WO2002068912A1

WO2002068912A1 - System for measuring and reporting events along a route

Info

Publication number: WO2002068912A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/000647
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Lepert; Maurice Leroy
Original assignee: Laboratoire Central Des Ponts Et Chaussees
Priority date: 2001-02-23
Filing date: 2002-02-21
Publication date: 2002-09-06
Also published as: EP1362222A1; FR2821423A1; FR2821423B1; WO2002068912A8

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for measuring and/or reporting events along a route, comprising information technology means (20) known as first means, means (14-17) for measuring and/or capturing events, known as second means, means (22) of communication between the second and first means, and means (10,14,26) for synchronous transmission of information, which is synchronized with distance information along the route, to said second means.

Description

System and method for measuring and recording events along a route

TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART The invention relates to the field of measurement systems, in particular of the type making it possible to enter information, along a route, in relation to a datum of distance or datum of geographic positioning or location.

The invention applies in particular to the study of civil engineering works, such as roadways or roads, motorways or paths and more generally to the study of any infrastructure for transporting people, and / or goods and / or energy.

There are measuring devices, also called multifunction road monitoring devices, which are moved along the course to be studied.

Such a multifunctional road monitoring device consists of a supervisor and several subsystems. The supervisor and its various subsystems each have their own central unit, with acquisition and preprocessing software, and each subsystem exchanges with the supervisor.

Examples of such devices are given in documents US-5,721,685, US-5,517,413, US-4,700,223, US-5,075,772 and EP-189,621.

These devices present two types of problems: - one cannot remove or add one or more functions to this type of device without intervening on the supervisor's software; in other words, these devices cannot be reconfigured at will, in a simple way, to adapt both to the various studies that a laboratory must do and to allow it to better manage the use of its equipment (functions measurement);

- It is even more difficult to add a function developed after the device without retouching the supervisor of it more or less deeply; this greatly limits the scalability of these devices, and therefore reduces their lifespan. According to another aspect, the existing devices have a very great diversity of design. This diversity does not facilitate the mobility of operators from one device to another, since the reflexes for the same operation (start or stop of measurement, identification of events, etc.) must be modified with each change. It also does not promote the rationalization of the design, production and maintenance processes of the devices.

Finally, another problem is that of the synchronization of the various subsystems and of the supervisor. There is no system to ensure good synchronization of all these elements with respect to the movement along the course to be studied.

Statement of the invention

The invention firstly relates to a measurement system comprising: - computer means, called first means,

- means for measuring and / or capturing events, known as second means,

- means of communication between the second means and the first means, - means for synchronously transmitting to the second means information synchronized with distance information.

Thus, information, synchronized with distance information, is transmitted synchronously to all the measuring and / or event recording devices.

According to one embodiment, the means for transmitting information synchronized with distance information comprise an analog link for sending said synchronized information to the second means. The distance information therefore does not use a computer network type link, which avoids poor synchronization of the second means.

The means for transmitting information synchronized with distance information comprise, for example, distance sensor means. Switching means, controlled by the first means, can make it possible to select a state of transmission or non-transmission, to the second means, of said synchronized information.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a measurement system comprising:

- IT resources, called first resources,

- means for measuring and / or capturing events, called second means, - means of communication between the second means and the first means,

- Means for, or specially programmed to, allow the first means to identify, among the second means, which are present or under voltage, and to assign to each of these a communication address or identification.

Thus, each configuration of the second means can be identified by the first means, and the second means which are present or energized in each configuration can dialogue or be in communication with the first means. Each configuration can therefore be selected by an operator, without requiring the intervention of an operator to modify the first means.

According to one embodiment, the first means comprise means for, or specially programmed for, receiving from each of the second means present or energized, a request for allocation of address or of a communication identification.

According to another embodiment, the first means include means for, or specially programmed for:

- send an instruction to each of the second means, - receive, in response to said instruction, a response from each of the second means present and energized,

- assign to each of the second means present and energized, an address or a communication identification.

Preferably, the system includes means for, or specially programmed to, allow an operator to select one or more second means (s), among the second means present or energized.

Thus an operator can choose, from a plurality of means, those which he will need for a given measurement session. The first means preferably include means for constituting a display dependent on all of the second means selected or means for, or programmed to receive, from each of the second means selected, information or instructions or software means for constituting a corresponding screen or display page.

