FI13603Y1 - Arrangement in connection with public transport - Google Patents

Abstract

An arrangement in connection with public transport, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a signaling device (1), which comprises means for generating a signal and means for receiving information about the approach of a means of transport to a target, in which case the means for generating a signal is adapted to initiate the generation of a signal in response to information about the approach of a means of transport to a target.

Description

Arrangement in connection with public transport

Background of the invention

The invention relates to an arrangement in connection with public transport.

For example, warning and/or instructional signals are produced with signaling devices. Signaling devices often produce only simple signals, and updating and changing the devices is difficult.

Brief description of the invention

The aim of the invention is to develop a new type of arrangement in connection with public transport. The solution according to the invention is characterized by what is said in the independent protection claim. Some embodiments of the invention are subject to non-independent protection claims.

In the presented solution, the signaling device has means for producing an audio signal and the first means for receiving an external control command. The means for producing the audio signal is adapted to initiate production of the first audio signal in response to an external control command. An external control command can be fed to the signaling device, for example, from an external server, from a motion-detecting sensor or other sensor separate from the signaling device, or from another signaling device. An audio signal can be, for example, a speech, in which information is given about things related to the environment of the signaling device and/or options for using the device are given. The signaling device presented in this explanation can comprise data processing devices, such as processors, memory, etc., into which program code can be entered so that the signaling device is adapted to implement the desired functions. 5 According to one embodiment, the first means of external control

N 25 for receiving the jaus command comprise a motion sensor, in which case the external control command 3 is a motion detected by the motion sensor. In this way, the signaling device can operate quite independently.

I According to one embodiment, the motion sensor is adapted to detect motion from a certain first direction, whereby the first audio signal

The generation of N 30 is arranged to start in response to the motion detected by the motion sensor from the first direction mentioned. This is how a certain audio signal starts

I only, for example, when approaching a signaling device or a related object, > but not, for example, when leaving the object.

According to one embodiment, the motion sensor is adapted to also detect movement from a second direction deviating from a certain first direction, whereby the production of a second audio signal is adapted to start in response to the movement detected by the motion sensor from the other direction. In this case, for example, the first audio signal can be generated for a person approaching the target, which can be a welcome. When the person leaves the object, another audio signal can be generated for him, which can be, for example, a farewell wish.

According to one embodiment, the device has other means, such as a push button or a touch screen, for receiving another external control command.

In this case, the means for producing an audio signal can be adapted to initiate the production of an additional audio signal in response to another external control command. The first audio signal may contain a prompt to use other devices. By using other means, the production of an additional audio signal is started, which can include, for example, supplementary instructions. The additional audio signal is therefore only produced if the person who comes close to the signal-emitting device actively wants to hear more information. Other devices can be such that they require touching them, or they can be a contactless switch that is activated when, for example, there is movement or other activation in its vicinity, for example less than ten centimeters away, which the switch can detect.

According to one embodiment, the second means for receiving the second external control command is adapted to recognize at least two different inputs. In this case, the means for producing an audio signal can be arranged in response to the first input of a second external control command to start the production of an additional audio signal and in response to the second input of a second external control command to start the production of a second additional audio signal. The first audio signal < may contain a description of the first input and the second input. first-

The first input can be, for example, one press, and the second input can then be, for example, two presses. The additional audio signal may contain, for example, supplementary instructions in the first language, such as Finnish. The second additional audio signal can include, for example, corresponding additional instructions, but in another language, such as

E in English.

K According to one embodiment, the device has means for environmental

S for observing the level and the means for the volume of the produced audio signal

To adjust N in response to perceived ambient sound level. In this case when

N 35, for example, traffic noise in the environment hinders audibility, the signaling device adjusts the volume level to a reasonably high level. When the sounds in the environment are quieter, for example, in the evening or at night after the traffic has quieted down, the signaling device adjusts the volume level to a reasonably low level. In this way, the signaling device does not cause disturbing noise in the environment.

According to one embodiment, the device has means for producing an audio signal synthetically from text data, in which case it is possible to change the audio signal by changing the relevant text file. This makes it possible to easily change the audio signal using, for example, an external server.

According to one embodiment, the device has means for connecting the device to an external server, for controlling the device from the external server and/or for transmitting the data contained in the device to the external server. In this way, the device can be controlled or its settings can be changed easily from an external server. Similarly, the data of the signaling device can be transferred to an external server and from there further for analysis or reporting, for example. The signaling device can have, for example, a passerby counter. The counter can use, for example, information produced by an infrared sensor. In this way, the number of passers-by can be ascertained and the information can be easily passed on. From the external server, information related to the signaling device can be easily reported and forwarded to the necessary stakeholders, such as the system administrator or cooperating companies and the like.

