Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
1
[DESCRIPTION]
[Invention Title]
PEDESTRIAN PROTECTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING
THE SAME
[Technical Field]
The present invention relates to a system for protecting a pedestrian on a
crosswalk, and a method for operating the same. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a pedestrian protection system which can safely protect a
pedestrian
(a smartphone zombie or a visually handicapped person) who enters into a
crosswalk by
using a smart traffic light and a mobile terminal of a pedestrian from a
traffic accident,
and a method for operating the same.
[Background Art]
The functions of mobile terminals have become various. For example, the
functions of mobile terminals include a function of communication of data and
voice, a
function of capturing pictures and videos through cameras, a function of
recording
voice, a function of reproducing music files through a speaker system, and a
function of
outputting images or videos on a display unit. Some terminals are further
provided with
an electronic game play function or perform multimedia player functions. In
particular,
the recent mobile terminals may receive multicast signals that provide visual
contents,
such as broadcasts, television programs, or videos.
As the functions of the terminals become various, the terminals are realized
in
the form of multimedia players provided with complex functions, for example,
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
2
photographing pictures or videos, reproduction of music or video
files, and
reception of broadcasts.
The mobile terminals realized in the form of multimedia devices have become
necessaries of modern people, and the average times used by the terminal users
are also
gradually increasing. According to the trend, various cases/accidents are
generated due
to the pedestrians who are indulged in the mobile terminals. In particular,
the
pedestrians who enter into crosswalks may face very dangerous situations.
Accordingly,
a measure for safely protecting the pedestrians who cross the crosswalks while
being
indulged in the mobile terminals is necessary.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
An objective of the present invention is to solve the above and other
problems.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a pedestrian
protecting system
which may safely protect a pedestrian who enters into a crosswalk by using a
smart
traffic light and a mobile terminal of the pedestrian, and a method for
operating the
same.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a smart traffic light
which may learn an operation of a walking traffic light, generate walking
signal
information related to the safety of a pedestrian, and provide the generated
walking
signal inforniation to a mobile teiminal of the pedestrian, and a method for
operating the
same.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal
which may recognize a location of a pedestrian on the basis of a signal
transmitted from
one or more smart traffic lights, and provide a notification signal
corresponding to the
location of the pedestrian, and a method for operating the same.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
3
[Technical Solution]
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
smart
traffic light including: a beacon output module configured to periodically
transmit a
beacon signal, and vary a transmission output to three or more and transmit
information;
a walking signal learning module configured to learn an operation of a walking
traffic
light; a memory configured to store data learned through the walking signal
learning
module; and a control unit configured to calculate standby residual time
information
and walking residual time information based on the learning data stored in the
memory,
and guide a visually handicapped person to a traffic light by providing and
transmitting
one or more pieces of information, except for traffic light data including at
least one of
the calculated standby residual time information and the calculated walking
residual
time information and learned by varying a transmission output of a beacon such
that a
location of the beacon is guided and an arrival of the beacon is notified.
More preferably, the beacon signal may further include at least one of
identification information of the smart traffic light, location data of the
smart traffic
light, data on a distance between the smart traffic light and an adjacent
smart traffic
light, deviation time information for synchronizing an operation cycle of the
walking
traffic light and an operation cycle of the beacon signal, and infoimation on
whether a
response signal corresponding to the beacon signal has been transmitted.
More preferably, the walking signal learning module may collect information
on an operation time of a red lamp and an operation time of a green lamp from
the
walking traffic light and a traffic signal controller, and may learn the
collected
information. Further, when an operation cycle of the walking traffic light is
changed,
the walking signal learning module deletes the learned data stored in the
memory, and
learns a changed operation state of the walking traffic light again.
More preferably, the smart traffic light may further include: a pedestrian
detecting module configured to detect a pedestrian who approaches the walking
traffic
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
4
light on the basis of whether a response signal corresponding to the beacon
signal
is received. Further, when the pedestrian is detected, the control unit
transmits a control
signal for cancelling a vehicle priority signal to a traffic signal
controller.
More preferably, the smart traffic light may further include: a deviation time
deteimining unit configured to determine a deviation time for synchronizing an
operation cycle of the walking traffic light and a transmission cycle of the
beacon
signal. Further, the deviation time deteimining unit determines a first
deviation time
corresponding to a time difference between an operation initiating time point
of a green
walking traffic light and a transmission time point of the beacon signal
during an
operation of the green walking traffic light. The deviation time determining
unit
determines a second deviation time corresponding to a time difference between
an
operation initiating time point of a red walking stop traffic light and a
transmission time
point of the beacon signal when a red stop signal light is operated.
More preferably, the smart traffic light may further include: a display unit
configured to display the walking residual time information of the walking
traffic light.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
mobile teiminal including: a wireless communication unit configured to receive
a
plurality of beacon signals from a plurality of smart traffic lights located
around a
crosswalk; a control unit configured to calculate infolination on distances
between a
pedestrian and a plurality of smart traffic lights by using the beacon
signals, detect
infoiniation on the relative locations of the pedestrian on the basis of the
calculated
information on the distances, and generate a notification signal corresponding
to a
location of the pedestrian; and an output unit configured to output a
notification signal
generated by the control unit.
More preferably, the control unit may select a beacon signal having the
highest
received signal strength indication (RSSI), and parsing infoimation included
in the
selected beacon signal.
Further, the control unit outputs a first notification signal including
infoimation
on a standby residual time of the pedestrian when the pedestrian is located in
an
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
adjacent sidewalk area of the crosswalk, and outputs a second notification
signal
which warns that the pedestrian trespasses on a safety line of the crosswalk
when the
pedestrian trespasses on the safety line of the crosswalk.
More preferably, the control unit may calculate a residual spending time on
the
5
basis of a movement speed of the pedestrian and a left distance of the
crosswalk when
the pedestrian moves on the crosswalk, and may output a notification signal
that warns
that a change of a signal of the walking traffic light is coming near when a
walking
residual time included in a specific beacon signal is smaller than the
calculated residual
spending time.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
vehicle including: a wireless communication unit configured to receive a
plurality of
beacon signals from a plurality of smart traffic lights located around a
crosswalk; a
control unit configured to calculate infatination on distances between the
vehicle and a
plurality of smart traffic lights by using the beacon signals, detect
information on the
relative locations of the vehicle on the basis of the calculated information
on the
distances, and generate a notification signal corresponding to a location of
the vehicle;
and an output unit configured to output a notification signal generated by the
control
unit.
