CA2518196A1 - Triggering process by a triggering device of at least one action associated with a signal beacon and means for the implementation of this process - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention enables remote triggering, by means of a triggering device (1), of an action (Ak) executable by a beacon (Bj). Therefor, said action (Ak) is associated with at least an orientation code (OAk), and to trigger the action (Ak), the device (1) is oriented, and the action (Ak) is caused to be executed by the signal beacon (Bj) when the orientation of the device is true.

Description

The present invention relates to triggering, by a device trigger, at least one action executable by a tag signage. The action executable by the tag is for example, but not exclusively, the dissemination of information.
1o In this text, the "trigger device" can be a portable device, worn by a natural person, called a user, or an orientable device on board a mobile object, such as for example a transport vehicle, or a device installed on a fixed and adjustable installation.
In this text, the term "signposting" a denotes generally any element whose function is to execute a action under the control of a trigger device. among others, and not exclusively, fixed elements providing information, in particular visual, of light and / or readable type, provision of a

2 o human being close enough to the tag, or to elements mobile, installed in particular in a vehicle with the aim of bringing for example information to this same human being.
For example, among the main tags concerned by the invention may be mentioned in particular signal lights, and especially the pedestrian traffic lights placed at crossroads road, one of the actions associated with the tag being in this case the broadcast of a message related to the status of the traffic light and the orientation of the corresponding protected passage. We can also mention the panels indicators with readable information, such as

3 o signs indicating a location or a direction (street name, name from a station or train station, proposed directions, exit indication, etc.). But the beacon can also be embedded in a vehicle, one of the actions associated with it being in this case the dissemination of a message linked to the identification of the vehicle itself or its destination for example.
According to the invention, the action triggered by the trigger device is then generally translated at least by the diffusion, by the tag, information associated with it. This broadcast can translate by a local generation, by the beacon, of the information which is attached, and can more specifically result in a local program by the tag of information of a sound type, which is audible by the user o (for example emission of a characteristic sound or series of sounds information, or local restitution in voice form and intelligible information attached to the tag). Also, Celtic diffusion can result in the emission, by said tag which has been triggered, of all or part of the information attached to it, intended for the trigger device, said device being in this case equipped with a adapted receiver and means making it possible to restore (in the form sound, vibratory, visual, ...) the information transmitted to it at distance by the beacon.
More particularly, and by way of example, in a first 2 o application, the invention is intended for the selective control of one of the information associated with a signpost carrying information visual, such as for example traffic lights, signs indicators, information terminal, ..., by a user equipped with a device trigger, in order to distribute by said signpost 2 5 (and / or by the triggering device itself) a restitution of said visual information (status of the traffic light, information carried by the indicator panel, directive information, ...). In this app, the invention preferably finds its interest for people visually impaired or blind.
3 o Also, the invention finds its application, for example and not exclusively, the remote triggering of information associated with a signpost, of the type fitted to a train station, a metro station or a stop from. bus, by a trip device on board a transport vehicle. In this application, this trigger is translated for example by sending information to the transport vehicle identifying the name of the station or the name or number of the station or the stop, said vehicle being in this case equipped with means allowing a audio and / or visual restitution of this information for all passengers in the transport vehicle. Also in this app, the triggering of information can also result in a 1o local restitution by the beacon, in vocal or visual form, of a information identifying the transpo ~~ t vehicle approaching the beacon.
Signaling and guidance system devices have already offered. Those based on light transmission, especially infrared, are mainly based on a system which has a transmitter placed on a fixed signpost, which emits a signal characteristic of the tag, the receiver being carried by a user. For example, in an application, the infrared emitter equips a traffic light and emits an infrared signal characteristic of the state (red or green) of the traffic light. The 2 o receiver is for example associated with a vibrator or the like, and allows restore for the user the infrared signal received in sound form. grace at the directivity of the light emission, the reception of the signal by the receiver allows a certain guidance of the user carrying the receiver.
Other systems, more advanced, use the same support to make provide the user with more complete information, in particular by voice (street names, proposed directions, ...). In these solutions, besides the fact that the photosensitive element of the worn receiver must imperatively remain discovered, the signpost (for example the traffic light or a indicator panel fitted with a transmitter) must be appreciably 3 0 “aimed” by the user who wishes to receive information and be guided, this guidance remaining limited to the light beam itself. Therefore, if a

4 user does not appear correctly facing the transmitter, or if a obstacle comes between the transmitter and the receiver, it will not receive any information. In addition, this solution is likely to generate errors guidance (beam reflections on display cases for example) and information transmitted is limited to the direction taken by the user, this system cannot direct it precisely or correct its trajectory if applicable; the information is therefore subject to interpretation: take right for example doesn't say how much you have to turn to your right to be correctly oriented in relation to the information given. The difficulty is all the more important when several directions are proposed at different angles. In addition, when the user has actually turned, no longer facing the transmitter, it can no longer receive of information, unless you provide several tags for the same intersection (for example a poRrr each possible direction), which requires additional facilities and costs. Also, in this solution, the action of the signpost is reduced to the emission in continuous information to visualize; this solution is therefore little flexible in terms of actions implemented by the tag.
Other systems rely on radio transmission (HE).
2 o The broadcast, this time omnidirectional, has the advantage of not require a precise orientation of the user in the transmission area. In counterpart, the user has no information on the direction to take depending on its displacement or its real orientation; thus, any user present in the emission zone receives the same information whatever 2 5 or his personal destination. Information emitted by the beacon are therefore general and cannot relate to directions to be taken lack of directivity but also and especially lack of knowledge of the orientation even of the user likely to be interested in the information; this solution is therefore also very limited.
3 o In these various solutions proposed, depending on the case, information provided by the tag is broadcast continuously, or WO 03/07524

5 PCT / FR03 / 00697 broadcast repeatedly, or triggered by the user; we favors this last way of operating if the information associated with the tag must be publicly displayed (signal audio information), with the obvious aim of reducing discomfort 5 for residents. In case the information is transmitted remotely to private title, a continuous infrared emission is not a problem environmental, by its spatial delimitation limited to one specific sector, even if we prefer a repeated discontinuous transmission for the simple purpose of optimizing the life of the transmitter while reducing energy consumption. The radio cannot be used continuously to avoid constant occupation of a frequency likely to be used occasionally by others applications. Regular radio transmission of audio information is therefore not desirable, not to mention the very sustainability of the transmitter.
Whether the information is disseminated publicly (speaker) or private (infrared or radio transmission), the fact that the user receives systematically the information when it is in the area of the transmitter may be annoying for the regular who would prefer a simple confirmation mark on a route 2 o known. This is an additional reason - in addition to researching the limitation of noise annoyance by public dissemination of information on command - which pushes to not trigger the emission of its information by the signpost that when it is really necessary, ie in the presence of the user, the best is still to limit this broadcast to the broadcast of the only information desired by the person concerned.
Regarding manual triggering, the user is equipped a remote control (transmitter), which allows it to operate the remote beacon, which is equipped with a suitable receiver. This solution is therefore 3 o recommended in the case of sound beacons, for example at a traffic light pedestrian signaling, designed to deliver a voice message on the state

6 fire. However, this solution has major drawbacks on the one hand, the user is obliged to operate a remote control to triggering of the tag, which greatly limits its interest in the case people who are blind or visually impaired, and each action on its part triggers all the tags present in the emission range of its transmitter. As for the solution which consists in doing automatically and regularly send the user's transmitter, pa ~~ t it does not pen ~ does not t more selective triggering of tags (the user systematically triggers them all on their way), and 1o on the other hand the excessive, and useless, consumption of energy which results considerably limits the autonomy of the portable trip device.
We have also proposed in the European patent application EP-A-338 997 a technical solution in which the user is equipped a trigger device, of the radio remote control type, which can be used to interrogate a fixed beacon remotely, such as for example a signaling lights fitted with a transmitter (T), which transmitter is able to broadcast information stored in memory. In this solution, the trip device and the transmitter (T) of the beacon are each equipped with a directive type HF transmitting antenna, and the Remote communication takes place in two stages. ~ for a first step, the user must orient the trigger device correctly so that its antenna is correctly oriented relative to the transmitter antenna (T) of the beacon. During this first step, the trigger automatically tunes to the transmitter (T). Then, in a second step, the user can, at means for example of a keyboard provided on the triggering device, interrogate the transmitter remotely to trigger actions, and particular so that the transmitter (T) transmits to the device triggers the information stored in memory.
3 o The aforementioned solution described in the European patent application EP-A-338 997 has a major drawback: the correct orientation of the

