EP1172276A1 - Position dependent information presentation device in a railway vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The information display device has a sensor device (1) for detecting the position of the rail track vehicle, coupled to a processor (2) for controlling provision of an acoustic and/or optical representation (8) of corresponding information. The sensor device has acceleration sensors providing the amplitude and direction of the acceleration in at least 2 dimensions, compared with stored measured values via the processor for determining the position of the rail track vehicle.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a device for location-dependent presentation of information in one track-guided vehicle according to the genre of the independent Claim.

It is already from H. Kowalski and E. Kalkbrenner: television on the train - A "Digital Multimedia Broadcasting" (DMB) Pilot project at DB AG. Railway technical review Darmstadt, Issue Jan./Febr. 99, pp. 69-73 known that in a track-guided vehicle a location-dependent Presentation of information was realized by the Location using a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver was determined. For the transfer of A DMB system was used for television signals.

Advantages of the invention

The device according to the invention for location-dependent Presentation of information in a guided tour Vehicle with the features of the independent claim has the advantage that a measuring device for Determination of the location self-sufficient and therefore independent of other systems. This makes it advantageous possible, the device according to the invention both above ground as well as underground for track-guided vehicles Presentation of location-dependent information use.

Another advantage is that the track-guided No changes need to be made to the vehicles to use the device according to the invention. It’s because of that Measuring principle using acceleration sensors and possibly a rotation rate sensor that has no connection to a component in the powertrain of the track-guided Vehicle or to an external transmitter.

By those listed in the dependent claims Measures are advantageous training and Improvements to those specified in the independent claim Device possible.

It is particularly advantageous that with acceleration sensors, which are used in two dimensions, an additional one Yaw rate sensor is used to measure angular acceleration, that the vehicle experiences, to measure and thereby Determine height difference.

It is advantageous in a development of the invention that the measured acceleration values directly with stored acceleration values are compared to determine the location of the track-guided vehicle. This enables a very simple evaluation of the measurement.

In addition, it is advantageous that speed values are stored, which are necessary for the extraction of a Route profile are easy to determine, with the measured acceleration values in a simple manner in Speed values are converted.

It is also advantageous that path lengths are stored are compared to the acceleration value be used. Path lengths are very simple of a tachometer so that the route profile is very easy to determine. The measured Acceleration values can be very simple through two Integration can be converted into path lengths so that a simple comparison of the stored path lengths and the measured path lengths is possible.

In a further development of the invention, those are to be presented Information by means of a receiving device and / or received at a transmitting / receiving station, temporarily stored and then depending on the location of the track-guided Shown vehicle. Since the device according to the invention is particularly intended for use underground the receipt of this information only for days or in close to certain transmitters that are placed underground are possible. These transmitters then act as repeaters.

In addition, it is advantageous that the to be displayed Information is already stored in a memory. So the whole system from location to for display independent of external systems.

It is also advantageous that the transmitting / receiving station the location of the device located in a vehicle for public transport is reported to a central office, whereby a Fleet management and an overview of the current one Distribution of vehicles are made possible.

drawing

Embodiments of the invention are in the drawing shown and in the following description explained. 1 shows a block diagram of a Device according to the invention with a DMB receiver, figure 2 shows a device according to the invention with a mobile radio device and FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of acceleration sensors in the three dimensions.

description

In track-guided vehicles such as railways, Magnetic levitation trains, subways and trams are helping a location-based presentation of information, the Passengers, especially passengers unfamiliar with the area, their destination to reach. In many large cities, parts of the Underground rail network. However, GPS receivers cannot work underground because the GPS signals sent by satellites that Do not penetrate earth and into the subway shafts coupled signals are too weak. GPS is a worldwide used system for location determination, whereby the Signals from four satellites are used to transmit of a GPS receiver to calculate a location.

It is still necessary to determine the location carry out without setting up a measuring device, the a change in a track-guided vehicle brings. Such a change would involve increased effort and cause technical problems. Therefore, the Device according to the invention, which is in a vehicle located, acceleration sensors and possibly Rotation rate sensors to by means of a stored Reference value or range and this measured Acceleration value or range in amount and direction to determine the location.

Piezoelectric sensors are available as acceleration sensors Sensors and mass spring systems. Mass spring systems are in of micromechanics, often used in the manufacture of Sensors is used, a semiconductor membrane that the Function of the mass takes over and the membrane is by means of Arms made of semiconductor material, the arms being the Take over the function of the spring. The membrane sits with one certain distance above a conductive or semi-conductive Area so that there is a capacitor. Now change one then occurring acceleration the position of the membrane capacity also changes. Using a simple Evaluation circuit will change the capacity in simple way, preferably by means of an oscillator, determined and output as a measured value.