[Advantageous Effects]
The pedestrian protection system and the method for operating the same
according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described as
follows.
According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the
pedestrians who enter into cross-walks while being indulged in mobile
terminals can be
safely protected from a traffic accident by outputting a notification signal
corresponding
to the locations of the pedestrians by using a beacon signal periodically
transmitted
from the smart traffic light.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
6
Further, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present
invention, various services may be provided to the mobile terminals of the
pedestrians
who are adjacent to the smart traffic light, by periodically broadcasting a
beacon signal
including device identification infoimation, location information, and walking
signal
information of the smart traffic light.
Meanwhile, the advantageous effects that may be achieved by the pedestrian
protection system and the method for operating the same according to the
embodiments
of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned ones, and the
above-
mentioned and other advantageous effects will be clearly understood by those
skilled in
the art to which the present invention pertains.
[Brief Description of the Drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall diagram of a pedestrian protecting system according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a smart traffic
light
system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4A is a view illustrating a structure of a beacon frame according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4B is a view illustrating correction time information which is inserted
into
the beacon frame of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart which is referenced for describing an operation of a
smart
traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart which is referenced for describing an operation of a
mobile tettninal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
7
FIGS. 7A to 7C are views which are referenced for describing notification
signals corresponding to locations of a pedestrian;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle according
to
an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a flowchart which is referenced for describing an operation of a
vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Best Mode]
Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the specification will be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and regardless of
reference
symbols, the same or like elements are provided with the same reference
numerals and a
repeated description thereof will be omitted. The terms 'module' and 'unit'
for the
elements are given or used in combination to easily write the specification,
and do not
have distinguished meanings or functions. That is, the term 'unit' used in the
present
invention refers to a hardware element, such as software, an FPGA, or an ASIC,
and
'units' perform some functions. However, the 'unit' or 'module' is not limited
to
software or hardware. The 'unit' may be constituted in a storage medium that
may
perform addressing, and may be configured to reproduce one or more processors.
Accordingly, as an example, the 'unit' includes elements such as software
elements,
object-oriented software elements, class elements, and task elements,
processes,
functions, attributes, procedures, sub-routines, segments of a program code,
drivers,
firmware, micro-codes, circuits, data, a database, data structures, tables,
arrays, and
parameters. The elements and the functions provided in the 'units' may be
combined by
a smaller number of elements or a smaller number of 'units' or may be
separated into
additional elements or additional 'units'.
Further, when the embodiments disclosed in the specification are described, a
detailed description thereof will be omitted when it makes the essence of the
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
8
embodiments disclosed in the specification rather obscure. Further, the
accompanying
drawings are provided only to help understand the embodiments disclosed I the
specification more easily but the technical spirit disclosed in the
specification is not
limited by the accompanying drawings and it construed to include all changes,
equivalents, and replacements included in the spirit and technical range of
the present
invention.
The present invention suggests a pedestrian protecting system which may safely
protect a pedestrian who enters into a crosswalk by using a smart traffic
light and a
mobile tenninal of the pedestrian, and a method for operating the same.
Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described
with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall diagram of a pedestrian protecting system according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the pedestrian protecting system 100 according to the
present invention may include one or more smart traffic light system 110
installed in a
crosswalk 130, a mobile terminal 120 of a pedestrian, a crosswalk 130, a
traffic signal
controller 140, and a bottom traffic light (not illustrated).
The traffic light system 110 may include a pedestrian traffic light 111, a
light
transmitting lamp 112, and a smart traffic light 113. Here, the smart traffic
light 113
may embed a pedestrian residual time display.
The pedestrian traffic lights 111 are installed on opposite sidewalks with
respect to the crosswalk 130 of the road, respectively, and may include not
only a
general streetlight including a red lamp and a green lamp but also various
kinds of
traffic lights.
The pedestrian traffic light 111 alternately operates a red lamp and a green
lamp
at a predetermined time cycle according to a control of the traffic signal
controller
installed in an adjacent area of the crosswalk 130. Then, a time period for
which the red
lamp is turned on and a time period for which the green lamp is turned on may
be
differently set, and the smart traffic light learns them.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
9
The light transmitting lamp 112 is a lighting device which may brighten the
crosswalk 130 brightly to secure the fields of view of pedestrians at night,
and
preferably, like the pedestrian traffic light 111, may be installed on the
opposite
sidewalks of the crosswalk 100 to be switched on and off independently. The
light
transmitting lamp 112 is operated to interwork with the streetlight or the
pedestrian
traffic light or is operated through an operation of a separate dimming
control switch.
The smart traffic light 113 may perform a function of generating walking
signal
information related to the safety of the pedestrian by learning an operation
of the
pedestrian traffic light 111, and providing the generated walking signal
information to
the mobile terminal 120 of the pedestrian. The smart traffic light 113 may
periodically
transmit a beacon signal including walking signal information. Then, the
walking signal
information may include standby residual time information and walking residual
time
information.
The smart traffic light 113 may detect a pedestrian who approaches the smart
traffic light system 110. The smart traffic light 113 may transmit a control
signal for
cancelling a vehicle priority signal to the traffic signal controller 140 when
detecting a
pedestrian. A pedestrian may download an application (hereinafter, referred to
as 'a
pedestrian protection application') for protecting a pedestrian who enters
into the
crosswalk from App Store or Play Store and may install the application in the
mobile
terminal 120. Meanwhile, as another embodiment, the mobile terminal 120 may
receive
a pedestrian protection application from an external server, another terminal,
a storage
medium, or the like and may install the pedestrian protection application in
the mobile
terminal 120.
The mobile terminal 120 may execute the installed pedestrian protection
application as the background according to a user command or the like.
Meanwhile, as
another embodiment, the mobile terminal 120 may automatically execute the
installed
pedestrian protection application when receiving a beacon signal.
The mobile terminal 120 may perform a function of recognizing a location of
the pedestrian on the basis of beacon signals received from one or more smart
traffic
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
lights 113 when the corresponding application is executed, and automatically
generating a notification signal corresponding to the current location of the
pedestrian
and providing the generated notification signal to the corresponding
pedestrian. Then,
the notification signal may be output in at least one form of a visual signal,
an audible
5 signal, and a haptic signal.
Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the drawings, the mobile tertninal 120
may provide location information included in a beacon signal or device
identification
information (that is, device ID information) to a predetermined web server.
The web
server may recognize a location of the pedestrian on the basis of the location
10 information of the smart traffic light 113 or the device identification
information, and
may provide a notification service related to the safety of the pedestrian to
the mobile
terminal 120. The mobile terminal 120 may provide notification information,
sound
information, and location based information (for example, public institute
information,
map information, geography infortnation, and the like), which has been
received from
the corresponding web server, to the pedestrian.
The mobile terminal 120 described in the specification may include a portable
phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting teiminal, a
PDA
(personal digital assistant), a PMP (portable multimedia player), a navigation
slate PC, a
tablet PC, an ultra-book, and a wearable device, for example, a smart watch,
smart
glasses, and a head-mounted display.
The sidewalk 130 is a road shared by vehicles and pedestrians. In order to
provide a smooth use opportunity between pedestrians and vehicles, the
crosswalk 130
is operated according to a predetermined signal system. One or more sidewalks
130
may be provided according to the kinds of the roads. For example, in the case
of a three-
way intersection or a four-way intersection, a plurality of crosswalks may be
installed
on the road. Further, the plurality of crosswalks may be classified into
linear crosswalks
having a line shape, and diagonal crosswalks having a diagonal shape.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
11
A bottom traffic light may be installed in the crosswalk 130. The bottom
traffic light may be operated to interwork with a beacon signal transmitted
from the
smart traffic light 113.
The traffic signal controller 140 is a device which is installed on an
intersection
and/or a crosswalk and functions to collect and parse an occupation time and
optimally
manage a traffic light. The traffic signal controller 140 may be electrically
connected to
a vehicle traffic light and a pedestrian traffic light and functions to
control flickering
operation of the vehicle traffic light and the pedestrian traffic light.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 200 may include a wireless
communication unit 210, an output unit 220, an input unit 230, a memory 240,
and a
control unit 250. The elements illustrated in FIG. 2 are not essential for
realizing a
mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal described in the specification may
have
elements, the number of which is larger or smaller than the enumerated
elements.
The wireless communication unit 210 may include a mobile communication
module, a short range communication module, and a wireless interne module.
The mobile communication module transmits and receives a wireless signal to
and from at least one of a base station an external terminal, and a server in
a mobile
communication network established according to technical standards or
communication
schemes (for example, GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), CDMA
(Code Division Multi Access), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000), EV-
DO (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), WCDMA
(Wideband CDMA), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High
Speed Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LIE-A (Long Term
Evolution-Advanced) and the like)for mobile communication.
Then, the short range communication module is for short range communication,
and may support short range communication by using at least one of
BluetoothTM, RFID
(radio frequency identification ), IrDA (infrared data association), UWB
(ultra
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
12
wideband), ZigBee, NFC (near field communication), Wi-Fi (wireless-fidelity),
Wi-Fi Direct, wireless USB (universal serial bus) technologies.
The wireless internet module refers to a module for wireless internet
connection, and may be installed inside or outside the mobile terminal 200.
The wireless
interne module is configured to transmit and receive a wireless single in a
communication network according to the wireless interne technologies. The
wireless
interne technology, for example, includes WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi (Wireless-
Fidelity), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network
Alliance),
WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave
Access),
HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet
Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), and
the like, and the wireless interne module transmits and receives data
according to at
least one wireless internet technology in a range including the internet
technologies
which have not be enumerated.
The output unit 220 is adapted to generate an output related to visual,
audible,
and haptic feelings, and may include at least one of a display unit, a sound
output unit, a
haptic module, and an optical output unit.
The display unit displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile
terminal 200. For example, the display unit may display information of an
application
program driven by the mobile terminal 200 or UI (User Interface) or GUI
(Graphic User
interface) information according to the execution screen information. Further,
the
display unit may have a mutual layer structure with a touch sensor or be
integrally
formed with the touch sensor to realize a touch screen.
The sound output unit may output audio data received from the wireless
communication unit 210 or stored in the memory 240 in a call signal reception
mode, a
voice communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a
broadcasting reception mode, and the like. The sound output unit may output a
voice
signal related to a function (for example, a call signal reception sound, a
message
reception sound, or the like) performed by the mobile terminal 200.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
13
The haptic module generates various haptic effects which may be felt
by a user. A representative example of the haptic effect generated by the
haptic module
may be vibration. An intensity, a pattern, and the like of the vibration
generated by the
haptic module may be controlled through selection of the user or setting of
the control
unit.
The optical output unit outputs a signal for informing generation of an event
by
using a light source of the mobile terminal 200. An example of the event
generated by
the mobile terminal 200 may include reception of a message, reception of a
call signal,
making a missed call, an alarm, notification of a schedule, reception of an e-
mail,
reception of infolination through an application, and the like.
The input unit 230 may include a camera or an image input unit for inputting
an
image signal, a microphone or an audio input unit for inputting an audio
signal, and a
user input unit (for example, a touch key or a push key (mechanical key)) for
receiving
information from the user.
The memory 240 stores data which supports various functions of the mobile
terminal 200. The memory 240 may store a plurality of application programs
driven by
the mobile tetininal 200, and data and instructions for an operation of the
mobile
terminal 200. In the embodiment, the memory 240 may store a pedestrian
protection
application.
The control unit 250 controls an operation related to the pedestrian
protection
application stored in the memory 240, and a general overall operation of the
mobile
terminal 200. Moreover, the control unit 250 may perform a control by
combining at
least one of the elements described above to realize various embodiments
described
above in the mobile terminal 200 according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a smart traffic
light
system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 3, the smart traffic light system 300 may include a smart
traffic light (310), a pedestrian traffic light 320, and a light transmitting
lamp 330. The
smart traffic light 310 may include a beacon module 311, a walking signal
learning
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
14
module 312, a pedestrian monitoring module 313, an illumination sensor 314, a
deviation time determining unit 315, a display unit 316, a memory 317, and a
control
unit 318. The smart traffic light 310 may be installed outside the smart
traffic light
system 300 or integrally formed with the walking traffic light 320 or the
light
transmitting lamp 330 to constitute one module.
The elements illustrated in FIG. 3 are not essential for realizing a smart
traffic
light system 300, and the smart traffic light system described in the
specification may
have elements, the number of which is larger or smaller than the enumerated
elements.
