U.S. patent application number 15/844657 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-04 for lamp capable of pushing information, electronic device and passing information pushing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lite-On Technology Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Lite-On Technology Corporation. Invention is credited to Chang-Yi Lin.
Application Number | 20190104193 15/844657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65803891 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190104193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Chang-Yi |
April 4, 2019 |
LAMP CAPABLE OF PUSHING INFORMATION, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND PASSING
INFORMATION PUSHING SYSTEM
Abstract
A passing information pushing system is provided. The system
includes a plurality of lamps, and an electronic device. Each of
the lamps continuously identifies a signal type of power,
calculates a remaining duration corresponding to the current signal
type, and pushes a passing state and the remaining duration
corresponding to the current signal type. The electronic device
receives a first information from a first lamp, and identifies a
first lamp direction. The electronic device receives a second
information from a second lamp, and identifies a second lamp
direction. Furthermore, the electronic device notifies a
corresponding passing state and remaining duration according to the
first information or the second information by determining whether
a current moving direction is parallel to the first lamp direction
or the second lamp direction.
Inventors: |
Lin; Chang-Yi; (Taipei,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lite-On Technology Corporation |
Taipei |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
Lite-On Technology
Corporation
Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
65803891 |
Appl. No.: |
15/844657 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08G 1/087 20130101;
G08G 1/096 20130101; H04W 4/44 20180201; G08G 1/005 20130101; H04L
67/26 20130101; G08G 1/091 20130101; G08G 1/00 20130101; G08G 1/095
20130101; H04L 67/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/08 20060101
H04L029/08; G08G 1/005 20060101 G08G001/005; G08G 1/095 20060101
G08G001/095 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 2017 |
TW |
106133784 |
Claims
1. A lamp capable of pushing information, comprising: a power
management circuit, configured to receive a power and identify a
signal type of the power; a light-emitting module, configured to
emit light or flash according to the received power; a wireless
communication module; and a processor, coupled to the
light-emitting module, the power management module and the wireless
communication module, wherein the processor is configured to treat
the current identified signal type of the power as a current signal
type, and start to continuously accumulate a duration corresponding
to the current signal type, wherein the processor is further
configured to determine whether the current signal type is changed,
wherein when the current signal type is changed, the processor is
further configured to stop accumulating the duration, and record
the accumulated duration as a total duration corresponding to the
current signal type, wherein when the current signal type is not
changed, the processor is further configured to calculate,
according to the total duration and currently accumulated duration,
a remaining duration corresponding to the current signal type, and
the processor is further configured to instruct the wireless
communication module to push the information corresponding to the
current signal type, wherein the information comprises a passing
state and the remaining duration corresponding to the current
signal type.
2. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the power management
circuit provides the power through one of a plurality of channels
respectively corresponding to a plurality of light-emitting
elements of the light-emitting module, wherein the light-emitting
elements comprises a first light-emitting element and a second
light-emitting element, the signal type comprises a first type and
a third type corresponding to the first light-emitting element; and
a second type corresponding to the second light-emitting element,
and the channels comprises a first channel corresponding to the
first light-emitting element; and a second channel corresponding to
the second light-emitting element, wherein in the operation of the
power management circuit identifies the received signal type of the
power, the power management circuit identifies whether the signal
type is the first type, the third type or the second type by
determining the power and by determining whether a enabled channel
for receiving the power among the channels is the first channel or
the second channel.
3. The lamp according to claim 2, wherein the lamp is disposed on a
passage, wherein the first type and the third type correspond an
allowable-passing state, and the first light-emitting element
emitting light or flashing is configured to indicate that the
passage is allowable for passing through, wherein the second type
corresponds a forbidden-passing state, and the second
light-emitting element is configured to indicate that the passage
is forbidden for passing through.
4. The lamp according to claim 2, in the operation of the processor
is further configured to determine whether the current signal type
is changed, when the enabled channel is changed from the first
channel to the second channel, or from the second channel to the
first channel, or when the enabled channel is maintained as the
first channel but voltage level of the power starts to change
periodically between a high level and a low level, the processor
determines that the current signal type is changed.
5. An electronic device, comprising: a global positioning device,
configured to detect a position information of the electronic
device; a wireless communication module, configured to receive
information being pushed; and a processor, coupled to the global
positioning device and the wireless communication module, wherein
the processor is configured to continuously determine a moving
direction of the electronic device via the position information of
the electronic device, wherein the processor receives first
information pushed by a first lamp through the wireless
communication module, and identifies a first lamp direction,
wherein the processor receives second information pushed by a
second lamp through the wireless communication module, and
identifies a second lamp direction, wherein the processor is
further configured to determine whether the electronic device is
continuously moving, wherein when the electronic device is
continuously moving, the processor determines whether the current
moving direction is parallel to the first lamp direction or the
second lamp direction, wherein when the current moving direction is
parallel to the first lamp direction, the processor performs a
notifying operation according to the first information
corresponding to the first lamp, wherein when the current moving
direction is parallel to the second lamp direction, the processor
performs a notifying operation according to the second information
corresponding to the second lamp.
