KR20060125674A - A traffic signal control data transmit and receive system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for transmitting and receiving traffic light control data is provided to secure traffic safety by installing a unit for receiving and displaying FM(Frequency Modulation) traffic light control data in real time even when a driver does not check a front traffic light. A system for transmitting and receiving traffic light control data includes a traffic signal controller(101) controlling at least one traffic light(102); an information transmission device(103) receiving traffic signal control data displaying the control state of the traffic light from the traffic light controller, converting the information into an additional information broadcasting signal, and then transmitting the signal by wireless; and a moving device receiving the additional information broadcasting signal sent from the information transmission device and extracting the traffic signal control data. The moving device has an additional broadcasting receiving unit extracting the traffic signal control data by demodulating the additional information broadcasting signal; a GPS(Global Positioning System) position information receiving unit exactly extracting the present geographical position information of the moving device; a signal reading and system controlling unit extracting information of a front traffic light corresponding to the present progressive direction of the moving device from the traffic signal control data, on the basis of the present geographical position information of the moving device; and a display unit informing a user of the information extracted from the signal reading and system controlling unit.

Description

Traffic signal control data transmit and receive system

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall implementation of a traffic light control signal transmitting device unit and a receiving device unit according to the present invention.

2 is an exemplary view of a traffic light generally used.

3 is an example of installation of a current traffic light in the standard viewed from one direction.

4 is a block diagram of a device for transmitting a traffic light control signal of the present invention and a signal lamp.

5 is a detailed block diagram of a traffic light control signal transmitting device unit.

6 is a configuration diagram of a device for receiving a traffic light control signal.

7 is a view illustrating arrangement and connection of a traffic light control signal transmitting device.

8 is an exemplary diagram of local transmission of a traffic light control signal.

9 is an example of the data configuration of a traffic light control signal to be used for FM transmission.

10 is a diagram illustrating a data transmission procedure of a traffic light control signal.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a signal state display unit on the receiving side.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing still another configuration of the signal state display unit on the receiving side.

13 is an exemplary diagram of signal reception at a receiving side.

<Description of Signs for Major Parts of Drawings>

101: traffic signal controller 102: traffic light 103: FM information transmission device block

121: Example of vehicle traveling direction (example of moving from the lower side to the upper side)

122: near-field traffic light in the forward direction

123: forward direction long distance traffic light

132: control signal / information signal of the traffic signal controller

142: Block for converting the control signal and information of the traffic signal controller to additional information data

143: FM additional broadcast signal generator 144: FM radio transmitter

145: transmitting antenna 151: receiving antenna

152: RF receiver 153: FM additional broadcast receiver

154: GPS location information receiver

155: traffic light control signal reading and display unit control including position information

156: receiving side display device

161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166: Traffic lights S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6

167: traffic signal controller 168: FM information transmitting unit

171: Traffic signal FM information transmitter of the intersection of the J11 location

172: traffic signal FM information transmitter of the intersection of J12 location

R11: Range of output influence of traffic signal FM information transmitter at intersection of J11 location (receivable range)

R12: Output influence range of the traffic signal FM information transmitter at the intersection of the J12 position (receivable range)

301: red LED (light emitting diode) unit representing a red stop signal

302: yellow LED (light emitting diode) part representing yellow warning signal

303: Green LED (Light Emitting Diode) unit representing green left turn signal

304: green LED (light emitting diode) unit representing a straight signal

305: green LED (light emitting diode) unit representing the right turn signal

306: countdown light emitting diode unit for displaying the remaining time until signal switching

316: character display unit for displaying the characters and schematics of the traffic additional information

407: FM traffic information transmitter 408: example of vehicles entering the intersection and stopping

401, 402, 403, 404: intersection traffic light S1, S2, S3, S4 405, 406: traffic light S5, S6

R412: Receivable range of signal transmitted from FM traffic information transmitter 407 of intersection J412

The present invention relates to a traffic light control data transmission and reception system using the FM information broadcast. More specifically, the present invention is largely required in the apparatus portion for modulating and transmitting the traffic light control data in the form of FM information broadcast and the FM side at the receiving side in consideration of its geographical position information and the direction of travel. The present invention relates to a device and a method for taking only control data on a traffic light and visually displaying the same to a user.

The present invention relates to the proposal of a local FM additional information broadcasting method and a system using a local small output FM transmission method, rather than a general large output FM transmission as in the conventionally proposed FM additional information broadcasting method.

Due to the recent economic development, due to the wide spread of vehicles, urban traffic volume has increased and many roads have been constructed for vehicle traffic, and many intersections between roads and roads have occurred.