Thus is constituted a display screen which collects the data specific to the second means selected.

The invention also relates to a computerized device for managing or supervising measurement and / or recording of events along a route comprising:

- means of connection to a communication network;

means for, or specially programmed for, making it possible to identify, among second means for measuring and / or capturing events, which are present or under voltage, and for assigning each of these an address or an identification Communication.

The invention also relates to a device for measuring and / or recording events along a route comprising:

- means of connection to a communication network, - means for, or specially programmed for, transmitting to a computer system presence or power-up data, or for sending to a computer system a request for allocation of a communication address or identification. The invention also relates to a computerized method for managing or supervising measurement and / or recording of events along a route, or a method for operating a computer device for such management or supervision, comprising:

- establish a connection of one, or said, computer device to a communication network, - identify, among second means for measuring and / or capturing events, which are present or under voltage, and assign to each of these a communication address or identification, with a view to communication by said network. The invention also relates to a method for measuring and / or recording events along a route using measurement and / or event capture means, or a method for operating measurement and / or for entering events, comprising:

- establish a connection of the measurement and / or event capture means to a communication network,

- transmit to a computer system presence or power-up data, or send to a computer system, via said network, a request for allocation of an address or of a communication identification.

The invention also relates to a method for measuring and / or recording events along a route comprising:

- the displacement, along said route, of a system as described above, - the measurement reading and / or the recording of events using the measurement and / or event recording means,

- the transmission, synchronously, to the measurement and / or event capture means, of information synchronized with distance information along the route. According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method for measuring and / or recording events along a route comprising:

- the displacement, along the route, of means for measuring and / or capturing events, - the transmission, to said means, of a signal or of information synchronized with distance information along the route.

Finally, the subject of the invention is also a method of producing or configuring a measuring device and / or recording of events along a route comprising: the selection of at least one means for measuring and / or capturing events from a plurality of means for measuring and / or capturing events,

- the identification, in IT means, of the selected means or means,

- the allocation, by IT means, of a communication address or identification to each of said selected means.

Brief description of the figures

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear better in the light of the description which follows. This description relates to the exemplary embodiments, given by way of explanation and without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents an exemplary embodiment of a measurement system according to the invention,

FIGS. 2A and 2B represent the structure of a supervisor device according to the invention, FIG. 3 represents the structure of a subsystem according to the invention,

FIG. 4 represents phases of a measurement session with a device according to the invention,

FIG. 5 represents the principle of a time-distance conversion within the framework of a measurement session according to the invention,

- Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention A general diagram of a device or a system according to the invention is given in FIG. 1.

In this figure, the reference 10 designates means for locating distance (or for producing a signal representative of the distance) along a road. It is also possible to use means for produce a signal synchronized with the distance or with the distance signal.

The term road covers any route along all types of works, in particular civil engineering works, such as roadways or roads, motorways or paths and more generally such as any infrastructure for transporting people, and / or goods and / or energy.

Means 12 allow an operator to identify certain particular points when the system passes to the right of these points, for example by clicking or pressing a button. These means therefore make it possible to carry out an entry of so-called “basic” events.

Physical measurements can be carried out, using measurement or measurement input means 15, 17, for example ultrasonic and / or microwave sensors and / or using means such as accelerometers and / or strain gauges and / or such as any combination of physical magnitude sensors and / or as described in the patent application in France 99 15954 of December 17, 1999.

Furthermore, means 14, 16 for entering events make it possible to make entries of additional events, for example at regular time or distance intervals. These are, for example, means or devices for taking pictures of pavements or of an environment, such as on-board video cameras.

Optionally, means 18 make it possible to implement a “X, Y localization” function. This makes it possible to complete the curvilinear abscissa with information on the geographical position of the events. It is thus possible to position events on a map and, under certain conditions, to simplify the entry procedure.

These means 18 comprise for example means of the “GPS” type coupled to a self-esteem sensor.

The assembly also includes means 20 which manage or coordinate or supervise the assembly. We can call these means “supervisors” in the following. They preferably include an on-board computer, with keyboard and screen. The system according to the embodiment described above therefore comprises: . a supervisor 20,

. a distance encoder means 10.

