EP1071059B1 - Signaling device, in particular for roads - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a signaling device, in particular a road signaling device, a set of such devices and a road pavement provided with a said set.

However, although more particularly intended for such applications, the signaling device according to the invention may be used in the river sector, aeronautics or in all the other sectors in which it is desired to be able to emit warning signals concerning conditions exterior.

Currently, in the field of road signs, many devices have already been proposed to make roads less dangerous, starting with the well-known road signs placed on the edge of roads to draw the attention of drivers to the existence of '' a potential danger such as, for example, the risk of falling rocks, the presence of wild and / or domestic animals, ice, fog or others.

However, such a solution has the disadvantage of being static. Indeed, the panels being fixed at a given location, the location is not always suitable for the precise location of the danger when it actually occurs.

In addition, it is a passive solution. Indeed, said panels are permanently present, even in the absence of real danger, and the motorist who regularly makes the same journey ends up no longer paying attention to them.

In order to remedy these drawbacks, information screens have been developed which broadcast messages on traffic, temperature or other conditions in real time, using data recorded remotely. Drivers can thus be warned of the existence of a real danger at a given time.

However, such screens and the communication networks necessary for their operation are very high costs and, in the practical, they are not planned in sufficient number along the same road to have precise and localized information.

It should also be noted that the solutions mentioned above only provide information on the potential or real existence of a danger, but in themselves do not play any role in helping the driver to follow his route, for example. example, in case of fog.

For this, specific devices have been developed such as reflective strips provided on the roadway and / or on vertical posts at the edge of roads. They cooperate with the headlights of the cars to facilitate the location of the path to follow. However, in themselves, these devices do not emit warning signals.

So as to be able to simultaneously provide the various functionalities mentioned above, studs have then been developed intended to be fixed in the vicinity of the roadway, said studs comprising means for detecting the light intensity and means for transmitting signals. bright when the brightness drops below a certain threshold.

Although satisfactory in certain respects, since they make it possible both to identify the roadway and to deliver warning signals at the location of the danger, adapted to the real situation, these devices remain insufficient.

First of all, they are limited to only one type of external parameters and only deliver one type of warning message. In addition, and above all, they warn the driver at the site of the danger, that is to say too late for the latter to be able to react.

Document EP 0 853 303 A1 describes the transmission of data between a beacon in the roadway and a vehicle.

The object of the present invention is to propose a signaling device which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and which makes it possible to warn of the presence of a danger, both at a given point, and at a certain distance from this point, in order to to be able to warn people going to it early enough.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reactive signaling device, that is to say active in the presence of danger and inactive otherwise.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a signaling device which makes it possible both to signal the existence of a danger at the level of a given zone and to carry out a location of said zone.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a signaling device which can make it possible to adapt the warning signals sent to the nature of the detected external parameters.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a signaling device which is simple to implement and of reduced cost in order to be able to be installed repeatedly at sufficiently short distance intervals.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, which is given only for information and which is not intended to limit it.

• des moyens d'échange avec l'extérieur de signaux, dits de communication, contenant au moins des informations, dites de commande, dont la nature est fonction desdits paramètres extérieurs,
• des moyens de traitement, aptes à faire fonctionner lesdits moyens d'émission de signaux d'avertissement en fonction au moins des informations de commande des signaux de communication, reçus par ledit dispositif, et/ou à établir desdits signaux de communication, destinés à être émis par ledit dispositif, dont les informations de commande sont fonction au moins des données relevées par lesdits moyens de détection.

The invention firstly relates to a signaling device, in particular road, river, aeronautical or other, consisting of at least one stud, comprising at least means for detecting external parameters and / or means for transmitting signals warning, relating to said external parameters, characterized in that it further comprises:

• means for exchanging signals, known as communication signals, with the outside, containing at least information, known as control information, the nature of which depends on said external parameters,
• processing means, capable of operating said means for transmitting warning signals as a function at least of the information for controlling the communication signals, received by said device, and / or for establishing said communication signals, intended to be emitted by said device, the control information of which depends at least on the data detected by said detection means.

The invention also relates to a set of such signaling devices, in which said communication signals are transmitted and / or received by said devices.

The invention also relates to a road pavement provided with a said assembly, said studs being placed, at given interval, one behind the other in said pavement, in the direction followed by the latter.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus illustrant, dans son aspect structurel, un exemple de réalisation du dispositif de signalisation conforme à l'invention, en situation,
• la figure 2 est une vue de coupe partielle d'après la ligne ii représentée à la Figure 1 précédente,
• la figure 3 illustre schématiquement, dans son aspect fonctionnel, un exemple de réalisation du dispositif de signalisation conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 4 illustre un exemple de trames de signal de communication pouvant être utilisé par le dispositif de signalisation conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 5 illustre, en vue de dessus, un exemple de réalisation de la chaussée routière conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 6 détaille en perspective une partie repérée vi à la Figure 5 précédente.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, accompanied by the attached drawings which form an integral part thereof and among which:

• FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating, in its structural aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the signaling device according to the invention, in situation,
• FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view from line ii shown in previous FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, in its functional aspect, an embodiment of the signaling device according to the invention,
• FIG. 4 illustrates an example of communication signal frames which can be used by the signaling device according to the invention,
• FIG. 5 illustrates, in top view, an embodiment of the road pavement according to the invention,
• Figure 6 details in perspective a part identified vi in Figure 5 above.

