WO2003098845A2

WO2003098845A2 - Infrared connection device

Info

Publication number: WO2003098845A2
Application number: PCT/BE2003/000084
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Cuvelier
Original assignee: Michel Cuvelier
Priority date: 2002-05-16
Filing date: 2003-05-16
Publication date: 2003-11-27
Also published as: WO2003098845A3; BE1014834A6; WO2003098845B1

Abstract

The invention concerns an infrared connection device using infrared rays for transmitting data from various electrical appliances to a remote data processing unit where they are handled. The infrared rays pass through a series of infrared wave guide tubes where they can be subjected to modifications of direction, or power amplifications, through optical or electronic means so to reach the data processing unit undamaged, even in the presence of a long and discontinuous trajectory. The absence of electric wire, or optical fiber in the infrared circuit facilitates mounting and maintenance of the various appliances integrated in the system developed by means of connectors similar to those used in the protective cladding of electrical circuits, or in hydraulics. Said data transfer mode by infrared radiation also enables novel uses, in particular through the use of an infrared electronic barcode capable of being remotely modulated specially designed for moving vehicles.

Description

INFRARED CONNECTION DEVICE

The Infrared Connection Device provides the means necessary to ensure good electrical wireless transmission of the electrical signals generated in at least one electrical device to at least one information processing unit where these signals are managed.

Usually, such connections are made by electric cables which will preferably be of the shielded type when it comes to transmitting low power signals and thus avoid any interference with the ambient electromagnetic field. Electrical wires can be replaced by optical fibers by transforming electrical signals at the output of

Electrical devices in light signals, which, after having propagated in these fibers, will in turn be converted into electrical signals. We can also find transmissions by Infrared Waves which have the characteristic of propagating well in the air, provided that 'there are no significant obstacles between the Infrared Emitter and its Receiver. Remote controls for television sets are one example.

The 1-infrared Connection Device ensures good transmission of the infrared waves emitted by at least one Infrared Emitter (fig.l - EIR index) to at least one Infrared Receiver (fig.l - RIR index) whatever the path imposed in an assembly where the Devices (fig.1 - index K) must be connected to at least one Information Processing Unit (fig.l -index UT), from which will emerge the desired results of commands and / or controls, and / or displays for example. This device is particularly suitable when it is necessary to transfer all the signals produced by Infrared Diodes of Electric Appliances

(K) to one or more Processing Units (UX) placed outside the direct visual field of these Devices (K). The Infrared Connection Device includes:

- At least one Electronic Input Adapter (fig.2-index A.E.) which adapts the signal (s) to be transmitted (fig.2-index K) to the infrared transmitter (fig.2- index E.I.R);

-At least one Infrared Emitter (fιg.2-EIR index) in supply preferably drawn at a frequency close to 5000 Herz with an ignition time of the order of 10 micro-seconds followed by a rest time determined by the emitting capacity of the Infrared Diodes. If you want to pass more information from different Devices (K) in the same Emitting Diode (D.E.) of a Device

Connection to Infrared, we can use a multivibrator with a much lower frequency ¹ , like for example 10 Herz, so that Transmitter sends wave trains pulsed 10 times per second. It is the number of these trains which represents the address of the order to be executed in one or more Information Processing Units (UTI).

-At least one Wave Transmitter Tube] juτarouges (fig.2-index T.I.R.) responsible for propagating infrared waves from Transmitter (E.I.R) to the Infrared Receiver (fig.2-index R.I.R). The description of this Transmitter Tube (T.I.R.) will be made following the present listing of the constituent elements of the Infrared Connection Device.

-At least one Infrared Receiver (fig. 2-R IR index) which receives the infrared waves that have propagated in the Infrared Wave Transmitter Tube (TIR). -At least one Electronic Output Adapter (fig.2-AS index) responsible for adapting the receiver signals (fig.2-RIR index) to at least one Information Processing Unit (fig.2-UT index);

-At least one Information Processing Unit (U.T.) responsible for managing information from at least one Device (K), to obtain the desired effects of commands and or controls, and / or displays.

