System and method to draw attention to person

The invention comprises a method and a system for drawing attention to a person crossing a passageway. The system comprises at least two traffic signs in connection with each other through the passageway, at least one control device operationally connected to the traffic sign, at least one detector, at least one light source within the traffic sign, and at least one illumination device to illuminate the person. In the system, the control device is arranged to receive information from at least one detector, and based on said information determine the position of the person on said passageway or outside of it, and when the person is located outside the passageway, to activate at least one light source and/or illumination device of the traffic sign, and to send information to at least one other traffic sign to activate at least one light source and/or illumination device of said at least one other traffic sign.

This application claims priority to FI Patent Application No. 20165976, filed Dec. 16, 2016, the entire contents which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system and method for drawing attention to a person crossing a passageway.

A pedestrian crossing should guarantee a safe crossing of a road for pedestrians and cyclists. To improve safety, traffic signs illuminated with various technologies have been developed, by means of which drivers and other road users may better take into account the existence of a pedestrian crossing. An illuminated traffic sign does not, however, illuminate persons crossing the pedestrian crossing whereby a pedestrian is poorly distinguishable against a dark background when it is dusky and dark, in particular. By means of an illuminated traffic sign it is not possible to adequately draw the attention of drivers of a vehicle to pedestrians or cyclists crossing a pedestrian crossing, which is why many accidents still take places at pedestrian crossings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is thus to provide a method and equipment implementing the method so as to solve the aforementioned problems. The object of the invention is achieved by a method and system which are characterized by what is disclosed in the independent claims. Some preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the fact that a method and system have been developed for drawing attention to a person crossing a passageway, the system comprising at least two traffic signs that are in connection with each other through the passageway, such as a pedestrian crossing. The system additionally comprises at least one control device operationally connected to the traffic sign, at least one detector, at least one light source within the traffic sign, and at least one illumination device to illuminate the person and/or traffic sign. The control device is arranged to receive information from at least one detector and, on the basis of this information, to determine the position of the person on the passageway or outside of it. If a person is located outside of the passageway, the control device activates at least one light source and/or illumination device of the traffic sign, and sends information to at least one other traffic sign to activate the light source and/or illumination device of said at least one other traffic sign.

The advantage of the method and system according to the invention is that as a pedestrian or cyclist is approaching a pedestrian crossing at a crossroads or somewhere else, the system automatically illuminates a traffic sign and, in addition to this, switches on the illumination devices in connection with the traffic sign. The illumination devices are directed so that they illuminate a person as he is waiting for the light to turn green at the base of the traffic sign and also at the time he is crossing the pedestrian crossing. At the same time as the system detects a person, it identifies the direction he is coming from and whether it is dusky or dark outdoors, which is when illumination is needed. Based on this information, the system sends information to the system of the traffic sign on the other side of the passageway, which switches on the lights of the second traffic sign, too, and activates the illumination device. This way, the person is illuminated from both sides of the pedestrian crossing as he is crossing the pedestrian crossing, which guarantees that the driver of a vehicle will clearly and continuously see the person crossing the pedestrian crossing.

The system is so designed that as the pedestrian exits the pedestrian crossing on the other side of the road, the light will not be switched on anew. If the lights were also switched on when a person is exiting the pedestrian crossing, the driver of a vehicle would assume there is a pedestrian who is crossing the pedestrian crossing even though the pedestrian or cyclist has already left the place. This could frustrate the driver of a vehicle and in the worst case scenario cause him to ignore the lights the next time. This is why the traffic signs and pedestrian crossings are only illuminated when there is a pedestrian or cyclist in the vicinity of the traffic sign, who is likely to cross the pedestrian crossing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1ashows a structural diagram of a traffic sign10according to an embodiment of the invention. The traffic sign10advantageously consists of a body12, at least one mounting plate13, at least one illumination source40, at least one support structure22, and two lids50. In addition, the traffic sign10may comprise at least one of the following: a detector34, illumination device32, a solar cell38, a fastener26, and a holder53. In the example according toFIG. 1a, illuminated LED strips18and/or may be used as the light source40, or power LEDs to create spot-like light. The light sources40may be installed inside the traffic sign in a desired pattern, such as a triangle or vertically. In the traffic sign10ofFIG. 1a, the mounting plates13may be fixed to each other and/or the body12. The LED strips18to be illuminated may be fixed to the mounting plates13. The material used for the mounting plates13may be plastic or aluminium, for example. To protect the mounting plates13and light sources40, support structures22may by fastened. There may be one or more support structures22, and they may be fixed to the body12horizontally or vertically in notches made in the body12, for example. The support structure22is so shaped that it has recesses at the light sources40whereby impacts to the traffic sign10do not immediately break the light sources. The support structure22is advantageously of transparent plastic, such as acrylic, in which case they do not prevent the light from passing from the lights sources40to a patterned foil on the lid50. The purpose of the support structures22is to receive external forces the traffic sign10is subjected to, such as wind load and/or point loads whereby the traffic sign10is more durable.

