CA2217869A1 - Automated sign inventory system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for automating maintenance and inventory of roadway signs and structures equips such signs and structures with transponders for electromagnetic communication. Further, the signs and structures have a memory that stores information relating to the signs and structures. An in-vehicle unit is placed in a vehicle and communicates with the transponders in the signs to identify and receive information from the signs. The in-vehicle unit further has memory for storing information relating to each sign. A location module and graphical user interface assist in navigation and identification of signs. After installation, maintenance or evaluation of a sign is complete, the memory in the sign is updated as well as the memory in the in-vehicle unit. A central database stores information relating to all signs.

Description

CA 02217869 1997-lO-09 W O96/35196 PCTnUS96/05826 AUTOMATED SIGN INVENTORY SYSTEM
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to systems for automating m~int~.n~nçe and s inventory of roadway signs and structures.

BacL~r ~und of the Invention The many millions of roadway signs and structures nçc~s.e~ry to keep roadways safe and traffic fiowing present a particular logistical challenge for those 0 responsible for the inet~ tion and ~ I~A;III eOAI~Çe of those signs and structures, such as dcp~ le ~I-oftransportation pc-~onnel. Signs and structures must be plopclly inet~lled in the nçcçe~,..y locations and an inventory of those signs and structures must be ...h;..l~ d for future lcrclcnce. Morcovcr, the signs and structures must be inspected on a periodic basis and ...~ ;..çd when neceee~ry 1S Field w~lkel~ are ~ lcl~çd on a periodic basis to inspect inet~lled signs.
The field wolkcl:i must first delelll..l.e what subset of all inet~ od signs must be inspected. Then, the field wo-kc-:i must locate those large "u,--l)el of signs requiring inspection, assess the condition of those signs and document whclller or not m~inten~nçe is n~cesS~,y. Often when m~inten~n~e is l~çces~h.y, the field workerpclr~ll;lls the necees~y repairs or repl~çP.. ~ ; co.. l~.. po,alleously with the inspeclio and doc~ le such ll~A;Illlol-Al~çe activity. When pe,r~""..ng such .~ n~ e~ it is further desirable to have available for the field w."kc,~ h~rc"""llion associated with each sign, such as inet~ tion date and past I~A~ An~e. Similarly, at a central office, such as a depal l",cnl of transportaion, it is also desirable to have available hlrO. IIIAI iQn 2s associated with in.et~llç(l signs for purposes of recalls or repl~cPm~nt sch~dllling The process of plalll.il,g an approp,iale inspection route for the field worker, ev~ ting the signs, ~eses!~;.-g the inventory of signs and docllm~nting nPcçe~h . y repair work or repair work pe,rc"",ed can be an inefflcient process with many opportunities for error in pape, wo,k and location of signs.
With the ever increasing volume of traffic on roadways, there is a need for more efficient and safer traffic m~n~ mlont The need for local, unidirection~l or bi-direction~l co.. l-iç~ti-~n, involving specific vehicles and specific i~"n~lion, or bc~w~n the roadside and vehicles, has been accomplished by various s~h~mes Some W O96/35196 PCTrUS96/05826 scl~ e include directinn~l ~ntenn~e, s~lected radio frequencies, both contin~QUs and pulsed, and signal encoding. Electronic road signs have been developed for such unidirectic n~l or bi-directional co-l----u-~cation between vehicles and the roadside, such as for in-vehicle signing. An electronic road sign has a surface with printed visual i. .ru. . .~l ;t n for visual communication of desired inform~tiQn, such as toll collection, traffic control illrulllldLion or dangerous con~lition w~lhlg:i. The electronic road sign also has a ll~ ";l llor to electronically transmit h~ro----alion associated with the road sign. In-vehicle signing allows a vehicle on the roadway to electronically receive the h~....alion from the roadside ll; I-~-";llçr and display the i.~....dlion inside the vehicle.
Also, the i~ alion can be commllnic~ted by audio within the vehicle. The ele~;l-onic road sign may also have a receiver to receive i- ru.---alion from the vehicle, such as in toll c-nllecti~n to verify transactions, or from traffic m~n~g~mPnt centers to update the m~s,e~ge i- ro....alion to be delivered to a vehicle.
Electronic road signs are desirable because they erre-,lively co.. ~ ;c~te ;.. ru.. ~lion to vehicles in situations where visibility between the vehicle and the road sign is poor. The electronic road sign can provide recll-nd~nt i.~ndlion to ensure the driver of â vehicle receiv~s the h~llllalion~ For example, German Patent Application DE 41 42 091 A1 to !~iem~ne ~t$~lehit~ Components, filed August 5, 1993, des.; ibes an i~F!ntific~tinn system for recognizing traffic inrolllldlion in vehicles, where an active L ~spollder is placed inside a vehicle and a passive l.~sponder is provided near a traffic sign, such as under the sign and mounted on the same post. What is further desirable is a .t:l.u.~;nective electronic road sign that ~nh~n~es the optical visibility ofthe road sign, further imp.ùvi.-g the c~mmllnication of h~.l.ldlion. Even more desirable is a hlleg aled ~t;l-u-~nective electronic road sign. While a separate ~nt~.nn~ may be placed alongside a road sign, or on the same mounting as a road sign, it is p. ere. able to inle~dle the ~nt~nn~ or receiver with the road sign to prevent sign congestion on the road side, to be able to use ~ p infrastructure to implement the electronic road signs, for ease of inet~ tion, to reduce cost, to prevent tampering, and for safety conei~eratiQns. Such an i..~eg.aled ~e~-u-t;flective electronic road sign is described in c~ mmnnly-~eeigne~1 U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 08/196,294 to Bantli et al.
and entitled "L.leg. aled Retroreflective Electronic Display."