7 trigger device relative to the tag depends on the orientation communication antennas, which makes this solution frozen and not very flexible to use (only one orientation of the device possible trigger for all actions e> executable by the tag).
The object of the present invention is to propose a new process triggering, by at least one triggering device, of at least an action (Ak) executable by a tag (B ~), which process allows in particular to overcome the above drawback of the solution described in European patent application EP-A-338 997.
1 o This object is achieved by the process having the characteristics The techniques of claim 1.
Compared to the aforementioned solution described in the application for European patent EP-A-338 997, the process of the invention differs essentially by the fact that an action executable by the tag is associated with a configurable orientation code, the triggering of the action being a function of the orientation of the triggering device and of this orientation code.
Preferably, the trigger device is equipped with a means, called compass, designed to angularly measure the orientation of the device 2 o trigger relative to a reference direction (D) relative to the Earth's magnetic field, in an angular direction of rotation (S).
To trigger at least the action (Ak), called oriented action, executable by the tag (B ~), the orientation code representative of the angle formed by the element linked to said tag and the code of orientation representative of the angle measured by the trip device must be consistent with each other. To allow a comparison of respective orientation codes, therefore angles of each of the two objects, we establish a wireless communication between this beacon and the trigger device, for example by positioning the device 3 o trigger (an object) near the laduee descriptive beacon (B ~) (a other object) so that the emission of one of the objects can be

8 received by the receiver of the other object. When a communication is established between the tag (B ~) and the triggering device, the code guidance (OAk) relative to the action (Ak) associated with the tag (B ~) is compared to the wave of orientation (OMt) representative of the measurement of the angle formed by the trigger device, at time (t), with respect to a direction of reference (D2) relating to the Earth's magnetic field. We will see more how this communication between the signpost and the trigger device can be established.
Comparison and verification of conformity of two><codes 1o can, depending on the application, be performed either by the device trigger, either by the tag.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the signage tag (B ~) is advantageously able to execute several actions [A1, ... A "j, and we associate with each action (Ak) a specific orientation code (OAk), so that it is possible to selectively trigger an action (Ak) among the set of actions [A1, ... A ~~ executable by the tag in orienting the triggering device.
More particularly, but not necessarily, to associate with each action (A ~) executable by a tag with at least one code orientation (OAk), said orientation code is stored in the tag.
Triggered actions can take various forms and depend on applications and achievements.
In a first embodiment, the action triggered by the tag signage is the emission of an audible or vocal signal, the selection of this action depending on the conformity of the guidelines between said trigger device and the element linked to said tag.
In a second embodiment, the action triggered by the device trigger is the restitution by this device triggering information associated with the tag, the selection of this information 3 o depending on the conformity of the orientations between said device trigger and the element linked to said tag.

