FR2814872A1 - Incident monitor for motor vehicle driver has radio transmitter to provide warning signal to drivers concerning tunnel conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

The road tunnel incident monitor for motor vehicle drivers uses radio electrical signals for the road user to receive information. It has a fixed transmitter and a mobile receiver. It can have a radio transmitter (9) attached to the roadway infrastructure and one or more consoles (3) for broadcasting of messages. The radio transmissions can be pulse or phase modulated.

Description

<Desc / Clms Page number 1>

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention described here relates to a device for transmitting radio reception security for vehicle users.

Context and general presentation Crisis management during major incidents on the road network, and particularly along high-risk structures (tunnels, etc.) is strongly conditioned by the speed of response by the emergency services and by the capacity to inform users in real time.

User information is traditionally done on the road network by the use of variable message signs, or tricolor signage.

In certain tunnel or trench-type works, the insertion of messages on the FM radio band (itself retransmitted inside the work) makes it possible to contact some of the users (those who have turned on the radio and are on one of the FM stations broadcast). This insertion of a message, on the initiative of the road PC of the structure, or of the gendarmerie, is therefore only partially effective.

The recent incidents, and the government's decision to strengthen security in French tunnels, requires the adoption of a more effective system.

This patent describes a radio device, making it possible to systematically and immediately contact all users of vehicles using a route to transmit information to them.

généralement dans le cas d'un usage courant des véhicules. Il se compose c - D'une infrastructure radioélectrique émettant à la demande un signal radio - De dispositifs de réception à placer dans les véhicules L'infrastructure radioélectrique (fixe) est composée d'un émetteur radioélectrique à modulation de pulsation ou de phase, calé sur une fréquence réglementée ou non par le législateur. La bande de fréquence des 867 MHz est conseillée, de part les avantages qu'elle amène en terme de miniaturisation des équipements. Disclosure of the invention: This document describes an information system for automobile users specifically in the context of risky works and more

generally in the case of everyday use of vehicles. It consists of c - A radio infrastructure transmitting a radio signal on demand - Receiving devices to be placed in vehicles The radio infrastructure (fixed) is composed of a radio transmitter with pulse or phase modulation, calibrated on a frequency regulated or not by the legislator. The 867 MHz frequency band is recommended because of the advantages it brings in terms of equipment miniaturization.

The radio infrastructure (fixed) also consists of a message insertion console, allowing the transmitter to be modulated by an audio signal generated either by the statement of a free message through a microphone, or by access to pre-recorded messages. This console is based on a platform

<Desc / Clms Page number 2>

 IT form compatible with market standards. Time stamping functions allow the recording of events. The reception devices (mobile) to be placed in vehicles meet the following specifications: - They can receive radio emissions from the fixed infrastructure and demodulate them to regenerate them in a loudspeaker loud enough to be audible under conditions of normal use of the vehicle.

 - They are supplied directly by the carrier vehicle, by means of the cigarette lighter socket.

 - They are monoblocs, integrating in a reduced bulk (by way of nonlimiting example, the dimensions will be of the order: height 10cm, diameter 5cm) the cigarette lighter connector and all of the active elements. They can be asymmetrical so as to adapt to all the cigarette lighter socket locations.

 - They are reliable and of reduced cost, by the use of components and technologies of the market.

 - They are composed in basic version of a cigarette lighter connector, a radio demodulator, an audio frequency amplifier, a loudspeaker, internal wiring, and a plastic envelope.

 - According to the particular embodiments, they incorporate an autonomous battery allowing a certain autonomy in reception when the user leaves his vehicle by taking the device (on the order of the operator of the structure transmitted by the device).

 - According to the particular embodiments, or the possible variants, they integrate an audio control card making it possible to trigger the loudspeaker only on a particular criterion (type of vehicle), by the use of sub-audio signaling tones in modulation.

 - Depending on the variants, they incorporate a beacon-type radio frequency emission device, triggered remotely by the infrastructure, and intended to facilitate the search for possible victims of a disaster. This device operates on the statutory civil security distress frequencies.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 represents the principle diagram of the device FIG. 2 represents the principle diagram of the infrastructure part FIG. 3 represents the principle diagram of the mobile part and its variants FIG. 4 represents a methods of making the mobile receiving device, front, side, top and bottom views.

<Desc / Clms Page number 3>

Presentation of one of the embodiments With reference to these drawings, the system operates in a mono-directional manner in the sense that the speech signals are transmitted only by the infrastructure to the receivers.

The infrastructure represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 is composed of - a main operating console (3) of the computer station type (2) equipped with a microphone (1), - a secondary operating console (6 ) identical, - a transmitter (9) composed of a console switch (7) and a transmitter (8), - a radiating element (10), which may be an antenna, a radiating cable, or a more complex structure.

The operator of the operating console (3) commands through the computer station (2) and its specific software, the emission of one of the messages recorded on the hard drive of the console (3), or chosen to transmit a spoken message live using the microphone (1). The generated message is transmitted to the console switch (7) of the transmitter (9) which directs it to the transmitter (8). The transmitter modulates this signal, amplifies it, and sends it in a radiating structure (10), so that it is transported wirelessly to the on-board receivers (21).

The receiver (21) on board a vehicle (22), shown in particular in FIG. 1, consists of a plastic shell matching the contours of the loudspeaker (15), for which a series of orifices are arranged on the top of the device. , and the contours of the cigarette lighter connector (16), whose lateral (ground) and terminal (+ max tension) connections are slightly released.

