ITRM20090194A1 - MULTIMEDIA RADIO INFORMATION SYSTEM (SIMAR) TO BE INSTALLED ON MEANS OF TRANSPORT (MOTORCYCLE CYCLES ETC) FOR THE AUTOMATIC RECOGNITION AND INTERPRETATION OF ROAD SIGNALS AND PARTICULARLY RELEVANT INFORMATION - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

With the sole purpose of simplifying the description of the system, reference will be made below to application in the context of cycle paths.

Operating principle of SIMAR

SIMAR on board allows with simple elaborations to associate to the unique code, characteristic of each RFId Tag, all the useful information to be sent to the user in the pre-selected language using the language selector, displaying them both in textual format on video and in audio format through earphones or audio speakers. In particular, when the SIMAR is located a few meters from the RFId TAG placed near the signs and particular monumental structures, it acquires the radio signal, reads the code, transmits it to the processing unit which interprets it and provides the user with a voice and text message about the meaning of the signs and / or the particular tourist attraction.

The SIMAR, which can also be housed in a suitable container (IP65), can be powered either directly by the rechargeable battery provided in the device itself or by the power supply unit of the vehicle (electric bicycles, motor vehicles, etc.).

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an information system that combines the dual functionality of road safety and knowledge of the territory.

The system basically consists of the following technological components:

- SIMAR:

o RFId card reader;

o Radio frequency antenna;

o Decoder and data processor;

o Memory;

o Selector for language selection;

o Power supply battery or connectors for external power supply (9-36Vdc).

o IP65 enclosure

o Headphone connector;

o Sound diffusion system

o Display;

o Configuration connector;

o Connector for external devices (USB- UART-RS232-RS485).

Peripheral system (TAG):

o TAG or RFId active transponder to be applied near the signal and / or area of tourist interest.

The SIMAR system is used to provide information in real time in terms of:

• Distance, recognition and interpretation of vertical and / or horizontal signs; Tourist-cultural information;

• Location of any monumental structure relative to that of the user;

• Distance and characteristics of the tracks;

• Speed control inside the cycle paths

This description will be set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for indicative purposes only and, therefore, not limitative, in which:

<■> Figure 1 is a descriptive illustration of the operation of the system;

<■> Figure 2 is a graphic diagram of the on-board system;

<■> Figure 3 illustrates the technological components of the RFId transmission system;

We now describe the operation of the entire system, with reference to the elements shown in the diagrams in Figs. 1 and 3.

Dislocation action TAG-RFId 22 along the cycle path 3

To work, the system requires a prior dislocation along the cycle path 3 of TAG RFId 22 programmable and readable up to a few meters away, in whose memories 23 the identification code 20 is stored to be associated with the description of the various types of signals and / or monuments. 31 present in the cycle paths 3.

Language selection action

The first operation to be made to system 1 is to select the language: once the language has been set with the appropriate selector 13, the processor 7 inside the system 1 tries to translate the information into the language desired by the user 2 .

The proposed user system 1 therefore consists of a device which integrates various technological components that are functionally separated from each other;

• acquisition of codes 20 of signage 1 by means of an RFId reader 6;

• decoding of code 20 and interpretation of signs 4;

· Processing of the message in the selected language.

The peripheral system 21 corresponds to a containment structure of the RFId Tag 22, positioned on the edge of the track 3 near the curb. A further use of the present invention is the relative specialization of the system 1 for controlling the speed inside the cycle paths 3. By measuring the times between two peripheral systems 21, the processor 7 inside the SIMAR 1 will calculate and supply the user 2 the value of the average speed of the section just traveled. the SIMAR system 1 mainly provides for the interaction between the TAGs 22 of the peripheral system 21 located along the cycle path 3 and a reading unit 6 to be installed on the vehicle 5 according to the present invention.

The SIMAR 1 system bases its operation on RFId technology belonging to the Auto-ID technologies, or automatic identification. The main feature offered by the RFId technology is the remote reading of data from the memories 3 of the Transponders (Tags) 22.

This technology was chosen for the SIMAR 1 device because it finds its strengths precisely in the reading limits of other technologies: limits due to the presence of obstacles, distance, reflections and / or the need for contact. In fact, the development and large-scale diffusion of this technology is based on the possibility of reading Tag 22 without any action on the part of the user 2 of SIMAR 1. TAG 2 are read in any environmental condition and require only reader 6 and TAG 22 are in line of sight.

In a system with RFId technology, the energy is transmitted by electromagnetic induction to the antenna 25 of each TAG 22 which is transformed into energy for the activation and operation of the TAG 22 itself.

The active or semi-active Transponders 22, used in the present invention, essentially consist of a radio transmitter 25, a battery 28, a microchip circuit 24, all to continuously send the signal to the reader 6. Usually, the semi-active Tag 22 is excited by an external device or the reader integrated in the SIMAR 1, with which it establishes a dialogue via radio and then returns its identification 20 and / or any other information contained.

