WO2010066911A1

WO2010066911A1 - Apparatus and method for displaying a message to a street traffic participant

Info

Publication number: WO2010066911A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/067117
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald Mebold; Ingolf Rauh
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2008-12-12
Filing date: 2009-12-14
Publication date: 2010-06-17
Also published as: DE102008061995A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for monitoring an area (Tu) of a street traffic network and for issuing a message to a street traffic participant about the existence of a reference situation. An image recording device (Ka) generates at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2,...) of the monitored area (Tu). An evaluation unit (Ausw) decides, by evaluating the at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2,...), whether said at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2,...) are depicting the same vehicle (Fhg) and whether said vehicle (Fhg) is driving without the exterior headlight (V-S, R-S) system thereof being turned on. If so, the evaluation unit (Ausw) decides that a predefined reference situation has occurred, with the depicted vehicle (Fhg) being involved with said situation. If the evaluation unit (Ausw) has decided that a reference situation has occurred, the evaluation unit (Ausw) generates a situation signal (Sit-Sig) which is transferred to a control unit (SE). The control unit (SE) then generates a control signal (Ans-Sig). This control signal (Ans-Sig) is transmitted to a display device (AG). The display device (AG) displays a message as a situation message referring to the fact that the exterior headlight system (V-S, R-S) of the vehicle (Fhg) is not turned on.

Description

description

ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AN UNLOCKED LIGHTING SYSTEM TO A MOST STREET TRAVELER

The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for displaying a message to a road user.

An apparatus having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method having the features of the preamble of claim 6 are known from US 2003/0191577 Al.

US 2003/0191577 A1 describes a method and a device for detecting a dangerous situation in the area of a road traffic and for generating a message to a car driver who behaves in a traffic-neutral manner or a vulnerable pedestrian in this area. The device described there has a large number of sensors which measure ambient conditions, eg. For example, the precipitation, the darkness and the fog. Furthermore, the device has a speed measuring unit which measures the speed of a passing vehicle. This measuring unit comprises z. B. a video camera and an image processing unit, which evaluates the recorded images. The video camera can z. B. to take pictures showing a car. Thus, one sensor measures the speed of the vehicle and other sensors measure different environmental conditions. In one embodiment, a message is given to a pedestrian about a threat on one side of a display panel. On the other side of this scoreboard, a message is issued to the driver that and how this driver is behaving in traffic.

GB 2393837 A describes a method and a device for detecting and recording violations of traffic regulations. The device includes a video camera that captures images of a traffic situation with a moving vehicle. Preferably, first a video sequence is generated with 50 to 175 images per vehicle. Both the Video sequences as well as a text sequence with information about the video sequences are stored ("on-screen display") .This information includes the time and place of the recordings, speed of the vehicle and possibly the type of traffic violation If a traffic violation occurs, the registration plate number is determined by means of optical character recognition (OCR) and a measure of the quality of the traffic The quality of the OCR result is calculated In order to save storage space and evaluation time, only those images are saved which show traffic violations and provide a good OCR result A condensed image sequence as well as the recording time and the evaluation results are stored as evidence serve for the selection of pictures An evaluation formula is used which provides a compromise between well-recognizable traffic violation and good OCR score. In US 5,734,337 a method is described to monitor the flowing traffic. A camera produces images of a passing vehicle at an angle from above. The image of a license plate is searched for in the images of the vehicle, and the registration number is deciphered and compared with a database of approved vehicles. By comparing several images from the same vehicle, the speed of the vehicle is determined. If a motorist drives too fast, the pictures of his vehicle are stored. A collision avoidance system is presented in US 6,223,125 B. A sensor picks up electronic images of flowing traffic An evaluation unit detects dangerous situations and, if necessary, controls an actuator This actuator activates a restrictor, which is a physical means to decelerate a vehicle in danger of decelerating. Several shots of a dangerous vehicle are evaluated to convey a message to a monitoring organization, the message comprising the type, color and license plate of the vehicle. For example, an excessive speed of a vehicle or a threat to pedestrians is transmitted. In addition, a message is issued to the driver.

WO 2007/107875 A2 describes how several video cameras record images of road vehicles. An evaluation unit in the video camera 12 detects traffic violations. OCR is used to detect the registration number of a participating vehicle. For example, the license plate of a vehicle is deciphered and it is determined that the driver of this vehicle disregards a red traffic light. Preferably, multiple video cameras capture images from different directions.