All roads are equipped with numerous traffic lights, and the traffic signal controller is configured to efficiently control each traffic light in order to smooth the overall traffic flow of the road.

However, a traffic light installed on a general road or at an intersection where roads intersect is often impossible to recognize because some or all of the signals are hidden due to factors such as roadside trees. Alternatively, a traffic light may be blocked by another large vehicle stopped around. And, even if there are no obstacles in the surroundings, when the vehicle being driven stops under a traffic light, or when the sun is in front when the sun's altitude is low, the sunlight is incident at an angle similar to that of the traffic light. The driver is in a situation where the signals of the traffic lights cannot be visually identified at all.

In order to solve these problems, the general method of arranging the branches of trees is regular. In the case of intersection, one traffic light is installed at the position just before the intersection based on the direction of vehicle entry. Later, there is a way to install another traffic light across the intersection.

However, even if you remove obstacles around the road and install additional visible lights in front of the intersection, if the vehicle is high enough to cover the traffic lights in front of you, or if the view is extremely limited due to bad weather such as fog or heavy rain, Or, it is a reality that it is impossible to solve a situation in which it is difficult to secure a forward field of view due to the incident of low altitude sunlight.

Another problem is that the driver cannot predict the moment when the signal of the traffic light is switched in advance, so he is not sure whether to proceed in the presence of a progress signal at an intersection, or hesitates or judges that the straight signal will continue. However, there are frequent cases such as changing to a yellow signal at the time of entry into the intersection, which often results in a driver's embarrassment or a contact accident.

In the present invention, in order to solve problems such as an unacceptable situation in which the driver cannot visually confirm a signal such as a traffic light or a dangerous situation that may be caused by not predicting the timing of switching the signal, the local small output FM transmission information data transmission is performed. The present invention proposes a method of transmitting and receiving traffic information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a means and a method for notifying the state of a current traffic signal by using the FM additional broadcasting transmission technology of digital data operated in conjunction with a traffic controller even in a situation where the aforementioned traffic signal cannot be visually recognized. There is.

It is another object of the present invention to use a fixed frequency channel only at the receiver side without changing the receiving channel, while using the fixed frequency of the road currently located at the receiver side from individual information such as multiple intersections and a plurality of traffic lights on the road. It is to provide a means and a method for extracting the information of only the traffic light of the position where the current needs to be recognized in the image and use it properly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for allowing a user to perceive in a quantitative manner by counting down the waiting time until the moment of switching the traffic signal.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a means and a method for transmitting and receiving information on occurrence of an emergency in addition to traffic light information obtained from a traffic signal controller.

In the present invention, a method for achieving the above objects by applying a method of FM additional information broadcasting that can provide additional services over the air to make the control data and additional information such as traffic signals FM radio signal, a small output local FM broadcasting apparatus The present invention is to propose a method of transmitting a PM additional information broadcast and allowing a user to receive traffic signal control data through an appropriate display apparatus by using the FM additional information receiving apparatus.

Traffic signal control data transmission and reception system according to the present invention, a traffic signal controller for controlling one traffic light; An information transmitting device which receives from the traffic signal controller traffic signal control data indicating a control state of the traffic light, converts the signal into an additional information broadcast signal, and wirelessly transmits the additional signal; And a mobile device for extracting the traffic signal control data after receiving the additional information broadcast signal transmitted from the information transmitting device, wherein the mobile device comprises demodulating the additional information broadcast signal and demodulating the traffic. An additional broadcasting receiver extracting signal control data; A GPS location information receiver for extracting current accurate geographical location information of the moving device; A signal reading and system control unit for extracting, from the traffic signal control data, information of a front traffic light corresponding to a current traveling direction of the moving device based on the current geographical position information of the moving device; And a display unit for notifying the user of the information extracted from the signal reading and the system control unit.

Hereinafter, the spirit of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the overall connection configuration including the proposed traffic light control signal transmission and reception device is shown in FIG.

Looking at only the parts proposed by the present invention out of the entire block can be divided into two parts of the FM traffic information transmitting device block and the traffic light control signal receiving device of the receiving side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the configuration of the entire traffic signal system including the apparatus for transmitting a traffic light control signal is proposed as shown in FIG.