And it may further comprise: one or more subsystem (s) 14, 16 for entering events;

. and / or one or more physical measurement subsystem 15, 17;

. and / or a localization subsystem 18. The supervisor is connected to the various subsystems by a communication network 22 (for example an Ethernet network), and also receives the information coming from the means 12.

The locating means 10 produce and send locating signals or pulses, not by the network 22, but along an analog line 24. Thus, each signal or pulse arrives in synchronization with the different subsystems. The line 24 also includes switching means 26 controlled by the supervisor 20.

The supervisor presents for example a configuration such as that illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in which the reference 30 designates a microprocessor, and the references 31 and 32 of the sets of RAM and ROM memories (for data storage). Program instructions can be stored in another ROM memory 33. These various elements are connected to a bus 34. Peripheral devices (screen or display device 35, mouse 36, keyboard 38) allow, during a measurement session, to provide a user or operator with visual indications relating to each of the subsystems used and present him with a screen configured according to the subsystems he has selected. The screen can for example be a touch screen and / or a head-up display.

The supervisor is connected by the computer network link 22, via the connection means 23, to the various subsystems.

In the supervisor are loaded the data or instructions or programs for implementing the management of a measurement sequence according to the invention.

These data or instructions or programs can be transferred to a memory area of the supervisor from a floppy disk 37 or any other medium that can be read by a micro- computer or a computer (for example: hard disk, ROM read-only memory, DRAM dynamic random access memory or any other type of RAM memory, compact optical disk, magnetic or optical storage element). In FIGS. 2A and 2B the link 24, the switch 26 and the means 10 are not shown.

This configuration can be completed with other embodiments of the means 14, 16 for the "event capture" function. Thus, if the basic implementation of this function (by means 12) is the supervisor's keyboard 38, or its “touch” screen, it can be supplemented, for example, by means 14, 16 such as a box for buttons or by a voice recognition system.

Each of the various means 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 preferably comprises a processor, which allows it to be autonomous during the execution of the measurement, while dialoguing with the supervisor.

A subsystem presents for example the structure of the figure

3: the reference 40 designates a microprocessor, and the references 41 and 42 of the sets of RAM and ROM memories (for data storage).

Program instructions can be stored in another ROM memory 43. These various elements are connected to a bus 44.

The subsystem is connected by the network link 22 (via the connection means 45) to the other subsystems and to the supervisor 20.

In the subsystem are loaded the data or instructions or programs for implementing the execution of the data acquisition during a measurement session.

These data or instructions or programs can be transferred to a memory area of the subsystem from a floppy disk or any other medium which can be read by a microcomputer or a computer (for example: hard disk, ROM read-only memory, dynamic random access memory DRAM or any other type of RAM memory, compact optical disk, magnetic or optical storage element).

The instructions of the execution software of the subsystem are for example housed in memory 43, these instructions being loaded by the microprocessor during the powering up of the subsystem. Instructions are also stored in the subsystem which make it possible to develop, in the supervisor 20, a screen page, or information to be displayed on the supervisor's screen, corresponding to this subsystem. This allows not to freeze the design of the assembly by a predetermined programming of the supervisor, but to provide the latter with the necessary information according to the design desired by an operator for such a sequence or measurement session. In Figure 3, the link 24 is not shown.

A measurement session is the result of the operation of the acquisition system, with all or part of its 12-18 subsystems, from one point on a road network to another point. When a measurement session is completed, files are produced.

A measurement session consists for example of all of the following files:

. an identification file,. an event file,

. if applicable, a measurement file (and / or results if the system preprocesses these measurements) by measurement function in operation;

. if necessary, a file, or a series of files, of road images, if this function is in operation; . a configuration file.

If the system includes a localization function X, Y, the information present on the event, measurement and result files can be localized, in addition to their curvilinear abscissa, by geographic coordinates. At the end of the execution of a measurement session, the means

20 generate “produced files” from “internal files”.

