FR2772960A1 - LIGHTING INSTALLATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting installation.In this installation, in particular a vehicle lighting or traffic light installation, comprising light sources (101-108, 201-203) emitting light in a visible range wavelengths and a light source control unit (2, 300), at least one of the light sources must be activated by the lighting installation control unit in such a way that the The light emitted contains an information signal of non-visible code.Application in particular to lighting installations of motor vehicles, traffic lights and vehicles on rails, as well as for traffic on waterways.

Description

The invention relates to a lighting installation comprising one or more

  a plurality of traffic lights comprising light sources for emitting light in a visible range of wavelengths, and a lighting installation control unit for controlling the light sources, or a lighting installation , in particular a vehicle lighting installation or a traffic light installation, comprising at least one light source for emitting light in a visible range of wavelengths to produce lighting and / or a signal, and a unit for controlling the lighting installation for controlling at least one of the light sources, which can be activated by the control unit for the lighting installation so that the light emitted by this installation contains a information signal from

code not visible.

  According to the published German patent application DE 196 25 960 A1, there is known a device for the transmission of data between vehicles, in which a usual signaling installation is equipped with luminescence diodes, by means of which the coded light signals are issued. Signal transmission can take place in the range of wavelengths visible to the human eye as well as in the range of wavelengths invisible to the human eye. Coding can be carried out according to a simple modulation, such as a clocked control of light-emitting diodes with cadence frequencies of a few kilohertz. As data, in particular information relating to the driving behavior of a preceding vehicle, such as the intensity of a braking process or the behavior of the anti-lock system (ABS) of the vehicle, is transmitted to a vehicle. next, who is equipped with this

  effect, of a correspondingly arranged receiver.

  According to the published German patent application DE 39 02 627 A1, an infrared sensor is known, in particular a CCD sensor (sensor with direct charge coupling), for a motor vehicle, for identifying the infrared radiation of a transmitter. infrared located in a previous vehicle. As emitters of infrared radiation, it is possible, for example, to provide rear lights, stop lights or rear fog lights, equipped with conventional lighting means, such as incandescent lamps, from a known motor vehicle and / or a separate infrared transmitter. The light emissions of the infrared transmitters in question can be modulated with a sequence of frequencies or a sequence of pulses so that coded data can be transmitted, for example concerning situations of danger in the environment of the preceding vehicle , from this previous vehicle to the next vehicle. In addition, distance measurements between vehicles are possible by means of two infrared sensors installed on the next vehicle. According to German patent DE 42 13 516 C1, a signaling device for a motor vehicle is known, which comprises a signal generator which is movably mounted at the rear of a motor vehicle or is fixedly mounted in a danger zone on a road, in particular a flash lamp equipped with an infrared filter, as well as a receiving device installed on board the vehicle and comprising an infrared sensor and a detection stage. In the case of a signal generator movably arranged in a motor vehicle, this signal generator is preferably integrated into the rear lights. Traffic information, such as data relating to a braking process of a previous vehicle, should be transmitted by means of

  pulsed signals, to a next vehicle.

  According to the published German patent application DE 1 815 671, a communication lighting installation for motor vehicles is known, by means of which a bidirectional transmission of voice signals is carried out between two drivers of vehicles by means of 'visible light or invisible light, including infrared radiation. For this purpose, there is provided on each vehicle, specifically for this purpose, and this in addition to the usual lamps of the vehicle, a light emitter, which emits a light containing voice information and which

  can be received by a receiver located on another vehicle.

  In addition, according to the published German patent application De 40 14 916 A1, a brake light installation is known, which provides a visual code information signal concerning the braking intensity of the vehicle equipped with this installation, to the driver. of a following vehicle. For this purpose there is provided a brake light comprising several light sources, which are suitable for delivering a variable light intensity and / or a variable light intensity model, which forms the visual code information signal. According to the German patent application put to the public inspection DE i 036 720 there is known a warning system for the traffic of motor vehicles, which comprises a particular light source delivering lightning and which is suitable for responding to a photoelectric receiver located in another motor vehicle. German patent DE 44 13 886 C1 discloses an optical transmission system for traffic information with bidirectional communication between transmission / reception units

  provided for this purpose and located in the vehicle and on the road.

  According to the published German patent application DE 38 36 095 A1, a device is known for transmitting and receiving an infrared identification signal, the infrared identification signal serving to characterize specific motor vehicles, and a reciprocal identification of two vehicles. equipped with such a device triggers a determined action of

  control inside these vehicles.