9 In a third embodiment, the actions triggered by the tag and each trigger device are all or part of the actions triggered in the first two achievements, their selection dependent on the conformity of the orientations between said device trigger and tag.
Let's study the different variants In the first variant, the communication between the sign and triggering device is established by radio transmission from the device trigger (remote control) and a reception, adapted to this emission, 1o by the signpost. At time (t), when the user activates his remote control, (e code (OMt) representing the angular measurement (by compared to the Earth's magnetic North for example) carried out by the compass of the triggering device at this time (t), is emitted by the transmitter of the user’s trigger device. The beacon receiver signage (integrated in the pedestrian light in this example) receives this wave and compares it to the code (OAk) which is stored there, representative of the orientation of the protected passage (k) linked to this fire (also compared to terrestrial magnetic North for example). If the two codes (OMt) and (OAk) conform, this means that the device 2 o trigger is oriented in the same direction as the protected passage.
In this case, the action triggered by the fire is the generation of a signal sound for example, in the manner agreed according to its condition. We considers the codes compliant with each other when they represent the same orientation, i.e. the same angular direction to within tolerance planned by program, compared to a reference direction according to the established angular direction of rotation, or when the angular difference between the orientations corresponds to what is actually expected in the application.
Each light (even the one on the opposite sidewalk) having 3 o memory of the different orientations, only the fire oriented in the same direction than that measured by the compass of the trip device the user is led to react, in particular by an audible or vocal signal adapted to the circumstances. Thanks to this sound or voice signal, the user can approach the fire it started and orient itself correctly view of crossing parallel to the axis of the protected passage.
5 The triggering of the action associated with the tag is therefore good based on the results of the comparison between the orientation codes (OAk) of this protected passage, and (OMt), in particular at the time of the action from the user on his remote control, this user being located in a relatively close perimeter of the traffic light, 1o close enough for this tag to be within range of the transmitter triggering device, the transmitting power of this transmitter being sufficient to trigger the action from a distance.
So, the only action triggered is that associated with the only fire linked to the orientation of the user, through the orientation of his trigger device; this action is only triggered if the user is correctly oriented in relation to the protected passage, the tolerance of comparison avoiding too sharp a search for alignment with this protected passage. In the absence of emission, the fire remains silent, likewise in case of transmission when the codes do not conform to each other. The 2 o noise annoyance is thus limited to the strict minimum, the sound signal being no longer emitted by all crossroads beacons, but only by that which concerns the well oriented user who, wishing to know the state of the fire and the orientation of the protected passage, activates its remote control.
We note that the sound or voice signal can be replaced or supplemented by a message informing the user of the state of the fire which concerns, and inviting him to present himself on the good side of the fire (by the left or from the right) to make him actually face the protected passage in him avoiding the risk of collision with potential obstacles located in outside the planned crossing area.
3 o The sign and the triggering device can also be equipped respectively with a radio transmitter and receiver complementary, which would allow the tag to publicize its messages privately to the user, but also to transmit to the device trigger the orientation code (OA; ~) of the action (Ak) linked to it. This code can then be memorized for a few seconds by the trigger device and be regularly compared to codes (OMtX) relating to><different angular measurements carried out regularly (at every instant tx) by the compass of the triggering device with respect to a reference to the Earth's magnetic field. This allows you to check regular good presentation of the user facing the protected passage Zo and invite him if necessary, for example, to correct his trajectory during the crossing. This way of operating is more precisely the subject of the third variant.
~ in order to automate the selection of the action somewhat to be triggered, we thought of providing for regular activation of the transmitter the triggering device which would then issue the codes (OMtX) of said trigger device relating to its orientation at different moments. This avoids the need for manual activation on the part of the interested party but presents, besides the disadvantage of triggering all the tags correctly aligned encountered on its course, a consumption 2 o significant and useless energy incompatible with the autonomy sought for a light and portable device.
To avoid these drawbacks, a second variant of the invention therefore consists in having their orientation codes sent by the beacons signage themselves. This time, it is the signposts which are equipped with a radio transmitter, and the triggering devices which are equipped with the appropriate radio receiver. Each tag (B;) emits, from preferably repetitively, the orientation code (OAk) of the action (A ~) associated with it, and if necessary the message (read) which corresponds to the element (k) linked to this tag (B;). When the trigger achieved 3 o the emission perimeter of the beacon (the light intended for pedestrians by example), it receives and stores this code as well as, possibly, the corresponding message (lk) (eg fire status). The receipt of this code can already be interpreted as a signal warning the user that he enters an area likely to operate an action or bring a information, regardless of the orientation of the trigger device.
From the reception of the orientation code (OAk), the device trigger memorizes it and regularly compares this code with the orientation code (OMtX) measured at each instant (tx) by the trigger device compass. In the event of code compliance, the trigger device authorizes reception and / or distribution to the interested party 1o of the message (Ik) associated with the tag and transmitted by the latter, message possibly memorized by the triggering device during receiving it, or restoring a previously recorded message in the triggering device corresponding to the possible code issued by the tag in place of or in addition to the message (I, ~). The user thus informed, private for example (headset), can then make decisions in any knowledge of its environment and do not activate the public broadcast sound or voice than the beacon that interests him according to the crossing considered. This trigger can also be manual but also operate automatically when the user presents the same orientation for an agreed time so that its device trigger measures several times, during this time, substantially the same angle to the reference direction.
Manual triggering after becoming aware of the environment, or its automaticity by angular measurements substantially identical in a given time, do not require the triggering device only in the event that it actually falls within the emission zone of a beacon and that its orientation agrees with that the element linked to this tag; the autonomy of the triggering device is better assured.
3 o This variant is more particularly suitable for cases where the action to trigger remains localized to the trigger device, in this case in our example to the rendering of a message associated with the tag itself.
A third variant combines the advantages of both first. It allows the triggering of an action associated with a beacon by a user, again automatically or manually depending on its criteria, taking into account the particularities of the user himself, everything retaining the principles mentioned above on the limitation of energy consumption and radio emissions.
The signpost (B;) and the trigger device are equipped each of a transmitter and receiver designed to allow 1o exchange of information between the two elements.
As in the second variant, each tag (B;) emits, from preferably repeatedly, the action code (OA ~) of the action (Ak) associated with it. When the trigger device reaches the perimeter of emission of the beacon (the fire intended for the pedestrians for example), it receives and stores this code. Here again, the fact of having received a code recognized as an orientation code results in a memorization of this code by the triggering device and the regular comparison by 'said trigger device with its orientation code (OMtX) measured at each instant (tx) by the compass of the triggering device. In case of 2 o compliance of codes, the transmitter of the triggering device triggers at distance the audible or vocal signal from the beacon which thus manifests its spatial location to help the user get closer. The system is become interactive.
The fact of triggering this signal is consecutive to the match orientations of the triggering device and of the element ~ (k) corresponding to the action (Ak) of the tag, action related to the same direction. By approaching the signpost, the user is both correctly placed, and correctly oriented towards the element (k) linked to the tag. In our example, the user is informed of the location and 3 o the direction of the protected passage.
All the information from the tag can still be here transmitted to the user by radio via the receiver of his device trigger. The orientation code (OAk) being stored in the device trigger, the user is notified if this code and the orientation code (OMtX) no longer conform to each other, i.e. if it moves away from the direction which is suitable, therefore if the planned trajectory changes. In the occurrence, for the example of the pedestrian light, the device trigger can invite the user, on a private basis, to correct his trajectory then of his crossing if he moves away from the protected passage he has taken.
Leaving the radio coverage area of the beacon (loss of 1o radio signal from the beacon and failure to receive its code orientation), or when entering another zone (new tag encountered), the memory of the triggering device previously loaded of the orientation code (OAk) is reset to zero, and if necessary loaded of the new guidance code. Outside of any radio reception from codes signifying an action or information zone, the device trigger does not perform orientation code comparisons.
Whatever the variant or the application, and to avoid any misinterpretation of codes, it may be useful to precede each issue of an orientation code of an agreed code to report 2 0 to the receiver that the code that will follow is a code that should be used compare with local code. For the following explanations, this code activation of the angular comparison is called ACA code.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of several applications of the process of the invention, which description is given to by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the drawings appended to which - Figure 1 shows schematically, seen from above, a crossroads equipped with pedestrian signaling lights, each light being equipped with a 3 o electronic circuit which is specific to the invention, and which allows transform the traffic light into a beacon according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a block diagram which illustrates on the one hand a example of electronic architecture for the electronic circuit fitted each traffic light (beacon), and on the other hand a 5 example of electronic architecture for the trip device the invention; which is intended to be carried by a pedestrian, and which is suitable, in depending on its location, to communicate remotely with the circuit electronics of one or more signal lights;
- Figure 3 is an example of an operating flowchart of the 1o electronic circuit of a signaling light;
- Figure 4 is an example of an operating flowchart of the trigger device;
- Figures 5 and 6 are another example of a flowchart of operation of the respective electronic circuits of a 15 signaling (Beacon) and of the triggering device;
- Figure 7 shows, seen from above, a crossing of several lanes (hall) offering several destinations in directions different, this crossing being equipped with a conforming signpost to the invention, 2 0 - FIG. 8 represents, seen from above, a traffic lane comprising on each side two bus stations, each station being fitted with a signpost according to the invention.
~ PPL.ICj4TB ~ i ~ / F ~ II ~ C ~~ SIGt ~ d ~ LI ~~ ATI ~ hI h ~ lll3 ~ BE ~ ° ~ i ~ S
In a first embodiment of the invention which goes to present be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 6, the tags signs (B;) consist of traffic lights for usual pedestrians, each of which was fitted with an electronic circuit specific allowing the implementation of the triggering process selective of the invention. In the remainder of this description, for the sake of 3 o simplification, we will designate by the terms "traffic light"
B ;, the signpost (B;), i.e. in reality the traffic light team of its specific electronic circuit of the invention.
In the particular example of Figure 1, there is shown a four-lane road junction V1, V2, V3, V4, each lane being equipped on either side of two pedestrian traffic lights, which are arranged opposite at the level of the pedestrian crossings (for example lights B1 and B2 for track V1 and the protected passage PP). So in the embodiment of Figure 1, there are eight lights signaling (B1 to B8). Usually, when the traffic light for pedestrians is green, pedestrians can cross the corresponding lane, 1o and conversely when the pedestrian light is red, pedestrians must wait.
The electronic circuit which equips each traffic light (and an example of architecture of which is illustrated on the left side of the figure 2) is designed to communicate remotely with one or more trigger devices (1). This electronic circuit is preferably integrated into the existing housing but can for example be housed in another waterproof housing, fixed to the post of the signaling light, and provided with a access hatch allowing access to the electronic circuit for the maintenance staff.
2 o A trigger device (1) (portable type) is carried by a pedestrian, for example in a jumper in the form of a medallion, or under badge form, or partially or fully integrated into a pair of glasses. When a pedestrian equipped with a trigger device (1) is located in the CH emission field; a traffic light B;
automatically receives the orientation code first (OA, ~), memorized and periodically emitted by the electronic circuit of the fire signaling B ;. This code is representative of the angle (aX) made by the axis of the corresponding protected passage relative to the reference direction (D) (which can be the magnetic Earth North for example) according to a 3 o established angular direction of rotation (S) (which can be the direction trigonometric conventional for example).

Upon receipt of this code by the triggering device (1), this last memorizes it and warns the user that he has entered a zone information by a signal or a message previously recorded. The compass of the triggering device then regularly performs a measure the angle (~ 3) it makes with the reference direction (D) according to the established angular direction of rotation (S). At each instant (t), this measurement is translated into a code (OMt) which is compared with the code (OA ~). In case of compliance of the orientation codes (OAk) and (OMt), this means that the trigger device is oriented in the same way as the passage 1o protected; the transmitter of the triggering device then sends this code (OMt) to the intention of traffic light B; who then recognizes compliance with its own code (OAk), which triggers the sound signal or the message voice agreed according to the state of the traffic light B ;, and if necessary any other planned action.
This audible signal (or this voice message) allows the pedestrian to locate the signaling light B ;, only light started because only light representative of the same orientation as that of the triggering device and in the emission field of which it is located.
Secondly, after automatic triggering of the 2 o signaling light, in accordance with the method of the invention, the pedestrian East automatically informed of the status (green or red) of the traffic light as well as its location (name of the street for example).
The other lights also emit their orientation code, but with different transmission periods, which allows the receiver of the device (1) located in an emission zone common to several lights for example to receive only one code at a time to perform the comparison of the codes received with the one it forms in relation to the reference direction (D). It will only issue its code (OMt) if it is conforms to the code received, i.e. if it is correctly oriented towards 3 o screw of a light (or of the corresponding protected passage) to avoid triggering than the action associated with it.