The overall system of FIG. 4 includes a traffic signal controller portion, conventional traffic lights (plural numbers) in which control signals and information signals of the traffic signal controller are transmitted, and displays the signals, and traffic signal control data from digital information to FM. After modulation in the form of additional information, the FM signal transmission device for transmitting the signal as a local small output FM radio signal. (Figure 4)

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the traffic light control signal transmitting device block described above in the second aspect is a portion for converting data to process the data received from the traffic signal controller as the FM additional information signal, and the converted data It consists of a part for generating the FM additional information broadcast signal, a transmitter for transmitting the FM radio wave carrying the additional information broadcast signal, and a transmitting antenna for outputting the final radio wave. This can be understood with reference to FIG.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus for receiving the traffic light control signal transmitted from the traffic light control signal transmitting (sending) apparatus described above in the third aspect is configured as shown in FIG. Its configuration includes an antenna for receiving radio waves, a radio frequency (RF) receiver for demodulating radio frequency signals, an FM additional broadcast receiver for extracting FM broadcast data, and GPS location information for receiving current receivers. GPS location information receiver for accurately extracting the location of the GPS signal, and a signal readout and system control unit for finally extracting only the traffic information data required by the receiver from the GPS location information and the extracted traffic information to control the signal to be output to the display device, And a display unit for providing a recognizable means to the user. This can be clearly understood with reference to FIG. 6.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the strength of the FM radio wave signal including the traffic light control signal data described above in the third aspect is not a form that can be received in a wide area, but does not overlap within a range between the intersection and the intersection. It is a local small power level signal with a small output that can only be received inside. In addition, the frequency channel of the signal used in the above-described FM signal generating apparatus utilizes the same one frequency anywhere in the country so that only one channel can be fixed and used at the receiving side. This can be clearly understood with reference to FIG.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the apparatus for receiving a traffic light control signal proposed in the fourth aspect, the display unit includes signal display units representing each signal of the traffic light in a form such that the user can easily recognize the actual traffic light. For example, the display unit may display a remaining time until the signal changeover, or a character display unit may output additional information such as additional traffic information or a disaster situation. This can be clearly understood with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the traffic light control signal receiving side proposed in the fourth aspect has a method of accurately extracting only information corresponding to a traffic light to be recognized at a location where a current receiver is located by using GPS position information. This can be clearly understood with reference to FIGS. 9 and 13.

As shown in the first aspect of the present invention, the overall connection configuration including the apparatus for transmitting and receiving traffic light control data is as shown in FIG. Looking at the flow of traffic signal control data and the basic role of each component in the overall configuration of Figure 1 as follows.

The traffic light controller 101 primarily serves to control the traffic light 102 in the same manner as the conventional method, and the FM information transmitting device 103 block which proposes the traffic light control data used therein in the present invention. It is configured to serve as a function of transmitting to. The FM information transmitting apparatus 103 modulates the transmitted traffic light control data in the form of FM additional information data broadcasting, and then transmits a local small output FM radio wave to inform and transmit the data wirelessly. After the FM radio wave is transmitted, the FM signal demodulation and the extraction of the additional information data are performed by the traffic light control signal receiving device 104, and the information corresponding to the information display unit 105 is displayed in a form that can be recognized by the user. The receiving side operation is performed.

Herein, a portion of only transmitting (transmitting) data of the traffic signal controller will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4. As described above in the preceding paragraph, the traffic signal controller 131 serves to control a plurality of traffic lights 133 installed at an intersection or a crosswalk, and the control signal and information signal of the traffic signal controller ( 132 is also configured to be delivered to the FM information transmission device 134 at the same time.

Looking at the above only the FM information transmitting device 134 block in more detail as shown in FIG. (Third Feature) The first block is a traffic control signal data conversion / processing unit 142 which receives traffic signal control data transmitted from the traffic light controller 141 and converts it to an FM additional information broadcast signal. The signal converted through the processing is synthesized into the actual FM radio signal and transmitted through the FM additional broadcast signal generator 143 through the FM radio transmitter 144 through the radio transmission antenna 145 in the spatial radio signal Is sent (sent).

In this case, the FM additional information broadcasting method that can be used for radio transmission of the FM additional information may use a data ratio channel (hereinafter referred to as DARC) or a radio digital system (hereinafter referred to as RDS) method. You can also use. Alternatively, another modulation method of FM additional information broadcasting may be used, and it may be any method capable of modulating digital control data with FM information.

The moving device 150 which receives the radio wave signal transmitted from the above-mentioned traffic light control signal transmission (sending) device is configured as shown in FIG. The FM radio wave received by the antenna 151 undergoes demodulation in the radio frequency (RF) receiver 152 and extracts digital data through the FM additional broadcast receiver 153. The GPS location information receiver 154 also extracts the exact geographical location information of the current recipient separately. The signal reading and system control unit 155 extracts only the information of the front traffic light and other additional information corresponding to the current travel direction from the collected information from the collected information, and the display unit 156 to inform the user of the extracted information. ) Is displayed in the form of a symbol or character that can be recognized by the user. The moving device 150 may be used in a vehicle as an example device mounted on the vehicle.