The Infrared Wave Transmitter Tube (fig. 3-index T.I.R.) includes:

- At least one Infrared Wave Guide tube of appropriate section (round, rectangular, ...) whose inner wall is likely to favor the propagation of I-nfrarouges (IR) waves, and which also has the means to ensure a good propagation of the waves which circulate there and to be able to modify the trajectory and / or to multiply the number of trajectories towards several Information Processing Units (TU), and / or to be able to amplify them if necessary; - Lenses, and / or Filters, (fig. 3-index F., index L.) transparent to infrared waves, ensuring the tightness of one or more Infrared Wave Guide Tubes constituting the Connection Device to Infrared;

- At least one Connector responsible for ensuring the connection between the various Infrared Waveguide Tubes, and / or with at least one Infrared Emitter (fig.2- E.IR index), and / or with at least one Infrared Receiver (fig. 2-R.IR index);

The Wave Guide Tubes can be thermally protected, sealed, and / or also filled with a gas facilitating the propagation of waves, and / or also can be kept under vacuum;

According to their arrangement in an assembly integrating one or more Devices (K) and one or more Information Processing Unit (UT), the Guide tubes of infrared waves ensuring the different connections of these elements to each other, can take the following particular forms:

- Straight Infrared Wave Guide Tube (fig. 3-TGR index);

- Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Path modifier (fig.3- TGT index);

- Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Multiplier of Trajectory (fig.3- TGMU index);

- Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Amplifier (fig.3-TGA index);

- Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Enlarger (fig3-TGAg); - Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Concentrator (fig.3-TGC index);

The means of ensuring good propagation of the infrared waves in these different tubes are as follows:

A. The use of short optical fiber sections in the Infrared Modifying Waveguide Tubes (fig.4-TGTF index), or Trajectory Multipliers (fig.4-TGMF index);

B. The use in these same Tubes of an optical system with lenses, and / or mirrors (fig. 4-indices TGTM and TGMM), and / or prisms, and / or prisms with total reflection (fig. 4-indices TGTP and TGMP);

C. The use in these same Tubes of an Electronic Circuit (fig. 4-TGTD and TGMD indices) and consisting of an Infrared Receiver with Amplifier

(AR) and one or more Infrared Transmitters (E) transmitting in the new direction (s) of propagation.

D. The use in these same Tubes of a small radius of curvature and of an appropriate internal section, and whose walls are of a highly reflective nature for Infrared Waves. E. The Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Amplifier (TGA) consists of a magnifying optical system (fig. 4-TGAO index) and / or an Electronic Amplifier (fig. 4-TGAD index) consisting of a Receiver Infrared (AR) with its Amplifier preferably adjustable, associated with an Infrared Transmitter (E). Optionally, an optical system can be added upstream of the Receiver, and / or downstream of the Transmitter (fig. 4-TGAOD index); this Amplifier Circuit can also be used to calibrate the signals arriving at the Information Processing Unit (s) to take into account the differences in attenuation undergone by the Infrared Waves according to the paths taken.

F. The Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Enlarger is responsible for enlarging the emission flow of Infrared Waves in the case, for example, where one wishes a punctual propagation in the open air while ensuring that one or several Infrared Wave Receiver Tubes are well in the direct field of the infrared flux thus widened. The Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Enlarger can consist of one or more rows of at least one Emitting Diode (DE) which can be connected in series and / or in parallel on one or more Infrared Wave Emitters (E) , so as to constitute a satisfactory emission surface. It can be, for example, arranged vertically (fig.4- TGEV index) or horizontally (fig.4- TGEH index), the Diodes (DE) emitting respectively in a horizontal or vertical direction. The use of several Guide Tubes of Infrared Waves Enlargers can constitute the elements of a modular Electronic Barcode arranged for example, vertically (fig.4-index CBEV), or horizontally (fig.4-index CBEH). They can be combined with a mechanical barcode which alternates segments reflecting well the Infrared Waves, with segments absorbing these same Waves; these absorbent segments can consist of empty spaces. The code- Modular Electronic Bars can be placed in the extension of the Mechanical Barcode (fig.4-CBMEP index) where one below the other, (fig.4-CBMEV index), or offset one relative to the other, or constitute a Mechanical Barcode itself provided that the Emission Surfaces are of a nature to reflect and / or absorb the Infrared Waves. These Bar Codes are read by at least one Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Concentrator (described in paragraph G.), and / or by at least one Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Enlarger. The width of the barcode segments, the separation distance between two successive segments, the nature of these (mechanical, and / or electronic) and the number of these segments, are the elements determining the barcodes.

