Method, evaluating computer, and on-board computer for influencing a traffic light signal system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for influencing a traffic light system provided with an evaluating computer by a vehicle, in particular in public transportation, the vehicle sending a data telegram to the evaluating computer at a sending position in order to request a green phase and the data telegram and/or the sending position depending on predefined reporting points, characterized in that the data telegram is transmitted to the evaluating computer by means of a packet-oriented, in particular IP-based (Internet-Protocol-based) radio network and in that the sending position is moved forward according to the current speed of the vehicle and a maximum assumed data telegram propagation time as the vehicle approaches a reporting point.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a vehicle to influence a traffic light signal system provided with an evaluation computer, said method comprising: sending, via the vehicle, a data telegram to an evaluation computer to request a green phase at a sending position, at least one of the data telegram or the sending position depending on predefined reporting points, wherein the predefined reporting points are location points, wherein the data telegram is transmitted to the evaluation computer over a packet-oriented radio network and wherein in an approach of the vehicle to a reporting point the sending position is advanced as a function of a current speed of the vehicle and a maximum assumed data telegram transit time, wherein the evaluation computer calculates the transit time of the data telegram based on a difference between a reception time and a sending time on reception of the data telegram, and when the calculated transit time is smaller than the maximum assumed data telegram transit time, further processing or forwarding of the data telegram is delayed by a time difference according to the difference between the maximum assumed data telegram transit time and the calculated transit time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a reporting point is defined by the target address of the evaluation computer and a reporting point number.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a maximum assumed data telegram transit time is defined globally.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reporting point, a sending time and a maximum assumed data telegram transit time are transmitted with the data telegram.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data telegram is sent multiple times.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein an acknowledgement mechanism is used for transmitting the data telegram.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data telegram is discarded when the transit time of the data telegram is greater than the maximum assumed data telegram transit time.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein data telegrams to be triggered without delay are provided with a certain identifier.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sending position is moved forward so that a higher speed of the vehicle and a data telegram subject to the maximum assumed data telegram transit time are taken into account.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein local time is synchronized in the vehicle and in the evaluation computer, in particular via NTP (network time protocol), SNTP (simple network time protocol), GPS (global positioning system), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) or a server available in the network.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data telegram is forwarded via a central application-router to the evaluation computer.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the packet-oriented radio network is an IP based radio network.

13. An evaluation computer for enabling a vehicle to influence a traffic light signal system, said evaluation computer comprising: a send or receive unit, for receiving a data telegram, wherein the evaluation computer is configured to receive the data telegram from the vehicle that requests a green phase at a sending position, at least one of the data telegram or the sending position depending on predefined reporting points, wherein the predefined reporting points are location points, wherein the data telegram is transmitted over a packet-oriented radio network to the evaluation computer, wherein in an approach of the vehicle to a reporting point the sending position is advanced as a function of a current speed of the vehicle and a maximum assumed data telegram transit time, and wherein the evaluation computer calculates the transit time of the data telegram based on a difference between a reception time and a sending time on reception of the data telegram, and when the calculated transit time is smaller than the maximum assumed data telegram transit time, further processing or forwarding of the data telegram is delayed by a time difference according to the difference between the maximum assumed data telegram transit time and the calculated transit time.

14. The evaluation computer according to claim 13, wherein the evaluation computer can be operated by means of a relay interface in parallel with an analog evaluation unit.

15. The evaluation computer according to claim 13, wherein the send or receive unit is configured for GPRS (general packet radio service), EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system), TETRA (terrestrial trunked radio), WLAN (wireless local area network) or WIMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access).

16. The evaluation computer according to claim 13, wherein the packet-oriented radio network is an IP (Internet protocol) based radio network.

17. An on-board computer for enabling a vehicle to influence a traffic light signal system, said on-board computer comprising: a send or receive unit, for sending a data telegram, wherein the on-board computer is configured to send the data telegram to an evaluation computer to request a green phase at a sending position, at least one of the data telegram or the sending position depending on predefined reporting points, wherein the predefined reporting points are location points, wherein the data telegram is transmitted over a packet-oriented radio network to the evaluation computer, wherein the on-board computer is further configured in such a way that in an approach of the vehicle to a reporting point the sending position is advanced as a function of a current speed of the vehicle and a maximum assumed data telegram transit time, and wherein the evaluation computer calculates the transit time of the data telegram based on a difference between a reception time and a sending time on reception of the data telegram, and when the calculated transit time is smaller than the maximum assumed data telegram transit time, further processing or forwarding of the data telegram is delayed by a time difference according to the difference between the maximum assumed data telegram transit time and the calculated transit time.

18. The on-board computer according to claim 17, wherein the on-board computer has a module for automatic position determination.

19. The on-board computer according to claim 17, wherein the send or receive unit is configured for GPRS (general packet radio service), EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system), TETRA (terrestrial trunked radio), WLAN (wireless local area network) or WIMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access).

