Patent Application
20230334985
The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling an independent electrical device and to a method to control an independent electrical device. The invention is explained with respect to lighting devices arranged along a street or road but the invention can be used advantageously with other electrical devices to be controlled.
The article “An acoustic traffic monitoring system: Design and implementation” explains that vehicle count, lane occupancy, vehicle speed and vehicle type (large vs. small) are derived from signals collected by a microphone array.
U.S. Pat. 6,825,778 relates to a variable speed limit system. It includes at least two spaced-apart stations. Each station includes a plurality of sensors to gather information relative to at least one of traffic flow and road conditions. The station includes a controller which is programmed to analyse data which is received from the sensors and to derive, therefrom, an optimum speed limit at a selected location adjacent to, or in, the work zone. The station further includes a communication sub-system to communicate data related to the optimum speed limit to a message board to display the optimum speed to motorists.
It is an objective to provide an improved apparatus for controlling an independent electrical device.
The objective is achieved by the apparatus of claim 1 (first aspect) and by the method to control an independent electrical device (second aspect).
The apparatus according to the first aspect is suitable for controlling an independent electrical device (controlling apparatus). The apparatus configured to receive two or more acoustic signals, to process said acoustic signals, and to provide a control signal based on the processed acoustic signals, wherein said control signal is configured to control directly or indirectly said independent electrical device.
The method to control an independent electrical device (second aspect), preferably using an apparatus according to the first aspect, includes the following steps:
The invention permits to adapt the independent electrical device to the presence of sound emitting objects. This can help to increase safety, save the environment or to save energy. Particularly, if the independent electrical device is a street light or a traffic light and the sound emitting object is a moving vehicle, safety can be increased and energy saved. If the independent electrical device is a traffic light or variable message sign and the sound emitting object is a moving vehicle, safety could be increased, energy saved and the impact on the environment reduced.
While rain, fog, snow or wind may alter the received acoustic signals and need to be considered by the apparatus when processing the acoustic signals, darkness, low light and glaring light do not pose a problem for the apparatus.
In the following, preferred embodiments are explained which can be combined with each other advantageously.
In an embodiment, said independent electrical device comprises one or more of a street light, a traffic light, an exterior light and a variable message sign (independent lighting device). The independent electrical device could be an air conditioning device.
Another embodiment of the apparatus is configured to receive said acoustic signals which are emitted by one or more mobile bodies, wherein said mobile body is a vehicle, an animal, or a human being, preferably located or travelling within a detection range of said apparatus.
A further embodiment comprises two or more acoustic sensors configured to receive said acoustic signals, preferably wherein two of said acoustic sensors are spaced apart from each other. Generally, acoustic sensors are cheaper than cameras. Further, acoustic sensors are not affected by darkness, low light or glaring light.
In another embodiment, the apparatus is configured to process said acoustic signal(s) by using one or more of a time domain generalized phase transform cross-correlation (GCC-PHAT), a Mel-scale fast Fourier transform (MEL FFT), and a neural network. This may help to refine controlling the independent electrical device.
An embodiment is configured to process said acoustic signal(s) into a traffic parameter, wherein said traffic parameter is one or more of a mobile body count, a mobile body velocity, a mobile body velocity vector, a mobile body frequency, a mobile body dimension, a mobile body category, a lane occupancy, the noise level, and a time stamp. The mobile body category indicates whether the mobile body is a car, a motorbike or scooter, a bicycle, a pedestrian, a lorry or truck and its size, a bus, an electric vehicle, a boat, ship or vessel.
The control signal of another embodiment also depends on or includes said traffic parameter, preferably includes an indication of said mobile body count or mobile body velocity.
An embodiment is configured to transmit said control signal wirelessly or through a wired connection to said independent electrical device.
The control signal of an embodiment is configured to cause said independent electrical device to increase or decrease its light emission (luminous flux [J]) or energy consumption. This may reduce the cumulated energy consumption.