The lid50may comprise a transparent sheet24, to which the patterned foil is attached. The illuminated LED strips18illuminate the patterned foil entirely from behind the foil. The light from power LEDs may be used, for example, as alert lights such as a flashing light in which case the light from the LEDs may be shown directly outward through holes made in the patterned foil, for example. Power LEDs may also make use of an intensifier colour, such as red light to attract attention on the traffic sign10. The traffic sign10may be a traffic sign10indicating a pedestrian crossing or another traffic sign10.

As the light source40, one or more light-emitting diodes (LED) are used due to their low power consumption, fast controllability and long service life. In some embodiments, other light sources may also be used, such as incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, or cold cathode lamps. The light source is advantageously cooled, in particular with the use of light-emitting diodes, to prolong the service life of the light source. The light source may also be adapted to emit continuous or flashing light.

A traffic sign may comprise at least one illumination device32to illuminate a person and/or traffic sign10. As the lights of the illumination device32, the solutions according to the light source40may be used. There may be one or more illumination devices32and they may be fastened to the body12of the traffic sign10and/or to at least one lid50and adapted to illuminate the traffic sign10and/or a person in the vicinity of the traffic sign10and/or crossing a passageway. Illumination devices32may be fixed to the lower part of the body12of the traffic sign10, from where they illuminate a person in the vicinity of the traffic sign10and crossing the pedestrian crossing.

In an embodiment, at least one illumination device32may be a spotlight that illuminates the traffic sign10from the outside. Such a spotlight may comprise a protrusion that has an LED light provided with a lens at its end. Advantageously, the lens has a lobe of 140 degrees. The same material may be used as the material of the spotlight as in the body12, the material advantageously being aluminium. The spotlight may be a spotlight fixed to the upper part of the body12, which illuminates the traffic sign10from the top downward, or a spotlight fixed to the lid50, which illuminates the traffic sign10from the bottom upward. If need be, spotlights may be placed in front of and/or behind the traffic sign10, and there may one or more spotlights at the upper and/or lower parts of the traffic sign10as required. By illuminating the traffic sign also from the outside by means of spotlights, there is no need to install that many light sources40inside the traffic sign10.

The body12of the traffic sign comprises a frame, which is advantageously plastic, plastic compound, composite, or metal. In an embodiment, the body is aluminium. The body12may be made model-specific taking the future usage environment into account. In outdoor use, for example, the body is advantageously water-tight, weatherproof and suitable for outdoor use, according to the protection class IP65, for example. The traffic sign10may advantageously be installed at the end of a metal pipe. The notch at the upper part of the body12may be placed over the top part of the metal pipe and the body is fastened to the metal pipe by means of fasteners26.

FIG. 1bshows a traffic sign10with both of its lids50open. At least one of the lids50of the traffic sign10may be arranged to be openable by means of one or more fastening means. The openable lid50may be fixed to the front and/or the rear part of the body12. The fastening means may be a hinge or another suitable similar means. The lid50may comprise a transparent sheet24, to which a patterned foil is attached, or the lid50may be non-transparent and made of the same material as the body12, for example. The lid50may additionally comprise a frame part52to which the transparent sheet24and foil may be fixed. By means of the fastening means, such as a hinge, the lid50may be conveniently opened for installation and maintenance operations. The fastening means may be fixed to any edge of the body, but they are advantageously located at the upper part of the body whereby the lid50may be conveniently opened upwards by means of the hinge and supported open by means of the holder53. This way, the lid50stays up in the opened position for as long as installation of maintenance work is deemed necessary. The lids previously in use, which were unscrewed entirely off the traffic sign for installation and maintenance work, were laborious to unfasten and fasten in the difficult working conditions by a road. The inventive openable lid mechanism makes the installation and maintenance operations of a traffic sign faster and easier.

The lid50may be locked by using the generally known locking methods or locks. The lid50may be locked by means of one or more hooks fixed to the bottom part of the body12, which are turned to a closed and open position by means of a screw at the bottom of the body12. To lock the lid50, additional screws may also be used, which prevent the lid from opening even if the hook opened due to, for example, wind, impact or another reason. In such a case, the lid is opened by first unscrewing the additional screw at the bottom and by then opening the screw of the hook. The lid50is usually locked close in at least two places.

