FR2466815A1 - Automatic information display for public transport - uses plug-in control and ROM circuits to provide route displays, and distance transducer to control route progress display - Google Patents

Abstract

The route to be taken by a public transport vehicle is displayed across the front (4) and on the side (3) of the vehicle. The display is under the control of a plug-in printed circuit card containing control circuits and read only memory which is programmed to illuminate the selected route number or destination. Inside the vehicle, a display panel controlled by the same card, shows the route of the vehicle with each stop marked on it along with the distance between stops. A distance transducer (2) coupled to the rear wheels of the bus gives signals which are processed by the control card electronics to progressively illuminate the displayed route to indicate the progress of the vehicle along the route. A cassette recorder is also controlled to announce each stop. The opening of the doors at each stop is detected and used to correct errors between the distance between stops and the measured distance.

Description

 your present invention relates to information intended for users of public transport vehicles, for example buses.

 Signaling has hitherto been carried out by manual means. Outside the vehicle, the direction and other indications are carried on removable plates which must be changed at each modification of the route, and / or on ribbons wound on cylinders actuated manually.

Inside the vehicle, the indications concerning the route are carried on cardboard or metal plates which must also be deposited and changed during any modification of allocation of the vehicle. In addition, these completely static indications do not provide the user with any information concerning the progress of the vehicle along its route.

 The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic information system for vehicles traveling on a predetermined route, in order to eliminate the numerous drawbacks of current solutions: heavy operation, important maintenance and knives, insufficient information, etc.

The automatic information device which is the subject of the present invention comprises a logic processing unit which receives from a memory on the one hand the information relating to the identification of the path of the vehicle which it transmits to display panels. of said identification, and on the other hand the theoretical distance of each stop relative to the starting point it compares, to trigger the display of the next stop on a route indicator, at the distance indicated by a position sensor and corresponding substantially to that traveled by the vehicle from its starting point
According to a particular embodiment node, said memory is a read-only memory, for example of the semiconductor type, constituted by a card which contains the memory circuits and a connector making it possible to connect said simple memory circuits to the logic unit of treatment.

 Advantageously, said memory circuits are reprooperable so that the card can be reused after the corresponding information has been corrected.

Said logical processing unit is associated with a console allowing the racking of said card and further comprising the various switches necessary for the implementation of the information device.

Advantageously, said card also includes the plain inscription of the names of the various stopping points and the console carries on the one hand an opening revealing this inscription and on the other hand a mobile location opposite the registration of each stop.

 This identification may consist of a series of indicator lights of which the one next to the next stop is lit.

Other characteristics of the present invention will appear on studying the particular embodiment given below by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawing in which
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle showing the main equipment of the automatic information device
- Figure 2 shows the control console of the device
- Figure 3 schematically represents the logical processing unit of the device, in its simplest embodiment
- Figure 4 schematically represents the logical processing unit of the device, with readjustment of the distance to the stopping points
- Figure 5 shows schematically the logical processing unit of the device, with readjustment after validation of the breakpoint.

 The automatic information device described in this exemplary embodiment relates to the equipment of a bus. Its main components are shown diagrammatically in Figure 1.

 The console (1) encloses the logical processing unit and receives the memory produced in the form of a removable card.

The position sensor (2) which is associated with the rear wheel drive shaft, is electrically connected to the logic unit to which it provides the indications concerning the distance traveled by the vehicle.

 The information communicated to the user is of two types. First, the route indications which appear on the side (3) and front (4) panels; then the announcement of the next stop which is made visually by moving a light marker on a route indicator (5) and possibly by sound through a loudspeaker (6) associated with a tape recorder, for example with a cassette . All these elements provide the information whose content is defined by the logical processing unit by which they are controlled as indicated below.

 The console (1) shown in Figure 2 constitutes the housing of the logic processing unit. It has a slot (11) allowing the insertion of the card-merroire (12) and the racking-in thereof when it is fully retracted. In this position (not shown), the upper face of the card (12), on which the names of different stops are shown in clear, appears through a window (13) arranged in the console. Look at each stop name, there is an indicator light (14). The lighting of the one next to the name of the next stop is controlled by the logic processing unit. In addition, various switches, contactors and indicator lights are provided; they relate to the powering up of the device (15), the automatic or manual operation (16), the initialization of the operation (17) and the manual advance (18).

