FR2855894A1 - Data transmitting assembly for managing mobile unit e.g. boat, has badge arranged on mobile unit, and detector near location occupied by mobile unit and transmitting data to central receiver through relay card - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly has a transmitter/badge (1) arranged on a mobile unit and a detector (3) near a location occupied by the mobile unit. The detector receives data on detecting the badge. A relay card (6) receives and transmits the data, relative to the detected units, from the detector to a central receiver (7). An interface determines the locations occupied by the mobile units from the data. An independent claim is also included for a process of managing places capable of being occupied by a mobile unit.

Description

MOBILE COMPONENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

  The present invention relates to an assembly for the transmission of data capable of managing a set of mobile elements.

  It is understood by mobile element, any type of vehicle capable of moving and occupying a location for an indefinite period, the locations being interchangeable.

  So it can be a car in a parking space, a boat in a port, an airplane in an airport, etc. At present, there is no automated system capable of managing the places available in a port, apart from visual surveillance which must be carried out regularly.

  It is a very slow system, unreliable and expensive in terms of manpower.

  The present invention proposes to solve these problems using a mobile element management system, simple, inexpensive, reliable, autonomous and with a long service life.

  The present invention relates to an assembly for the transmission of data comprising at least one transmitter, at least one receiver / detector capable of receiving data transmitted by said at least one transmitter, at least one relay card capable of receiving and transmitting the data received by at least one detector to a central receiver, characterized in that at least one transmitter is arranged on a mobile element and in that at least one receiver is arranged near a location capable of being occupied by the mobile element, this being for example a boat.

  Advantageously, the data exchanges between at least one transmitter, at least one detector, at least one relay card and the central receiver are carried out by radio frequency.

  Advantageously, the detection of at least one transmitter by at least one detector is carried out by infrared means.

  In order to avoid collisions and congestion, data exchanges 0o between at least one transmitter and at least one receiver are carried out on a first frequency and data exchanges between at least one detector, at least one relay card and the central receiver are made on a second frequency.

  In order to minimize the energy consumed, at least one detector switches from a standby position to a listening position during the detection by infrared means of at least one transmitter.

  Likewise, at least one transmitter periodically transmits a presence frame consisting of an identifier number associated with the transmitter, advantageously, the frame is transmitted pseudo-randomly, on average, every hundred and eighty seconds.

  Advantageously, the presence frame is received by at least one detector and is transmitted to at least one relay card capable of transmitting the identifier number to the central receiver.

  Advantageously, the data transmission between at least one detector and the central receiver is done by a random path 30 among all of the relay cards.

  In order to centralize the data transmitted by the various detectors, the central receiver includes a periodic range of reception and transmission of data able to listen to the data transmitted by at least one detector and at least one relay card and to request additional information. on the detected mobile element, the additional information being related to the physical characteristics of the mobile element and its owner.

  Advantageously, the periodic range of the central receiver has a refresh time 1o of between 1 and 30 minutes, advantageously 5 minutes.

  In order to synchronize the detectors with one another, at least one receiver is capable of transmitting data over a specific period of time, included in the periodic range of the central receiver.

  The present invention is now described with the aid of illustrative and in no way limitative examples of the invention, and by means of the attached illustrations: o - FIG. 1 represents a general flowchart of the various exchanges of information between a transmitter, a receiver, a relay assembly and a data reception card according to the invention; FIG. 2 represents a schematic top view of a port with several pontoons comprising the receivers according to the invention with mobile elements comprising the transmitters according to the invention; - Figure 3 shows a flowchart of information exchanges with several relays according to the invention, and - Figure 4 shows a flowchart of the different information exchanged between the receiver, relays and the data reception card according to the invention .

  The present invention relates to an assembly for the transmission of information between a transmitter or badge 1 disposed on a mobile element 2 and a receiver or identifier 3 arranged on, or near a location 4 capable of being occupied by said mobile element 2 .

  It is understood by mobile element any type of vehicle (automobile, truck, boat, moped, ...) capable of occupying a suitable location for a time, for example a parking space for a 1o vehicle.

  The following description relates more specifically, in a non-limiting manner, to boats of the boat type in a marina.

  The badge 1 is in the form of a box of known type in which an electronic card and an antenna for transmitting and / or receiving data are molded.

  Advantageously, the antenna of the badge 1 is a half20 antenna open on a printed circuit in FR4.