The shape of the mobile device is asymmetrical (eccentric loudspeaker part with respect to the axis of the cigarette lighter connector) so as to adapt to all the configurations for installing the cigar lighter socket in vehicles. A light-emitting diode on the top of the housing indicates that the receiving device is working properly.

<Desc / Clms Page number 4>

 In the diagram in Figure 3, the operation of the receiver is shown. In this figure, a) the solid connecting lines represent an exchange of signal b) the dotted connecting lines represent the electrical supplies Inside the plastic shell of the receiver are: - An integrated antenna (11) intended to receive infrastructure radio emissions.

 - A demodulator receiver (12), which decodes these transmissions to find the speech signal and any control signals in the sub-audio band (below the frequencies audible by the ear).

 - A control card (13) which can, by interpreting the sub-audio control signals, trigger the transmission of the speech signal to the audio frequency amplification (14), or trigger the start-up of the distress beacon (19 ). (according to embodiment) - An audio frequency amplifier (14) responsible for amplifying the speech signal to make it audible in the vehicle (22).

 - A loudspeaker (15) in the high position in the receiver box (21), which generates an audible sound in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

 - A cigarette lighter connector (16) of standard size, allows to use the 12V power supply of the vehicle (22) to power the various modules of the receiver.

 - A voltage regulator (17) makes it possible to ensure the quality of the 12 V supply supplied by the cigarette lighter socket (23) of the vehicle (22), and to manage the charge of a possible battery (18) . This regulator (17) incorporates a good operation indicator, visible on the housing.

 - A battery (18), according to the embodiments, which makes it possible to supply the modules of the receiver in the event of disconnection of the cigarette lighter connector (case or the user leaves his vehicle by taking the receiving device), or in case of the cigar lighter socket (23). This autonomy must make it possible to cross the structure at risk by vehicle, while remaining connected to the infrastructure.

 - A HF distress beacon (19), the start of which is controlled by the control card (13) following the signals received by it. This beacon (19) emits a distress signal on a civil security type frequency, to be chosen by the operator. This should allow the search for possible victims of a disaster.

 - An integrated antenna (20) radiating the beacon signals (19)

<Desc / Clms Page number 5>

Applications industrielles

Application de type sécurité publique Deux types d'utilisateurs peuvent apparaître : Privé ou Public.

Industrial applications

Public security type application Two types of user can appear: Private or Public.

In the case of private works (for example road tunnels) or private operators (example: motorway operators), the device can be distributed at the entrance to the work and taken up at the exit. The toll points giving an existing distribution and collection point.

In the case of public works, the user can obtain the device commercially on his own account and thus benefit from the messages transmitted on the frequency band concerned.

In both cases it is a use for safety purposes: information on accidents, emergency messages, action to be taken with regard to users, the system possibly being able to serve for a certain time as a distress beacon. for users forced to leave their vehicle.

In these two cases the use of a standard frequency across the entire territory is essential to guarantee the security aspect.

Tourist or general application: This is a general information function for car users, particularly in the tourism sector.

Again the operators can be private or public: In the context of private works, it can be any area in which users move in cars (for example animal parks), and in this case it is possible to broadcast specific information on the particularities encountered.

In the context of public works, these are municipalities or representatives of the state wishing to inform the public during visits to sites of particular historical or geographic interest, for example.

The list of applications is of course not exhaustive. It would again be interesting to guarantee the same frequency band for all types of use in order to maintain the safety aspect in all cases and to guarantee reliable and permanent use of the device for all users in the widest territory. possible.

Claims (10)

1. Device for transmitting information by radio to road vehicle users, characterized in that it consists of a fixed part due to the infrastructure and a mobile part integrating a radio receiver, a loudspeaker, and organs of control according to the methods of achievements selected.  2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the infrastructure consists of a radio transmitter (9) and one or more consoles (3) for broadcasting free or pre-recorded messages.  3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the fixed part emits radio waves modulated in pulsation or in phase, in a frequency band with free or regulated access 4. Device according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that the operating console (3) allows the broadcast of pre-recorded messages, free messages, and allows the archiving of time-stamped events of the device.  5. Device according to claims 1 and 3 characterized in that the movable part

 plugs directly into the cigarette lighter socket (23) of the vehicle where it is supplied with electrical energy, via a multi-standard cigarette lighter connector (16), the proper functioning of which is indicated by a diode emitting ..  6. Device according to claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that the mobile part is of reduced size, easily gripped and easily finds its place inside a vehicle, when it is plugged into the cigarette lighter socket , among other things due to its asymmetrical shape (loudspeaker part positioned eccentrically to the main axis of the cigarette lighter connector) 7. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the mobile part can emit an audible sound in the middle of the noise in the passenger compartment of the vehicle in normal operation, thanks to a loudspeaker (15).  8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be equipped, according to the methods of embodiments adopted, with an internal battery (18) recharged by the cigarette lighter (17), giving it a emergency autonomy allowing users to take it with them in the event of abandonment of the vehicle while continuing to receive information and driving instructions to keep.  9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be equipped, according to the embodiments adopted, with a radio distress transmission device (19) called a beacon, activated remotely, and intended to facilitate the search for possible victims of a disaster.  10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile part can be equipped, according to the embodiments adopted, with a control card (13) making it possible to trigger the loudspeaker (15) only on specific criteria, such as the type of vehicle, or membership in an operating department.