6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein when the
electronic device is not continuously moving, the processor
performs a notifying operation according to both the first
information corresponding to the first lamp and the second
information corresponding to the second lamp.
7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein when the
content of received information pushed by a third lamp is the same
as the content of the information being used currently, the
processor treats the information pushed by the third lamp as a new
second information, and sets the third lamp pushing the information
as a new second lamp, and then when the processor receives a
pushing information different to the new second information, the
pushing information is treated as a new first information, and a
fourth lamp for pushing the new first information is set as a new
first lamp.
8. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein in the
operation of the processor determines whether the current moving
direction is parallel to the first lamp direction or the second
lamp direction, when first receiving the first information, the
processor sets the first lamp direction to be perpendicular to a
currently identified first moving direction of the electronic
device, when first receiving the second information after receiving
the first information, the processor sets the second lamp direction
to be parallel to a currently identified second moving direction of
the electronic device, wherein the processor determines a
relationship between a currently identified third moving direction
and the first moving direction, and a relationship between the
third moving direction and the second moving direction, wherein
when the third moving direction is parallel to the first moving
direction and perpendicular to the second moving direction, the
processor determines that the third moving direction is parallel to
the first lamp direction, wherein when the third moving direction
is perpendicular to the first moving direction and parallel to the
second moving direction, the processor determines that the third
moving direction is parallel to the second lamp direction.
9. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the first
information and the second information respectively comprise
passing state and remaining duration corresponding to the first
lamp and the second lamp, wherein in the performed notifying
operation, if the passing sate is an allowable-passing state, the
processor counts down the remaining duration corresponding to the
allowable-passing state, and the processor generates a sound signal
or an image signal to indicate the remaining duration which is
being counted down, if the passing sate is a forbidden-passing
state, the processor counts down the remaining duration
corresponding to the forbidden-passing state, and the processor
generates another sound signal or another image signal to indicate
the remaining duration which is being counted down.
10. A passing information pushing system, comprising: a plurality
of lamps, each of the lamps emits light according to received
power, so as to indicate whether corresponding passage is allowable
for passing through via the emitted light therefrom; and an
electronic device, wherein each of the lamps identifies a signal
type of the power, when the signal type of the power is a first
type or a third type, light emitted by each of the lamps receiving
the power is for indicating that the corresponding passage is
allowable for passing through, when the signal type of the power is
a second type, light emitted, by each of the lamps receiving the
power is for indicating that the corresponding passage is forbidden
for passing through, wherein each of the lamps treats the currently
identified signal type of the power as a current signal type, and
starts to continuously accumulate a duration corresponding to the
current signal type, wherein each of the lamps calculates,
according to a total duration and currently accumulated duration
corresponding to the current signal type, a remaining duration
corresponding to the current signal type, and each of the lamps is
further configured to push information corresponding to the current
signal type, wherein the information comprises a passing state and
the remaining duration corresponding to the current signal type,
wherein the electronic device continuously determines a current
moving direction of the electronic device, wherein the electronic
device receives a first information pushed by a first lamp among
the lamps, and identifies a first lamp direction, wherein the
electronic device receives a second information pushed by a second
lamp among the lamps, and identifies a second lamp direction,
wherein the electronic device performs a notifying operation
according to the first information corresponding to the first lamp
or the second information corresponding to the second lamp by
determining whether the current moving direction is parallel to the
first lamp direction or the second lamp direction, so as to
indicate the passing state and the remaining duration corresponding
to the first lamp or the second lamp.
11. The passing information pushing system according to claim 10,
wherein the lamp is further configured to determine whether the
current signal type is changed, wherein when the current signal
type is changed, the lamp stops accumulating the duration, and
records the accumulated duration as the total duration
corresponding to the current signal type, wherein when the current
signal type is not changed, the lamp minuses the total duration
corresponding to the current signal type by the currently
accumulated duration to obtain a difference as the remaining
duration corresponding to the current signal type.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan
application serial no. 106133784, filed on Sep. 29, 2017. The
entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of
specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a passing information
pushing system, and more particularly, to a passing information
pushing system which is suitable for pushing information from a
lamp capable of pushing information to an electronic device and
performing corresponding notifying operation on the electronic
device.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] In general, current pedestrian signal indicates, in a manner
of lighting signals, whether the passage corresponding to the
pedestrian signal is allowable for pedestrian to pass through. Even
there is already an audible indicator correspondingly disposed on
the pedestrian signal for the deaf, the audible indicator cannot
effectively indicate the currently remaining allowable-passing time
or the current remaining forbidden-passing time. On the other hand,
due to the popularization of smart mobile devices (smart portable
devices), pedestrians using smart mobile devices are less likely to
notice the approaching intersection traffic status while watching
the device screens.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a lamp capable of pushing
information, an electronic device, and a passing information
pushing system, capable of making a traffic signal (traffic light),
a pedestrian signal or a lamp having similar function can
proactively transmit information about whether its corresponding
passage is allowable for passing through to nearby electronic
devices, and making the electronic devices to make a clear
notification to inform, according to the received information,
whether the passage corresponding to the lamp is allowable or
forbidden for passing through.