The embodiment and operation of the unit.

processing logic are illustrated by the diagram in FIG. 3, in which the links between circuits are represented by a single line for the simple logic signals and by a double line for the digital signals. It will be the same in Figures 4 and 5.

 After insertion of the memory card (12) in the slot (11) of the desk (1), and energization by tilting the switch (15), the device is initialized by action on the push button of initialization (17) - see figure 2 -.

The effect of this action is to send a pulse to the input (21) of the signal generator (20) which firstly produces a so-called reset iupulsion on its output (22).

This isplsion resets the pulse counter (24) and the contents of the register (26) to zero.

 Then, the signal generator (20) generates on its output (27) a signal, called memory read, which corresponds to the address of the first memory word contained in the memory card (12).

This word which represents both the content of the information and its destination, then appears at the input (28) of the routing circuit (29) which directs the content of the information on its output (30) which is connected to the display circuits of the various information panels, and simultaneously applies a pulse to one of its outputs (31) according to the destination of the information, said outputs each being connected to a specific panel and said pulse ensuring 1 recording of said information on the corresponding panel.

After each flow received by the routing circuit (29), this sends, by its output (32), a pulse to the input of the signal generator (20) which generates a new read signal rrÊrrrroire on its output (27) and corresponding to the address of the following keyword, and so on.

 When the route information has all been read, the coded information relating to the stops appears. They are recognized by the routing circuit (29) on the input (28) of which they are present, and are then transmitted by its output (33), to the register (26) which is of the "Fifo" type ("first in, first out "), that is to say a shift register in which the information is read at the output in the order in which it was entered at the input, but at a frequency which may be different.

 Finally, when the last t contained in the memory card (12) is read, the routing circuit (29) sends by its output (32) information which blocks the signal generator (20).

The route indicator (5) - see Figure 1 - then indicates the first stop of the route from information provided to it by the outputs (36) and (37) of the register (26). The initialization operation is completed.

 When the vehicle then starts, the position sensor (2), the embodiment of which is specified below, sends pulses to the pulse counter (24). The frequency of these is substantially proportional to the speed of the vehicle; therefore their total number appreciably proportional to the distance covered since the start. The content of the counter (24) is compared with the information provided by the output (38) of the register (26) using the comparator (39).

This produces an output signal whenever there is a coincidence between the content of the counter (24) and the information of the output (38) which corresponds to the short distance between the next stop and the point of departure. This output signal applied to the register (26) causes the information it contains to shift one step, making the coded information corresponding to the next stop appear on its outputs (36), (37) and (38). The information from the exits (36) and (37) controls the route indicator (5) which therefore displays the next stop; those of the exit (38) which correspond to the distance from this stop, are used for the next detection of coincidence with the counter (24) and so on for all the stops of the route.

The aforementioned position sensor (2) can be produced in different ways. For example, it consists of an electromagnetic or electro-optical sensor associated with a disc that rotates with the vehicle's drive shaft. It can advantageously be incorporated into the gearbox. It can also consist of a tachometer generator associated with a voltage-frequency converter or with an integrator followed by an analog-digital converter, the latter then replacing the pulse counter (24). However, all of these solutions have the drawback of providing a measurement the accuracy of which is limited by variations in the tire rolling circumference (wear, load variation, inflation pressure). Another alternative is therefore possible; it consists in using an accelerator linked to the vehicle along its longitudinal axis to a double integrator.

 In fact, in many cases, the ixode of realization of the logical unit described and represented in FIG. 3, is not entirely satisfactory because it does not allow to take into account on the one hand errors of measurement of the distance traveled attributable to the type of position sensor (2) used, and on the other hand the non-reproducibility of the route due essentially to bypassing obstacles (parked cars, congestion, etc.) in the absence of a clean site. To overcome this drawback, another embodiment node of the logic processing unit is shown in FIG. 4. The elements already described with regard to FIG. 3 bear the same references therein and fulfill the same functions; other elements (40) to (44) defined below are added thereto with the aim of achieving a “registration” of the distance actually traveled over the theoretical distance, at the stopping points of the route.

