JP2008210147A - Traffic indicator displaying different kinds of signals and signs - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a single traffic indicator of high visibility capable of displaying traffic signs, signals and countdown information at the same time. <P>SOLUTION: This traffic indicator has a board; a circuit board mounted to the board; an LED panel mounted to the board; and a protective cover mounted to the board to cover the circuit board and the LED panel. The LED panel is controlled by the circuit board, and displays signals of red, green and yellow and traffic signs of right turn, left turn, and the like. The traffic indicator displays also countdown information showing the remaining seconds until the current signal is changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic indicator, and more particularly, to a traffic indicator capable of displaying different types of signals and traffic symbols together with an indication of remaining time.

  There are two types of traffic signs: dynamic and static. Static types such as road signs are suitable for displaying traffic rules and speed limits. Dynamic traffic signs include signals such as traffic signals and pedestrian signals.

  Basic traffic lights consisting of red, green and yellow lights are sufficient for traffic control at intersections where there is not much traffic. However, at traffic intersections, dynamic instruction signals are often used in addition to basic traffic lights. Therefore, many signals having different functions for traffic control are required at such intersections. As a result, the driver may not be able to respond immediately to changes in these signals.

  In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a traffic indicator that reduces or eliminates the above problem.

  The main object of the present invention is to provide a single traffic indicator capable of displaying signals, traffic signs, and countdown information at a time based on actual conditions at different intersections.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a traffic indicator having a function of adjusting the brightness of a traffic indicator.

  The traffic indicator according to the present invention includes a board, a circuit board attached to the board, an LED panel (light emitting diode panel, hereinafter referred to as “LED panel”) attached to the board, and a protective lid. The LED panel includes a plurality of LEDs of various colors (effective diodes, hereinafter referred to as “LEDs”), and can display various signals and traffic signs by control on a circuit board. That is, it is possible to display red, green, and yellow signals, traffic signs, and countdown information on a single display screen.

  The traffic indicator according to the present invention uses an optical sensor that senses the intensity of ambient light.

  Since the traffic indicator according to the present invention has only one display screen, the traffic symbol can be displayed in a larger size, and as a result, the visibility of the traffic symbol of the driver can be improved. Furthermore, as compared with a conventional LED signal having a plurality of display screens, it is possible to reduce the labor and maintenance cost of assembly.

  In addition, the circuit board can adjust the brightness of the LED of the LED panel based on the sensing result.

  Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a traffic indicator 10 according to the present invention includes a board 11, a circuit board 12, an LED panel 13, and a protective lid 14.

  The protective lid 14 is made of a translucent or transparent material, and is attached to the substrate 11 so as to cover the circuit board 12 and the LED panel 13.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the control circuit on the circuit board 12 of the traffic indicator 10 according to the present invention includes a control unit 121, an output connection interface 122, a timer 123, an input device 124, and an optical sensor 125. Including.

  The output connection interface (122) is connected between the output terminal of the control unit 121 and the input terminal of the LED panel 13. The control unit 121 lights and extinguishes each LED via the output connection interface 122, and adjusts the color and brightness.

  The timer 123 has an output terminal connected to the control unit 121 and an input terminal connected to the input device 124.

  The input device 124 can also be a key set (a key set) or a switch set (a switch set), and is connected to the control unit 121 and the timer 123 to send control variables to the control unit 121 and the timer 123, respectively. It has an output terminal.

  The optical sensor 125 is connected to the control unit 121 and senses the intensity of ambient light. The sensing result is sent to the control unit 121. The control unit 121 adjusts the brightness of the LED panel 13 based on the sensing result.

  The LED panel 13 is attached to the substrate 11 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 12. The LED panel 13 has a plurality of light emitting diodes of various colors, and the circuit board 12 can control the LED panel 13 to display red, yellow, and green signals in a wide area.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the LED panel 13 has two display areas. The first display area is the outer annular area 131. The second display area is a central circular area 132 inside the outer annular area 131. Further, the outer annular region 131 has a countdown function. For example, the entire outer annular region 131 can be divided into 60 sections corresponding to 60 seconds of the watch. When the central circular area 132 is displaying traffic signs and signals, the 60 sections consisting of the LEDs in the outer ring area 131 are counterclockwise to indicate the remaining time from the initial state of lighting. By turning off the lights sequentially, that is, by turning off each section in turn counterclockwise every second, it is possible to produce a visual effect in which dots appear to move. Alternatively, it is possible to produce a visual effect as if a point moves like a second hand by sequentially lighting 60 sections of LEDs of the outer annular region 131 counterclockwise every second.