The space in which a Reader 6 and the Transponders | can communicate correctly is defined as the 'interrogation area'. The active TAGs 22 operating in the field of UHF and microwaves guarantee interrogation areas of extension up to forty meters. The moment a TAG || enters the interrogation area of Reader 6, is awakened and powered by a battery 28 present inside it. Through this field, Tag 22 can, in the simplest case, respond to reader 1 by sending its identification code (ID) 20. Reader 6 decodes this information to interpret its validity.

Regarding the working frequencies, the choice fell on a system that works in the UHF and microwave frequency band. Using these frequencies on the SIMAR 1 provides the possibility of using a wide frequency spectrum which allows the use of very fast data protocols which also allow the reading of moving means 5 as required for the operation of the present invention.

The reading distances achieved (at chip technology, power consumption and data exchange rate equal) by SIMAR 1 are:

Up to 20-40m using active or semi-active transponders 2 in peripheral systems 21.

The operating parameters of the SIMAR | are the classic ones of radio systems:

• The power received by the antenna 21 of the Transponder 2 directly depends on its dimensions (effective height and effective area).

• The size of the system deployed directly depends on the wavelength.

• The dimensions of the antennas 9-25 depend on the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation involved: the smaller this is, the smaller can be the antennas 9-25 (in the middle of the wavelength) that it must receive or radiate.

The energy density of a signal sent by means of an electric field, as aforesaid, decreases with the inverse of the square of the distance between the energy source 6 and the receiver 22 (see equation).

Where is it

PTx = Transmitted power

PRx = Power received

GTx = Transmitting antenna gain

GRx Receiving antenna gain

λ = Wavelength

R = Distance between the two devices.

With reference to Figure 3 with | the transmitting device to be installed on the vehicle has been indicated | and with 27 the transceiver inside the peripheral device 21.

The SIMAR | (Figs. 1-2-3) continuously emits a digital signal to receive in backscatter the information contained in the RFId 3⁄4 TAGs (Figs. 1-3) located along path 3 (Fig.1). This information is used by the microcontroller 7 (Fig.3) of SIMAR 1 (Figs 1-2-3) to process the messages to be provided to user 2 (Fig.1).

The transmitting apparatus 1 (Figs. 1-2 3) reads in RF, in the area delimited by the signal emission cone, the information relating to the identification of the TAG RFId 22 present in the peripheral system 21.

Said transmitting apparatus of user system 1 (Figs. 1-2 3) consists of:

- A micro-controller 7 (Fig. 3) equipped with a transmitter 8 (Fig. 3) for radio frequency communication with TAG 2 (Figs. 1-3);

- Led 11 (Fig. 2-3) and mini-loudspeaker signaling 12 (Fig. 3) of successful synchronization with TAG 22 (Figs. 1-3)

- A transmitting antenna 9 (Fig. 3);

- Power supply 14 (Fig. 3) in continuous 12 V (<800mA) and connectors for external power supply 15 (9-36 V);

- Containment houses 18 (Figs. 2-3);

TAG 2 (Figs. 1-3) is a transceiver apparatus consisting of:

- A micro-controller 24 (Fig. 3) equipped with a transmitter 26 (Fig. 3) for transferring the data contained in its memory 23 (Fig. 3) to SIMAR 1 (Figs 1-2-3) and of a receiving unit 27 (Fig. 3) adapted to detect the interrogation by the SIMAR 1 (Figs. 1-2-3);

- A transceiver antenna (Fig.3);

- Battery (Fig. 3;

- Internal memory 23 (Fig.3) for storing the code 20 (Fig.3) unique identifier; - Optionally it can be equipped with a USB data port or UART 29 (Fig.3);

- Containment houses 3 (Fig. 3);

The operating principle of system 1 is based on two main phases:

1. Detection phase;

2. Data processing and dissemination phase.

1. The survey phase is carried out by the cooperation of two distinct apparatuses:

- SIMAR 1 (Figs. 1-2-3);

- "Tag '' 22 (Figs. 1-3)

The 8 transmitters of SIMAR | (Figs. 1-2-3) are equipped with an internal or external antenna 9 (Fig. 3), depending on the external support that contains and protects the SIMAR, 1 (Figs. 1-2-3), and powered by battery 14; the TAG 22 (Figs. 1-3) have a miniaturized antenna 25 (Fig.3), an internal microcontroller 24 (Fig.3) and an internal memory 23 (Fig.3) for saving data.

The activation of TAG 22 (Figs. 1-3) is subsequent to the electromagnetic stress of the action field of the transmitter 8 Fig. 3) present on the vehicle 5 (Fig. 1) that user 2 (Fig. 1) is driving . The activation of TAG 22 (Figs. 1-3) is subject to the reception of the signal from the transmitter 1 (Fig. 3) of the SIMAR 1 (Figs. 1-2-3), which sends its own unique code 20 (Fig. .3), which is subsequently recorded in the internal memory 10 (Fig. 3) of the SIMAR | (Figs. 1-2-3) to be later elaborated.