The memory (40) is reset to zero by the output (22) of the signal generator (20), via the "OR" circuit (44), during initialization; its input is connected to the output (38) of the register (26). Its output signal, the value of which is therefore zero at the start, is added to the output signal from the counter (24) by means of the adder (41) whose output signal is applied to the processor (39).

When the vehicle stops at a stop point in the route, the control for maneuvering the downhill or downhill gates produces a signal (42) which activates the ironostable (43). The output signal from this is sent to the other input of the "oU" circuit (44). The presence of a signal at the output of the "OR" circuit (44) on the one hand resets the counter (24) to zero. and on the other hand activates the rnroire (40) which takes the value of its input signal supplied by the output (38) of the register (26).

When the vehicle leaves, the adder (41) therefore receives on the one hand from the counter (24) a signal corresponding to the distance traveled since the last stop point, and on the other hand from the memory (40) a signal corresponding to the theoretical distance between this last stopping point and the starting point. Thus the signal supplied by the adder (41) represents the so-called "readjusted" distance, that is to say corrected for deviations between the distance measured by the sensor (2) and the theoretical distance.

The same readjustment operation will be carried out each time the doors are maneuvered at a stopping point, thus avoiding an accumulation of measurement errors, especially on a long route. It should however be noted that this readjustment will not take place if there is no stopping and opening of the doors at a stopping point, for example in the absence of a traveler, but the display will nevertheless be made normally, the comparator (39) controlling the advance of the register (26) each time the sum of the distance traveled since the last effective stop and the theoretical distance corresponding to this stop will be equal to the theoretical distance from another point of judgment provided by the register (26).

 However, such a logical processing unit is not yet satisfactory if there is the possibility of maneuvering the doors between two stopping points. Indeed, in such a case, the memory (40) would display the distance corresponding to the next stop and all the indications would be false. To remedy this defect, a new complement is provided to the logic processing unit which is then represented in FIG. 5, by producing a "registration window", that is to say a range of predetermined extent on the one hand. and on the other side of the theoretical stopping distance and outside of which any stopping with door operation will not be taken into account for the readjustment.

 For this, a signal (45) of predetermined level and corresponding to the maximum allowed difference in plus or minus between a measured travel distance and the corresponding theoretical distance, is applied to two adders (46) and (47). These respectively subtract and add this signal to the output signal (38) from the register (26) which they receive on a second input.

The difference and the sum thus defined are compared with the output signal of the adder (41) by means of two comparators (48) and (49) whose output signals change state according to whether the signal coming from l the adder (41) is lower or higher than that of the adder (46) or (47) respectively. These output signals have the same state as the signal (42) resulting from the door operation command when the signal from the adder
(41) is greater than that of the adder (46) and less than that of the adder (47), so that the "AND" circuit (50) on which they are applied all three, is then activated , while it is blocked in all other cases.

This "AND" circuit (50) acts on the ironostable (43) which triggers the reset of the counter (24) and the taking in the memory (40) of a new value, described above. Thus, the readjustment is only carried out if the distance traveled given by the adder (41) is included between on the one hand the theoretical distance reduced by the adder (46) by a predetermined deviation, and on the other hand the theoretical distance increased by the adder (47) by this same deviation.

 In addition, to prevent the display from being changed, the route indicator (5), controlled by the comparator (39) in the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, does not take place just before the stopping point. due to a measurement of too large a path, the advance of the register (26) is controlled by the comparator (49) when the measurement of the adder (41) is greater than that of the adder (47), and no longer by the corarateur (39). Therefore, and by measurement of amplification (not shown), the controller (39) can be eliminated and its action on the "OR" circuit (51) replaced by that of the output of the comparator (48).

 Greater display security can even be obtained by causing the indicator (5) to go out between passing through the stopping point with or without actual stopping and crossing the corresponding distance after the stopping point. to the mExiál gap allowed.

for this, a flip-flop (34) which controls the energization of the route indicator (5), is activated by the "OR" circuit (35) which receives on the one hand the output signal (22 ) of the signal generator (20) during initialization and on the other hand the register advance control signal (26) emitted by the comparator (49). This respectively characterizes the first departure and then the passing of a stopping point by a distance equal to the maximum allowed deviation.