W O 96/35196 PCTnUS96105826 The United States Dep~ln~ l of Defense has deployed a cQnct~Pll~tion of ~igl~lP,~.~ or more s~tpllites into the earth's orbit as the central co.l,polle.lL to the Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS is well known and has many defense and civilian uses.
From the deployed s~tPllitp~s~ any user equipped with applop.iate GPS receivers can s d~ e their position anywhere in the world to within ~ 100 meters. GPS receivers receive high frequency signals broadcast from the s~tellites and from the signals, can c~lY-I~te their location. Error purposely in~uced into the system by the U.S.
Dep~ IlllcllL of Defense limits the accuracy of the GPS for civilian use to ~ 100 meters.
This GPS in~ucecl error varies over time.

~ I-mm~ry ofthe Invention The present automated sign inventory system automates the l,.~ n~l-ce and inventory process of objects such as roadway signs and structures. A mobile processing unit ofthe system stores ;l~llll~Llion about signs to be inct~lled~ evaluated or lS ... A;.~I~;.. ed in a lllCillloly and allows a user to access such inrollllalion as well as input additional inrcllllalion rt;g~d;l,g specific signs. The signs and structures are e4uipped with ele~,Llo...~gnP,tic cnmmllnic~tiQn means such as transponders as well as lll~;llloly to store il~l..lalion relating to the specific sign. The system can identify individual signs through electrom~ netic commlmic~tion with the signs and structures, and can receive il~.. alion from the signs. After in.ct~ tion~ ev~ tion or .. A;.. ~ l-ce of a sign, the oly in the sign can be updated as well. A central d~t~b~ce also stores h.rollllalion elaling to all signs and strucutures.

Brief Des~ ,lion of the Drawings 2s The present invention will be more fully described with reference to the accon~lying dl~wh~gs wh~l~ill like reference numerals identify collt;s~,olld;llgcollll~ollents, and:
~ Figure 1 shows a typical roadway scene;
Figure 2 shows the general components of the inventory system of the present invention;
Figure 3a and 3b are ~PY~mple data field structures for a sign and a structure, respectively;

W O96/35196 PCTrUS9~ 26 Figure 4a and 4b show cross-sectional and rear views of a sign having a Ll~,s~ollder integrated into the sign;
Figure Sa and Sb show cross-sectional and rear views of another embodiment of a sign having a transponder i~lLe~ Led into the sign; .-s Figure 6 is a s( hp-m~tic diagram of a sign having a passive b~rL ~c~ l l ç
type transponder integrated into the sign;
Figure 7 is a sçhPm~tic diag-~-- of a sign having a read/write type L.~sponder integrated into the sign;
Figure 8 is a sr~ ;r diagrarn of an in-vehicle unit;
lo Figures 9a through 9e are cA~--~les of touch screens used to display ..~..naLion and receive inputs from a user when the system is in an "Inventory" mode;
Figures 1 Oa and 1 Ob are examples of touch screens used to display il~rc.. alion and receive inputs from a user when the system is in a "M~intP.n~nr.e" mode;
Figure 11 is an ~,-;....l,lc of a touch screen used to display i.lrc...lalion and receive inputs from a user when the system is in a "Notes" mode; and Figure 12 is an cAalllpl~ of a touch screen used to display ;- ~r~ n and receive inputs from a user when the system is in a "Tnr;~lPnt~l Sign Evaluation" mode.

Detailed Description of a ~ ere- ~ ed Embodiment In the following det~ilecl description ofthe plere--cd embo~limPnt ~er~ ce is made to the acco...p~l~illg drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration of a specific embodiment of which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural r~ ,es may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The system of the present invention is intPntle~ to assist depa- l---t; -l of ll alls~ol L~lion personnel with activity pl~nning, record-k e~; ~-g and da~a entry in the activities of placing signs in the field, ~eeçseing their condition, and ~~>~i. ;. ..J or repl~rin~ them when npcecs~ry~ The system results in an increased efflciency of the inet~ tion and ...~ ..re activity with respect to signage and Ll.elerole can improve the overall safety of the transportation system. The system is not limited to roadway signs and the transportation system, however, and may be used for any number of structures inet~lled by the roadway, such as guard rails, or other structures residing in WO96/35196 PCTnUS96/05826 areas ~cce~ le to mobile units equipped with the inventory system of the presentinvention. Figure 1 shows a typical roadway scene with sign 2 installed beside roadway 4. Other structures are in~t~llp~d by roadway 4, such as guard rail 6 and light pole 8.