  In conventional vehicle lighting installations, the lamps could previously only be distinguished approximately by their color, for example white for forward and reversing headlights and in part for fog lights, red for a brake light, a rear light and a rear fog light, yellow for the direction change indicators, left and right, forward laterally and / or rear and partly for fog lights. All change of direction indicators are also used together as a warning flashing facility. Since the lamps are arranged at different locations in the vehicle and are present in part in multiple ways, have, depending on the manufacturer, different configurations and different reciprocal spacings and are mounted at a different height depending on the type of vehicle, a Automated identification of lamps on the basis of their visible light emitted is hardly possible. In addition, for lamps of the same color, such as a brake light and a rear light, a different light intensity is generally provided, but the latter decreases with the square and the viewing distance, and can be affected by aging. from the lamp or external dirt as well as from dust particles in the air or in the fog, so that the next conductor can no longer distinguish them visually at a certain distance. In addition, the light intensities

vary from vehicle to vehicle.

  In usual traffic light installations, lamps having the colors red, yellow and green are superimposed, in particular in the same light. They have, for example, arrow symbols for specific directions of movement. In the case of guidance of the

  traffic on several lanes, also several lights are arranged side by side

  coast for different travel routes. In the case of unfavorable light conditions (sunlight) the colors or their signaling function may be misidentified. Flashing traffic beacons with yellow lamps are used, for example at construction sites, for diverting traffic. People, who do not differentiate colors, can orient themselves only on the basis of

  the arrangement of the light lamp.

  In all cases, it is necessary to automatically identify lamps which are respectively activated, for example in the case of vehicles, for the automatic triggering of appropriate driving maneuvers, and this automatically in a vehicle considered, when certain lamps are activated. on a preceding and following vehicle or located laterally on the left or on the right, and / or to display to the driver such activation of lamps on preceding vehicles, vehicles coming in opposite directions, following vehicles or vehicles moving beside the vehicle considered, so that the driver can

  trigger appropriate reactions based on reliable information.

  The object of the invention is to indicate a lighting installation of the type mentioned above with extended functionality of the light sources and to allow for example the automatic identification of

light sources.

  This problem is solved in accordance with the invention, according to a first aspect, using a lighting installation comprising one or more traffic lights comprising light sources used to emit light in a visible range of lengths d , and a lighting installation control unit for controlling the light sources, characterized in that at least one of the light sources can be activated by the lighting installation control unit lighting so that the light emitted by this installation

  contains an invisible code information signal.

  This problem is also solved according to the invention, according to a second aspect of the invention, using a lighting installation, in particular vehicle lighting installation or installation of traffic lights comprising at least one source of light for emitting light in a visible range of wavelengths to produce lighting and / or a signal, and a control unit of the lighting installation for controlling at least one of the light sources, which can be activated by the control unit of the lighting installation so that the light emitted by this installation contains a non-visible code information signal, characterized in that the code information signal contains information concerning the function and / or the place of installation

from the light source.

  In these installations, the light emitted by one or more associated light sources and which is provided mainly for lighting or signaling purposes, is superimposed, in a complementary manner, a non-visible code information signal, ie i.e. a code information signal, which cannot be detected or is barely detectable by the eye

human.

  In the case of the use of a traffic light installation, in particular for road traffic, rail traffic or waterway traffic, code information is superimposed on the visible light emitted by these lights. for example relating to operation and / or traffic and which can be detected by appropriate sensors located in vehicles or in a traffic guidance system. Therefore, the light emitted assumes, in addition to the usual signaling function, the carrier function for a code information signal not visible. In the case of using a lighting installation for a vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention, it is conceivable to use, to form such light sources, in particular brake lights, rear lights, lights rear fog lights, direction indicators or headlamps. In the case of the use of a traffic lighting installation in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, it is conceivable to use, to constitute such light sources, superimposed lamps providing the colors red, yellow and green. According to the invention, the visible light emitted by these lamps is superimposed other code information, which relates to the operation and / or the position in relation to the light source and which can be detected by appropriate sensors located on vehicles or in a traffic guidance system. A respective receiver therefore receives

  clear information about the light source itself.

  According to an improvement of the invention in one or other of its aspects, the lighting installation comprises at least one reception unit used to detect a signal received from code information and to extract the information contained . An installation of this type allows the reception of code information signals from other lighting installations of the same type installed on vehicles, in traffic lights or in traffic signals, and allows the evaluation of information. contained as well as direct communication with other facilities

lighting of this type.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting installation is a vehicle lighting installation or a traffic light installation, and delivers a signal, which depends on the information extracted, to

  a vehicle display and / or operation control unit.

  Such a lighting installation specially designed for a vehicle allows the transmission of information, received by means of a code information signal, to a display and / or operating control unit of the corresponding vehicle. As a result, the driver of the vehicle and / or the vehicle operation control unit are able to react to the information received. Particularly in the case of automatic lamp identification, this can be done practically immediately, i.e. without any driver's inattention and reaction time, so that automatic arrangements can be made. triggered immediately. This time saving leads to an increase

  important to driving safety and traffic safety.