The indicator (5) is de-energized by action on the other input of the memory (34) connected to the "OR" circuit (51) which receives on the one hand the output signal from the monostable (43) and on the other hand that of the comparator (39) - signal present when there is coincidence of these input signals -; which characterizes the passage to a stopping point respectively with and without opening the doors.

 A simplification of this diagram can also be envisaged by eliminating the comparator (39) and by replacing its action on the "OR" circuit (51) by that of an output of the copaarator (48) which would provide a signal when there is coincidence between the signals of the adders (41) and (46). In such a case, the display on the route indicator (5) would be suppressed during the crossing tighten by a distance equal to said predetermined deviation, on either side of the theoretical stopping distance.

The operation described in the foregoing takes place when the inverter (16) of the console (1) - see Figure 2 - is in the "automatic" position. When it is in the "manual" position, the advance control of the damper (26) by the comparator (39) - Figures 3 and 4 - or by the comparator (49) - Figure 5 - is removed by opening the circuit and replaced by pulses caused by actuation of the push button (18) called manual advance step by step.

In this case, in order not to destroy the content of the register (26), the information present at the output of the latter, is reintroduced there by looping the output and input circuits.

 The automatic information device according to the invention is applicable to any type of public transport requiring precise and efficient information for passengers. I1 can be buses, trolleybuses or trams for example. I1 has the fundamental advantage of not requiring any fixed installation on the course of the vehicle which is a source of savings both on investment and on maintenance, but in addition which allows a very flexible adaptation to the conditions of operation since any change in the route will only result in the modification of the information contained in the nemDire card (12), very easy and quick to perform.

In addition, this automatic information device can advantageously be combined with other devices. For example, the information provided by the outputs (36) and (37) of the register (26) can be transmitted to a central monitoring station, in order to allow the latter to know the position of all the vehicles of a network. and thus detect any traffic anomalies.

Another advantageous arrangement can consist in controlling, by the command signal in advance from the register (26), a tape recorder on which the names of the different stops have been previously recorded, and which retransmits them to travelers by loudspeakers. speakers (6) arranged inside the vehicle.

Claims (7)

 1. Autcsnatic information device for users of a public transport vehicle comprising at least one display panel for identifying the journey of the vehicle and at least one route indicator, characterized in that it has a memDire containing information concerning said identification and the values of the theoretical distance from each stopping point to the starting point, a position sensor which provides a signal representing substantially the distance traveled by said vehicle, and a logic processing unit which, on the one hand takes from said memory said information and transmits it to said display panel and on the other hand compares said theoretical distance from each stopping point with the distance indicated by said sensor to trigger on said route indicator the display of the next stop. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said Femoire consists of a card supporting the memory circuits and a connector making it possible to connect these to said logic processing unit by simple plugging in.  3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said logical processing unit is associated with a console allowing the racking of said card and further comprising the various comnutateurs necessary for the implementation of the information device.  4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said card includes the inscription in clear of the name of the various stopping points, and is inserted in said console which further comprises a mobile location controlled by said logic unit of processing and recalling the display of the next stop carried by said route indicator.  5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said logic unit comprises at least switching means which direct the information received from said memory to said display panels for that concerning the identification of the journey and to a shift register for those relating to stops, the information present at the output of said register being sent to said route indicator, a pulse counter which receives pulses produced by said position sensor and the number of which is representative the distance traveled by the vehicle, and a driver who receives as input the output signals from said shift register on the one hand and from said pulse counter on the other hand and which controls the advance of said shift register each time there is an incidence between these signals. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that, for realigning the information relating to the distance traveled, said logic unit further comprises an adder interposed between said driver and said pulse counter from which it receives the signal output on a first input, a memory whose input is connected to the output of said register and which provides its output signal to the second input of said adder, and a reset circuit which resets said pulse counter and activates said memory so that it registers the signal then present at the output of said register, when the opening of the vehicle doors is controlled.  7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that, to carry out the validation of the door opening signal, said registration circuit comprises two adders which receive on the one hand the output signal of said shift register and d on the other hand a signal representing a predetermined distance, respectively in plus and minus, followed by two octarators which receive on a second input the output signal of said adder of the logic unit and which act, jointly with said signal of opening of the doors, on an "AND" circuit, the output signal of which resets said counter to zero and activates said memory.