Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
  • G08G1/017—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled identifying vehicles
  • G08G1/0175—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled identifying vehicles by photographing vehicles, e.g. when violating traffic rules
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/07—Controlling traffic signals

Definitions

• Also other kinds of known solutions configured to warn traffic are familiarized in the known prior art.
• One known example is a device that reminds a car driver in real time when he/she violates the law e.g. when he/she is speeding. Also this so- lution fails to improve judicial relief of the victim when an accident occurs.
• One known way to control traffic is a radar controlling system located on the side of the road. Nonetheless, this device does not provide any kinds of traffic control signals but merely works as a punishment system when traffic rules are violated. Moreover, said radar control systems are not designed to improve judicial relief of the victim of an accident.
• an apparatus for controlling traffic comprising:
• a signal source configured to produce a traffic control signal for controlling traffic
• a recorder configured to produce a video signal relating to the traffic warned by the produced traffic control signal
• the function of the signaling is to control traffic and when an accident takes place to video record the accident at least partially.
• some further em- bodiments of the invention allow improved traffic safety e.g. due to the control operation.
• Another further embodiment improves the overall judicial relief of a victim. This can be e.g. when the accident or just an indifference to traffic rules that has taken place is stored to the server to be seen afterwards.
• Yet another embodiment of the invention is configured to guide its user and thus prevent accidents before- hand.
• aid when an accident takes place, aid can be arranged quickly to the place of the accident due to the fact that the accident is at least partially recorded and furthermore in some embodiments of the invention the collision to the device is fully recorded.
• FIG. 1 depicts a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 3 depicts yet another method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 5 depicts another apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the in- vention
• Figure 6 depicts yet another apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 7 depicts a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Description of further embodiments
• an apparatus can be considered as a black box.
• the function of the traffic control signaling is to control traffic and in such a case that an accident takes place to video record the whole accident so that recorded material is transmitted safely and thus it is not destroyed if the apparatus crashes in the accident.
• Table 1 illustrates some embodiments of the signaling system of the invention.
• the apparatus comprises at least: a signaling source, a recorder and a transmitter.
• the function of the signaling source is to produce a traffic control signal for controlling traffic.
• control can mean that the user can either show that he/she is not crossing a road at the mo- ment, he/she is going to cross a road or he/she is crossing the road and the crossing event is video recorded.
• the function of the video recorder is to produce a video signal relating to the traffic.
• the function of the transmitter is to send the produced video signal and information relating to an occurrence of the traffic control signal via a communication network so as to store the produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal.
• the upper row of Table 1 depicts two variables: 1 ) components of a signal source and 2) actions. Due to simplicity, in table 1 the signaling source comprises only a red light source (Embodiment A-B), a red light and a green light sources (Embo- diments C-D) or a red light, a yellow light and a green light sources (Embodiment E).
• Embodiment A-B red light source
• C-D green light sources
• Embo- diments E a red light, a yellow light and a green light sources
• Showing the red light to the traffic means that the user is crossing the road and the crossing event is video recorded.
• Action is divided into three moments: 1 ) starting point, 2) approaching road, 3) crossing road.
• Starting point means a moment when the user starts a trip which can be e.g. a walking trip.
• Approaching road is a predetermined distance from the road.
• Crossing road means the moment when the user of the apparatus crosses the road.
• the left hand's side row of table 1 depicts different functional exemplary embodiments of the invention.
• the apparatus comprises just a red light source and the apparatus is turned on when the user is crossing a road. At the same time the video recording and red light signaling is started by the user.
• the apparatus comprises just a red light source and the apparatus is turned on at the starting point. Furthermore, when the user is crossing a road the video recording and red light signaling is started by the user or by the apparatus.
• the apparatus comprises red and green light sources. At the starting point, the apparatus is turned on and green light signaling is started by the apparatus. Furthermore, when the user starts crossing the road the video recording and red light signaling is started by the user or the apparatus.
• the apparatus comprises a red light source, a yellow light source and a green light source.
• green light signaling is started by the user or the apparatus to show that the user is not going to cross the road in the time interval the green light is shown.
• yellow light signaling is started by the user or the apparatus to show that that the user is going to cross the road very soon.
• the apparatus can be synchronized with the traffic lights of the road e.g. the one which have the closest proximity with the apparatus.
• Figure 1 depicts a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• the first step is turning the apparatus (101 ) on.
• a method illustrated in Figure 1 comprises showing the green light to the traffic which means that the user is not going to cross the road in the time interval the green light is shown (102). Thereafter, showing the yellow light is started by the user or the apparatus to showing that that user is going to cross the road very soon (103).
• the method further comprises obtaining information of the location of the apparatus and heading direction of the apparatus in relation to a road (104).