Figure 2 shows the general components ofthe i IvenLoly system. Signs 20 and structures 22 are installed next to roadways. Signs 20 and structures 22 are equipped with some means for comm-lnic~ting h~~ alion ele-;L-~ PnP~tic~lly~ such as using radio frequency (RF) energy, as will later be described. In-vehicle units 24 are po~ Ldble mntllllP,s and are equipped with a variety of electronics for c~ jr,~tin~ with signs 20 and structures 22, for rece;v~lg location data from GPS s~tPilhe 28 or from a lo Geographic L~ru.. alion System (GIS), for downloading and receiving data from central office L~..naLion system 26 as well as for procP~s~ing and m~n~ging the i.~....aLion received from the dirre.t;....... L co"~onenLs of the system and the ope dLor ofthe system. In one embodiment, cc,......... ,--:c~tion between in-vehicle unit 24 and signs 20 and structures 22 is bi-directional c~ tion while in another embodiment co.. ~-ic~til~n is s unidirectional, to in-vehicle unit 24 from signs 20 and structures 22.
To improve the Pfifir.i~P.nr,y of locating signs and structures, pe.rh-g inventory on in~t~llp~d signs, and ...~ g those signs and structures, h~-...aLion ~sori~tecl with each sign and structure is programmed into memory in~t~iled in each sign or structure. Figures 3a and 3b show examples of data residing in the data fields of ... ~.. o. j for a sign and a structure, respectively. Preferably, two types of .-~---.aLion are programmed into the Illell~oly of signs and structures, pe~ du-ibuLes and variable attributes. Pc~ alle ~L attributes are attributes that should not change with respect to a sign, and thus the hlr~ dLion relating thereto can be prog.~..-ned during m~mlf~ctllring. For PY~mple in permanent attributes colurnn 30 and 40 ofthe data fields 2s for signs and structures, respectively, i.~.. dLion such as the serial .. u.. ber ofthe sign or structure, where and when the sign was m~mlf~ct~lred and the type of sign can be programmed into memory at the m~mlf~ctllring location. Variable attributes are those attributes that can change, are not known at the time of m~mlf~ctllring or are collected at in~t~ tion sites, and thus the i.~..llalion lelaLi..g thereto is programmed after m~mlfi~ctllring, such as at the in~t~ tion site. In variable attributes column 32 and 42 of the data fields, ;. .r~ ;on such as the authority ~ ,onsil)le for " ,~ p the sign, the location of the sign or structure, the date of in~t~ tic)n~ and the status of the sign may CA 022l7869 l997-lO-09 W O96/35196 PCTrUS96/05826 be programmed into memory. Moreover, after any repairs are made, a ~Y;~ Y~ce record stored in the Illt;llloly of a sign can be updated, thereby providing a history of repairs with the sign or structure for field workers pelrulllfillg future ,..~ ce.
As mentioned above, signs 20 and structures 22 are equipped with some means for co.. ".~ tiQn with in-vehicle unit 24. In one embodiment, a transponder for RF C~A"~ tion can be inety~ d on a separate support near sign 20 or more pl~rt:l~bly on the infrastructure supporting sign 20 or structure 22. In a more pl~relled embo~iim~-nt, however, the Ll~lspollder is hlle~ Led with sign 20 or structure 22 to be able to use ~Yieting infrastructure to support the ele-;l,ol~ic road signs, for ease of lo inetY~llY~tion, to reduce cost, to avoid tampering and for safety considerations. Moreover, it the ll~l~Aollder is integrated with sign 20 during my~mlfy~chlring~ it reduces the probability of error in proglYA,~"";"g at a field site.
Figures 4a and 4b show a cross-sectional view and a rear view, les~ec~ ely, of a sign having a Ll ,llsl)ollder integrated into the sign. T,~ls~ollder 52 is p~t;rt;~bly hidden from the view of drivers of vehicles and passe~by:j as well as ;I~Y~CCÇ~ AIC to vandals. Further, it is pl~rt;l~ble to hl~eg,Yl~e transponder 52 into sign 50 during my~nllf~ctllring rather than during in~tY~llY~tiQn of sign 50. Most road signs illcc,l~AolY~le rellorGnective ~l~ee~ on their front surface to provide improved visibility during the night. A high efflciency plisnlalic l~;llulenective ~hreting has been developed by Minn~sot~ Mining and MY~mlfY~ctllrin~ Conlpany, St. Paul, Mil~llesola, that provides total internal reflection of light rays within a clear dielectric material. The 1 t;l, or~lective g has a first sulAsl Y~ ~ .I ;Ally flat side and a second side with an array of cube-corner clF!mrnt~ thereon. An ~,.Y~...ple of prismatic Ic;~,vrt;nective ~heetin~ is 3M brand Scotchlite~ Reflective Sheeting Diarnond Grade. Another example is desrrihed in 2s commf nly-Y ~igned U.S. Patent No. 4,588,258 to Hoopman issued May 13, 1986.
Because the cube-corner lt;llolt;nective sheeting utilizes a dielectric material, it may be used as ,~L,u,t:nective ~heetinp~ 54 of sign 50 because it may be p!aced in front of transponder 52 without inhibiting the ll ,.. .~ ;Qn of its radio signals.
