EP2341489A1 - Method for detecting the signalling state of a luminous signal and device for implementing said method - Google Patents

Method for detecting the signalling state of a luminous signal and device for implementing said method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2341489A1
EP2341489A1 EP10193753A EP10193753A EP2341489A1 EP 2341489 A1 EP2341489 A1 EP 2341489A1 EP 10193753 A EP10193753 A EP 10193753A EP 10193753 A EP10193753 A EP 10193753A EP 2341489 A1 EP2341489 A1 EP 2341489A1
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European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lamp
measurement
value
voltage
phototransistor
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EP10193753A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michel Mesclier
Pierre-Yves Lacroix
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Sormea
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Sormea
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
    • G08B5/22—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
    • G08B5/36—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
    • G08B5/38—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources using flashing light
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/095—Traffic lights

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for detecting the signaling state of a light signal, in particular a light signal having a cyclic operation between at least two signaling states.
  • the invention also relates to a device for implementing the method.
  • Such light signals are used in the transportation field to inform the user, for example at an intersection between a traffic lane and another road, road or rail. These light signals can also be used to signal the entry of a place or to inform of a potential danger.
  • a traffic light may be in at least two signaling states, namely, a state where it signals to the user that the way is free, for example in France the traffic light is then green or off, and a state where it signals to the user that it is necessary to stop or at least take precautions when continuing its journey. In the latter two cases, in France, the traffic light is flashing red or orange.
  • a traffic light may also present a third state where it informs the user that the traffic light will change from a signaling state "free path" to "non-free path". In France, this state corresponds to an orange traffic light. In other countries, for example in Great Britain or Switzerland, the light signal has an additional state indicating when the light signal is about to change from the signaling state "non-free channel” to "free channel” and / or "free path” to "non-free path". This additional state may be, for example, an orange light or the combination of two fire lamps lit simultaneously.
  • These light signals is generally cyclic, that is to say that they pass regularly from one signaling state to another, either according to a preset frequency or under the influence of a sensor detecting the approach. of a vehicle, for example a car or a train.
  • FR-A-2,885,438 a device which uses a detection of the signaling state of the traffic light during the verification of compliance by a vehicle, the information issued by the fire that depending on the speed of the vehicle.
  • This device detects, in the case of a fire tricolor comprising three lamps of different colors, such as red, orange, green, if this or that lamp is lit. The device uses for this photodiodes placed next to each lamp.
  • This device performs, to assess the signaling status of a traffic light, a comparison of the brightness of two neighboring lamps whose ignition and extinction cycle is known. This assumes that the lamps turn off and turn on, with no dead time between the changes of state of the two lamps. In other words, when the first lamp decreases in brightness, there is a drop in the voltage of the photodiode located next to this first lamp and, almost simultaneously, the brightness of the second lamp increases, resulting in an increase of the voltage of the photodiode placed in front of this second lamp. In fact, by this device, it is appreciated the state, on or off, of two adjacent lamps constituting the light signal and whose ignition is consecutive during the fire cycle, by comparing their respective voltages.
  • This mode of detecting the signaling state of a traffic light is not suitable. Indeed, on fires with low luminosity such as fires whose windows are dirty, in case of fog, rain or snow, the light is not always sufficient in intensity to discriminate the ignition of the extinction of two neighboring lamps. It is the same on LED traffic lights where, in fact, there are several light sources by light signal. In addition, this type of measurement, by comparison between two light intensities, is applicable only in the case of a cyclic operation of the traffic light with, for each signaling state, a given lamp color.
  • the device In the case of a flashing amber signal, the device requires a particular calibration to detect this state. However, the blinking of the lights is not a predictable phenomenon both in duration and in terms of its trigger since, by definition, the flashing may indicate an unforeseen event. In other words, such a calibration is difficult to achieve.
  • the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a method for detecting the state of a light signal whose reliability is improved.
  • the signal light or traffic light 1 illustrated at figure 1 comprises a mast 2, represented in a vertical position while looking at the figure 1 .
  • the end portion 3 of this mast 2 forms a support for three lamps 4, 5, 6 constituting the active part of the traffic light 1.
  • the three lamps 4, 5, 6 are mounted on a common support fixed on the head of mast 3 by collars.
  • the light simply comprises two or even a single lamp.
  • lamps 4, 5, 6 are arranged so that their visible faces 7, 8, 9 are aligned in a direction F parallel to the longitudinal axis X 2 of the mast 2.
  • a user placed in front of the light 1 may, at at any time, see if any of the lights 4, 5 or 6 are on or off.
  • the lamps 4, 5, 6 have, in this case, standardized colors in accordance with the regulations applicable in France.
  • the top 4 lamp, looking at the figure 1 is red, that 5 of the orange medium and that 6 of the green bottom.
  • These lamps 4, 5, 6 are each equipped with a protective cap 10, 11, 12.
  • the protective caps 10, 11, 12 make it possible to limit the direct illumination of the lamps 4, 5, 6 by solar rays or by another source of stray light, for example a lamppost.
  • Such direct illumination of the lamps 4, 5, 6 is a source of error for a user placed in front of the light 1. The user has, in this case, difficulties in distinguishing which lamp is on or off.
  • a sensor 13, 14, 15 is fixed on the side of each cap 10, 11, 12.
  • Each sensor 13, 14, 15, one of which is shown in close-up at the figure 2 comprises an arm 130, 140, 150, flexible, advantageously covered with a neutral color material and resistant to environmental conditions, for example a polymer.
  • each arm 130, 140, 150 is provided with a receiving housing for at least one phototransistor 132, 142, 152, known per se, that is to say a photocell.
  • the latter is possibly composed of several phototransistors.
  • the photoelectric cell comprises photodiodes, known per se, instead of phototransistors.
  • Each phototransistor 132, 142, 152 generates an electrical signal when the lamp 4, 5, 6 located opposite is lit. Thus, depending on whether the lamp 4, 5, 6 is on or off, the output voltage T of the phototransistor 132, 142, 152 varies. The voltage T is higher when the phototransistor 132, 142, 152 is polarized, under the effect of the light emitted by the lamp 4, 5, 6 on.
  • each arm 130, 140, 150 opposite the phototransistor 132, 142, 152 comprises a fastener on the cap, in this case a clip 16, 17, 18.
  • This fastener 16 , 17, 18 can be mounted permanently on the cap so as to avoid any degradation, voluntary or not, of the device.
  • the fasteners 16, 17, 18 are identical. Alternatively, they are different.
  • Each sensor 13, 14, 15 is connected by an electrically conductive cable 25 to a housing 19, made of a material resistant to shocks and insensitive to environmental conditions, fixed on the head 3 of the mast 2.
  • This housing 19 forms a receiving housing for a calculation module 20 and, advantageously, a data storage module 21, these modules being illustrated in phantom lines at the figure 1 . So preferred, it also comprises a data transmission module 22 to a central unit, this module being also represented in phantom lines at the figure 1 .
  • the housing 19 and the sensors 13, 14, 15 are advantageously removably mounted on the mast 2 of the traffic light 1. In other words, it is possible to temporarily equip a tricolor light 1 with the device allowing detect the signaling state of the light signal.
  • the method which is the subject of the invention makes it possible to detect the state of the traffic light 1 whatever the operation of the latter, even in the event of a change of cycle, for example during the transition to the flashing state. For this, we do not make a comparison between the signaling states of two neighboring lamps but we track the variation of the signaling state of each lamp.
  • This preliminary step also includes a calibration of the calculation module 20. It is recalled here that the invention is based on the evolution of an electrical characteristic over time. In this case, changes in the voltage change of the phototransistors are followed.
  • At least three characteristic variables are defined that depend on the light signal to be controlled. These characteristic quantities comprise the time interval, noted ⁇ t, between two consecutive measurements of the voltage, these measurements being made for the same phototransistor. This interval ⁇ t is generally between 10 ms and 50 ms and advantageously close to 15 ms.
  • the second characteristic dimmer is also defined as a threshold S of variation of a measured electrical characteristic, in this case the electric voltage T delivered by each polarized phototransistor.
  • This threshold S corresponds to a value from which a variation ⁇ T of the voltage T, that is to say a deviation ⁇ T in absolute value between two measurements of the voltage T of a phototransistor, is considered significant.
  • This threshold S is a function, on the one hand, of the sensitivities of the phototransistors and the device for measuring the voltage and, on the other hand, the characteristics of the lamps tested, in particular their power. In this case, a variation of at least 3 mV of the voltage T is considered as a significant threshold S.
  • the third characteristic parameter defined is the duration D during which the voltage is maintained at a value corresponding to a variation of the voltage at least equal to the threshold S.
  • the minimum duration D measuring a minimum voltage variation S so that it is estimated that the lamp 4, 5, 6 is on or off. Below this minimum duration D, it is considered that the lamp has not gone on or off but is flashing. In France, most traffic lights are flashing when the duration D where a lamp 4, 5, 6 is lit, that is to say where a variation of the voltage of the phototransistor is measured at least equal to S, is less than two seconds.
  • the following step consists in measuring, individually, the voltage T of each of the phototransistors 132, 142, 152, located respectively opposite the lamps 4, 5, 6 constituting the light signal 1. This measurement is made at a given moment , taken as temporal origin of the measurements and noted t 0 .
  • the voltage T measured at time t 0 is assigned a value N 0 , that is to say a digital value corresponding to a so-called starting value of the voltage T.
  • N 0 a value assigned to the voltage T.
  • the module 20 performs, in a next step, the operation XN 0 , that is to say calculates the difference between the voltages T measured at times t 0 and t. This amounts to comparing the measured values of the voltage T between two instants, thus to follow the variation of the voltage T during a given period.
  • ⁇ T The result obtained, denoted ⁇ T, is compared with the value S previously defined as being the variation threshold of the voltage considered as representative of the state, on or off, of the lamp facing the phototransistor concerned.
  • this value ⁇ T is lower than the threshold S defined, that is ⁇ T ⁇ S, it is estimated that there is no change in the signaling state, that is to say that the lamp is still in the initial signaling state, on or off, that it had at the moment t 0 .
  • the procedure is then continued and a new measurement of the voltage T is made after another time interval ⁇ t, of the same predefined value as before.
  • the module 20 notes whether the value X of the voltage measured at time t 0 + ⁇ t is greater than equal to the initial value N 0 of the voltage T at time t 0 , ie N 0 .
  • this value X is smaller than the initial value N 0 , ie X ⁇ N 0 , the duration D 'during which the value X remains lower than this initial value N 0 is noted. If this duration D 'is greater than or equal to the defined duration D, in this case greater than two seconds, the "lamp off" information is delivered. In other words, this is a slow detection of the "lamp off" state.
  • the module 20 can deliver only one information, either "lamp on” or “lamp off or flashing". Two pieces of information can not coexist simultaneously.
  • the detection of the "flashing lamp” state is optional since certain light signals do not have the possibility of being in a state other than “lamp lit” or “lamp off". In addition, in some cases, even when the light signal can be in a "flashing lamp” state, detection is not necessary. Only the detection of the "lamp lit” or “lamp off” status is desired. It should be noted that, since the data are recorded with a time stamp, it is possible, a posteriori, to find the different signaling states of the light signal.
  • the method is continued by performing another measurement of the voltage T at the end of another time interval ⁇ t. It is thus checked whether the value X continues to be lower than the initial value N 0 of the voltage T, and, depending on the time when this state X ⁇ N 0 persists, the "lamp off" information is maintained.
  • the value X becomes greater than the initial value N 0 and this, for a duration of more than two seconds.
  • the value X of the voltage T is at least equal to the initial value N 0 of the voltage T, thus indicating that the lamp is on.
  • the device needs at least one signal state change of each lamp to be properly initialized.
  • Such a method makes it easy to overcome the operating cycle of the light signals, regardless of the order of operation of the lamps, even when it changes during measurements.
  • an alert message can be sent to signal an electrical problem on the traffic light concerned.
  • Measuring, regularly and independently, the voltage variations of each lamp makes it possible to overcome artefact problems related, for example, to the presence of fog, the appearance or disappearance of the sun or a parasitic lighting, for example the slow lighting of a floor lamp.
  • This device is easily configurable and can be mounted on both a "traditional" traffic light and on a traffic light on a railway, on a waterway, a railway crossing or a light used for trams or other.
  • lights having green, yellow, red and yellow type of operation as encountered in Great Britain or Switzerland may be equipped with this device provided that the time interval between the measurements is defined beforehand. , the minimum duration of ignition and the significant threshold of variation of the voltage.