Each subsystem (input, measurement) of a system according to the invention can operate in different configurations. These configurations are limited in number in the measurement subsystems, and are managed exclusively by the designer of the subsystem. On the other hand, these configurations can be numerous for the input subsystems, one of the peculiarities of which is that the user can create his configurations himself according to the events he intends to note. A configuration of a subsystem can be described in a so-called “configuration” file, which is for example organized in a series of measurement, result or event headings. The configuration of a system according to the invention, for a measurement session is determined by the list of subsystems which are operational during this session and the configuration used for each of these subsystems. The list of subsystems which are operational during this session is determined by the operator who selects, at the start of a measurement session, using the screen 35, the subsystems which will actually be used.

The system configuration file, which will be associated with the files produced at the end of this session, is created by assembling the configuration files for each of the subsystems selected during the session.

At the start of a measurement session, the operator can therefore define the configuration of the system, choosing, for each of the subsystems he has selected, the configuration of the measurement or input function from those available in the subsystem. This is where the global device configuration file is made. The possibility can be opened, when a configuration file has already been created for a previous session, to reuse this file by checking the correspondence with the configuration file of each subsystem.

The generation of new configurations for the input systems can be done outside of a measurement session, by acting on the subsystem via the supervisor 20. FIG. 4 is an example of a measurement session using 'a device according to the invention.

This measurement session generally takes place according to a “V” cycle. It begins with switching on the computer system (supervisor plus subsystems) and any sensors. The next phase consists of initializing the measurement session by documenting the identifier file. A deployment then takes place, that is to say that the different measurement subsystems are set up and monitored. When all these devices are in working order, the actual measurement phase is carried out. The fourth phase consists of folding up the system and the measuring devices and storing the latter in the appropriate spaces. The next phase allows you to close the measure by correcting the identifier if necessary. The system can then leave the measurement site, the format phase can be done offline. Finally, the eighth and final phase consists of checking the measurement session thus obtained, which can then be handed over to a laboratory.

Certain measurement sessions can take place according to a “W” cycle in which, after the closure of a session, the system joins another measurement site and initializes a new session. In this type of cycle, the format is done after the end of the last session of the cycle.

The system being close to the measurement site, the supervisor + subsystem assembly and pre-installed sensors, specific to certain subsystems, are first powered up. The supervisor 20 executes a program, automatic or manual, which allows him to recognize and control the subsystems present and in working order. According to a variant, it is the subsystems present and / or undervoltages which signal to the supervisor their presence.

The operator can then select, among these subsystems, the subsystems he needs during a measurement session.

The result is displayed on the supervisor's screen. The operator then launches the measurement initialization program.

The operator feeds, through the initialization program, all the fields of the identification file (ID) of the measurement session. It also feeds into the fields of the internal EVP preliminary events file, in the event that events specific to the measurement are to be entered (Calibration, etc.). It chooses or defines the system configuration during the session.

The operator then launches the deployment procedure for each measurement device to be installed. This procedure may require manual intervention by the operator (installation of a sensor, connection or tensioning). On some devices, it can be entirely managed from the system workstation. It can, in certain cases, include the calibration and / or the initial control of the device. When the deployment of the devices is complete, the supervisor interrogates the corresponding subsystems to ensure that they are correct operation. It can then implement or start the means or the automaton (the program or the software) for managing the measurement, which is paused. The system then goes to the precise point marking the start of the measurement session. As soon as the system is on the point of starting the session, or passes to this point, the operator activates the measurement management automaton. This unlocks the switching means 26 for supplying the subsystems with distance pulses, or with signals representative of the distance, or with signals synchronized with the distance or the distance signal. On receipt of the first pulse or the first distance signal, the present and selected subsystems become active, and this in a synchronized manner, and start to produce their measurement, event or location files. Each subsystem stores the files it produces in its own storage means.

The counting of the distance (or of the signals synchronized with the distance) continues until the end of the measurement session. It is possible to suspend the measurement subsystem, via the supervisor, without this suspending the counting, by this subsystem, of the synchronized distance or signals, or alternatively by suspending this counting (as desired), by the 'through the switching means 26.

With the help of the supervisor, the operator ends the measurement at a time he chooses (generally, when switching from the system to the right of the end point of the measurement session, possibly earlier) through the supervisor. In response to this action, the supervisor 20 indicates to all the subsystems that they must close their file, then interrupts the circulation of the distance pulses towards these subsystems. It sends to the subsystems an instruction to transfer to its storage unit, all the event, measurement and result files (including the XY location) that have been created. The subsystems execute pre-processing if necessary, then carry out the transfers.