DE 10160719 A1 describes a method and a device for recognizing moving vehicles and recognizing them on their further journey. Several fixed cameras each take a sequence of images. Each image evaluation unit evaluates a predetermined one in the images

Furthermore, an invariable attribute of the vehicle is determined in the images, eg the type or the shape.

US 2008/0294315 A1 describes a method for monitoring and controlling the vehicle head lights.The monitoring and control is performed by a device on board the vehicle. The front headlamps of an oncoming vehicle blind the driver, and one part of the windshield is automatically darkened In another embodiment, it is determined that one's own front or rear headlamps dazzle the driver of another vehicle and become their own headlamps In both embodiments, at least one image is captured and a pattern recognition process ("Pattern recognition") is performed to detect at least one image of a light source.

EP 0889801 B1 describes a method and apparatus for controlling the headlights of a vehicle. The device is on board the vehicle. An array of sensors picks up images from the vehicle forward. In each image is searched for images of other light sources, z. From the front headlamps of an oncoming vehicle or the rear headlamps of a preceding vehicle. An image evaluation unit discovers the respective intensity values for green, blue and red light by spectral analysis. This, and deciphering the position of the image of a light source in a captured image, distinguishes front and rear headlights. For example, light source images in the center of the image are distinguished from light source images at the edge of the image. Image evaluation detects whether there is fog.

US Pat. No. 7,302,326 B2 describes a method for taking a plurality of images of traffic and detecting the front headlights of a vehicle in the images. The camera and the image evaluation unit is z. B. mounted on the windshield of a vehicle. Image analysis differentiates between front headlights, rear headlights and other light sources.

The invention has for its object to provide an arrangement with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method having the features of the preamble of claim 6, which reduce a risk to road users by poorly visible vehicles.

The object is achieved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 6. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. The solution according to the invention is designed to monitor an area of a road traffic network and to issue a message about the presence of a given reference situation to a road user. The arrangement comprises:

An image capture device,

- an evaluation unit,

A control unit and

- a display device. The image capture device is configured to generate at least two images from the same area of a road traffic network.

The evaluation unit is designed to carry out the following steps: The evaluation unit decides by evaluating the at least two images whether these at least two images each comprise an image of the same vehicle.

If the same vehicle is shown in both images, the evaluation unit checks whether this depicted vehicle enters the monitored area or drives in the area without the outdoor lighting system switched on.

If the evaluation unit has detected a moving vehicle without the outside lighting system switched on, then the evaluation unit decides that a predefined reference situation has occurred, in which the depicted moving vehicle is involved.

If the evaluation unit has decided that a reference situation has occurred, the evaluation unit generates a situation signal and triggers the transmission of this situation signal to the control unit.

The control unit is configured to perform the following steps in response to receiving a situation signal: - The control unit generates a drive signal.

- The control unit triggers the transmission of the control signal to the display device.

The display device is configured to display a situation message upon receipt of a drive signal. This situation message includes a message relating to the unused outdoor lighting system of the depicted vehicle.

Thanks to the invention, a moving vehicle without an external lighting system is automatically detected. A situation-related message is delivered to the driver of this vehicle. As a result, the invention reduces the risk that a moving vehicle therefore causes an accident because the vehicle is poorly visible. The invention works better on a motorist than a stationary sign, which does not depend on the current situation. Rather, the display device then displays a situation message about not switched on front headlights, when actually a vehicle is detected, the outdoor lighting system is not turned on.

The invention makes it possible to decide on the presence of the reference situation exclusively on the basis of the at least two images. As a sensor thus satisfies the imaging device. Another sensor is not needed. Preferably, when the situation signal has been generated, the at least two images are stored in an evidence save data memory. In this anti-theft data memory the pictures are locked against a subsequent change. But they can be read out and also deleted. With the help of these tamper-proof stored images can be subsequently prove that the reference situation existed.

In one embodiment, in addition to the image recording device, a special anti-theft camera is used which generates images with a higher resolution than the image recording device. testifies. However, the evaluation unit evaluates images from the image acquisition device, because this is faster than the evaluation of images of the evidence-securing camera. The anti-theft data memory stores images from the anti-theft camera. For example, in the case of

Data memory continuously stored images from the evidence preservation camera. These newer images overwrite older images in the evidence preserving data store until the situation signal is generated. After generation of the situation signal, the stored images are locked against a change and against being overwritten by new images.