Abstract

The method involves carrying out voltage measurement of photo transistors (132, 142, 152) placed opposite to a red lamp (4), an orange lamp (5) and a green lamp (6) at a specific instant, and carrying out another voltage measurement of the photo transistor after a predefined delay. The two voltage measurements of the photo transistors are compared. An operating state of the lamp opposite to the photo transistors is deduced. A standard deviation of absolute value between the voltage measurements is compared with a predefined threshold. An independent claim is also included for a device for detecting a signaling state of lighting signals comprising a sensor.

Description

L'invention a trait à un procédé de détection de l'état de signalisation d'un signal lumineux, en particulier un signal lumineux ayant un fonctionnement cyclique entre au moins deux états de signalisation. L'invention concerne également un dispositif de mise en oeuvre du procédé.The invention relates to a method for detecting the signaling state of a light signal, in particular a light signal having a cyclic operation between at least two signaling states. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method.

De tels signaux lumineux, dont font notamment partie les feux tricolores, sont utilisés dans le domaine du transport pour informer l'usager, par exemple au niveau d'une intersection entre une voie de circulation et une autre voie, routière ou ferrée. Ces signaux lumineux peuvent également être utilisés pour signaler l'entrée d'un lieu ou pour informer d'un danger potentiel.Such light signals, including the traffic lights, are used in the transportation field to inform the user, for example at an intersection between a traffic lane and another road, road or rail. These light signals can also be used to signal the entry of a place or to inform of a potential danger.

En particulier, un feu tricolore peut se trouver dans au moins deux états de signalisation, à savoir, un état où il signale à l'usager que la voie est libre, par exemple en France le feu tricolore est alors vert ou éteint, et un état où il signale à l'usager qu'il convient de s'arrêter ou du moins de prendre des précautions lors de la poursuite de son trajet. Dans ces deux derniers cas, en France, le feu tricolore est rouge ou orange clignotant.In particular, a traffic light may be in at least two signaling states, namely, a state where it signals to the user that the way is free, for example in France the traffic light is then green or off, and a state where it signals to the user that it is necessary to stop or at least take precautions when continuing its journey. In the latter two cases, in France, the traffic light is flashing red or orange.

