EP1104919A1 - Protocol for detecting the presence of an individual or an item within a confined space and detection system for carrying out such a protocol - Google Patents

Abstract

The system uses specific regions where tickets may be validated, excluding areas where uncertainty may arise. The protocol provides for the detection of the presence of individuals or objects, provided with electronic tickets (14) within a defined space, such as the carriage on a transport system. The protocol anticipates the disclosure of tickets at the approach to, or in the entry corridor of the defined space. The ticket is localised by at least one measurement of distance. Given that in some areas there may be a margin of error which prevent accurate determination of the location of a ticket, such areas are excluded from the region in which ticket validation is carried out when the entry is open. The entry zone is defined by a field emitted by a transmitter (22) and received by the tickets.

Description

The present invention relates to a protocol and a system for detection of the presence of individuals or objects, provided with tickets electronics intended for a detection application implementing this protocol, in a delimited space presenting at least one entry. Through input, we also include an input-output or an output.

In particular, the present invention relates to the detection of people or objects inside a means of transport, in particular a train, a metro or bus, so as to charge holders of electronic tickets using these means of transport or ensuring that their journey has been paid for.

A first problem for such detection arises from the fact that the individuals enter certain public places or means of transportation high number at relatively high speed. A second problem stems from the fact that the space defined in particular by a means of transport can difficult to define an enclosed space inside which a field electromagnetic propagates, without this field also propagating partly outside of this delimited space. This is particularly true when the door or doors of the means of transport are open.

Then, a low frequency field, in particular of the order of 125 KHz or 13 MHz can be confined in a relatively small area, especially oval, but the flow of information or instructions that can be transmitted at this frequency is relatively low. On the other hand, a relatively high frequency, in particular of the order of 200 MHz or more greatly increases this flow of information or instructions. However, a system operating with high communication frequency consumes relatively a lot of energy, especially for Electronic tickets in listening mode.

In a demarcated space with at least one entrance, a monitoring of the entry and exit of individuals or objects with tickets appropriate electronics presents a significant difficulty for individuals or objects approaching this entrance and staying close to it. In the case of a bus or train, for example, people may provided with such electronic tickets simply come to accompany a other person or even that they temporarily climb in this means of transport to bring luggage from another person.

In the case of train-type means of transport, problems individuals can intervene within the framework of a detection protocol for presence of individuals or objects. This is particularly the case when two trains are located next to each other in a station or station. It is also these two trains can leave simultaneously and do so part of the journey next to each other. A simple detection protocol in one of the two trains, in particular at high frequency, carried out during the entry or exit of travelers or even when departing can cause malfunctions and interference with another system arranged in the other train. We can thus have a situation where a system of detection arranged in one of the trains recognizes the presence of individuals finding in the other train. We can also consider that the systems arranged in the two trains interfere, which can lead in particular to do not count passengers on either train. All these and other situations must be avoided to avoid than a protocol for detecting the presence of individuals, in particular for the payment of the cost of the journey made with the means of transport used, i.e. operational with a high level of security.

The present invention proposes to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a protocol for detecting the presence of individuals or objects and a system arranged for its implementation where it is planned to carry out minus a distance measurement between each electronic ticket entering a defined monitored space and means for measuring this at least one distance. Thus, it is possible to establish with some precision if a person or object has entered at least one subspace of said space delimited. However, there remains a major problem for the region (s) entrances to the delimited space when this or these entrances are open. This is mainly due to the accuracy of the distance measurement performed, this measurement can be established normally in a time interval relatively short. Then, the more precise the measurement means, the more their costs increase significantly.

A) réveil de tous lesdits tickets électroniques approchant ladite entrée ou passant par cette entrée et qui ne sont pas déjà réveillés;

B) procédé de détermination de la présence dans une zone d'entrée des tickets électroniques réveillés, cette zone d'entrée étant localisée au moins en majeure partie à proximité immédiate de ladite entrée;

C) mesure d'une ou plusieurs distance(s) entre chaque ticket électronique réveillé qui sort de ladite zone d'entrée en direction de l'intérieur dudit espace délimité et des moyens de mesure de cette ou ces distance(s).

To this end, the present invention relates to a protocol for detecting the presence of individuals or objects, provided with electronic tickets intended for a detection application implementing this protocol in a delimited space having at least one entry, this protocol being characterized in that it comprises the following stages when this entry is open:

A) awakening of all said electronic tickets approaching said entry or passing through this entry and which are not already awake;

B) method for determining the presence in an entry area of the awakened electronic tickets, this entry area being located at least for the most part in the immediate vicinity of said entry;

C) measurement of one or more distance (s) between each awakened electronic ticket which leaves said entry zone in the direction of the interior of said delimited space and means for measuring this or these distance (s).