The control signal of a further embodiment is configured to instruct said independent electrical device, which is a variable message sign, to show a message based on said control signal. The message may be phrased to indicate to the mobile body to change its velocity, to change or to maintain its direction. This could help to reduce the environmental impact of traffic and/or pollution in a particular area.
Another embodiment is configured to receive one or more air quality signals, wherein said air quality signal is indicative of one or more of a gas concentration, a particle concentration, a particle diameter, a CO2-concentration, a NOx-concentration, an O3-concentration, a coarse particulate matter (PM10) concentration, and a fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration (pollutants), preferably in a detection range of an air quality sensor of said apparatus. Preferably, the apparatus is arranged to correlate said one or more air quality signals with said acoustic signals. Further, predictive analysis algorithms can be run for information based decision making. This could help to reduce the environmental impact of traffic and/or pollution in a particular area.
The apparatus of an embodiment is configured to control the independent lighting device to reduce its light emission in a first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The apparatus may be configured to control the independent lighting device to increase its light emission in a second wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. The second wavelength interval may be in one or more of the ranges from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, 700 nm to 750 nm. This may help to reduce the environmental impact of traffic and/or pollution in a particular area.
In another embodiment, said apparatus is configured to control a first independent lighting element of the independent lighting device to reduce its light emission in the first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. The apparatus can be configured to control a second independent lighting element to increase its light emission in the second wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The second wavelength interval may be in one or more of the ranges from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, 700 nm to 750 nm. The first lighting element may be switched off and/or the second lighting element may be switched on. This may help to reduce the environmental impact of traffic and/or pollution in a particular area
The apparatus of an embodiment is configured to control the independent lighting device to reduce its light emission (luminous flux ↓) in a first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. This may help to reduce the environmental impact and/or pollution in a particular area.
The apparatus may be configured to control the independent lighting device to increase the light emission (luminous flux ↑) in a second wavelength interval different from the first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The second wavelength interval may range from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, or from 700 nm to 750 nm. This may help to compensate for the reduced emission of light in the first wavelength interval.
A preferred system includes one of the preceding apparatus and said independent electrical device or independent lighting device. The independent lighting device can be arranged near or adjacent to one of a street, a road, a motorway, a crossing, a tunnel, a bike lane, a foot path, a bridge, a ditch, a fence, a waterway or in a building (traffic area). The independent lighting device can comprise two or more independent lighting elements spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the independent lighting elements is one of said street light, traffic light, exterior light and variable message sign. The control signal provided by the apparatus can be configured to control directly or indirectly at least two of said independent electrical elements, preferably such that said at least two independent electrical elements are controlled or instructed differently. This may help to save energy and/or to reduce the environmental impact of traffic and/or pollution in a particular area.
In another system, the lighting device is configured to reduce its light emission in the first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. The lighting device can be configured to increase its light emission in the second wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The second wavelength interval may be in one or more of the ranges from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, 700 nm to 750 nm. The lighting device may comprise a first light source for emitting light in the first wavelength interval and a second light source for light in the second wavelength interval. This may help to reduce the environmental impact of traffic and/or pollution in a particular area.
The lighting device of a further system comprises the first lighting element and the second lighting element, wherein the first lighting device is configured to emit light in the first wavelength interval with greater intensity than light in the second wavelength interval. The second lighting device is configured to emit light in the second wavelength interval with greater intensity than light in the first wavelength interval. The apparatus is configured to control the first lighting element to reduce its light emission, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The apparatus can be configured to control the second lighting element to increase its light emission, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. The second wavelength interval may be in one or more of the ranges from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, 700 nm to 750 nm. The first lighting element may be switched off and/or the second lighting element may be switched on. Preferably, the first lighting element is configured to mainly emit yellow light. Preferably, the second lighting element is configured to mainly emit red light and/or blue light. This may help to reduce the environmental impact of traffic and/or pollution in a particular area.
