AN INDICATOR SYSTEM

Abstract: An indicator system for use in conjunction with a transport vehicle, such as a bus, enabling visual display of a sequence of information messages both inside and/or outside the vehicle. The information messages can range from a detailed list of the stops on a particular bus route to information on the facilities and amenities accessible from a particular stop or tourist information or other information of interest to passengers. The stepping through the sequence of information messages being controlled either automatically or manually. The information being pre-programmed and a particular sequence of information messages being chosen before the vehicle journey is started.

Description: "An Indicator System" This invention relates to an indicator system, and more particularly but not exclusively to an indicator system incorporating visual displays for visually indicating information to passengers aboard a public transport vehicle. The public image of bus services today is all too often one of tardy time keeping where buses do not run to schedule and information on bus routes is extremely difficult to obtain. This has led to passenger reaction which is to a large extent unfavourable with bus transport ranking as one of the least desirable means of transport among the general public. Much of this stems from the difficulty in obtaining detailed route information either on board or before boarding a bus. The lack of information results in people either deciding not to use the bus at all or to confusion and anxiety for the user once aboard. The confusion over bus routes has been greatly increased in the United Kingdom since the deregulation of bus services which resulted, in many towns and cities, in a large number of bus companies running similar services under different route numbers. The only information available to the public in many cases is the destination board on the front of the bus. This board often displays the name of an area many miles distant and provides no information on the particular route taken to that destination. This lack of information makes the use of bus services difficult for residents and can render them totally useless for non-residents and tourists; particularly those who do not have a command of the local language or dialect. The only other source of information open to the passenger is the bus driver. However, the amount of the driver's time and attention taken up by discussions with passengers causes another series of equally important problems. If a driver spends as little as a few minutes providing information for the passengers on the bus at each or a number of stops on a route this will inevitably result in the bus falling behind schedule. When this occurs on a regular basis the reputation of the bus companies themselves is affected as services are considered unreliable and the company income will undoubtedly be affected as people choose what they consider to be more reliable means of transport. Those delays result frequently in drivers driving more quickly than would be desirable between bus stops and not braking until a short distance from the bus stops, frequently without pulling into the curb, in an attempt to keep to their schedules. This results both in traffic conjestion and possible accidents as well as in further passenger discomfort. At a time when urban planners are trying to encourage people out of their cars and onto the public transport systems, in order to alleviate the traffic conjestion in many of our cities, the problem of the lack of information and poor time-keeping must be addressed in order to improve both the bus services and how the services are perceived by the general public. Many bus companies have considered reintroducing bus conductors on some routes as a possible way of combating these problems. However, this is a very expensive option considered by bus companies only because thus far there is no other alternative. Accordingly, the introduction of an indicator system in the form of a visual display device capable of displaying detailed information on bus routes, as well as other information of interest to the passengers, would constitute a considerable improvement. The other information provided by the device can be very diverse, including information on streets accessible from each bus stop, the amenities at each stop and the location of major stores and facilities. Advertising, possibly by the aforementioned stores, would also be viable and would provide a considerable income for the bus companies. One major advantage of the system is that the visual display unit can show not only the individual bus stops but also the fare stages within which the bus stops are located. This device would solve the problem of passenger confusion and anxiety due to the lack of information. The overall service would improve as bus drivers would spend less time on passenger problems and would find it considerably easier to keep to schedule. This would result in both a reduction in traffic conjestion and accidents on the roads as well as an improvement in the image and overall profitability of bus companies. According to the present invention there is provided an indicator system for use in conjunction with a transport vehicle, comprising an information store containing one or a plurality of sequences of information messages, means for selecting one or more of the plurality of sequences, at least one visual display unit coupled to the information store to display a selected one or more information messages and control means operable to step through the information messages contained in one sequence or in a predetermined one or more of the plurality of sequences, whereby the visual display units display the information messages in sequence. Preferably, the information store is capable of being programmed with a plurality of individual sequences of information messages. Preferably, the means for selecting one or more of the plurality of sequences can be operated by an unskilled person. Preferably, the visual display unit is capable of horizontal and vertical scrolling to increase the information display capacity of the display unit. Preferably, the visual display unit is in the form of a double row of LCD matrix units. Alternatively, the