The beacon module 311 may function to periodically transmit a beacon signal
including walking signal information, vary an output to three or more outputs
(strong,
middle, and weak) and alternately transmit the outputs, guide a visually
handicapped
person at a remote site, and receive the three or more outputs if reaching a
destination to
inform that the present site is the destination. The beacon module 311 may
include a
short range communication module for transmitting a beacon signal.
Then, the short range communication module is for short range communication,
and may support short range communication by using at least one of
BluetoothTM, RFID
(radio frequency identification ), IrDA (infrared data association), UWB
(ultra
wideband), ZigBee, NFC (near field communication), Wi-Fi (wireless-fidelity),
Wi-Fi
Direct, wireless USB (universal serial bus) technologies. Hereinafter, in the
embodiment, a Bluetooth communication module may be used as the short range
communication module, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
The Bluetooth communication module provides a communication interface for
supporting Bluetooth communication. The Bluetooth communication used in the
corresponding module is one of short range wireless communication
technologies, and
may support data communication between terminals which are present in a radius
of 0
to 10 m or 0 to 100 m. In particular, it is preferable that the Bluetooth
communication
module mounted on the smart traffic light 310 according to the embodiment uses
a
version of Bluetooth 4.0 or more, on which a low energy technology and a
location
measuring technology are mounted. The walking signal learning module 312 may
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
perform a function of learning an operation of the walking traffic light 320
in a learning mode.
That is, the walking signal learning module 312 may periodically collect
infoimation on an operation time (that is, a stop time) of a red lamp and
infounation on
5 an
operation time (that is, a walking time) of a green lamp (that is, a walking
time) from
the walking traffic light 320 or the traffic signal controller in a learning
mode.
If the operation time information of the red lamp having the same value (or a
value within a predetermined error range) is collected by a preset number of
times, the
walking signal learning module 312 may set (learn) the operation time
information
10
having the same vale as normal operation time information of the red lamp and
may
store the set (learned) operation time information in the memory 317.
Further, if the operation time information of the green lamp having the same
value (or a value within a predetermined error range) is collected by a preset
number of
times, the walking signal learning module 312 may set (learn) the operation
time
15
information having the same vale as normal operation time information of the
green
lamp and may store the set (learned) operation time information in the memory
317.
Meanwhile, when the operation cycle of the walking traffic light 320 is
changed
according to an operation of the traffic signal controller, the walking signal
learning
module 312 may delete the operation time information of the walking traffic
light 320
stored in the memory 317 in advance and learn the changed operation state of
the
walking traffic light 320 again.
The pedestrian detecting module 313 may perform a function of detecting a
pedestrian who approaches the smart traffic light system 300 to cancel a
vehicle priority
signal set in the traffic signal controller.
The beacon module 311 may periodically transmit a beacon signal including
information 439 for requesting transmission of a response signal when the
vehicle
priority signal is set. The pedestrian detecting module 313 may detect a
pedestrian on
the basis of whether a response signal corresponding to the beacon signal has
been
received. For example, when receiving a response signal corresponding to the
beacon
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
16
signal from the mobile terminal of the pedestrian, the pedestrian detecting
module 313 may detect that the pedestrian is present around the smart traffic
light
system 300.
The beacon module 311 may periodically transmit a beacon signal including
information 439 for requesting stop of transmission of a response signal when
the
pedestrian is detected. This is for preventing a plurality of response signals
from being
continuously received by the pedestrian detecting module 313 and causing
propagation
interference, after the pedestrian is detected. The control unit 318 may
transmit a control
signal for cancelling a vehicle priority signal to the traffic signal
controller when the
pedestrian is detected.
The illumination sensor 314 may perform a function of measuring an intensity
of surrounding illumination of the smart traffic light system 300. The control
unit 318
may perform a dimming control of the walking traffic light 320 on the basis of
the
illumination information measured by the illumination sensor 314.
The deviation time determining unit 315 may detelmine a deviation time (or an
error time) for synchronizing an operation cycle of the pedestrian traffic
light and a
transmission cycle of the beacon signal.
That is, when the green walking traffic light is operated, the correction time
detennining unit 315 may determine a first deviation time corresponding to a
time
difference between an operation initiating time point of the green pedestrian
traffic light
and a transmission time point of the beacon signal. Further, when the red stop
traffic
light is operated, the correction time deteimining unit 315 may detelmine a
second
deviation time corresponding to a time difference between an operation
initiating time
point of the red pedestrian traffic light and a transmission time point of the
beacon
signal.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the operation cycle (C) of the
pedestrian
traffic light is a sum of a green walking time (A) and a red stop time (B).
The response
time (a mutual operation delay time) of the pedestrian traffic light should
satisfy 70 ms
or less which is a traffic light standard of the worldwide roads.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
17
Meanwhile, the
maximum transmission cycle of the beacon signal is
100 ms. It is difficult to synchronize the operation cycle of the walking
traffic light and
the transmission cycle of the beacon signal. Accordingly, the mobile terminal
which
periodically receives the beacon signal cannot acquire accurate operation time
information of the walking traffic light. In order to solve the problem, it is
necessary to
insert the deviation time information into the beacon signal, as well as the
operation
time information of the walking traffic light, and provide the beacon signal
to the
mobile terminal.
During an operation of the green walking traffic light, the mobile terminal
may
correct operation time information of the green walking traffic light by using
a first
deviation time (D). That is, the mobile terminal may correct the operation
time
information of the green walking traffic light by subtracting the first
deviation time (D)
from the operation time (A) of the green walking traffic light.
During an operation of the red stop traffic light, the mobile terminal
receives
the contents of FIG. 4A. The presence 439 of a response may include other
information,
and the deviation information includes information for identifying a walking
green color
or a walking red color and state information of a transmission output. In the
initial
signal reception state of the user terminal, the smart traffic light receives
a signal which
has been transmitted with a transmission output of "strong" and then informs
that a
traffic light is present on the front side, and infoims a forward glance
according to
reception of a "middle" signal and informs arrival at the vicinity of the
traffic light
according to reception of a "weak" signal in the case of movement for a
predetermined
time period. The notification method is set by the user such that notification
may be
made through voice, a text, or vibration, and when the notification is set to
voice, the
mobile terminal may also function as a sound traffic indicator of a visually
handicapped
person by allowing the visually handicapped person to hear external sound by
using a
microphone of the mobile terminal or an external microphone. In addition, the
synchronization of time is made by using an internal timer of the mobile
terminal
mainly with reference to the initially received infoimation, and the current
time may be
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
18
completed if no communication is made for a predetermined time period or
another
beacon is connected, synchronization may be started if another green (walking)
signal is
made, and synchronization may be completed if no communication is made for a
predetermined time period or another beacon is connected.
