Apparatus for obtaining urban co-ordinates

(42) Start of patent term · 15. 3.1988 (45) Date of issue: 10.11.1988 (30) Priority:

10th 3.1982 ES 510299 claims. 16. 6.1982 ES 513175 claims.

(73)

Patentee:

NATIVIDAD GENE ESPARZA MADRID (ES).

(54) PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING THE WAY FROM AN INITIAL POINT TO A TARGET AND INFORMATION BOARD, PLAN UNO ORIENTATION PANEL TO CARRY OUT THE PROCEDURE

CQ

AT 386 904

INR 0078318

- 2 nr.386904

The invention relates to a method for determining the route from a starting point to a destination, in which the address of the destination is entered at an information stand via an input device and compared with stored addresses of a city, the destination is made visible and an orientation plan is output.

Such a method is already known from FR-PS No. 2,450,488. The user of this known method searches at an information stand on the basis of a street list of the city, a code number for the destination selected by him and enters this by means of a keyboard, after which his route is indicated on a display screen by light spots. It receives a printout from a printer, which gives it information about the shortest route to be followed (and only this route). The disadvantage here is that the user in the city itself, unless he is always on the right track and he has all the street names that he can compare with the street name plates, at the intersections is completely abandoned.

In contrast, the invention has the object, a method of the type described in such a way that the user is constantly informed on his way to the destination over his respective location and thus safely directed to the destination. The object of the invention is also to provide an information stand, which gives the user the required information about the way in the hand.

This is achieved in a method of the type mentioned surprisingly simple in that the plan of the city is divided into zones and each zone is assigned a zone code that the entry of the address of the destination the zone corresponding to the destination is lit, in that, by entering the zone code assigned to the luminous zone, a zone plan corresponding to this zone plan is output together with a plan for locating the zone in the entire city map, according to which the zone codes and identification data on the zone plan are located on orientation tables at each corner of a street intersection to locate the destination or -branch specified zone codes and identification data.

For the determination of the zone codes and output of the plans, the invention provides an information desk with a console, an alphanumeric keyboard, a display screen, a processor with memory devices connected thereto and a device for outputting a map, which is characterized according to the invention by in that one of the memory devices is a floppy disk in which the addresses of the city with assigned zone codes are stored, that the display screen for displaying the position the destination is divided into individual zones, which zones carry the zone identifiers stored in the diskette and are illuminated by entering an address by means of the alphanumeric keyboard, that the means for outputting a schedule is a scheduling distributor for outputting zone plans corresponding to the zone codes, along with plans for locating the zones throughout the city map , and that another keyboard is provided, via which the access to the planning distributor is released when entering a zone code number.

In the preferred embodiment, the plan distributor consists of a series of motorized endless chain driven bucket conveyors whose cups each contain a certain zone index corresponding plans, wherein entering a zone number by means of another keyboard containing the zone number corresponding plans containing cups before forming the access Window flap is movable.

A zone plan issued by the information stand contains, in addition to the relevant zone code number, identification numbers of the orientation panels arranged at each corner of a road intersection or junction.

Each of these orientation panels has an identification number assigned to it, in addition to the respective zone code, and preferably includes the respective street name, the number of the house on or before which it is attached, and reference to the ascending and descending direction of the house numbers of the block or the whole Street or the

- 3 Nr.386904 whole place.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the orientation panel further contains

Notes on the identification numbers of adjacent orientation signs.

In a further embodiment of the inventive orientation panel whose surface can be divided into two fields, of which the top of the site of the orientation panel and their identification number identification data and, where appropriate, the references to the identification numbers of adjacent orientation panels and / or on the ascending and descending direction of the house numbers of concerned block or the whole road or of the whole square, and the other a detailed plan of the vicinity of the site of the orientation panel, in particular the zone in which the orientation panel is located.

Finally, the orientation panel may still be characterized in that it has in the upper and / or lower edge region on transverse guides, in the advertising od.ähnl. certain plates are insertable.