[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a lamp
capable of pushing information. The lamp includes a power
management circuit, a light-emitting module, a wireless
communication module, and a processor. The power management circuit
is configured to receive a power and identify a signal type of the
power. The light-emitting module is configured to emit light or
flash according to the received power. The processor is coupled to
the light-emitting module, the power management module and the
wireless communication module, wherein the processor is configured
to treat the current identified signal type of the power as a
current signal type, and start to continuously accumulate a
duration corresponding to the current signal type.
[0006] Furthermore, the processor is further configured to
determine whether the current signal type is changed, wherein when
the current signal type is changed, the processor is further
configured to stop accumulating the duration, and record the
accumulated duration as a total duration corresponding to the
current signal type, wherein when the current signal type is not
changed, the processor is further configured to calculate,
according to the total duration and currently accumulated duration,
a remaining duration corresponding to the current signal type.
Moreover, the processor is further configured to instruct the
wireless communication module to push the information corresponding
to the current signal type, wherein the information comprises a
passing state and the remaining duration corresponding to the
current signal type.
[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides an
electronic device. The electronic device includes a global
positioning device, a wireless communication module, and a
processor. The global positioning device is configured to detect a
position information of the electronic device. The wireless
communication module is configured to receive information being
pushed. The processor is coupled to the global positioning device
and the wireless communication module, wherein the processor is
configured to continuously determine a moving direction of the
electronic device via the position information of the electronic
device. Furthermore, the processor receives first information
pushed by a first lamp through the wireless communication module,
and identifies a first lamp direction. Moreover, the processor
receives second information pushed by a second lamp through the
wireless communication module, and identifies a second lamp
direction. The process is further configured to determine whether
the electronic device is continuously moving, wherein when the
electronic device is continuously moving, the processor determines
whether the current moving direction is parallel to the first lamp
direction or the second lamp direction, wherein when the current
moving direction is parallel to the first lamp direction, the
processor performs a notifying operation according to the first
information corresponding to the first lamp, wherein when the
current moving direction is parallel to the second lamp direction,
the processor performs a notifying operation according to the
second information corresponding to the second lamp.
[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides a passing
information pushing system. The system includes a plurality of
lamps and an electronic device. Each of the lamps emits light
according to received power, so as to indicate whether
corresponding passage is allowable for passing through via the
emitted light therefrom. Furthermore, wherein each of the lamps
identifies a signal type of the power, wherein when the signal type
of the power is a first type or a third type, light emitted by each
of the lamps receiving the power is for indicating that the
corresponding passage is allowable for passing through, wherein
when the signal type of the power is a second type, light emitted
by each of the lamps receiving the power is for indicating that the
corresponding passage is forbidden for passing through. Each of the
lamps treats the currently identified signal type of the power as a
current signal type, and starts to continuously accumulate a
duration corresponding to the current signal type, and each of the
lamps calculates, according to a total duration and currently
accumulated duration corresponding to the current signal type, a
remaining duration corresponding to the current signal type.
Moreover, each of the lamps is further configured to push
information corresponding to the current signal type, wherein the
information comprises a passing state and the remaining duration
corresponding to the current signal type, wherein the electronic
device continuously determines a current moving direction of the
electronic device, wherein the electronic device receives a first
information pushed by a first lamp among the lamps, and identifies
a first lamp direction, wherein the electronic device receives a
second information pushed by a second lamp among the lamps, and
identifies a second lamp direction. Then, the electronic device
performs a notifying operation according to the first information
corresponding to the first lamp or the second information
corresponding to the second lamp by determining whether the current
moving direction is parallel to the first lamp direction or the
second lamp direction, so as to indicate the passing state and the
remaining duration corresponding to the first lamp or the second
lamp.
[0009] Based on the above, lamp, electronic device and passing
information pushing system provided by the embodiment of the
present invention, are capable of letting the traffic lights or
lamps having similar function determines passing state of
corresponding passage by using signal type of the current received
power, and obtaining total durations and remaining durations
respectively corresponding to different passing states, and then
proactively pushing information including the passing states and
corresponding remaining durations of the corresponding passage to
nearby electronic devices, such that an electronic devices received
the pushed information may perform, based on determining whether
current moving direction of the electronic device is parallel to
lamp direction corresponding to the received information, a
notifying operation to indicate current passing state and remaining
duration corresponding to the passing state for a passage through
which the electronic device is about to pass.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a passing information
pushing system according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a lamp
pushing information according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating signal types of
power and corresponding passing states according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an
electronic device performing a notifying operation according to
received information according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an aerial view schematic diagram illustrating
determining whether a moving direction of an electronic device is
parallel to lamp direction corresponding to the received
information.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description
to refer to the same or like parts.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a passing information
pushing system according to an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a passing information pushing system includes
lamp 10 and electronic device 20. In the embodiment, the passing
information pushing system enables the lamp 10 to proactively push
lamp information to nearby electronic device 20, and the electronic
device 20 may perform corresponding notifying operation based on
the received information. The lamp 10 includes a processor 110, a
light-emitting module, a wireless communication module 130 and a
power management circuit 140. The electronic device 20 includes a
processor 210, a global positioning device 220 and a wireless
communication module 230. In the embodiment, the processor 210 is
coupled to the global positioning device 220 and the wireless
communication module 230.