Preferably, the two images are searched for an official identifier of the imaged vehicle. This label is decoded and displayed on the display. This embodiment has an even stronger effect on the driver who caused the reference situation. Because the driver now has to expect to be identified later on the basis of the deciphered license plate. The solution according to the arrangement is preferably installed stationary. As a result, the arrangement can be heavier and larger, and thus also more efficient, than an arrangement that is completely installed in a vehicle or that includes subsystems in a vehicle.

In the following the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment. Showing:

Fig. 1 shows schematically a monitored area and the solution according to the device in plan view;

Fig. 2 shows the area and the device of Fig. 1 in front view.

In the embodiment, the invention is used to the flowing traffic in a given area of a Road network in a specific way. The purpose of the surveillance is to ensure that every moving vehicle that enters or drives in the monitored area has an outdoor lighting system switched on. This switched outdoor lighting system should include switched on front headlights and rear lights turned on. At least it is monitored whether the front headlights are switched on.

In one application, it is monitored around the clock to see if every vehicle entering the monitored area is doing so with front headlamps turned on. This monitored area is in particular the entrance to a tunnel or other permanently dark road section. In a further development of this application case, it is additionally monitored whether each vehicle with dipped headlights

Area happens, that is neither unlit, nor with parking lights or driving with high beam.

In one embodiment, the monitored area is located in the entrance to a closed village. It is monitored whether every vehicle drives with switched on or also with switched off fog headlights.

In another application, it is monitored only in certain circumstances, whether only vehicles with activated front headlight to pass the area. These particular circumstances are mainly weather conditions z. B. the occurrence of darkness, rain or fog.

In a third application, it is monitored whether each vehicle of a particular type passes the area only with the headlights on. For example, motorcycles or trucks should have their front headlights on, and this is monitored. Other vehicles, eg. As cars, are not monitored to see if they drive with the outdoor lighting system or not.

1 schematically shows the monitored area and the device according to the invention of the exemplary embodiment in plan view. 2 shows the monitored area and the Vorrich- tion of Fig. 1 in front view. Shown are a tunnel Tu and a vehicle Fhg, which enters in the direction of travel FR on a road Fb in the tunnel Tu. An area in front of the tunnel Tu is monitored. In the exemplary embodiment, a stationary arrangement is provided at the area to be monitored

a display device AG in the form of a display panel or a traffic light system,

an image acquisition device Ka, a data processing evaluation unit Ausw and

- an image data storage DS-temp installed.

The image capture device Ka is able to record images in the visible light range in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the image recording device Ka is designed as an infrared camera or thermal camera and is capable of taking pictures even in poor visibility conditions, which can be evaluated. The image acquisition device Ka preferably generates computer-accessible images which consist of many pixels ("pixels").

This imaging device Ka continuously captures images Bi.1, Bi.2,... Of the area in front of the tunnel Tu and temporarily stores these images in the image data memory DS-temp. In this case, newer pictures overwrite older pictures, so that the picture data memory DS-temp does not overflow. For example, the most recent M pictures are stored, where M is a predetermined number. In one embodiment, the image acquisition frequency of the image acquisition device Ka depends on the position of the area to be monitored and / or on the expected average speed of the vehicles when entering the tunnel Tu.

In Fig. 1, a vehicle Fhg is shown with front headlamps VS and rear headlamps RS. The front headlights VS and the rear headlights RS belong to the exterior lighting system of the vehicle Fhg. In the exemplary embodiment, the evaluation unit evaluates the last N images of a sliding time window. N is a predetermined number and depends in one embodiment on the location of the monitored area. The evaluation unit Ausw determines images of vehicles in each of the last N images.

In each image Bi.1, Bi.2, ... of the monitored area, the evaluation unit Ausw searches for an image of a vehicle, the evaluation unit Ausw comparing the image with a reference image database Ref-DB. Contours of vehicles are stored in this reference image database Ref-DB. Because images Bi.1, Bi.2, ... are all created in the same imaging direction, each image shows a vehicle from about the same viewing direction. If the evaluation unit Ausw has detected an image of a vehicle in each of two successive images Bi.1, Bi.2,..., The evaluation unit determines whether these images originate from the same vehicle or from different vehicles. For this purpose, the evaluation unit Ausw compares the positions of the vehicle images in the two successive images. In addition, the evaluation unit Ausw takes account of the angle between the viewing direction of the image recording device Ka and the direction of travel FR and a predetermined maximum speed of vehicles in the monitored area.