Racl~ing 56 of sign 50 is typically a metal substrate such as an ~l~lmimlm subsL,~Ie. A recess may be stamped into b~rl~ing 56 at a prede~ e~l, standard loc~tion for each sign for ho~-sin~ ~,~lspollder 52. During m~mlf~r.tllring, L"~ ol1der 52, after being programmed with the pe""dlle"~ attributes of sign 50, may be placed into W O96/35196 PCTnUS96/05826 the recess of bacl~ing 56 and sealed into the recess with an adhesive or epoxy. The sealing can further be pelrolllled, if desired, such that transponder 52 cannot be easily removed from sign 50.
- Other types of rellorenective sheeting are more commonly used with s roadway signs, such as enclosed lens reLlolènective ~h~ p and encapsulated lens type ~t;Llvr~nective sheeting Enclosed lens rellult:nective sh~eting employs a monolayer of microspheres, typically glass beads, embedded in a binder layer with a tl~l~c;llL cover film. Underlying and spaced from the binder layer is a subsl~ ;Ally contin~o~c reflective co~tin~ The continuous reflective coating is prc;rt;l~bly vapor deposited ~ min~m The 0 sù~s~ lly continuous reflective metal coating, however, acts as a con~ ctive plane and Lllelt;rolt; renders any RF comm~n~ ti~ n means placed behind it inPffective for cvlllllllll~;s~tion Similarly, an encapsulated lens type of leLlulenective cheeting, such as 3M brand ScotchliteTM Reflective ~h~etin~ High Intensity Grade, m~n--f~ct--red by Mil~nesvL~ Mining and M~n~f~r~ ring COlllp~ly, can render any RF comm--nir,s~tion means placed behind it ineffective for co.. ~ C~tion. An eluap~ulated lens type of r~;llolenective !~l.eel;.~, has a monolayer of microspheres, such as glass beads, partially çmbedded in a support layer of binder m~tçri~l A subst~nti~lly h~ ~h~. ical reflective coating underlies and is in optical co.~ l ;on with the embedded surface of eachmicrosphere. The reflective coating is preferably vapor deposited ~l~-min-lm Gaps exist beLwt;ell each s~b~ lly hemispherical reflective coating of each microsphere, thereby forming a disco.~ o~lc vapor coat layer. The microspheres may be encapsulated and hermetis~lly sealed in pockets. Examples of such 1 t;Llvl t;nective cheetinp~ are described in co.. nly-~cci~ed U.S. Patent No. 3,190,178 to McK~n7ie issued June 22, 1965,and U.S. Patent No. 4,664,966 to Bailey et al. issued May 12, 1987.
2s Figures Sa and Sb show a cross-sectional view and a rear view, I ~ec~ ely, of a sign having transponder 62 integrated into sign 60, sign 60 having an enclosed lens or encapsulated lens type of l ~;ll vl ~nective .~ e~ g 64. Similar to sign 50 ~ shown in Figures 4a and 4b, sign 60 has backing 66, preferably an ~1---.. ;.. ~-- substrate, having a recess in a predet~rmin~d, standard location for housing transponder 62. As described above, the vapor coat layer of lc~Llul~;llective sheeting 64 inhibits the Lln.~....c:~;Qn of radio signals from transponder 62. Therefore, an RF window isprovided for ~ ~vl1der 62. In one embodiment, an RF window is created by cutting W O96/3S196 PCTrUS96/05826 out a portion of ~ G~ Gnective ~heeting 64 to form a window. An equally sized and in color piece of prismatic, Gl, ol Gflective chf-eting made of a dielectric material is placed over the window, thereby providing a fully ,Gl,o-Gnective surface and having an RF window for transponder 62. While two embo-l;...~.-l e of i"leg,~ed ,GLIu,enective signs have been described, other signs having electromz-gnetic commllnir,~tion capabilities, such as des~"il,ed in the aforementioned Bantli et al. application entitled "Integrated Retroreflective Electronic Display" are contçmrl~te~l for use with the present system.
Figure 6 is a S~ ;c diagram of a sign having a transponder that can be used with the system of the present invention. Sign 70 has ,GlrolGnective sheeting 72 provided on its front face in a manner similar to Figures 4a or Sa. Transponder 74 is a passive, b~cl ~c*llç~ transponder. Passive l,~lspollders only allow for storage of inrc"~llalion in mGIlloly 80. The inro~",alion stored in memory 80 can be read at a later time but Illellloly 80 cannot be programmed at a later time. Memory 80 of transponder S 74 is p,ere,~ly an rlectrir~lly erasable prog,~,.l,lable read-only Ill~;lllOly (EEPROM~
pro~llllled at the m~mlf~ctllrer of the sign, the progl~ll.lled ;. . r.J. . .~1 ion being similar to the aforedescribed pe~ libules. Transponder 74 has an ~ntrnn~ for RF
comml-nic~tion with another ~ntenn~ such as an ~ntenn~ used with in-vehicle reader 82, as will later be clesrriheli Antenna 76 is plerel~ly a microstrip patch ~ntrnn~ or a wire-coil ~ntrnn~ ~ltho~lgh many types of ~ntP.nn~c may be used. Passive, b~r1~cc~ttrr type s~ollders do not require a power source. Tnctr~(l such Ll~ls~onders are el~GI~Gdby hlcolllillg RF energy. Once energized, ~ntrnn~ 76 receivGs the RF energy and radiofrequency ele-,llollics 78 gellGIdLe a DC voltage from the il-co...;..~ allGlllaLillg signal. Radiofrequency electronics 78 then amplitude modulate the incomin~ signal with the binary h~r~,llllaLion stored in IllGlllvly 80, thereby providing in-vehicle reader 82 with the desired i,lfu....~l;on Figure 7 is a srhrm~tic diagram of a sign having another transponder that can be used with the system of the present invention. Sign 90 has rGL, Ol Gnective .cl.rel;.~ 92 provided on its front face in a manner similar to Figures 4a or 5a.
T,~,spollder 94 is an active, read/write l~ls~ollder~ thereby allowing progl~ g of IlWmOly 100 at both the time of m~mlf~ctllrin~ as well as at a later time, such as after sign 90 has been installed. Thus, transponder 92 allows storage of both pe~ enl and W O96/35196 PCTAUS96~05826 variable attributes. Because transponder 94 is an active transponder, it requires power source 104, such as a battery, to provide power to radiofrequency electronics 98 and signal procçeeinP; electronics 102 and ~ the memory. To ".;..;.~;,e power - co~ or.Lion, signal proceeein~ ele~ , cs 102 can be pro~ ed not to l,~"l"i~ until RF energy above a certain threshold is received by ~nt~nn~ 96, such as would be received from an in-vehicle reader. Further, transponder 92 can shut itself off after a predeLe""ined period of no tr~nemie~ion Similar to the ~ntrnn~ of transponder 74, ~ntenn~ 96 may be any of a u~ er of suitable ~nt~.nn~e, such as microstrip patch s~ntPnn~e or wire coil 5~ntrnn~e 0 Memory 100 l~rere-~bly includes both an EEPROM for storage of pe l-lanen~ aL~-il,ukis as well as a volatile lll~lllOIy, such as a random access memory (RAM) for storage of variable a~ es. The RAM ~, t;rt;, ~bly has a lithium backup battery in case of power loss from power source 104. Signal procçeein~ electronics 102 makes logic decisions based on instructions co~ ed in the received signal and executes the ~ ...;e~;onprotocol. Moreover, it rc"",a~s the mess~e into a digital bit stream to be ~ e~l, the ft~rm~tted m~ee~,~e sent to the ~,a"5",i~ circuit of radiofrequency electronics 98.
Signal procçsein~ electronics 102 may include a receiver decoder for decoding the digital signal into a binary bit stream, a protocol logic unit for decoding the protocols and may also include ele ,L~ Ol)ICS monitoring the status of power source 104.
Radiofrequency electronics includes those colllpone:llLs well known in the art such as modulation and demod~ tion circuits for converting signals between digital and analog rc"".a~, a field strength detector, a receive detector, and a decoder for receiving signals and a L,~,s",iL oscillator/modulator and a Ll~lls",iL power ~mrtifirr for L,~ P the modulated RF voltage to ~nt~nn~ 96.
Figure 8 is a sr~ ;r, diagram of in-vehicle unit 110, plerel~bly inet~lled in a vehicle as shown in Figure 2. The core rl~mrnte of in-vehicle unit 110, which is a portable module for data processing and electr ~m~Enetic cc,.. ic~tion, are - a comput~r system which has data regarding signs to be placed, evaluated or ~ ed as well as a user interface which allows pel ~ol~nel using the system to read and input i,~"naLion about the signs, and a commlmic~tions module that can identify individual signs from a moving vehicle. The computer system inrllldes central processing unit (CPU) and soQw u~ 1 16 and internal ",~;",o,~ 118 co~ of read-only memory W O96/35196 PCTrUS96/05826 (ROM) and RAM. The CPU and and related soLlwal e 116 read the inputs from various ports and devices and process the inputs according to the sper.ificAtions ofthe system.
The c~ icAtions module inrllldes ~ntPnnA 112 and RF electronics 114. Antenna 112 p,erG,ably is a microstrip ~ntçnn~ that can be adhered to the win-lshipl~ of a vehicle.
~ . "A I ;vGly, ~ntçnnA 112 can be h~co",~ ed into the in-vehicle unit and the entire unit can be placed onto the vehicle da~hboald. RF electronics 114 include mocllllAtion and demo~ AtiQn circuits for converting signals between digital and analog formats. Power supply 120 provides power for both the computer system and the c~ icAtiQnS
mo~llllç Battery backup 140 provides power to the system in the event that powersupply 120 fails.
In a prGr~..Gd embodiment, in-vehicle unit 110 inr1~ldçs additional COIIII~OnGIIl~. User display 122, such as a computer monitor or an LCD display provides images and hlru...l~ion to the user. Input device 124, such as a keyboard or mouse and pointer, is used by the depal lnlellL of llall~Ol L~lion personnel to request desired i IrullllaLion and input other co.. ~ s In a plerGlled embodiment, user display 122 and input device 124 are colll~ ed in a single unit, as a touch screen with a ~;laphical user interface. An ~A~llple of such a unit and its operation will later be descl;l,ed.