Un feu tricolore peut également présenter un troisième état où il informe l'usager que le feu va passer d'un état de signalisation « voie libre » à « voie non libre ». En France, cet état correspond à un feu tricolore orange. Dans d'autres pays, par exemple en Grande Bretagne ou en Suisse, le signal lumineux présente un état supplémentaire indiquant lorsque le signal lumineux est sur le point de passer de l'état de signalisation « voie non libre » à « voie libre » et/ou « voie libre » à « voie non libre ». Cet état supplémentaire peut être, par exemple, un feu orange ou la combinaison de deux lampes du feu allumées simultanément.A traffic light may also present a third state where it informs the user that the traffic light will change from a signaling state "free path" to "non-free path". In France, this state corresponds to an orange traffic light. In other countries, for example in Great Britain or Switzerland, the light signal has an additional state indicating when the light signal is about to change from the signaling state "non-free channel" to "free channel" and / or "free path" to "non-free path". This additional state may be, for example, an orange light or the combination of two fire lamps lit simultaneously.

Le fonctionnement de ces signaux lumineux est généralement cyclique, c'est-à-dire qu'ils passent régulièrement d'un état de signalisation à un autre, soit selon une fréquence préétablie, soit sous la dépendance d'un capteur détectant l'approche d'un véhicule, par exemple une voiture ou un train.The operation of these light signals is generally cyclic, that is to say that they pass regularly from one signaling state to another, either according to a preset frequency or under the influence of a sensor detecting the approach. of a vehicle, for example a car or a train.

Afin d'améliorer la sécurité, il est important de vérifier si l'information délivrée par ces signaux lumineux est prise en compte par l'usager. Pour cela, on connaît par FR-A-2 885 438 un dispositif où l'on utilise une détection de l'état de signalisation du feu tricolore lors de la vérification du respect, par un véhicule, de l'information délivrée par ce feu cela en fonction de la vitesse du véhicule. Ce dispositif détecte, dans le cas d'un feu tricolore comprenant trois lampes de différentes couleurs, telles que rouge, orange, vert, si telle ou telle lampe est allumée. Le dispositif utilise pour cela des photodiodes placées en regard de chaque lampe.In order to improve security, it is important to check whether the information delivered by these light signals is taken into account by the user. For this, we know by FR-A-2,885,438 a device which uses a detection of the signaling state of the traffic light during the verification of compliance by a vehicle, the information issued by the fire that depending on the speed of the vehicle. This device detects, in the case of a fire tricolor comprising three lamps of different colors, such as red, orange, green, if this or that lamp is lit. The device uses for this photodiodes placed next to each lamp.

Ce dispositif effectue, pour apprécier l'état de signalisation d'un feu tricolore, une comparaison de la luminosité de deux lampes voisines dont le cycle d'allumage et d'extinction est connu. Cela suppose que les lampes s'éteignent et s'allument à tour de rôle, sans temps mort entre les changements d'état des deux lampes. En d'autres termes, lorsque la première lampe baisse en luminosité, il y a baisse de la tension de la photodiode située en regard de cette première lampe et, presque simultanément, la luminosité de la seconde lampe augmente, d'où une augmentation de la tension de la photodiode placée en face de cette seconde lampe. En fait, par ce dispositif, on apprécie l'état, allumé ou éteint, de deux lampes voisines constitutives du signal lumineux et dont l'allumage est consécutif lors du cycle de fonctionnement du feu, par comparaison de leurs tensions respectives.This device performs, to assess the signaling status of a traffic light, a comparison of the brightness of two neighboring lamps whose ignition and extinction cycle is known. This assumes that the lamps turn off and turn on, with no dead time between the changes of state of the two lamps. In other words, when the first lamp decreases in brightness, there is a drop in the voltage of the photodiode located next to this first lamp and, almost simultaneously, the brightness of the second lamp increases, resulting in an increase of the voltage of the photodiode placed in front of this second lamp. In fact, by this device, it is appreciated the state, on or off, of two adjacent lamps constituting the light signal and whose ignition is consecutive during the fire cycle, by comparing their respective voltages.

Ce mode de détection de l'état de signalisation d'un feu tricolore, dans certaines conditions, n'est pas adapté. En effet, sur des feux à faible luminosité tels que des feux dont les vitres sont sales, en cas de brouillard, de pluie ou de neige, la lumière n'est pas toujours suffisante en intensité pour discriminer l'allumage de l'extinction des deux lampes voisines. Il en est de même sur les feux tricolores à LED où, en fait, il y a plusieurs sources lumineuses par signal lumineux. De plus, ce type de mesure, par comparaison entre deux intensités lumineuses, n'est applicable que dans le cas d'un fonctionnement cyclique du feu tricolore avec, pour chaque état de signalement, une couleur de lampe donnée.This mode of detecting the signaling state of a traffic light, under certain conditions, is not suitable. Indeed, on fires with low luminosity such as fires whose windows are dirty, in case of fog, rain or snow, the light is not always sufficient in intensity to discriminate the ignition of the extinction of two neighboring lamps. It is the same on LED traffic lights where, in fact, there are several light sources by light signal. In addition, this type of measurement, by comparison between two light intensities, is applicable only in the case of a cyclic operation of the traffic light with, for each signaling state, a given lamp color.

Dans le cas d'un signal orange clignotant, le dispositif nécessite un étalonnage particulier pour détecter cet état. Or, le clignotement des feux n'est pas un phénomène prévisible tant en durée qu'en ce qui concerne son déclenchement puisque, par définition, le clignotement peut indiquer un événement imprévu. En d'autres termes, un tel étalonnement est délicat à réaliser.In the case of a flashing amber signal, the device requires a particular calibration to detect this state. However, the blinking of the lights is not a predictable phenomenon both in duration and in terms of its trigger since, by definition, the flashing may indicate an unforeseen event. In other words, such a calibration is difficult to achieve.

En d'autres termes, une reconnaissance de l'état de signalement d'un feu tricolore basé sur la comparaison de l'intensité lumineuse de deux lampes voisines du feu tricolore n'est pas satisfaisante.In other words, a recognition of the reporting status of a traffic light based on the comparison of the luminous intensity of two lamps adjacent to the traffic light is not satisfactory.

C'est à ces inconvénients qu'entend plus particulièrement remédier l'invention en proposant un procédé de détection de l'état d'un signal lumineux dont la fiabilité est améliorée.It is these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a method for detecting the state of a light signal whose reliability is improved.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un procédé de détection de l'état de signalisation d'un signal lumineux ayant un fonctionnement cyclique entre au moins deux états de signalisation, ce procédé comportant une étape d'acquisition de l'état de signalisation, allumé ou éteint, de chaque lampe constitutive du signal lumineux, à l'aide de phototransistors placés devant chaque lampe, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins des étapes supplémentaires consistant à :

  • a) effectuer une première mesure de la tension d'au moins un phototransistor placé en regard d'une lampe à un instant donné,
  • b) effectuer une seconde mesure de la tension de ce même phototransistor après un délai prédéfini,
  • c) comparer les première et seconde mesures de la tension ainsi effectuées pour un même phototransistor,
  • d) en déduire l'état de signalisation de la lampe en regard du phototransistor.
For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a method for detecting the signaling state of a light signal having a cyclic operation between at least two signaling states, this method comprising a step of acquiring the state of signaling, on or off, of each lamp constituting the light signal, using phototransistors placed in front of each lamp, characterized in that it comprises at least additional steps consisting of:
  • a) performing a first measurement of the voltage of at least one phototransistor placed opposite a lamp at a given instant,
  • b) performing a second measurement of the voltage of the same phototransistor after a predefined period,
  • c) comparing the first and second measurements of the voltage thus made for the same phototransistor,
  • d) deduce the signaling state of the lamp opposite the phototransistor.

