AU2018201416A1

AU2018201416A1 - Portable programmable display and display system

Info

Publication number: AU2018201416A1
Application number: AU2018201416A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Troy Raymond Wollard
Original assignee: Bartco Traffic Equipment Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Bartco Traffic Equipment Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-02-27
Filing date: 2018-02-27
Publication date: 2018-09-13
Also published as: GB2560440A8; GB201803173D0; GB2560440A

Abstract

H: \txb\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TXB\16530900_1.doc-26/02/2018 A portable programmable display wherein the display includes a mobile communication device arranged to communicate with a remote central controller by a wireless communication network such that the display is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller to change a visual depiction on the display, and an orientation device arranged to determine orientation of the display about at least one axis, wherein the display is arranged to transmit information to the central controller in response to data obtained from the orientation device. 32, Compass Accelerometer Variable Message Sign to goFge Figure 1

Description

Portable programmable display and display system

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a portable programmable display and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a portable programmable display in the form of a traffic signal/sign having the ability to monitor correct orientation, location and/or motion of the signal/sign.

Background of the Invention

It is known to provide programmable signs for use in directing vehicle traffic and other purposes. These display signs may include an illuminated panel which is able to be programmed to show a range of symbols, words and the like. It is known to program such signs with a computer which uploads program information to the sign via a cable directly connected to the computer and the sign.

Previously proposed traffic message signs and signalling equipment are portable and have a global positioning system (GPS) for tracking. However, the applicant has determined that knowing the latitude and longitude of a sign or signal does not ensure that the display is placed in the correct direction for viewing by the intended target audience. Moreover, portable signs and signals are sometimes subjected to high winds or even traffic accidents and it is vital to know if the device is in an upright position or if it has been struck so that corrective action can be taken without the need to visually inspect by physically visiting every message sign in a large network.

Examples of the invention seek to provide an improved portable programmable display which overcomes or at least alleviates disadvantages associated with existing portable programmable displays.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable programmable display wherein the display includes a mobile communication device arranged to communicate with a remote central controller by a wireless communication network such that the display is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller to change a visual depiction on the display, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device arranged to determine a position of the display, an orientation device arranged to determine orientation of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes, and an accelerometer for determining acceleration of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes, wherein the display is arranged to transmit information by the mobile communication device via the wireless communication network to the remote central controller based on data obtained from the orientation device and/or the accelerometer device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable programmable display wherein the display includes a mobile communication device arranged to communicate with a remote central controller by a wireless communication network such that the display is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller to change a visual depiction on the display, an orientation device arranged to determine orientation of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes, and an accelerometer for determining acceleration of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes, wherein the display is arranged to transmit information to the central controller in response to data obtained from the orientation device and/or the accelerometer device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable programmable display wherein the display includes a mobile communication device arranged to communicate with a remote central controller by a wireless communication network such that the display is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller to change a visual depiction on the display, and an accelerometer for determining acceleration of the display about at least one axis, wherein the display is arranged to transmit information to the central controller in response to data obtained from the accelerometer device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable programmable display wherein the display includes a mobile communication device arranged to communicate with a remote central controller by a wireless communication network such that the display is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller to change a visual depiction on the display, and an orientation device arranged to determine orientation of the display about at least one axis, wherein the display is arranged to transmit information to the central controller in response to data obtained from the orientation device.

Preferably, the orientation device is arranged to determine orientation of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes.

Preferably, the display is in the form of a variable message sign (VMS).

Preferably, said information transmitted to the central controller in response to data obtained from the orientation device relates to a degree of tilting of the display from a vertical configuration and/or a degree of rotation of the display about a vertical axis.

In a preferred form, the orientation device is in the form of a three dimensional (3D) compass. More preferably, the 3D compass is positioned at an upper portion of the display. In one form, the display is provided with photo-voltaic (PV) panels located in proximity to the 3D compass. The orientation device may be in the form of a combined 3D compass and accelerometer board.

Preferably, information collected by the orientation device is logged by the display.