Further, audible signal module 126 can provide audible signals to the user in sihl~tionQ
where the user's ~ttçntion is ~ ùilGd, such as when a desired sign is appro~rhing Further, lGlllo~able Ill~llloly 128, such as a ~liQl~Ptte or a smart card, allows related h~lll~l;on to be stored and modified in a single memory unit that can be inserted when needed and removed and stored at a central office when not needed. Further, voice input module 130 allows the user, typically who is driving a vehicle, to input voice co~ tle rather than manual input of co...."A ll~C Printer port 138 allows co~-l-e~,l;on ofthe in-vehicle unit 100 to a printer to provide hard copies of ;.. rUl.. i.~;nn Location module 136 may be a GPS module that CG-~ leS the in-vehide unit's location. A GPS module receive a GPS signal from the GPS sAtPllites and processes the signal to determine various navigational data regarding the vehicle, such as the vehicle's position, heA.~ling and velocity. Thus, location module 136 further can cc,lldale the in-vehide unit 110 location to hlrc,llll~lion legalding sign locations stored in the cûlllpuler system's AAtAhAee Location module 136 can utilize other well known terhnnlogies instead ofthe GPS system. ~.YAmples ofthese include location beacons that broadcast specific locations to a small-radius area through which the controlled vehide passes, Loran C, a ground based system similar to GPS, or dead rer~oning R~fl~ o~ ler port 132 allows unit 110 to receive h~.l,lalion from a reflectometer, thereby allowing the unit to make delel-..;~ ;on~ on the con-lition ofthe lellulènective :~l.e~ .g on the signs. Commllni~tiQn port 134 allows the uploading and downloading of illrullllalion from a central ~t~b~ee, such as from a d~t~h~e residing at a central offlce.
The above-described components preferably interact in the following manner. A central d~t~b~e resides in a central office hlrullllalion system and has stored in it il~lllldlion relating to signs, in~ ling their location and an identific-~tiQn code or serial number for each sign in the inventory. A depa-rtment of Llall~oll~lion worker is tasked with driving past a llulllber of pred~lelll~ êd signs, such as all signs on a ~ ecte~l nullll)el of roads, visually ins~,e~;ling them for readability and elllelillg an evaluation into the computer system residing in the in-vehicle unit. Before leaving the central office, h~llllalion is ll~l~r~ d from the central d~t~h~e to the in-vehicle unit through the unit's communication port. Additionally, routing hlrullllalion may be in~ lded as a portion of the data ll~l~rt;llc;d to the in-vehicle unit to provide navi~tion~ ce to the worker through the evaluation session. If the in-vehicle unit incl~des a GPS module, the module contimlQusly computes the relative vehicle location with respect to the target signs. The module and associated sonwal e can alert the worker when a sign is appro~chin~, through a graphical display or an audible signal or both. After ~t;liryiilg a sign's co..le~ and visually ev~ln~ting a sign, the worker can input an eV~ tion ofthe sign. Further, other evaluations of the sign are stored to memory, the evalll~tion~ made or l~ceived by other modules such as the hlrc~llllalion lt;laLillg to the lellvrenectivity of the sign received from the r~fle~ilo~ el . The identific~tion number ~sori~ted with a sign and the input a~çs~m~nt of the condition of the sign is stored in the in-vehicle unit's Ill~.llUly for later uploading to the central ~1~t~b~ee at the central office.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the signs and structures do not contain any c~ ication means to comml-nic~te with the in-vehicle unit. In such an embodim~-nt~ the in-vehicle unit plt:rt;l~bly colllahls hlrullll~ion relating to the location of each sign and structure and the type of sign or structure. This illrollllalion is recorded in a central ~1~t~h~e which is updated when new signs or structures are W 096/3S196 -12- PCTrUS96/05826 installed The in-vehicle unit preferably contains routing illro-m~lion for guiding a worker through a path, and even more plerel~bly collL~ills a GPS module for computing the relative vehicle locations with respect to the target signs and alerting the worker when signs are approachinp In another embodiment of the present invention, signs and structures are equi~ped with ll~ls~ollders similar to the transponder shown in Figure 6. Because these onders are passive and cannot be progr~mm~-l, a central dat~b~ee conl~ls the same pel",dllelll i,lro."lalion as the signs and is the only source of i,~"nalion ,egardillg the variable attributes ofthe signs. Therc~rol~, before the in-vehicle unit is deployed, both the pc""al,elll and the variable h~llllalion is uploaded from the central database to the in-vehicle unit. Once deployed, the in-vehicle unit interrogates a sign and reads the pel,lla-lt;"l h~",lalion from the sign. The in-vehicle unit se~cl,es the llploaded data from the central dat~baee and i-l~ntifiee the sign and di~pla~ the variable i,lr~llnalion.