[0018] In the embodiment, the lamp 10 may be any type of lamp or
lighting equipment which is for indicating whether a corresponding
passage is allowable for passing through. The lamp 10 may indicate
a passing state of the corresponding passage as an
allowable-passing state, a forbidden-passing state or a waring
state via a light emitted by the light-emitting module 120. The
allowable-passing state presents that the passage corresponding to
the lamp is allowable for passing through; the forbidden-passing
state presents that the passage corresponding to the lamp is
forbidden (not allowable) for passing through; the warning state
presents that current passing state of the passage corresponding to
the lamp is about to be changed. Furthermore, the lamp 10 may
further indicate remaining duration of the allowable-passing state,
the forbidden-passing state, or the waring state via a light
emitted by the light-emitting module 120, and the remaining
duration would be counted down continuously. For example, a
pedestrian or a driver of a vehicle may know that a passage
corresponding to the lamp is allowable for passing through and the
remaining time (e.g., remaining seconds) for passing through via
light emitted by the lamp. It should be mentioned that, for purpose
of cost down (and saving the construction/maintaining cost of
connection), in the embodiment, the lamp 10 does not need to
connect to a central control system (or a server) for knowing the
current passing state and corresponding remaining duration of the
passage corresponding to the lamp 10 via control signal or command
sent from the central control system.
[0019] The light-emitting module 120 includes a plurality of
light-emitting element 120(1) to 120(N). N is a positive integer.
The light-emitting elements, for example, are light-emitting diodes
(LED), energy-saving light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and other
luminous electronic components, and lights emitted by different
light-emitting elements 120(1) to 120(N) can be different. In the
embodiment, it may, according to light-emitting state of the
light-emitting elements 120(1) to 120(N), indicate current passing
state of a passage corresponding to the lamp 10 is the
allowable-passing state, the forbidden-passing state, or the
warning state, and indicate remaining duration of current passing
state.
[0020] The power management circuit 140 is configured to receive a
power V provided by an external power source (such as city
electricity), and the power V is supplied to the light-emitting
module 120 via different channels (power channels) of the power
management circuit 140 for light-emitting elements 120 (1) to 120
(N) to emit light. The power management circuit 140 may inform the
processor 110 that the current channel for receiving the power V,
that is, transmit the information about the channel receiving the
power V to the processor 110.
[0021] The wireless communication module 130, 230 is configured to
transmit or receive data in a manner of wireless communication. The
wireless communication module 130 or 230 is, for example, one or a
combination of circuits/chipsets supporting Global System for
Mobile Communication (GSM) system, Personal Handy-phone System
(PHS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wireless
Fidelity (WiFi) system, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave
Access (WiMAX) system, 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Infrared
(Infrared) transmission, Bluetooth (BT) communication technologies,
and is not limited thereto. In the embodiment, the wireless
communication module 130 supports and utilizes Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE,
Beacon, or iBeacon) Protocol to push information, and the wireless
communication module 230 supports and utilizes Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE,
Beacon, or iBeacon) Protocol to receive pushed information. It
should be noted that the wireless communication module 130 and the
wireless communication module 230 do not need to be paired with
each other. When the wireless communication module 130 pushes the
information, the wireless communication module 230 may
automatically receive the information pushed by the wireless
communication module 130.
[0022] In an embodiment, the wireless communication module 130
and/or the power management module 140 may also be integrated with
the processor 110 as a lamp controller.
[0023] The processors 110 and 210 are hardware capable of
computing, and are used to control the overall operation of the
lamp 10 and the electronic device 20, respectively. Specifically,
the processor 110 and 210 has a plurality of control instructions,
and when the lamp 10 and the electronic device 20 is in operation,
the control instructions are executed to perform the management
operation of the corresponding lamp 10 and the electronic device
20. In this embodiment, the processors 110 and 210 are, for
example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a micro-processor, or
other programmable processing units, the Digital Signal Processor
(DSP), a programmable controller, an Application Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD) or
other similar circuit elements, and the present invention is not
limited thereto.
[0024] The Global positioning device 220 may send and receive
signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS) to detect
(identify) a location information of the electronic device 20
(e.g., global 2D coordinate values). Through the location
information of the electronic device 20 obtained by continuously
detecting, the processor 210 may determine whether the electronic
device 20 moves continuously and identify a moving direction
corresponding to the electronic device 20 (the direction of
movement of the electronic device 20). In another embodiment, the
electronic device 20 may also identify relative moving direction
between the electronic device 20 and different lamps 10 by
identifying signal strengths of the wireless communication
connections established with the wireless communication module 130
and the different lamps 10 (e.g., signal strength of Beacon or
iBeacon).