This first application of the invention thus allows advantageously on the one hand to each pedestrian equipped with a device trigger (1), to be able to locate easily in an urban environment, without be obliged to read the signs indicating the names of the lanes, and on the other hand to be guided in its movement in relation to a traffic light signaling, and to be automatically informed of the state of the fire relating to its crossing and near which it is. This application is therefore , more particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for pedestrians visually impaired (visually impaired or not and helps guide these visually impaired pedestrians and improve the security of their movements in urban areas, in particular when crossing a traffic lane.
Architecture of the circuit (transmitter / receiver) of a beacon (B; - fi ure 2 There is shown on the left side of Figure 1, an example production of an electronic circuit 2 of the invention, which equips each signal light B ;, and whose electronic architecture is based on the implementation of a microcontroller 20, such as for example the MICROCHIP PIC 16C84 microcontroller, it being noted that others embodiments are possible for those skilled in the art, the unit 2 o of programmable processing constituted by the microcontroller 20, which can in particular be carried out by means of another microcontroller, a microprocessor, or a specific electronic circuit of the ASIC type.
The microcontroller 20 of the electronic circuit 2 comprises essentially - a processor 201, clocked by a quartz 202, - Input / Output ports 203, allowing communication between the processor 201 with external peripherals, a first memory 204, of ROM type, in which is saved a resident program, which allows you to operate the Processor 201, which is specific to the invention, and a second memory 205, of ROM type, in which are mainly saved several codes (OA ~, ACA, AMM1, AMM2) and information ('M.ESSAGE'); the nature and usefulness of these codes and information will be explained later when describing the operation of all the tags (B;) and a device trigger (1).
In addition to the microcontroller 20, the electronic circuit 2 includes - a radio transmitter (HF) 21, connected to a suitable output port of the microcontroller 20, - a radio receiver (HF) 22, connected to an adapted input port of the microcontroller 20, - a sound generator 23, which depending on the case can be a simple vibrator sound or a voice message generator, - if necessary, a magnetic compass 24, which measures the effective angle between the orientation of the tag, and a reference direction relative to the Earth's magnetic field; this compass is not always necessary, especially in the case of a fixed signpost, where a single measurement relative to the orientation of the element associated with the tag is performed at putting the beacon into service, this measurement then being stored under the form of an OAk code.
2 o The power supply (not shown) for all aforementioned active components of the electronic circuit 2 may, depending on the case, be realized from the existing power supply of others usual components of the signaling light, or be so constructed independent by means of an autonomous electrical source, of the type batteries.
Since the radio transmitter (HF) 21 is of known design, its structure and its operation will not be detailed. II allows in a way general to transmit omnidirectionally (figure 1 / field CH1 emission) and over a short range (in practice over a few meters 3 o a few tens of meters), in the form of a radio signal of the type modulated high frequency (HF) carrier wave, data coded under binary forms sent to it by processor 201. As non-limiting examples, for radio transmission of binary data which are transmitted to it by the processor 201, the radio transmitter 21 is designed to implement standard communication protocols based 5 on frequency or pulse width modulation.
It is also for the person skilled in the art to choose so judicious and known per se, the radiation means (antennas) of the radio transmitter 21, as well as the transmitted I-IF power, depending on the intended application, and to obtain the required transmission range. In 1 o reference to FIG. 1, and for the sake of clarity, we have materialized by a circle only the emission field CH1 of the radio transmitter 21 of the signage B ~. In this application, each radio transmitter (not shown in Figure 1) a B light; has sufficient range for the radio field covers at least the whole width of the passage 15 corresponding adjacent protected (PP) without covering a surface too important, the information must remain localized to guide the person concerned. In practice, the required coverage radius will be dependent on local facilities; for information it should be often between 3 and 10 meters.
The radio receiver (HF) 22 allows reception in a known manner omnidirectional of a modulated high frequency (HF) carrier wave (HF wave emitted by a trigger device 1) and the demodulation of this carrier wave. Binary data from this demodulation can be communicated to processor 201 via the input port to which the receiver (HF) is connected 22. In practice, the sensitivity of the receiver (HF) 22 is sufficient to allow communication over several dozen of meters.
Referring to Figure 2, an input port of the microcontroller 20 further receives a signal 27, which is for example of digital type (all 3 0 or nothing), and whose state characterizes the state (Green or Red) of the signaling. This signal 27 comes from the control unit 26 (known in itself) of the signal light B;, which usually allows control the change in fire status over time. Each change of state of signal 27, which corresponds to a change of state traffic light for pedestrians, generates on the port of entry corresponding to an interrupt for processor 201. The processing of this interruption will be explained below with reference to FIG. 3.
Architecture of the triggering device (1 L - figure 2 There is shown in the right part of Figure 2, a exemplary embodiment of a trigger device (1) of the invention.
1o This device (1) comprises a microcontroller 10, which comprises essentially - a processor 101, clocked by a quartz 102, - Input / Output ports 103, allowing communication between the processor 101 with external peripherals, a first memory 104, of ROM type, in which is saved a resident program, which allows you to operate the processor 101 and which is specific to the invention, - And a second memory 105, of ROM type.
The microcontroller 10 is for example constituted by a MICROCHIP PIC 16C84 microcontroller.
~ in memory 105 several codes are saved (ACA, P) detailed below. OMt codes representative of the orientation of the device at each instant t are stored in this memory 105;
each value is replaced by the next. Also, in this memory 105, at each address indicated by the code 'AMM1' and by the code 'AMM2' of a traffic light, are saved respectively two sentences 'MESSAGE 1' and 'MESSAGE 2'.
In addition to the microcontroller 10, the device (1) comprises - a radio receiver (HF) 11, which is connected to an input port of the 3 o microcontroller 20, - a radio transmitter (HF) 12, which is connected to an output port of the microcontroller 20, - a voice message generator 13, - a magnetic compass 14, which measures the effective angle between its orientation and a relative reference direction in this example at terrestrial magnetic field, - an autonomous power supply (not shown) of the battery type or battery, providing the electrical energy required for each component device active.
The radio receiver (HF) 11 is adapted to the radio transmitter (HF) 21 of 1o each traffic light B ;, and provides demodulation and decoding of data transmitted by radio which are inverse to the modulation and coding performed by each radio transmitter (HF) 21.
The radio transmitter (HF) 12, is adapted to the radio receiver (HF) 22 of each traffic light B ;, and performs carrier modulation (HF) what is capable of demodulating each radio receiver (HF) 22.
The audio section 13 is known and essentially comprises the audio amplifier and the miniature speaker necessary for vocal reproduction of messages audible to the pedestrian equipped with the device trigger (1). This miniature speaker can be constituted by a 2 o earpiece that the pedestrian lodges in his ear, or has nearby immediately from his ear, so that the voice messages delivered, in from the audio section 13 are audible to the pedestrian.
Operation of beacons (Bi and the triggering device - fia. 3 and 4 The algorithm of FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a operating cycle of processor 201 of a signaling light B ;.
Whenever the traffic light B; change of state (traffic light green or red), the signal 27 received as input by the microcontroller 20 generates an interrupt for processor 201. At each interrupt, this processor 201 restarts an operating cycle by executing the steps in the flowchart in Figure 3. This operating cycle is executed in a loop (iterative loop 307), as long as the sign B; does not change state. As soon as the traffic light B;
changes state, processor 201 interrupts its operation (end of cycle) and restart a new cycle.
During each operating cycle, the microcontroller 20 transmits (Figure 3 / block 302) repeatedly, via the radio transmitter (HF) 21, a beacon orientation code (OAk), which is contained in the memory 205 of the microcontroller, and which identifies the orientation, with respect to a reference direction (D) relative to the Earth's magnetic field according to an established direction of rotation (S), traffic light (B;), or more 1o generally the orientation of the corresponding protected passage. As already indicated, in another variant, a device can be produced in which it is the transmitter of the triggering device (1) which transmits a code of triggering, regularly or on request, the triggering of the tag ~ being subject to compliance with the guidance code (OMt) by relation to this same reference direction (D) with that memorized in the beacon (B;) near which the user arrives. However, regularly send the beacon (B;) rather than the device trigger (1) allows the user to be informed of his arrival in an information zone by simple reception of the code 2 o orientation (OA, ~) of a nearby beacon (B;) without requiring a maneuver on his part, while avoiding energy consumption no need for the trip device (1).
In the following description, for the application of FIG. 1, we will consider that the range of the emission of each tag (B;) integrated into the traffic light is insufficient to cover up to the area of emission coverage of the beacon corresponding to the parallel channel. We will therefore consider each traffic light B; is identified by a tag orientation code (OA;) representative of the orientation of the element which linked to him, in particular, in this case, the protected passage 3 o corresponding, with respect to a reference direction (D) relative to the Earth's magnetic field in an established direction of rotation (S). In in other words, it will be admitted, for the sake of simplicity only, that the eight beacon orientation codes OB1 to OB $ are sufficient to distinguish the lights between them. This is not limitative of the invention. In other realizations for signaling lights, or in other applications of the invention, more than one signpost can be configured with the same tag orientation code, especially because they are representative of the same element (same protected passage for example).
An example of the operation of signal lights B1 to B $ and of the trigger device (1) of Figure 1 will now be detailed, in reference to the flowcharts in Figures 3 and 4.
Referring to Figure 1, a pedestrian equipped with the device trigger (1) is located in the CH1 emission field of the B1 signaling (called visible beacon). We suppose that this pedestrian, like its trigger device po ~~ tee, is oriented in the same direction as that relating to the traffic light B1, so that the orientation, through relation to a reference direction (D) relative to the magnetic field terrestrial according to an established direction of rotation (S), of its compass 14 is oriented in the same way with respect to the orientation of the protected passage whose orientation code is stored in the traffic light B1.
2 o Initially, the microcontroller 10 of the device (1) is waiting for reception of an ACA code, which is an activation code of the section angular comparison of the device (1) (Figure 4 / block 401 and test 402).
When the visible tag B1, during its cycle of operation, sends this ACA code (figure 3 l block 301), this code is received by the radio receiver (HF) 11 of the device (1), and is transmitted to the processor 101 of the microcontroller 10. This ACA code is used to inform the microcontroller 10 that the next code it will receive is a code beacon orientation.
When processor 101 receives and recognizes this ACA code, it 3 o automatically activates the compass 14 by means of the control signal 15 as well as the angular comparison program (figure 4 / step 404). The compass 14 therefore carries out regular measurements for the compliance check, measurements it transfers to processor 101 by the control signal 16.
In another variant, one could consider operating 5 constantly this angular comparison, but in this example the energy consumption would be unnecessarily increased.
After having issued an ACA code, the microcontroller 20 of the signaling B1, transmits, via the radio transmitter (HF) 21, its orientation code (OAk), which is saved in memory 205 (FIG. 3 / block 302). Through o example, for each light B; this code represents the effective angle (a ,;) between the protected passage corresponding to traffic light B; and the reference direction (D) relating to the Earth's magnetic field in a direction of rotation established (S). In another variant, this orientation code comes from a regular measurement by a compass 24, of the effective angle between the orientation 15 of the beacon and this reference direction (D), in particular in the case where a change in orientation must be taken into account, or when several pieces of information linked to different directions are proposed by the tag. Such a regular measure can also be used by maintenance to warn them of a change in the orientation of the 2 o beacon by comparison with the code (OA;) memorized during installation and the code representing the effective angle (a;). This same compass 24 is necessary for applications where the signpost is mobile, especially when it is on board a vehicle.
This code (OAk) is received by processor 101 of the microcontroller 25 10 of the trip device (1), which processor compares (FIG. 4 l block 405) this code with the code (OMt) representative of the angle made by the compass 14 of the device (1) at time (t), with respect to a direction of reference (D) relating to the Earth's magnetic field in a direction of established rotation (S). The orientation codes for the beacon (OAk) and 3 o trip device (OMt) are then the same (to the tolerance provided by the comparison program), which allows on the one hand the transmission by the device (1) (FIG. 4 / block 406) of the activation code likely to trigger certain operations with the tag (B;) such as a sound trigger, or a radio broadcast, and on the other hand authorizes the operation of the audio section 13 of the device trip unit (1) by means of the control signal 17.
We will note that without the recognition of conformity angle between the codes (OAk) and (OMt), nor the selective triggering of the tag (B;) nor the operation of the audio section of the device trigger are not activated.
1o After having issued an orientation code, the microcontroller 20 of the light signaling device B1, transmits, via the radio transmitter (HF) 21, the message (variable 'MESSAGE'), which is saved in memory 205 (figure 3 / block 302). For example, for each light B; this message consists of following information: number and name of the channel at which located the traffic light B ;.
This message is received by the processor 101 of the microcontroller 10 of the device (1), which processor returns (signal 18 / Figure 2) the information received constituting this message in the audio section 13, this which allows a vocal reproduction of this information for the pedestrian. The 2 o pedestrian is automatically informed of the number and name of the lane to which it is heading, which advantageously allows it to locate.
In place of the message, the tag can emit at least one code from among the codes previously stored there (AMM1 and AMM2 for example). These codes are representative of the addressing of audio messages previously stored in the carrier's language.
Upon receipt, the trigger device (1) then restores the corresponding messages.
When the voice playback of the message is finished, the 3o microcontroller 10 of the device (1) controls the stop (signal 17 / figure 2) from the audio section (Figure 4 / block 405).

