2, functionally associated with the light 4, an indication of time allowing it to synchronize with the rate of change of state of the light 4 without having to connect to it by a wire crossing the crossroads. The first beacon 1 comprises a microwave transmitter 7 oriented so as to emit a directional beam at a frequency substantially between 1 and 10 GHz, and here 5.8 GHz, in the direction of a first zone 8 of the roadway 5 situated upstream light 4 for car 6 approaching fire 4, therefore concerned by it. Similarly, the second beacon 2 comprises a microwave transmitter 9 emitting a directional beam at the same frequency as the transmitter 7, in this example, towards a second zone 10 of the roadway 5 located downstream, just after the traffic light 4 and upstream of the post 29, therefore concerning the same car 6, shown in dotted lines, which has just entered the crossroads by crossing the traffic light 4 passing to the right of the post 3. The zone 10 is located sufficiently close to the post 3 so that the cars entering the crossroads by other routes do not normally cross zone 10. The two above beams are inclined relative to roadway 5, at an inclination greater than that shown since the horizontal distances have been reduced in the figure, and they have sufficient opening for a car traveling at high speed to intercept them for a time sufficient for good reception thereof by a receiver 20 placed on board and whose constitution is indicated below.

The beams of beacons 1 and 2 transmit a signal, which is specific to them, representative of the red color of the light 4. In addition, each of these beams transmits here a signal, specific to the beacon 1 or 2 concerned, representing the geographical position of tag 1 or 2.

Each beacon 1 and 2 comprises a sensor, respectively 11 and 12, detecting the red color of the light 4 and then controlling the emission of the corresponding beacon 1 or 2. In this example, in order to avoid the departure on post 3 of a photo-sensitive cell re linked to sensor 12 and detecting the lighting of the corresponding red light, sensor 12 is in fact controlled by the red light of the other three-color light, referenced 54, operating in synchronism with light 4. Batteries, respectively 13 and 14 , in each beacon 1 and 2, provide the electrical energy necessary for the associated beacon. These batteries 13 and 14 are rechargeable by means of solar panels, respectively 15 and 16, here fixed respectively at the top of the posts 3 and 29 and respectively connected by wires 17 and 18 to the batteries 13 and 14. Naturally, the solar panels could also be integrated into their tag.

The car 6 has an antenna 19 associated with a transponder 19T, belonging to the receiver 20 shown in Figure 2, which is here pressed against the top of the windshield 6P of the car 6, partially turned upwards, so that the antenna 19 can successively receive, through the windshield 6P, the beams from beacons 1 and 2, only when these beacons are located substantially in front of the antenna 19. The latter and the transponder 19T are tuned to the frequency of the transmitters 7 and 9. The receiver 20 is provided with an odometer 22 supplying, to a calculation unit 23, a signal VT representative of the speed of the car 6. This calculation unit 23 also receives, from the transponder 19T , the signal emitted by the second beacon 2, indicating a traffic signal crossing, and it is arranged to supply in response a signal of rape of fire if the signal received by the receiver 20, just before the reception of the crossing signal ment, is a signal emitted by the first beacon 1 and if the speed of the car 6 has not been canceled between the instants of reception of these two signals or during the reception of the signal emitted by the second beacon 2. The signal of rape V is stored in a memory 24 with erasure protected access, of known type.

The receiver 20 is also arranged to receive the position signals emitted by the beacons 1 and 2 and to restore them, by means of the calculation unit 23 and in usable form, to a navigation aid device 25, of the type known, located in car 6.

The operation of the beacons 1 and 2 and of the associated receiver 20 is as follows.

When the car 6, approaching from the front of the light 4, enters the first zone 8, the receiver 20 receives, when the light 4 is red, the signal emitted by the first beacon 1 and stores it in the unit of calculation 23.

If the car 6 crosses the traffic light 4 red, it enters the second zone 10 and the receiver 20 then receives the crossing signal as long as the antenna 19 is in the beam of the beacon 2.

If the receiver 20 has received, just before the crossing signal, the signal emitted by the upstream beacon 1 and if, in addition, the odometer 22 provides the indication that the speed VT of the car 6 has not been canceled just before or during the passage of this in the second zone 10, this means that the car 6 has just broken the light 4. The calculation means 23 then generate the signal for the rape of the light 4, which is stored in the memory 24.

In the case where the car 6 is immobilized in the second zone 10 due to traffic congestion, the fact that the receiver 20 receives the signal emitted by the second beacon 2 has no effect because the speed of the car 6 is zero.

According to another aspect of the inventive concept of the invention, the same elements are used as those described above, in their same function, except that the tags no longer include the sensors 11 and 12 respectively.