  The badge housing 1 is designed with the smallest possible weight and size and is advantageously made of a plastic material capable of withstanding extreme atmospheric conditions, such as heavy rain or high sunshine.

  Likewise, the identifier 3 is in the form of a fixed box, of a type known per se, in which is molded a reception and transmission antenna as well as an electronic card, of a type known per se.

  The housing of the identifier 3 is ideally designed in a material capable of withstanding extreme atmospheric conditions and has a small size, size and weight.

  s The identifier / receiver 3 is able to detect the presence of the badge 1 in an appropriate radius around the location 4 where it is placed, for example on a radius of a few meters.

  At each location 4 able to be occupied by a mobile element 2, there is associated a single detector 3.

  Thus, the detection of a mobile element 2 by the detector 3 makes it possible to determine the occupation of the location 4 with which the detector 3 is associated.

  Advantageously, the identifier 3 is also able to detect the presence of a mobile element 2 even if the latter is not equipped with a transmitter badge 1.

  The detector 3 detects the presence of the badge 1 by infrared means of a type known per se to those skilled in the art.

  In order to reduce the incidence of solar radiation, the detector 3 has a light filter and a deflector, or cone, on its housing.

  In addition, the detector 3 has means for suppressing saturation of the infrared means as well as means for masking the reflection on the movable element 2 of the infrared beam modulated by the white noise of the sun when the infrared beam is in direct view of the 30 detector 3.

  For this, the infrared means are in the form of two infrared detectors, of a type known per se, arranged at the bottom of a light guide, opaque to infrared rays, in a horizontal plane and separated by an angle of a few degrees .

  If a badge 1 is detected by the detector 3, data 5 is exchanged between the badge 1 and the detector 3, these being related to the mobile element 2 on which the badge 1 is fixed and their emission by radio frequency, for example, at short range for the transmitter 10 and at medium range for the receiver 3.

  Advantageously, the detector 3 comprises at least two separate antennas, of a type known per se, as well as an antenna selector, also of a type known per se.

  The information received by the receiver 3 is then transmitted by radio frequency to at least one relay card constituting a relay assembly 6 arranged in the space surrounding the locations 4 able to be occupied by the mobile elements 2, that is to say say near the 20 detectors 3.

  The relay cards of the relay assembly 6 are capable of exchanging information by radio frequency between them so as to transmit them to a central receiver 7, located, for example, in a harbor master's office 25 in the case of the application of the invention in a port.

  Once the information relating to the detected mobile elements 2 is received by the central receiver 7, a programmable computer interface makes it possible to centralize the data received from different detectors 3 and to determine the different locations occupied by mobile elements 2.

  Advantageously, for each badge 1 placed on a mobile element 2 corresponds a unique identifier number which is periodically transmitted so as to be received by the detector 3, which then transmits it, via relay cards 6 to the central receiver 7.

  In addition, the transmission of the identifier number by the badge 1 is carried out in a pseudo-random manner.

  In addition, the central receiver 7 comprises a database of the various mobile elements 2 having already occupied a location 4 equipped with a detector 3 according to the invention.

  Thus, if the identifier number received by the central reception card 7 is not in the database listing all the identifier numbers, then the reception card 7 is able to send a request for additional information. to the identified badge 1, this request passing through the relays 6 as well as the detector 3 having detected the badge 1 in question.

  In this case, the badge 1 sends additional information relating, in particular, to the physical characteristics of the detected mobile element 2 and its owner.

  Thus, if the mobile element 2 is a boat, the information exchanged, in addition to that concerning the presence of the mobile element 2, is, among other things, the name of the owner of the mobile element 2, his address, his code postal, its city, its telephone number, the name of the boat, its registration, its length, width, the home port, the draft, its displacement, the identifier number and the battery voltage of badge 1.

  It is understood that any type of information can be exchanged and stored in the memory of the badge 1.

  Advantageously, the power supply of the electronic cards present in the transmitter 1 and the receiver 3 is carried out using a battery of lithium carbon-monofluoride technology with very low self-discharge, in particular at high temperature.

  The nature of the data 5 exchanged between the transmitter 1 and the detector 3, 10 of the data 8 transmitted by the detector 3 to the relay card 6 and of the data 9 transmitted by the relay card 6 to the central receiver 7 will be explained in more detail. specifies later.

