Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/16—Anti-collision systems
  • G08G1/164—Centralised systems, e.g. external to vehicles

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a security system for automobile traffic, by controlling a computer in a given perimeter giving it the possibility of possibly reducing the speed of a vehicle in danger. This control is carried out by a permanent radio link between the computer and vehicles, so that it sends the deceleration order to that of them which goes too fast, and this independently of the driver.
• the first characteristic point of the invention is therefore constituted by a set of computers, specialized for this kind of work and arranged along the roads.
• Each computer can control from one hundred to a thousand vehicles at a time, by a radio signal of one hundredth to one thousandth of a second, approximately every second, this signal going from the computer to the vehicle and vice versa.
• the hundredth of a second is taken as the working basis, as well as the control of a hundred vehicles by the computer.
• This field of work is a portion of the road network more or less important depending on the maximum possible density of car traffic, which depends on the width of the roads and their entanglement.
• Each computer must be able to operate continuously and continuously; but one of them should be shut down anyway, due to maintenance or in the event of a breakdown. We cannot therefore be content to juxtapose the intervention perimeters, thereby leaving part of the network without any control.
• the radio dialogue between computers and vehicles is therefore done on 3 sets of frequencies in the above case, or 6 in all, for transmission and reception.
• the normal average must be 2 control computers on the same vehicle, while in the event of a computer failure there may be only one.
• this triple set of frequencies is insufficient for use, for the tangle of roads around large cities in particular. It is therefore 4, even 5 or more sets of frequencies that can be used for the application of the device.
• the linear succession of computers relates to their frequency sets, the first computer operating on the same set as the fourth, the second on the same set as the fifth, the third on the same set as the sixth, etc. This is seen in the simplest case of 3 sets of frequencies, so that the transmitters of computers working on the same frequencies are far enough from each other so that interference cannot occur.
• the speed thus deducted should be compared to that which the vehicle will give to the computer, favoring the highest in the event of divergence for possible deceleration, that calculated by the computer being less than reality if the vehicle is in a curve, in particular.
• the rounding of speeds from 5 km / h to 5 km / h above or below is systematic, and results in a code ranging from "I" for the lowest speed to be taken into account, of the order of 35 km / h., up to a regulatory maximum from which the deceleration is automatic.
• the direction of movement of the vehicle is also deduced from the consecutive identification of two signals by the direction-finder. It is therefore it which makes it possible to very precisely locate the vehicle with which the computer is in relation, and to locate it in all that the radar has supplied to it, as regards its environment. Because the radar is only able to see spots and cannot make this connection in space between the vehicle concerned and the computer. On the other hand, the combination of information from the radar and the direction-finder must enable the computer to locate the vehicle with which it is in contact at any given time.
• the second characteristic point of the invention is the installation of an electronic chip in the trunk of each vehicle. Insignificant in volume, it does its work independently, powered by the battery with which it is connected. In addition, and with the exception of priority vehicles in service (firefighters, police cars, ambulances, etc.), it cannot be disconnected.
• This electronic chip inside the vehicle is also connected by electric wires: - Firstly, with a set made up of transmitters with a range of 4 or 5 kilometers maximum, and receivers, both in equal number that of the frequency game; therefore at least 3, allowing simultaneous communication with 3 computers at the same time in the extreme case where the vehicle should have to react in the same fraction of a second to the signal from the 3 computers. If the frequency range is increased to 4, 5 or more, as many sets must be installed: "transmitter plus receiver” in each vehicle, therefore 4, 5 or more. This set of transmitters and receivers is also powered by the battery and cannot be disconnected. - Secondly, with the vehicle accelerator, which must be able to be deactivated electronically, while still allowing mechanical action of the pedal.
• this flashing light is also to confirm that it is under the control of at least one computer, otherwise several, remaining constantly on, while it goes out if the vehicle is left to fend for itself, this is a possible hypothesis, as we will see. And it is therefore only when the conditions are right for a link with a computer ordering the slowdown that the flashing light operates according to its definition, lighting up and extinguishing every second, at the rate of communication.
• this signal includes 3 separate pieces of information, which can be held in 2 bytes, or 16 binary positions, offering 65,536 possibilities.
• the serial number from I to 100 at least, corresponding to the vehicle number in the computer memory.
• an index indicating that this number is free or already allocated the vehicle to which the number has been allocated is therefore the only one to respond to the signal and not the others. If, on the other hand, the number is free, a vehicle entering the working field of the computer (or approaching 35 km / h.) Will take it into account; and at the next signal, if he was the only one to answer, the same number becomes a number assigned to that vehicle and he alone.
• the signal which serves as its response is also a hundredth of a second maximum, but not on the same frequency as that used in the direction from the computer to the vehicle so that the computer can continue transmitting without interruption for others.