Preferably, the awakening during step A is carried out at a frequency relatively low, for example 125 KHz. In one embodiment preferred, the entry area is defined by a first electromagnetic field issued by at least one first transmitter, this entry area being the region where the amplitude of this first electromagnetic field received by tickets awakened is equal to or greater than a predefined minimum value. In advantageous variant, the wake-up of tickets is also carried out by said at least first transmitter.

The location of electronic tickets by means of measurement intervening in stage C is carried out for example by a device of distance measurement formed by several modules spatially arranged at various places in said defined space. One single unit of measure may be sufficient in some cases. In general, three non-receiver modules aligned allow good localization and reduce the extent of the area input to ensure an exact determination of the presence of tickets in the demarcated space.

In a preferred variant, it is provided that the electronic tickets awake do not communicate with the measuring equipment as long as these tickets are located in the entrance area and the entrance is open. Others variants are also being considered.

The detection protocol according to the invention is preferably completed after the closure of the entrance (s) to said space delimited by a stage in which it is planned to measure one or more distance (s) between each electronic ticket that is present in said entry area at inside said delimited space and means for measuring this or these distance (s). In a preferred variant, provision is made for the latter measurement be made that the process of determining the presence in said entry area of said electronic tickets is stopped. In the variant where the entry area is defined by an electromagnetic field, the emission of this field is stopped so that the electronic tickets present in the part of said entrance area located inside the delimited space does not receive more field.

It appears from the last characteristics of the protocol involved after the closure of the entry (s) that any electronic ticket intended for the detection application and located in the delimited space is identified from in a safe way, excluding those who are not in this demarcated space. This follows in particular from the fact that after the closure of the entrance (s), a certain distance separates the individuals or objects inside and outside demarcated space. This is all the more true when it is a means of transport and that the latter sets in motion. Even in the case of two trains located side by side and leaving simultaneously, a location by at least one distance measurement with an accuracy of the order of that necessary during step C is largely sufficient to count only the tickets present inside the monitored area. We will also note that the doors closing the entrances can at least partially form a shielding for electromagnetic signals used for measurements of distance.

In a variant, it is still planned to communicate relatively high frequency directly after the measurement to locate a ticket inside the space delimited to communicate at least one information or instruction to these tickets. In another variation, especially complementary, it is planned to communicate after closure relatively high frequency doors using transmitters providing electromagnetic field essentially propagating throughout the space delimited with sufficient amplitude to ensure a communication with all tickets present in this delimited space.

Other variants and advantages of the present invention will emerge also from the following description of an embodiment of the protocol according to the invention, made with reference to FIG. 1 attached, given to this is in no way limiting. An embodiment of a system of detection of the presence of individuals or objects allowing implementation of the detection protocol according to the invention will also be described below in using this figure 1.

In this figure 1 is shown a wagon 10 of a means of transport with four main entrances 2, 3, 4 and 5 and two entrances secondary 7 and 8 allowing passage in adjacent wagons. The wagon 10 defines a delimited space in which it is possible to enter and exit through the main and secondary entrances. Each entry main 2 to 5 is equipped with means of detecting individuals 12 equipped with electronic tickets 14 intended for the presence detection application of these individuals in wagon 10 or more generally in the means of transport to which this wagon is assigned. Secondary inputs 6 and 7 can also be equipped with such detection means or other additional means. However, detection of the movement of individuals through secondary doors 6 and 7 is not critical for the control of passengers on a certain journey with the means of transport concerned when this means of transport is considered in its together and is monitored in particular by a centralized system allowing find out if a person who got into a certain car comes out later by an entry from another wagon.

Thereafter, a detection protocol according to the invention will be described. made at any main entrance to wagon 10. The means or identical devices arranged at the various inputs carry the same references.

The flow of people entering or leaving wagon 10 can be relatively high. In the case of the present invention, provision is made for detect in entry-exit spaces 16 and 18 individuals entering or leaving the wagon 10. This choice differs in particular from detection throughout the space delimited by wagon 10. In the case of this invention, we therefore seek to define effectively and correctly the individuals with a ticket 14 who are present at a certain time in these entry-exit spaces 16 and 18.

We can define two main situations, one in which the inputs main 2 to 5 are open and the other in which these main entrances are closed.