G. The Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Concentrator presents one or more rows of at least one or more receiving diodes, being able to be connected in whole or in part in parallel and / or in series, to one or more Amplifier-Receivers ( AR) so as to widen the field of perception of the waves emitted. The Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Concentrator can occupy, for example, a vertical position, to receive waves emitted horizontally (fig.4-index TGCN), or a horizontal position to receive infrared waves emitted vertically (fig.4-index TGCH). In case this (s) Tube (s)

Concentrator (s) (TGC) are intended to intercept Electronic and mechanical Bar Codes, at least one Receiving Infrared Diode (DR) can be added to at least one Emitting Infrared Diode (DE) (fig. 4-TGCER index) including the waves, after reflection on the segments of the Mechanical Bar Codes, will reach this or these Infrared Receiving Diode (s) (DR). The means described in paragraphs A, B, C, D, E, F, G, above, can be taken separately, or combined with one another in the production of an Infrared Connection Device.

Connectors. To connect the multiple Infrared Waveguide Tube (s) to each other, and also ensure their connection (s) to at least one Infrared Emitter (fig. 2-EIR index) and / or an Infrared Receiver (fig.2-RIR index), it is necessary to provide Connectors preferably easily removable, such as for example Connectors to "clip", to screw, to interlock, to glue, edge to edge with sleeve, wrapping or gluing; it is therefore not electrical connectors, but rather connectors encountered in the sheathing technique (protection of electrical cables, for example) or hydraulics. Certain sections of the Infrared Connection Device may consist of a free space. Other sections can also be partially made up of electric cables: in this case, the signals coming from an Infrared Receiver (fig. 5-RIR index) are transmitted after possible amplification (AR) by the cable connected to the input of an Infrared Emitter (ER), or else, one end of these cables which can, for example, be connected directly to one or other of the Information Processing Units (fig. 5-CE index). It is thus that one can feed directly by electric cables from the Transmitters of the Guide Tubes of Infrared Waves Enlargers, and / or the Receivers of the Guide Tubes of Infrared Waves Concentrators. Lenses and / or Sealing Filters.

Each of the Infrared Waveguide Tubes can be sealed using Lenses (fig.3-index L) or Filters (fig.3-index F) transparent to infrared waves placed at the inlet and outlet, in -the purpose of protecting the internal walls of these Tubes and / or Optical Elements

• and / or the electronics they contain. To improve the propagation of Infrared Waves especially on long journeys, these different Tubes can be placed in an adequate, even rarefied, gas atmosphere, or under vacuum. Thermal insulation of these different Infrared Wave Guide Tubes can be useful to increase their performance in the transmission of Information.

Other particularities or advantages of the invention will be described in particular embodiments, reference being made to the following examples:

Example 1: COLOR SCANNER - Figure 6 -

If you want to control the color variations of me Surface (S), it suffices to place several infrared photoelectric cells with reflections (preferably diffuse) (K1, ... K8) preferably distributed obliquely over the entire width of this Area (S) whose information will be transmitted by means of one or more Infrared Connection Devices (DC1.1, DCI2, ...) to one or more Processing Units

Information (UT1, UT2, ...). A continuous control of this Surface can be carried out, either by moving the different photocells (Kl, ... K8) mounted on a mobile support, or by scrolling this Surface ( S) ₍ relative to the fixed photocells (K1, ... K8).

Example 2: DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION. Modern electrical installations separate the power circuits from the command, control and / or protection circuits; these are carried out by means of a low voltage electric circuit (24 N) acting on electromagnetic relays arranged in Command and Control Units comparable to Information Processing Units which can be placed in one or more places of the dwelling. Low voltage electrical circuits can be replaced by one or more Infrared Connection Devices.

Example 3: ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION OF CONTROLS AND CONTROLS IN ANY TRANSPORT VEHICLE - Figure 7 -

The Infrared Connector Device can advantageously replace electrical command and control circuits in any transport vehicle (plane, train, car, coach, bus, truck, etc.). The information of several Devices (fig7-index K1, .... K6) of a control unit (lighting of the headlights, position lights, heating of the rear window, etc.) can pass through a single Infrared Wave Guide Tube (TGI) to reach one or more Information Processing Units (UT1, UT2) determining the Orders and / or Controls, and / or the Displays desired (see page 2, paragraph 4). The advantages of the Device are: reduction in weight (important in aviation), ease of assembly and maintenance, reduction in cost price, and avoidance of fires by short-circuits.