According to one embodiment, the device has a battery and/or a solar cell for power supply. In this way, the signaling device can be placed easily even in places where it is simply not possible to arrange an electricity supply.

Brief description of the patterns

The invention will now be explained in more detail in connection with some embodiments

Here, referring to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 schematically shows an arrangement for generating signals.

O o Detailed description of the invention = Signaling device 1 is shown in Figure 1. Signaling device 1 is attached to pole 2. If desired, signaling device 1 can also be attached to the

N as a sign on the wall, information board structure, traffic stop canopy structure or other suitable structure.

N The signal transmitting device 1 can have a speaker 3. With the help of the speaker 3, an audio signal is formed which is heard in the vicinity of the signal transmitting device 1. In addition to or instead of the speaker 3 in the physical structure of the signaling device 1, the signaling device 1 can have a speaker 3' functionally connected to it, which can be placed at a distance from the frame structure of the signaling device 1. In this case, the speaker 3' can be easily placed in a place that is as favorable as possible in terms of sound reproduction. The signal output device 1 therefore has means for producing an audio signal.

The signaling device 1 can have a sensor 4, such as an infrared motion sensor. The sensor 4 can, for example, detect a person approaching the signaling device 1 and then give information about this to the control command receiving unit 5. The control command receiving unit 5 further transmits the information to the control unit 6. The control unit 6, in turn, controls the speaker 3 to produce the first audio signal.

An external control command can be input to the control command receiving unit 5 of the signal transmission device 1 in addition to or instead of the sensor 4, for example from an external server 8, a sensor 9 separate from the signal transmission device, or another signal transmission device 1'. In this case, the signaling device 1 may have communication means 7 for connecting another signaling device 1', server 8 and/or sensor 9 to the signaling device 1 with a wired or wireless communication connection 14, 15, 16.

The signal output device 1 can thus be controlled to produce an audio signal remotely. In this case, for example, an audio signal can be produced in several places at the same time, if there is a need to inform, for example, about a dangerous situation. For example, when starting up a plant in an industrial area, the situation can be reported by entering a control command from the server 8. The sensor 9 can be, for example, fitted to a vehicle and the signal-giving device 1 can have a sensor that recognizes that the sensor 9 is approaching the signal-giving device 1 and then gives a control command to produce an audio signal. On the other hand, the location information of the sensor 9 can also be forwarded to the server 8, which, upon concluding that the sensor 9 is at a certain distance, issues the control command in question.

N The audio signal can be, for example, a speech, in which information is given about things related to the environment of the 3 signaling device 1 and/or options for using the device are given. In order to create an audio signal, a textual description of the environment of the signaling device 1 can be created as a pre- — 30 characters, in which

E rota's, for example, the most important services and instructions on how to find them. This

K kinds of textual description can be called a word map. Signaling devices

The device 1 may have means for producing an audio signal from the text data. I saw the word-

Synthetically produced speech from N map texts. Changing the audio signal ta-

N 35 is then simply changed = by changing the text information. Changing the text information is easy and simple to implement, for example, by using an external server 8.

Signaling device 1 can comprise data processing devices, such as processors, memory, etc., to which program code can be entered, so that signaling device 1 is adapted to implement the desired functions. The parts of the signaling device 1, such as the control command receiving unit 5, the control unit 6, the communication medium 7 and other similar parts and devices can be functional units that can physically be integrated or separate.

A control command to produce an audio signal can be generated depending on the direction of movement of the object approaching the target. In this case, it is possible to operate in such a way that a certain audio signal is only activated, for example, when approaching the signaling device 1 or an object related to it, but not, for example, when leaving the object. For example, the sensor 4 can be adapted to detect movement from a certain first direction, in which case the production of the first audio signal is adapted to start in response to the movement detected by the sensor 4 from the mentioned first direction.

Furthermore, for example, the first audio signal can be generated for a person approaching the target, which can be a welcome. When the person leaves the object, another audio signal can be generated for him, which can be, for example, a farewell wish. This can be implemented, for example, in such a way that the sensor 4 detects the direction of movement. When sensor 4 detects movement from the first direction, an order is given to produce the first audio signal. When sensor 4 detects movement from another direction, a command is given to produce another audio signal. Furthermore, the different directions of movement can be identified with separate sensors or in some other way suitable for the purpose, such as by following, for example, the position of the sensor 9 and < direction of movement with a GPS system.

N The signal transmission unit 1 has a switch 10 with which another external control command can be given to the control command receiving unit 5. The switch 10 can be, for example, a push button or a touch screen. The switch 10 can also be, for example, a contactless switch that is activated when, for example, in its vicinity, pre-

E for the sign less than ten centimeters away, there is movement or other activation,

K which the switch 10 can perceive.