An example of the actual arrangement of the traffic light control data transmission device and the traffic signal controller proposed in the present invention is shown in FIG. In the case illustrated in FIG. 7, the traffic signal controller 167 includes four traffic lights (161, 162, 163, and 164) installed at one four-way intersection, and two (1, S2, S3, and S4) installed on a crosswalk of the lower road. It is based on controlling the traffic lights (165, 166 respectively). In the actual case, the traffic lights of the crosswalk included here will also be subject to control, but in the example to be described in the present invention, only the viewpoint of the vehicle will be described below. do. Assuming the case illustrated in FIG. 7 described above, the traffic control signal controller controls the six traffic lights and transmits all signal control data related to each traffic light control to the FM information transmitter 168. The FM information transmitter plays a role of transmitting traffic control data and additional information through FM radio waves as described above with reference to FIG. 5. In this case, each FM radio wave transmitting unit does not necessarily acquire data from only one traffic signal controller, but may collect data from multiple traffic signal controllers and transmit a signal.

8 is an exemplary diagram in which a plurality of FM signal lamp control data transmitting devices are installed on a roadway. Each FM signal lamp control data transmitter uses only one predetermined frequency channel. The reason for using only the same frequency channel is to allow the user to use it conveniently without having to reset the receiving frequency channel anywhere in the country. In addition, the strength of each transmitter radio signal is based on the use of a local small output radio wave so as not to overlap with the range of the radio wave output from the control signal transmitter such as another FM signal located at an immediate position. For example, the radio wave output of the transmitting device 172 installed at the J12 intersection transmits the radio wave at a level capable of receiving a signal only in the region of R12, which is installed at the intersections of J11, J13, and J22, which are the nearest positions. It is configured under appropriate prior planning so as not to overlap with the influence ranges R11, R13, R22 of the propagation of the fields 171, 173, 175. In this case, the FM signal lamp control data using only the same frequency is transmitted only within the range of the non-overlapping area in various regions, and the data including the information of several signal lamps are simultaneously transmitted at each location. If a data transmission format is proposed and illustrated, it can be configured as shown in FIG. The basic format consists of a header portion 201 informing that the data to be transmitted contains valid traffic light control data and a data portion 202 containing the actual data contents. As an example of the detailed configuration of the data portion, the traffic light individual identification number (ID; index) 203, the geographical position (GPS) information 204 of each traffic light, the signal state data 205 of the current traffic light, and the signal state to be switched next 206, a countdown value 207 indicating the time remaining until switching to the next signal, forward traffic condition information data 208, and error check (CRC) data 209 for checking the error of the data. Can be configured.

The data format illustrated in FIG. 9 is an implementation example, and other additional information required in an actual implementation may be added. In addition, when data corresponding to an emergency situation is received in the data corresponding to the front traffic situation information data unit, it may be configured to receive other emergency information and the like. For example, an accident at a forward intersection could send a message like congestion. The information on the emergency situation corresponds to the peripheral signal interlocking data and the emergency situation data (FIGS. 5 and 146) shown in the upper left of FIG. 5, and may be configured as information input to the traffic signal controller, or traffic control immediately. It may be input to the signal data conversion / processing unit (Figs. 5 and 142).

FIG. 10 is an example of a procedure of transmitting data when the traffic light control data described above with reference to FIG. 9 is transmitted as FM additional information. In the example of FIG. 10, it is assumed that only four traffic lights S1, traffic light S2, traffic light S3, and traffic light S4 are included in the area of the traffic light in charge of the traffic light control data transmitter. First, control data related to the traffic light S1 is transmitted (211), and then control data related to S2, S3, and S4 are transmitted (212, 213, 214). In addition, if the information that the emergency situation has been acquired, the data corresponding to the situation is sent out and then returned to the beginning again to repeat the above process (215). Repeat interval between entire cycle is performed within the level of 100 or 200 milliseconds (ms) at the level of several tens of milliseconds (ms), so that the information can be updated at the receiving side as quickly as possible. Implement to minimize the time synchronization error between the sides.

Among the data repeatedly transmitted at the receiving side, in particular, the geographic location information (GPS) data 204 of the traffic light of FIG. 9 is currently accepted in consideration of its geographic location information and its own traveling direction. Decide whether or not you should, and take only the data for the traffic lights you are referring forward from your location.