The system can then be moved to the nearest parking point.

The operator starts the procedure for folding the measuring devices. This procedure can incorporate manual interventions of the operator on the devices. At the end of a device folding, the supervisor performs good folding tests.

Once the folding has been completed, the operator can modify, if necessary, the file identifying the ID, and add events to the file of preliminary events, EVP. When he has entered these data, the operator indicates the definitive end of the measurement to the supervisor, and de-energizes the subsystems.

All the files created during the measurement session are, at this stage, gathered in the same directory. The supervisor's program can then be interrupted.

A software allows to perform a formatting operation, starting from the directory containing all the files created during the measurement session. This software performs three functions:

1- it allows to modify again certain fields of the identification file, in particular those concerning the ends of the measurement session,

2- it groups all the events entered during the measurement session using the various event entry subsystems, and reports them on a single event file; at this stage, it is possible to intervene manually on these events;

3- in the case where the system has an XY localization subsystem, it calculates the XY coordinates of each event and of each measurement by interpolating the points noted by the localization subsystem, and completes the measurement files and events with this information; interpolation is based on distance information.

At the end of this step, the files of the measurement session can be gathered in a directory.

The measurement control operation is performed by the operator who performed the measurement. It makes it possible to: display, for example on the display means 35, in the form of a spreadsheet or an interactive route diagram, the list of events entered during the session, with the possibility of correcting or enriching this list:

. display on a route diagram (for example on the display means 35), the measurements and results produced by the system, with the possibility of invalidating certain values. It ends with the recording, in the appropriate field of the identification file, of the day and time of the check.

An example of operation of the supervisor 20, during the different phases illustrated in FIG. 2, is as follows. Power up includes:

. the identification of the subsystems present and in operation in the system, and the display of the list of these subsystems,

. control of these subsystems and display of operating anomalies,. the launch of the measurement initialization program,

The initialization of the measurement includes for example:. the choice or the definition of the operating configuration of the system,

. verification (if chosen) of conformity between the configuration and the subsystems present and in operation,

. the distribution, if any, of events between the event entry subsystems,

. creation of the internal session identification file,. creation of the internal file of preliminary events (offset, calibration, etc.).

These files are conformed according to the subsystems under voltage and selected by the operator.

The deployment phase includes for example:. managing the deployment of the measurement device (if applicable),

. when the device is deployed, checking that it is working properly,

. the launch of the measurement management automaton, which puts all systems on standby (these wait for the first distance pulse to start).

The execution phase of the measurement includes, for example, the following steps:

. as soon as the operator begins, the PLC unlocks the remote supply to the subsystems,. the PLC then regularly interrogates each subsystem to find out its operating status, . the PLC queries, if this is part of the information it must display, this or that subsystem to find out the values of all the sub-data, or part of the sub-data, of the last item entered or of the last measurement carried out,. upon receipt of each distance pulse, the automaton calculates the value of the abscissa of the system from the “start” order, using the coefficient entered during the last operation of the supervisor in “Calibration” mode,

. the controller maintains a measurement follow-up screen, including the distance and the status of the subsystems, as well as for example the last n events entered and the history of certain measurement sub-data. A screen is displayed, which corresponds to all of the subsystems actually selected by the operator. It will be recalled that it is indeed these subsystems which transmit instructions to the supervisor in order to produce a corresponding screen, that is to say a screen displaying information on each of the selected subsystems.

. the automaton can, on the operator's “suspend” order, put all the subsystems or a part of the subsystems on standby, then lock their remote supply (using the switching means 26), and on the order "recovery", unlock this supply (which results in a synchronized recovery of the subsystems),

. the PLC can, on the operator's “neutralization” order, put all the subsystems on standby, without locking their supply of distance pulses or signals representative of the distance, and on the “activation” order, restart subsystems),

. at the operator's “end” command, or when it detects a system operating anomaly, the automaton locks the supply of pulses or signals representative of the distance of the subsystems, and transmits to them here is an order to close their internal files,

. the supervisor takes control, stops the automaton and sends the subsystems an order to repatriate their internal files to a directory called "internal", then a stop order. The folding includes, if necessary, the management of the folding of the measuring device and the control of the correct folding. Closing the measurement includes, for example:. modification of the identification file and the preliminary events file,

. the conversion, if it has not already been carried out in the subsystems during the execution of the measurement, in all the event, measurement and result files, of the scale “number of pulses” on a “distance” scale thanks to the calibration coefficient of the distance encoder,

. the end of the measurement session. The format can take place according to the following steps:

. the supervisor acts as a computer on which the measurement session format software runs,

. the internal directory containing the files of the session to be processed is indicated by the user,

. the format is carried out,

. the session produced in the desired format is stored in a specialized directory.