Preferably, the display is configured to be automatically programmed according to location and orientation of the display. More preferably, information to be displayed by the sign is instructed to the display on arrival at the location and orientation combination, as determined by the on-board GPS and the on-board orientation device. Even more preferably, the display is instructed remotely from a remote controller.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display system including: a display network comprising a plurality of portable programmable displays, each display being a display as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 12, the plurality of portable programmable displays being located at mutually spaced locations; and a central controller adapted to control the displays; wherein the central controller is arranged to communicate with the plurality of displays by a wireless communication network, and the central controller sends a control command to one of said displays in response to receiving information from the display indicating that the orientation of the display does not meet a specified orientation criteria.

Preferably, the orientation criteria is set to require that the display is optimally oriented for visibility by users.

In a preferred form, the control command is to switch off the display.

It is preferred that the central controller and/or an on-board computer forming part of the display monitors orientation of the display to check that the display remains correctly oriented to be viewed by a target audience.

Preferably, the system is configured to automatically change a message depicted on the display in response to the orientation criteria not being met.

Preferably, the system is configured to issue a notification to an operator in response to the orientation criteria not being met.

In a preferred form, the display system determines motion of the display requiring correction such as, for example, motion caused by vandalism, accidental contact with vehicles and/or by wind.

Preferably, the system measures amplitude and direction of any motion to which the display is subjected and, subject to a predetermined level, triggers said control command.

Preferably, the central controller changes a message depicted on the display according to a degree of displacement of the display determined by the orientation device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sketch of a portable programmable display in the form of a Variable Message Sign (VMS), in accordance with an example of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram depicting a display system in accordance with an example of the present invention; and

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing operation of a Variable Message Sign (VMS) in accordance with an example of the present invention.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a portable programmable display in accordance with an example of the present invention. Advantageously, the portable programmable sign uses an orientation device (for example a 3D compass) and/or an accelerometer in order to monitor correct orientation of the display and to notify a remote station and/or operator in the event that the portable programmable display ceases to maintain a correct orientation for viewing of the display by an intended audience. Examples of the invention may be used by the traffic and transport industries, mining, manufacturing or navigation. Examples of the invention relate to the innovative use of a 3D compass/accelerometer sensor and associated electronic circuitry to monitor the orientation and motion of portable sign equipment such as a Variable Message Sign (VMS), a video display, a traffic light or an arrow board. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative examples of the invention may also be used in other applications.

More specifically, with reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is provided a portable programmable display 10 wherein the display unit (see Figure 1) includes a mobile communication device 12 arranged to communicate with a remote central controller 14 by a wireless communication network 16. The portable programmable display 10 is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller 14 to change a visual depiction on the display 10. The portable programmable display 10 also includes an orientation device 10 which is arranged to determine orientation of the display 10 about at least one axis. The portable programmable display 10 is arranged to transmit information to the central controller 14 in response to data obtained from the orientation device 18.

By virtue of having the orientation device 18, it is possible for the portable programmable display 10 to generate a signal when the display 10 ceases to maintain its correct orientation, for example when the display 10 is blown over by wind or knocked over in a vehicle accident or by vandals, such that appropriate corrective action can be taken. The display 10 may include an accelerometer 20 which is able to measure acceleration of the display 10 and to determine if corrective action is required based on sensing a predetermined trigger acceleration. The portable programmable display 10 may also include a Global Positioning System (GPS) device arranged to determine a position of the display 10 such that longitude and latitude coordinates of the location of the portable programmable display 10 are able to be transmitted to the remote central controller 14.

In a preferred form, the orientation device 18 is arranged to determine orientation of the display 10 about three mutually perpendicular axes. Specifically, the orientation device 18 may be arranged to determine orientation of the display 10 about a vertical axis, a horizontal axis perpendicular to a signage face of the display 10 and a second horizontal axis which is parallel to the signage face. In this way, the orientation device 10 is able to determine if the portable programmable display 10 has been rotated and/or if the portable programmable display 10 has been tipped over. Predetermined thresholds may be set such that a message is sent to the central controller 14 in the event that the display 10 is moved to an incorrect orientation for the central controller 14 to be notified. On notifying the central controller 14, the display 10 may be visited by an attendant to correct the orientation of the display 10 and an instruction may be sent automatically by the central controller 14 (for example, the central controller 14 may instruct the display 10 to switch off until the orientation is corrected).