If the main doors are open, any ticket electronic 14 suitable and worn by a user 12 is awakened, if such is not already the case, when approaching entrance 5 so that this ticket switches from listening mode to active mode. This awakening step allows you to minimize the energy required for electronic ticket 14 which is generally an autonomous portable object. This ticket 14 is equipped with means to determine, once awake, if he is in a entrance zone 20 located at least for the most part in the immediate vicinity of entry 5. Entry area 20 is defined by a field electromagnetic emitted by a transmitter 22. More precisely, the area input 20 is the region where the amplitude of this electromagnetic field received by awakened tickets 14 is equal to or greater than a minimum value predefined. According to a first alternative embodiment, the method of determination of the presence of a ticket 14 in the entry area 20 consists by measuring this amplitude of the electromagnetic field emitted by the transmitter 22 to determine whether or not it is less than said value minimum. In another alternative embodiment, the transmitter 22 transmits successive signals in zone 20. The awakened tickets receiving these signals with sufficient amplitude for their reading are considered in this area 20. In this case, the predefined minimum value corresponds to the amplitude minimum sufficient for such signals to be received by tickets.

Preferably, the transmitter 22 transmits at a relatively low frequency, for example 125 KHz or around 13.5 MHz. In an advantageous variant, the wake-up function for tickets 14 is performed using the transmitter 22.

According to another variant, it is expected that the ticket 14 functions as a transponder which responds to an interrogation signal from the reader 22. Thus, as long as reader 22 receives a response from ticket 14, the latter is considered present in entry area 20. This last variant is distinguishes from the two others mentioned above in that the information relating to the presence in zone 20 of ticket 14 is in reader 22. This reader is connected to a central electronic unit 30 which then uses this information for the implementation of the detection protocol according to the invention, in particular to validate or not a distance measurement described below.

To detect the presence of individuals in the entry-exit space 16 or 18, localization means are provided by measuring at least one distance. To do this, there is provided in the system of Figure 1 a device measurement with three receiver modules 32, 33 and 34 located spatially at various locations in space 16, respectively 18. Preferably, these three modules are not aligned. In a particular embodiment of the detection system according to the invention, provision is made for arranging the module or modules of the distance measuring device so that it (s) receive (s) electromagnetic signals originating only from within said space delimited and more particularly of the entry-exit space 16 or 18 and / or only transmit signals within this space. To do this, we can arrange a measurement unit in particular above the entry and the shield at least on its outer side, i.e. on the side facing the exterior relative to a wall presenting the entrance where detection is done so that this unit of measurement cannot communicate with the exterior of the said space delimited in the region of this entrance. In this mode the accuracy of the measurement is much less critical since the ticket leaving the entry area which is measured is then necessarily at the interior of the delimited space, in particular of the wagon 10. Thus, only one module receiver or transceiver without high measurement accuracy can suffice.

Several means known to a person skilled in the art for locating a ticket by distance measurement (s) can be used. By way of example, we will cite a first variant in which the localization is carried out by distance measurements between the ticket 14 and the receiver module (s), the measuring device being arranged to determine a response time of the ticket that returns an echo signal upon receipt of at least one signal sent by this measuring device. According to another variant, the distance measurement consists of a measurement by each measurement module of the amplitude of a signal provided by this ticket, either directly or in response to a signal of excitement. We can also predict the opposite case where the amplitude measurement is performed by the ticket for a signal received from each planned measurement module.

Each entrance area 20 covers an entrance to the delimited space. The width of this entry area 20 is provided so that it is substantially equal to or greater than the inaccuracy in measuring distances to determine if ticket 14 is located inside the entry-exit area 16 or 18 and / or to allow communication during the passage of electronic tickets in this area. This allows to consider as inside, when the doors are open, only the tickets 14 which are actually inside wagon 10. As long as the doors are open, the tickets present in the entry area (s) 20 are not counted as being inside wagon 10. So even with a relatively large uncertainty or error in distance measurements, tickets registered as having entered the wagon 10 space are effectively and safely.

According to the invention, provision is made either to locate a ticket 14 located at inside space 16 excluding entry areas 20, i.e. validating the distance measurement (s) only when this ticket is located, during this measurement outside these input areas 20.

To remove from the accounting of tickets entering or leaving the wagon 10 those present in the entry area (s) 20, it is provided in a preferred variant that the tickets 14 present in a zone 20 do not not communicate with the measurement means as long as they are located in this area and that the corresponding entry is open. In an other variant, it is possible to also locate the tickets located in the input zones 20, but not to validate a measurement, when the inputs are open, only if the ticket measured was then outside of a zone 20. The information allowing to know if the ticket is in zone 20 during a distance measurement can be done either by sending an information signal by the ticket itself to a receiver or reader provided in the system according to the present invention, either by a reader and in particular the reader 22 in the case where this determination is made at the level of such a reader as mentioned previously as part of a variant.