Ainsi, en mesurant périodiquement la tension des phototransistors, on vérifie l'état, allumé ou éteint, de chaque lampe, cela quelles que soient les conditions environnementales et le cycle de fonctionnement du signal lumineux.Thus, by periodically measuring the voltage of the phototransistors, it verifies the state, on or off, of each lamp, regardless of the environmental conditions and the operating cycle of the light signal.

Selon des aspects avantageux mais non obligatoires de l'invention, un tel procédé peut incorporer une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes :

  • lors de l'étape c), on compare l'écart, en valeur absolue, entre les première et seconde mesures de la tension à un seuil prédéfini.
  • Lors de l'étape c), lorsque l'écart est supérieur ou égal au seuil, si la valeur de la seconde mesure est supérieure à la valeur de la première mesure, la lampe est considérée comme allumée.
  • Lors de l'étape c), lorsque l'écart est supérieur ou égal au seuil, si la valeur de la seconde mesure est supérieure à la valeur de la première mesure pendant une durée de mesure inférieure à une durée prédéfinie de mesure, la lampe est considérée comme clignotante.
  • Lors de l'étape c), lorsque l'écart est supérieur ou égal au seuil, si la valeur de la première mesure est supérieure la valeur de la seconde mesure pendant une durée de mesure au moins égale à une durée prédéfinie de mesure, la lampe est considérée comme éteinte.
  • Lors de l'étape c), lorsque l'écart est supérieur ou égal au seuil, si la valeur de la seconde mesure est inférieure à la valeur de la première mesure pendant une durée de mesure inférieure à une durée prédéfinie de mesure, la lampe est considérée comme clignotante.
  • On effectue les étapes a) à d) simultanément pour chaque phototransistor placé en regard de chaque lampe.
  • Lorsque à l'étape d), toutes les lampes constitutives du signal lumineux sont dans un même état, un message d'alerte est émis.
According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a method can incorporate one or more of the following features:
  • during step c), the difference, in absolute value, between the first and second measurements of the voltage at a predefined threshold is compared.
  • In step c), when the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold, if the value of the second measurement is greater than the value of the first measurement, the lamp is considered to be lit.
  • In step c), when the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold, if the value of the second measurement is greater than the value of the first measurement during a measuring period shorter than a predefined measurement duration, the lamp is considered flashing.
  • In step c), when the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold, if the value of the first measurement is greater than the value of the second measurement during a measurement duration at least equal to a predefined measurement duration, the lamp is considered extinct.
  • In step c), when the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold, if the value of the second measurement is smaller than the value of the first measurement during a measurement period shorter than a predefined measurement duration, the lamp is considered flashing.
  • Steps a) to d) are carried out simultaneously for each phototransistor placed opposite each lamp.
  • When in step d), all the lamps constituting the light signal are in the same state, an alert message is issued.

L'invention concerne également un dispositif de mise en oeuvre d'un procédé conforme à l'une des caractéristiques précédentes caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins un capteur pourvu d'au moins un phototransistor placé devant une lampe constitutive du signal lumineux et relié à un module de calcul.

  • Le dispositif comprend également un module de stockage des données collectées et un module de transmission des données collectées lors de la mise en oeuvre du procédé.
The invention also relates to a device for implementing a method according to one of the preceding characteristics, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor provided with at least one phototransistor placed in front of a lamp constituting the light signal and connected to a calculation module.
  • The device also comprises a module for storing the collected data and a module for transmitting the data collected during the implementation of the method.

L'invention sera mieux comprise et d'autres avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description qui va suivre d'un procédé et d'un dispositif de mise en oeuvre de ce procédé, réalisés conformément à un mode de réalisation de l'invention, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en se référant aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une représentation, en perspective, d'une partie d'un signal lumineux, de type feu tricolore, équipé d'un dispositif de mise en oeuvre du procédé conforme à l'invention,
  • la figure 2 est une vue, de côté et à plus grande échelle, d'un capteur utilisé dans le dispositif illustré à la figure 1 et
  • la figure 3 est un schéma bloc, représentatif de la mise en oeuvre du procédé.
The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a method and a device for implementing this method, made in accordance with a method of embodiment of the invention, given solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 is a representation, in perspective, of a portion of a light signal, of the tricolor type, equipped with a device for implementing the method according to the invention,
  • the figure 2 is a view, from the side and on a larger scale, of a sensor used in the device illustrated in FIG. figure 1 and
  • the figure 3 is a block diagram, representative of the implementation of the method.

Le signal lumineux ou feu tricolore 1 illustré à la figure 1 comporte un mât 2, représenté en position verticale en regardant la figure 1. La partie terminale 3 de ce mât 2 forme un support pour trois lampes 4, 5, 6 constitutives de la partie active du feu tricolore 1. Avantageusement, les trois lampes 4, 5, 6 sont montées sur un support commun fixé sur la tête de mât 3 par des colliers. Dans d'autres modes de réalisation non illustrés, le feu comprend simplement deux, voire une seule lampe.The signal light or traffic light 1 illustrated at figure 1 comprises a mast 2, represented in a vertical position while looking at the figure 1 . The end portion 3 of this mast 2 forms a support for three lamps 4, 5, 6 constituting the active part of the traffic light 1. Advantageously, the three lamps 4, 5, 6 are mounted on a common support fixed on the head of mast 3 by collars. In other non-illustrated embodiments, the light simply comprises two or even a single lamp.

Ces lampes 4, 5, 6 sont disposées de sorte que leurs faces 7, 8, 9 visibles sont alignées selon une direction F parallèle à l'axe longitudinal X2 du mât 2. Ainsi, un utilisateur placé devant le feu 1 peut, à tout moment, voir si l'une des lampes 4, 5 ou 6 est allumée ou éteinte. Les lampes 4, 5, 6 ont, en l'espèce, des couleurs normalisées en accord avec la réglementation applicable en France. Pour un feu tricolore 1 utilisé à l'intersection de routes, la lampe 4 du haut, en regardant la figure 1, est rouge, celle 5 du milieu orange et celle 6 du bas verte.These lamps 4, 5, 6 are arranged so that their visible faces 7, 8, 9 are aligned in a direction F parallel to the longitudinal axis X 2 of the mast 2. Thus, a user placed in front of the light 1 may, at at any time, see if any of the lights 4, 5 or 6 are on or off. The lamps 4, 5, 6 have, in this case, standardized colors in accordance with the regulations applicable in France. For a traffic light 1 used at the intersection of roads, the top 4 lamp, looking at the figure 1 , is red, that 5 of the orange medium and that 6 of the green bottom.

Ces lampes 4, 5, 6 sont équipées chacune d'une casquette de protection 10, 11, 12. Les casquettes de protection 10, 11, 12 permettent de limiter l'illumination directe des lampes 4, 5, 6 par des rayons solaires ou par une autre source de lumière parasite, par exemple un lampadaire. Une telle illumination directe des lampes 4, 5, 6 est une source d'erreur pour un utilisateur placé devant le feu 1. L'utilisateur a, dans ce cas, des difficultés pour distinguer quelle lampe est allumée ou éteinte.These lamps 4, 5, 6 are each equipped with a protective cap 10, 11, 12. The protective caps 10, 11, 12 make it possible to limit the direct illumination of the lamps 4, 5, 6 by solar rays or by another source of stray light, for example a lamppost. Such direct illumination of the lamps 4, 5, 6 is a source of error for a user placed in front of the light 1. The user has, in this case, difficulties in distinguishing which lamp is on or off.