[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a lamp
pushing information according to an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, in the step S21, the power management circuit
140 receives a power V, and continuously identifies a signal type
of the received power V. The details will be described below with
reference to FIG. 3.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating signal types of
power and corresponding passing states according to an embodiment
of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, for example, the power
management circuit 140 provides the power V via one (supplying
channel) of a plurality of channels respectively corresponding to
the plurality of light-emitting elements 120(1) to 120(N) of the
light-emitting module 120. The power management circuit 140 may
determine a signal type and a supplying channel of the power V. The
signal type includes a first type and a third type corresponding to
a first light-emitting element 120(1), and a second type
corresponding to a second light-emitting element 120(2). The
channels include a first channel corresponding to the first
light-emitting element 120(1) and a second channel corresponding to
the second light-emitting element 120(2).
[0027] That is, as a voltage waveform (voltage pulses)
corresponding to voltage level V1 of the power V corresponding to
the first channel shown in FIG. 3, during a period of times T1 to
T2 (duration DT1), the voltage level V1 (voltage level provided to
the first light-emitting element 120(1)) is at low level (e.g., 0
Voltage), and the first light-emitting element 120(1) does not emit
light; during a period of times T2 to T3, the voltage level V1 is
at high level, and the first light-emitting element 120(1) emits
light; during a period of times T3 to T4 (duration DT3), the
voltage level V1 is changed periodically between the high level and
the low level, and the first light-emitting element 120(1) emits
light periodically (periodically flashes). The duration of the
voltage level V1 at the high level may be considered as a duration
DT2 (i.e., a period of times T2 to T4). In another embodiment, the
voltage level V1 may be maintained at a high level during a period
of times T3 to T4, and the time during which the first
light-emitting device 120(1) emits light continuously is the
duration DT2.
[0028] On the other hand, as a voltage waveform corresponding to
the voltage level V2 of the power V corresponding to the second
channel shown in FIG. 3, during a period of times T1 to T2
(duration DT1), the voltage level V2 (voltage level provided to the
second light-emitting element 120(2)) is at high level, and the
second light-emitting element 120(2) emits light; during a period
of times T2 to T4 (duration DT2), the voltage level V2 is at low
level, and the second light-emitting element 120(2) does not emit
light.
[0029] During the period of times T1 to T2 (duration DT1), the
power management circuit 140 determines that an enabled channel
which is currently receiving the power V is the second channel, and
determines that current signal type is the second type; during the
period of times T2 to T3, the power management circuit 140
determines that the enabled channel which is currently receiving
the power V is the first channel, and determines that current
signal type is the first type.
[0030] When the power management circuit 140 determines that the
enabled channel which is currently receiving the power V is
maintained as the first channel, but the power V is changed
periodically between the high level and the low level, the power
management circuit 140 determines that current signal type of the
power V is the third type. According to the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3, the signal type is the third type during the period of
times T3 to T4 (duration DT3).
[0031] If the current signal type is the first type or the third
type, the first light-emitting element 120(1) emits light
continuously or flashing periodically, and indicates corresponding
passage is (under) a first passing state; if the current signal
type is the second type, the second light-emitting element 120(2)
emits light continuously, and indicates corresponding passage is
(under) a second passing state. In the embodiment, the first
passing state is, for example, an allowable-passing state, and the
light emitted by the first light-emitting element 120(1) is, for
example, a constant green light or a flashing green light, which is
for indicating the corresponding passage is allowable for passing
through; the second passing state is, for example, an
forbidden-passing state, and the light emitted by the second
light-emitting element 120(2) is, for example, a constant red
light, which is for indicating the corresponding passage is
forbidden for passing through.
[0032] It should be noted that the duration/pattern provided by the
power V to each channel may be cyclical, for example, the pattern
of the power V of the second cycle and the third cycle is the same
as the first cycle. As the power V is cyclically supplied to the
first channel and the second channel, the lamp 10 may cyclically
(periodically) emits different lights to indicate whether the
corresponding passage is allowable for passing through.
[0033] Back to FIG. 2, in the step S22, the processor 110 sets the
currently identified signal type as a current signal type, and
starts to continuously accumulate a duration corresponding to the
current signal type. Specifically, the processor 110 identifies
signal type of the power at current moment is the first type, the
second type or the third type via the power management circuit 140,
and sets "the current signal type" as the identified first type,
second type or the third type accordingly. It should be noted that
the power management circuit 140 identifies signal type of the
power V continuously when the power V is received, and the power
management circuit 140 sends the identified result to the processor
110, such that the processor 110 may continuously knows/sets the
current signal type.
[0034] In the embodiment, when the processor 110 determines that
the current signal type is changed to other signal types, for
example, the current signal type changes from the second type to
the first type, from the first type to the third type, or from the
third type to the second type, the processor 110 starts to
accumulate a duration corresponding to the current signal type. In
other words, the processor 110 continuously records the length of
the duration of each type of the current signal types.
[0035] Taking FIG. 3 as an example, at time T1, the power
management circuit 140 recognizes that the signal type of the power
V is the second type, the processor 110 sets the current signal
type as the second type, and starts to accumulate a duration of the
second type. Until the time T2, the power management circuit 140
recognizes that the signal type of the power V is changed to the
first type, the processor 110 stops accumulating the duration
corresponding to the second type and obtains the duration
corresponding to the second type as DT1 (T2-T1). Then, the
processor 110 starts to accumulate a duration corresponding to the
first type till time T3. At this time, the power management circuit
140 recognizes that the signal type of the power V is changed to
the third type, and the processor 110 stops accumulating the
duration corresponding to the first type and obtains the duration
corresponding to the first type as (T3-T2). Subsequently, the
processor 110 may start to accumulate a duration corresponding to
the third type till the time T4 when the power management circuit
140 recognizes that the signal type has been changed from the third
type to the second type, and the duration corresponding to the
third type is obtained as DT3 (T4-T3).
