Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
  • G08G1/096708—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the received information might be used to generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
  • G08G1/096716—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the received information might be used to generate an automatic action on the vehicle control where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
  • G08G1/042—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled using inductive or magnetic detectors
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
  • G08G1/096733—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where a selection of the information might take place
  • G08G1/09675—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where a selection of the information might take place where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
  • G08G1/096766—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission
  • G08G1/096783—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
  • G08G1/096766—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission
  • G08G1/096791—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission where the origin of the information is another vehicle

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an automatic information system and more particularly to such a system which would convey data and information to a driver during and while driving a car.
• Traffic and road indication signs and other means are used to improve the so to say, "communication"' between the driver and the road so as to alert the driver in order to diminish the possibilities of accidents and improve the driving and safety thereof.
• the driver While driving, the driver accumulates all kinds of data and information from different sources, analyzing same and acts accordingly. Some of the information and data is fed to the driver via road signs and road conditions while others are accumulated by the driver from his immediate surroundings. In some instances his response must be immediate to avoid all kinds of situations. It is thus apparent that the sooner the information is brought to his attention, his awareness and readiness would improve and consequently avoid unexpected dangerous situations. It is known that if a road sign is seen by a driver from a distance of approximately 100 meters this distance is covered by a car within 4 seconds when driving at 90 k.p.h.
• any information given so that the span of time is larger would inevitably improve the reaction of the driver and improve his possibilities to act in the best way possible.
• this information is provided in a form of a vocal message, the driver can not "avoid" receiving it.
• the system comprises two units, the first being a road-installed element which is a Transponder.
• the Transponder is embedded in the roads and is electronically marked with a message, or a message-code, of the "Road Event" to be conveyed to the driver.
• the second unit is a vehicle-installed Interrogator consisting of Interrogator Transceiver and an Operation unit.
• Magnetic Strip Two variants of Passive Transponders Communication techniques will be referred to, one is called “Magnetic Strip” and the second is called “Radar Reflector”. Once the Interrogator passes by or over a Transponder, accurate information is transmitted from the Transponder to the driver by any conventional means.
• a GPS could be integrated in the system.
• the Transponders would be devices installed in predetermined spots on the road. It is possible to install more than one Transponder at the same point or with some distance between them so as to create a message/message-code or in order to repeat the transferred information.
• the Transponders of this invention could be passive in a sense that it would not be necessary to supply them with electrical power or use internal batteries or active, i.e. will need a power source, as the case may require.
• the vehicle equipment would consist of an Operation unit through which the drivers would receive the information, and the Interrogator Transceiver.
• the Interrogator Transceiver include also Antenna (one or several) which would be installed anywhere around or underneath the vehicle so as to be in free space communication with the Transponder on the road.
• Antenna one or several which would be installed anywhere around or underneath the vehicle so as to be in free space communication with the Transponder on the road.
• the Interrogator would activate the Transponder and the required information would be transmitted to the driver.
• the driver is informed by a voice message and/or a visual one.
• the Interrogator Transceiver is connected to the Operation unit.
• the Operation unit consists of voice generating means, interrogation control, processing and various controls and displays for the driver.
• the system will interface to some of the vehicle's existing systems and indications, such as speedometer, lights, brakes etc. These items of information will be used, when available, to assess and enhance the information announced to the driver. For instance, if a driver approaches an intersection at an excessive speed the system will take the speed into consideration and provide the proper warning.
• the speed of the vehicle will also be determined by calculation, i.e. the product of the distance between Transponders, divided by the time passed between the readings of these Transponders.
• the system will provide the driver with the option to control the kind of messages he wishes to receive, the language, the volume etc. Also, additional vehicle safety information coming from the vehicles' systems will be detected and integrated into the voice warning.
• Figure 1 is an illustration of a vehicle equipped with the system in typical relation to the Transponder elements embedded in the road.
• Figure 2 is an Electrical Block Diagram of the system according to the invention.
• Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of a Magnetic Strip Sensor according to the invention.
• Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of Radar reflector communication.
• FIG 1 there is shown a vehicle “V” provided with several Antennae “ANT” mounted at various locations on the vehicle, Interrogation transceiver “TxRx” and Operation unit “Ou” which is installed inside the vehicle near the driver to enable easy access for control and clear sound.
• V vehicle
• Antennae “ANT” mounted at various locations on the vehicle
• TxRx Interrogation transceiver
• Ou Operation unit
• TDR Transponders
• FIG. 2 depicts the components of the system. As can be seen and understood.
• the first communication technique is a Magnetic Strip Communication system.
• the Magnetic Strip Transponder comprises strips having magnetic properties or many small magnet and are used as the communication Transponder.
• the magnetic field direction is pe ⁇ endicular to the surface of the strip.
• the Magnetic Strip can be placed also in the opposite polarity i.e., the N-S vector facing down.
• the Structure of Magnetic Sensor (Antenna & Receiver) comprises a receiver that reads the magnetic strip which is constructed out of the following main circuits (see Figure 3).
• the second circuits being a Pre amplifier (a2) circuits which are to match and interface the Pick-up (al) and to improve the sensitivity of the Pick-up devices.
• a2 Pre amplifier
• the third circuit is a Signal Processing (a3) circuit which is constructed of standard Analogue and Digital components. Its function is to receive the signal from the Pick-up (Rx and Ry) after amplification by Ay and Ax, process the signal and generate the following information type of data.
• a3 circuit Signal Processing (a3) circuit which is constructed of standard Analogue and Digital components. Its function is to receive the signal from the Pick-up (Rx and Ry) after amplification by Ay and Ax, process the signal and generate the following information type of data.
• Syo and Sxo The information available in Sy and Sx (see Figure 3), after proper amplification (by Ay and Ax), is defined as Syo and Sxo and is processed as follows
• Syo being either positive or negative, is processed via a comparator circuit which provides a pulse
• This output is designated Sv and can take the shape of a standard (+5v or -5v) pulse or a digital format (such as 01 for + & 10 for -)
• Sxo is being process for what is known as "zero crossing" which results in a short pulse (impulse) indicating the middle point (center) of the strip This output is designated St
• Syo is also being processed to measure its amplitude which results in what is designated as Sa This is performed using standard Sample and Hold technique and sampling the data Syo at its peak using the St as the sampling point
• the second Communication technique is a Radar Reflector system which comp ⁇ ses a standard Doppler Transceiver Sensor (such as one used for home alarm system) is installed on the vehicle It illuminates a passive reflector (e g., flat aluminium sheet or what is known as "corner reflector") (see Figure 4) While passing over, the vehicle's Sensor Transceiver (5) transmits a C.W. signal and receive the reflection from the reflector (4). These reflections contains the doppler shift due to the pointing component (Vd) of the velocity of the vehicle (V) towards the reflector. This response can be extracted (via a circuit known as frequency discriminator) which will provide an "S" shape time response. Also when measuring the total energy (independent of the doppler shift) that is being received as a result of the reflection, the response will be similar to a "Bell" shape.
• a passive reflector e g., flat aluminium sheet or what is known as "corner reflector”
• the driver will have control of the system such as volume of the sound, language, level of warning and other man-machine-interface (MMI) functions.
• MMI man-machine-interface

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Atmospheric Sciences (AREA)
• Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=11068692

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (2)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 1996
  • 1996-03-22 IL IL11761696A patent/IL117616A0/xx unknown
• 1997
  • 1997-03-20 WO PCT/IL1997/000102 patent/WO1997038407A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1997-03-20 AU AU19379/97A patent/AU1937997A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1997-03-20 EP EP97907254A patent/EP0914642A1/en not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (2)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events