Un capteur 13, 14, 15 est fixé sur le côté de chaque casquette 10, 11, 12. Chaque capteur 13, 14, 15, dont un est représenté en gros plan à la figure 2, comprend un bras 130, 140, 150, flexible, avantageusement recouvert d'un matériau de couleur neutre et résistant aux conditions environnementales, par exemple un polymère.A sensor 13, 14, 15 is fixed on the side of each cap 10, 11, 12. Each sensor 13, 14, 15, one of which is shown in close-up at the figure 2 , comprises an arm 130, 140, 150, flexible, advantageously covered with a neutral color material and resistant to environmental conditions, for example a polymer.

Une extrémité 131, 141, 151, dite extrémité libre, de chaque bras 130, 140, 150 est pourvue d'un logement de réception pour au moins un phototransistor 132, 142, 152, connu en soi, c'est-à-dire une cellule photoélectrique. Cette dernière est éventuellement composée de plusieurs phototransistors. En variante, la cellule photoélectrique comprend des photodiodes, connues en soi, à la place des phototransistors.One end 131, 141, 151, said free end, of each arm 130, 140, 150 is provided with a receiving housing for at least one phototransistor 132, 142, 152, known per se, that is to say a photocell. The latter is possibly composed of several phototransistors. In a variant, the photoelectric cell comprises photodiodes, known per se, instead of phototransistors.

Pour la clarté de l'exposé, on décrit par la suite le cas où un seul phototransistor est polarisé ou non par la lumière d'une lampe, étant entendu que la mise en oeuvre du procédé est identique pour toutes les lampes du feu tricolore.For the sake of clarity, the case where a single phototransistor is polarized or not by the light of a lamp is subsequently described, it being understood that the implementation of the method is identical for all the lamps of the traffic light.

Chaque phototransistor 132, 142, 152 génère un signal électrique lorsque la lampe 4, 5, 6 située en regard est allumée. Ainsi, selon que la lampe 4, 5, 6 est allumée ou éteinte, la tension de sortie T du phototransistor 132, 142, 152 varie. La tension T est plus forte lorsque le phototransistor 132, 142, 152 est polarisé, sous l'effet de la lumière émise par la lampe 4, 5, 6 allumée.Each phototransistor 132, 142, 152 generates an electrical signal when the lamp 4, 5, 6 located opposite is lit. Thus, depending on whether the lamp 4, 5, 6 is on or off, the output voltage T of the phototransistor 132, 142, 152 varies. The voltage T is higher when the phototransistor 132, 142, 152 is polarized, under the effect of the light emitted by the lamp 4, 5, 6 on.

L'extrémité 133, 143, 153 de chaque bras 130, 140, 150 opposée au phototransistor 132, 142, 152 comporte un organe de fixation sur la casquette, en l'occurrence une pince 16, 17, 18. Cet organe de fixation 16, 17, 18 peut être monté de façon définitive sur la casquette de manière à éviter toute dégradation, volontaire ou non, du dispositif. Dans l'exemple, les organes de fixation 16, 17, 18 sont identiques. En variante, ils sont différents.The end 133, 143, 153 of each arm 130, 140, 150 opposite the phototransistor 132, 142, 152 comprises a fastener on the cap, in this case a clip 16, 17, 18. This fastener 16 , 17, 18 can be mounted permanently on the cap so as to avoid any degradation, voluntary or not, of the device. In the example, the fasteners 16, 17, 18 are identical. Alternatively, they are different.

Chaque capteur 13, 14, 15 est relié par un câble électriquement conducteur 25 à un boîtier 19, réalisé en un matériau résistant aux chocs et insensible aux conditions environnementales, fixé sur la tête 3 du mât 2. Ce boitier 19 forme un logement de réception pour un module de calcul 20 et, avantageusement, un module de stockage des données 21, ces modules étant illustrés en traits fantômes à la figure 1. De manière préférée, il comporte également un module de transmission des données 22 à une unité centrale, ce module étant également représenté en traits fantômes à la figure 1.Each sensor 13, 14, 15 is connected by an electrically conductive cable 25 to a housing 19, made of a material resistant to shocks and insensitive to environmental conditions, fixed on the head 3 of the mast 2. This housing 19 forms a receiving housing for a calculation module 20 and, advantageously, a data storage module 21, these modules being illustrated in phantom lines at the figure 1 . So preferred, it also comprises a data transmission module 22 to a central unit, this module being also represented in phantom lines at the figure 1 .

Le boitier 19 et les capteurs 13, 14, 15 sont avantageusement montés de manière amovible sur le mât 2 du feu tricolore 1. En d'autres termes, il est possible d'équiper de manière temporaire un feu tricolore 1 avec le dispositif permettant de détecter l'état de signalement du signal lumineux.The housing 19 and the sensors 13, 14, 15 are advantageously removably mounted on the mast 2 of the traffic light 1. In other words, it is possible to temporarily equip a tricolor light 1 with the device allowing detect the signaling state of the light signal.

Le procédé de détection de l'état de signalisation du feu tricolore 1, à l'aide du dispositif, est maintenant décrit.The method for detecting the signaling state of the traffic light 1, using the device, is now described.

Le procédé objet de l'invention permet de détecter l'état du feu tricolore 1 quel que soit le fonctionnement de ce dernier, cela même en cas de changement de cycle, par exemple lors du passage à l'état clignotant. Pour cela, on n'effectue pas une comparaison entre les états de signalisation de deux lampes voisines mais on réalise un suivi de la variation de l'état de signalisation de chaque lampe.The method which is the subject of the invention makes it possible to detect the state of the traffic light 1 whatever the operation of the latter, even in the event of a change of cycle, for example during the transition to the flashing state. For this, we do not make a comparison between the signaling states of two neighboring lamps but we track the variation of the signaling state of each lamp.

Préalablement à la mise en oeuvre proprement dite du procédé, il convient de définir certaines caractéristiques du signal lumineux 1.Prior to the actual implementation of the method, certain characteristics of the light signal 1 must be defined.

Il s'agit, notamment, de connaître le cycle normal de fonctionnement du feu tricolore 1, c'est-à-dire la séquence d'allumage des lampes 4, 5, 6 composant le feu tricolore 1.It is, in particular, to know the normal cycle of operation of the traffic light 1, that is to say the ignition sequence of the lamps 4, 5, 6 composing the traffic light 1.

Cette étape préalable comprend également un étalonnage du module de calcul 20. On rappelle ici que l'invention est basée sur l'évolution d'une caractéristique électrique dans le temps. En l'espèce, on suit les variations du changement de la tension des phototransistors.This preliminary step also includes a calibration of the calculation module 20. It is recalled here that the invention is based on the evolution of an electrical characteristic over time. In this case, changes in the voltage change of the phototransistors are followed.

Lors de cette étape d'étalonnage, on définit au moins trois grandeurs caractéristiques dépendant du signal lumineux à contrôler. Ces grandeurs caractéristiques comprennent l'intervalle de temps, noté Δt, entre deux mesures consécutives de la tension, ces mesures étant effectuées pour un même phototransistor. Cet intervalle Δt est généralement compris entre 10 ms et 50 ms et, avantageusement, voisin de 15 ms.During this calibration step, at least three characteristic variables are defined that depend on the light signal to be controlled. These characteristic quantities comprise the time interval, noted Δt, between two consecutive measurements of the voltage, these measurements being made for the same phototransistor. This interval Δt is generally between 10 ms and 50 ms and advantageously close to 15 ms.