The time deviation correction technology should satisfy a deviation even when
information is transmitted by optimizing a propagation occupation time and
making the
number and cycle of communications longer to optimize a communication disorder
due
to a propagation disorder according to an increase of the number of wirelessly
interworking devices and is a technology that may synchronize the currently
operated
signal light even one connection. The deviation time is synchronized with the
beacon
transmission cycle by accumulating times changed with reference to the
operation cycle
of the walking or stop traffic light and the times are accumulated until the
signal
changes.
The display unit 316 displays (outputs) information processed by the smart
traffic light 310. As an example, the display unit 316 may display walking
residual time
information.
The memory 317 stores data which supports various functions of the smart
traffic light 310. The memory 317 may store a plurality of application
programs driven
by the smart traffic light 310, and data and instructions for an operation of
the smart
traffic light 310.
The control unit 318 controls an operation related to the application program
stored in the memory 317, and a general overall operation of the smart traffic
light 310.
Moreover, the control unit 318 may perform a control by combining at least one
of the
elements described above to realize various embodiments described above in the
smart
traffic light 310 according to the present invention.
When the learning mode is completed, the control unit 318 may calculate
standby residual time infoimation and walking residual time infoimation on the
basis of
operation time information of the walking traffic light 320 stored in the
memory 317.
Here, the standby residual time infoimation is information on a residual time
until the
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
19
walking traffic light 320 is changed from a red lamp to a green lamp, and the
walking
residual time infoimation is information on a residual time until the walking
traffic light
320 is changed from a green lamp to a red lamp.
The control unit 318 may generate a beacon signal 400 as illustrated in FIG.
4A, and may periodically transmit the beacon signal 400 to the mobile
terminals of the
pedestrians. The beacon signal 400 may include a preamble field 410, an access
address
field 420, a payload field 430, and a CRC field 440.
The preamble field 410 is a field that has the size of one byte (that is, 8
bits)
and is used to adjust synchronization of bits or synchronization of frames in
the signal
receiving device. The access address field 420 is a field that has the size of
four bytes
(that is, 32 bits) and is used for connection addresses in a link layer. The
CRC field 440
is a field that has the size of 3 bytes (that is, 24 bits) and is used to
detect a transmission
error of the frame.
The payload field 430 has the size of 2 to 60 bytes, and may include device ID
infoonation 431, location data 432, first distance data 433, second distance
data 434,
third distance data 435, standby residual time infoimation 436, walking
residual time
infoonation 437, deviation time information 438, and response presence
information
439.
The device ID information 431 is identification location of the first smart
traffic
light, and the location data (or P data 432) is location information of the
first smart
traffic light. The first distance data (or D1 data 433) is infoonation on a
distance from
the first smart traffic light to a safety line of the second smart traffic
light located on the
opposite side of the linear crosswalk, the second distance data (or D2 data
434) is
information on a distance from the first smart traffic light to a safety line
of the third
smart traffic light located on the opposite side of the diagonal crosswalk,
and the third
distance data (or D3 data 435) is infoimation on an intermediate distance from
the first
smart traffic light to the fourth smart traffic light that is immediately
adjacent to the first
smart traffic light. Since the location of the smart traffic light is fixed,
the location data
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
432, the first distance data 433, the second distance data 434, and the third
distance
data 435 have fixed values.
The standby residual time information 436 is information on a residual time
until the walking traffic light is changed from a red lamp to a green lamp,
and the
5 walking residual time infoimation 437 is information on a residual time
until the
walking traffic light is changed from a green lamp to a red lamp.
The deviation time information 438 is infolmation on a deviation time for
synchronizing the operation cycle of the walking traffic light and the
transmission cycle
of the beacon signal. The deviation time infoimation 438 may include first
deviation
10 time information related to an operation time of the green waking
traffic light, and
second deviation time information related to an operation time of the red stop
traffic
light.
The response presence infoimation 439 may include information on whether a
response signal corresponding to a beacon signal has been transmitted. That
is, the
15 response presence information 439 may include information for requesting
transmission
of a response signal corresponding to a beacon signal, and information for
requesting
stop of transmission of the response signal corresponding to the beacon
signal.
The walking traffic light 320 may include a switching unit which switches on
and off the red lamp, the green lamp, and a power source applied to the red
lamp or the
20 green lamp. The walking traffic light 320 alternately operates the red
lamp and the
green lamp at a predetermined time cycle by controlling the switching unit
according to
a control command of the traffic signal controller. Further, the walking
traffic light 320
may further include a separate switch for dimming control.
The light transmitting lamp 330 may perform a function of outputting light
toward the crosswalk 130 to secure the fields of view of pedestrians at night.
Further, the light transmitting lamp 330 may change the intensity of
illumination of light radiated toward the crosswalk 130 according to a control
command
of the control unit 314. Then, the light transmitting lamp 330 may be operated
while
interworking with the walking traffic light. For example, when the walking
traffic light
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
21
is a red lamp, energy may be saved by decreasing the intensity of illumination
(the amount of light) of the light transmitting lamp 330, and when the walking
traffic
light is a green lamp, the field of view of a pedestrian may be secured by
increasing the
intensity of illumination (the amount of light) of the light transmitting lamp
330.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart which is referenced for describing an operation of a
smart
traffic light according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 5, when a learning mode event is generated (S510), the
control unit 314 may set the operation mode of the smart traffic light 310 to
a pedestrian
signal learning mode (S520). Then, the learning mode event may be an event in
which
the operation cycle of the pedestrian traffic light 320 is changed according
to an
operation of the traffic signal controller.
When a learning mode event is generated, the control unit 314 may delete
operation time information of the walking traffic light 320 stored in the
memory 313 in
advance, and may learn the changed operation state of the walking traffic
light 320
again.
In a pedestrian signal learning mode, the control unit 314 may periodically
collect information on an operation time of the red lamp and information on an
operation time of the green lamp from the walking traffic light 320 or the
traffic signal
controller and may perform learning (S530).