[0036] In the step S23, the processor 110 determines whether the
current signal type is changed. As mentioned above, the processor
110 may determine whether the current signal type is changed
according to current enabled channel and power V which are
identified by the power management circuit 140.
[0037] When the current signal type is determined as changed, in
the embodiment, in the step S24, the processor 110 stops
accumulating the duration, and recording the accumulated duration
as a total duration corresponding to the current signal type.
Specifically, if the current signal type is changed, the processor
110 may stop the accumulation of the duration corresponding to the
current signal type which is before the changing, and record the
accumulated duration as a total duration corresponding to the
current signal type before the changing. The processor 110 may
store the information of the total duration in a buffer or other
suitable storage device (e.g., non-volatile memory module, etc.).
Next, continue to step S22, the processor 110 may set the changed
signal type as a "new" current signal type, and re-accumulate a
duration corresponding to this new current signal type.
[0038] In the step S23, when the current signal type is determined
as unchanged, continue to step S25, the processor 110 calculates a
remaining duration corresponding to the current signal type
according to the total duration and the accumulated duration
corresponding to the current signal type. Specifically, the
processor 110 may read the total duration corresponding to the
current signal type (for example, read a total duration
corresponding to first type which is the type of the current signal
type), and minus the read total duration by a currently accumulated
duration corresponding to the current signal type to obtain a
difference, and treat this obtained difference as a remaining
duration corresponding to the current signal type.
[0039] For example, assuming that the read total duration
corresponding to the first type which is the type of the current
signal type is 30 seconds, and currently accumulated duration
corresponding to the first type (the current signal type is first
type) is 5 seconds. At this moment, the processor 110 may obtain a
remaining duration "25 seconds" (30-5 seconds) corresponding to the
first type. Namely, the processor 110 may know how long time
(remaining duration) the power V maintains as the first type
according to the recorded total duration corresponding to the first
type (current signal type) and the currently accumulated duration
corresponding to the first type (current signal type).
[0040] Next, in the step S26, the processor 110 pushes information
corresponding to the current signal type, wherein the information
includes a passing state and the remaining duration corresponding
to the current signal type. Specifically, the processor 110
identifies a passing state according to the current signal type,
and, after calculating the remaining duration corresponding to the
current signal type, the processor 110 may push (send/broadcast)
the passing state and the remaining duration corresponding to the
current signal type (information corresponding to the current
signal type) to nearby electronic device 20 via the wireless
communication module 130. In the embodiment, the processor 110 may
push the information in units of one second. That is, the processor
110 instructs the wireless communication module 130 to push the
generated information having the passing state and the remaining
duration at every second.
[0041] Next, back to the step S23, the processor 110 continues to
determine whether the current signal type is changed, and
continuously accumulates corresponding duration and calculates the
corresponding remaining duration.
[0042] In another embodiment, when setting the current signal type
(after step S21), the processor 110 may first determine whether the
corresponding total duration has been recorded. If so, the
processor 110 begins to count down the total duration every one
second to obtain the remaining duration. The processor 110 will
push the passing state and the obtained remaining duration
corresponding to the current signal type via the wireless
communication module 130. In another embodiment, if it is
determined that the corresponding total duration is not recorded,
the processor 110 starts to accumulate the corresponding duration
to obtain and record the total duration corresponding to the
current signal type till the timepoint that the current signal type
is changed.
[0043] The operation flow of electronic device receiving the pushed
information will be described in detail below by FIG. 4.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an
electronic device performing a notifying operation according to
received information according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is an aerial view schematic diagram illustrating determining
whether a moving direction of an electronic device is parallel to
lamp direction corresponding to the received information.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 4, in the step S41, the processor 210
continuously determines a current moving direction of an electronic
device 20.
[0046] For example, referring to FIG. 5, it is assumed that two
sets of lamps 11(1) to 11(4) and 12(1) to 12(4) are disposed on the
intersection of the roads 50, wherein information pushed by lamps
11(1) to 11(4) are the same, and information pushed by lamps 12(1)
to 12(4) are the same. The ranges for the lamps 11(1) to 11(4) to
push the information are respectively the pushing range R11(1) to
R11(4), and the ranges for the lamps 12(1) to 12(4) to push the
information are respectively the pushing range R12(1) to R12(4).
For example, the pushing range R11(1) is a circular pushing range
of Beacon (iBeacon) matching the Bluetooth 4.0 protocol which is
drawn/set around the lamp 11(1) (lamp 11(1) is as the center of the
pushing range), that is, an electronic device in the pushing range
R11(1) can receive the information pushed by the lamp 11(1).