On définit également, comme deuxième gradeur caractéristique, un seuil S de variation d'une caractéristique électrique mesurée, en l'espèce la tension électrique T délivrée par chaque phototransistor polarisé. Ce seuil S correspond à une valeur à partir de laquelle une variation ΔT de la tension T, c'est-à-dire un écart ΔT en valeur absolue entre deux mesures de la tension T d'un phototransistor, est considérée comme significative.The second characteristic dimmer is also defined as a threshold S of variation of a measured electrical characteristic, in this case the electric voltage T delivered by each polarized phototransistor. This threshold S corresponds to a value from which a variation ΔT of the voltage T, that is to say a deviation ΔT in absolute value between two measurements of the voltage T of a phototransistor, is considered significant.

Ce seuil S est fonction, d'une part, des sensibilités des phototransistors et du dispositif de mesure de la tension et, d'autre part, des caractéristiques des lampes testées, en particulier de leur puissance. En l'espèce, une variation d'au moins 3 mV de la tension T est considérée comme un seuil S significatif.This threshold S is a function, on the one hand, of the sensitivities of the phototransistors and the device for measuring the voltage and, on the other hand, the characteristics of the lamps tested, in particular their power. In this case, a variation of at least 3 mV of the voltage T is considered as a significant threshold S.

La troisième grandeur caractéristique définie est la durée D pendant laquelle la tension est maintenue à une valeur correspondant à une variation de la tension au moins égale au seuil S. En d'autres termes, il s'agit de définir quelle est la durée D minimale de mesure d'une variation de tension minimale S pour que l'on estime que la lampe 4, 5, 6 est allumée ou éteinte. En deçà de cette durée minimale D, on considère que la lampe n'est pas passée à l'état allumé ou éteint mais qu'elle clignote. En France, la plupart des feux tricolores sont clignotants lorsque la durée D où une lampe 4, 5, 6 est allumée, c'est-à-dire où l'on mesure une variation de la tension du phototransistor au moins égale à S, est inférieure à deux secondes.The third characteristic parameter defined is the duration D during which the voltage is maintained at a value corresponding to a variation of the voltage at least equal to the threshold S. In other words, it is necessary to define the minimum duration D measuring a minimum voltage variation S so that it is estimated that the lamp 4, 5, 6 is on or off. Below this minimum duration D, it is considered that the lamp has not gone on or off but is flashing. In France, most traffic lights are flashing when the duration D where a lamp 4, 5, 6 is lit, that is to say where a variation of the voltage of the phototransistor is measured at least equal to S, is less than two seconds.

L'étape suivante consiste à mesurer, individuellement, la tension T de chacun des phototransistors 132, 142, 152, situés, respectivement, en face des lampes 4, 5, 6 constitutives du signal lumineux 1. Cette mesure est effectuée à un instant donné, pris comme origine temporelle des mesures et noté t0.The following step consists in measuring, individually, the voltage T of each of the phototransistors 132, 142, 152, located respectively opposite the lamps 4, 5, 6 constituting the light signal 1. This measurement is made at a given moment , taken as temporal origin of the measurements and noted t 0 .

La tension T mesurée à l'instant t0 est affectée d'une valeur N0, c'est-à-dire une valeur numérique correspondant à une valeur dite de départ de la tension T. Après un temps d'attente Δt correspondant au temps d'attente prédéfini entre deux mesures consécutives, on effectue une autre acquisition de la valeur de la tension T. Cette tension acquise à un temps t = t0 +Δt est affectée d'une valeur numérique X.The voltage T measured at time t 0 is assigned a value N 0 , that is to say a digital value corresponding to a so-called starting value of the voltage T. After a waiting time Δt corresponding to the predefined waiting time between two consecutive measurements, another acquisition is made of the value of the voltage T. This voltage acquired at a time t = t 0 + Δt is assigned a numerical value X.

Le module 20 effectue, dans une étape suivante, l'opération X-N0, c'est-à-dire calcule la différence entre les tensions T mesurées aux instants t0 et t. Ceci revient à comparer les valeurs mesurées de la tension T entre deux instants, donc à suivre la variation de la tension T pendant une période donnée.The module 20 performs, in a next step, the operation XN 0 , that is to say calculates the difference between the voltages T measured at times t 0 and t. This amounts to comparing the measured values of the voltage T between two instants, thus to follow the variation of the voltage T during a given period.

On compare le résultat obtenu, noté ΔT, à la valeur S précédemment définie comme étant le seuil de variation de la tension considérée comme représentatif de l'état, allumée ou éteint, de la lampe en regard du phototransistor concerné.The result obtained, denoted ΔT, is compared with the value S previously defined as being the variation threshold of the voltage considered as representative of the state, on or off, of the lamp facing the phototransistor concerned.

Si cette valeur ΔT est inférieure au seuil S défini, soit ΔT<S, on estime qu'il n'y a pas de changement dans l'état de signalisation, c'est-à-dire que la lampe est toujours dans l'état de signalisation initial, allumée ou éteinte, qu'elle avait à l'instant t0. En d'autres termes, la valeur mesurée X est égale à la valeur initiale N0 de la tension : X=N0. On poursuit alors la procédure et on effectue une nouvelle mesure de la tension T après un autre intervalle de temps Δt, de même valeur prédéfinie que précédemment.If this value ΔT is lower than the threshold S defined, that is ΔT <S, it is estimated that there is no change in the signaling state, that is to say that the lamp is still in the initial signaling state, on or off, that it had at the moment t 0 . In other words, the measured value X is equal to the initial value N 0 of the voltage: X = N 0 . The procedure is then continued and a new measurement of the voltage T is made after another time interval Δt, of the same predefined value as before.

Si la valeur ΔT est supérieure ou égale, en valeur absolue, au seuil S de variation tel que défini, soit ΔT≥S, le module 20 note si la valeur X de la tension mesurée à l'instant t0 + Δt est supérieure ou égale à la valeur initiale N0 de la tension T à l'instant t0, soit N0. Dans ce cas, l'information délivrée est « lampe allumée », puisque la tension T a augmentée entre l'instant t0 l'instant t= t0+ Δt. On réalise ainsi une détection rapide de l'état allumée d'une lampe.If the value ΔT is greater than or equal, in absolute value, to the threshold S of variation as defined, ie ΔT≥S, the module 20 notes whether the value X of the voltage measured at time t 0 + Δt is greater than equal to the initial value N 0 of the voltage T at time t 0 , ie N 0 . In this case, the information delivered is "lit lamp", since the voltage T has increased between the instant t 0 the instant t = t 0 + Δt. This provides a rapid detection of the lit state of a lamp.

Si cette valeur X est inférieure à la valeur initiale N0, soit X<N0, on note la durée D' pendant laquelle la valeur X reste inférieure à cette valeur initiale N0. Si cette durée D' est supérieure ou égale à la durée définie D, en l'espèce supérieure à deux secondes, l'information « lampe éteinte » est délivrée. En d'autres termes, il s'agit ici d'une détection lente de l'état « lampe éteinte ».If this value X is smaller than the initial value N 0 , ie X <N 0 , the duration D 'during which the value X remains lower than this initial value N 0 is noted. If this duration D 'is greater than or equal to the defined duration D, in this case greater than two seconds, the "lamp off" information is delivered. In other words, this is a slow detection of the "lamp off" state.