In another variant, a device (1) could be produced in which the audio section 13 is constantly in operation.
However, such continuous operation of this audio section of a on the other hand causes discomfort (background noise) for the pedestrian, and on the other hand increases the energy consumption of the device (1). activation audio section 13, for a sufficient time to vocal reproduction of the message, thus advantageously allows on the one hand to avoid discomfort for the user and on the other hand to reduce considerably the energy consumption of the device (1).
1o At the same time, the other traffic lights B2 to B8, during their operating cycle, also issue their beacon code of repetitively. However, the device (1) being placed in the field of reception CH1 of the signaling light B1, and the compass 14 of this device (1) giving the same code relating to the angle relative to the North earth magnetic as the code relating to that of the compass 24 of the signaling B1, or the code stored there representing the orientation of the corresponding protected passage (to the tolerance provided for by the comparison program), only the orientation code tag (OA1) is accepted by the microcontroller 10 of the trigger device (1) of the Figure 1; the other beacon orientation codes (OA2 to OAa) issued parallel by the other traffic lights are not taken into account by the triggering device (1); each of them cannot be taken into account that if the trigger device (1), by changing its orientation, ends up having the same orientation as the element linked to the tag corresponding, in this case the protected passage. However, according to angular recognition program of the triggering device, this selective triggering of the beacon (B;) can also concern a beacon representing another angle (OA; + x °), for example the beacon opposite if the need arises (OA; + 180 °).
3 o When it receives the OB1 beacon orientation code, (e microcontroller

10 of the device (1) saves this tag code in random access memory 104 (FIG.