The plans issued by the information desk contain both a detailed road map of the zone concerned and general information on how to get from the information point location to that zone. The general information may advantageously be in the form of a zoned general map of the city, conveniently printed on the back of the zone map, and preferably corresponding to the overall plan shown on the display screen of the information booth, and in addition information relating to public means of transport approaching the vicinity Enter the desired zone and information about possible routes to reach the zone. The orientation boards in conjunction with this overall plan provide information about which zone you are in at any time. Once the zone containing the destination has been reached, it is only necessary to follow the identification numbers contained in the zone plan of the orientation panels which are expediently numbered consecutively in each street, in order to reach the destination quickly and safely. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the orientation boards each contain instructions with directional information on the identification numbers of adjacent orientation boards. The indications of the ascending and descending direction of the house numbers of the block of houses or of the whole street or of the entire square, which are preferably attached to each orientation table, once you have reached the right street, quickly find the desired house number.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. 2 shows a block diagram of the elements accommodated in the information stand according to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a front view of the information stand with a section through the built-in Planverteiler, Figure 4 shows a detail of the plan distribution mechanism, Figure 5 in perspective view of a street corner, 6 shows a zone plan together with an enlarged detail of the same, FIG. 7 shows an orientation panel in which two panels are provided with guides for inserting panels for general or local information, FIG. 8 shows a street corner with FIG Orientation panels according to a variant of Figure 5, and Figure 9 is a road sign bearing corner post, which also carries two inventive orientation panels.

Referring to Fig.l to 4, the information stand designated -1- includes a cabinet which has in the upper part -2- on an alphanumeric keyboard -3-, which makes it possible, the target address on a small keyboard arranged over the -3- To write control screen -4- and in case of error by means of a clear key -5- to delete. Next to the keyboard -3- and the control screen -4-, there is provided on the upper part a display screen -6- which shows the city's overall map and is divided in a grid into zones, each of which is assigned a zone code. The lower part -7- of the cabinet has the shape of a desk and is equipped with another keyboard -8- and with some windows -9-.

As can be seen from the block diagram of FIG. 2, the information base -1- contains a central processor -10- which is provided with a read-only memory (ROM) -11-, an access memory (RAM) -12-, the keyboard -3- Diskette -13- and the scheduler -14-

Nr.386904

- 4 is connected. -15- represents the electrical supply.

In the memory -11- both the information processing program and the program for the query of the keyboard -3-, the disk -13- and the plan distributor -14- stored. The access memory -12- holds that data read from the floppy disk and memory area of ​​the processor -10-. The floppy disk -13- is the store for the street directory, ie it contains all streets, squares, avenues, etc. of the city.

The processor -10- processes the information concerning the desired destination and inputted by means of the keyboard -3- and the information supplied by the disk -13-, and issues commands for controlling the scheduler -14- and its keyboard -8-.

The plan distributor according to FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises four so-called bucket circulating units, each of which is driven by two endless chains 16, which are driven by a motor 17 via a gear 18 and which carry a series of cups 19 between them , are formed, with the cups -19- are intended to transport the output plans before window -9-.

In order to obtain the desired information concerning the route to be taken for locating a destination in the city, the processor -10- is supplied with the corresponding information about the address of the destination via the keyboard -3-. The processor -10- analyzes the information and searches it in the disk -13-, extracts it, and reads the index of the zone corresponding to the destination, and lights the corresponding zone on the display screen -6-. Now, if the zone number assigned to the zone to be lighted is entered by means of the -8 key, the scheduler -14- receives from the processor -10- a corresponding signal, by means of which the respective bucket wheel is started, until the cup containing the desired zone plan is started 19- comes to a standstill in front of the window concerned, and then the window is unlocked to allow access to the cup 19-.

