EP0135641A1 - Integrated device, composed of independent modular elements, from which each function allows the localization and/or the display and/or the processing of numerical signals for use in public transport - Google Patents

Abstract

Integrated device composed of independent modular elements (beacons, display panels, visual display unit) which can be interconnected via a central computer (16). The signal coming from the beacon situated at a place where vehicles pass is processed bit by bit to form a reliable message which is available, for subsequent analysis, in the output register on board the vehicle. The message received from the beacon on board the vehicle is tested by a microprocessor (15) which represents the receiver unit for all the information coming from the beacons, from the vehicles, from the radios or from the cables. This receiver unit (15) is connected to the central computer (16). A storage unit (18) and a display console (19) are also connected to the central computer (16). Use for public transport vehicles. <IMAGE>

Description

Location beacons are placed in an area used by public transport lines. These beacons send and receive in microwave order coded digital signals relating to: the identification of the beacon; line number and vehicle number entering the area

• - Dispositif de visualisation : aux arrêts véhicules de transport en commun.

of action formed by a radio cone defined by the transmitter-receiver assemblies of the beacon and of the vehicle. These basic elements allow the use of the device such as:

• - Display device: at public transport vehicle stops.

The digital information coming from the beacons, by radio or wire, are taken into account in an input register constituted by a random access memory area which is continuously scanned by the logic processing unit. The data received in this input register are compared with values corresponding to the tag numbers to be received at the panel in question. If the result of this test is positive, the logic processing unit sends the orders corresponding to the switching on or off of the indicator light or the display of the alphanumeric message on a display screen to the output unit.

A clock card can be used to give the time at the stop point.

An indicator light indicating the end of service of the lines is present on the panel.

Data transmission device.

The tags are made up of a code programming device identification of the location of the transmitter called "control logic" and of a transmission part called "microwave card".

Operation.

The control unit cyclically transmits its identification number in the form of a binary message coded in F.S.K modulation to the microwave card.

The control unit includes a quartz clock, division chains, a F.S.K type modulator, a power supply.

The microwave card is formed around a cavity fitted with a "Gun" diode, constituting the transmission device with its antenna.

On board the vehicle, a card fitted with a microwave cavity receives the signal from the beacon, amplifies it, transmits this signal to a decoder which will reproduce the message received from the beacon. This signal is tested by a microprocessor when this verification unit has determined that the message received is correct.

This identification value will be stored in the output register for use by the vehicle.

Display unit inside the public transport vehicle.

A device inside the public transport vehicle recognizes the identity of the beacon; this tag number received, compared with the line number present in the public transport vehicle, makes it possible to select the message corresponding to the name of the next stop and to display it in alphanumeric form.

Centralization of information.

All the information coming from the beacons and / or vehicles, by radio or wire, is collected on a computer allowing the management of this information, for a real-time or deferred operation for statistical purposes.

Collection of specific data.

An autonomous beacon entry system can be used to collect information on transit times, line numbers and transit vehicle numbers at a given point on a vehicle route.

The information is stored in a memory of the autonomous beacon. At the end of the measurement campaign, this data is transferred to the central computer or to a simpler system of data collection in order to determine the operating performance of a line of public transport vehicles.

Data transmission device relating to the location of a vehicle.

The beacon device cyclically transmits its identification code as well as the state of its supply battery; it is an autonomous device placed on any support: public lighting mast, arcades, etc.

The code emitted by the beacon is propagated by microwave wave in an action cone called zone of influence.

On board a vehicle there is a microwave receiver device and a signal processing logic equipped with a microprocessor. This logic, placed in the zone of influence of the beacon, recognizes the transmitted codes, verifies them and develops a valid message on the output device of the microprocessor card; this message is available for internal use of the public transport vehicle.

• La figure 1 est un tableau synoptique du dispositif de visualisation aux arrêts du véhicule.
• La figure 2 est un tableau synoptique du dispositif d'interrogation par la balise et d'utilisation des signaux par le véhicule.
• La figure 3 est un tableau synoptique du dispositif de l'unité d'affichage à l'intérieur du véhicule.
• La figure 4 est un tableau synoptique centralisant toutes les informations en provenance des balises ou des véhicules.