• This response signal must be made immediately, in the fraction of a second following that from the computer to the vehicle, unless a slight offset is preferred, if this proves technically easier. But it is imperative that this offset is strictly the same for all, so that each response signal is detached from all the others and that there is, in spite of everything, absolutely no interference.
• This signal can hold on 2 or 3 bytes, and send, according to an appropriate combination, 3 pieces of information thus detailed: - First, the number assigned by the computer, in order to gain recognition from it. This number is kept by the memory of the vehicle chip and returns perfectly regularly on both sides, making any misunderstanding impossible.
• the type of vehicle depending on its power and its handling in particular. It is established at the level of vehicle construction, once and for all. By this means, the computer knows that it is dealing with a motorcycle, a car or a truck. Because there are two variants in slowing down: the one where the speed limit is the same for everyone, for example when approaching an agglomeration; and that where it is modulated according to each, in the case of a winding road, in particular.
• This type of vehicle is represented by a code, ranging from "I" for the smallest, to "10" approximately for the largest. It is memorized by the vehicle chip, definitively.
• the speed announced by the vehicle which confirms that deduced by the computer, being rounded to 5 km / h above or below, in one case as in the other. It too is coded as already mentioned, for example "I” for rounding at 35 km / h., "2" for 40 km / h., “3” for 45 km / h. Etc. And this up to the regulatory maximum between "20" and "30", which corresponds to a speed range going from 130 km / h. To 180 km / h.: At this time, systematically slowing down is ordered . We have seen that the speed announced by the vehicle is compared with that calculated by the computer, taking the highest as real.
• the solution proposed according to the invention is as follows: the vehicle assigning an indexed number "free” at the start, but the next second "refused", must abandon it and seek another. If he was content to take the next immediate one, the other vehicle with which there would be interference by doing the same, the two vehicles would always fall on the same number, the same causes producing the same effects. It is therefore necessary to delay a little, and carry out a small operation at the level of the chip of the vehicle, delivered to itself.
• the calculation is simple: the code corresponding to the speed, going from “I” to "30", maximum possible envisaged, is in the memory of the chip, ready to be sent to the computer, just like the type of the vehicle, which can vary from “I” to "10", approximately. So the total of the two will constitute a variable all the more random as the speed is constantly changing. The offset for the desired delay before picking up a number is this total.
• Figure I is an illustration of the embodiment of the invention in its most general case. It can be seen there, in fact, that the computer 01 is connected to the transmitters and direction finders El, E2, E3, E4, and E5, as well as to the radars RI and R2. Computer 02 is connected to transmitters and direction finders E5, E6, E7, E8, E9 and EIO, as well as radars R3 and R4, which means that transmitter E5 is connected to both computers 01 and 02, therefore doubled to be on two frequencies at the same time, just like the direction finder to which it is coupled.
• computer 03 is connected to transmitters and direction-finders EIO, EU, EI2, EI3, EI4, EI5, EI6 and EI7, as well as to radars R5 and R6, and therefore EIO is connected to both 02 and 03; these are 2 sets: "transmitter plus direction finder" at the same point.
• computer 04 is connected to transmitters and direction finders EI7, EI8, EI9, E20 and E2I, as well as to radars R7 and R8, and therefore EI7 is connected to both computers 03 and 04, such as EIO and E5 .
• the device thus set up must be able to resolve all the particular cases which may arise through the program implanted in the computer memory.
• Various examples will be taken to illustrate certain embodiments of the invention differently, making the difference, in particular, between the situation in town and on country roads.
• a winding road bordered very closely by obstacles may make the work of direction finders and radars difficult. But knowing that a forced slowdown is not recommended in a turn, one can be satisfied with having these devices only on the portions of roads sufficiently cleared and in their approximately rectilinear sections where the ordered slowdown is possible, in the immediate vicinity of the the most difficult places where there is no slowdown, but without losing sight of the vehicle.
• speed can be reduced and the spacing between vehicles increased depending on the rain. In case of thick fog, the speed limit can be systematically 35 km / h. For heavy goods vehicles and 40 km / h. For private cars, for example, avoiding them being trapped between two trucks, in the pile-ups.
• the invention finds its application in the reduction of the number of traffic accidents on the roads which, on the human and material level, represents a considerable prejudice, in particular with regard to the care to be given to the wounded.
• France for example, there are more than 10,000 deaths a year, and nearly 25 times more injured, when this project is proposed.
• the installation of the device even very expensive, can still be advantageous from an economic point of view, and most certainly from a human point of view. It is this last element which should make its application interesting, to put an end to thisetti.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=26227097

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Families Citing this family (3)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 1989
  • 1989-12-21 WO PCT/FR1989/000669 patent/WO1990007763A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 1989-12-21 EP EP19900900883 patent/EP0418331A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events