In another system comprising the apparatus and the lighting device, the apparatus is configured to control the lighting device to reduce its light emission in the first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. The apparatus can be configured to control the lighting device to increase its light emission in the second wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The second wavelength interval may range from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, or from 700 nm to 750 nm. The lighting device can be configured to reduce its light emission in the first wavelength interval, preferable to increase its light emission in the second wavelength interval.
The lighting device may comprise a first lighting element for emitting light in the first wavelength interval and a second lighting element for emitting light in the second wavelength interval. The first lighting element can be configured to emit light in the first wavelength interval with greater intensity than in the second wavelength interval. Preferably, the first lighting element is configured to mainly emit yellow light. The second lighting element can be configured to emit light in the second wavelength interval with greater intensity than in the first wavelength interval. Preferably, the second lighting element is configured to mainly emit red light and/or blue light. The apparatus can be configured to switch off the first lighting element and/or two switch on the second lighting element, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first and second lighting element can be in the same housing. Alternatively, the first lighting element is spaced apart from the second lighting element. This may help to reduce the environmental impact and/or pollution in a particular area.
A preferred method also includes the following steps:
Another preferred method also includes the following steps:
A further preferred method includes
For a preferred method, said independent electrical device comprises two or more independent electrical elements, wherein said control signal includes an indication of a mobile body velocity vector of said mobile body. The preferred method includes
For another preferred method, said independent electrical device comprises two or more independent electrical elements, wherein said control signal includes an indication of a mobile body velocity vector of said mobile body. The preferred method comprises
In another preferred method, said independent electrical device comprises a variable message sign arranged downstream of said mobile body. The preferred method includes:
For a preferred method, said independent electrical device comprises a traffic light arranged downstream of said mobile body. The preferred method comprises:
In a preferred method comprising steps S1 and S2, step S3 includes providing the control signal based on the processed acoustic signal(s), wherein the control signal is configured to control said independent electrical device to reduce its light emission in the first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus (step S3′). The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. The control signal can be configured to increase its light emission in the second wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The second wavelength interval may be in one or more of the ranges from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, 700 nm to 750 nm.
Another preferred method comprises steps S1 to S3 and also step S11′, which step includes controlling the first electrical element to decrease its light emission in the first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. The method can further comprise step S12′, which includes controlling the second electrical element to increase its light emission in the second wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The second wavelength interval may be in one or more of the ranges from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, 700 nm to 750 nm. The first electrical element may be switched off and/or the second electrical element may be switched on.
In a preferred method comprising steps S1 and S2, step S3 includes providing the control signal based on the processed acoustic signal(s), wherein the control signal is configured to control the independent lighting device to reduce its light emission in a first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus (step S3′). The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. This may help to reduce disturbance to animals.
Another preferred method comprises steps S1 and S2, and step S3 includes providing the control signal based on the processed acoustic signal(s), wherein the control signal is further configured to control said independent electrical device to increase its light emission in a second wavelength interval different from the first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The second wavelength interval may range from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, or from 700 nm to 750 nm. This may help to compensate for a smaller luminous flux in the first wavelength interval.
A preferred method comprises steps S1 and S2, and step S3 includes providing the control signal based on the processed acoustic signal(s), wherein the control signal is configured to control a first lighting element of the independent electrical device to decrease its light emission in the first wavelength interval and configured to control a second electrical element of the independent electrical device to increase its light emission in the second wavelength interval different from the first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. The second wavelength interval may be in one or more of the ranges from 380 nm to 550 nm, from 380 nm to 500 nm, from 650 nm to 750 nm, or from 700 nm to 750 nm. The first lighting element may be switched off and/or the second lighting element may be switched on.
It is not necessary that all street lights downstream of a mobile body are switched on simultaneously. It may suffice that a certain stretch ahead of the mobile body is illuminated while the surface behind the mobile body need not be illuminated anymore and the surface beyond the stretch ahead need not be illuminated yet.