  The display color of the outer annular area 131 depends on the color of the central circular area 132. The countdown of the remaining time is less than 60 seconds or 1 minute or more depending on the traffic volume of the intersection, but the above countdown display works effectively when it is less than 61 seconds.

  Thus, the driver can recognize the remaining time until the current traffic symbol changes from the traffic indicator. Further, if the pattern is set or programmed in advance in the circuit board 12, the central circular area 132 can display a traffic symbol having a desired pattern. For example, the central circular area 132 in FIG. 4 represents a right turn symbol, FIG. 5 represents a right / left turn symbol, and FIG. 6 represents a left turn symbol. Here, the above direction indicator can be displayed by turning on only the right turn / left turn symbol as the direction indicator, or by turning on the central circular area 132 as a signal and turning off the right turn / left turn symbol. You can also.

  As described above, the single traffic indicator according to the present invention can display a desired traffic symbol pattern set or programmed in advance on the circuit board 12 according to the condition of the intersection. In this way, the conventional signal can be unified with the traffic indicator.

  Although numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been described along with the detailed structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is merely an example. Details of the present invention, in particular the shape, size and arrangement of parts, can be modified within the general meaning of the words expressed in the claims without departing from the essence of the present invention.

The expanded cross-sectional view of the traffic indicator which concerns on this invention. The control block diagram of the traffic indicator which concerns on this invention. The top view of the traffic indicator which concerns on this invention. The operation top view which suggests that the traffic indicator which concerns on this invention shows a right turn sign | symbol in black or another color on a red light, and countdown is 20 seconds. The operation top view which suggests that the traffic indicator which concerns on this invention represents a right turn / left turn sign in black or other colors on a green signal, and the countdown is 35 seconds. The operation top view which suggests that the traffic indicator which concerns on this invention shows the left turn sign in black or other colors on a green signal, and the countdown is 46 seconds.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Traffic indicator 11 Board | substrate 12 Circuit board 13 LED panel 14 Protective cover 121 Control unit 122 Output connection interface 123 Timer 124 Input device 125 Optical sensor 131 Outer annular area 132 Central circular area

Claims (8)

A traffic indicator including a board, a circuit board attached to the board, an LED panel attached to the board, and a protective lid made of a translucent or transparent material, capable of displaying different types of signals and traffic signs Because
The LED panel is composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes,
The said protective cover is a traffic indicator attached to the said board | substrate, and covering the said circuit board and the said LED panel attached to the said board | substrate. The circuit board includes a control unit, an output connection interface connected between the control unit and the LED panel, a timer, an input device, and an optical sensor connected to the control unit,
The control unit controls the light emitting diode of the LED panel by way of the output connection interface,
The timer has an output terminal connected to the control unit and an input terminal connected to the input device,
The traffic indicator according to claim 1, wherein the input device is a key device or a switching device, and is connected to the control unit and the timer to send control variables to the control unit and the timer.   The traffic indicator according to claim 1, wherein the LED panel includes an outer annular region and a central circular region, and a traffic sign is displayed by the central circular region including a red, green, and yellow signal and a traffic symbol. .   4. A traffic indicator according to claim 3, wherein all light emitting diodes in the outer annular region are divided into 60 sections corresponding to 60 seconds of the watch.   The traffic indicator according to claim 4, wherein the 60 sections including the light emitting diodes in the outer annular region display countdown information by sequentially turning off the counterclockwise from the lighted initial state.   The 60 sections of light emitting diodes in the outer annular area are turned off every second from the initial lighting state, thereby producing a visual effect that the dots appear to move counterclockwise like a second hand indicating a countdown. The traffic indicator according to claim 4.   60 sections of light emitting diodes in the outer annular region illuminate every second in a counterclockwise direction, creating a visual effect where the dots suggesting the remaining seconds appear to move. Item 5. The traffic indicator according to item 4.   The traffic indicator according to claim 2, wherein the optical sensor senses ambient light intensity and adjusts the brightness of the LED panel via the control unit.

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