The attached figures given by way of indicative and non-limiting example will easily allow the invention to be understood. They represent a preferred embodiment according to the invention.

• Figure 1 is a block table of the display device when the vehicle is stopped.
• Figure 2 is a block table of the interrogation device by the beacon and use of signals by the vehicle.
• Figure 3 is a block table of the device of the display unit inside the vehicle.
• Figure 4 is a block table centralizing all the information from the beacons or vehicles.

In figure 1, element 1 represents the modem, the radio, the wires. This element 1 is linked to element 2 which contains the input information. Element 2 is connected to the logic processing unit 3. The logic processing unit 3 is connected to the memory 4 EPROM which allows the identification of the beacon and to the output unit 5. The output 5 is connected to the screen or display panel 6.

In FIG. 2, either on board the vehicle, the reference 7 represents the antenna which is connected to the microwave unit 8 which is connected to a microprocessor 9.

The information from the microprocessor 9 goes to an output register 10. From the output register 10, this information can be directly used on board the vehicle (name of a next stop, etc.).

Figure 3 shows the display unit inside the vehicle.

The reference 11 represents the element corresponding to the number of the tag; it is connected to the microprocessor 9, as well as the element 12 which corresponds to the line number.

The microprocessor 9 is connected at 13 to a table of the names of the stops and at 14 to the display in the vehicle by a panel.

• a) Information pour l'usager à l'intérieur du véhicule de transport en commun : en fonction de l'identité de la balise reçue, un dispositif de visualisation affiche, dans le véhicule, le nom du prochain arrêt.
• b) pour un dispositif de gestion centralisé :

• L'information de localisation est transmise sur l'interface moderne de l'équipement radiotéléphone du véhicule, puis recueillie dans le poste central.

In Figure 4, 15 shows the unit for receiving all the information from beacons, vehicles, radios or cables. This reception unit 15 is connected to the central computer 16. On the central computer 16 are also connected a storage unit 18 and a display console 19.

• a) Information for the user inside the public transport vehicle: depending on the identity of the beacon received, a display device displays the name of the next stop in the vehicle.
• b) for a centralized management system:

• The location information is transmitted on the modern interface of the vehicle's radiotelephone equipment, then collected in the central station.

The information of users at the stop point can be transmitted, by radio or wire, to panels fitted with a modem and a central processing unit with microprocessor, which will decode the delay information at the considered stop point , thus giving on the panel the state of positioning of the various public transport vehicles circulating on the different lines equipped with the location device.

Vehicles equipped with the microwave perception emission device may be recognized by autonomous beacons arranged on a particular route. This beacon device makes it possible to collect the passage times, the equipped public transport vehicles as well as their vehicle numbers. The information is stored in a memory which can be converted into a magnetic cassette medium, for subsequent analysis on a microcomputer in order to collect the different numbers of public transport vehicles, location, line numbers, passage time for statistical studies.

A computer collects all information relating to the movement of vehicles via the wired or radio network of the location device.

Claims (4)

1. Integrated device for locating, viewing and processing digital signals for use in public transport, characterized by the fact that it is formed of independent modular elements (beacons, display panels, display control screen ) which can be interconnected on a central computer (16). 2. Integrated device for locating, viewing and processing digital signals for use in public transport according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal from the beacon located at the places of passage of vehicles, is processed bit by bit to form a reliable message available in the output register (10) which is on board the vehicle for further analysis. 3. Integrated device for locating, viewing and processing digital signals for use in public transport according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the message received from the beacon on board the vehicle is tested. by a microprocessor (9). 4. Integrated device for locating, viewing and processing digital signals for use in public transport according to any one of claims 1 or 3, characterized in that the beacon signals received on board the vehicle are processed on board and available for integration into a central collection computer device (16).

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