During the control phase, the supervisor acts as a computer on which the visualization and control software runs. It can automatically plot measurements on the screen. It can also present a plan view of the session if the system has a localization subsystem

X, Y.

The supervisor can also operate in certain specific modes:

- in "Calibration" mode, the supervisor runs a program to calibrate the distance function of the system.

- in "Counter" mode, the supervisor is content to receive the distance pulses and to display the distance from the start of the counting.

- in “Subsystem” mode, the supervisor serves as a terminal for the processor of a subsystem; for example, it is used in this mode for learning an event entry subsystem by voice recognition; or to dialogue directly, in debugging mode, specific calibration or diagnosis, with a measurement subsystem; - finally, in diagnostic mode, the supervisor can analyze the subsystems to find the origin of a failure.

The distance encoder 10 comprises for example a coding wheel which can be fixed to a hub of the vehicle, and which produces a series of electrical pulses, at the rate of N pulses per revolution. This pulse is delivered in analog form:

. to supervisor 20, continuously,

. to the various subsystems through the switch 26 which can be opened or closed by the supervisor. This subsystem does not require any processor, and is therefore unable to communicate with the supervisor.

During the execution of the measurement, the encoder emits an electrical pulse every 1 / N (whole N) wheel rotations.

A system according to the invention comprises one or more subsystems for capturing events, possibly operating in parallel. Each subsystem includes a processor and possibly a specialized information input device (button box, microphone + voice recognition, touch screen, etc.). The events to be entered by the system (event items in the configuration file) can be distributed by the supervisor between the entry subsystems.

Upon power up, the subsystem software is automatically loaded and launched. Similarly, the instructions for setting up a screen or a display page on the display means of the supervisor 20 are sent by the subsystem to the latter. When the bus on link 22 is scanned by the supervisor, it indicates its presence and its nature (button box, voice recognition, etc.). Or, it asks the supervisor for identification for communication over the network. In both cases, it is assigned a communication address or identification.

In the initialization phase of the measurement,

. the subsystem performs the correct functioning tests, and updates a block of indicators which will be queried by the supervisor,

. the subsystem then receives its list of events from the supervisor, then initializes its internal event file, . upon receipt of the appropriate instruction from the supervisor, the subsystem goes into standby, ready to start upon receipt of the first distance pulse or the first signal representative of the distance or the first signal synchronized with the distance. During the execution of the measure:

. the subsystem keeps its block of operating indicators up to date, and communicates it to the supervisor 20 each time the latter interrogates it; the operator can therefore view a screen comprising, for example, a mosaic-type display, each element of which corresponds to one of the subsystems and in particular indicates the operating state of said subsystem;

. the subsystem maintains a buffer containing the last event entered and its sub-data; it communicates it to the supervisor 20 each time the latter requests it,. the subsystem feeds its internal event file,

. on the order of the supervisor 20, the subsystem can return to standby; he will resume his activity on reverse order from the supervisor,

. on order of the supervisor 20, the subsystem closes its internal event file,

. on the supervisor's order, the subsystem transmits its internal event file to the supervisor, then stops automatically.

A system according to the invention comprises one or more measuring subsystems 15, 17 (cf. FIG. 1), operating if necessary in parallel. Each subsystem includes a processor and a metrological device suitable for its measurement. In addition to managing the measurement, the processor can perform preprocessings which make it possible to transform the physical measurements into results. Depending on the subsystem, the pre-treatments are carried out after each measurement or at the end of the measurement session.

We can distinguish two types of measurement subsystem: those that are cadenced by distance, and those that are cadenced by time. In the first, the measurements are triggered by the pulses coming from the distance encoder 10; a measurement is made every “n” pulse, where “n” is a parameter of the subsystem. In the second, the measurements are taken every “t” (milli-) seconds, in time of the internal clock of the subsystem.