The second beacon, referenced 32 in FIG. 3, associated, in order to make it possible to detect the crossing thereof, to a STOP panel 44 carried by a pole 43, is fixed, as well as the solar panels 16 connected to the fit 18, on a pole 49 located downstream of the post 43, on the other side of a crossroads protected by the STOP 44 sign.

For its part, the first beacon, referenced 31, is associated with a post 33 on which is fixed a warning sign 34 of the STOP sign 44, bearing the inscription "STOP at 100 m" and located a hundred meters upstream of it this. The first beacon 31 and the solar panel 15 connected to the wire 17 are fixed to the post 33.

The beacons 31 and 32 permanently emit an own signal intended to respectively command a warning signal informing the driver of the car 6 of the presence of the STOP 44 sign and to indicate to the receiver 20 that the STOP 44 sign has been crossed.

The receiver 20 is arranged to control a loudspeaker 21 installed in the car 6 and translating, in the form of an audible "beep", the reception of the warning signal, the corresponding information of which is displayed, by the receiver 20, in the form of the word "STOP", on a display 26 which it controls and which is placed on the dashboard of the car 6.

With this second arrangement of the pair of beacons, the operation of beacons 31 and 32 and of the receiver is similar to that described with regard to FIG. 1, with the difference that the beacon 31 transmits continuously and systematically warns of the existence of the STOP 44 panel, which is translated by the receiver 20, when it passes through zone 8, by commands producing respectively the audible "beep" by the speaker 21 and displaying the word STOP on the display. 26.

As the beacon 32 emits permanently, any crossing of the STOP 44 sign, without stopping marked by the car 6 before it leaves the zone 10, where it is represented in dotted lines, is detected in the same way as previously explained. qué for crossing the red light 4. In particular, it will be understood that the STOP 44 panel can be replaced, for example, by a light provided with a beacon with emission emitted by means of a sensor controlled by the light at red state.

In one case or the other, and in general, the reception of the traffic signal crossing signal, emitted by the second beacon 2 or 32, combined with the absence of the car 6, may be sufficient to detect the violation of the associated signaling, the receiver 20 then being arranged accordingly. For the detection of signaling rape, the signal emitted by the beacon 1 or 31 is, in fact, not necessary, because it only aims to avoid detection of non-existent or very uncertain rapes, for example by a car entry into the crossroads coming from another lane and which would pass, without stopping, in zone 10.

In both configurations of beacons 1, 2 and 31, 32, the passage of the car 6 in the zone 8 or 10 for receiving the beam emitted by one of the beacons allows the receiver 20 to receive the position signal emitted by the beacon concerned, which allows it to transmit it, after appropriate shaping, to the navigation aid device 25, which can thus accurately readjust the position of the car 6.

Claims (9)

1. Set of two beacons (1,2) transmitting road signaling, each associated with a support (3) for road signaling information (4) located on the ground, comprising means (7,11; 9,12) arranged to produce a signal representative of the signaling information of the associated support and transmit it in the direction of the ground, obliquely to the ground, to an on-board receiver (20) on board a vehicle (6), characterized by the fact that the two beacons (1,2) are associated with the same support (3) and arranged to transmit their signals respectively upstream and downstream of the support (3). 2. Set of two beacons (31,32) transmitting road signaling, each associated with a support (33,43) for road signaling information located on the ground, comprising means (7,11; 9,12) arranged for produce a signal representative of the signaling information of the associated support and transmit it in the direction of the ground, obliquely to the ground to an on-board receiver (20) on board a vehicle (6), characterized in that the two beacons (31,32) are associated respectively with two supports (33,43) of complementary and spaced signaling information to transmit their signals respectively one upstream of its associated support and the other, downstream. 3. Set of two tags (1,2; 31,32) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein at least one tag (1.31) is mounted on its support (3; 33) associated. 4. Set of two beacons (1,2; 31,32) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said signal is transmitted by a directional beam transmitter (7,9). 5. Set of two beacons (1,2; 31,32) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said signal is transmitted by a microwave transmitter (7,9). 6. Set of two beacons (1,2; 31,32) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which there is provided a source (13,15; 14,16) of autonomous power supply for supplying each beacon. 7. Set of two beacons (1,2; 31,32) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which each beacon comprises means (7,9) arranged to emit a signal representative of its geographical position. 8. On-board receiver (20) on board a vehicle, arranged to receive the signal emitted by the two beacons (1,2; 31,32) of the assembly of one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that it comprises means (22) arranged to supply a signal representative of the speed of the vehicle (6), calculation means (23) arranged to receive the speed signal and at least the signal from the downstream beacon (2, 32) and providing in response a signaling violation signal and means (24) for processing the violation signal. 9. Receiver according to claim 8, in which an antenna (19) is arranged to receive the signals transmitted by a beacon only when the latter is located substantially in front of the vehicle (6).

Images