4 / block 403), then will use it if necessary to constitute the code trigger the beacon, and send it via its transmitter (HF) 22. This OB1 code being transmitted omnidirectionally, it is advisable to limit the range of the triggering device transmitter or provide codes specific identification for each tag in an area covered by a transmission of significant scope, received in this case by the microcontrollers 20 of all the signal lights B1 to B8.
Orientation Code (OA ~~
In general, the selective triggering of a beacon is Zo subject to compliance with the guidance code (OMt) (Figure 4 / block 405) of the triggering device (1), code representative of its orientation effective with respect to a reference direction (D) relative to the field magnetic earth at time t, with the representative tag code (OAk) either 'of the orientation of the tag B ~ itself relative to this same reference direction (D), i.e. of the orientation of the element linked to this beacon (i.e. respectively light B1 and protected passage PP of channel V1 in the case of the operating example in FIG. 1).
More particularly, in a first variant embodiment, this conformity is total, the orientation code OAk of the tag B ~ and the 2 o OMt code of the trigger device (1) representing the same angles by relation to this reference direction (D) relative to the magnetic field terrestrial at time t, to the desired tolerance.
In a second variant, compliance is checked if the tag code (OAk) determined by the orientation of a device trigger (1) is representative of a different orientation than that of the tag (or the element corresponding to the tag), this orientation being scheduled by program to be considered a other trigger condition, for example when fire two differently oriented beacons at the same time (two 3 o opposite lights for example) or when the compass of the triggering device (1) is installed at a different angle from that of the trigger itself while the conditions are met to authorize triggering, these examples are not limiting.
Processing of the orientation code (OMt ~ by lights B;
During an operating cycle, each signaling light B1 to B8 is waiting for a predetermined duration of the reception of an orientation code (OMt) from a trigger device (figure 3 / test 303) (first and third variants mentioned above). when trigger device sends its orientation code (OMt), this code is received by the traffic lights present in the emission area limited, including adjacent track lights, and each of these lights performs a comparison of this code (OMt) with its own code beacon orientation (figure 3 / block 304), and verifies code compliance guidance (OMt) received with its own tag code (OA;) (Figure 3 / test 305). When a traffic light B; receives a tag code (OMt) sent by the device (1) which conforms to its beacon orientation code (OA;), said signal light B; triggers one or more actions (figure 3 /
step 306).
When the orientation code (OMt) which is issued by the device (1) is identical to the received tag orientation code (OA;) (first and third 2 o above-mentioned variants), verification of code compliance by each fire B; (Figure 3 / block 305) is a simple detection of conformity of codes. Thus, in the example of FIG. 1, the signaling light B1, when it receives a code (OMt) which conforms to the code (OA1), detects that it it is the same orientation and automatically triggers actions 2 5 planned. On the other hand, the other traffic lights being configured with orientation codes different from the code (OA1), when they receive the code (OMt) emitted by the device (1), they do not recognize a conformity of this code with theirs and therefore does not trigger any action. Thus, the comparison of the orientation codes between the 3 o signaling B1 and the device (1) advantageously makes it possible to do trigger by the device (1), selectively and automatically, only the signaling light B1 which is normally visible by the pedestrian.
Processing of the orientation code (OAk ~ by triggering devices During an operating cycle, each device 5 trigger is pending receipt of an orientation code (OAk) emitted by a beacon (second and third variant mentioned above).
When a beacon sends its orientation code (OA ~), this code is received by the triggering device (s) present in the emission zone of the tag, and each of these triggering devices performs regularly 10 measurements of the angle it forms with the reference direction (D) relating to the Earth's magnetic field (Figure 4 / block 404), then proceeds for each measurement performed when comparing this code (OAk) received with its own orientation code (OMt) by checking the conformity of the orientation code (OA ~) received with its own code (OMt) (figure 4 l test 15,405). When one of these measures corresponds to that represented by the code (OAk) sent by a tag, ie when the orientation code (OMt) complies with the orientation code (OAk) received, said device trigger triggers one or more actions (Figure 4 / step 406).
Actions triggered 2 o The action or actions that are automatically triggered by a fire signaling B; (Figure 3 / block 306), or by a trigger device (figure 4 / block 406), can be of various natures, and will depend well heard from the app. Among these actions triggered automatically by the tag which recognized the conformity of the guidelines, that is to say the 25 light B1 in the example of figure 1, one can quote the transmission automatic tag information (green light status or red when applied to traffic lights) to destination of the pedestrian carrying the trigger device (1).
In a first variant embodiment, the transmission of this 3 0 information, can be generated locally at the traffic light.
For example, the action triggered by the traffic light consists in control its local generator 23 of voice messages, so as to transmit in vocal form and audibly by each pedestrian who is at a short distance an audible signal or a voice message indicating the status of the traffic light (for example a distinctive sound signal for the green phase or a signal verbal "red light - wait" for the red phase). Also, in a more simplified variant, the signaling light can be equipped with a buzzer, which is automatically controlled according to the state of the fire (for example vibrator controlled with a frequency characteristic of the state of the fire) so as to emit a sound Zo characteristic of the green or red state of the fire.
In a second variant, which can be combined with the first variant above, the transmission of information on fire status can be performed by having this information transmitted by the signaling light, via its radio transmitter (HF) 21, to destination of the device (1), the restitution in audio form of this information being provided by the trip device (1). More specifically, in a preferential implementation, the action triggered by the traffic light consists in sending a memory addressing code (AMM 1 or AMM 2 according to the state of the fire) via its radio transmitter (HF) 21. When the 2 o microcontroller 10 of the trigger device (1) receives this code memory address, it retrieves the message saved in memory at the address corresponding to the code received (MESSAGE 1: "green light for pedestrians" /
MESSAGE 2: “red light, wait! "). Then the microcontroller 10 controls the voice generator 13, so as to send the message (MESSAGE 1 or MESSAGE 2) which is addressed by the code (AMM 1 or AMM 2) received. It can be the same with other messages previously stored in the user's language, especially for inform him of the side of the beacon towards which to go safely.
The trigger for a deaf person can 3 o translate the transmission of information on the state of the fire so that vibratory. So the actions triggered by a trigger device may be the dissemination of information privately in the language of the interested party, but also the activation of a vibrator, or the emission of a code, without these examples being limiting.
Special code P
In a more sophisticated variant, each device trigger (1) is designed to transmit in addition to the code orientation (OMt) of time t, at least one additional code, says particular code P. This particular code P makes it possible to characterize specific features of the triggering device (1) and more particularly 1o suitable for pedestrians wearing this device. For example, this particular code P
may contain an indication of the pedestrian's language. In this case, when the traffic light that received this code triggers an action, it can take into account the language of the pedestrian to trigger this action appropriate, such as a broadcast by the voice generator of the traffic light of a message in the language of the pedestrian, or the transmission of an AMMX code corresponding to a memory address of the initiating device (1) in which the message is stored corresponding to the state of the fire in the language of the pedestrian, without these examples are limiting.
2 o The specific code P can also characterize the handicap of the pedestrian. In particular, in an alternative embodiment, provision may be made for level of the triggering device (1), in addition to a voice generator 13, a mechanical vibrator (not shown in the figures) as already indicated.
When the particular code P returned indicates to the traffic light that the pedestrian wearing the trip device (1) is hard of hearing in this case the action which is triggered by the traffic light may consist in the rendering in voice form of a message on the state of the fire by example locally at the traffic light ,. but with a higher rendering power.
3 o In the particular application to traffic lights which comes to be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the local audio signal and the message telling the user which side to approach the traffic light signaling advantageously allows pedestrian guidance relative to at the protected passage towards which it heads. In particular, when the pedestrian clearly receives the fire location message, he knows it is oriented in the same direction as the corresponding protected passage. if approaches the signaling fire, it will by definition be correct positioned for crossing.
The use of an omnidirectional radio type transmission between the beacon and the triggering device is however not limiting of the invention. In other implementations, provision may be made at the level of each beacon, instead of a radio transmitter, a directive transmitter, of the infrared type, for example; in this case, each device trigger (1) is fitted in place of a radio receiver, a directive type receiver, adapted to the transmitter of the beacons. Also, in another variant, the signposts can be equipped an additional transmitter, for example of the HF type, the device trigger (1) in this case comprising an additional HF receiver, adapted to the HF transmitter of the beacons. These HF transmitter and receiver for example can be used for the transmission of 2 o location message (message that is sent by the fire of signaling after sending an activation code), on another frequency for example ; in this case, after receiving this activation code, the microcontroller 10 is preferably designed so as to activate temporarily not only the low frequency amplifier of the 2 5 audio section 13 as previously described, but also the additional HF receiver demodulator.
Also, in the alternative embodiment which has been described above above, the emission of a message on the location of the fire with a view to its restitution in vocal or similar form for the pedestrian, is optional.
3 0 is shown in Figures 5 and 6, another alternative embodiment in which there is no issuance of guidance codes from the beacon for the triggering device (1); here, it's a manual action of on the part of the interested party, or a repetitive emission from the triggering device which triggers the angular comparison and, if necessary, the action associated with the tag. Step 501 of the flow diagram of FIG. 5 is identical to step 404 of the flow diagram of FIG. 4; steps 502 and 503 are identical respectively to steps 301 and 302 of the flowchart of Figure 3; step 601, test 602, and steps 603 and 605, as well as test 604 of the flow diagram of FIG. 6 are identical respectively to step 401, to test 402, and to steps 403 and 406, as well as test 405 of the flow diagram of FIG. 4.
In this variant embodiment, we also find the activation characteristics of the angular comparison section of the beacon by the emission of an ACA code by the trigger (1), followed by the transmission of an orientation code by said device, which code is compared by the tag to trigger the planned action if necessary.
APPLICATI ~ IV / IFVI ° BEACON ~ RMATI ~ N AND ~ '~ RIENTATI ~ N
Another application of the invention has been represented in FIG. 7.
in which the tag B ;, is a terminal having information on directions corresponding to proposed or desired destinations. This 2 o terminal, called BIO, is more particularly positioned in places public, at "nodes" of possible directions, such as crossings of corridors, the intersections of tracks, such as one meets them in halls of public or private buildings (stations, metro stations, centers etc.).
More particularly, there is shown schematically an information and orientation terminal (BIO) located at the intersection of 6 different routes V1 to V6 leading to 6 different destinations DS1 to DS6. The BIO is equipped with a signpost B; of the invention, which is designed to communicate with trip devices present in the 3 o BIO CH emission zone, such as the trigger device carried by user U.