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals to indicate the traffic volume (mobile body count/time interval) in a street or road. The control signal indicates the traffic volume to the independent electrical device which is an independent lighting device arranged adjacent to the street or road. With increasing traffic volume, the independent lighting is controlled to increase light emission and/or to indicate a speed limit. With decreasing traffic volume, the independent lighting is controlled to decrease light emission. This may help to save energy and/or to reduce light pollution.
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals to indicate the traffic volume (mobile body count/time interval) in a street or road. The control signal indicates the traffic volume to the independent electrical device which includes three or more street lights spaced apart from each other along a road or street. With increasing traffic volume, more of the street lights are controlled to increase light emission. With decreasing traffic volume, less of the street lights are controlled to increase light emission. This may help to save energy and/or to reduce light pollution.
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals to indicate the velocity vector of a mobile body travelling in the detection range of the apparatus. The control signal indicates the detected mobile body velocity vector to the independent electrical device which includes two street lights spaced apart from each other along a road or street used by the mobile body. With increasing mobile body velocity, the street light further downstream of the mobile body is controlled to increase light emission earlier. With decreasing mobile body velocity, the street light further downstream of the mobile body is controlled to increase light emission later. This may help to save energy and/or to reduce light pollution.
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals to indicate the traffic volume (mobile body count/time interval) and can sense the air quality. Acoustic sensors and the air quality sensor can be arranged near a first street or road. The control signal indicates the traffic volume and the air quality to the independent electrical device which includes a variable message sign. With increasing traffic volume and decreasing air quality, the variable message sign can be controlled to indicate the mobile bodies to slow down or to enter a second street or road branching off the first street or road (diversion 1). This may help to reduce the environmental impact of traffic in the second street or road.
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals to indicate the traffic volume (mobile body count/time interval) and can sense the air quality. Acoustic sensors can be arranged near a first street or road. The air quality sensor can be arranged near a second street or road which branches off the first road. The control signal indicates the traffic volume and the air quality to the independent electrical device which includes a variable message sign. With increasing traffic volume and decreasing air quality, the variable message sign can be controlled to indicate the mobile bodies in the first street or road not to enter the second street or road (diversion 2). This may help to reduce the environmental impact of traffic in the second street or road.
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals into a noise level caused by mobile bodies travelling in the range of detection of two or more acoustic sensors arranged near or along a street or road. The control signal indicates the noise level to the independent electrical device which includes a variable message sign. The variable message sign can be controlled to indicate a first speed limit if the noise level exceeds a first noise level limit. The variable message sign can be controlled to indicate a second speed limit smaller than the first speed limit if the noise level exceeds a second noise level limit greater than the first noise level limit. This may help to reduce the environmental impact of traffic in the street or road.
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals into a noise level caused by people in a room or hall. A greater noise level can indicate that more people are in the room. The control signal indicates the noise level to the independent electrical device which includes an air conditioning device. The air conditioning device can be controlled to increase its energy consumption at greater noise levels. This can help to save energy, to control the level of CO2 in the room or hall and/or to increase the comfort of the people in the room or hall.
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals sensed by two or more acoustic sensors arranged near or along a fence, a bridge, a footpath, a slope, stairs, a tunnel, a waterway or in an area deemed to be dangerous for a human being, a pedestrian or cyclist, which are mobile bodies. The acoustic signals can be processed to indicate the presence of a mobile body (mobile body count = 1) or the mobile body count in the detection range of the acoustic sensors. A control signal can indicate the presence of a mobile body (mobile body count = 1) or the mobile body count to the independent lighting device arranged near or spaced apart from the acoustic sensors. The independent lighting device can be controlled to increase light emission if a person is travelling in the detection range of the acoustic sensors, to increase light emission with increasing mobile body count or to indicate the human being(s) a warning message. This can help to save energy and/or to increase the safety of the human being(s).