En revanche, si la durée D' est inférieure ou égale à la durée D de deux secondes, l'information « lampe clignotante » est délivrée. En effet, dans ce cas, la valeur X de la tension T ne reste inférieure à la valeur N0 de la tension T que pendant un laps de temps court, dans tous les cas inférieur à la durée D prédéfinie. Il est à noter que le module 20 ne peut délivrer qu'une information, soit « lampe allumée » soit « lampe éteinte ou clignotante ». Deux informations ne peuvent pas coexister simultanément.On the other hand, if the duration D 'is less than or equal to the duration D of two seconds, the information "flashing lamp" is delivered. Indeed, in this case, the value X of the voltage T remains less than the value N 0 of the voltage T for a short period of time, in all cases less than the predefined duration D. It should be noted that the module 20 can deliver only one information, either "lamp on" or "lamp off or flashing". Two pieces of information can not coexist simultaneously.

Par ailleurs, la détection de l'état « lampe clignotante » est optionnelle puisque certains signaux lumineux n'ont pas la possibilité d'être dans un état autre que « lampe allumée » ou « lampe éteinte ». De plus, dans certains cas, même lorsque le signal lumineux peut être dans un état « lampe clignotante », la détection n'est pas nécessaire. Seule la détection de l'état « lampe allumée » ou « lampe éteinte » est souhaitée. Il est à noter que, dans la mesure où les données sont enregistrées avec un horodatage, il est possible, a posteriori, de retrouver les différents états de signalisation du signal lumineux.Moreover, the detection of the "flashing lamp" state is optional since certain light signals do not have the possibility of being in a state other than "lamp lit" or "lamp off". In addition, in some cases, even when the light signal can be in a "flashing lamp" state, detection is not necessary. Only the detection of the "lamp lit" or "lamp off" status is desired. It should be noted that, since the data are recorded with a time stamp, it is possible, a posteriori, to find the different signaling states of the light signal.

On poursuit la mise en oeuvre du procédé en réalisant une autre mesure de la tension T, au bout d'un autre intervalle de temps Δt. On vérifie ainsi si la valeur X continue d'être inférieure à la valeur initiale N0 de la tension T, et, en fonction de la durée où cet état X<N0 persiste, l'information « lampe éteinte » maintenue.The method is continued by performing another measurement of the voltage T at the end of another time interval Δt. It is thus checked whether the value X continues to be lower than the initial value N 0 of the voltage T, and, depending on the time when this state X <N 0 persists, the "lamp off" information is maintained.

Si la lampe passe en mode allumé, la valeur X devient supérieure à la valeur initiale N0 et cela, pendant une durée D' de plus de deux secondes. En d'autres termes, la valeur X de la tension T est au moins égale à la valeur initiale N0 de la tension T indiquant ainsi que la lampe est allumée.If the lamp goes on mode, the value X becomes greater than the initial value N 0 and this, for a duration of more than two seconds. In other words, the value X of the voltage T is at least equal to the initial value N 0 of the voltage T, thus indicating that the lamp is on.

Lorsque l'information « lampe allumée », « lampe clignotante » ou « lampe éteinte » est délivrée, cela pour chaque lampe 4, 5, 6 du feu 1, on poursuit la mise en oeuvre du procédé en effectuant, à partir d'un autre instant initial t'0, une nouvelle série de mesures de la tension pour chaque lampe. Cette nouvelle tension initiale est notée N'0.When the information "lamp on", "flashing lamp" or "lamp off" is issued, for each lamp 4, 5, 6 of the lamp 1, the the process by performing, from another initial time t ' 0 , a new series of measurements of the voltage for each lamp. This new initial voltage is denoted N ' 0 .

On poursuit ensuite le procédé, selon les étapes décrites précédemment, en effectuant régulièrement de nouvelles mesures de la tension T, notée X' à Xn, à des instants t'= t'0 + Δt.The method is then continued, according to the steps described above, by regularly carrying out new measurements of the voltage T, denoted X 'to X n , at times t' = t ' 0 + Δt.

Le dispositif a besoin d'au moins un changement d'état de signalisation de chaque lampe pour être correctement initialisé.The device needs at least one signal state change of each lamp to be properly initialized.

Il est à noter que, pour faciliter la lecture, le procédé a été décrit dans le cas du suivi de l'état de signalisation d'une seule lampe, étant entendu que l'ensemble des étapes sont réalisées indépendamment et simultanément sur toutes les lampes constitutives du signal lumineux. On obtient ainsi régulièrement des informations collectées indépendamment les unes des autres sur l'état de signalisation des lampes du feu.It should be noted that, for ease of reading, the method has been described in the case of tracking the signaling state of a single lamp, it being understood that all the steps are performed independently and simultaneously on all the lamps. constituting the light signal. Regularly collected information is obtained independently of each other on the signaling status of the fire lamps.

Un tel procédé permet aisément de s'affranchir du cycle de fonctionnement des signaux lumineux, quel que soit l'ordre de fonctionnement des lampes, même lorsque celui-ci change en cours de mesures.Such a method makes it easy to overcome the operating cycle of the light signals, regardless of the order of operation of the lamps, even when it changes during measurements.

Par ailleurs, lorsque l'ensemble des mesures réalisées sur toutes les lampes fournit comme information « lampes éteintes », il est possible de prévoir l'émission d'un message d'alerte pour signaler un problème sur le feu tricolore concerné.Moreover, when the set of measurements made on all the lamps provides information as "lamps off", it is possible to provide for the issuance of an alert message to report a problem on the traffic light concerned.

Par analogie, lorsque le système détecte que toutes les lampes sont allumées ou clignotent en même temps, un message d'alerte peut être envoyé pour signaler un problème électrique sur le feu tricolore concerné.By analogy, when the system detects that all the lamps are lit or flash at the same time, an alert message can be sent to signal an electrical problem on the traffic light concerned.

Le fait de mesurer, régulièrement et indépendamment, les variations de tension de chaque lampe permet de s'affranchir des problèmes d'artéfact liés, par exemple, à la présence de brouillard, à l'apparition ou à la disparition du soleil ou à un éclairage parasite, par exemple l'allumage lent d'un lampadaire.Measuring, regularly and independently, the voltage variations of each lamp makes it possible to overcome artefact problems related, for example, to the presence of fog, the appearance or disappearance of the sun or a parasitic lighting, for example the slow lighting of a floor lamp.

Ce dispositif est aisément paramétrable et il peut être monté tant sur un feu tricolore « traditionnel » que sur un feu de signalisation sur une voie ferrée, sur une voie navigable, sur un passage à niveau ou un feu utilisé pour des tramways ou autres.This device is easily configurable and can be mounted on both a "traditional" traffic light and on a traffic light on a railway, on a waterway, a railway crossing or a light used for trams or other.

De même, des feux ayant des fonctionnements de type vert, jaune, rouge, jaune comme rencontrés en Grande-Bretagne ou en Suisse, peuvent être équipés de ce dispositif pour autant que l'on définisse au préalable l'intervalle de temps entre les mesures, la durée minimum d'allumage et le seuil significatif de variation de la tension.Likewise, lights having green, yellow, red and yellow type of operation as encountered in Great Britain or Switzerland may be equipped with this device provided that the time interval between the measurements is defined beforehand. , the minimum duration of ignition and the significant threshold of variation of the voltage.