In this application, the tag B; is equipped with a circuit electronics whose architecture is identical to that previously described with reference to FIG. 2, except that the microcontroller of the beacon Figure 7 does not necessarily receive an interrupt signal as input 5 27 resulting from a change of state of a display (except local particularities), unlike the tag previously described with reference to Figure 2.
In the application of FIG. 7, the user U is equipped with a trigger device (1) whose electronic architecture is for example identical to that already described for the previous application.
1o The main difference between this application and the application previously described pedestrian traffic lights is constituted by the two resident programs which operate the respective microcontrollers of the beacon and of the triggering devices.
The operating charts of the respective programs which 15 are executed by the microcontrollers of the BIO and of the device trigger (1) carried by the interested party are for example identical to those shown in Figures 3 and 4 except that the code (OA ~) takes successively the values corresponding to the different codes guidelines proposed by the BIO.
2o With reference to FIG. 7, the user U who is represented (carrier a trigger device 1) is located in the CH emission field of tag B; from the BIO terminal. The trigger device (1) of user U
receives from tag B; from the BIO terminal the different codes of orientation (OA1) to (OA6), respectively representative of the 6 directions 25 DS1 to DS6 of channels V1 to V6 proposed by said BIO terminal with respect to to a reference direction (D) of the Earth's magnetic field. These codes are then memorized by the triggering device (1) which, at each instant t, compare each of them with its own orientation code (OMt) representative of the angle it forms with the 3 o reference direction (D) measured by the compass 24.
In case of conformity of the codes (OMt) and (OAx), therefore of the orientation of the user with respect to the DSx direction (x representing here one of the six possibilities of the example), the trigger device (1) performs a certain number of actions, such as issuing its code guidance (OMt).
In our example, the user is directed to channel 3; The compass of the trigger device (1) worn by the user U naturally measures, at at each instant t, the angle ~ 3t which it forms with respect to the direction of reference (D). Each measurement is converted into a code (OMt). This angle dit only complies with the angle as of channel 3 (aa and a6 are good different) ; the orientation code (OMt) is therefore consistent with the code (OA3) which has been memorized by the triggering device (1) during of his arrival in the CH emission zone. This conformity, therefore, triggers actions, such as transmission by the device trigger (1) of its code (OMt) which is received by tag B; of BIO.
~ .5 Said tag in turn compares this orientation code (OMt) received with her orientation codes that she has in memory. She then recognizes the compliance of the codes (OMt) and (OA3) and selectively performs a certain number of actions ; for example it transmits a specific message, in the occurrence that corresponding to the direction of track 3 in our 2 o example, without transmitting all of the available messages.
The user therefore only receives the message corresponding to his orientation. If it changes, it receives the new message corresponding to its new orientation as soon as it corresponds to a direction proposed by the tag.
25 One can imagine that the user formulates himself, in a way any (choice from a drop-down menu, voice wording, etc.), a request on a specific destination (proposed or not by the BIO terminal), tag B; specifying to the user, if any, that he is in the right direction, or inviting him to correct his trajectory in the case opposite, 30, the trigger device then being designed to invite its user to orient themselves differently when necessary, triggering of each of these actions being always dependent on the conformity of orientation codes between them.
APPLICATION / BUS STATIONS
Another application of the invention has been represented in FIG. 8.
in which each signpost B; is an identification tag of a place, and more particularly is positioned at a station bus S ;, and identifies said station.
More particularly, there is shown schematically on Figure 8 a two-way traffic lane V and two bus stations 1o S1 and S2 facing each other, on either side of the track traffic V. Station S1 is equipped with a signpost indicating invention B1, which is designed to communicate with buses running on the upper track, such as bus B in Figure 8, which runs in direction of the S1 bus station, the orientation code (OA1) being provided to comply with the direction of bus traffic corresponding to this way. In the same spirit, the B2 tag is designed to communicate with oncoming buses on the lower part of the traffic lane.
More generally, this exemplary embodiment could be o generalized at any station for public transport vehicles, and could for example be transposed to metro stations, stations train, ...
In this application, each tag B; is equipped with a circuit electronics whose architecture is identical to that previously described with reference to FIG. 2, except that the microcontroller of the beacons of FIG. 8 does not receive an interrupt signal 25 as an input, unlike the tag previously described with reference to Figure 2.
In the application of Figure 8, each bus running in the middle urban, such as bus B, is equipped with a device 3 o on-board trip unit (1), whose electronic architecture is example identical to that already described for the previous applications.