In the first type of subsystem, the sub-data acquired with each measurement are directly referenced by the abscissa of the device, counted in number of pulses since the start of the session.

In the second type of measurement subsystems, the sub-data acquired with each measurement are first referenced with respect to the time produced by the internal scale of the subsystem. The distance pulses (or the corresponding signals or the synchronous signals of the distance signals) are also referenced in this scale. At the end of the measurement execution phase, when the subsystem receives the order from the supervisor 20 to retrieve the files, it begins by using a so-called “speed” table [s ,, t,] to modify the measurement files whose records [t ₁ , m, ₁ , m _2l , ..., m _tl ] become [s ₁ , m, m ₂ ,, ..., m _hl ]. For this, a decimal (rather than an integer) number of distance pulses is assigned to each time abscissa by interpolation of the speed table. This intermediate step is illustrated in Figure 5. When the power is turned on, the subsystem software is automatically loaded and launched.

When the bus is scanned by the supervisor 20, the subsystem indicates its presence and its nature (or the measurement function provided). Or it is the subsystem that requires a communication address or identification.

During the initialization of the measurement, the subsystem performs the tests of correct operation, and updates a block of indicators which will be interrogated by the supervisor 20.

The subsystem then initializes its internal measurement and result files.

On receipt of the appropriate instruction from the supervisor, the subsystem then goes into standby, ready to start upon receipt of the first distance pulse.

In addition, with a view to the measurements to be carried out, the subsystem keeps its block of operating indicators up to date, and communicates it to the supervisor each time the latter questions it. The subsystem also maintains a buffer containing the values of the sub-data for the last measurement carried out; he communicates it to the supervisor whenever the latter requests it.

The subsystem feeds its internal files with measurements, or even with results.

On orders from the supervisor, the subsystem can return to standby; he will resume his activity on the reverse order of the supervisor.

On orders from the supervisor, the subsystem closes its internal measurement and result files. If necessary, the subsystem performs the preprocessing of the measurements; in particular, it converts files referenced in relation to time into files referenced in relation to distance (as already explained above).

Finally, on the supervisor's order, the subsystem transmits its internal files to the supervisor, then stops automatically.

The localization subsystem 18 creates an internal localization file, which associates with each point (X, Y) a curvilinear abscissa. Being a sub-system clocked by time, it performs the conversion "time scale - spatial scale" described above.

When the power is turned on, the software is automatically loaded and launched.

When the bus is scanned by the supervisor 20, the subsystem 18 indicates its presence and its nature. Then (initialization of the measurement), the subsystem performs the tests of correct operation, and updates a block of indicators which will be interrogated by the supervisor 20.

The subsystem then initializes and initializes its internal location file. As soon as it is initialized, the subsystem can operate continuously.

On receipt of the appropriate instruction from the supervisor, the subsystem goes into standby, ready to start feeding its file upon receipt of the first distance pulse. For the purpose of the measurements to be carried out, the subsystem maintains its block of operating indicators and communicates it to the supervisor each time the latter questions it.

The subsystem also feeds its internal location file.

The subsystem maintains a buffer containing the X and Y values of the last location; he communicates it to the supervisor whenever the latter requests it.

On orders from the supervisor, the subsystem can return to standby; it simply stops feeding the internal localization file, and will resume its activity on reverse order from the supervisor.

On orders from the supervisor, the subsystem closes its internal location file.

The subsystem then converts the internal location file referenced in relation to time to an internal location file referenced in relation to distance.

On the supervisor's order, the subsystem transmits its internal location file to the supervisor, then stops automatically.

An exchange protocol for a system according to the invention, between the supervisor and the subsystems, can be based on the following rules:

- except for events, all exchange sequences are started by the supervisor; - there are two types of exchange sequence: information

(with no response from the subsystem) and instructions (with response from the subsystem);

- each subsystem is uniquely identified; the supervisor assigns him a provisional address at the start of the measurement which will allow exchanges during the measurement.