In a preferred variant, communication takes place either at high frequency, or at low frequency with reader 22 when the tickets are in entrance area 20. This communication is used in particular to identification of tickets. The detection system arranged in wagon 10, in particular the central unit 30, can then draw up a list of all the tickets entering a given area 20. From this moment, the system knows that a distance measurement must be made for all these tickets when get inside wagon 10 more or, if necessary, when stand out through an entrance. After closing the doors, the balance of tickets is preferably also detected by a measurement making it possible to define if they are located inside wagon 10. However, when it is a means of transport and that it sets in motion, the candidates remaining on the list should normally be located inside wagon 10 since those who were outside this wagon and yet in an entry zone 20 generally leaves it when the means of transport sets in motion.

Note that other instructions or information may be exchanged when tickets are present in entry areas 20. Depending a particular mode of implementation, communication is provided to relatively high frequency with a transmitter 41 or 42 covering respectively the input-output zones 16 and 18. During this communication, at least one piece of information or instruction is provided to the incoming ticket. If this has not already been done in zone 20, it is possible to communicate to him in particular the wagon in which he is located and the station in which he got into this wagon. An instruction putting again Listening tickets can be scheduled at this time. he is also possible to predict that tickets will be in active mode again after a certain determined time interval communicated to them.

It will be noted that, preferably, the listening mode is provided for relatively low frequency, which does not allow to wake up a ticket to using a relatively high frequency transmitter. In a mode of particular embodiment of the detection system according to the invention, one or more other transmitters and / or receivers 44 transmitting at relatively high frequency are arranged in the space delimited by wagon 10 so as to cover by the electromagnetic field emitted at relatively high frequency the whole of this space delimited for communication with all tickets present inside this space. Note that the scope of the HF field can generally extend out of range wagon 10. However, the system knows thanks to the invention the list of tickets present inside so that a valid communication will only be established that with these tickets.

Once the entries are closed, the protocol according to the invention is advantageously completed by a stage in which it is planned to locate the tickets remaining in the entry areas 20 by the distance measurements 32 to 34. Note that the situation with the closed entries differs from that with open entries in that normally at least the people outside the wagon deviate from these entries. So even if the distance measurement has a significant inaccuracy, only people present in the area entry 20 inside the space of wagon 10 will be detected. In in other words, a maximum distance below which a ticket is seen inside the wagon can be increased when the doors are all the more so when it is a means of transport that is sets in motion. So, taking into account possible measurement errors, a measurement result corresponding to a point somewhat outside from wagon 10 will be considered to be inside this wagon. So a electronic ticket is considered inside said delimited space if the measurement result is located in a given range or area of values.

The measurement after closing the doors is preferably carried out immediately after stopping the presence determination process tickets in an entry area described above. We end in particular on the emission of an electromagnetic field by the transmitters 22. According to other variants, the tickets 14 present in the entry area are then instructed to communicate with the measuring means. Other variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art.

Finally, note that the various transmitters or readers are advantageously connected to the central unit 30 for centralized management of various information. When several wagons are loaded, to form in particular a train, a unit for supervising all the wagons can advantageously be provided, especially when the passages of a wagon to the other are not equipped with detection means for example according to the present invention.

Claims (30)