[0047] A lamp direction corresponding to the lamps 11(1) to 11(4)
is a lamp direction D11, and a lamp direction corresponding to the
lamps 12(1) to 12(4) is a lamp direction D12. The lamp direction is
used for indicating a direction of a passage which is indicated by
the corresponding lamp. For example, the lamp direction D11
indicates a passage direction between the side of the road from the
lamp 11(1) and the side of the road of the lamp 11(2), and it (D11)
may also be a passage direction between the sides of road of the
lamp 11(3) and the lamp 11(4). For another example, the lamp
direction D12 indicates a passage direction between the side of the
road from the lamp 12(1) and the side of the road of the lamp
12(2), and it (D12) may also be a passage direction between the
sides of road of the lamp 12(3) and the lamp 12(4).
[0048] In this example, the processor 210 continuously determines,
according to the location information of the electronic device 20
detected by the global positioning device 220, the location change
of the electronic device 20 in the background, and further
identifies the traveling direction (moving direction of the
electronic device 20) as D10a. In addition, the moving direction
and the lamp direction can be expressed by using azimuth, and is
not limited thereto.
[0049] Next, in the step S42, the processor 210 receives a first
information pushed from a first lamp 11(1) via the wireless
communication module 230, and identifies a first lamp direction
D11. For example, when the electronic device 20 passes the position
P11, the electronic device 20 is entering the pushing range R11(1)
and starts to receive the first information pushed by the first
lamp 11(1). Since the first lamp 11(1) is located closer (comparing
to the second lamp 12(1)) to the electronic device 20, the
processor 210 recognizes that the first lamp direction D11 is
perpendicular to the moving direction D10a.
[0050] Next, if the electronic device 20 continuously moves forward
along the moving direction D10a, in the step S43, the processor 210
receives a second information pushed from the second lamp 12(1) via
the wireless communication module 230, and identifies a second lamp
direction D12. For example, when the electronic device 20 passes
the position P12, the electronic device 20 is entering the pushing
range R12(1) and starts to receive the second information pushed by
the second lamp 12(1). The processor 210 recognizes that the second
lamp direction D12 is parallel to the moving direction D10a. At
this moment, since the electronic device 20 is within the pushing
range R11(1), the electronic device 20 continuously receives the
pushed first information.
[0051] Next, in the step S44, the processor 210 determines whether
the electronic device 20 continuously moves.
[0052] Specifically, after receiving the first information and the
second information, the processor 210 may continuously determine
whether the electronic device 20 is moving continuously. If the
determination is yes, in step S45, the processor 210 determines
whether the current moving direction is parallel to the first lamp
direction D11 or the second lamp direction D12. Specifically, the
processor 210 determines whether the currently identified moving
direction is parallel to the first lamp direction D11 or the second
lamp direction D12 set before. For example, if the current moving
direction is the moving direction D10b, the processor 210
determines that the current moving direction is parallel to the
first lamp direction D11. If the current moving direction is the
moving direction D10c, the processor 210 determines that the
current moving direction is parallel to the second lamp direction
D12.
[0053] In another embodiment, after the processor 210 receives the
pushed information of the first lamp 11(1) and the second lamp
12(1), the processor 210 determines a relationship between the
current identified moving direction (also referred to as the third
moving direction) and a first moving direction or a relationship of
the third moving direction and a second moving direction, wherein
the first moving direction is the first lamp direction D11 and the
second moving direction is the second lamp direction D12. For
example, if the third moving direction is changed from D10a to
D10b, the processor 210 determines the currently identified third
moving direction is parallel to the first lamp direction D11 and
vertical to the second lamp direction D12. If the third moving
direction is from D10a to D10c, the processor 210 determines the
currently identified third moving direction is parallel to the
second lamp direction D12 and vertical to the first lamp direction
D11.
[0054] In step S45, when the third moving direction (currently
identified moving direction of the electronic device 20) is
determined as being parallel to the first lamp direction D11,
continue to step S46, the processor 210 performs a notifying
operation according to the first information of the first lamp
11(1); when the third moving direction (currently identified moving
direction of the electronic device 20) is determined as being
parallel to the second lamp direction D12, continue to step S47,
the processor 210 performs a notifying operation according to the
second information of the second lamp 12(1).
[0055] That is, if it is determined that the current moving
direction is parallel to the first lamp direction D11, the
processor 210 determines that the electronic device 20 will pass
through a passage between the first lamp 11(1) to the first lamp
11(2), and then the processor 210 uses the first information pushed
by the first lamp 11(1) to perform a prompt operation (also called
as the notifying operation). If it is determined that the current
moving direction is parallel to the second lamp direction D12, the
processor 210 determines that the electronic device 20 will pass
through a passage between the second lamp 12(1) to the second lamp
12(2), and further uses the second information pushed by the second
lamp 12(1) to perform a notifying operation. Next, the operation
flow returns to the step S41. That is, the electronic device 20
determines the current moving direction and continuously receives
the information pushed by the lamp 10, and determines the pushed
information should be referred based on determining whether the
current moving direction of the electronic device 20 is parallel to
a certain lamp direction.
