ROAD SAFETY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR INCREASING THE ROAD SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS

• US 20130201036A1
• Filed: 07/08/2011
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Sthlin, Ulrich, Schrbler, Sighard, Eckert, Alfred, Rieth, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,928,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/944
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/034 Portable transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A road safety communication device for protecting pedestrians in road traffic, which includes a transponder which is integrated into a shoe, wherein the supply of electrical power to the device is activated only in selected situations.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A road safety communication device for protecting pedestrians in road traffic, comprising a transponder which is integrated into a shoe, wherein the supply of electrical power to the device is activated only in predetermined situations.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the supply of electrical power to the device is activated by a radio signal or an acceleration switch.

20. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the road safety communication device comprises a microcontroller for processing data and an electronic memory for storing data.

21. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the device comprises a sensor for detecting dynamic shoe deformations.

22. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein when a dynamic deformation of the shoe is detected the device is activated and transmits a signal.

23. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein when activation occurs the device transmits a random identification number for the purpose of differentiation from other road safety communication devices.

24. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the road safety communication device transmits data only when the road safety communication device previously receives an external trigger signal.

25. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the road safety communication device additionally transmits at least one of optical and acoustic signals, and the road safety communication device additionally comprises an avalanche beacon.

26. A safety risk analysis device for use in a motor vehicle for protecting pedestrians in road traffic, which communicates with a transponder, wherein the safety risk analysis device of the road safety communication device transmits a signal for activating the supply of electrical power to the road safety communication device.

27. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the safety risk analysis device transmits to the transponder of the road safety communication device a signal for requesting the transmission of data.

28. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the safety risk analysis device evaluates the data transmitted by the road safety communication device and calculates a hazard scenario on the basis of the evaluation of the transmitted data.

29. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the device comprises a direction finding antenna for determining a position of the road safety communication device.

30. A method which is carried out in a road safety communication device for protecting pedestrians in road traffic, comprising a transponder which is integrated into a shoe, wherein the supply of electrical power to the device is activated only in predetermined situations, wherein a walking pace of the pedestrian is determined on the basis of a frequency of periodically occurring shoe deformations.

31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the pedestrian'"'"'s mass is determined on the basis of an amplitude of the periodically occurring shoe deformations.

32. The method as claimed in claim 30 which is carried out in a safety risk analysis device for use in a motor vehicle for protecting pedestrians in road traffic, which communicates with a transponder, wherein the safety risk analysis device transmits a signal for activating the supply of electrical power to the road safety communication device, wherein the safety-relevant behavior of the pedestrian is estimated by the safety risk analysis device on the basis of at least one of a determined walking pace of the pedestrian, a mass of the pedestrian, a position of the pedestrian, a type show worn by the pedestrian, a size of the shoe worn by the pedestrian.

33. A road safety communication system comprising:

a road safety communication device for protecting pedestrians in road traffic, comprising a transponder which is integrated into a shoe, wherein the supply of electrical power to the device is activated only in predetermined situations; and

a safety risk analysis device for use in a motor vehicle for protecting pedestrians in road traffic, which communicates with the transponder,

wherein the safety risk analysis device transmits a signal for activating the supply of electrical power to the road safety communication device, and

wherein the road safety communication system determines a walking pace of the pedestrian on the basis of a frequency of periodically occurring shoe deformations.

34. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein an ISM band at 868 MHz is used as a transmission frequency.