The synchronization between the transmitter 8 (Fig. 3) and TAG 22 (Figs. 1-3) is notified by the lighting of a LED 11 (Fig. 2-3) or the activation of a buzzer 12 (Fig. 3), placed on the container 18 of SIMAR 1 (Figs 1-2-3)

The coverage range of the transmitting device 1 (Figs. 1-2-3) allows the positioning of the peripheral systems 21 (Figs.1) to the side of a cycle path 3 (Fig.1).

2. The data processing phase consists of associating the unique code 20 (Fig.3) of TAG 2 (Figs.1-3) and processing the information relating to:

• Signs 4 present along route 3;

• Monuments 3 adjacent to route 3

• Average speed of the section covered 3;

• Length and morphological characteristics of the next section to be covered.

This processing consists, for specific cases of the reading and interpretation of the signs f and the transfer of tourist information, in relating the codes 2 (Fig. 3) provided by the TAG 22 (Figs. 1-3) with previously memorized messages, in different languages, in the local memory B (Fig. 3) of SIMAR 1 (Figs. 1-2-3). The result of these processing is output to user 2 (Fig. 2) of SIMAR 1 (Figs. 1-2-3) as a voice message via connector for earphones 1 (Fig. 2-3) and sound system 1 and \ or as text messages shown on the display 17.

The advantage of the present invention is given by the very high operating autonomy (about 3 years or 100,000 activations) of the SIMAR 1 portable devices (Figs. 1-2-3), since the TAG 22 (Figs.1-3) comes into action only in the vicinity of the interrogation radiation field of the transmitter 8 of the SIMAR 1 (Figs. 1-2-3), thus reducing energy waste.

The devices 1 (Figs.1-2-3) and 21 (Fig.1) thus conceived are susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept that characterizes them. All the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements and in practice all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to requirements.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1. Radio-activated multimedia information system (SIMAR 1) to be installed on means of transport 5 (cycles, motorcycles, etc.) for the automatic recognition and interpretation of road signs 1 and tourist information of particular importance. System 1 is a device that can be easily integrated into any type of commercial vehicle 5, easily removable and installed in a few moments on another vehicle 5. > SIMAR: ✓ RFId 6 card reader; ✓ Radio frequency antenna 9; ✓ Decoder and data processor ✓ Memory 10 ✓ Selector for language selection 13; ✓ Power supply battery 14 or connectors 15 for external power supply (9-36Vdc); ✓ IP65 enclosure 1 ✓ Headphone connector 16; ✓ Sound diffusion system 12; ✓ Hooks 19; ✓ Display 1; ✓ Configuration connector 3; ✓ Connector for external devices (USB-UART-RS232-RS485). 3; ✓ Peripheral system 21 (TAG RFId 22 with codes 20): TAG or active transponder RFId 22 to be applied near the signal and / or area of tourist interest; 2. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said radio-activated multimedia information device 1 (Figs. 1-2-3) comprises logic units for data acquisition, management and transfer integrated in the same object. 3. System according to claim 1, although characterized in that the radio-frequency RFId communication system indiscriminately uses passive, semi-active or active technology, it can use any other transmission technology. 4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the data transmission system 1 can be based on technologies that are not binding on RFId technology, but the multimedia information system 1 (Figs. 1-2-3) can identify the signs 1 (Fig. .1) and monuments 31 (Fig. 1) also using alternative communication technologies or GPS satellite radiolocation technologies. 5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said multimedia information system 1 (Figs. 1-2-3) is suitable for use also for other applications relating to telemetry. 6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it is based on a modular device which is independent from the structure of the means of transport 1 (Fig.1) on which it is installed (cycles, motorcycles, cars, barrels, pedestrians, etc.). ..): the system is easily transferable from one medium to another. 7. System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said multimedia information system 1 (Figs. 1-2-3) is suitable for use also for applications outside cycle paths 1, for example in cities , in museums, in running routes etc. 8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it can be completed by a heart rate monitor device. 9. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the containment structure of TAG RFId 22 (Figs. 1-3) can be integrated with flashing light, acoustic buzzer, environmental sensors if a power supply is provided in this structure. They can also be of color and materials that can be customized according to the needs of the Municipality or customer. 10. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the TAG RFId 22 (Figs. 1-3-4) containment structures can also be not present and the RFId 22 transponder (Figs.1-3-4) can be applied directly on the object itself. 11. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it is based on the fact that the system p (Figs. 1-2-3) can have variable shapes according to the use and the means 5 on which it is to be installed. 12. System according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it is based on the fact that the system 1 (Figs. 1-2-3) can also be integrated by a heart rate monitor with relative remote assistance device GPS -GPRS and GPS Geofancing alarm (delimitation of the areas in which vehicle 1 (Fig.1) can transit). 3. System according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it is based on the fact that if the system 1 (Figs.1-2-3) is installed in cycle lanes 3 (Fig.1), it can also be used as a speed control in which the peripheral system 21 (Fig.1) assumes the function of a luminous and acoustic signal in the event of an infringement.