• the method also comprises determining a valid recording position to said apparatus and a maximum allowed deviation from the valid recording position to the apparatus based on the heading direction of the apparatus in relation to the road and the location of the apparatus in relation to the road (105).
• the method comprises detecting the position of said apparatus (106) and producing a remark signal in the user interface to the user if the position of said apparatus deviates more than the maximum allowed deviation from the valid recording position (107).
• the method comprises sending the produced video signal and information relating to an occurrence of the traffic control signal via a communication network so as to store the produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal (108) in the apparatus (101 ).
• the method comprises sending the produced video signal and information relating to an occurrence of the traffic control signal via a communication network so as to store the video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal (109).
• the distance between the appa- ratus and the object can be deduced by measuring a first value of a variable from a first picture, comprising a first presentation of an object, received during video recording and measuring a second value of the variable from a second picture, comprising a second presentation of the object, received during video recording.
• Deducing a distance between the apparatus and the object can be done based on comparison of the first value of the variable and the second value of the variable.
• the next step is producing a traffic control signal for controlling traffic (203).
• the method also comprises producing a video signal relating to the traffic warned by the produced traffic control signal (204). If the distance between the object and the apparatus is not adequate, the method presented in Figure 2 starts from the beginning as shown.
• the method comprises sending the produced video signal and information relating to an occurrence of the traffic control signal via a communication network so as to store the produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal (205).
• FIG. 3 depicts a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• the first step is producing a traffic control signal for controlling traffic (301 ).
• the method also comprises producing a video signal relating to the traffic warned by the produced traffic control signal (302).
• the method comprises sending the produced video signal and information relating to an occurrence of the traf- fic control signal via a communication network so as to store the video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal (303).
• the method further comprises receiving said produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control sig- nal via the communication network so as to store the produced video signal and the information relating to an occurrence of the traffic control signal (304).
• the method further comprises receiving the location of the apparatus by said server (305).
• a computer program compris- ing computer program code means adapted to perform the steps of a method presented in figures 1 -2 or any other method according to the invention when said program is run on a computer.
• the computer program can be a computer program or computer program product.
• the product is an example of a tangible object.
• it can be a medium such as a disc, a hard disk, an optical medium, CD-ROM, floppy disk, or the like storage etc.
• the product may be in a form of a signal such as an electromagnetic signal. The signal can be transmitted within the electric wire for example.
• the product comprises computer program code or code means arranged to perform the operations of various embodiments of the invention.
• the invention can be embodied on a chipset or the like.
• the apparatus is turned on by means of a coupler by pressing e.g. a start button (401 ) in a user interface or by means of a received signal.
• a start button 401
• the user is identified as an illustration by means of a finger print or password but it is worth of noticing that this is not a necessary action in all embodiments.
• the apparatus has a signal source which is configured to produce a traffic control signal for controlling traffic.
• the signal source is a red light source (402).
• the signal source can be additionally or solely at least one of the following: a sound source, a reflecting item like a reflector or mirror or combination of different light sources.
• the user can warn traffic by showing or allocating this traffic control signal to the other actors in traffic e.g. to car driver(s), motor bike driver(s), pedestrian(s) and/or biker(s) or the like.
• the apparatus comprises at least one of the following: ambient light detector (405), ambient humidity detector (405'), ambient temperature detector (405") and ambient noise detector (405'") for analyzing whether user interface, signaling and recording conditions are properly enough for reliable recording.
• a processor compares values of the detectors to determined maximum values and if any of those values exceeds determined maximum value the user is informed via a user interface.
• the user interface can be seen at which a user interacts with the apparatus.
• humidity level is so high that it is impossible to video record reliable registration plates of vehicles. In this way more reliable video material can be produced.
• the apparatus further comprises a transmitter (406) configured to send the produced video signal and information relating to an occurrence of the traffic control signal via a communication network so as to store the produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal.
• This transmitter can be e.g. a radio transmitter.
• This control information reveals that the traffic has been signaled.
• transmitter sends produced video signal it also informs so that the traffic control signal has been produced.
• the video signal is transmitted always when the apparatus is turned on and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal is send simultaneously or non-simultaneously with the video signal.
• Figure 5 depicts furthermore another apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• Backslashed area (5000) depicts an inner structure of the apparatus but otherwise the outer structure of the apparatus is presented.
• the apparatus presented in Figure 5 is also a portable electronic device (500).
• the apparatus is turned on by means of a coupler (501 ).