The invention relates first of all to a signaling device.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, this consists of at least one pad 1. The latter comprises at least means 2 for detecting external parameters, in particular of an environmental nature, and / or means for emitting warning signals, in particular sensorially detectable, relating to audits of external parameters.

According to the invention, said device also comprises, in particular at the level of said pad 1, means 4 for exchanging signals known as communication signals with the outside, and processing means 5.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, said signals, marked 6, for communication, contain at least information 7, called control information, the nature of which is a function of said external parameters.

In addition, said processing means 5 are capable of operating said means 3 of transmitting warning signals as a function at least of the control information 7 of the communication signals 6 received by said device and / or of establishing said signals. communication 6, intended to be sent by said device, the control information of which is at least a function of the data detected by said detection means 2.

This provides a reactive device, allowing signaling both at a given point and at a distance from said point. In addition, it provides both a warning and a location.

It may also, thanks to the presence of the processing means, make it possible to adapt the nature of the warning signals transmitted as a function of the detected external parameters.

If we refer again to Figures 1 and 2, we see that said pad 1 consists, for example, of a body 8, intended to be concealed, surmounted by a head 9, intended to be emerging, in shape, in particular, of truncated pyramid.

Said detection means 2, transmission of warning signals 3 and / or exchanges 4 are provided, for example, at said head 9. As for said processing means 5, they may be located at said body 8.

However, said pad may also consist of a floating tag, in the case of river application, or by any other object, capable of defining a physical support for the means provided at said pad.

Said processing means 5 are further capable, if necessary, of operating said warning signal means 3 as a function of the data recorded by said detection means 2 of the device.

They may, moreover, if desired, be able to pass through said communication signals 6. In the latter case, said signaling device will then only serve as a relay for transmitting communication signals which are not intended for its own use. but intended for an external target.

The device according to the invention further comprises, for example, means 10 for storing at least one identification code of said device. At the same time, said processing means are able, on the one hand, to carry out a comparison of said identification code or codes with one or more identification codes 11 contained in the received communication signals, so as to check whether they must take into account or ignore the control information contained in said signals, and / or on the other hand, to be included in the transmitted communication signals, alongside said control information contained in said signals, the identification code or codes 11 of said device.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, it is then possible to distribute the signaling devices according to the invention into different families A, B, and the communication signals exchanged between the signaling devices of one of the families are not likely to be confused with the communication signals exchanged between the signaling devices of another family, thanks to a choice of different identification codes.

• identificateur de groupe 12 identique audits premiers identificateurs du signal de communication reçu,
• identificateur individuel 13 supérieur ou inférieur audit second identificateur du signal de communication reçu.

If we refer again to FIG. 4, we see that said identification code 11 is made up, in particular, of a first identifier 12, encrypted, said to be of group, and of a second identifier 13, encrypted, said individual. At the same time, said processing means are capable of concluding that the received communication signal 6, including the code, has been taken into account. identification is provided containing a first and a second identifier, in the event of simultaneous verification of the following two conditions:

• group identifier 12 identical to the first identifiers of the communication signal received,
• individual identifier 13 higher or lower than said second identifier of the received communication signal.

We can thus, within each family A, B, benefit from signaling devices distributed in a well-defined sector, that of the group, and activated selectively according to their individual identifier.

So that the situation is not however completely frozen, said processing means may also be provided capable, if necessary, of modifying said group identifiers 11 and / or said individual identifiers 12, in particular in the event of the issuance of a said signal communication by the signaling device concerned.

Said communication signal 6 thus consists of a frame containing at least, for example, said control information or items 7, the group identifier (s) 12 and / or the individual identifier (s) 13.

However, said detection means 2 are capable of detecting, in particular, in a given area, the presence of objects, of fog and / or the day / night alternation.

They are made up for this, for example, of ultrasonic sensors 14, hygrometric sensors 15 and / or brightness sensors 16. They are located, in particular, on one and / or the other of the faces of the head 9 of said stud.

Said means 3 for transmitting warning signals may possibly deliver visual indications, adapted to the nature of said external parameters. They are therefore made up, for example, of light-emitting diodes 17, of different colors. Said diodes are located, in particular, on the lateral faces of the head 9 of said pad 1.

• de nuit, diodes électroluminescentes vertes éclairant fixement,
• de jour comme de nuit, en cas de brouillard, de verglas ou autre, diodes électroluminescentes vertes éclairantes en clignotement,
• en cas d'obstacle à proximité du dispositif, diodes électroluminescentes rouges éclairantes en clignotement.

Thus, by way of example, the following operation could be envisaged:

• at night, green light emitting diodes,
• day or night, in the event of fog, ice or other, flashing green light-emitting diodes,
• in the event of an obstacle near the device, red light-emitting diodes flashing.