If the operation time information of the red lamp having the same value (or a
value within a predetermined error range) is collected by a preset number of
times, the
control unit 314 may set (learn) the operation time information having the
same value as
normal operation time information of the red lamp through the walking signal
learning
unit 312, and may store the set (learned) operation time information in the
memory 313
(S540).
Further, of the operation time information of the green lamp having the same
value (or a value within a predetermined error range) is collected by a preset
number of
times, the control unit 314 may set (learn) the operation time information
having the
same value as normal operation time information of the green lamp through the
walking
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
22
signal learning unit 312, and may store the set (learned) operation time
information in
the memory 313 (S550).
When the pedestrian signal learning mode is completed, the control unit 314
may calculate standby residual time information and walking residual time
information
on the basis of operation time information (that is, learning data) of the
walking traffic
light 320 stored in the memory 317 (S550).
The control unit 314 may generate a beacon signal 400 including standby
residual time information 436 and walking residual time information 437
(S560). In
addition to the information 436 and 437, the beacon signal 400 may further
include at
least one of device ID infoimation 431, location data 432, first distance data
433,
second distance data 434, third distance data 435, deviation time information
438, and
response presence information 439. Further, the beacon signal may further
include
geography information on a public institute or a government office located
around the
crosswalk.
The control unit 314 may transmit the beacon signal 400 to the mobile terminal
of the pedestrian (S570). Then, the beacon signal may be periodically
broadcast.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart which is referenced for describing an operation of a
mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit 250 may execute an application (that is,
a
pedestrian protection application) for protecting a pedestrian who enters into
a
crosswalk according to a command of the user (S610).
The control unit 250 may execute the corresponding application as the
background without having to separately display the operation screen of the
corresponding application on a display unit.
The control unit 250 may periodically receive a plurality of beacon signals
from
a plurality of smart traffic lights located around the crosswalk (S620). Then,
each of the
beacon signals may include device ID infoimation 431, location data 432, first
distance
data 433, second distance data 434, third distance data 435, standby residual
time
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
23
infoimation 436, walking residual time infoimation 437, deviation
time
information 438, and response presence infoimation 439.
The control unit 250 may use only a necessary beacon signal, among the
plurality of beacon signals. Further, the control unit 250 may use only
necessary data
among a plurality of data included in the beacon signals.
The control unit 250 may select a beacon signal having the largest RSSI
(Received Signal Strength Indication) from the plurality of beacon signals,
and may
parse the information included in the corresponding signal (S630). This is for
selecting
a beacon signal transmitted from the smart traffic light 310 installed in the
crosswalk,
which a pedestrian is to cross, and parsing the beacon signal. Since the
distance between
the smart traffic light installed in the crosswalk, which the pedestrian is to
cross, and the
mobile terminal of the pedestrian is shortest when several crosswalks are
present, the
strength of the beacon signal transmitted from the corresponding smart traffic
light 310
is highest.
The control unit 250 may determine whether a response signal corresponding to
the corresponding beacon signal has been transmitted, on the basis of the
response
presence information 439 included in the beacon signal. Here, the response
signal may
be used to allow the smart traffic light 310 to detect a pedestrian.
Further, the control unit 250 may measure infolination on the distance between
the mobile terminal 200 of the pedestrian and the plurality of smart traffic
lights 310, on
the basis of the plurality of beacon signals received periodically (S640).
Then, the
information on the distance between the mobile terminal 200 and the smart
traffic light
310 may be calculated through Equation 1, and the present invention is not
necessarily
limited thereto.
[Equation 1]
cl==.10.^.((TxPower.--RSSI)./.(10n)y
Here, TxPower is transmission power of the beacon signal, and RSSI is a
received signal strength indication.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
24
The control unit 250 may detect information on a relative location between
pedestrians by using the information on the distances calculated through
Equation 1
(S650). Then, the control unit 250 may detect relative location information of
the
pedestrian by using a well-known location detection algorithm.
Meanwhile, it is exemplified in the embodiment that the above-described step
S630 is performed prior to the step S640, the present invention is not limited
thereto,
and it is apparent that the step S630 may be carried out after the step S650.
The control unit 250 may generates a notification signal corresponding to a
location of the pedestrian and may output the generated notification signal
(S660 and
S670). Then, the notification signal may be output in at least one form of an
audible
signal, a visual signal, and a haptic signal. The notification signals
corresponding to the
location of the pedestrian will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
7A to 7C.
FIGS. 7A to 7C are views illustrating an example of a road on which first to
fourth crosswalks are installed. Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7C, a first smart
traffic light
(Al) 711 and a second smart traffic light (D1) 712 are disposed on opposite
sidewalks
of the first crosswalk 710, a third smart traffic light (A2) 721 and a fourth
smart traffic
light (B2) 722 are disposed on opposite sidewalks of the second crosswalk 720,
a fifth
smart traffic light (B1) 731 and a sixth smart traffic light (Cl) 732 are
disposed on
opposite sidewalks of the third crosswalk 730, and a seventh smart traffic
light (C2) 741
and an eighth smart traffic light (D2) 742 are disposed on opposite sidewalks
of the
fourth crosswalk 740.
The mobile terminal 200 may determine which of zone A 750, zone B 760,
zone C 770, and zone D 780 the pedestrian is located in, on the basis of the
intensities
of the beacon signals transmitted from the first to eight smart traffic lights
711, 712,
721, 722, 731, 732, 741, and 742. The mobile terminal 200 may output a
notification
signal corresponding to the current location of the pedestrian.
As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, when the pedestrian 790 is located
in
zone A 750 and the walking traffic light is a red lamp, the control unit 250
of the mobile
teiminal 200 may output a first notification signal including information on a
walking
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
standby time of the first crosswalk 710 on the basis of the beacon signal of
the first
smart traffic light (Al) 711.
Further, the control unit 250 may output a second notification signal
including
information on a walking standby time of the second crosswalk 720 on the basis
of the
5 beacon signal of the third smart traffic light (A2) 721.
Meanwhile, when the pedestrian 790 is located in zone A 750 and the walking
traffic light is a green lamp, the control unit 250 may output a third
notification signal
including information on a walking residual time of the first crosswalk 710 on
the basis
of the beacon signal of the first smart traffic light (Al) 711.