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals to indicate the mobile body category of one or more mobile bodies. Two or more acoustic sensors can be arranged near or along a street or road. The apparatus can employ a sound library when processing the acoustic signals. The independent electrical can include a variable message sign, which can be controlled to indicate to slow down, stop or divert a combustion engine type vehicle, to indicate to slow down, stop or divert a vehicle of a minimum weight or size, to indicate to proceed with an electric vehicle. This can help to reduce noise and/or environmental impact.
One of the above apparatus and methods can process the acoustic signals to indicate the presence (mobile body count = 1) or size of a mobile body which can be a boat, ship or vessel. Acoustic sensors can be arranged near a bridge, a lock or an obstacle to navigation. The independent electrical device can include an external light, and/or a variable message sign. Depending on the presence or size of the boat, ship or vessel, the external light can be controlled to increase its light emission. Depending on the presence or size of the boat, ship or vessel, the variable message sign can be controlled to indicate an information about the obstacle, a speed limit, a signal to halt or a warning.
One of the above apparatus and methods which involve reducing light emission or in the first wavelength interval can help to reduce disturbances to animals. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. An animal may feel less disturbed when the intensity (luminous flux) of yellowish light is reduced in its presence. If the animal cannot be detected in the detection range any more, then the intensity of the yellowish light can be increased again.
One of the above apparatus and methods which involve reducing light emission in the first wavelength interval can help to reduce disturbances to animals. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm. An animal may feel less disturbed when the intensity (luminous flux) of yellowish light is reduced in its vicinity. If the animal cannot be detected in the detection range any more, then the luminous flux of the light in the first wavelength interval can be increased again.
Further advantages of the invention become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments.
The control signal provided by the apparatus to the independent electrical device can control the street lights to increase light emission, when at least one mobile body is detected (mobile body count = 1). With increasing mobile body count, the street lights can be controlled to emit even more light. With increasing mobile body velocity, the light emission of street lights ahead of the mobile body need to be ramped up earlier. With increasing mobile body velocity, the light emission of street light 6a can be reduced earlier.
The independent electrical device further comprises a variable message sign 8. The control signal provided by the apparatus to the independent electrical device can control the variable message sign to indicate the driver to slow down the vehicle if a noise level limit or a mobile body count is exceeded. The variable message sign can be controlled to indicate the driver to slow down, stop or divert the vehicle if an air quality signal falls into an undesirable range.
The signals of acoustic sensors 6a, 6b, 6e, 6f can be processed to provide mobile body counts and/or lane occupancy. If the signal from air quality sensor 9 indicates low air quality in the second street, variable message signs 8a, 8b can be controlled to indicate the drivers of vehicles having a combustion engine and intending to enter the second street (lane occupancy) not to do so.
The signals of acoustic sensors 6g, 6h can be processed to provide a noise level. If the noise level exceeds a noise level limit then variable message signs 8a, 8b can be controlled to indicate drivers of vehicles of a least size or weight and intending to enter the second street (lane occupancy using acoustic sensors 6a, 6b, 6e, 6g)) not to do so. If the noise level exceeds a noise level limit, then variable message signs 8a, 8b can be controlled to indicate that electric vehicles may enter the second street.
The signals of acoustic sensors 6c, 6d can be processed to provide a noise level, mobile body count and/or mobile body velocity. If one of these traffic parameters exceeds a limit, then variable message sign 8c can be controlled to indicate the speed limit.
The acoustic signals can be processed to also indicate a decreasing distance from the slope or stairs, quite similar to lane occupancy. The external light five can be controlled to increase light emission even further with decreasing distance from the slope or stairs.
An exemplary system comprises the lighting device, and the apparatus for controlling the lighting device. The apparatus can be configured to control the lighting device to reduce its light emission in the first wavelength interval, if the mobile body is detected within the detection range of the apparatus. The first wavelength interval may range from 550 nm to 620 nm.
The lighting device can have a first and a second lighting element.
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| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20167757.2 | Apr 2020 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/058701 | 4/1/2021 | WO |