In Figure 1 is a block diagram of an inventive Device specified. The device has a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) - Receiver 16 and one Location 17 on. The location 17 points a sensor system 1, a processor 2 and a memory 4. The DMB receiver 16 has an antenna 6, one Receiving device 5, a DMB server 7, a memory 3 and a display 8.

The sensor system 1 is connected to the processor 2 Data input connected. Via a data input / output the processor 2 is connected to the memory 4. At one Processor 2 is the first data input of DMB server 7 connected. The DMB server 7 is via a data output connected to the display 8. Via a second data input of the DMB server 7 is the receiving device 5 connected. The is via a data input / output Memory 3 connected to the DMB server 7. The antenna 6 is to the receiving device 5 via a data input Receiving device 5 connected.

The sensor system 1 has acceleration sensors in three Dimensions. This will accelerate everyone Directions determined. This allows a clear assignment of the location if this reading as a Acceleration vector with one in memory 4 stored reference value or range is compared. An electronics connected to the sensor system 1 with which the measured values are amplified and digitized, leads to that a digital data stream from the sensor system 1 to the Processor 2 arrives. Instead of three acceleration sensors too can alternatively use the acceleration vector in the z direction be replaced by a rotation rate sensor. On Rotation rate sensor measures the angular acceleration, so that a Rotational movement for example up or down is detected. The rotation rate sensor can, for example, on the Principle of the tuning fork. The Tuning forks made to vibrate. Will the Vibration plane rotated due to a rotational movement occurs the Coriolis force. The rotation rate is thus determined. Another way to measure the speed of rotation, is the use of a laser gyroscope. With the laser gyro there is an interferometer that has a phase difference in Dependence on the rotation rate at which the interferometer passing light generated. This phase difference expresses is reflected in an intensity difference that is easily determined by means of a photodetector can be determined.

The processor 2 compares the measured Acceleration value as a vector with a reference value that is stored in the memory 4. Around the reference value is an error tolerance range by means of a threshold value in which the reference value is recognized as reached becomes. The processor 2 has a timer with which the Processor 2 has a counter to the measured Accurately assign the acceleration value over time. in the Memory 4 is namely a series of previously determined Measured values that allow a time-dependent comparison, to clearly determine the location. To the To carry out a comparison, the processor 2 therefore proceeds from last value stored in memory 4, with the still no comparison was made.

The measured in the further course of time Acceleration value is as long as with the following, in Memory 4 values compared until the Difference falls below a predetermined threshold. Then the error is so small that from a match is spoken. The memory 4 can not be here writable memory to be executed, since in vehicles for public transport, the routes for not change certain vehicles and, if so, the Case, then simply the appropriate one Storage medium is replaced. Offer as storage media CD-ROMs or DVDs, but they are also rewritable hard disk space possible.

The measured values stored in the memory 4 are either as acceleration values. Then the comparison is very good simple, or the values stored in memory 4 are as speed values. This enables easy Determination of the route profile. The speedometer or one other speed measurements are made during departure the route used to determine this departure schedule. The acceleration value measured by means of the sensor system 1 must then be integrated once by the processor 2 to the Acceleration value into a speed value convert, where the starting point of the trip is the Supplies constraints. Are they in memory 4 stored reference values as path lengths is one double integration of the acceleration values necessary. The path length determination is the easiest way to get one Determine route map.

If a location is recognized, the processor 2 will DMB server 7 communicated. The DMB server 7 then loads the memory 3 information from this location by means of the display 8 are to be shown. For that he prepares DMB server 7 before the loaded data. The display 8 lies here as a screen.

Alternatively, it is possible that if a location is recognized feedback is sent to a central office. To a radio channel is required, for example using GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) is realized, but are also other mobile radio systems or radio barks can be used for this. On the one hand, feedback enables a fleet management and secondly a backup of the Traffic, i.e. other vehicles are informed whether a track is occupied. For that is next to the Receiving device 5 a transmitting / receiving station and an additional antenna may be necessary.

In addition to a graphic display, as with display 8 is possible, an acoustic representation is also possible, then the DMB server 7 the ones to be displayed Information prepared for audio display. Furthermore, the graphic representation with the acoustic Playback can be combined to create a multimedia To enable representation. For the visually impaired, it can furthermore, it is provided that a tactile reproduction is made possible. Actuators are moved so that a Visually impaired by means of his hands the information too can feel, for example by playing in Braille.

The receiving device 5 receives by means of the antenna 6 Radio signals that contain the information that is transmitted by means of the display 8 are to be shown. The Receiver device 5 amplifies, filters and digitizes the received signals containing the information and passes it as a digital data stream to the DMB server 7 this data is decoded and stored in memory 3. The Information has data that indicate from which Location they should be displayed and from which Location removed this information from the display should be. The memory 3 is a rewritable Memory, which is why a hard disk, a semiconductor memory or a magneto-optical memory are suitable for this.