  In order to allow a visual check of the identifier number received by the central receiver 7, the identifier number of the mobile element 2 is also written on the box of the badge 1.

  There is also the possibility of sending data from the central receiver 7 to the badge 1 and vice versa, so as to know when it arrives in a port, for example, from an appropriate interface in communication with the badge 1, the different free slots 4.

  FIG. 2 represents a schematic top view of a port 10 equipped with the transmission assembly according to the invention.

  The port 10 in FIG. 2 comprises a central, central 12 and dextral pontoon 11.

  Each pontoon (11, 12, 13) has locations 4 capable of being occupied by mobile elements 2 of the pleasure boat type, for example, the locations 4 being interchangeable.

  On each mobile element 2 is present a badge 1 capable of being detected by a receiver 3, each location 4 having a specific receiver 3 capable of transmitting the data 4 emitted by the badge 1 to a relay card 6.

  In order to determine the presence or absence of a mobile element 2 on a location 4, there is associated for each location 4 a single detector 3 having its own identification number.

  Thus, the central receiver 7 is able to determine which detector 3 on the port has transmitted information for detecting a mobile element 2.

  To do this, the detector 3 transmits to the relay cards 6 present on each pontoon (11, 12, 13), in addition to the badge number 1, its own identifier number.

  Several relays 6 are optionally provided on each pontoon (11, 12, 13), each relay 6 being able to transmit the information it receives to another relay 6 and to the central receiver 7.

  The number of relay cards 6 on each pontoon (11, 12, 13) is a function of the transmission power and the reception sensitivity of the detector 3.

  Thus, the information received by a relay card 6 is then transmitted to the central receiver 7, in this case to the harbor master's office 7, possibly via one or more other relay cards 6.

  Each badge 1 is indifferently recognized by a receiver 3 on the pontoon (11, 12, 13), thus the mobile element 2 can occupy any location 4 provided with an identifier 3 in order to be able to be detected.

  There is also the possibility of determining whether the mobile element 2 occupies one or more locations 4, for example if the mobile element 2 is too large for a single location 4 or if the mobile element 2 has been placed incorrectly on a single location 4.

  To do this, the detector 3 is also able to transmit to the central receiver 7 the level of reception of the signal transmitted by the transmitter 1.

  Depending on the value of this level of the signal, the central receiver 7, using a computer interface, of a type known per se, is capable of determining whether the mobile element 2 is correctly placed on the location 4 associated with the receiver 3 having detected the presence of a mobile element 2.

  FIG. 3 shows more precisely a flowchart on the mode of transmission of information between the relays 6 as well as the different frequencies of data transmission.

  Advantageously, the badge 1 and the receiver / identifier 3 exchange information on a first frequency called "frequency 1" and the identifier 3 transmits information to the relay cards 6 on a second frequency called "frequency 2", the relays 6 and the central receiver 7 also working on frequency 2.

  The band of frequency 1 is any type of band suitable for dialogue between a transmitter 1 and a receiver 3.

  The frequency band 2 is any type of band suitable for dialogue between a receiver 3, the relay cards 6 and the central receiver 7. l1

  Preferably, the bands of frequencies 1 and 2 above mentioned are chosen from the regulated frequency bands and at reduced utilization rates, that is to say less than 1% for frequency 1 and less than 10% for frequency 2.

  In addition, the detector 3 comprises a first omnidirectional antenna, of a type known per se, arranged in a horizontal plane, that is to say parallel to the ground plane, capable of communicating with the relays 6, as well as a second directional antenna, of a type known per se, for example of the patch type on a printed or helical circuit, its beam being oriented in the direction of the location of the mobile element 2, thus making it possible to communicate with the badge 1.

  The first antenna is therefore able to transmit / receive information 15 on frequency 2 and the second antenna on frequency 1.

  FIG. 4 represents a flow diagram of the information exchanged between several relays (6a, 6b, ..6g).

  As previously explained, once the detection of a mobile element 2 is carried out, advantageously by infrared, and the detector 3 has received the badge identification number 1, the detector 3 transmits, in particular, its number d 'Identifier as well as the identifier number of the badge detected 1, randomly to the closest relay cards 6, that is in Figure 4, the relay cards 6a and 6g.

  The data received by the relays (6a, 6g) are then again transmitted randomly to the adjacent relay cards, in FIG. 4 the relays 6b and 6f.