On the front surface of at least one sheet24may have a patterned foil having the desired pattern of the traffic sign10. Here, front surface refers to the surface that will mainly show when the traffic sign10is operational, in other words, the surface that the party detecting the traffic sign sees. Therefore, the light of the illumination element comes through the foil, as seen by the detecting party. The sheet24is advantageously an acrylic or plexiglass to which the patterned foil is glued. In the case of a two-sided sign10, a patterned foil has been glued to the outer surface of both sheets24, whereby the illuminated pattern of the traffic sign10is visible from both the front and back. In this case, the light sources40, such as LED strips18, fixed to both sides of the mounting plates13, illuminate the patterned foils whereby the traffic sign10is seen illuminated from both sides.

The patterned foil may have several different patterns out of which the desired pattern may be selected as needed. The different patterns may be made brought out by illuminating the foil from a different direction. In some embodiments, a patterned foil may in addition to a separate patterned foil refer to a pattern arranged directly on the front surface of the sheet24, which is formed, for example, by painting, sanding, engraving, etching, and/or with another surface treatment method.

Advantageously, the patterned foil of the traffic sign10is substantially a similar foil as the one used in conventional traffic signs attached on a wood-based sheet. Such foils used in traffics signs are reflective and are thus well visible when it is dusky or dark also in case a light source is not illuminating, but light is focused on the sign from the outside, such as the headlights of a vehicle. This being the case, when the traffic sign10is switched off for maintenance or due to other reasons, the sign still works as a conventional traffic sign.

FIG. 2shows the communication means28of the control device16of the traffic sign10, which enable the control of the illumination of the traffic sign. The communication means28are configured to at least receive illumination data but they are preferably also configured to transmit data from the sign10to either other control means16or to some other device. In its simplest form, the communication means28may be a twin cable, in which illumination data is expressed as a variation in voltage. The communication means28are preferably a wireless radio transceiver capable of communicating with external devices, such as other signs, control devices and/or a control room. The wireless connection may be implemented using various methods, frequencies and protocols, their significance for the end result being small as the amount of data to be transferred is very small. In addition to radio waves, the communication of the wireless communication means may be based on e.g. sound, light or some other wireless means.

The traffic sign10that comprises the wireless communication means28has an energy source30from which the sign10draws the electric power it needs. The energy source may be a connection to an electrical network, an accumulator, a single-use battery, an energy harvester and/or some other energy source. In the traffic signs ofFIGS. 1aand 1a, the energy source30may be an accumulator or a plurality of them. The accumulator may be charged with the solar cell38. The control device16operates on electric current which is arranged for the control device16from the energy source30referred to in the above. In the embodiment according toFIG. 1a, the control device16is placed in connection with the traffic sign10. In the same context, the accumulators or batteries associated with the entity formed by the control device and the sign may be used as the energy source30, in which case the system is in a physically compact form and simple to install. In an embodiment, at least one illumination device32is fastened to the body12of the traffic sign10and adapted to illuminate a person in the vicinity of the traffic sign10and/or crossing a passageway. In an embodiment, at least one illumination device32is fastened to the body12of the traffic sign and/or to at least one lid50and adapted to illuminate the traffic sign10from the outside.

In addition, the traffic sign10may have, or they may be externally to it, at least one illumination device32operationally connected to the traffic sign. With the illumination device32, the illumination may be arranged to be of the desired colour and, if need be, flashing. As the lights of the illumination device32, the solutions according to the light source40may be used. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1a, the sign10may be a traffic sign indicating a pedestrian crossing, having illumination devices32that are arranged to illuminate bicycle and pedestrian traffic waiting to cross a pedestrian crossing and that crossing the pedestrian crossing, by means of spot lights, for example. The illumination device32may be connected to the sign10either through a wired or wireless connection.

The control device16comprises communication means28for establishing the wireless or wired connection and for transferring data. In an embodiment, the traffic sign comprises the communication means28and receives the illumination data from the communication means28of the control device16outside the traffic sign. In an embodiment, the communication means28make it possible to send the illumination data to the sign10to control illumination. The communication means28are configured to at least transmit illumination data but they are preferably also configured to transmit and receive data with a plurality of signs, control devices16, detectors34and/or other devices. In its simplest form, the communication means28may be a twin cable. The communication means28is preferably a wireless radio transceiver capable of communicating with external devices, such as other signs, control devices and/or a control room. The wireless connection may be implemented using various methods, frequencies and protocols, their significance for the end result being small as the amount of data to be transferred is very small. In addition to radio waves, the communication of the wireless communication means may be based on e.g. sound, light or some other wireless means.