It is possible that the evaluation unit Ausw discovers the color or shape or any other attribute of a vehicle which remains unchanged while driving in the images of this vehicle and uses this invariable attribute of a displayed vehicle to decide whether in two consecutive Pictures the same vehicle or different vehicles are shown. Such a method is z. B. in DE 10160719 Al described.

Overall, the evaluation unit determines Ausw in which sequence of successive images Bi.1, Bi.2, ... each the same vehicle Fhg is mapped. From- Value unit Ausw then decides whether this depicted vehicle Fhg is running or standing. For this purpose, the evaluation unit Ausw again compares the positions of the vehicle images in images of the sequence. If the analyzed sequence maps a moving vehicle Fhg, the evaluation unit Ausw checks whether the outdoor lighting system VS, RS of the imaged vehicle Fhg is switched on or not. Preferably, the image pickup device Ka is arranged so that the vehicle Fhg travels to the image pickup device Ka while the images in which this vehicle Fhg is imaged are generated. Therefore, at least the front headlights VS of the vehicle Fhg are displayed in the images.

Contours of vehicles are stored in the reference image data memory Ref-DB. Each stored contour comprises an identification of the area of this contour in which the front headlights V-S are displayed. The evaluation unit Ausw evaluates these contours and area markings to check whether the imaged vehicle Fhg drives with front headlamps V-S switched on or not. The contour with the area description is matched with the vehicle images to find the images of the front headlights.

Each image Bi.1, Bi.2, ... consists of many pixels ("pixels") Each pixel is characterized by a brightness value and by a gray value or color value The evaluation unit Ausw determines those pixels in an image of a vehicle Fhg, which compares the brightness values of these image points with a lower brightness barrier and preferably with an upper brightness barrier Pixels of the images Bi.1, Bi.2, ... the sequence and / or depend on the average brightness values of the pixels of the images of this vehicle Fhg in the images of the sequence. If a predetermined proportion, z. For example, if 90% of the pixels depicting the front headlights VS have a brightness value below the lower brightness threshold, then the evaluation unit Ausw automatically decides that the front headlights VS are switched off (or defective). By taking into account a proportion of pixels, reflections on the glass of a front headlight VS or similar disturbing effects are excluded.

The evaluation unit Ausw preferably also checks whether a predetermined proportion of pixels has a brightness value above the upper brightness barrier. If this is the case, then the evaluation unit determines that the vehicle Fhg is driving with high beam or the headlights are set incorrectly. In both cases there is a risk that an oncoming driver is dazzled.

The evaluation unit Ausw then generates a situation signal Sit-Sig, if the evaluation unit Ausw

has determined images of the same vehicle Fhg in a sequence of successive images Bi.1, Bi.2, ..., has determined by evaluating this sequence that this depicted vehicle Fhg is traveling, and

- has determined by evaluating this sequence that this moving vehicle Fhg drives without front headlights V-S switched on. In one refinement, the evaluation unit Ausw also generates a situation signal Sit-Sig, even if this moving vehicle Fhg is driving with the high beam or the headlights are too bright because they are set incorrectly.

In one embodiment, the arrangement additionally comprises at least one sensor which measures a parameter of the environment. For example, a brightness sensor HS measures the current brightness in the monitored area. A sensor measures the wind speed. A sensor detects whether it is raining in the monitored area and / or fog or dense smoke restricting visibility. These sensors deliver their values to the evaluation unit Ausw. The evaluation unit Ausw performs the above-described review, whether a vehicle Fhg without switched outdoor lighting system VS, RS passes through the monitored area in front of the tunnel Tu or not.

Preferably, the image recording device Ka next to the image memory DS-temp, in which the youngest, so the latest images Bi.1, Bi.2, ... are temporarily stored for the evaluation unit Ausw, a proof fuse image data storage Bw-DS.

The evaluation unit Ausw is connected to a control unit SE and transmits each situation signal Sit-Sig to this control unit SE. The control unit SE causes that sequence of images, which is designated in the situation signal Sit-Sig, to be stored in the evidence-safe image data memory Bw-DS.

In one embodiment, the arrangement additionally has a proof-securing camera. This anti-theft camera has a higher resolution than the image pickup device Ka described so far. An image from the anti-theft camera requires a higher storage capacity than an image Bi.1, Bi.2, ... from the image capture device Ka for storage.