10 Further, the control unit 250 may output a fourth notification signal
including
information on a walking residual time of the second crosswalk 720 on the
basis of the
beacon signal of the third smart traffic light (A2) 721.
Accordingly, the pedestrian 790 may predict operations of the first smart
traffic
light (Al) 711 and the third smart traffic light (A2) 721 on the basis of the
first to fourth
15 notification signals output from the mobile terminal 200.
As another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, when the pedestrian 790
stands by in front of the first crosswalk 710, the control unit 250 of the
mobile terminal
100 may periodically detect location information of the pedestrian 790 by
using the
beacon signal of the first smart traffic light (Al) 711 and the beacon signal
of the
20 second smart traffic light (D1) 712.
The control unit 250 may output a notification signal on trespassing of a
safety
line on the basis of first distance data (that is, a distance from the first
smart traffic light
to the safety line o fthe second smart traffic light) included in the beacon
signal of the
first smart traffic light (Al) 711 and the location information of the
pedestrian. That is,
25 when a distance between the pedestrian 790 and the second smart traffic
light (D1) 712
is smaller than the value of the first distance data, the control unit 250 may
output a
notification signal that warns that the pedestrian 790 trespasses on the
safety line of the
first crosswalk 710.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
26
Further, the control unit 250 may output a notification signal including
infoimation on a walking standby time of the first crosswalk 710 on the basis
of the
beacon signal of the first smart traffic light (Al) 711.
As another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, when the pedestrian 790
moves from zone A 750 to zone D 780 through the first crosswalk 710, the
control unit
250 of the mobile terminal 200 may periodically detect location information
and a
movement speed of the pedestrian 790 by using the beacon signal of the first
smart
traffic light (Al) 711 and the beacon signal of the second smart traffic light
(D1) 712.
The control unit 250 may calculate a residual spending time on the basis of
the
movement speed of the pedestrian and the left distance of the first crosswalk
710, and
may compare the calculated residual spending time and the walking residual
time
included in the beacon signal of the first or second smart traffic light 711
and 712.
When the calculated residual spending time is greater than the walking
residual time,
the control unit 250 may output a notification signal which warns that the
left walking
residual time is little.
Similarly, when the pedestrian 790 is located in any one of zone B 750 and
zone D 780, the control unit 250 may output notification signals corresponding
to the
location of the pedestrian by using the above-mentioned methods.
Referring to FIG. 6 again, the control unit 250 may generate a control signal
for
interworking a safety facility device installed around the crosswalk and
transmit the
generated control signal to the corresponding device (S680). That is, the
control unit
250 may output a predetermined notification signal and control the safety
facility device
for safety of the pedestrian. Then, the safety facility device includes a
glance guide
light, a preliminary traffic light, a bottom traffic light, a light
transmitting lamp, a
camera that monitors violation of a lane of a crosswalk, and a storage device
that stores
a captured image.
For example, when the pedestrian illegally crosses the crosswalk while
neglecting the crosswalk signal, the control unit 250 may not only warn the
pedestrian
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
27
of the jaywalking by flickering the light transmitting lamp at a predetermined
period and but also improve a perception rate of the vehicle driver on the
jaywalking.
The control unit 250 may repeat the operations of the step S610 to the step
S680 until the pedestrian protection application is completed (S690).
Meanwhile, it will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that the technical spirits applied to
the pedestrian
protection system may be applied to a vehicle.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle according
to
an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 8, the vehicle 800 may include a communication unit 810, an
input unit 820, a sensing unit 830, an output unit 840, a vehicle driving unit
850, a
memory 860, an interface unit 870, a control unit 880, and a power source unit
890.
The communication unit 810 may include one or more modules that allow
wireless communication between the vehicle 800 and the mobile terminal,
between the
vehicle 800 and a wearable device, between the vehicle 800 and an external
server, or
between the vehicle 800 and another vehicle. The communication unit 810 may
include
a broadcasting module 811, a wireless interne module 812, a short range
communication module 813, and a location information module 814.
The broadcasting receiving module 811 receives a broadcasting signal or
information related to broadcasting from an external broadcasting management
server
through a broadcasting channel.
The wireless interne module 812 refers to a module for wireless interne
connection, and may be installed inside or outside the vehicle 800. The
wireless interne
module 812 is configured to transmit and receive a wireless single in a
communication
network according to the wireless internet technologies.
Then, the short range communication module 813 is for short range
communication, and may support short range communication by using at least one
of
BluetoothTM, RFID (radio frequency identification), IrDA (infrared data
association),
UWB (ultra wideband), ZigBee, NFC (near field communication), Wi-Fi (wireless-
fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, wireless USB (universal serial bus) technologies.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
28
The location information module 814 is a module for acquiring a location of
the vehicle 800, and a representative example of the location information
module 814
includes a GPS module. The GPS module may acquire a location of the vehicle
800 by
using a signal sent by a GPS satellite.
The input unit 820 may include a driving operating unit 821, a camera 822, a
microphone 823, and a user input unit 824. The driving operating unit 821
receives a
user input for driving the vehicle 800. The camera 822 may process a still
image or a
video obtained by an image sensor (for example, a CMOS or a CCD).
The microphone 823 may process an external sound signal with electrical data.
The processed data may be variously utilized according to a function, which is
being
performed by the vehicle 800. The user input unit 824 is adapted to receive
information
from the user. If infoimation is input through the user input unit 824, the
control unit
880 may control an operation of the vehicle 800 in correspondence to the input
information.
The sensing unit 830 senses a signal related to driving of the vehicle 800. To
achieve this, the sensing unit 830 may include the sensing unit 830 may
include a
collision sensor, a wheel sensor, a speed sensor, an inclination sensor, a
weight
detection sensor, a heading sensor, a yaw sensor, a gyro sensor, a position
module, a
vehicle forward/rearward movement sensor, a battery sensor, a fuel sensor, a
tire sensor,
a steering sensor by rotation of a steering wheel, a vehicle interior
temperature sensor, a
vehicle interior humidity sensor, an ultrasonic wave sensor, a radar, and a
lidar.
The output unit 840 is adapted to output information processed by the control
unit 880, and may include a display unit 841, a sound output unit 842, and a
haptic
output unit 843.