The control device16may comprise at least one of the following detectors34; a timer, twilight detector, motion detector, radar, camera, and audio unit. Advantageously the detector is a passive infrared detector (PIR). The detector34may also be an independent device in communication with the control system16through a wired or wireless connection. In an embodiment, the control device16is placed within the device10and the detectors34are placed in detectors34outside the body12of the sign10. The detectors may also be located elsewhere inside or outside the sign10. The control device may also be outside the sign10operationally connected to the sign10. If the control device16is located outside the sign10, the sign10has its own communication means28for receiving illumination data from an external control device16. Based on the signal produced by the detector34, the control device16may send information on the detection straight to the sign10, or through one or more control devices16. The information on the detection may comprise illumination data, a speed measured by the radar, information on a person's direction of travel, lightness detected by the twilight detector, and/or another detected piece of information. To control one traffic sign10, a plurality of control devices16may advantageously be used, or one control device16may be used to control a plurality of traffic signs. For example, a control device16in connection with a pedestrian crossing traffic sign may send information to traffic signs on both sides of a road as a detector34detects a predefined event, such as a pedestrian approaching. In an embodiment, the communication means28of the control devices16are arranged equal, whereby they forward the information they have received. In another embodiment, the communication means of the control devices16are arranged to manage, process, receive and/or transmit information from a control centre or control room, for example, to configure the control device whereby it is possible to manage in a centralized manner a plurality of control devices16and the signs possibly in connection with them.

In an embodiment, the traffic sign10additionally comprises a body12, at least one light source40in connection with the body, a patterned foil at least partly reflecting light arranged to be illuminated by means of at least one light source40. In such a case, the at least one light source40may be arranged, based on the illumination data received, to illuminate the foil from the rear so that the foil is between the light source40and the possible detecting party.

In an embodiment, the control device16has a diagnostics detector, which monitors events inside and/or outside the control device, and/or events inside and/or outside signs and devices in communication with the control device. In an embodiment, information may be transmitted to the diagnostics detector on the detected faults in the light source40or the illumination device32of the traffic light10, or the state of the energy source such as the remaining charge of the accumulator or batteries. In another embodiment, the diagnostics detector may gather data from the data of one or more detectors34. This feature may be used for traffic count, for example, when the detector is configured for this purpose, too. Depending on the detectors34of the control device16, the traffic count may focus on, for example, the number of pedestrians, the number of adults/children/cyclists crossing the pedestrian crossing, speed of cars, number of passenger cars/heavy traffic vehicles, the number of those passing the sign at a particular side, or any other variable the detectors of the control device recognise. The sign10may also have a diagnostics detector for compiling diagnostics information and transmitting it to a control device, for example. The diagnostics data gathered by the diagnostics detector may advantageously be transmitted from the control device16by the communication means28to a predetermined location, such as a control centre or control room. In an embodiment, the control device16may also comprise a memory for storing information and settings received from the control centre or control room, for example.

The embodiments described in the application may be combined as deemed suitable and necessary. One embodiment of the invention is, for example, the system shown inFIG. 2, which comprises a number of traffic signs10according to the embodiment described in the above as well as detectors34and illumination devices32operationally connected to them. An example of such a system is an alert system in connection with a pedestrian crossing. This exemplary system comprises at least two traffic signs10, which may be illuminated traffic signs indications a pedestrian crossing. These at least two traffic signs10are linked to each other through a passageway, such as a pedestrian crossing. The detectors34in a wired or wireless communication with the traffic sign10may comprise at least one of the following; a twilight detector, motion detector, and direction detector. If the twilight detector detect that it is dusky or dark, and the motion detector detects that an individual of bicycle and pedestrian traffic has arrived near a pedestrian crossing, and the direction detector determines the direction of approach of the individual of bicycle and pedestrian traffic, these details are transmitted to the control device16of the sign10either through a wired or wireless connection. The control device16receives the information from the detector34in connection with the traffic sign10on the person approaching the traffic sign, lighting conditions, and direction, and on the basis of said information determines the person's position on the passageway, such as a pedestrian crossing or outside of it, and determined the lighting condition.