visual display unit is in the form of a double row of LED matrix units. Preferably, there is a plurality of visual display units for location at strategic points inside and/or outside the transport vehicle. Preferably, the indicator system includes means responsive to opening and/or closing of the transport vehicle door to cause the control means automatically to step through the information messages sequentially one information message at a time. Alternatively, the indicator system includes means responsive to a transponder adjacent a vehicle route to cause the control means to step through the information messages sequentially one information message at a time. Alternatively, the indicator system in combination with a ticket vending machine for use on a vehicle, includes means responsive to change in the ticket machine fare stage selector to cause the control means automatically to step through the information messages sequentially one information message at a time, each time a driver changes the fare stage indicator on the ticket vending machine. Preferably, the indicator system includes means manually operable to cause the control means to step through the information messages sequentially one information message at a time, whereby a transport vehicle driver may initiate messages at predetermined points on a predetermined route, or as an override to correct any errors in the information messages. Preferably, the indicator system includes a plurality of actuators for positioning throughout a transport vehicle for operation by passengers, operation of any acuator causing the control means to display a specific message on the visual display unit, such as Bus Stopping. Further, there is provided a transport vehicle having an indicator system as previously described in which a visual display unit is positioned in view of the transport vehicle driver at all times. Preferably, the indicator system includes a control box which houses the information store and control means. Most preferably, the control box includes a visual display unit. An embodiment of the present invention is described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying'drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of the component parts of an indicator system in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic of a manually operated embodiment of the indicator system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an external view of a section of a bus fitted with the indicator system of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is an internal view of a section of a bus fitted with the indicator system of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows a flow diagram of the component parts of an indicator system comprising an information store in the form of an accessible computer memory, containing one or a plurality of sequences of information messages at least one visual display unit 2 coupled to the information store to display a selected information message, and control means operable to step through the information messages contained in the one sequence or in a predetermined one or more of the plurality of sequences, whereby the visual display units display the information messages in sequence. The information store can be programmed with a vast quantity of information, via the input 5. However, its principle information requirement is to store details of bus routes noting sequentially each stop on a route. There can be up to sixty or more of these bus routes, or sequences of information messages, stored at any one time in the information store. In addition, more detailed sequences can be programmed into the information store where the information messages contain information on the streets accessible from each individual bus stop and or information on major stores and other facilities accessible from each stop, as well as the actual sequence of stops. Consequently, messages such as "NEXT STOP ZOO" or "HIGH STREET ALIGHT HERE FOR STATION" can be programmed, in the appropriate sequence, into the information store. Both the information store and the control means are housed in a control box 1. The control box 1 also includes a miniature visual display unit 6 which displays the same information as the normal visual display units 2. The visual display unit 2, as illustrated in Fig. 2, is in the form of a double row of 7x5 LCD matrix units 7. These units 7 facilitate not only the display of a sequence of static information messages but are also capable of vertical and horizontal scrolling. This allows for the display of longer and more detailed information messages and consequently facilitates the display of tourist information or advertising. The visual display unit 2 displays each of the information messages in the sequence, changing from one information message to the next in the sequence, as the information messages are supplied by the information store. The information store is instructed to send the next information message in the sequence to the visual display unit 2 on receipt of a signal or prompt from the control means. The control means may be activated by a signal from one or more of a number of devices A first device which is capable of activating the control means is in the form of a sensor which supplies a signal to the control means each time the doors of the vehicle 8 are opened and/or closed. In this way each time the bus stops at a stop and opens its doors to take on or drop off passengers, the information message will change, to display details of the next stop on route, or a list of the stops on the route highlighting the next stop or other information of interest to the passengers. A second system for automatic control of the information messages fed to the visual display unit 2 is provided wherein the bus or other vehicle 8 is fitted with a transmitter 9 and a receiver 10, and each bus stop or other location at which the information message is to be substituted by the next message in the appropriate sequence is provided with a transponder 11 responsive to the transmitter 9 on the vehicle 8 to transmit a signal to the receiver 10 on the vehicle 8 to cause stepping through the sequence of messages. The transmitter 9 and receiver 10 may be mounted on the near side of the bus