With reference to FIG. 8, the bus B which is represented is located in the emission field CH1 of the beacon B1 of the station S1, and goes towards station S1. This bus B thus receives the orientation code beacon (OA1), representative of an angle a1, which is sent to it by the beacon B1 and compare this code with its orientation code (OMt). This code orientation (OMt) transmitted by the bus is representative of the so-called angle that the bus forms at time (t) with respect to a reference direction (D) relating to the Earth's magnetic field in an established direction of rotation (S), in accordance with what has already been described above for the 1o first application. With this code, the on-board trip device transmits the particular code P which advantageously contains a bus identification information (e.g. bus number, line served, destination, provenance, or information that the bus is not in service and therefore does not take a passenger at its edge).
When the tag B1 has received the orientation code (OMt) and the code particular P sent to her by the bus, she detects that the code (OMt) transmitted to it conforms to its tag orientation code (OA1), and This automatically triggers a certain number of actions below.
2 o On the other hand, the B2 tag which also can receive these codes (OMt) and P, detects that the code (OMt) received does not conform to its code (OA2) representative of its angle a2, and therefore does not trigger any particular action.
The actions triggered by the tag B1 are for example the following. The B1 tag triggers for example a first action, which consists in transmitting, via a radio or infrared transmitter for example, at the approaching bus B, a message identifying the station S1 (for example the name of the station). The trip device (1) on board the bus B, is in this case equipped and programmed for after receipt of such a 3 o message, broadcast said message in voice form and audible by all bus passengers. Also, another action that can be triggered by the tag. B1, is to broadcast locally at the station S ~, a message, which is heard by passengers waiting at the station, and which identifies the approaching bus B (bus number, line served, ...). This message is automatically generated by the beacon microcontroller B1, from the information contained in the P code which was given to it returned by bus B on approach.
Also, this message can also be communicated by the beacon B1, to any pedestrian equipped with a trigger device (1), in order to its distribution in audible form for the pedestrian by the microcontroller of the 1o trigger device (1) carried by the pedestrian.
Advantageously, in the embodiment which has just been described, the S1 stations being automatically informed each time of the identification of each approaching bus (thanks to the specific code P), it becomes possible to connect each of the stations S; at a central office location of buses. Each station S; is furthermore designed for communicate to this localization center the identification of each bus in approach (specific code P). It is thus possible centrally and remotely know the location of each bus in circulation.
Finally, it is perfectly possible to provide a signpost 2o on board the vehicle in place of the trip device, signpost which will repeatedly issue the orientation code of the time, vehicle orientation code. As in the application pedestrian lights, this regular broadcast is intended for devices triggers present in the beacon emission zone, mobile this time. These triggering devices, fixedly installed or carried by mobile users, then compare these orientation codes received with the them and trigger various actions associated with the tag (emission of messages ...) according to the compliance of the respective codes. this allows especially to a person waiting for the arrival of a bus to be 3 o notified of his arrival (without being informed of the arrival of the bus at the station opposite) the actions triggered being for example the issue by the beacon of a message relating to the destination of the approaching bus.
The invention is not limited to only the applications which come to be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8, but may find many other applications. In particular, the invention may be 5 applied to any tag making it possible to communicate remotely at least signage information attached to it.
Also, in the variant embodiments described with reference in the appended figures, the verification of the conformity of the orientation of the trigger device with each orientation code (OAk) is performed 1o by the triggering device. This is not limitative of the invention.
In another alternative embodiment, this function could be provided by the tag. In this case, the trigger device is preferably designed to communicate to the beacon information characteristic of its orientation in space.
In the examples which will be described, the directions are measured relative to a reference direction relative to the magnetic field ground, and the means of measurement are in particular compasses magnetic or compasses. But other reference directions and suitable means for measuring the angles formed with respect to these 2o reference directions can be used. These reference directions can be given for example by terrestrial transmitting beacons or spatial to allow comparison measurements for the purpose of determine and compare directions.

Claims (34)

1. Method of remote triggering, by means of a device trigger (1), of an action (A k) executable by a beacon descriptive (B j), characterized in that said action (A k) is associated at least one orientation code (OA k), and in that to trigger the action (A k) we orient the trigger device (1), and we do perform the action (A k) by the signaling beacon (B j) when the orientation of the trigger device (1) complies with the code orientation (OA k) associated with the action (A k). 2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the beacon signage (B j) is able to perform several actions [A1,...A n], in what is associated with each action (A k) an orientation code (OA k) specific, so that it is possible to trigger selectively an action (A k) among the set of actions [A1,...A n] executable by the beacon by directing the device trigger (1). 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that for associate with each action (A k) an orientation code (OA k), we stores said orientation code in the beacon. 4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that each orientation code (OA k) is representative of an angle (.alpha.x) formed with respect to a reference direction (D1) in one direction of reference angular rotation (S1), and in that each trigger device measures the angle (.beta.t) it forms at instant (t) relative to a reference direction (D2) in a direction of reference angular rotation (S2), measurement that it identifies by a orientation code (OM t), and in that to trigger at least action (A k), a comparison of their codes is carried out of respective orientations, and the action (A k) is triggered when the orientation code (OM t) of the triggering device complies with orientation code (OA k). 5. Method according to claim 4 characterized in that the reference directions (D1) and (D2) are the same, and/or in that the reference angular rotation directions (S1) and (S2) are the same. 6. Method according to claim 4 characterized in that the angles represented by the orientation codes (OA k) and (OM t) are conform to each other within a predetermined tolerance for the app. 7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the orientation code (OA k) is determined from the measurement made by the signaling beacon (B j) of the angle it forms with relative to a reference direction (D1) according to a direction of rotation reference angle (S1). 8. Method according to claim 4 characterized in that the code orientation (OM t) is a predetermined code associated with the device trigger (1). 9. Method according to claim 4 characterized in that the code orientation (OM t) is determined from the measurement taken by the trigger device (1) of the angle it forms with respect to a reference direction (D2) according to a direction of angular rotation reference (S2). 10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the signaling beacon (B j) transmits its orientation code (OA k), from preferably repeatedly. 11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that that the transmission of the beacon (B j) and/or of the device (1) is omnidirectional. 12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11 characterized in that that the trigger device (1) emits its orientation code (OM t), possibly repeatedly. 13. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12 characterized in that that the transmission of the beacon (B j) and/or of the device (1) is a emission by modulation of a high frequency carrier. 14. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that that the action (A k) triggered is local broadcasting, preferably in sound form, information associated with the beacon. 15. Method according to one of claims 1 to 14 characterized in that that the action (A k) triggered is a command from the device (1), in so that said device broadcasts, preferably in sound form, information associated with the beacon or information previously recorded. 16. Method according to one of claims 1 to 15 characterized in that that each issue of a referral code is preceded by transmission of a predetermined code (ACA) to inform the object to destination of which this code (ACA) is sent than the following code which is emitted is a referral code. 17. Method according to one of claims 1 to 16 characterized in that that the beacon is a traffic light. 18. Process according to claim 17, characterized in that an action (A k) executable by the beacon is the broadcast of state information fire. 19. Method according to one of claims 1 to 16 characterized in that that the descriptive beacon is an orientation beacon, an action (A k) executable by said beacon being the dissemination of information relative to a direction. 20. Method according to one of claims 1 to 19 characterized in that that the triggering device is on board a vehicle transportation. 21. Identification tag for the implementation of the process referred to in one any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it is designed to perform at least one action (A k) that can be triggered at distance, according to at least one orientation code (OA k) predetermined. 22. Beacon according to claim 21 characterized in that the code orientation (OA k) is stored in memory in the beacon. 23. Beacon according to claim 21 or 22 characterized in that it is designed to measure the angle it forms with respect to a reference direction and to determine an orientation wave (OA k) representative of this measurement. 24. Identification tag according to one of claims 21 to 23 characterized in that it comprises a transmitter (21), and is designed to transmit automatically, and preferably from repeatedly, at least one orientation code (OA k) associated with an action (A k) executable by the tag. 25. Identification tag according to one of claims 21 to 24 characterized in that it comprises a receiver (22), and is designed to automatically trigger one or more actions predefined when it receives an orientation code (OM t) which is conforms to its orientation code (OA k). 26. Identification beacon according to claim 25 characterized in that that it includes means for verifying compliance the orientation code (OM t) received with the orientation code (OA k) associated with the action (A k) and with triggering the action (A k) and in that it is designed to, after verification of code compliance orientation (OM t) with the orientation code (OA k), order said means for executing the action (A k), so as to execute the action (A k). 27. Identification beacon according to one of claims 21 to 26 characterized in that it constitutes a signaling light, a action associated with the beacon being in particular the dissemination of fire status information. 28. Identification beacon according to one of claims 21 to 26 characterized in that it constitutes an information beacon and orientation, the action associated with the beacon being in particular the dissemination of information relating to a direction. 29. Trigger device (1) for triggering a beacon at distance in accordance with the method referred to in any of the claims 1 to 20 characterized in that it comprises a transmitter (12) and a means (14) for measuring the angle which it forms with respect to a reference direction. 30. Device according to claim 29 characterized in that it is designed to transmit, possibly repeatedly, a code orientation (OM t) representative of the measurement of this angle 31. Device according to claim 29 characterized in that it comprises a receiver (11), and a means (14) for measuring the angle it shape with respect to a reference direction and in that it is designed to automatically trigger one or more actions predefined when it receives an orientation code (OA k) which is conforms to its orientation code (OM t) representative of the measure from this angle. 32. Information and orientation terminal (BIO) equipped with a beacon identification (B j) according to one of claims 21 to 28. 33. Transport vehicle (B) equipped with trigger device (1) according to one of claims 29 to 31, or a signage beacon (B j) according to one of claims 21 to 28. 34. Station (S i) equipped with a trigger device (1) according to one of the claims 29 to 31, or a signage beacon (B j) according to one of claims 21 to 28.