  According to another development of the invention, the code information signal is an amplitude modulation or frequency modulation and / or pulse code modulation signal, which modulates the light emitted. This signal can modulate, using means

  simple, the light emitted and is not detectable by the human eye.

  According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, it is a vehicle lighting installation, in which the code information signal contains information concerning the state of the vehicle or of its functional units as well as the vehicle environment. In this case, information relating to certain functional units of the vehicle, for example the braking system, functionally corresponding light sources, for example the brake lights, can be arranged to produce a light emission. Other features and advantages of the present invention

  will emerge from the description given below, taken with reference to the drawing

  annexed, the single figure of which schematically represents the arrangement of important components of a vehicle lighting installation according to

  the invention and an installation of traffic lights.

  The lighting installation shown in the single figure for a motor vehicle i comprises several light sources that can be controlled by a central unit 2 for controlling the lighting installation. As regards the light sources, these are headlamps 3a, 3b, rear lights, 4a, 4b, brake lights 5a, 5b, side indicators 20a, 20b, a reversing headlight 6 and a rear fog light 7. In modified embodiments, the number of said light sources used as lighting means can be modified at will. In addition, other light sources, such as front fog lights, side marker lights and / or direction change indicators, can be controlled by the lighting installation control unit 2. The number, shape and positioning of the light sources indicated on the vehicle vary depending on the manufacture and type of the vehicle. As light sources, laser diode systems may preferably be provided.

  flat structure, instead of the usual incandescent lamps.

  Said light sources 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6, 7, 20a, 20b can be controlled in the usual way via the control unit of the lighting installation so that '' they assume their usual lighting or signaling function. For example, the stop lights 5a, 5b are activated when the braking system of the vehicle is actuated so that they emit a visible light of red color having a determined intensity. All other lighting means perform their lighting or signaling functions in an analogous manner, which are required by road traffic requirements and regulations, which

  does not need to be explained in more detail.

  An information signal 8, for which it may be data concerning the function and the position of the respectively activated lights or lamps of the vehicle, measured or stored data of the vehicle, route data and / or data entered by the driver of the vehicle is sent to the lighting installation control unit 2. The information signal 8 is detected by a coding unit 9 and is converted into a code information signal, which, under the control of a light source control unit 10, modulates the visible light emitted by

  a light source associated for lighting or signaling purposes.

  This is done in the form of amplitude modulation, frequency modulation or pulse code modulation so that the code information signal, which modulates visible lighting light, is not detectable by the human eye and therefore does not interfere

  not the actual light function of the light source.

  The use of laser diode systems makes it possible to carry out modulations in a range of high frequencies, which conventional incandescent lamps cannot reach because of their thermal inertia. The light source control unit can also be integrated into the individual lamp, especially when coding is used only

for identification.

  As information, which modulates the light, provision is made in particular of information concerning the type of the respective lamps of the vehicle and their positioning on the vehicle, to allow automatic identification of the lamps, such as a stop light, a left rear light, a change indicator. right steering, etc. In addition, other information relating to the vehicle can be provided, such as information relating to the brake pressure, the vehicle speed and the deceleration of the vehicle, which is supplied for example by

through the stop lights 5.

  The vehicle lighting installation also comprises a receiver 11 installed on the front side of the motor vehicle 1 and having a wide detection angle 12, for example a photosensor having a wide angle characteristic. The receiver 11 is able to receive the light which is emitted in particular by preceding vehicles or vehicles coming in opposite direction, by the intermediary of a vehicle lighting installation acting in the same way. An evaluation unit 13 is used to evaluate a received light to determine whether it possibly contains code information signals, and to extract the information present, and forms, together with the receiver 11, a reception unit which delivers the information received in the form of a corresponding information signal 14, to a unit (not shown) for displaying and / or controlling the operation of the motor vehicle 1. The information extracted can be indicated, by means of a display unit , to the driver of the motor vehicle 1 so that the driver can possibly react appropriately. If the information is transmitted to the operating control unit, the latter can act directly on the units of the vehicle, in particular the braking installation or the control unit 2 of the lighting installation itself. Therefore it is possible, for example, to automatically identify, on the basis of a code information signal transmitted with the brake light illuminating a previous vehicle, this activation of the brake lights and to conclude that the vehicle considered is precisely braking, and for example performs full braking. The braking system of the following vehicle can, if necessary, on the basis of this information sent to it, automatically initiate a suitable braking maneuver to avoid the danger, without it being necessary

  wait for the driver's reaction.

  Preferably, the lighting installation control unit comprises, apart from a front receiver 11, also one or two lateral receivers, the receiver 11a of which is shown in the illustration, and a rear receiver, receivers by means of which information signals can be detected from laterally located vehicles or from following vehicles. This provides the possibility of reciprocal communication between successive vehicles, for example concerning the condition of the roadway or a previous driving maneuver by the respective driver of the vehicle, without a radio contact being necessary for this purpose. This avoids additional electromagnetic fields and biological pollution of the environment, and

  technical constraints, thus conditioned.