Upon receipt of the zone plan containing the desired destination (Fig. 6), together with the plan for localising the zone throughout the city map, can be used not only to identify the reference number of the zone concerned and the identification data relating to the orientation panels of that zone, but also to provide appropriate information concerning the location and direction of the zone sought current location and details of the public transport available to reach the zone. The plan for locating the searched zone in the entire city map is preferably located at the back of the zone plan, where in addition to indications of the incoming public transport can also contain references to shops, public facilities, services, products, etc. of the zone containing the destination , Once the zone in question is reached, the route to the destination is on the hand at each corner of a road intersection or Abzweigung arranged orientation panels -20-, as described in more detail below in connection with Figures 5 and 7 to 9, easily findable.

The orientation panel -20-, shown in detail in Fig. 7, which may be illuminated or unlit, is divided into two panels, the lower panel being provided with two pairs of parallel, transverse and opposed guides -21- so as to provide them Guides plates -22- can be inserted which may carry advertising information of general interest or information relating to the immediate environment. The upper field -23- of the orientation panel -20- is intended for the actual signaling, in this field for example the emblem -30- of the district to which the street belongs, the street name -32-, the number -34- of the house to which the orientation board is fixed, and the ascending and descending directions (-36 and 38-) of the house numbers of the relevant block or the whole street or the whole place is registered. The field -23- also contains the zone code -40- (eg -C60-) of the zone in which the orientation table is located, and one of the orientation plates own number -42-, (eg -P7-), the identification number of the orientation table represents. Adjacent zones are preferably provided with consecutive codes -40-. Each zone can eg a

No. 386904 vertical coordinate (one letter) and one horizontal coordinate (a number). So then the zone -C60- the zone -C59- and also the zone -B60- adjacent. The orientation panels are also provided with consecutive numbers, as can be seen in FIG. The orientation table -20- may also carry information (eg, numbers with arrows) indicating the ascending and descending directions of the identification numbers of the adjacent orientation panels.

8 and 9 show a variant of the orientation panels, they are now on the facade of a building (Figure 8) or like a stand attached to a corner post (Figure 9). These orientation panels are labeled -20'- and comprise two or more

Advertising panels with transverse guides -21'- to accommodate replaceable panels -22 ', 22- carrying general or local information. In the larger field -23 '- there is again the information concerning the location of the relevant orientation table and the adjacent orientation table, which coincides with the information on the map issued by the information stand -1-. This information contains the zone code and the identification number of the orientation sign -20'- (and thus the number of the street corner) as well as indications by means of directional arrows about the ascending and descending direction of the numbers of the other buildings of the respective block or the entire street and references to neighboring orientation signs and, where appropriate, adjacent areas. This makes it possible to always find the next orientation board on the right path until the destination is reached. Under the

Field -23'- of the orientation panel -20'- is a thin metal panel -24- is shown on the road network of the zone with the relevant zone number and an indication of the place where you are located, in addition, comparable to may be added to the list of zones supplied by the information stand -1-, a list of the street names, which may be in the form of a role to facilitate their handling. It may also be provided that this (local) data is a general zoned city map removed to give the user additional help to find the orientation and direction in the hand.

Taking into account that two roads converge on each street corner of an intersection, at least eight orientation signs must be provided at each intersection in order to ensure complete signaling of the route to be taken not only with respect to each block but also with respect to the entirety of each street or road. To ensure every place, which makes it possible to take the correct direction at an intersection, without the slightest doubt, and without obstructing the flow of traffic, in addition to being able to locate the location of the business or public institution whose advertising is on the corresponding orientation tables can be found.

Thus, according to the invention, it is only necessary to enter the name of the desired street at the information stand where it is located, and to check the correct entry, whereupon the destination and the zone code assigned to it are made visible. Now only the read zone number must be entered, whereupon the chart distributor, in particular the described bucket wheel drive, is set in motion and provides the corresponding zone plan together with the plan for locating the relevant zone in the entire city map.

On the basis of these documents, it is easy for the user to find the relevant zone. Once there, the user is easily and safely directed to the destination location using the identification data provided in the zone plan and on the orientation tables -20- located on each street corner.