The worker then can p~;,r",ll the ev~ qtion and input the ~e~ç~ .l Similarly, when a sign is inet~ d or repailed, the worker inputs the variable hlro".. ~l;on, such as location and date of inet~ tion or type of .~ n~ce pelr~,lllled, into the in-vehicle unitmemory which is later downloaded to the central ~l~tab~ee In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a ~ ollder similar to the Ll~,~ollder shown in Figure 7 is inet~lled in signs and structures. As desc,il,ed above, these transponders are read/write transponders, allowing storage of both p~- ",~ and v~iable attributes. A central d~t~b~ee in a central office may still, both the pel,llal~l,L and variable a~l~ibuLes In such a eit~tion~ however, the~l~t~haee content is dllplic~tive of the illrollll~lion stored in the signs. In such a system, when a worker pe,rv""s evaluation tasks, it is not r~c~es~ry to upload the clurlic~ted h~~ AI ;on Only a limited amount of data, such as routing i"r~""~lion or other work instruction, need be uplo~ded to the in-vehicle unit from the central ~t~h~ee When approa~.hing a sign, the in-vehicle unit interrogates the sign, which responds by ill;,-g both pe~ .?nt and variable information to the unit. After inet~ tion~
ev~h-atic)n or m~intPn~n~.e ofthe sign or structure, the in-vehicle unit programs the sign with the necçs~ y new variable data and the same data may later be downlo~ded toupdate the central ~l~t~h~se The central office i,~",ldlion system then can perform a W O96/35196 -13- PCTnUS96/05826 number offunctions, such as update work logs, fin~nri~l hlro,llla~ion, and sign inventories, and calculate projected work such as repl~c~m~nt schedules.
As described above, in a pl erel 1 t;d embodiment of the in-vehicle unit, the - user interface and input device are colllbilled in a single touch screen device, wherein a s screen displays h~l.,.a~ion to the user and allows the user to input co.. An-lc by touching an area of the screen having an icon infliç~ting the desired co~ nfl Figures 9a through 9e show CA~tlll~JIC screens of the user interface used in such a p,er~lled embodiment when p-lrullning an inventory function. Figure 9a shows an inventory screen which graphically shows the next three signs the vehicle carrying the in-vehicle lo unit will encounter, namely, signs 152, 154, and 156. The screen also shows the r~es to each sign from the vehicle's current position. The current ~1ict~nres are "500", "515", and "540", the llullll~el~ declc:ashlg as the vehicle moves toward the signs.
~o. .,f~ l line 158 shows an abstract one-dimensional map ofthe vehicle's route, with signs e.luipped with a read/write or passive, b~ç~cc~tter type of ~ n~l,ollder, or "smart"
Ll~ls~ollders~ intlir,~ted by striped lines, such as signs 152, 154 and 156, and signs not equipped with any transponder indicated with a shorter solid line, such as sign 160.
eclil-g roads 162 and 164 can also be shown on the map. For such a display, the in-vehicle unit must have a GPS module or other GIS module to provide the location h~l ~-lalion and the central d~t~b~ce must include hlrullllalion of sign locations and road locations. The top row of icons allows the user to select among various screens by to~çhin~ the screen where the icon is displayed. Icon 166 selects the "Inventory"
screen, which is ~iullel-lly sele~,le~l, as inrlic~ted by the thicker black box surrounding icon 166. Icon 168 selects the "~ ç~n-~e" screen and icon 170 selects the "Notes"
screen. A"Help" icon 172 may also be provided.
Figure 9b is an cA~ le of the "Illvt;lllo~y" screen when the vehicle e~luipped with the in-vehicle unit is within a predt:L~lll..lled flict~n~ e from the next sign to be ev~ ted The predt;Lelll...led rlict~n~e is chosen such that the evaluator of the sign can adequately prepare to evaluate the sign. At this point, an audible signal may also be emitted from the in-vehicle unit. When a driver only needs to pe-r~--.l a visual incpectiQn to inflic~te whether the state of the sign is acceptable, the driver can choose from two icons. Icon 180, having a check mark graphic, inflic~tes that the condition of the sign appears acceptable to the driver. Icon 182, having a thumbs-down graphic, CA 022l7869 l997-lO-09 W O96/35196 -14- PCTrUS96/05826 inrlir,?~teS that the condition of the sign appears lln~cceptable to the driver. A third icon 184 recalls a sub-screen of h~l-l.aLion details on the subject sign. As seen in Figure 9b, the touch screen of the present system allows the driver to verify the sign's contents and evaluate the condition of the sign while driving, the ev~ tion input simply by using s easily readable touch-sensitive menus on the screen. This allows effirif-nt sign ev~ tion, as it obviates the need to stop the vehicle in most .,;I~ r.es and el;...;.~fes error-prone papelwf..h.
Figure 9c shows an alternative Ir,ve.l~o.y screen, in which the locations of the vehicle and signs are displayed in two-flim~nc i~nal space. Similar to the Inventory lo screen of Figure 9a, the next three signs are displayed graphically and the flic~t~nce ofthe vehicle to those signs is also displayed. Additional h~rolllla~ion, such as intel~e~Lillg roads, could also be provided.