[0056] In addition, if the processor 210 receives information
pushed by a third lamp, and the content of this information is the
same as the content of the information being used by the electronic
device 20 currently, the processor 210 treats the information
pushed by the third lamp as a new second information, and sets the
third lamp as a new second lamp. Then, a following new and
different received information (pushed by a fourth lamp) would be
treated as a new first information, and the fourth lamp that pushes
the new first information would be set as a new first lamp. For
example, if the moving direction is the first moving direction D11,
when the electronic device 20 enters the pushing range R11(2) from
the pushing range R11(1) and starts to receive information pushed
by a third lamp 11(2), since the information pushed by the third
lamp 11(2) is the same as the information pushed by the first lamp
11(1), the information pushed by the third lamp 11(2) would be
treated as a new second information, and the third lamp 11(2) would
be set as a new second lamp 11(2). Then the electronic device 20
keeps moving forward, when the electronic device 20 enters the
pushing range R12(3) and starts to receive the information
(different to the currently used information) pushed by the fourth
lamp 12(3), this information will be regarded as a new first
information, the fourth lamp 12(3) would be set as the new first
lamp, and so on. As described above, the received first information
or second information may include the passing state and the
corresponding remaining duration corresponding to the first lamp
11(1) or the second lamp 12(1). Assuming that the processor 210
performs the notifying operation according to the first
information, the processor 210 first identifies the passing state
and the corresponding remaining duration of the received first
information. If the passing state is the allowable-passing state
(the first passing state), the processor 210 counts down the
remaining duration corresponding to the allowable-passing state,
and the processor 210 generates a sound signal or an image signal
to indicate (prompt) the remaining duration being counted down. For
example, the processor 210 may generate a sound signal to make a
sound through the speaker of the electronic device 20, and the
sound corresponds to the current passing state and the current
remaining duration being counted down. For example, the speaker of
the electronic device 20 may make a voice like "twenty seconds left
for passing through" to indicate that the current passing state of
the passage is the allowable-passing state and the remaining
duration of the allowable-passing state is twenty seconds. Or, the
processor 210 can generate an image signal to display an image
through the screen of the electronic device 20, and the image
corresponds to the current passing state and the current remaining
duration being counted down. For example, the screen of the
electronic device 20 will display a green number "20" to indicate
that the current passing state of the passage is the
allowable-passing state and the remaining duration of the
allowable-passing state is twenty seconds. Along with the counting
down of the remaining duration, the remaining duration would be
reflected via the voice/image played/displayed by the electronic
device 20.
[0057] In addition, if the passing state is the forbidden-passing
state, the processor 210 instructs the electronic device 20 to
issue a notification sound or vibration, the processor 210 counts
down the remaining duration corresponding to the forbidden-passing
state, and the processor 210 generates another sound signal or
another image signal to indicate the remaining duration being
counted down. Different from the foregoing example of
allowable-passing state, the processor 210 may generate a beep
sound (waring sound) or prompt vibration when the passing state is
forbidden-passing state, so as to more clearly remind that a
current passage the electronic device 20 is about to pass through
is forbidden.
[0058] For example, when the passing state is identified as the
forbidden-passing state, the electronic device 20 may first make a
vibration. Next, the speaker of the electronic device 20 generates
a voice "passing is forbidden for twenty seconds" to indicate
current forbidden-passing state and there are still twenty seconds
remaining in the current forbidden-passing state. Or, the red
number "20" is displayed on the screen of the electronic device 20
to indicate current forbidden-passing state and there are still
twenty seconds remaining in the current forbidden-passing
state.
[0059] In an embodiment, the processor 210 may also cause the
electronic device 20 to send out another beep sound or vibration
when the passing state is changed.
[0060] If, in the step S44, the processor 210 determines that the
electronic device 20 does not move continuously, in the step S48,
the processor may perform the notifying operation according to both
the first information corresponding to the first lamp 11(1) and the
second information corresponding to the second lamp 12(1) at the
same time. For example, when the electronic device 20 stops at the
position P13, the processor 210 determines that the electronic
device 20 is not moving continuously (is not keeping moving), and
then, the processor 210 make the screen of the electronic device 20
displays different passing states and remaining times respectively
corresponding to different lamp direction at the same time (may
displayed on different location of the screen). Furthermore, the
corresponding lamp direction may be displayed on the screen.
[0061] Based on the above, lamp, electronic device and passing
information pushing system provided by the embodiment of the
present invention, are capable of letting the traffic lights or
lamps having similar function determine passing state of
corresponding passage by using signal type of the current received
power, and obtaining total durations and remaining durations
respectively corresponding to different passing states, and then
proactively pushing information including the passing states and
corresponding remaining durations of the corresponding passage to
nearby electronic devices. Such that an electronic devices
receiving the pushed information may perform, based on determining
whether current moving direction of the electronic device is
parallel to lamp direction corresponding to the received
information, a notifying operation to indicate current passing
state and remaining duration corresponding to the passing state for
a passage through which the electronic device is about to pass.
Therefore, even when a lamp displays abnormally (e.g., parts of
light-emitting elements thereof are broken), the provided system
may still provide pedestrian correct passing state of the passage
which is about to be passed through by the pedestrian, so as to
reduce traffic accident.
[0062] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the
present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
present invention cover modifications and variations of this
invention provided they fall within the scope of the following
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *