PAPSHEV ANDREI (FI)
| WO2006132517A1 | 2006-12-14 | |||
| WO2007147673A1 | 2007-12-27 |
| US5654705A | 1997-08-05 | |||
| KR20080091055A | 2008-10-09 | |||
| KR20030087785A | 2003-11-15 | |||
| KR20090118653A | 2009-11-18 |
| Claims 1. An illuminable traffic management device, characterized in that the management device (100) comprises - a frame component (101), - interaction elements for interacting with a user, as well as for producing input data in response to the interaction, - at least one light source, - an illuminable front panel, which is in connection with the frame component, comprises a transparent or translucent material, and which is mechanically substantially mono-body but has at least two sections distinctive from each other in terms of their lighting, and wherein one illuminated section is optically coupled with said light source, as well as - control elements for directing the light source-produced light by way of said optical coupling to at least one of said illuminable sections of the front panel on the basis of input data produced by the interaction elements. 2. A management device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said optical coupling is established for example with a light guide, which can be a part of said illuminable section of the front panel, and/or with collimating refractive or diffractive optics, optical lenses, mirrors, prisms, optical membranes and/or prismatic membranes. 3. A management device as set forth in either of the preceding claims, wherein said light source is implemented for example with an electroluminence film, a light- emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or a combination thereof. 4. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the management device, in addition to said light source, comprises at least a light source, which functions as a display component adapted to produce alphanumeric information and which is adapted to present said information at an optically transparent or translucent section of the front panel. 5. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two mutually distinctive illuminable sections are separated from each other optically for example by means of a light blocker. 6. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein said interaction element is for example a capacitive, inductive, optical, active/passive infrared and/or mechanical element or a push-button, such as an ele- ment implemented with a strain gauge transducer, an element implemented by way of a communications network and/or a radio link, which is adapted to interact with a user's device that functions over a radio link, such as with a mobile communicator or a smart card, and/or wherein the interaction element comprises a motion sensor, for example an optical motion sensor such as a motion sensor implemented with one or two cameras. 7. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the management device further comprises elements for generating an audio signal, a voice message and/or a tactile signal and for controlling those on the basis of input data produced by said interaction elements, such as for generating the audio signal of an electroacoustic component, for example a loudspeaker, and for generating the tactile signal of an electromechanical component, for example a vibration motor. 8. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the control elements are adapted to control a light source for producing light for at least one of said illuminable sections of the front panel, or a management device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the control elements are adapted to control the audio signal- and/or tactile signal-generating elements in a purpose to instruct traffic or a user, such as for indicating an interaction taken place with interaction ele- ments, for indicating a hold mode, for indicating a red/green or blinking light phase of traffic lights, for indicating time, and/or for indicating the arrival time of an approaching public transport vehicle and/or identification information for said public transport vehicle. 9. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the management device is adapted, in response to interaction with an interaction element of the management device, to control the traffic lights of at least two different type traffic routes, as well as to further produce an indication about a current state of traffic lights for at least one traffic route by way of said front panel illumination, and/or, in a management device as set forth in claim 7, by way of the audio signal- and/or tactile signal-generating elements. 10. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the management device further comprises an element sensing ambient conditions, such as ambient light, noise and/or vibration, whereby the management device is set to adapt the intensity of an ambient light signal, an audio signal and/or a tactile signal generated by the management device to comply with the intensity of a corresponding ambient parameter. 11. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first section of an illuminable front panel is adapted to emit a substantially first, for example red light, the second section, distinct from the first section, is adapted to emit a substantially second, for example green light, and the third section, optically separated from the first and second sections, is adapted to emit a third light, such as yellow light, substantially distinctive from red and green lights in terms of its color. 12. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the management device comprises a light emitting component in connection with a bottom part of the frame component, most preferably a component emitting white light downwards in a wedge-shaped manner and having its light beam most preferably provided, for example by means of a light guide, a prism and/or a lens, as a wedge of light 5-45 degrees in width. 13. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein said illuminable front panel is an arcuately-shaped planar or flat surface, and wherein at least one, two or three of the illumination-wise mutually distinctive sections of the illuminated front panel are adapted to emit light in horizontal plane at an angle of more than 180 degrees. 14. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the management device is adapted to change the intensity and/or emission angle of emitted light on the basis of input data produced by the interaction elements, such as motion sensors. 15. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the management device comprises wireless or wired communication elements for remotely configuring or managing said management device and/or for communicating with a traffic control system. 16. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the management device is provided as a part of public transport management and is associated with at least one public transport stop, whereby, once the user has interacted with said interaction element, the management device is adapted to indicate to at least one public transport vehicle about said user's interaction with said interaction element of the management device for example by way of a management device-controlled light indication or via a radio link. 17. A management device as set forth in claim 16, wherein the management device is adapted to identify at least one public transport vehicle as a result of the user's interaction and to indicate information to said vehicle about a stop, which stop said user's interaction was associated with. 18. A management device as set forth in any of the preceding claims, wherein the management device is adapted to interact wirelessly with a user's wireless terminal and, by way of said interaction, to identify a predetermined route selection related to said user and, in response to that, to control the illumination of said illu- minable sections as well as to manage traffic control elements associated with the management device, such as for example traffic lights that happen to be present in said chosen route, and/or to indicate public transport vehicles traveling at least over a part of said chosen route as regards said user's route selection. 9. A management device as set forth in claim 18, wherein the management device is adapted to supply at least one public transport vehicle with information regarding said user's route selection, such as an indication to stop at a stop, which stop is the one provided with the management device whose interaction element the user interacted with, or which stop is associated with the user's predetermined route selection, and wherein said information is communicated to the vehicle by way of a wireless communication system and/or by way of light indicators, which the management device is adapted to control in response to the user's interaction. 20. A management device as set forth in any of claims 17-19, wherein the management device further comprises elements for paying the fare, such as a reader element for paying the fare electronically for example with a smart card or a mobile communicator, a phone or smart phone, or the like device. |
PRIOR ART
The present invention relates to an illuminable traffic management device, such as for example a push-button or the like interaction device provided in the vicinity of a pedestrian crosswalk to control traffic lights. In particular, the invention relates to the illumination of such a management device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various prior known solutions for managing traffic for example at various type intersections. For example, the intersections of light traffic paths and vehicular roadways often feature traffic lights, in connection of which are arranged management devices which control the traffic lights and thereby traffic at least to some extent, such as for example push-buttons mounted on a traffic light post and to be operated by pedestrians. When the push-button is pressed, a device controlling the traffic lights receives a message about the push-button having been pressed and, at least partially in response thereto, controls the traffic lights, such as for example by switching on red traffic lights for vehicles and green traffic lights for pedestrians.
Typical management devices of the prior art are often quite robust in design, being likely to collect water, snow and ice, which respectively cause corrosion and damage the device. A weak point in many devices is push-button sealing, by which water may trickle inside the device with resulting mechanical problems, such as pushbuttons getting stuck, or electrical contact problems. In addition, the prior art management devices are quite poorly perceivable, especially in semi-darkness. The road safety enhancing result achieved thereby remains just on the level of controlling traffic lights.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Hence, an objective of the invention is to come up with such a solution that the foregoing drawbacks associated with the prior art can be eliminated or at least al- leviated. The invention pursues particularly to work out how to make the traffic management device durable, comprehensively road traffic safety enhancing, yet at the same time recognizable and readily perceivable. The objectives of the invention are achieved with a traffic management device as set forth in the independent claim.
The traffic management device according to the invention is characterized by what is presented in the characterizing clause of claim 1 directed to a management de- vice.
According to one embodiment, the traffic management device comprises a frame component, at least one light source, as well as interaction elements for interaction with a user, such as a pedestrian, a cyclist, or for example with an approaching public transport vehicle. The interaction elements are adapted, in response to the interaction, to produce input data for controlling at least the management device, but the input data can also be used either directly or indirectly for controlling at least one traffic light or some other device intended for controlling traffic. In direct use, the input data may for example control directly a light source for the management device, while in indirect use, the input data can be supplied for example to a traffic control system for controlling the traffic lights of a specific intersection in synchronism with other traffic lights or traffic control systems.
The management device further comprises at least a partially illuminable front panel, which is associated with the frame component and comprises a transparent or translucent material, and which is a mechanically substantially "mono-body", for example smooth glass or acrylic surface, for example a PMMA surface (polymethylmethacrylate) or PC (polycarbonate). The front panel comprises most preferably at least two sections distinctive from each other in terms of their lighting, at least one of these illuminated sections being optically coupled with said light source. In addition, the management device also comprises control elements for conducting the light source-produced light via an optical link to at least one of said illuminable sections of the front panel in response to input data produced by the interaction elements after the user's interaction therewith. The control element may for example switch the light source on or off in response to said interaction, or control the intensity or even the emission angle of light source-emitted light. A change of the emission angle can be effected for example by switching on and off suitable light source components, such as LEDs.
According to one embodiment, the optical coupling from light source to front panel and/or out of the front panel has been implemented for example with a light guide, collimating refractive or diffractive optics, optical lenses, mirrors, prisms, optical membranes and/or prismatic membranes. According to one example, light can be delivered from a light source to a light guide and from the light guide further outside a front panel by means of an optical element, such as a prism, a mirror, and/or a lens.
According to one embodiment, the light guide is a three-dimensional object, for example a membrane type object that can be shaped in such a way that light radiated by one or more glow diodes is delivered out from an illuminable section of the front panel. The light guide is designed preferably in such a way that the light to be conducted propagates in the light guide by way of internal reflections, i.e., in other words, the optical properties and for example the shape of the light guide are such that between the light guide and the surrounding space occurs a substantially total reflection. It is also possible to shape the light guide in appropriate parts for example in such a way that total reflection does not take place, but at least some of the light is emitted out of the light guide. According to one embodiment, this is one way of implementing at least some of the illuminable sections of the front panel. Behind the light guide, in line with the front panel, for example a reflective membrane can be provided for a maximum light emission from the front panel.
The light source is most preferably implemented with diodes, such as light emitting diodes (LED), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), but also other types of prior known light sources can be employed, for example an electroluminescence film or a combination of LEDs and films and/or an optical lens. The management device may also comprise a display means for presenting for example a piece of alphanumeric information most preferably at the optically transparent or translucent section of the front panel. The display means can be implemented either with any of the light sources presented in this document, with an LCD display, a transmissive display, or a combination thereof.
The interaction element can be for example a capacitive, inductive, optical, active/passive infrared and/or mechanical element or a push-button, such as an element implemented with a strain gauge transducer. According to one example, it can be an element implemented by way of a wired or wireless communications network (for example the internet or a mobile phone network) and/or an element implemented for example by way of a short-range radio link (e.g. RFID, Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, or some other protocol known to a skilled artisan), which is adapted to interact with the user's device, such as a mobile communicator or a smart card, operating by way of a corresponding data transfer protocol. The interaction element may also comprise a motion sensor, such as an optical motion sensor, for example a motion sensor implemented with one or two (video/I R) cameras. The motion sensor can be realized with elements known to a skilled artisan, such as by means of an active and/or passive infrared detector, an infrared or microwave barrier, a camera, such as a CCD or CMOS camera, by means of an external inductive loop (for cyclists, for example), or by means of some other similar element capable of detecting motion or an approaching object. This way, it can be possible to calculate for example the amount of light traffic at a specific intersection and to communicate this information to a traffic control system or to some other traffic management center either directly or over some control instrument.