  The data then passes, for example, through the adjacent relay cards (6c, 6d, 6e), thereby reaching the central receiver 7.

  There is therefore no preferred path during the transmission of the data coming from the detector 3 by the relay cards 6 to the central receiver 7.

  The frame transmitted by the detector 3 also includes information relating to the number of times the frame has been transmitted since its emission by the detector 3, that is to say that it has an initial number 10 when it is transmitted for the first time by the detector 3, that being increased by one unit each time that the data passes through a relay card 6.

  Thus, in order to avoid collisions between several information transmissions and not to unnecessarily clutter the network constituting the different relay cards 6, it is decided that after a certain number of transmissions between the relay cards 6, the frame is no longer transmitted.

  Advantageously, after three regenerations of the frame, the latter 20 is no longer transmitted, the number of regenerations of the transmitted signal 8 being in particular a function of the number of relay cards 6.

  In addition, the network of the relay network 6 is shaped so that even if a relay card 6 no longer works, then the entire network 25 6 is still able to transmit the information 8 transmitted by the detector 3 to the central receiver. 7.

  We will now focus more specifically on the nature of the information exchanged by radio frequency in the form of 30 frames between the badge 1, the detector 3, the relay cards 6 and the central receiver 7.

  The badge 1 periodically transmits a pseudo-random own presence frame, advantageously, on average every hundred and eighty seconds, and returns to the standby state after this transmission, this presence frame comprising the identifier number of the badge 1.

  In order to avoid prolonged collisions, the periodicity of the transmission of the badge 1 own presence frame varies from a few seconds, the variation being pseudo-random.

  In order to obtain a large number of different identifier numbers, this is advantageously coded in binary on 28 bits.

  In order to allow the detector 3 to listen to the presence frame of the badge 1, a preamble frame is sent before the presence frame is transmitted.

  In addition, the badge 1 is detected using infrared means enabling the detector 3 to go into listening position 20 even if the detector 1 has not received any preamble and badge 1 presence frames .

  When a badge 1 is detected, the detector then switches from a standby position (which consumes little energy) to a listening position over a period of time, advantageously six minutes, before returning to the standby state. .

  The listening range of six minutes allows the detector 3 to listen at least twice to the presence frame of each badge 1 detected, 30 thus making it possible to identify whether the reception levels of the detected signals vary and thus to deduce therefrom if the mobile element is indeed stopped or if it is moving.

  In addition, the detector 3 is able to calculate the pseudo-random evolution, 5 after reception of a first presence frame of a badge 1, of the reception ranges of the next presence frames periodically transmitted in a pseudo-random manner by the badge 1.

  Thereafter, the detector 3 transmits to the relay 6 only the three frames of 1o presence having the highest reception levels.

  The detector 3 then transmits a detection frame to the relays 6, this detection frame comprising, in particular, the identifier number of the detector, the identifier number of the transmitter 1 and the reception level 15 of the detected signal.

  As previously explained, an initial number of the frame is also transmitted by the detector 3, this number being increased by one each time the detection frame of the detector 3 is received and again transmitted by a card. relay 6.

  In order to avoid emission collisions, the detectors 3 are synchronized with one another and can only transmit a detection frame periodically over a given time range, each detector having its own emission range.

  After being relayed by the relay cards 6, the central receiver 7 centralizes the data received from the various detectors 3.

  Advantageously, the central receiver 7 has a period of listening period which is broken down into a range of reception and listening of the frames transmitted by each detector 3 and another range of sending frames of requests for additional information for the numbers of identifiers not recorded in a database associated with the central receiver 7.

  Indeed, if the identifier number of the badge 1 is new with respect to the database of the central receiver 7, then the central receiver 7 is capable of transmitting a request frame for additional information, as has been previously explained .

  It is understood that this frame for requesting additional information can also be sent even if the identifier number of the detected mobile element 2 is already listed in the database of the central receiver 7, thus making it possible to refresh the i5 recorded data.

  The duration of the periodic listening frame of the central receiver 7 is between one and thirty minutes, advantageously five minutes, thus making it possible to refresh the data recorded in the central receiver 7 regularly.

  A period of time reserved for displaying data on a display panel, arranged for example at the entrance to a port, is also provided on this periodic listening range.