The display 10 may be in the form of a Variable Message Sign (VMS), of the kind shown in Figure 1 which includes a sign portion 22, a stand 24, a base 26 having wheels 28 and stabilising feet 30. The base 26 may be in the form of a trailer with a coupling such that the portable programmable display 10 is able to be towed by a vehicle.

The information transmitted to the central controller 14 in response to data obtained from the orientation device 18 may relate to a degree of tilting of the display 10 from a vertical configuration and/or a degree of rotation of the display 10 about a vertical axis. In one form, the orientation device 18 may be in the form of a 3D compass 32 which may be positioned at an upper portion of the display 10 (see Figure 1). The orientation device 18 may be in the form of a combined 3D compass and accelerometer board which are combined as a single unit. The 3D compass 32 (and/or the accelerometer 20) may be located in proximity to photo-voltaic (PV) panels provided as a component part of the portable programmable display 10.

The information collected by the orientation device 18 may be logged by the display 10 such that a record of the orientation of the display 10 may be downloaded from the display 10 for analysis, with a time stamp for each event such that an operator is able to determine the time at which the display 10 ceased to be in the correct orientation.

The portable programmable display 10 may be part of a larger display system which includes a network of displays, for example across a city or a country. The central controller 14 may keep track of the locations of the different displays on a map, and an alert may be generated on the map at a corresponding location in the event that a display at that location adopts an incorrect orientation. With reference to Figure 2, there is provided a display system 34 including a display network comprising a plurality of portable programmable displays 10, each display being a portable programmable display 10 as shown in Figure 1. The plurality of portable programmable displays 10 are located at mutually spaced locations (for example, across a city, country or the world). The display system 34 includes a central controller 14 adapted to control the displays 10. The central controller 14 is arranged to communicate with the plurality of displays 10 by a wireless communication network 16, and the central controller 14 sends a control command to one of the displays 10 in response to receiving information from the display 10 indicating that the orientation of the display does not meet a specified orientation criteria.

In one form, the orientation criteria is set to require that the display 10 is optimally orientated for visibility by users. Figure 3 shows a flow chart depicting a process of operation of the display system 34 in which the 3D compass 32 determines orientation of the VMS 10 at box 36 and the orientation of the display 10 is compared with the specified orientation criteria in the diamond 38.

In one example, the control command may be to switch off the display 10 in the event that the display 10 does not meet the specified orientation criteria. The central controller 14 and/or an on-board computer forming part of the display 10 monitors orientation of the display 10 to check that the display 10 remains correctly oriented to be viewed by a target audience. The display system 34 may be configured to automatically change a message depicted on the display sign portion 22 in response to the orientation criteria not being met. The display system 34 may also be configured to issue a notification to an operator in response to the orientation criteria not being met.

The display system 34 may also determine motion of the display 10 requiring correction such as, for example, motion caused by vandalism, accidental contact with vehicles and/or by wind. This determination may occur as an “Accelerometer Interrupt” as depicted in diamond 40 in the flow chart of Figure 3. The display system 34 may measure amplitude and direction of any motion to which the display 10 is subjected and, subject to a predetermined threshold level, triggers said control command and/or a message to the remote operator. The central controller 14 may change a message depicted on the sign portion 22 according to a degree of displacement of the display 10 determined by the orientation device.

Example

An example of the invention is discussed below.

The display may include a sensor connected to an electronic circuit board, associated components and process which will allow a remote operator or an automatic system to determine the orientation of a portable display or sign and the elevation of the same and other associated equipment.

One feature allows remote monitoring of the actual direction of the display. This will allow an operator to determine if the sign is correctly positioned with respect to an observer reading traffic messages, signals or advertising material. The use of a 3D compass will allow continuous remote monitoring of the direction the sign is facing which is important to ensure that a message is going to be read by its intended target audience.

Another feature allows for automatic changing of messages based on a predetermined database which will interpret and display the intended message or signal based on the direction and location of the sign or signal.

Another aspect is to determine any motion associated with the sign or signal which may be caused by vandalism, accidental contact with vehicles or by natural elements such as wind.