According to one embodiment, the management device may also comprise elements for generating an audio signal, a voice message, and/or a tactile signal and for controlling these on the basis of input data produced by said interaction ele- ments, such as for generating the audio signal of an electroacoustic component, for example a loudspeaker, and for generating the tactile signal of an electromechanical component, for example a vibration motor.
According to one example, the control elements are adapted to control the light source of a management device for producing light for at least one of said illumi- nable sections of the front panel, or to control the audio signal- and/or tactile signal-producing elements in the purpose of instructing traffic or a user. This enables indicating to the user for example an interaction taken place with the interaction elements, such as the pressing/releasing a button, the reading of a user's RFID device or the like, the detection of motion, proximity, or contact. Other information can also be indicated in a respective manner, such as a hold mode, a red/green or blinking light phase of traffic lights, waiting time and/or arrival time of an approaching mass transport vehicle (a bus, tram, train, metro, taxi, etc.) or mass transport vehicle identification.
In addition, according to one embodiment, the management device is adapted, in response to interaction by the interaction element, to control either directly or indirectly the traffic lights of at least two different types of traffic routes, such as a motor vehicle roadway and a light traffic path, as well as to additionally produce an indication about the current state of traffic lights for at least one of the traffic routes. Said indication can be produced for example by means of front panel illu- mination and/or by way of elements generating an audio signal and/or a tactile signal. According to one example, the management device can be provided with a built-in subsystem for diagnostics, which (a) prevents automatically a wrong light from being visible to pedestrians or cyclists (in other words, watches that the local auxiliary light of red/green matches the main light for pedestrians at this particular intersection), and/or (b) notifies automatically the traffic control system or other control instrument of a faulty situation or, for example, transmits regularly its own status information.
The management device may additionally comprise elements sensing ambient conditions, such as ambient light, noise, and/or vibration, whereby the management device can be set to adapt the intensity of a management device-produced lighting signal, audio signal, and/or tactile signal (for example vibration) to comply with the intensity of a corresponding ambient parameter. Hence, it is possible for example to use in semi-darkness a lower light source intensity than in bright sunshine, and in quiet conditions lower sound pressure levels for audio signals than in a loud environment. According to one example, the management device arranged particularly at the intersection of a crosswalk and a vehicular roadway has the first section of its illumi- nable front panel adapted to emit a first, for example red light, and its second section, distinct from the first one, a second, for example green light. In addition, the management device may comprise a third section, which is optically separated from the first and second sections and which is adapted to emit a third light, such as a yellow light, which is essentially distinguishable in color from green and red lights. The third section may comprise a separately substantially integral central area, as well as a rim zone surrounding the same, whereby the rim zone may be illuminated in a normal situation and whereby the central area can be illuminated in its entirety for example as a sign of interaction that has taken place with the interaction elements.
According to one example, the management device comprises in connection with a bottom part of the body component a light emitting element, most preferably an element emitting white light downward in a wedge-shaped manner and having its light beam most preferably provided, for example by means of a light guide, a prism, and/or a lens, as a wedge of light 5 to 45 degrees in width. The shape and size (emission angle) of the wedge of light can be changed for example as described elsewhere in this document. By means of the wedge of light, the management device is improved in terms of its interactivity by being more visible in the dark, as well as by further illuminating for example the pedestrian waiting area, whereby for example motorists are able to see the pedestrian more clearly. Anoth- er benefit achieved by a wedge-shaped, downward directed form is that the motorist is not dazzled even if the light were bright. The brightness of light can be changed for example as described elsewhere in this document.
According to one embodiment, the illuminable front panel of the management de- vice is an arcuately-shaped, planar, flat and/or smooth surface. In a particularly preferred case, the front panel has its surface arranged in such a way that at least one, more preferably two, or even more preferably all of the illuminated front panel sections, which are distinctive from each other in terms of illumination, are emitting light in horizontal plane at an angle of more than 180 degrees, whereby the man- agement device (and color indications emitted thereby, such as red, green, or blinking mode) is particularly well perceivable also when viewed in lateral directions and even partially from behind.