Figure 9d shows the Inventory screen shown in Figure 9c when the vehicle has approached to within sufficient plu~inli~y to the next sign to allow the driver to pc; rullll an evaluation. Basic h r~ ;on 190 can be displayed, such as the serial nu~ el of the sign and the sign's date of inc t~ tiQn. More det~ile(l ;. .ru., .~i ;on can be ~ccessed by tollrhin~ i. ro~,laLion icon 192.
Figure 9e shows an ~ ,le of an Inventory screen for an in-vehicle unit that is not e4ui~)ped with a GPS module. Such a system will not have il~....aLion .~-li-lg a vehicle's location until the vehicle ~incoullLt;l:i a sign of known location having a read/write transponder or other pro~cu,ll"able co.. ~ l;on means. The display for the driver cannot contain il~rOI Illa~ion about the location of the vehicle or the fli~;l;.nre from the vehicle to the next sign. The screen can, however, list the signs in some geographically ordered manner, with ~ CeS from known locations or relative 2s ~ res Moreuvel, while the relative rlic t~nr~ec from the vehicle to signs could not be ~li~la~ed, a map showhlg the location of each sign could be displayed (not shown). The inventory task could still be pf ,ru""ed in a non-stop manner and the system could verify sign location and identity when it encountered a sign having a read/write Ll~lspollder.
Figures lOa and lOb show example screens when the system is in a "M~ I-ce'' mode. Figure lOa shows a geographic area, "Nol Lllwe~L Quadrant", anda set of signs that need m~intf n~nr,e work. After ~f lectins~ an item from the list of signs, additional det~ilecl i,~lmàLion is displayed in box 200 to provide ~lid~nce to the user of W O96/35196 -15- PCTrUS96/05826 the ~-ececc, ,y ~ .lR~ ce After completing m~intRn~nce or inct~lling a new sign, the user can press the check icon to indicate colllpletion of the task and the system verifies it by Cigl~ the sign and rhPr~ing the response ofthe ~ntPnn~ If more hlrollllaLion is desired, the user can press the "i" button to request more h~llllalion. Figure 10b is an ~ e of some types of h~llllalion that could be provided on an h~llllaLion screen.
The system of the present invention provides fiexible user control over the user's activities and their seq--çnce. For example, Figure 11 illustrates a citu~tion where some anomalous con~ition is noted as the driver is pelrollllillg srhP~ lP,d inventory or ...~ ç~ -r,e activities. The driver presses the "Notes" icon 170 to request a variety of c~ nrlitionc The user can press an icon neYt to the condition description 208 either in the high priority column 210, having an ex~l~m~tion point "!" or the low priority column 212. If the condition does not exist as a prePyicting condition on the list, the user can press "Other" and enter the specific contlition The system makes a record of the location and the type of problem and the report of such conditions is 1S downloaded to the central d~t~b~ce for later procçscin~ Similarly, Figure 12 shows a screen a driver can recall if the driver's plhll&ly task is so~ g other than inventory.
Similar to the anomaly report illustrated in Figure 11, the driver can pelr~ an cr;he~l.-led evaluation that is later downlo~ded to the central tl~t~h~ce-~lthough a pl~;rtlled embodiment has been illustrated and described for the present invention, it will be apprecialed by those of ol.lhl~y skill in the art that any method or app~ s which is c~lc~ ted to achieve this same purpose may be su~ uled for the specific configurations and steps shown. This application is int~nrlerl to cover any adaptations or variations ofthe present invention. Thelt;rolt;, it is n;r~"ly int~nrled that this invention be limited only by the appended claims and the 2s equivalents thereo~

Claims (17)

CLAIMS:

1. A system for maintaining inventory control of a plurality of signs, said system comprising:
a plurality of electronic means, each associated with one of said plurality of signs, each electronic means for providing electromagnetic communication and for storing information relating to the associated one of said signs;
a central database for providing an inventory record of said plurality of signs, said inventory record including said information relating to each of said plurality of signs;
a portable module, comprising:
means for communicating with said plurality of electronic means;

means for obtaining and inputting evaluation or assessment information regarding at least one of said plurality of signs;
means for communicating said evaluation or assessment information to said central database, such that the inventory record of said plurality of signs is maintained.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a location module for determining the location of said portable module.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said location module utilizes the Global Positioning System.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein said location module utilizes a geographic information system.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said electronic means comprises a programmable read only memory for storing permanent information.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said electronic means comprises a random access memory for storing variable information.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said electronic means is integrated with each associated sign.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said electronic means comprises a microstrip patch antenna.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of said electronic means comprises a passive, backscatter type antenna.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for obtaining and inputting evaluation or assessment information comprises a display.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for obtaining and inputting evaluation or assessment information further comprises an input device.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for obtaining and inputting evaluation or assessment information comprises a touch screen for displaying information and for receiving inputs from a user.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for obtaining and inputting evaluation or assessment information provides audible signals to a user.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein said portable module further includes a removable memory.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein said signs have retroreflective sheeting and wherein said system further comprises a reflectometer for determining the condition of said retroreflective sheeting.

16. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing routing information to a user.

17. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing relative location of said portable module with respect to said signs.