Example 4: RAILWAY SIGNALING.

The Wireless Connection Device is able to ensure good transmission of information from switchgear located along railways towards a moving train, and vice versa to ensure the good transmission of information from Devices placed in the train to fixed installations located along these same tracks. The Electronic Barcode described on page 5, paragraph F, possibly associated with a Mechanical Barcode, makes it possible to transfer to the moving train all the characteristics of railway signaling, including the names of the stations, the position of the signals and switches, speed limits, etc. The train itself can send any useful information to the ground to ensure the smooth running of its route, such as its identification number, via a Barcode Identifier which will be perceived on the ground during the passage of the train. As indicated on page 5 paragraph F, the vertical bar codes along the track will be very well intercepted by trains, and easily installed; it is also possible to install horizontal bar codes at the catenary level. Similarly, Bar Codes can be installed on the sides of locomotives and wagons, and / or on their roofs.

Example 5: ELECTRONIC BAR CODES ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OR MORE MECHANICAL BAR CODES.

The Mechanical Barcode indicates the object of detection, and the Electronic Barcode indicates the state in which the object is at the time of detection by a moving transport vehicle. The Mechanical Bar Code and the Electronic Bar Code can be intercepted by a single Concentrator Tube placed on the vehicle, opposite these Bar Codes, provided that they are in alignment with the trajectory of the vehicle; we can have several Bar Codes at different levels which would be intercepted by different Guide Tubes of Infrared Waves Concentrators, and / or Enlargers, whose information would be managed in one or more Information Processing Units (UT), for the purpose to increase the information capacity of Barcodes. The distance between each of the segments of these Barcodes, the nature of these (electronic, mechanical or electronic-mechanical) and the width of each of them may contain all the information useful to transmit. Conversely, we can place the Bar Codes on Vehicles, the Infrared Wave Guide Tubes Enlargers and / or

Concentrators responsible for intercepting them which can be placed on the ground or, on other transport vehicles, for example, on trains.

Example 6: POSITIONING A TRAIN ON ITINERARY

By placing kilometer markers along the railway track indicating by distance the distance that has been traveled from the origin station to the arrival station by means of a bar code, the various convoys intercepting these different bar codes will be able to precisely know their positioning in these different places opposite these Bollards; the distance traveled between two successive Coded Bollards will be measured by the rotation of the wheels. In this way, the actual position of the train at any time can be recorded and communicated by radio waves to the train located upstream or downstream of it. If the distance between the convoys is too short, the drivers will be warned by means of alarms which can cause automatic deceleration, even going as far as stopping the train concerned.

Example 7: INFRARED NEEDLE - Figure 8 -

When guiding transport vehicles on the ground, following a colored line by means of infrared photoelectric cells, it may be necessary to have an infrared switcher made up of several Guide Waves. Enlargers arranged in line forming a connection. infrared between a point common to the initial guide line and several other lines having different destinations which the guided vehicle must be able to use; switching on the appropriate Infrared Sections (fig. 8-Sel, Se2, Se3) will ensure the guiding link between the point of origin and the chosen destination.

Example 8: RADIO TRANSMISSION.

Radio signals (SR) can be converted into infrared signals which, thanks to the Infrared Connection Device (DCI), will be transmitted to one or more Information Processing Units (UHP1, UHP2) where they will be converted into sound signals by the '' Intermediate speaker.

Claims

Claims.

1. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it comprises: The means for transferring, by means of infrared waves, information coming from at least one Electrical Device (fig.l -indiceK) to at least one Information Processing Unit (fig. 1 - UT index), these means being characterized by:

At least one Infrared Wave Guide Tube (fig. 1 - TIR index) associated with at least one Infrared Emitter (EIR), and at least one Infrared Receiver (RIR). The Infrared Wave Guide Tube (TIR) comprising at least one of the specific Infrared Wave Guide Tubes listed below

(see fig. 3):

- Straight Infrared Wave Guide (TGR);

- Tube Guide to Infrared Waves Path Modifier (TGM);

- Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Multiplier of Trajectories (TGB); - Tube Guide of Iris Irregular Amplifiers (TGA)

- Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Enlarger (TGAg)

- Tube Guide of Infrared Waves Concentrator (TGC).

2. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it includes Infrared Wave Guide Tubes whose internal walls are such as to reflect Infrared Waves.

3. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it includes Infrared Wave Guide Tubes in a gaseous atmosphere.

4 Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it includes Infrared Wave Guide Tubes under vacuum.

5. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it includes Infrared Wave Guide Tubes whose walls are thermally insulated.

6.Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it includes Infrared Wave Guide Tubes sealed by Lenses (L) ^~ and / or Filters (F) arranged upstream and downstream of the internal elements to protect from the outside environment.

7.Infrared Connection Device characterized in that the Guide Tube of Infrared Waves Modifying Trajectories includes an Electronic Circuit adapted to the desired direction modification.

8.Infrared Connection Device characterized in that the Infrared Wave Guide Tubes cause a change in the trajectories of the Infrared Waves by optical means such as Lenses, and or or Mirrors, and / or internal reflecting surfaces, and / or Prisms, and / or Total reflection prisms.

9.Infrared Connection Device characterized in that the Infrared Wave Guide Tubes cause a change in the trajectories of the Infrared Waves by sections of optical fibers of short lengths.

lO. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that the Guide Tubes of Infrared Waves Multipliers of Trajectories comprises an Electronic Circuit adapted to the new trajectories.

11. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that the Guide Tube of Infrared Waves Multiplier of Trajectories comprises means optics, such as Lenses, and / or Mirrors, and / or Internal Reflective Surfaces, and / or Prisms, and / or Total Reflection Prisms.

12. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that the Guide Tube of Infrared Waves Multipliers of Trajectories comprises Sections of Optical Fibers of short lengths guiding the Infrared Waves in the new Trajectories.

13. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it comprises a Guide Tube of Infrared Waves Amplifier with electronic circuit consisting of an Infrared Receiver, an Amplifier-Receiver, and an Infrared Transmitter.

14.Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it comprises a Guide Tube of Infrared Waves Amplifier with adjustable amplifier-receiver, for calibrating the Infrared Connection Device according to its configuration in the system where it is integrated.

15. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that the Guide Tube of Infrared Amplifier Waves consists of an Optical Amplification System.

l.Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it comprises at least one Guide Tube of Infrared Infrared Waves consisting of one or more rows of Infrared Emitting Diodes, part of the Diodes being able to be connected in series and / or in parallel on the same Amplifier-Receiver.

17. Infrared Connection Device characterized in that it comprises at least one Guide Tube of Infrared Waves Concentrator consisting of one or more rows of Infrared Diodes Receivers which can be connected in parallel, and / or in series on at least a Receiver Circuit.

18.Infrared Connection Device characterized in that several

Information from different Devices can pass through the same Infrared Wave Guide Tube, and then be decoded in one or more Information Processing Units.

19.Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of the preceding claims, in which several Guide Tubes of Infrared Waves Enlargers can constitute a Modular Electronic Barcode.

20. Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of claims 1 to 18, in which several enlarged j-nfrarouges waveguide tubes can constitute a modular barcode associated with a mechanical barcode.

21. Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of claims 1 to 18 in which the color of a Surface (S) is continuously monitored.

22.Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of claims 1 to 8 in the control circuits, and / or controls, and or alarms of electrical installations.

23. Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of the claims làl8 for transmitting the information of the electrical apparatuses running along the railway track towards the moving train.

24. Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of claims 1 to 18 for transmitting information from the moving train to the electrical devices installed near the rails and / or cateners.

25.Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of claims 1 to 18 to indicate on board trains their precise positioning on their route at all times.

26.Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of claims 1 to 18 to produce a modular electronic barcode.

27. Use of the Infrared Connection Device according to claim 26 in which the modular electronic barcode has emission surfaces capable of reflecting and / or absorbing infrared waves from at least one guide tube. Infrared Waves Enlargers, associated with at least one Guide Tube of Infrared Waves Concentrator.

28. Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of the claims therein 18 in which the Mechanical Barcode has absorbing segments made up of empty spaces.

29. Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of the claims làl8 in which the change of route of the vehicles is modified by an Infrared Switcher.

30.Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of claims 1 to 18 to identify a moving vehicle and to know other information concerning it.

31. Use of the Infrared Connection Device described in any one of claims 1 to 18 to ensure the transmission of a radio receiver to one or more speakers.