To get information about public transportation distribute, digital broadcasting systems offer excellent Possibilities to transfer such data. DAB (digital Audio broadcasting) is one such digital Broadcasting process, which due to its framework structure for Transfer of any multimedia data is suitable. If such multimedia data is transmitted, one speaks of DMB. So DMB is nothing more than DAB, whereby Multimedia data, as text, image, sound and video data be transmitted. The DMB server 7 therefore leads to the received DMB data by the appropriate decoding.

In addition to DAB, the well-known digital Broadcasting procedure DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) and DRM (Digital Radio Mondial) OFDM on and differ from DAB only in the transmission frequency range, in the frame structure and in the transmission rate. This However, methods also allow the transfer of Multimedia data. Also cellular technology compared to GSM improved bandwidth like GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) can be used for this. This is shown in Figure 2 shown.

In Figure 2, the device according to the invention with a Mobile device shown as a block diagram. The The device according to the invention has a mobile radio device 22 and the location 17 on. The mobile radio device 22 has an antenna 18, a transmitting / receiving station 19, a Signal processor 20, memory 23 and display 21 on. The location 17 has the sensor 1, the Processor 2 and memory 4.

The sensor system 1 is at the data input of the processor 2 connected. The memory 4 is via a data input / output connected to the processor 2. The processor 2 is connected to a data input of the signal processor 20. Via a first data input / output of the signal processor 20 the transmitting / receiving station 19 is connected. About one The second data input / output of the signal processor 20 is the Memory 23 connected. To a data output of the Signal processor 20, the display 21 is connected.

The functioning of the location determination 17 is as for Figure 1 described. The signal processor 20 receives the current location of processor 2, then the Signal processor 20 by means of the transmitting / receiving station 19 and the antenna 18 those to be displayed for the location Information from a central data source every now and then decodes the received data and then stores it in memory 23 temporarily. Then the signal processor 20 prepares the information for the display on the display 21 to then pass the information to the display 21, so that the information can be displayed. The Memory 23 acts primarily as a buffer here, but it can be used like used in Figure 1 as a buffer for information which are retrieved and decoded in advance.

Acceleration sensors are shown in FIG three dimensions are arranged. A coordinate system 10 specifies how the coordinate axes are. On Acceleration sensor 9 is arranged in the Y direction Output signal 13 goes to one at sensor system 1 connected electronics 24, namely at the first Data input so that this output signal is amplified and is digitized. An acceleration sensor 12 is in the X direction arranged, its output signal 14 goes to the Sensor 1 connected electronics 24, specifically at their second data input to be amplified and digitized become. An acceleration sensor 11 is in the Z direction arranged. Its output signal 15 goes to the sensor system 1 connected electronics 24 and that at their third Data input to be amplified and digitized. The Electronics 24 as part of the sensor system 1 is then sent to the Processor 2 connected. As shown above, the Acceleration sensors supplemented by a rotation rate sensor , or can be one of the Acceleration sensors replaced by the rotation rate sensor become.

Alternatively, an update of the information to be displayed are then omitted to a receiving device and a transmitting / receiving station is waived. The information will then loaded from a memory already at the start of the journey has all the information to be displayed.

The processor 2 and the DMB server 7 or the Signal processor 20 can each be in one block be integrated.

Claims (8)

Device for the location-dependent display of information in a track-guided vehicle, the device comprising means for detecting the location of the track-guided vehicle, a processor (2) which provides an acoustic and / or visual display (8) of the information as a function of the location of the track-guided vehicle controls, as well as the acoustic and / or optical representation (8), which represents the information, characterized in that the means for detecting the location of the track-guided vehicle have acceleration sensors in at least two dimensions, the acceleration sensors having an amount and a direction of Determine acceleration as a function of time, that the processor (2) has means to carry out a comparison by means of the accelerations determined by the acceleration sensors (9, 12, 11) in magnitude and direction and on the basis of measured values stored in a memory (4), and that the proc essor (2) has means to determine the location of the track-guided vehicle based on the comparison. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that if acceleration sensors are available in two dimensions, the device has a rotation rate sensor. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measured values stored in the memory (4) are acceleration values. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measured values stored in the memory (4) are speed values and that the processor (2) thus converts the accelerations determined by the acceleration sensors (9, 12 and 11) into speeds in order to carry out the comparison , Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measured values stored in the memory (4) are path lengths and that the processor (2) thus converts the accelerations determined by the acceleration sensors (9, 11, 12) into path lengths in order to carry out the comparison , Device according to Claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the processor (2) is connected to a receiving device (5) and / or a transmitting / receiving station (19) in order to receive the information which the acoustic and / or visual representation depending on the location of the track-guided vehicle. Apparatus according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the processor (2, 19) is connected to a memory (3), the memory (3) having the information to be displayed. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the transmitting / receiving station (19) has means to transmit the current location to a central office.

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