GB2212960A - Remote-controlled audible warning system - Google Patents

Description

RADIO FREQUENCY REMOTE CONTROL WITH AUDIO aI? '.,,4 6 SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC

TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, AND OTHER APPLICATIONS

The invention referred to in these Specifications and with the assistance of the drawings included is for a radio-frequency remote control with audio warning for use on pedestrian traffic lights and information monitors, designed principally for use by the blind and enabling them to move and cross traffic-light controlled pedestrian crossings without danger. The invention is of maximum safety since it is operated only if it receives current from the green light of the pedestrian traffic-light, so that there is no scope for an incorrect move.

Another of the advantages in respect of blind persons mobility is that, as the audio warning is on the top of the pedestrian traffic-light, the sound enables them to locate the light, which is precisely at the point where they must cross; this is a decisive factor when it comes to the orientation and mobility of blind persons. In this way, as the system is remote-controlled, the audio signal is heard only when a blind person activates it, and as long as the green cycle lasts, so that the sound will not disturb nearby residents, thus contributing to improve interneighbour relations and preventing disturbance.

The most significant aspect of the system is that it will make everyone aware - drivers, pedestrians, etc., - that when the pedestrian crossing audio warning comes on, there is a blind person in the vicinity, so that they must take precautions accordingly. The system is compatible with all standardized traffic-signalling, since it does not in any way affect its internal functioning; it simply taps current from the green light of the pedestrian crossing traffic light, at a maximum consumption of 200 milliamperes/hour.

1 The system is assembled wit.h four nuts and a -strip, which makes this simple and rapid; an information mechanism with these characteristics can also be installed in buses, public buildings, banks, etc., to provide easy access for the blind. The elements of this model have structural and design characteristics which differ significantly from all the audio systems in the traffic-signal network which are familiar at present; together with its novelty and practical utility, it is thought to be justified in the granting of the privilege of exclusivity which is applied for in respect of its production and sale by the owner in Spain.

The present state of the art does not include mechanisms of this type nor for these purposes, installed at traffic lights; there are, however, audio resources on pedestrian crossings which operate permanently during the pedestrian crossing green cycle. Nonetheless, these resources are not specifically designed for blind persons and their on-going operation does cause disturbances to nearby nesidents and establishments.

In general terms, the radio-frequency remote control with audio warning referred to here is made up of a radiofrequency transmitter and receiver, an audio warning device and a key switch; said transmitter is installed in the grip of a walking stick, with an operating button, specifically conceived for blind persons, or in a box whose size depends on the size of the batteries to be used. The receiver is installed inside the pedestrian crossing light box for the green light, and is connected to the audio warning located on top of the pedestrian traffic light, incorporating the antenna. The key-switch is in the lower part of the pedestrian traffic light, with access from outside.

f 0 The general means of operation of the unit is by activation of the transmitter by the blind person; this emits a radio-frequency signal which is picked up by the receiver fed from the supply to the green light of the pedestrian traffic light. This activates the audio warning, which indicates to the blind person that the pedestrian crossing light is nearby, the green cycle is on, and he or she may cross. When the powersupply is cut off to the green pedestrian light, the audio warning is switched off immediately along with the receiver; and they remain off until once more being fed by the tension in the next green-light-on cycle and receiving a new radio-frequency signal for the operation of the audio warning.

The receiver has a key switch which is used from outside so that the system can be switched off whenever necessary, by the person or official with the key.

For a clearer understanding of the general characteristics referred to above, a set of drawings is included which, in graphic form, show a possible design for the radio-frequency remote control with audio warning for pedestrian crossings at traffic lights and other applications which is the subject of this registration. It should be pointed out that, because of the predominantly informative nature of the drawings in question, the figures they contain must be considered according to the broadest possible criteria and without limitation.

The figures in the attached drawings show the following:

Figure 1.- A projection view of the transmitter in a box which can be carried by the user.

Figure 2.- A longitudinal cross-section view of the handle of a walking stick for the blind, containing the remote control transmitter.

4 Figure 3.- A perspective view of the box of-the audio warning device which can be fitted on to the top of the pedestrian traffic light.

Figure 4.- A perspective view of a standard pedestrian traffic light, in the open position, showing how the box for the audio warning device, with the antenna, is incorporated, along with the radio-frequency receiver, the keyswitch at the bottom and the connections- through a terminal strip to the green light of the pedestrian crossing light.

The different figures in the attached drawings contain numerical references linked to the following description of their characteristics and operation, thus allowing them to be immediately located. A box -1contains the transmitter carried by the user; inside there is access to the battery -2- for the supply of current to the remote control transmission assembly 3- which is plate-mounted._ The On-button -4- is on the outside.

For blind persons' use of this radio-frequency temote controI-with audio warning, it is recommended that the remote-control transmitter -7- be installed in the handle -5- of the walking stick -9-; it i.s fed from the battery -6-, which can be removed and changed, and includes the associated pushbutton -8- for operation of the assembly.

The audio-warning box -10- is installed on top of the pedestrian traffic light -15-; it has a frontal grill for transmission of the sound -11-. It is mounted with the tubular _housing -12- through which the connections are passed; the pivot -13- is installed on the side and the antenna -14on top. Said antenna is of tubular design, and is for reception of the signal from the transmitter.

4 4 The audio warning box -10- is installed on top of the pedestrian traffic light 15-, with the connections to the remote-control radio-frequency receiver -16- inside the traffic light itself, and a connection to the external key switch -17-. The correct connections are established on the terminal strip -18- to the green traffic light -19-, independently of the red light -20-. Both lights - red and green - are fitted in the box-cover -21-, accessible by tipping the general mount of the traffic light unit; the audio warning box -10- operates only when the green light is on.

--0 Given that each and every one of the parts making up the radiofrequency remote control with audio warning for pedestrian crossings at traffic lights and other objects, which are the subject of this invention, have been fully described, it remains only to be pointed out that the differe:nt.. parts may be manufactured in a variety of materials, sizes and forms, and that the assembly may be included as an information device in public buses, banks, government and public buildings and other places, to allow blind people to locate them and enter them easily. There will, of course, be differences of operation in ea'ch case; the mechanisms may incorporate such constructional variations as may be advisable in practice, provided that these do not a.lter the essential points of the subject of this patent application.

C 1 A I M 5 I.- A radio-frequency remote control with audio warning for pedestrian crossings at public traffic lights and other installations, wherein a remote control transmitter is installed inside a box.of suitable characteristics and which is small enough to be able to be kept in the user's pocket, or in the handle of a blind person's walking stick; said internal remote control transmitter is operated by an external pushbutton and fed by replaceable batteries, and it supplies a signal to a radiofrequency receiver or remote control installed in the pedestrian crossing traffic light.

2.- A radio-frequency remote control with audio warning for pedestrian crossings at public traffic lights and other installations, as per the previous claim, wherein a box for the audio warning, with an antenna, receives the signal transmitted by the remote control transmitter through a front grill, and this unit is installed at the top of the pedestrian crossing traff ic I ight. Inside the tubular mounting there are conducting cables which connect with the radio-frequency receiver remote control device inside said traffic light. There are connections, with an external key switch which allows the circuit to be switched off, if necessary, and a connection strip with the green light of the trafficlight. The circuit operates only when the green light is on.

3.- A radio-frequency remote control substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1989 at The Patent Office, State House, 66.171 High Holborn, London WC1R 4TP. Further copies maybe Obtained from The Patent ()Moe. Wes Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Rent BRS 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con- 1/87