Claims (10)

Procédé de détection de l'état de signalisation d'un signal lumineux (1) ayant un fonctionnement cyclique entre au moins deux états de signalisation, ce procédé comportant une étape d'acquisition de l'état de signalisation, allumé ou éteint, de chaque lampe (4, 5, 6) constitutive du signal lumineux (1), à l'aide de phototransistors (132, 142, 152) placés devant chaque lampe (4, 5, 6), caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins des étapes supplémentaires consistant à : - a) effectuer une première mesure (N0) de la tension (T) d'au moins un phototransistor (132, 142, 152) placé en regard d'une lampe (4, 5, 6) à un instant (t0) donné, - b) effectuer une seconde mesure (X) de la tension (T) de ce même phototransistor (132, 142, 152) après un délai Δt) prédéfini, - c) comparer (AT=X-N0) les première (N0) et seconde (X) mesures de la tension (T) ainsi effectuées pour un même phototransistor (132, 142, 152), - d) en déduire l'état de signalisation de la lampe (4, 5, 6) en regard du phototransistor (132, 142, 152). A method for detecting the signaling state of a light signal (1) having a cyclic operation between at least two signaling states, said method comprising a step of acquiring the signaling state, on or off, of each lamp (4, 5, 6) constituting the light signal (1), using phototransistors (132, 142, 152) placed in front of each lamp (4, 5, 6), characterized in that it comprises at least additional steps of: a) performing a first measurement (N 0 ) of the voltage (T) of at least one phototransistor (132, 142, 152) placed opposite a lamp (4, 5, 6) at a time (t 0 ) given, b) performing a second measurement (X) of the voltage (T) of this same phototransistor (132, 142, 152) after a predefined delay Δt), c) comparing (AT = XN 0 ) the first (N 0 ) and second (X) measurements of the voltage (T) thus carried out for the same phototransistor (132, 142, 152), - d) deduce the signaling state of the lamp (4, 5, 6) facing the phototransistor (132, 142, 152). Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, lors de l'étape c), on compare l'écart (ΔT), en valeur absolue, entre les première (N0) et seconde (X) mesures de la tension (T) à un seuil (S) prédéfini.Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that , in step c), comparing the difference (ΔT), in absolute value, between the first (N 0 ) and second (X) measurements of the voltage (T) at a predefined threshold (S). Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que, lors de l'étape c), lorsque l'écart (ΔT) est supérieur ou égal au seuil (S), si la valeur (X) de la seconde mesure est supérieure à la valeur (N0) de la première mesure, la lampe est considérée comme allumée.Method according to claim 2, characterized in that , in step c), when the difference (ΔT) is greater than or equal to the threshold (S), if the value (X) of the second measurement is greater than the value (N 0 ) of the first measurement, the lamp is considered as lit. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que, lors de l'étape c), lorsque l'écart (ΔT) est supérieur ou égal au seuil (S), si la valeur (X) de la seconde mesure est supérieure ou égal à la valeur (N0) de la première mesure pendant une durée (D') de mesure inférieure à une durée prédéfinie (D) de mesure, la lampe est considérée comme clignotante.Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that , in step c), when the difference (ΔT) is greater than or equal to the threshold (S), if the value (X) of the second measurement is greater than or equal to at the value (N 0 ) of the first measurement during a measuring period (D ') shorter than a predefined duration (D) of measurement, the lamp is considered as flashing. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 2 à 4, caractérisé en ce que, lors de l'étape c), lorsque l'écart (ΔT) est supérieur ou égal au seuil (S), si la valeur (N0) de la première mesure est supérieure ou égal à la valeur (X) de la seconde mesure pendant une durée (D') de mesure au moins égale à une durée prédéfinie (D) de mesure, la lampe est considérée comme éteinte.Method according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that , in step c), when the difference (ΔT) is greater than or equal to the threshold (S), if the value (N 0 ) of the first measurement is greater than or equal to the value (X) of the second measurement for a duration (D ') of measurement at least equal to a predefined duration (D) of measurement, the lamp is considered to be off. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que, lors de l'étape c), lorsque l'écart (ΔT) est supérieur ou égal au seuil (S), si la valeur (X) de la seconde mesure est inférieure à la valeur (N0) de la première mesure pendant une durée (D') de mesure inférieure à une durée prédéfinie (D) de mesure, la lampe est considérée comme clignotante.Method according to claim 2, characterized in that , in step c), when the difference (ΔT) is greater than or equal to the threshold (S), if the value (X) of the second measurement is less than the value (N 0 ) of the first measurement for a measurement duration (D ') shorter than a preset measurement time (D), the lamp is considered to be flashing. procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'on effectue les étapes a) à d) simultanément pour chaque phototransistor (132, 142, 152) placé en regard de chaque lampe (4, 5, 6).Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that steps a) to d) are carried out simultaneously for each phototransistor (132, 142, 152) placed opposite each lamp (4, 5, 6). Procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que lorsque à l'étape d), toutes les lampes (4, 5, 6) constitutives du signal lumineux (1) sont dans un même état, un message d'alerte est émis.A method according to claim 7, characterized in that when in step d), all the lamps (4, 5, 6) constituting the light signal (1) are in the same state, an alert message is issued. Dispositif de mise en oeuvre d'un procédé conforme à l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins un capteur (13, 14, 15) pourvu d'au moins un phototransistor (132, 142, 152) placé devant une lampe (4, 5, 6) constitutive du signal lumineux (1) et relié à un module de calcul (20).Device for implementing a method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor (13, 14, 15) provided with at least one phototransistor (132, 142, 152) placed in front of a lamp (4, 5, 6) constituting the light signal (1) and connected to a calculation module (20). Dispositif selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend également un module de stockage des données collectées (21) et un module de transmission des données (22) collectées lors de la mise en oeuvre du procédé conforme à l'une des revendications 1 à 8.Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that it also comprises a storage module for the collected data (21) and a data transmission module (22) collected during the implementation of the method according to one of the claims. 1 to 8.
EP10193753A 2009-12-07 2010-12-06 Method for detecting the signalling state of a luminous signal and device for implementing said method Withdrawn EP2341489A1 (en)

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FR0958696A FR2953624B1 (en) 2009-12-07 2009-12-07 METHOD FOR DETECTING THE STATE OF SIGNALING OF A LIGHT SIGNAL AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SAID METHOD

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102018212585A1 (en) * 2018-07-27 2020-01-30 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Traffic light system with protection against a mast attack
DE102018214826A1 (en) * 2018-08-31 2020-03-05 Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Radio module for traffic lights and method for detecting the lighting status of a traffic light

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US20060001547A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-05 David Davenport Apparatus and method for monitoring the output of a warning or indicator light
FR2885438A1 (en) 2005-05-09 2006-11-10 Michel Mesclier Traffic signal violation detecting device for traffic lane, has two barometric tubes disposed at primary and secondary traffic signal lines, and one counter measuring elapsed time after vehicle crosses secondary signal line

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US20060001547A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-05 David Davenport Apparatus and method for monitoring the output of a warning or indicator light
FR2885438A1 (en) 2005-05-09 2006-11-10 Michel Mesclier Traffic signal violation detecting device for traffic lane, has two barometric tubes disposed at primary and secondary traffic signal lines, and one counter measuring elapsed time after vehicle crosses secondary signal line

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102018212585A1 (en) * 2018-07-27 2020-01-30 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Traffic light system with protection against a mast attack
DE102018214826A1 (en) * 2018-08-31 2020-03-05 Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Radio module for traffic lights and method for detecting the lighting status of a traffic light

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FR2953624A1 (en) 2011-06-10

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