In one embodiment, the last Ml images of the confirmation camera are continuously stored in the evidence-preserving image data memory Bw-DS. The last picture taken overwrites the oldest picture which had previously been stored in the evidence backup image data memory Bw-DS. The evaluation unit Ausw evaluates but not these images to decide on the existence of a reference situation, but as described above, the images from the image capture device Ka, because this is faster. As soon as the evaluation unit Ausw has generated the situation signal Sit-Sig, the last Ml images in the evidence-preserving image data memory Bw-DS are blocked from being deleted, and further images from the evidence-securing camera are stored in another memory location. rich of the evidence backup image data storage Bw-DS stored.

In another embodiment, the control unit SE activates the evidence-securing camera when the evaluation unit Ausw has generated the situation signal Sit-Sig and the control unit SE has received the situation signal Sit-Sig. From this point onwards, the camera will create recordings from the monitored area.

In this anti-theft image data memory Bw-DS, images Bi.1, Bi.2, ... of the monitored area can be permanently and tamper-proof stored. "Tamper-proof" means that an image can be read out of the evidence preservation data memory Bw-DS and also deleted from it, but the image can not be changed as soon as the evaluation unit Ausw has generated a situation signal Sit-Sig the images Bi.1, Bi.2, ... the sequence in which the same moving vehicle Fhg is shown without outdoor lighting system VS, RS, transferred from the temporary image data memory DS-temp in the evidence backup data storage Bw-DS and there Preferably, each image Bi.1, Bi.2, ... has a unique identifier, eg a serial number, and the situation signal comprises the identifier of the images of the sequence with the same vehicle Fhg Data memory Bw-DS stored sequence can be used to prove to the driver of the vehicle Fhg if necessary, the court without switched outdoor lighting system VS, RS.

Preferably, the evaluation unit tries Ausw to decipher the registration number of a pictured vehicle Fhg. In one embodiment, the evaluation unit Ausw tries this, after the evaluation unit Ausw has detected the presence of a reference situation, ie a moving vehicle Fhg without switched outdoor lighting system VS, RS has discovered. In one possible embodiment, the evaluation unit Dec deciphers the license plate of each vehicle, which travels through the monitored area. The evaluation unit Ausw evaluates either the sequence of images Bi.1, Bi.2, ... from the image capture device Ka, in which the same moving vehicle is displayed, or even the last Ml images with higher resolution in the evidence capture image data storage BW-DS that are locked against deletion. First, the evaluation unit looks Ausw in the images of the moving vehicle Fhg for images of the license plate of this vehicle. For this purpose, the evaluation unit Ausw preferably applies a description of the area in which a vehicle usually carries an official license plate. This area description is preferably stored in the reference image database Ref-DB. If the evaluation unit Ausw has detected an image of a license plate, the evaluation unit decodes the individual symbols which are displayed in the license plate image. For this purpose, the evaluation unit Ausw uses a method of "optical character recognition (OCR)." Methods for character recognition ("OCR") are described, for example, in US Pat. For example, in US 6,205,247 Bl, US 6,453,054 Bl, EP 755019 Bl and US 6,175,664 Bl. In addition, in the picture Bi.1, Bi.2, ... after a country

Identification for the country in which the recognized vehicle Fhg is approved sought. This country mark is located on or near the license plate. It is also possible to determine the country by optical features of the license plate, z. B. the color of the characters on the license plate and the

Color of the background as well as the font and the composition of letters, numbers and other signs.

In addition, it is determined by evaluation of the vehicle image of what kind is a vehicle shown in the image Fhg, so whether it is z. B. is a car, a truck, a bus or a motorcycle. Additionally, in one embodiment, a parameter of the vehicle is identified, e.g. B. the length or height of the vehicle. This information is needed if it depends on the type of vehicle Fhg, whether a reference situation has occurred or not, eg. For example, if a truck or a motorcycle enters the monitored area without a ban on outdoor lighting. The control unit SE is connected to a stationary display device AG and controls this display device AG. As soon as the evaluation unit Ausw has ascertained that a predetermined reference situation has occurred, the evaluation unit Ausw transmits a situation signal Sit-Sig to the control unit SE. This situation signal Sit-Sig comprises

- An identification of the given reference situation, ie z. For example, if a vehicle Fhg enters the monitored area without the external lighting system V-S, R-S or with parking light or with high beam,

- Preferably which official license plate this vehicle Fhg has and

- in which country this vehicle Fhg is approved. The control unit SE generates a drive signal Ans- Sig in response to the receipt of a situation signal Sit-Sig, which is transmitted to the display unit AG. As a result, the control unit SE controls the display device AG. The indicator AG is preferably placed above the road Fb or obliquely to the right of the road Fb (in countries where the left is driven, obliquely next to the left lane side).

