IE47432B1 - Improvements relating to measuring systems - Google Patents
Improvements relating to measuring systemsInfo
- Publication number
- IE47432B1 IE47432B1 IE1748/78A IE174878A IE47432B1 IE 47432 B1 IE47432 B1 IE 47432B1 IE 1748/78 A IE1748/78 A IE 1748/78A IE 174878 A IE174878 A IE 174878A IE 47432 B1 IE47432 B1 IE 47432B1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- detector
- measuring system
- radiation
- emitters
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000005670 electromagnetic radiation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 235000008733 Citrus aurantifolia Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000011941 Tilia x europaea Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004571 lime Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003909 pattern recognition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01P—MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK; INDICATING PRESENCE, ABSENCE, OR DIRECTION, OF MOVEMENT
- G01P3/00—Measuring linear or angular speed; Measuring differences of linear or angular speeds
- G01P3/64—Devices characterised by the determination of the time taken to traverse a fixed distance
- G01P3/68—Devices characterised by the determination of the time taken to traverse a fixed distance using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
- G01B11/02—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness
- G01B11/04—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving
- G01B11/043—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving for measuring length
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
- G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
- G08G1/01—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled
- G08G1/015—Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled with provision for distinguishing between two or more types of vehicles, e.g. between motor-cars and cycles
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
- Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
- Length-Measuring Devices Using Wave Or Particle Radiation (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
- Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
Abstract
Measuring system.
It comprises a pair of sensing stations, spaced apart a known distance along a path of travel of the vehicle, each detection station comprising a series of electromagnetic radiation emitters extending vertically, disposed on a side of the path and at least one sensor disposed on the other side.
The beams from the emitters are directed at the detector so that each of the parts of the vehicle which is located between the emitters and the detector intercepts some of the beams to produce a variation in characteristic of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the detector which has the function of identifying this part of the vehicle.
Data processing means act to the outputs of the detectors to the two stations to provide a measure of the vehicle in relation to the speed.
[FR2404197A1]
Description
This invention relates lo measuring systems and lias particular, but not exclusive, application to the measurement of the length of moving vehicles. In the transportation of commercial road vehicles by sea ferries, the tariff charged is based, inter alia, on vehicle length. Tlie tariff is normally 5 expressed as a charge per metre with a gradation down to O.l metre whieli is charged proportionally. At the present lime the declared lengths of vehicles are checked on a random basis to discourage under-declarations of length. This cheeking is carried out by inspectors using tape-measures or the like and has to be carried out while the vehicles are stationary; it is therefore time-consuming and la tour intensive.
The main object of Hie pj esent invention is to provide a measuring system which enables the length of a vehicle io be measured automatically while llie vehicle is moving.
Accordingly the present invention provides a measuring system comprising:15 (a) a pair of detector stations spaced a predetermined distance apart along a path of movement for a vehicle, each detector station comprising a vertically extending series of electromagnetic radiation emitters disposed on one side of said path, each emitter producing a directional beam of radiation, and al least one electromagnetic radiation detector whiclt is designed to produce an electrical 20 output signal related to the quantity or intensity of radiation incident upon it, said detector being disposed on the other side of said path and said emitters or a group of said, emitters being arranged to direct their beams at it, whereby the said quantity or intensity of incident electromagnetic radiation registered by said detector is dependent upon the number of said beams intercepted by a passing vehicle, and (Ij) data processing means for processing the output signals from said detectors on a time basis and utilising the known predetermined spacing of said detector stations to provide a velocity related vehicle measurement.
Said electromagnetic radiation is advantageously infra-red radiation.
Thus the measuring system of the invention can be used to measure vehicle length and/or vehicle velocity.
As will be explained the measurement of vehicle length is a function of , vehicle velocity, which in turn is a function of the time taken for an identifiable jxiint on the vehicle to cover the known distance between the two detector stations.
With Hie alx)ve defined emitter and detector arrangements at the two detector stations, a vehicle as it passes each detector slat ion wilt produce on the detector a radiation intensity or quantity pattern determined hy the number of said radiation beams which are interrupted hy eacii cross-section of Ihe vehicle passing through that station. From these patterns certain characteristic points along the vehicle are readily identifiable. Hence a measurement of the time taken for a number of identifiable points to move between the two stations can Ixs made and an average transit time arrived at, which will compensate within limits for variation in vehicle velocity as it is moving between the two stations.
One of the characteristic points which is identifiable by pattern recognition 20 are vehicle axles. The system can therefore additionally lie used to count the number of vehicle axles, and this in combination with a weight measurement can provide information regarding axle loading.