If the person is outside the pedestrian crossing and it is dusky or dark enough, the control device16activates at least one light source40and/or illumination device32of the traffic sign10. In addition, the control device transmits the information received from the detector unit34to at least one other traffic sign10, the control device16of the traffic sign activating at least one light source40and/or illumination device32of said at least one other traffic sign. This results in the pedestrian crossing signs and the person crossing the pedestrian crossing being seen illuminated to drivers approaching the pedestrian crossing to tell them that there is a pedestrian crossing ahead and someone is about to cross it. The information sent by the control device16may be received at all the traffic signs10associated with the pedestrian crossing in question, all the light sources40and illumination devices32of which will activate so that the drivers coming from the opposite direction, too, would be able to take the situation into account. The system is particularly efficient because it is activated at the time someone is approaching a pedestrian crossing or is in its vicinity. The lights may be activated for a predetermined period, after which they are switched off. Such a time period may be, for example, 13 seconds, which is the estimated average time it takes for a person to cross a pedestrian crossing.

If the person is on the pedestrian crossing and it is dusky or dark enough and the person is coming towards the traffic sign10away from the pedestrian crossing, the control device16does not, however, activate the light sources40or illumination devices32of the traffic sign10or forward any information, because it is not desirable to switch on the lights anew for no reason, The biggest advantage of the system is, in particular, in the fact that it is not activated when a person is leaving a pedestrian crossing, whereby drivers of vehicles using the road do not expect in vain people to cross the pedestrian crossing.

FIG. 3shows a system according to an embodiment, in which at least one traffic sign10may be in connection with at least two other traffic signs10through a first A and a second passageway B. The first passageway A is located first in relation to the direction of travel C of the person, and the second passageway B after the first passageway. At both ends and at the middle of the passageways A and B there are traffic signs10. As the person crosses the first passageway A, the light sources and illumination devices of the traffic signs10on both sides of it are on. As the person arrives at a traffic island located at the first traffic sign10, the illumination devices32and light sources40on both sides of the passageway10switch off, because the person has crossed the first pedestrian crossing. Here, the control device16of the traffic sign10in the middle is arranged to receive information on a person approaching the traffic sign10from at least one detector34, and on the basis of the information to determine the position of the person on the first A or second passageway B, or outside of them. If the person is on the first passageway A, the person is coming off the first passageway A and continuing to the second passageway B. In such a case, the person is outside the second passageway B whereby the control device16activates at least one light source40and/or illumination device32of the traffic sign in the middle, and transmits the information obtained from the detector to at least one other traffic sign, which is the traffic sign on the opposite side of the passageway B. The control device16then assumes that the person is about to step on the second passageway B. After this, at least one light source40and/or illumination device32of this at least one other traffic sign10is activated. In an embodiment, the light sources40of the traffic sign in the middle may be adjusted to stay on, if need be, because the person intends to continue to the next pedestrian crossing. In this case, there is no need to separately activate the light source40of the traffic sign in the middle, either.

The traffic sign10in the middle may have a plurality of illumination devices32, which may be directed according to the direction the person is going to. The Figures shows the person standing on the traffic island between the first A and second passageway B. The middle traffic sign10in connection with the traffic island has recognised a person and noticed that he is intending to continue onto the next passageway B. In such a case, the light sources40and illumination devices32of the traffic signs on both sides of the passageway B have been switched on. The light sources and illumination devices direct the light directly to the person and/or traffic sign10and in addition on the second passageway B. If the person is on the second passageway B on his way towards the last traffic sign, the light sources40and/or illumination devices32will not be re-activated, because the person is then expected to be exiting the passageway B after he has crossed the pedestrian crossing. The information obtained from at least one detector34may comprise at least one of the following: information on a person approaching the traffic sign, information on lighting conditions, and information on the direction of the person approaching the pedestrian crossing. Roads with multiple lanes have multiple pedestrian crossings that a cyclist or pedestrian has to cross. The system for such roads has a plurality of traffic signs10in the middle of passageways and they may function according to the principle described in the above.

FIG. 4shows a system for drawing attention to a person crossing a passageway, with the aid of a system, the system comprising at least two traffic signs10, at least one detector34, at least one light source40within the traffic sign10, and at least one illumination device to illuminate a person.

In the method the control device16receives400information on a person approaching the traffic sign10from at least one detector34, and on the basis of the information determines402the position of the person on said passageway, or outside of it. If a person is located outside of the passageway, activates404at least one light source40and/or illumination device32of the traffic sign10, and sends406information to at least one other traffic sign10to activate at least one light source40and/or illumination device of said at least one other traffic sign10.

A person skilled in the art will find it obvious that, as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above-described examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.