Fig. 11 shows an example of a display unit (Figs. 6 and 156) used to display information to be finally output after the process of collecting only the information of the necessary traffic lights at the receiver's position from the data received at the FM signal lamp control signal receiving device side. All drawings. The display device is not necessarily configured in the same manner as in this example, but should be configured to provide a means for the user to easily recognize the state of the traffic light and the main additional information. In the example of Fig. 11, the display portion has light emitting diode (LED) display means (301, 302, 303, 304, and 305, respectively) representing traffic lights such as stop, warning, left turn, straight turn, and right turn, and additionally present signals. There is also a countdown light emitting diode (LED) display means 306 which indicates how many seconds remain before switching to the next signal. Even if the display unit is configured in various situations where the user cannot visually recognize the traffic light in front of the user, the display unit can accurately recognize the current signal state in real time through the reception device and the display unit, and a few seconds remain until the signal switching time is reached. The map can be predicted in advance.

FIG. 12 is an example of another display unit (FIGS. 6 and 156), and a character display unit capable of displaying various symbols or characters in place of a simple light emitting diode (LED) unit (FIGS. 11 and 306) capable of only counting down display. It characterized by having 316. Through the text display unit, the user may visually recognize the remaining time until the next signal change, and when an emergency occurs, the user may directly check the corresponding emergency received by text. In FIG. 12, an emergency situation called congestion occurred due to a forward intersection accident is indicated by text in the drawing.

FIG. 13 may directly recognize a traffic light due to various obstacles in vehicles 408 and 409 which are traveling from the lower direction to the upper direction or waiting for the signal in the traffic light system of the intersection and the intersection of the example illustrated in FIG. 7. The figure illustrates a case where there is no. Here, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6 Six traffic lights 401, 402, 403, 404, 405 and 406 are all assumed to be controlled by a single traffic light controller. To send.

In the case of vehicle 1 (408), the traffic light to be referred to at its current location corresponds to S3 (403). For this purpose, the vehicle 1 (408) receives its own location and the direction of travel using the GPS data. Only the data of S3 (403) to be referred to by the traffic light control data is collected and the state of the current signal can be recognized through the display unit as shown in FIG. Further, in case of vehicle 2 409, it is determined that the traffic light to be recognized at the current position and the traveling direction is S6 406 using its own location information, and collects only the data of traffic light S6 406 to collect the data. Alternatively, it is possible to visually recognize the current signal state in front of the display unit as shown in FIG. 12.

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the driver cannot visually recognize the traffic light in front of the vehicle while driving, the vehicle can contribute to traffic safety by providing a means for receiving and displaying the FM traffic light control data in real time. Provide a way.

In addition, in the case of an intersection or the like, it is possible to reduce the installation cost of a traffic light by using only one to install two traffic lights overlapping in the same traveling direction. Furthermore, the FM receiver is not an expensive device. Therefore, when all the vehicles are equipped with the receiver, even if only a transmission device which transmits only traffic light control data to the FM is installed, no expensive and space-consuming traffic lights are installed on the road. It can be more than just a traffic light, resulting in significant cost savings.

In addition, by providing a means for accurately predicting the time to switch to the next signal when the vehicle enters the intersection, etc. can contribute to reducing accidents due to excessive entry or stop at the time of signal switching at the intersection.

In addition, by providing a means of receiving and recognizing the emergency situation of the road ahead or side road in advance to meet the emergency, such as accidents, congestion, traffic control after entering the road to prevent the long-term delay in advance It can also contribute to

Claims (4)

A traffic signal controller controlling at least one traffic light; An information transmitting device which receives from the traffic signal controller traffic signal control data indicating a control state of the traffic light, converts the signal into an additional information broadcast signal, and wirelessly transmits the additional signal; And And a mobile device for extracting the traffic signal control data after receiving the additional information broadcast signal transmitted from the information transmitting device. The mobile device includes: an additional broadcast receiver configured to extract the traffic signal control data by demodulating the additional information broadcast signal; A GPS location information receiver for extracting current accurate geographical location information of the moving device; A signal reading and system control unit for extracting, from the traffic signal control data, information of a front traffic light corresponding to a current traveling direction of the moving device based on the current geographical position information of the moving device; And Traffic signal control data transmission and reception system including a display unit for notifying the user of the information read from the signal reading and the system control unit. The method of claim 1, The display portion includes a traffic light control data transmission / reception system including a traffic light display portion for indicating a stop light, a warning light, a left turn, a straight turn and a right turn. The method of claim 1, The display section includes a traffic light control data transmission / reception system for displaying a countdown display indicating how much remains from the current traffic light state to the transition to the display state of the next traffic light. The method of claim 1, A traffic light control data transmission / reception system, wherein the display section includes a text display section displaying a symbol or a text, and the text display section displays an emergency situation in text.

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