The display unit 841 may display infounation processed by the control unit
880. For example, the display unit 841 may display vehicle related
information. Here,
the vehicle related information may include vehicle control information for
directly
controlling the vehicle or vehicle driving assisting information for guiding
driving of
the vehicle driver.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
29
The
sound output unit 842 converts an electric signal from the control
unit 880 to an audio signal and outputs the audio signal. To achieve this, the
sound
output unit 842 may include a speaker. The haptic output unit 843 generates a
haptic
output. For example, the haptic output unit 843 may be operated such that the
user may
recognize an output, by vibrating a steering wheel, a safety belt, and a seat.
The vehicle driving unit 850 may control operations of various devices of the
vehicle. The vehicle driving unit 850 may include a power source driving unit
851, a
steering driving unit 852, a brake driving unit 853, a lamp driving unit 854,
and an air
conditioning driving unit 855.
The power source driving unit 851 may perform an electronic control of a
power source in the vehicle 800. The steering driving unit 852 may perform an
electronic control of a steering apparatus in the vehicle 800. Accordingly,
the progress
direction of the vehicle may be changed.
The brake driving unit 853 may perform an electronic control on a brake
apparatus in the vehicle 800. For example, the speed of the vehicle 800 may be
reduced
by controlling an operation of the brake disposed in wheels.
The lamp driving unit 854 may control turning on/off operations of lamps
disposed inside and outside the vehicle. Further, the intensity and direction
of light of
the lamps may be controlled. The air conditioning driving unit 855 may perform
an
electronic control of an air conditioner in the vehicle 800.
The memory 860 is electrically connected to the control unit 880. The memory
860 may store basic data on the units, control data for controlling operations
of the
units, and data which is input and output. In the embodiment, the memory 860
may
store a pedestrian protection application.
The interface unit 870 may function as a passage with various kinds of
external
devices connected to the vehicle 800. For example, the interface unit 870 may
include a
port that may be connected to the mobile terminal or the wearable device, and
may be
connected to the mobile terminal or the wearable device through the port.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
The control unit 880 may control overall operations of the units in the
vehicle 800. Further, the control unit 880 may control an operation related to
the
pedestrian protection application stored in the memory 860. Here, the control
unit 880
may be named an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).
5
According to hardware implementations, the control unit 880 may be
implemented by using at least one of ASICs (application specific integrated
circuits),
DSPs (digital signal processors), DSPDs (digital signal processing devices),
PLDs
(programmable logic devices), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays),
processors,
controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and an electrical unit for
performing
10 other functions.
The power source unit 890 may supply electric power, which is necessary for
operations of the elements, according to a control of the control unit 880. In
particular,
the power source unit 890 may receive electric power from a battery in the
interior of
the vehicle or the like.
15 FIG.
9 is a flowchart which is referenced for describing an operation of a
vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 9, the control unit 880 may execute an application (that is,
a
pedestrian protection application) for protecting a pedestrian who enters into
a
crosswalk according to a command of the user (S910).
20 The
control unit 880 may execute the corresponding application as the
background without having to separately display the operation screen of the
corresponding application on a display unit 841.
The control unit 880 may periodically receive a plurality of beacon signals
from
a plurality of smart traffic lights located around the crosswalk (S920). Then,
each of the
25
beacon signals may include device ID infolination 431, location data 432,
first distance
data 433, second distance data 434, third distance data 435, standby residual
time
information 436, and walking residual time information 437,.
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
31
The control unit 880 may use only a necessary beacon signal, among the
plurality of beacon signals. Further, the control unit 880 may use only
necessary data
among a plurality of data included in the beacon signals.
The control unit 880 may select a beacon signal having the largest RSSI
(Received Signal Strength Indication) from the plurality of beacon signals,
and may
parse the information included in the corresponding signal (S930). This is for
selecting
a beacon signal transmitted from the closest smart traffic light 310 located
in the
progress direction of the vehicle 800 and parsing the selected beacon signal.
Further, the control unit 880 may measure information on the distance between
the vehicle 800 and the plurality of smart traffic lights 310, on the basis of
the plurality
of beacon signals received periodically (S940). Then, the information on the
distance
between the vehicle 800 and the smart traffic light 310 may be calculated
through
Equation 1.
The control unit 880 may detect relative location information of the vehicle
800
by using infoimation on the distances between the vehicle 800 and the smart
traffic
lights 310 (S950). Then, the control unit 880 may detect relative location
information of
the vehicle 800 by using a well-known location detection algorithm.
The control unit 880 may generates a notification signal corresponding to a
location of the vehicle 800 and may output the generated notification signal
(S960 and
S970). Then, the notification signal may be output in at least one form of an
audible
signal, a visual signal, and a haptic signal.
For example, when the vehicle 800 enters into a predetermined distance from
the crosswalk in spite that the walking traffic light is a green lamp, the
control unit 880
may output a notification signal for warning the vehicle driver. Further, when
the
vehicle 800 enters into a predetermined distance from the crosswalk in spite
that the
vehicle traffic light is a red lamp, the control unit 880 may output a
notification signal
for warning the vehicle driver.
Further, when the vehicle 800 enters into the crosswalk in spite that the
walking
traffic light is a green lamp, the control unit 880 may output a warning
signal and make
CA 03045435 2019-05-29
32
emergency braking on the vehicle 800 at the same time. Similarly, when the
vehicle
800 enters into the crosswalk in spite that the vehicle traffic light is a red
lamp, the
control unit 880 may output a warning signal and make emergency braking on the
vehicle 800 at the same time.
The control unit 880 may repeat the operations of the step S910 to the step
S970 until the pedestrian protection application is completed (S980).
Meanwhile, as another embodiment, the control unit 880 may output a
notification signal while interworking with the mobile terminal of the
pedestrian, a
safety facility device installed around the crosswalk, and the like as well as
the smart
traffic light.
The present invention may be realized in a medium, in which a program is
recorded, with a code that may be read by a computer. The medium that may be
read by
a computer includes all kinds of recording devices, in which data that may be
read by a
computer system is stored. An example of a medium that may be read by a
computer
includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Disk), an SDD (Silicon
Disk
Drive), a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical
data
storage device, and also includes those realized in the form of a carrier wave
(for
example, transmission through the internet). Further, the computer may include
the
control unit 180 of the terminal. Accordingly, the detailed description should
not be
construed as being limited in all aspects and should be considered to be
exemplary. The
scope of the present invention has to be determined through reasonable
interpretation of
the claims and all the changes in the equivalent ranges of the present
invention also fall
within the scope of the present invention.