  Unlike a radio contact, using optical means it is possible to make a simple choice of direction, for example by choosing the detection cone 12 so that preferably the directly preceding vehicle is detected or observed. To differentiate from other previous vehicles, it may be appropriate to increase the resolution or definition of the steering point of view through the use of three different receivers for the front left area, the middle front area and the area

front right.

  The receiver (s) (11, 11a, ...) can otherwise also be arranged in the form of CCD cameras. This allows a higher spatial definition of the location of the lamp in the observation area of the receiver, and for this purpose a relatively small number of pixels is sufficient, for example a panel with 3 × 3 or 5 × 5 pixels. If the vehicle already has a CCD camera system, for example for automatic traffic guidance, along road markings and / or for the detection of obstacles or other vehicles, possibly the role of detection lamps can be assumed by this camera with increased local definition, while the identification of the lamp is carried out in the unit

13.

  In the upper part of the image of FIG. 1, there are shown, in the observation area of the receiver 11, two forms of fixed traffic lights, namely a single light 200 and a double light 100. The lights 100 200 are part of the lighting installation according to the invention and can, in the same manner as has been described for the various lamps of the vehicle, be activated by an associated unit 300 for controlling the lighting installation for the delivery of corresponding code information signals, which can then be evaluated by the lighting installation control unit 2, located on the vehicle. The single light contains, as is usual, three colored lamps 201, 202, 203. The double light 100 comprises two lights 101, 105, each comprising three colored lamps 102, 103, 104; 106, 107, 108. Depending on the traffic guidance, the light 101 located on the right side of the road can work in synchronism with the single light 200 located on the left edge of the road, or the lights control lanes different displacement. These special cases and other special cases can be identified by means of

  different standardized lamp codings.

  The vehicle lighting installation described therefore has a communication system which allows, by means of the usual light sources of motor vehicles, an exchange of information between different motor vehicles and traffic lights, in particular by which concerns an automatic identification, independent of the conductors, of the activation of the respective lamps. Since only existing lamps are used, the expense of

  achievement is low and the configuration of the vehicle remains undisturbed.

  Usual vehicle lighting installations can be modified by means of a simple modification, in particular by using an appropriate lighting installation control unit, to an installation according to the invention. To increase traffic safety, it is possible to carry out a rapid and reliable exchange of information between the lighting installation control units according to the invention of different vehicles, exchange of information which makes it possible to react automatically to emergency situations. danger, by the fact that the information is transmitted directly to the corresponding operating control units of the vehicles in question. This therefore greatly contributes to increasing traffic safety. The standardization of the coding of the lamps with regard to the operation, the type of assembly, possibly the color is appropriate. It is obvious that lighting installations according to the invention can be used not only for road traffic, rail traffic and traffic on waterways, but also in other fields, o automatic identification of sources. light activated

is necessary.

R E V E N D I C ATIONS

  1. Lighting installation comprising - one or more traffic lights comprising light sources (101-108, 201-203) used to emit light in a visible range of wavelengths, and - a unit (2, 300) for controlling the lighting installation used to control the light sources (101-108, 201-203), characterized in that at least one of the light sources (101-108, 201-203) can be activated by the control unit of the lighting installation so that the light emitted by this installation contains a signal

code information not visible.

  2. Lighting installation, in particular vehicle lighting installation or installation of traffic lights comprising - at least one light source (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6, 7, a, 20b, 101- 108 and 201-203) for emitting light in a visible range of wavelengths to produce lighting and / or a signal, and - a unit (2; 300) for controlling the lighting installation for controlling the minus one of the light sources (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6, 7, 20a, 20b, 101-108 and 201-203), which can be activated by the unit (2; 300 ) for controlling the lighting installation so that the light emitted by this installation contains a non-visible code information signal, characterized in that the code information signal contains information

  concerning the function and / or the place of installation of the light source.

  3. Lighting installation according to either of the claims

  1 and 2, characterized in that the lighting installation comprises at least one reception unit (11, 11a) for detecting a received signal

  code information and extract the information contained.

  4. Lighting installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the lighting installation is a vehicle lighting installation or a traffic light installation, and delivers a signal (14), which depends on the information extracted, to a display and / or display control unit

vehicle operation.

  5. Lighting installation according to any one of

  Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the code information signal

  is an amplitude modulation or frequency modulation signal

  and / or pulse code modulation, which modulates the light emitted.

  b 6. Lighting installation according to any one of

  Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it is an installation

  vehicle lighting, in which the code information signal contains information relating to the condition of the vehicle and / or

the environment of the vehicle.