The measuring system of the present invention can readily be incorporated into a comprehensive vehicle data system. Thus the measuring system can be
-347432 installed adjacent a dynamic weighbridge system and the information provided bv tiie two systems can be fed to a data base where il is combined witli other relevant vehicle data, lo provide a composite read-out of all this data.
One embodiment of the measuring system of Hie invention as applied to 5 vehicle length measurement will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:Figure 1 shows the measuring system in association witli a dynamic weighbridge Figure 2 shows a view of one of tiie detector stations as seen by the vehicle moving along its path of travel,
Figure 3 shows a block circuit diagram of the data processing means for
I processing the output signals from the detector stations, '
Figure 4 shows radiation intensity or quantity patterns on a time base as a vehicle moves past the detector stations, and
Figure 5 shows a view similar to Figure 2 of a modified detector station.
Referring to the drawings, tiie measuring system comprises two detector stations 1 and 2, which in effect form gateways at either end of a dynamic weighbridge 3 so that a vehicle 4 passing over the weighbridge 3 also passes through the two detector stations 1 and 2. As will be described the two detector stations 1 and 2 provide electrical outputs to data processing means 5 which provides as its output 20 a signal representative of overall vehicle length. This output together wit li an output from the weighbridge data unit b representative of gross vehicle weight is fed to a data base 7 in a freight office and from wiiich a print-out of these items of information together witli other vehicle data can be obtained. Tiie data base may have' provision for feeding its information to a central computer.
-447432
The detector stations 1 and 2 are spaced a predetermined distance apart (e.g. 2 metre ), Each station comprises a pair of (xtsts 8 and 9 dis|x>sed on opposite sides of the path of vehicle iravt I. The posts 8 each carry a veriical series of infra-red radiation emitting di< des 10 spaced lor example 0.2 metres apart and each producing a constant radiation i tensity output. Each of the diodes incorporates a lens system so that it produces a conically diverging lieam of infra-red radiation, the cone angle being for example 1θ' . The posts 9 each carry a single infra-red detector diode 11, whose vertical position on the lost 9 i.s adjustable for convenience in setting up the system. The diodes IO are oriented so that their optical axes are directed al the detector diode 11 ol (he associated detector station. Thus a triangular curtain ol infra-red radiation extends across the patti of vehicle travel at each station as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Each of the detector diodes 11 produces an electrical output representative of the intensity or quantity of the jnlra-red radiation incident u|x,n it so that as long as any part of a vehicle is interrupting one of the radiation curtains the output from the associated diode II will be a less than maximum intensity or quantity signal. If therefore the data processing means fundamentally has the facility for measuring the time taken for output signals from each of the detectors 11 to move from maximum intensity or quantity back to maximum intensity or quantity” through a continuous range of less than maximum intensity or quantity, the length of a vehicle can be measured using the following two equations:
L - (t]R - tu?)V (I)
V - ° ^2F 11F )
-547432 from which two equations:
(3) where is the time in absolute terms at which the front of the lb vehicle interrupts the detector station 1, t is the time at which the front of the vehicle interrupts 2F the detector station 2,
t._ is the time at which the rear of the vehicle clears the detector IR station 1, t,_ is the time at which the rear of the vehicle clears the detector 2R station 2,
L is tlie length of the vehicle,
V is the velocity of the vehicle,
D is the distance between the detector stations.
It will be appreciated from equation (3) that there is no need for an indication of vehicle velocity to be given. However a constant vehicle velocity has been assumed and this fact could introduce unacceptable errors into the length measurement if in fact the vehicle velocity does vary as it passes between the two detector stations 1 and 2. As will now be described the measuring system has an inbuilt facility for determining, in effect an average vehicle velocity of transit so that, within limits changes in vehicle velocity of transit are compensated for in the length measurement.
As a vehicle passes through each of the radiation curtains each cross-section ofthe vehicle will interrupt a certain number of infra-red bea ms so that on a time base a radiation intensity or quantity pattern will be produced on the associated detector diode 11 and this will be reflected in the output from tlie
-647432 detector diode. Such intensily or quantity patterns front the two detector stations are shown superimposed in Figure 4. Using pattern recognition techniques therefore certain features of the vehicle can Ite recognised, for example as annotated on Figure 4 where the front of the vehicle cult IOO, the cab Ixnly 101, the wheels 103
102, 104 and 105 and the trailer body/are indicated. Hence a number of velocity measurements can be made lor different points along (Ite vehicle length and an average velocity deri ved for use in equal ion (3). Tints the general equation for vehicle velocity corresponding to equation (2) is
V = D (4)
Where t is the time in absolute it rms ai which a given point in Hie length of iX the vehicle interrupts the detector station i and f is the lime at which said 2X given point interrupts detector stat ton 2.
Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the data processing means 5 in which the outputs of the two detector diodes 11 are t'd to an interface unit 12 which includes 15 an analogue-to-digital converter for converting the analogue output signals from the diodes 11 to equivalent digital values, tinder the control of the micro-computer 13 either of these digital values can be fed into the micro-computer store. The operator's console 14 has a keyboard and display which enable the operator to initiate the measuring process, to select which measurements are required (e.g. length”, number of axles), and to supply data such as the vehicle registration. With this information, the micro-computer receive s and stores the sequence of radiation intensity or quantity values from the deli clors II, computes the desired measurements using the quoted equations and causes these measurements lo be printed by the printer on the operator's console 14, and transmitted lo the Freight Office data base 7.
-747432
With the length measurement system described above a narrow band optical filter is advantageously placed in front of eacli of (he detector diodes 11 to block radiation other than that in the infra-red zone of the spectrum. Any problems with reflected light can be overcome by time modulating the output 5 of the radiation emitting diodes at a fixed frequency and tuning the detectors to this frequency. Such modulation can conveniently lie achieved by switching a d. c. supply to one station's light-emitting diodes for alternate half cycles of said predetermined frequency and to the second station's light-emitting diodes for the other half cycles.
In the above described system a single detector 11 is used at each detector station. In a modification two or more detectors may be used, a respective group of the infra-red emitting diodes 10 having their optical axes directed at each of the detectors. Figure 5 shows one such arrangement in which two detectors referenced 11^ and are used, one at tiie same level as in Figure 2 and the other at a relatively low level. The upper group of diodes referenced 10^ have their optical axes directed at the detector 1? and the lower group of diodes referenced 10 have their optical axes directed at the detector 1?\
The quantity of radiation falling on the two detectors li' and 11^ is summed and produces a pattern for the vehicle similar to that shown in Figure 4. The advantage of having a plural detector arrangement as shown in Figure 5, is tiiat it enables recognition of the lower part of the vehicle more accurately and thus for example provides a more reliable axle count arrangement. In fact the detector / 11^ and its associated group of diodes 10 could be used alone for axle counting.
Claims (8)
1. What we claim is:1. A measuring system compi isiiig:(a) a pair of detector stations signed a predetermined distance apart along a path of movement for a vehicle, each detector station comprising a vertically 5 extending series of electromagnetic radiation emitters disposed on one side of said path, each emitter producing a direct lonal beam of radial ion, and at least one electromagnetic radiat ion detector winch is designed to produce an electrical output signal related to the quantity or int-iisily of radiation incident upon it, said detector being disposed on the other side of said path and said emitters or a group 10 of said emitters being arranged to direct their beams at it, whereby the said quantity or intensity of incident electromagnetic radiation registered by said discolor is dependent upon the number of said beams intercepted by a passing vehicle, and (b) data processing means for processing the output signals from said detectors on a time basis and utilising lhe known predetermined spacing of 15 said detector stations to provide a velocity related vehicle measurement.
2. A treasuring system according to claim 1 wherein each emitter produces a directional beam of infra-red radiation.
3. A measuring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each emitter produces a conically diverging beam of electromagnetic radiation, the cone 20 angle being about 10°. ·
4. A measuring system a< cording to any preceding claim, wherein each detector station has a plurality of ertically spaced electromagnetic radiation detectors and the electromagnetic radiation emitters are divided into a number of groups equal to the number of detectors, the emitters of each said group being arranged to direct their beams of radiation at a respective detector.
5. A measuring system according to any preceding claim wherein said data processing means calculates vehicle lengtlt using Lite time taken for the vehicle to pass one of said detector stations and the vehicle velocity as calculated by the lime 5 taken for a given'point on the vehicle to move the predetermined distance between said two detector stations.
6. A measuring system according to claim 5, wherein a vehicle velocity for each of a plurality of points on said vehicle is derived and an average of the derived vehicle velocities used in the calculation of vehicle length. 10
7. A measuring system according to claim 6, wherein said given points are recognised by the characteristic radiation quantity or intensity which they cause to be registered on said detectors.