The Electronic Circuit

The example includes a 3D compass sensor embedded in an electronic circuit with a small microcontroller and electronic components to a VMS or other type of controller. The electronic circuit is connected to the main controller by a serial interface which will enable remote communications via the mobile cellular network (GPRS). The electronic compass circuit will act as a sensor to the main controller. The sensor will consist of a 3D compass/accelerometer in the form of a commercial integrated circuit. This sensor is to be mounted on the top of a portable device. The orientation of all other parts of the sign will be derived by their position relative to the display sensor compass. Furthermore a component of the sensor which measures acceleration in a three-dimensional rectangular space will be monitored to determine the force of any movement of the sensor and hence the sign or display device. A block diagram of the invention is shown in Figure 2.

Problems Solved

When a sign or signalling device is delivered to a site the location is known but there is no remote indication as to the orientation of the sign or signalling device. If a sign is correctly placed then accidental contact may cause the orientation of the sign to change. The compass will allow determination of the orientation of the device whilst the accelerometer will give an indication of the magnitude of force or movement that the device undergoes.

The example solves the problem of not knowing the orientation of a Variable Message Sign (or other portable device) or whether the device has been moved.

Basic Principle A system to determine the orientation and condition of a portable electronic traffic sign or video board using a GPS, electronic 3D compass and accelerometer.

The sensor measures the Earth’s magnetic field and a computation in threedimensional space using Χ,Υ,Ζ rectangular coordinates used to determine the actual orientation of a sign or other device. The sensor also measures acceleration in the same three-dimensional coordinate system and computation done by the electronic controller determines the amplitude and direction of any motion to which the sign is subjected. Any impact above a predetermined level will trigger an interrupt in the main controller and subsequently trigger an action.

In the current state of art, the position of portable electronic signs is determined by a GPS. This does not show the direction in which the sign is facing or in fact whether it is vertical. The use of a 3D electronic compass fitted to a portable sign or other device will allow determination of the orientation of said sign and coupled with an accelerometer will allow to determine the extent (if any) of damage to the sign caused by accidental or deliberate contact. Advantageously, the applicant has also determined that the provision of a 3D electronic compass may also be used to facilitate automatic programming of the electronic sign based on the GPS location of the electronic sign and/or the orientation of the sign as determined by the 3D electronic compass. In particular, the applicant has determined that it would be beneficial for the electronic sign to be automatically programmed with the information to be displayed by the sign on arrival at a particular location and orientation as determined by the on-board GPS and the on-board 3D electronic compass. For example, on bringing the electronic sign to a place where it is to be deployed, the electronic sign may automatically download the information to be displayed according to the specific location and orientation of the display. The location could be used to determine that the display is to be used to indicate to passing cars that there is an exhibition adjacent the location, and the orientation of the display may be used to indicate the direction to which the passing cars need to turn - facing in one direction, the display may indicate “turn left” whereas facing in the opposite direction the display may indicate “turn right”.

Information collected at the sign or device will be logged in the main controller but will also be transmitted to a remote location such as a website where a database will be used to compare the location and orientation of the display or signal. If the sign is in the correct position then a specific message is displayed. Measurement of the degree of displacement will determine what action (if any) is required and if the message is required to change.

Additional information from the accelerometer is used to determine if the sign has recorded any sudden motion in any of the three dimensions.

This will be used to determine if the sign has been damaged due to collision or tipped by wind.

Operation

When the sign or other device is delivered to a site and turned on, the program will go through a process of identifying the location and orientation. Once this is determined either a message based on the correct placement of the sign is downloaded from a remote location, or the sign message is enabled from a remote location or the sign loads the message and advises the remote location of the message. In the case of the placement being incorrect, the remote operator or data base is located and action may be taken to correct the situation. This may involve remote turning off of the sign or sending an operator to the sign to correct the orientation.

Once the sign is correctly located and functioning, the sensor is polled to determine if there has been any movement in the sign. If the sign has been struck or has moved then the controller will send a message to the remote location and action can be taken automatically or an operator can be sent to the site.

One possible action that can be taken would be to turn off the sign if it is no longer vertical or is facing in an incorrect direction after being struck.