S When the switch 10 is activated, an additional

N audio signal. The first audio signal may include a prompt to use the switch 10

To make N 35. By using the switch 10, the production of an additional audio signal is started, which can include, for example, supplementary instructions. The additional audio signal is therefore only produced if the person who comes close to the signal-emitting device actively wants to hear more information.

The switch 10 can be adapted to recognize at least two different inputs. The first input can be, for example, one press and the second input can be, for example, two presses. When the switch 10 is pressed once, the production of an additional audio signal is started, and when the switch is pressed twice, the production of another additional audio signal is started. The first audio signal may contain a description of the first input and the second input. The additional audio signal may contain, for example, supplementary instructions in the first language, such as Finnish. Another additional audio signal can contain, for example, corresponding additional instructions, but in another language, such as English.

The signal generating device 1 can also have means, such as a microphone 11, for detecting the sound level of the environment. Furthermore, the signal nanodevice 1 can thus have means for adjusting the volume of the produced audio signal in response to the perceived ambient sound level. In cases where, for example, traffic noise in the environment hinders audibility, the signal transmitting device 1 adjusts the volume level to a reasonably high level. When the sounds in the environment are quieter, for example, in the evening or at night after the traffic has quieted down, the signaling device 1 adjusts the volume level to a reasonably low level. In this way, the signaling device does not cause disturbing noise in the environment.

The signaling device 1 can have means for connecting the device to an external server 8, for controlling the device from the external server and/or for transmitting the data contained in the device to the external server. In this way, the device can be controlled or its settings can be easily changed from an external server. Similarly, the data of the signaling device 1 can be transferred to the external server 8 and from there on, for example, to be analyzed or reported. In the signaling device 1 vol

N be, for example, a counter of passers-by. The counter can use, for example, the information produced by the sensor 5 4 . In this way, the number of passers-by can be found out and the information can easily be passed on. From the external server 8, the information connected to the signaling device 1 — 30 — can be easily reported and forwarded to the necessary stakeholders, such as

Not to the system administrator or cooperative companies and the like.

K The signaling device 1 can have a battery 12 and/or a solar cell 13

S for input. In this way, the signaling device 1 can be easily placed in such

Even in places where it is simply not possible to arrange electricity supply. Electrical

The power supply for N 35 can therefore come from an external source, if an external power supply can reasonably be arranged. Furthermore, for example, an embodiment is possible where the signaling device 1 has a battery 12 that takes care of the electrical supply of the signaling device 1 and the battery 12 is charged as needed. The signal transmitting device 1 can be installed, for example, in connection with a lamppost, and in this case the charging of the battery 12 can take place using the electricity supply of the lamp. Charging can be connected, for example, so that charging current is obtained when the lighting is on.

The arrangement presented in this explanation can be applied, for example, in connection with tram transport or other public transport. For example, a tram or other means of transport can be connected to an external server in such a way that — the external server has information about the location, direction and speed of the means of transport. The signaling device 1 can be adapted to the stop and when the means of transport approaches the stop, the server 8 can direct the signaling device 1 to produce the desired audio signals. An implementation is also possible in which the means of transport has a sensor 9. The signaling device 1 can recognize the approach of the sensor and initiate the production of an audio signal in response to the detected approach of the sensor.

A similar implementation can also be arranged, for example, at a train level crossing. There can be, for example, a sensor 9 along the train track, which detects the arrival of the train and preferably also the direction of movement. In response to the detection of the train by the sensor 9, the signaling device 1 starts the production of an audio signal.

It is obvious to a professional in the field that as technology develops, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are therefore not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the protection requirements. <t

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Claims (5)

Protection requirements 1. An arrangement in connection with public transport, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a signaling device (1), which comprises means for generating a signal and means for receiving information about the approach of a means of transport to a target, in which case the means for generating a signal is adapted in response to information about the approach of a means of transport to a target to initiate a signal production. 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, which comprises a server (8) from which there is a connection to a means of transport, in which case the server (8) has information about the location, direction of movement and speed of movement of the means of transport, and in which case the server (8) is arranged to transmit information about the approach of the means of transport to the destination to the signaling device (1). 3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises a sensor (9) adapted to the transport vehicle, whereby the signaling means (1) is adapted to detect the approach of the sensor (9) and to initiate the production of a signal in response to the detected approach of the sensor (9). 4. An arrangement according to claim 2, which comprises a sensor (9) fitted to the transport vehicle, the location information of which is fitted to be transmitted to the server (8). 5. An arrangement according to one of the previous protection requirements, where the signal-giving device (1) is adapted to the stop, whereby the information about the approach of the means of transport to the target comprises the information about the approach of the means of transport to the stop. <t N O N + I o I a a N N O + + N O N >