  The frame for requesting additional information, after having been sent by the central receiver 7, is then relayed according to a random path in the relay assembly 6, to reach the detector 3 having detected the badge 1 not listed in the base of 30 data.

  The transmitter 1 then sends the requested information in the same way as for the presence frame.

  It is thus possible to communicate between the transmitter 1 and the central receiver 5, possibly making it possible to exchange information from the mobile element 2 from an appropriate computer interface arranged thereon.

  Advantageously, the central receiver 7 has a 0o calculation unit, of a type known per se, capable of analyzing the numbers of identifiers as well as the reception levels of the various detected signals and determining the highest probability of presence of moving parts on the slots 4.

  This calculation unit is also associated with a graphical user interface allowing the manager to view the free and occupied locations 4 in near real time.

  Advantageously, the computing unit is able to communicate by means known to those skilled in the art, with display panels (or mobile graphical interfaces of PDA or mobile phone type) in order to orient the mobile elements 2 towards the free locations 4 and the most adapted to their size.

Claims (23)

  1. Assembly for the transmission of data comprising at least one transmitter (1), at least one receiver / detector (3) able to receive 5 data transmitted by said at least one transmitter (1), at least one relay card (6 ) capable of receiving and transmitting the data received by said at least one detector (3) to a central receiver (7), characterized in that said at least one transmitter (1) is arranged on a mobile element (2) and in that that said at least one receiver (3) is arranged near a location (4) capable of being occupied by said movable element (2).   2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said movable element (2) is a boat.   3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the data exchanges between said at least one transmitter (1), said at least one detector (3), said at least one relay card (6) and said central receiver (7) are carried out by radio frequency.   4. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the detection of said at least one transmitter (1) by said at least one detector (3) is carried out by infrared means.   5. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the data exchanges between said at least one transmitter (1) and said at least one receiver (3) are carried out on a first frequency and in that the data exchanges between said at least one detector (3), said at least one relay card (6) and said central receiver (7) are produced on a second frequency.   6. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one detector (3) passes from a standby position to a listening position during the detection by said infrared means of at least one transmitter (1) .   7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one transmitter (1) periodically transmits a pseudo-random presence frame.   8. An assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that said presence frame consists of an identifier number associated with said at least one transmitter (1).   9. An assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said presence frame is transmitted, on average, every hundred and eighty seconds.   10. Assembly according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said presence frame received by said at least one detector (3) is transmitted to said at least one relay card (6) capable of transmitting said number d 'identifier to said central receiver (7).   11.An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data transmission between said at least one detector (3) and said central receiver (7) is done by a random path among all of said relay cards ( 6).   12. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central receiver (7) comprises a periodic range of reception and transmission of data capable of listening to the data transmitted by said at least one detector (3) and said at least one relay card (6) and to request additional information on said detected mobile element (2).   13.Essemble according to the preceding claim, characterized in that 5 said additional information is related to the physical characteristics of said movable element (2) and its owner.   14.An assembly according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that said periodic range of said central receiver (7) has a refresh time of between 1 and 30 minutes, advantageously 5 minutes.   15.An assembly according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said at least one receiver (3) is capable of transmitting data only over a specific period of time, included in said periodic range of said central receiver (7 ).   16. A method of managing a set of locations (4) capable of being occupied by mobile elements (2), characterized in that a transmitter (1), disposed on said mobile element (2), is suitable transmitting data to a detector (3) arranged near a location (4).   17. Management method according to claim 16, characterized in that the step of detecting the transmitter (1) by the detector (3) is carried out by infrared means.   18. Management method according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that the data transmitted by said transmitter (1) are transmitted by said detector (3) to at least one relay card (6) capable of transmitting the data received at a central receiver (7).   19. Method according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that said locations (4) are interchangeable.   20. Device for managing a set of locations (4) able to be occupied by mobile elements (2), characterized in that it comprises a transmitter (1), disposed on said mobile element (2), suitable transmitting data to a detector (3) arranged near a location (4).   21. Management device according to claim 20, characterized in that the detection of the transmitter (1) by the detector (3) is carried out by infrared means.   22. Management device according to one of claims 20 or 21, characterized in that the data transmitted by said transmitter (1) are transmitted by said detector (3) to at least one relay card (6) capable of transmitting the data received at a central receiver (7).   23. Device according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that said locations (4) are interchangeable.