The display device AG is configured to direct optical information to passing motorists. The display device AG includes z. B.

- An electronic scoreboard with a display area, the z. B. composed of many LEDs and can display characters, or

- A traffic light system that is able to display at least signals "red", "yellow" and "green".

It is also possible that the display device AG has both a display panel and a traffic light system. In the exemplary embodiment, the display panel and / or the traffic light system are fixedly mounted above the entrance to the tunnel Tu, cf. Fig. 2. If the display unit AG includes a traffic light system, this shows a red light in the event of a rule infringement. The evaluation unit Ausw continuously checks whether the rule violation is still present. For example, the traffic light system displays a red light in front of a tunnel entrance until a motorist has switched on its low beam.

If the display device AG is configured as a display panel, a computer preferably evaluates a computer-accessible table which assigns a text to be displayed to each predefined reference situation.

Preferably, the text is displayed flashing to be more noticeable. It is also possible to additionally emit an acoustic signal.

In one embodiment, the display board AG additionally displays the registration plate of the vehicle Fhg, whose driver has committed the rule violation and which led to the entry and recognition of the reference situation. For example, the display device AG displays the text: "KN - XX 999 - you are driving without light!" An encoding of the indicator has transmitted the evaluation unit Ausw together with the situation signal Sit-Sig to the control unit SE, and the control unit SE has transmitted the coding as part of the drive signal to the display device AG.

Preferably, a coding of the official identifier is additionally stored in the evidence-securing data memory Bw-DS, together with the image sequence on the basis of which the rule violation was discovered, and / or with images from the evidence-securing camera. This saves the necessity of having to re-evaluate the image sequence or the image of evidence retention retrospectively.

In one embodiment, the evaluation unit Ausw additionally transmits an encoding of the country in which the vehicle Fhg is permitted to the control unit SE, and the control unit SE transmits this country coding to the display device AG. The computer of the display device AG evaluates a computer-accessible table to decide in which language the text is displayed. For example, the display device AG displays the text in French when the evaluation unit Ausw has determined that the vehicle Fhg is registered in France. The image pickup device Ka preferably further generates images of the monitored area after the occurrence of the reference situation has been detected and the situation signal Sit-Sig has been generated. The evaluation unit Ausw further evaluates images from the image sensing device Ka. As soon as the evaluation unit determines that there are none in the last NI pictures

Reference situation is mapped more, the evaluation unit generates a reset signal Ausw. Here, Nl is a predetermined number. This reset signal is transmitted to the display device AG. The AG display device no longer displays the situation message after receiving the reset signal.

In one embodiment, the display device AG comprises a traffic light system, which is controlled in the presence of the situation signal Sit-Sig so that the traffic light system shows a red light. This red light is switched off as soon as the evaluation unit Ausw has ascertained that the motorist has switched on the outdoor lighting system V-S, R-S again.

In the embodiment described so far, the evaluation of the images is used to search for a vehicle Fhg which enters the monitored area with the outdoor lighting system VS, RS switched off. The monitored area is z. In a modification, the monitored area is behind the tunnel Tu. It is monitored whether a vehicle enters the area with the outdoor lighting system switched on, for example, in the vicinity of the tunnel. B. because a motorist has forgotten to turn off his outdoor lighting system VS, RS after leaving the tunnel Tu. If the arrangement discovers a vehicle with the exterior lighting system switched on, the display unit AG displays a corresponding message. Reference sign list

Claims

claims

An arrangement for displaying a message to a road user, the arrangement

an image capture device (Ka),

an evaluation unit (Ausw),

a display device (AG) and

- A control unit (SE) comprises, the image pickup device (Ka) is configured to generate at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) of the same area (Tu) of a road network, the evaluation (Ausw) to is configured, - by evaluating the at least two images (Bi.1,

Bi.2, ...) to decide whether the at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) include an image of the same vehicle (Fhg),

- if so, by evaluating the at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) with images of the same vehicle