Protocol for detecting the presence of individuals or objects, provided with electronic tickets (14) intended for a detection application implementing this protocol, in a delimited space (10) having at least one entry (2, 3, 4, 5), characterized in that it comprises the following steps when this entry is open: A) awakening of all said electronic tickets approaching said entry or passing through this entry and which are not already awake; B) method for determining the presence in an entry area (20) of the awakened electronic tickets, this entry area being located at least for the most part in the immediate vicinity of said entry; C) measurement of at least a distance between each awakened electronic ticket which leaves said entry zone towards the interior of said delimited space and means for measuring (32, 33, 34) of this at least one distance. Protocol according to claim 1, characterized in that said awakening during said step A is carried out at a relatively low frequency, for example 125 KHz or around 13.5 MHz. Protocol according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said entry zone is defined by a first electromagnetic field emitted by at least one first transmitter (22), this entry area being the region where the amplitude of this first electromagnetic field received by said awakened tickets is equal to or greater than a predefined minimum value. Protocol according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least first transmitter transmits at a relatively low frequency, for example 125 KHz or around 13.5 MHz. Protocol according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said method for determining the presence in said entry zone of awakened electronic tickets consists of the measurement by these the amplitude of said first electromagnetic field to determine if it is whether or not less than said minimum value. Protocol according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said method for determining the presence in a ticket entry area awakened electronics consists in that said at least first transmitter (22) sends signals to said entry area, wake up tickets that receive these signals with sufficient amplitude for their reading being considered in said entry zone, this amplitude being sufficient if it is equal or greater than said minimum value. Protocol according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for measuring said at least one distance are formed by a device having several measurement modules (32, 33, 34) spatially located at various locations in said delimited space (10). Protocol according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said measurement of at least a distance is carried out by a measurement response time by each ticket leaving said entry area which returns an echo signal on receipt of a signal sent by said means measured. Protocol according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that that said measurement of at least a distance between each ticket leaving said entry zone and said measuring means consist of a measurement by said means for measuring the amplitude of a signal supplied by this ticket. Protocol according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said awakened electronic tickets do not communicate with said measuring means as long as they are located in said entry zone and that said entry is open. Protocol according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that that said awakened tickets located in said entry area communicate with said measuring means, any measurement of at least a distance between a ticket and said measurement means being validated, when said entry is open, only if this ticket was then outside said entry area. Protocol according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said awakened electronic tickets give in said area from the outset their identification, a list of all the tickets identified being established. Protocol according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as soon as an electronic ticket is detected inside said space a relatively high frequency communication is established with a second transmitter (41, 42) which provides it with at least one piece of information or instruction. Protocol according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said steps A to C are followed after the closure of said entry by the following step:
D) measuring at least a distance between each electronic ticket which is present in said entry area inside said delimited space and means for measuring this at least a distance, this electronic ticket being considered inside of said delimited space if the result of this measurement is located within a given range or zone of values. Protocol according to claim 14, characterized in that said measurement of said step D is carried out immediately after stopping said method for determining the presence in said entry zone of said electronic tickets. Protocol according to claims 14 and 10, characterized in that said tickets present in said entry area are instructed to communicate, after the closure of said entrance, with said means of measure involved in said step D. Protocol according to claims 14 and 11, characterized in that said measurement of at least a distance provided in said step C is validated after the closure of said entry when this at least one distance is located in said predefined range of values. Protocol according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the closure of said entry, a communication is established between the tickets detected inside said delimited space and means of communications (41, 42, 44) that emit an electromagnetic field to relatively high frequency, this electromagnetic field propagating throughout said space delimited with sufficient amplitude to ensure communication with all these tickets. Protocol according to one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said space delimited is defined by a means of transport, characterized in that said stage D only occurs once the means of transport movement after the closure of said entrance. System for detecting the presence of individuals or objects provided with electronic tickets and intended for a detection application implementing a detection protocol according to one of the preceding claims, in a delimited space having at least one entrance, characterized in that it includes: first means (22) for waking up all of said electronic tickets approaching or passing through said entrance and which are not already awakened; second means (22) for determining the presence in an entry area of the awakened electronic tickets, this entry area being located at least for the most part in the immediate vicinity of said entry; third means of measurement (32, 33, 34) of at least a distance between each awakened electronic ticket which leaves said entry zone in the direction of said delimited space and means of measurement of this at least one distance, these third measuring means being arranged so that this measurement is carried out with sufficient precision to determine whether this ticket is located inside said defined space. System according to claim 20, characterized in that said first means operate at relatively low frequency, for example 125 Khz or around 13.5 MHz. System according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that said second means comprise at least a first transmitter (22) providing in said entry area a first electromagnetic field with a predetermined power. System according to claim 22, characterized in that said first at least transmitter operates at relatively low frequency, by example 125 Khz or around 13.5 MHz. System according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that said first means are also formed by said at least first transmitter. System according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that that said third means are formed by a device having several measurement modules (32, 33, 34) located spatially at locations different in said defined space. System according to one of Claims 20 to 25, characterized in that that said third measuring means are arranged above said entrance with electromagnetic shielding on the side of the wall with this input so that these measuring means cannot communicate with the exterior of said space delimited in the region of said entrance. System according to one of Claims 20 to 26, characterized in that that it at least further comprises a second transmitter (41, 42) operating at relatively high frequency and used to provide at least one piece of information or an instruction to wake up electronic tickets as soon as they are detected at inside said defined space. System according to one of Claims 20 to 27, characterized in that that it comprises means of communication (41, 42, 44) which emit a relatively high frequency electromagnetic field, this field propagating throughout said defined space with sufficient amplitude to ensure communication with all tickets detected inside of said defined space. System according to one of Claims 20 to 28, characterized in that that said second and third means are connected to a central processing unit management (30) which establishes a list of tickets having entered this area entry. System according to one of claims 20 to 29, wherein said space delimited presents several entries, characterized in that each entry is equipped with said first, second and third means.

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