with a relay transponder 12 on the far side of the bus to operate through the bus-mounted transmitter 9 and receiver 10 to the static (bus-stop-mounted) transponder 11 to prevent masking of the static transponder 11 if the bus is overtaken by another bus fitted with the same type of indicator system. Static transponders 11 may be fitted intermediate the bus stops. The fact that the bus driver must change the fare stage selector on his ticket machine, at each fare stage on his route, can also be utilised to provide a signal to control the supply of information messages to the visual display unit 2. In this embodiment the ticket machine is connected to the control means and a signal is supplied to the control means each time the bus driver changes the fare stage selector on his ticket machine, normally on arrival at or when leaving a fare stage. Manual control of the supply of information to the visual display unit 2 is also possible. This is provided via a manual device such as a push button control 3 actuated by the bus driver on his arrival at or on leaving a bus stop, which supplies a signal to the control means which in turn changes the information message on the visual display unit 2. The manual device can also be utilised by the bus driver as an override to correct any errors in the visual display. The system is powered by the vehicle's standard 24 volt power supply. In use the driver selects the required sequence from the information store, by using the route selector 4 on the control means until he finds the number which corresponds with the route which he has been allocated. He then drives to the beginning of his route whereupon he activates the information store which supplies the first information message to the visual display unit 2. Thereafter, the information messages displayed on the visual display unit 2 are changed, stepping through the pre¬ determined sequence, on receipt of a signal from the control means initiated by a signal from any one of the aforementioned devices. In addition the information store may contain a sub-set of data containing a destination and via message such as "Market via Station" or "Market via Main St.", which can be displayed on a visual display unit located at a desired position on the outside of the bus. In this way passengers at bus stops can quickly ascertain the route taken by a particular bus. In this way passengers are constantly supplied with relevant information and the bus driver is free to concentrate on driving the vehicle 8 and adhering to his schedule. Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An indicator system for use in conjunction with a transport vehicle, comprising an information store containing one or a plurality of sequences of information messages, means for selecting one or more of the plurality of sequences, at least one visual display unit coupled to the information store to display a selected one or more information messages and control means operable to step through the information messages contained in one sequence or in a predetermined one or more of the plurality of sequences, whereby the visual display units display the information messages in sequence. 2. An indicator system according to Claim 1, in which the information store is capable of being programmed with a plurality of individual sequences of information messages. 3. An indicator system according to Claim l, in which the means for selecting one or more of the plurality of sequences can be operated by an unskilled person. 4. An indicator system according to Claim 1, in which the visual display unit is capable of horizontal and vertical scrolling to increase the information display capacity of the display unit. 5. An indicator system according to Claim 4, in which the visual display unit is in the form of a double row of LCD matrix units. 6. An indicator system ac ording to Claim 4, in which the visual display unit is in the form of a double row of LED matrix units. 7. An indicator system according to Claim 1, in which there is a plurality of visual display units for location at strategic points inside and/or outside the transport vehicle. 8. An indicator system according to Claim 1, including means responsive to opening and/or closing of the transport vehicle door to cause the control means automatically to step through the information messages sequentially one information message at a time. 9. An indicator system according to Claim 1, including means responsive to a transponder adjacent a vehicle route to cause the control means to step through the information messages sequentially one information message at a time. 10. An indicator system according to Claim 1, in combination with a ticket vending machine for use on a vehicle, including means responsive to change in the ticket machine fare stage selector to cause the control means automatically to step through the information messages sequentially, each time a driver changes the fare stage indicator on the ticket vending machine. 11. An indicator system according to Claim 1, including means manually operable to cause the control means to step through the information messages sequentially in either direction one information message at a time, whereby a transport vehicle driver may initiate messages at predetermined points on a predetermined route, or as an override to correct any errors in the information messages. 12. An indicator system according to Claim 1, including a plurality of actuators for positioning throughout a transport vehicle for operation by passengers, operation of any acuator causing the control means to display a specific message on the visual display unit, such as Bus Stopping. 13. A transport vehicle having an indicator system according to Claim 1, in which a visual display unit is positioned in view of the transport vehicle driver at all times. 14. An indicator system according to Claim l, in which the information store and control means are housed in a single control box. 15. An indicator system according to Claim 14, in which the control box includes a visual display unit.

Inventors: PAGET GREGORY MARK, PAGET, GREGORY, MARK
Applicants: TRANSPORT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, TRANSPORT INFORMATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G08G1
IPC codes: G08G1