(Fhg) to decide whether at least one predetermined reference situation has occurred, in which the imaged vehicle (Fhg) is involved, and then, when the at least one predetermined reference situation has occurred, a situation signal (Sit-Sig) to generate and trigger the transmission of the situation signal (Sit-Sig) to the control unit (SE), the control unit (SE) is designed to respond to the receipt of a situation signal (Sit-Sig)

to generate a drive signal (Ans-Sig) and to trigger the transmission of the drive signal to the display device (AG), and the display device (AG) is designed to display a situation message in response to the receipt of a drive signal (Ans-Sig), characterized in that the Evaluation unit (Ausw) is designed to, then, if in both images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) the same vehicle (Fhg) is shown, by evaluating the two images (Bi.1, Bi.2,. ..) to decide whether this vehicle (Fhg) drives and has an external outdoor lighting system (VS, RS) or not, and then, if in the two images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) the same moving vehicle (Fhg) without the external illumination system (VS, RS) being switched on, to decide that the reference situation has occurred and to generate the situation signal (Sit-Sig), and the display device (AG) is designed to: as a situation message, a message with regard to the non-switched outdoor lighting system age (VS, RS) of the vehicle (Fhg).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit (Ausw) is additionally designed, then, if in both images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) the same moving vehicle (Fhg) without external lights tion system (VS, RS) is mapped, by evaluating this vehicle image to identify a vehicle identification with which the imaged vehicle (Fhg) is provided.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that

- the evaluation unit (Ausw) is additionally designed to generate the situation signal (Sit-Sig) in such a way that the situation signal (Sit-Sig) comprises a coding of the identified vehicle identification,

- The control unit (SE) is additionally designed to generate the drive signal (Ans-Sig) such that the drive signal (Ans-Sig) comprises a coding of the vehicle identification, and

- The display device (AG) is configured to additionally display that vehicle identification, the coding of the drive signal (Ans-Sig) is included.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the arrangement additionally comprises a brightness sensor (H-S), the brightness sensor (H-S) is designed to

- to measure the brightness in the area (Tu) of the road network and

If a measured brightness value is below a predetermined threshold, the transmission of a

Brightness signal to the evaluation unit (Ausw) trigger and the evaluation unit (Ausw) is designed to decide the occurrence of the predetermined reference situation, if

- the evaluation unit (Ausw) has received a brightness signal and - the evaluation unit (Ausw) a vehicle without external lighting system (VS, RS) in the images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) has discovered.

5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a proof securing data memory (Bw-DS), the anti-theft data memory (Bw-DS) is designed to store images such that the images are locked against a subsequent change, and the control unit (SE) is configured, after receiving the situation signal (Sit-Sig), the at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) in the evidence backup data memory ( Bw-DS).

6. A method for displaying a message to a road user, the method comprising the steps of

at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) are generated by the same area (Tu) of a road network,

- By evaluating the two images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) is automatically decided whether the at least two

Images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) each show an image of the same vehicle (Fhg),

if yes, by evaluating the two images (Bi.1, Bi.2,...) with images of the same vehicle (Fhg) it is automatically decided whether at least one predetermined reference situation has occurred at which the depicted vehicle (FIG ), and when the at least one predetermined reference situation has occurred, a situation signal (Sit-Sig) is generated,

the situation signal (Sit-Sig) is transmitted to a control unit (SE),

the control unit (SE) generates a control signal (AnsSig) in response to the receipt of the situation signal (Sit-Sig),

- The drive signal (Ans-Sig) is transmitted to a display device (AG) and

- the display device (AG) in response to the receipt of the drive signal (Ans-Sig) indicates a situation message, characterized in that when it has been decided that in both images

(Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) the same vehicle (Fhg) is mapped, it is automatically decided whether this vehicle (Fhg) drives and has a switched outdoor lighting system (V-S, RS) or not, for which the at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) with images of the same vehicle (Fhg) are evaluated, then, if in each image (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) in each case an image of the same moving vehicle (Fhg) is present without external lighting system (VS, RS) switched on, it is automatically decided that the reference situation has occurred, and the situation signal (Sit-Sig) is generated, and the display device (AG) is used as a situation Message displays a message related to the vehicle's non-on-board outdoor lighting (VS, RS) (Fhg).

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the control unit (SE) triggers the step as an additional reaction to the receipt of the situation signal (Sit-Sig),

- That the at least two images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...), in which the same moving vehicle (Fhg) is displayed without external lighting system switched on (VS, RS), in an evidence-securing data memory (Bw-DS) such be stored

- that the images (Bi.1, Bi.2, ...) are blocked against subsequent changes.