Location of Compass

The compass is to be located on the top of the sign or signal close to the PV panels in order to minimise magnetic distortion due to ferromagnetic materials in the sign. This is shown in Figure 1.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A portable programmable display wherein the display includes a mobile communication device arranged to communicate with a remote central controller by a wireless communication network such that the display is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller to change a visual depiction on the display, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device arranged to determine a position of the display, an orientation device arranged to determine orientation of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes, and an accelerometer for determining acceleration of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes, wherein the display is arranged to transmit information by the mobile communication device via the wireless communication network to the remote central controller based on data obtained from the orientation device and/or the accelerometer device.
2. A portable programmable display wherein the display includes a mobile communication device arranged to communicate with a remote central controller by a wireless communication network such that the display is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller to change a visual depiction on the display, an orientation device arranged to determine orientation of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes, and an accelerometer for determining acceleration of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes, wherein the display is arranged to transmit information to the central controller in response to data obtained from the orientation device and/or the accelerometer device.
3. A portable programmable display wherein the display includes a mobile communication device arranged to communicate with a remote central controller by a wireless communication network such that the display is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller to change a visual depiction on the display, and an accelerometer for determining acceleration of the display about at least one axis, wherein the display is arranged to transmit information to the central controller in response to data obtained from the accelerometer device.
4. A portable programmable display wherein the display includes a mobile communication device arranged to communicate with a remote central controller by a wireless communication network such that the display is able to be programmed remotely by the central controller to change a visual depiction on the display, and an orientation device arranged to determine orientation of the display about at least one axis, wherein the display is arranged to transmit information to the central controller in response to data obtained from the orientation device.
5. A portable programmable display as claimed in claim 4, wherein the orientation device is arranged to determine orientation of the display about three mutually perpendicular axes.
6. A portable programmable display as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the display is in the form of a variable message sign (VMS).
7. A portable programmable display as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said information transmitted to the central controller in response to data obtained from the orientation device relates to a degree of tilting of the display from a vertical configuration and/or a degree of rotation of the display about a vertical axis.
8. A portable programmable display as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the orientation device is in the form of a three dimensional (3D) compass.
9. A portable programmable display as claimed in claim 8, wherein the 3D compass is positioned at an upper portion of the display.
10. A portable programmable display as claimed in claim 9, wherein the display is provided with photo-voltaic (PV) panels located in proximity to the 3D compass.
11. A portable programmable display as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the orientation device is in the form of a combined 3D compass and accelerometer board.
12. A portable programmable display as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein information collected by the orientation device is logged by the display.
13. A portable programmable display as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the display is configured to be automatically programmed according to location and orientation of the display.
14. A portable programmable display as claimed in claim 13, wherein information to be displayed by the sign is instructed to the display on arrival at the location and orientation combination, as determined by the on-board GPS and the on-board orientation device.
15. A portable programmable display as claimed in claim 14, wherein the display is instructed remotely from a remote controller.
16. A display system including: a display network comprising a plurality of portable programmable displays, each display being a display as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 12, the plurality of portable programmable displays being located at mutually spaced locations; and a central controller adapted to control the displays; wherein the central controller is arranged to communicate with the plurality of displays by a wireless communication network, and the central controller sends a control command to one of said displays in response to receiving information from the display indicating that the orientation of the display does not meet a specified orientation criteria.
17. A display system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the orientation criteria is set to require that the display is optimally oriented for visibility by users.
18. A display system as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the control command is to switch off the display.
19. A display system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the central controller and/or an on-board computer forming part of the display monitors orientation of the display to check that the display remains correctly oriented to be viewed by a target audience.
20. A display system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the system is configured to automatically change a message depicted on the display in response to the orientation criteria not being met.
21. A display system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the system is configured to issue a notification to an operator in response to the orientation criteria not being met.
22. A display system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the display system determines motion of the display requiring correction such as, for example, motion caused by vandalism, accidental contact with vehicles and/or by wind.
23. A display system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the system measures amplitude and direction of any motion to which the display is subjected and, subject to a predetermined level, triggers said control command.
24. A display system as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein the central controller changes a message depicted on the display according to a degree of displacement of the display determined by the orientation device.
25. A portable programmable display substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
26. A display system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.