According to one embodiment, the management device is adapted to change the intensity and/or emission angle of emitted light on the basis of input data produced by interaction elements, such as motion sensors. For example, the downward- directed wedge of white light may increase in brightness as a person approaches it, and the wedge shape may for example change, such as become wider towards the roadway.
According to one embodiment, the management device is provided as a part of managing public transport, whereby it can be associated for example with a public transport stop. In this case, when a user has interacted with said interaction element, the management device is adapted to provide an indication to at least one public transport vehicle about said user interaction. The indication can be for example a light indication, for example instructing the stop-approaching bus to stop, or the indication can be for example a message delivered over a radio link.
According to one example, at least one means of public transport can be identified as a result of the user's interaction. The user is able for example to select a desired transport vehicle by means of the management device, or for the user there may be pre-programmed a route, the transport vehicles traveling along that route being identified for example from a database. According to one example, the management device may suggest for example a suitable means of transport for the user, among others, through its display elements. The management device can for example indicate to said means of transport a message regarding a stop at which the user interacted with a management device, such as for example a message about the presence of a passenger at the next stop. According to one example, the management device is adapted to interact in a wireless manner with a user's wireless terminal, such as for example with a mobile communicator, a palm computer, a navigator, a phone or smart phone, a smart card, a WiFi / RFID / RF tag or the like, and to identify, for example through the in- termediary of said interaction, the user's predetermined route selection. As a result of this, the management device may control for example the illumination of a front panel's illuminable sections, as well as traffic control elements, such as traffic lights associated with said route selection, or to indicate public transport vehicles traveling at least partially along said selected route regarding said route selection made by the user, such as for example communicating information to stop at a particular stop.
According to one example, the management device is adapted to supply at least one public transport vehicle with information regarding said user's route selection, such as with an indication to stop at a given stop. The information can be commu- nicated to a vehicle most preferably by way of a wireless data transfer system, but, according to one example, also by way of light indicators adapted to be controlled by the management device in response to a user's interaction.
According to one example, the management device may also comprise elements for paying the fare, such as for example a smart card reader, or communication elements for communicating with a palm computer, a phone or smart phone, and for thereby paying the fare electronically.
The management device may also typically comprise a power supply, which can be for example a battery, a solar cell, or a wind-powered generator, or a combination thereof. In addition (or else exclusively), the management device can also be connected to a mains electricity network. In addition, the management device may also comprise elements for gathering management device status information, such as for example power consumption and the burn times of diodes, as well as for reporting the same for example to a party in charge of the management device, whereby the party in charge is able to replace for example the diodes with new ones towards the end of their life cycle even before their failure.
A few preferred embodiments of the invention are presented in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in the next section slightly more accurately with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: figs. 1A-1 D show one exemplary management device according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 2 shows one exemplary management device in relation to the management of public transport according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 3 shows one exemplary exploded view of a management device according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 4 shows a block diagram of one exemplary management device, particularly for use in relation to the control of traffic lights, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 5 shows a block diagram of one exemplary management device, particularly for use in relation to the management of public transport, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 6 shows one management device equipped with motion sensors according to one preferred embodiment of the invention.
MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1A illustrates one exemplary management device 100 according to one pre- ferred embodiment of the invention directly from the front, fig. 1B from above, fig. 1C from a side, and fig. 1 D in an isometric perspective view. The management device 100 comprises preferably a frame component 101 , most preferably an arcuate, smooth-surfaced front panel 102 (mono-body design), which is associated with the frame component and which, according to one embodiment, is divided in- to two sections, for example into a top section 103 and a bottom section 104. According to one embodiment, the top section is adapted to display essentially red wavelengths and the bottom section essentially green wavelengths, whereby users are indicated the phase shown by traffic lights, such as a red, green or flashing phase. In addition, the management device may also comprise a display element 105 (which can be implemented with traditional display techniques or by means of some light source, such as for example with LED or OLED technique), which can be adapted to present information to a user through the front panel's surface. According to one preferred embodiment, the management device 100 also comprises a third section 106, which is included in the front panel and which can be surrounded by a rim 07. According to one example, the third section 106 is an interaction element implemented with a push-button, a touch sensor or the like. Ac- cording to one example, its surface consists of the same material as the rest of the front panel's surface, and is most preferably transparent or translucent. The section 106 may emit, for example over its entire area, substantially yellow light after the user has interacted with the management device's interaction element, indicating thereby that the interaction has taken place. According to one example, the rim 107 is an illuminated rim, thus indicating or defining for a user the area of an interaction element, for example the area of the section 106.
It should be noted that said sections 103, 104, 105, 106 can be separated from each other for example physically, but also optically, such that the lights or colors or other information emitted thereby shall not be confused with the emission of an- other section. The optical separation can be effected for example by means of an optical light blocker.
The management device 100 may also further comprise a light emitting component 108, which is intended for the illumination of a user or surroundings and which is most preferably a component emitting white light downward in a wedge- shaped manner. Most preferably, the emitting component 108 is implemented with LED technique. In addition to this, the management device 100 can be adapted to emit light also in a lateral direction 114 for making it more readily perceivable also in lateral direction and even when viewed partially from behind.
According to one example, the management device 100 may also comprise a mo- tion sensor (for example an active and/or passive infrared sensor, a laser, a camera or radar in compliance with CCD/CMOS or other technology known to a skilled artisan) 109, as well as an element 110 sensing ambient conditions, such as ambient light, noise, and/or vibration. Further, the management device 100 may also comprise an element 111 supplying information by way of tactile sense, such as for example an embossed pattern and/or a vibration motor. The vibration motor can be arranged for example underneath a direction arrow provided with an embossed pattern.
The frame component 101 may further be provided with an installation element 1 2, such as a quick installation element, for mounting a management device for example on a traffic light post, or on the structures of a public transport stop or the like.
Still further, the management device 100 may also comprise acoustic apertures 113 arranged most preferably in the frame component 101 for directing out of the management device the audio signals generated by loudspeakers (not shown) of the management device and/or for directing ambient noise to microphones or other noise measuring components (not shown) of the management device. Most preferably, the acoustic apertures are weather resistant and shaped or otherwise configured in such a way that for example water has no access thereby inside the management device.
Particularly notable is a shape of the management device 100 of the invention and that of its front panel 102 with illuminable sections, the arrangement of which is such that at least one, more preferably two, and most preferably all of the front panel's illuminable sections are adapted to emit light in horizontal plane at an an- gle of more than 180 degrees (as shown e.g. in fig. 1B). Hence, the management device is particularly well visible and detectable as viewed both from the front but also directly from the side and partly even obliquely from behind or from the back, thus increasing road safety.
Fig. 2 illustrates one exemplary management device 100 for the management of public transport for example in connection with a public transport stop 200 according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. The management device 100 may comprise elements (shown in fig. 5) for communicating with public transport vehicles, such as for example a radio transmitter and receiver. According to one example, the management device 100 is adapted to receive location and time in- formation from approaching public transport vehicles and for example to present the same through the front panel by way of either light sources or a display element, such as for example to show the number or arrival time of a bus or busses next to arrive at the stop.
In addition, the management device 100 may also be adapted to communicate in- formation to public transport vehicles regarding users operating the management device, such as for example a message about the presence of a passenger at a particular stop associated with the management device. According to one embodiment, the user can interact with the management device for example by way of a remotely readable travel card or with some other instrument, e.g. by means of a smart phone (SMS, by calling, or by way of a certain application), whereby the management device can for example charge the fare in advance as well as inform the user-selected public transport vehicle about the presence of a passenger waiting at the stop. The device can also send a confirmation about the fare payment e.g. directly to a cell phone or the like device. This expedites and facilitates public transport comprehensively because, in the best case scenario, the only vehicles having to stop at a particular stop are those to which the management device has previously indicated a passenger and, on the other hand, the fare payment is no longer necessary on the transport vehicles.
Fig. 3 illustrates one exemplary exploded view 300 of the management device 100 according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. The frame component 101 comprises a housing 301 , providing jointly a mechanical foundation for the management device. As visible in fig. 3, the illuminable front panel 102 is most preferably a mechanically mono-body, arcuate and smooth panel, which is transparent or at least translucent at visible wavelengths and which in itself can function at least as a partial light guide. Behind the front panel is most preferably an interaction element 302, such as a touch sensor or another suchlike interaction element described in this document.
Moreover, the exemplified management device 100 comprises a first light source 303 for the front panel's first section and a second light source 304 for the second section, such as for example light sources made up of red 303 and green 304 LEDs. The LEDs may also be for example white, whereby the desired colors are produced by other means, for example by means of an appropriately colored front panel 102.
According to one example, the front panel can also have behind it an optical member 305, which enables an illuminable section of the front panel 302 to be optically coupled with the light source 303, 304. The optical member can be for example a light guide or another such optical member capable of establishing an optical coupling and described in this document. Behind the optical member 305 can further be provided an optically reflective membrane 306, which enhances the conduction, direction and emission of light from the light source towards the front panel's illuminable section and further makes the illuminable section more brightly and clearly visible from outside the management device also in broad daylight. The optical member can be attached to the front panel for example by means of an optically transparent adhesive element 307. Additionally the management device 100 may also comprise a third light source 308, such as for example a light source made up of yellow LEDs for indicating an interacting section 106, 107. By controlling the LEDs of the light source 308, it is possible to establish for example a surrounding rim 107 for the front panel's illumi- nable section 106. In addition, once the interaction has transpired, controlling the LEDs of the light source 308 can be used to achieve a complete illumination for the illuminable section 106, as presented for example in fig. A. In one example, the management device 100 is also provided with a light blocker 309 for blocking light leakage for example between the front panel's illuminable sections, such as for example the leakage of yellow light produced by the third light source 308 into the front panel's other illuminable sections and vice versa. The light blocker 309 can also be configured so as to provide it with suitable elements for guiding the light of the third light source both onto the front panel's illuminable section 106 and onto its surrounding rim 107. In connection with a light source, such as the third light source 308, can be further provided for example an optically collimating member 310 (for example a BEF type; Brightness Enhancement Film, or some other optical member) for collimating the light source-emitted light onto the front panel's respective illuminable section.
Fig. 4 shows a block diagram for one exemplary management device 100 for use particularly in relation to controlling traffic lights according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the management device comprises control elements 401 , such as a memory-equipped processor for controlling functions of the management device and the following components and elements:
- an interaction element, such as a touch sensor 402 and its signal pro- cessing electronics (it is nevertheless notable that the interaction element may also be some other interaction element presented in this document),
- a light source 403 consisting for example of electro-optical components, such as LED or OLED components,
- elements 404 generating audio signals / voice messages, such as loud- speakers and their control elements, and possibly a digital synthesizer,
- elements 405 monitoring ambient conditions, such as a microphone and an ambient light sensor,
- a motion sensor 406, such as an optical motion sensor, for example an IR or video camera,
- a wireless or wired interface 407 to a traffic control system or center, or to some other central instrument, - a radio link 408 for the identification of a user or the user's radio-readable device 421 , such as for example a mobile communicator or an RFID device,
- a radio link 409 for communicating with a control element 422 operating over an external radio link, for example in installation, update, setup and maintenance purposes, as well as for communicating status information of the management device, as well as
- an element 4 0 producing the management device location identification information (e.g. GPS, GLONASS, or an element outputting preprogrammed location identification information) to be used for example in connection with preprogrammed routes prepared for pedestrians.