• the apparatus has a signal source configured to produce a traffic control signal for controlling traffic.
• the signal source is a text sign (502).
• the apparatus comprises a first unit (510) configured to obtain a location information of the apparatus and furthermore heading direction of the apparatus in relation to a road.
• the user informs the apparatus when he/she intends to cross the road e.g. by stating intended heading direction of the apparatus in relation to the road via the user interface.
• intended heading direction of the apparatus it is a sign that user is intending to cross a road and as a consequence the user also gives the location information of the apparatus in relation to road.
• the signal source (502) produces the traffic control signal for controlling traffic and vid- eo recorder (503) starts video signal production.
• the apparatus further comprises a transmitter (507) which is configured to send the produced video signal and information relating to an occurrence of the traffic control signal via a communication network so as to store the produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal.
• a transmitter 507 which is configured to send the produced video signal and information relating to an occurrence of the traffic control signal via a communication network so as to store the produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal.
• the first unit (610) is configured to receive updated map and/or location information or the map and/or location information can also be obtained from the memory unit of the apparatus.
• the first unit (610) deduces, e.g. by means of a processor, basing on the location information of the apparatus within different time intervals and map and/or location information whether the user of the apparatus is crossing the road.
• the user moreover validates the heading direction suggested by the apparatus via the user interface.
• a red signal source (602') produces the red traffic control signal for controlling traffic.
• the apparatus comprises a processing unit (615) which is configured to determine a valid recording position to said apparatus and a maximum allowed deviation from that valid recording position to the apparatus.
• the apparatus should be held in such kind of position that the video recorder (603) can record picture of the incoming traffic.
• a processing unit (615) can be configured to deduce incoming direction of the traffic in relation to the apparatus basing on the traffic rules and obtained location and heading direction of the apparatus in relation to the road.
• an orienta- tion detector (606) is configured to determine current position of the apparatus. If the current position of the apparatus deviates more than the maximum allowed deviation from that valid recording position the user is informed via the user interface.
• Figure 6 illustrates also a radar unit (625) of the apparatus configured to send a radar signal towards an object which can be e.g. a car which approaches the apparatus and deduce a distance between the object and the apparatus basing on the received radar signal. If the distance between the object and the apparatus is lower than predetermined trigger value the apparatus informs the user via the user interface e.g. by means of produced sound, vibration sequence, light or the like. Owing to this, the user of the apparatus let the user know whether it is not safe to cross the road. Furthermore, according to an embodiment the distance between the object and the apparatus can also be sent via a communication network as to be stored. Clear advantages are that said radar unit (625) gives even more accu- rate information about the distance between the object and the apparatus according to the invention.
• an object can be e.g. a car which approaches the apparatus and deduce a distance between the object and the apparatus basing on the received radar signal. If the distance between the object and the apparatus is lower than predetermined trigger value the apparatus informs the user via the user interface
• the radar unit can be replaced by a measuring unit configured to measure a first value of a variable from a first picture, comprising a first presentation of an object, received during video recording.
• the measuring unit is also configured to measure a second value of the variable from a second picture, comprising a second presentation of the object, received during video recording.
• the apparatus comprises also a processing unit which is configured to deduce a distance between the apparatus and the object basing on comparison of the first value of the variable and the second value of the variable.
• the variable is a dimension.
• the apparatus further comprises a transmitter (607) which is configured to send the produced video signal and information relating to an occurrence of the traffic control signal via a communication network so as to store the produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal.
• Figure 7 depicts a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• the system comprises an apparatus (700) according to invention and a server (701 ) which is configured to receive produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal via the communication network (702) so as to store the produced video signal and the information relating to the occurrence of the traffic control signal.
• the system is also configured to receive location information of the apparatus e.g. directly from the satellites, via the server or via the receiver signal interface (701 ).
• the apparatus comprises a detector (703) for recognizing the abrupt collisions of the apparatus.
• the detector (703) can be e.g. position detector.
• the transmitter (706) is configured to send the collision information via the communication network (702) e.g. to the server (701 ).
• the apparatus (700) directly or by means the server (701 ) can be configured to contact an emergency control center. Consequently, the server or emergency control center can e.g. call to the apparatus or even other similar apparatuses in the close proximity to the expected traffic incident apparatus. This enables fast aid to the place wherein an accident has taken place.

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Citations (5)

• 2009
  • 2009-04-29 FI FI20095479A patent/FI121488B/fi not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2010
  • 2010-04-28 WO PCT/FI2010/050343 patent/WO2010125241A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (5)

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