8. A measuring system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB39730/77A GB1573188A (en) | 1977-09-23 | 1977-09-23 | Measuring systems |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| IE781748L IE781748L (en) | 1979-03-23 |
| IE47432B1 true IE47432B1 (en) | 1984-03-21 |
Family
ID=10411157
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE1748/78A IE47432B1 (en) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-08-29 | Improvements relating to measuring systems |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BE (1) | BE870681A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2838583A1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK422878A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES473597A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI782758A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2404197A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1573188A (en) |
| IE (1) | IE47432B1 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1098909B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7808941A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO783226L (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7809235L (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT1192491B (en) * | 1982-08-10 | 1988-04-13 | Fiorello Sodi | AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT FOR SPEED CONTROL OF VEHICLES IN TRANSIT, WITH SELECTION VEHICLES, IN PARTICULAR FOR DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN HEAVY VEHICLES AND VEHICLES |
| DE3432355A1 (en) * | 1984-09-03 | 1986-03-13 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Device for determining the wheel diameter of railway carriages |
| GB2174195A (en) * | 1985-04-25 | 1986-10-29 | Developia Systems Ab | An arrangement and a method for the measurement of the weights and/or dimensions and/or volumes of articles |
| JPS63503167A (en) * | 1985-10-07 | 1988-11-17 | シガロフ ハガイ | Control signal generation |
| GB8600239D0 (en) * | 1986-01-07 | 1986-02-12 | Bicc Plc | Velocity measurement |
| GB8725130D0 (en) * | 1987-10-27 | 1987-12-02 | Hughes Ltd Stewart | Blade incidence tracker system |
| GB2231952A (en) * | 1989-05-03 | 1990-11-28 | Serco Limited | Vehicle length measurement system |
| FR2670404B1 (en) * | 1990-12-12 | 1995-05-12 | Dassault Electronique | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CLASSIFICATION OF HANDHELD VEHICLES. |
| GB9115745D0 (en) * | 1991-07-20 | 1991-09-04 | Longdin & Browning Surveys Lim | Method and apparatus for dimensional measurement |
| WO1993019429A1 (en) * | 1992-03-18 | 1993-09-30 | In-Mar-Tech Australia Pty. Ltd. | Vision apparatus |
| DE4311991A1 (en) * | 1993-04-06 | 1994-10-13 | Refit Ev | Method and arrangement for determining traffic variables |
| DE19717661A1 (en) * | 1997-04-25 | 1998-10-29 | Krupp Foerdertechnik Gmbh | Continuous identification method of essential characteristics of rail vehicle |
| FR3078810B1 (en) * | 2018-03-08 | 2020-04-03 | Idemia Identity And Security | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DIFFERENTIATING A HEAVY WEIGHT FOR TRANSPORTING GOODS FROM A COACH |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB960922A (en) * | 1961-11-14 | 1964-06-17 | British Iron Steel Research | Improvements in and relating to measuring apparatus |
| FR2088131A1 (en) * | 1970-05-21 | 1972-01-07 | Subra Jacques | |
| BE790341A (en) * | 1971-10-29 | 1973-04-20 | Siderurgie Fse Inst Rech | |
| US3872283A (en) * | 1973-07-13 | 1975-03-18 | Cadre Corp | Vehicle identification method and apparatus |
| IT1044402B (en) * | 1975-06-19 | 1980-03-20 | Autostrade Concess Const | SCANNING BARRIER FOR THE DISCRIMINATION AND COUNTING OF OBJECTS AND MORE SPECIFICALLY OF VEHICLES IN TRANSIT THROUGH A LAMINAR BARRIER OF ELECTROMAGNETIC MICROWAVES |
-
1977
- 1977-09-23 GB GB39730/77A patent/GB1573188A/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-08-29 IE IE1748/78A patent/IE47432B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1978-08-31 NL NL7808941A patent/NL7808941A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1978-09-01 SE SE7809235A patent/SE7809235L/en unknown
- 1978-09-05 DE DE19782838583 patent/DE2838583A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1978-09-08 FI FI782758A patent/FI782758A/en unknown
- 1978-09-18 FR FR7826702A patent/FR2404197A1/en active Granted
- 1978-09-22 ES ES473597A patent/ES473597A1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-09-22 BE BE190644A patent/BE870681A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1978-09-22 DK DK422878A patent/DK422878A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1978-09-22 NO NO783226A patent/NO783226L/en unknown
- 1978-09-25 IT IT28021/78A patent/IT1098909B/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BE870681A (en) | 1979-01-15 |
| IT7828021A0 (en) | 1978-09-25 |
| DE2838583A1 (en) | 1979-04-05 |
| SE7809235L (en) | 1979-03-24 |
| GB1573188A (en) | 1980-08-20 |
| ES473597A1 (en) | 1979-04-16 |
| NO783226L (en) | 1979-03-26 |
| FR2404197A1 (en) | 1979-04-20 |
| IE781748L (en) | 1979-03-23 |
| DK422878A (en) | 1979-03-24 |
| NL7808941A (en) | 1979-03-27 |
| IT1098909B (en) | 1985-09-18 |
| FI782758A (en) | 1979-03-24 |
| FR2404197B1 (en) | 1982-02-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK9A | Patent expired |