Fig. 5 shows a block diagram for one exemplary management device 100 for use particularly in relation to managing public transport according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the management device may comprise some of the very same components as those included in the management device of fig. 4, such as for example control elements 40 , interaction elements 402, a light source 403, elements 404 generating audio signals / voice messages, elements 405 monitoring ambient conditions, a motion sensor 406, a wireless or wired interface 407, as well as radio links 408 and 409. In addition, the management device 100 shown in fig. 5 may comprise at least one of the following:
- a radio link 501 for communicating with radio modules 521 present on public transport vehicles (according to one example, the radio module on transport vehicles comprises location identification elements or is in communication with such elements, which can be for example a GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou (compass), e.g. Radio frequency module on the transportation vehicle with dynamic Location Identification Information capabilities, e.g. navigation with GPS, GLONASS, etc.),
- an element 410 producing the management device location identification information (e.g. GPS, GLONASS, or en element outputting preprogrammed location identification information,
- a power supply 503, which can be for example a battery, a solar cell, or a wind-powered generator, or a combination thereof. In addition (or else exclusively), the management device 100 can also be coupled with a mains electricity network, as well as
- a wireless or wired interface 502 to a bus traffic control system or center, or to some other central instrument controlling bus traffic. It should be noted that the management devices presented in figs. 4 and 5 may, according to one example, comprise just some of the components and elements shown in the figures, nor are all absolutely necessary, the number of some being possibly higher than what is depicted in the figures, and that various combinations presented in this document can be realized within the scope of protection defined in the claims, for example in terms of implementation details, as well as fields of use. For example, the radio links can be operating on one-way or two-way mode and can be either short-, medium- or long-range radio links, such as for example radio links established with RFID, Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, WLAN and/or WiMAX, 3G, 4G, LTE technique, and/or solutions operating in a mobile communicator/communications network.
Fig. 6 illustrates one management device 100 provided with motion sensors 109 according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the management device is adapted to deduce the moving direction of a user, such as for example a pedestrian or cyclist, in sensing fields 6011, 60 2 of the motion sensors. The management device, provided for example with two motion sensors 109i, 109 2 , can detect the user's arrival first in the sensing field 601 2 of the motion sensor 109 2 and next in the sensing field 601 1 of the motion sensor 109i, whereby the management device can deduce the user's moving direction to be for example towards a crossing road. As a result of this, the management device can indicate to the user about an interaction for example by way of illumination patterns on the illumina- ble sections of the front panel 102 (for example by switching on the yellow section 106), whereby the user knows that the interaction has taken place and may remain waiting for the change of traffic lights, for example. The role of an interaction ele- ment in this example is performed by the motion sensors. The management device may further also produce an audio/message signal, such as for example a voice instruction: "Two-lane road up ahead, safety island between the lanes, wait for the light to change".
The sensing fields shown in fig. 6 can be established with a variety of motion sen- sors, such as IR/video cameras, stereo (double), CCD/CMOS or other such technique applying cameras, capacitive or inductive elements, and/or mechanical elements such as a strain gauge transducer. In addition, the management device shown for example in fig. 5 can also be used as a traffic counter, from which is obtained not only information about the number of users but also about their traveling direction. The traffic counter information can be further provided for example with time information and/or with the management device location identification information.
Described above are just a few embodiments for a solution of the invention. The principle according to the invention can of course be varied within the scope of protection defined in the claims, for example as regards implementation details and fields of use. Especially, the invention can be applied at intersections of vehicular and light traffic routes, e.g. as a part of controlling traffic lights, but also at other intersections of two different traffic routes involving traffic lights. In addition, the invention can be applied to public transport stops with regard to managing or instructing public transport vehicles operating by such stops.