The device according to the invention may, in addition, include autonomous means 18 for supplying energy. They will consist, for example, of means for transforming solar energy, in particular photoelectric cells 19, of a battery and / or of means for regulating the electric energy supplied by said battery and / or said means of transformation. of solar energy. During the day, energy is supplied by said means for transforming solar energy which, at the same time, recharges the battery. At night, it is the latter that supplies electrical energy.

Said means 4 for exchanging communication signals consist, for example, of transmission / reception means, in particular with frequency modulation. Said processing means 5 comprise, for example, a microprocessor.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the invention also relates to a set of devices in which said communication signals 6 are sent and / or received by said devices, which thus constitute an autonomous closed network.

Each said signaling device analyzes the external parameters in a given zone 22, thanks to its detection means 2, said signaling devices being spaced apart so as to minimize the overlap between the action zones of each of them and the power of the transmission means 3 adapted to the dimensions of said zones.

As already mentioned above, said devices are optionally distributed by group a, b, c, d, each device of the same group being provided with the same said group identifier. In addition, said devices are oriented with respect to each other in a given direction and direction 20, 21, the devices of the same group having an individual identifier increasing or decreasing from one device to another, according to said direction. given.

The latter corresponds, for example, to the direction of traffic and the signaling devices communicate with each other in the opposite direction to said given direction.

The invention also relates to a roadway 23 provided with a said set of signaling devices. Said pads 1 are placed therein at a given interval. They are located one behind the other in the direction followed by said road, in particular at the level of its center line.

The body 8 of said studs is, for example, buried in the roadway while their head 9 is flush with it.

Said studs 1 can be spaced apart from 10 to 25 meters and divided into groups of about 500 meters, to warn drivers of a danger early enough.

They emit a light beam 24 in the opposite direction to said given direction 21, represented here by the direction of progression of automobiles. They exchange said communication signals with each other by a high frequency transmission 25.

The plots located in two successive groups, will preferably not have the same group identifiers.

In the case of one-way but opposite roadways, provided one next to the other, the studs located at the same level on each of the roadways will also have different group identifiers. This will avoid reporting on one roadway, a danger existing only on the other.

According to such an embodiment, a pad 1 detecting a danger at a given location will only transmit information to the pads located upstream. from this place, the concept of upstream and downstream being defined by the direction of progression of automobiles.

In the case of a two-way road, the studs 1 can communicate the information both upstream and downstream and be provided with means 3 for issuing warnings oriented in both directions.

Naturally, other modes of implementation within the reach of ordinary skill in the art could have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. A signalling device, notably for roads, rivers, airports and/or others, compose of at least one block (1), including at least means (2) for detecting external parameters and means (3) for transmitting warning signals, relative to said external parameters, characterised in that it comprises moreover:

   - means (4) for exchanging signals with the outside, so-called communication signals, containing at least so-called control information, whereof the nature depends on said external parameters,

   - processing means (5), capable of operating said means (3) for transmitting warning signals in relation to at least information controlling communication signals, received by said device, and/or of establishing said communication signals, intended to be transmitted by said device, whereof the control information depends at least on the data collected by said means of detection.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said processing means (5) are capable, moreover, to operate said means (3) for transmitting warning signals in relation to the data collected by said detection means (2) of the device.
3. A device according to claim 1, including means for storing at least one identification code of said device and wherein said processing means are capable, besides, of conducting comparison of said identification code(s) with one or several identification codes contained in the communication signals received, on the one hand, in order to check whether they should take into account or ignore the control information contained in said communication signals, and/or of including in said communication signals transmitted, on top of said control information contained in said communication signals, the identification code(s) of said device.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said identification code is composed of a first so-called group, encoded identifier, and of a so-called individual, encoded identifier, said processing means (5) being capable of acknowledging the communication signal received, whereof the identification code is provided, containing a first and a second identifiers, in case of simultaneous verification of both following conditions:

   - group identifier identical to said first identifier,

   - individual identifier greater or smaller than said second identifier.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said processing means (5) are capable, moreover, of modifying the group and/or individual identifiers of the identification code of said device in case of transmission of one said communication signal by said device.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means of detection (2) are capable of sensing, in a given zone (22), the presence of objects, fog, and day/night alternation.
7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means (3) for transmitting warning signals are capable of delivering visual indications, suited to the nature of said external parameters.
8. A device according to claim 1, including moreover stand-alone power supply means (18).
9. A set of signalling devices according to any of the previous claims, wherein said communication signals are transmitted and/or received by said devices.
10. A set according to claim 8, wherein:

    - said devices are apportioned into groups, whereas each device of the same group is fitted with the same so-called group identifier,

    - said devices are oriented with respect to one another along a given direction and axis (20, 21), the devices of the same group exhibiting an individual identifier increasing or decreasing from one device to the next, according to said given axis.
11. A road carriageway fitted with said set, according to claim 9 or 10, said blocks (1) being situated at given interval, behind one another, in said carriageway, along the direction followed by said carriageway.