20. The on-board computer according to claim 17, wherein the packet-oriented radio network is an IP (Internet protocol) based radio network.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Now there are various possibilities for embodying and refining the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. Reference is therefore made to the patent claims which depend on patent claim 1, on the one hand, and to the following explanation of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings on the other hand. In combination with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments and refinements of the teaching are also explained in general. The drawing is shown in the only FIGURE:

(2) FIG. 1 showing the basic sequence of the method according to the invention in a schematic view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) FIG. 1 shows the fundamental sequence of the method according to the invention in a schematic diagram, where a vehicle 1 is approaching an intersection 2, which has a traffic light signal system 3. The traffic light signal system 3 is controlled by an intersection control computer 4 having an integrated evaluation computer. A station 5 is located just before the intersection.

(4) In addition, the FIGURE also shows various reporting points to which specific data telegrams are allocated:

(5) Advance log-on telegram for reporting point 6. The vehicle is near the intersection where the traffic light signal system is located. The vehicle will soon require a green phase.

(6) Main log-on telegram for reporting point 7. The vehicle is directly at the intersection and needs a green phase now.

(7) Station telegram for reporting point 8. This telegram is used when a station is located just before the traffic light signal system. The telegram informs the traffic light signal system that the vehicle is ready to depart as soon as the doors of the vehicle are closed.

(8) Log-off telegram for reporting point 9. The vehicle has now passed the intersection and the green time can now be terminated.

(9) The vehicle 1 sends a data telegram at each reporting point to the evaluation computer of the traffic light signal system 3. This data telegram contains, in addition to the usual information (destination, line, route, etc.), the following information according to the R09 telegrams in compliance with the Standards of the Association of German Transportation Companies:

(10) TABLE-US-00002 Destination IP/Destination Port Destination Address LZmax Maximum assumed transit time t.sub.s Transmission time/time stamp MP Actual reporting point

(11) With the transmission position 10 moved forward, the only FIGURE shows a transmission position of the main reporting telegram when using the method according to the present invention, according to which the transmission positions are moved forward to reporting point 7. The vehicle having the current speed v.sub.a sends the data telegram sooner than indicated in the schedule data by the distance v.sub.a*LZmax. When the data telegram arrives at the evaluation computer, the latter compares the transmission stamp t.sub.s with the current time t.sub.a. If the difference t.sub.a-t.sub.s is <LZmax, then the data telegram is delayed by the time difference, which results from the difference between LZmax and the calculated difference t.sub.a-t.sub.s before being forwarded to the intersection control computer. If t.sub.a-t.sub.s>LZmax, then the data telegram is discarded.

(12) If the vehicle 1 approaches the reporting point 7 at 60 km/h (=16.67 msec) and the maximum data telegram transit time is 1.5 s, then the transmission position at the reporting point 7 is advanced by the vehicle by 25 m (=1.5 s*16.67 m/sec), i.e., is sent sooner. However, if the data telegram is already received by the evaluation computer after 1 s, then the evaluation computer must wait an additional 0.5 s until it forwards the data telegram to the intersection control computer 4 for further processing.

(13) The evaluation computer at the intersection for use of the method according to the invention is a module consisting of the following components:

(14) communication module, e.g., GPRS/UMTS module

(15) processor module

(16) relay module or serial interface

(17) power supply

(18) The evaluation computer is provided for assembly in an electronic cabinet, e.g., a 19″ cabinet. The communication module (e.g., GPRS/UMTS module) is connected to the evaluation computer. For example an OEM GPRS module or an OEM UMTS module may be used here. The antenna is installed with an offset, i.e., inside the switchbox in the case of a plastic switchbox or otherwise on the outside.

(19) The processor module is equipped with generous performance, memory and interfaces. This computer hardware then forms the platform for the software application which takes over the evaluation of the UDP packets (IP traffic light signal system telegrams) and the logic control of the interface to the intersection control computer under one operating system.

(20) As a rule a galvanic insulated relay interface is required as an interface with the intersection control computer. The relay module of the evaluation computer having 16 bistable relays fulfills these requirements. The relay module has an interface with the processor module and is controlled by it.

(21) The evaluation computer may be designed with 16 or 32 relays (1 or 2 relay modules). All the contacts (root/normally closed contact/operating contact) lead to the plug.

(22) The connection of the evaluation computer (TSPcu) via IP additionally permits more convenient options with regard to maintenance and configuration:

(23) addressing and communication with the TSPcu take place via IP and standard protocols,

(24) the address is stored in the TSPcu,

(25) convenient configuration and remote maintenance via GPRS/UMTS,

(26) readout of the history memory via remote access.

(27) With regard to additional advantageous embodiments and refinements of the inventive teaching, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the accompanying patent claims to prevent repetition.

(28) Finally it should be pointed out explicitly that the exemplary embodiment of the sequence of a method according to the invention and of the inventive evaluation computer as described above serve only to illustrate the claimed teaching but do not limit it to the exemplary embodiment.