Optionally, another type of exchange can take place at the start, when the subsystems are energized, when the energized subsystems require an identifier on the part of the supervisor. Each subsystem (one subsystem = one processor) has a unique identifier, consisting for example of a triplet of positive integers:

• the function number (1 to 128), “the major version number (1 to 32),

• the serial number (1 to 256).

During the initialization of the session, the supervisor creates a table of the subsystems present and energized in the system. To do this, it browses the list of functions, major versions and serial numbers by scanning in ascending order the ranges of these different parameters. For each combination, the supervisor sends an instruction containing the triplet of numbers, and pauses briefly pending an answer. If the subsystem identified by the triplet is present and energized, it responds to the subsystem by sending it the content of its state control buffer. The supervisor registers the subsystem in a table and assigns it an address, equal to the detection rank of the subsystem (1, 2, etc.). If no subsystem responds during the pause interval, the supervisor goes to the next identifier, incrementing the serial number, then that of major version, then that of the function.

To optimize this phase, one can keep up to date in the supervisor, a table comprising the maximum values of the three numbers, according to the subsystems in service.

According to a variant, it is each powered subsystem which, for example when it is powered up, sends presence information to the supervisor and which requires an identifier or an address on the part of the supervisor for the session of measured. This variant saves time when the entire system is switched on, since the supervisor does not therefore have to go through the entire list of functions as described above.

At the end of this exchange, the supervisor communicates to each subsystem present and energized, the address it has assigned to it for this measurement session. For the rest of the session, it will communicate with the subsystems using these addresses. An exchange sequence can for example include from one to four interventions. In principle, a sequence includes:

- an information or instruction intervention issued by the supervisor; - a response intervention, by the subsystem concerned;

- a control intervention by the supervisor;

- a response response to control, of the subsystem. When the exchange sequence is an information sequence, only the first and the second interventions are implemented.

Preferably all the interventions are built according to the same structure, which includes:

- a keyword, specifying the type of intervention; - an address, of the recipient or sender subsystem, depending on the type of intervention;

- a series of data, the organization and nature of which are specific to the type of intervention.

Finally, between the response response from the subsystem and the monitoring intervention from the supervisor, there can be a transfer of a file from the subsystem to the supervisor.

Another type of exchange is that which occurs when a subsystem is switched on, when it requests the supervisor to assign it an address or an identifier.

Information interventions can have the following structure:

[address], ni, n ₂ , n ₃ , d: The supervisor communicates to the subsystem identified by the triplet (ni, n2, n3) the address (d) he has assigned to him.

[pause], d: The supervisor informs the address subsystem (d) that he must stop his measurements and the distance pulse counting; if d = 0, the intervention is addressed to all subsystems. [pause-part], d: The supervisor informs the address subsystem (d) that he must interrupt his measurements while continuing to count the distance pulses; if d = 0, the intervention is addressed to all subsystems.

[resumption], d: The supervisor informs the address subsystem (d) that he must resume the measurements and the counting of the distance at the arrival of the next distance pulse; if d = 0, the intervention is addressed to all subsystems.

[part recovery], d: The supervisor informs the address subsystem (d) that he must resume his measurements at the arrival of the next distance pulse; if d = 0, the intervention is addressed to all subsystems.

[starts], d: The supervisor informs the address subsystem (d) that he must start his measurements and the counting of distance pulses on arrival of the next distance pulse; if d = 0, this concerns all the subsystems.

[stop], d: The supervisor informs the address subsystem (d) that he must stop his measurements and the counting of remote pulses, and that he must close his files in progress, on arrival of this intervention; if d = 0, the intervention is addressed to all subsystems.

[choice cfg], d, n: The supervisor informs the address subsystem (d) that he must configure himself according to his file n ° (n).

[distance], d, n: The supervisor communicates to the address subsystem d the weight r (in meters) of the distance pulse; if d = 0, the intervention is addressed to all subsystems.

The instructional interventions can have the following structure: [identification], ni, n ₂ , n ₃ : The supervisor asks the identification subsystem (ni, n ₂ , n ₃ ) to respond, if it is present and energized in the system.

[control], d: The supervisor requests the address subsystem (d) to transmit the content of its state control buffer to it.

[measurement]: d: The supervisor asks the subsystem (measurement, necessarily) of address (d) to transmit the content of its measurement buffer to it.

[event], d: The supervisor asks the subsystem (for input, necessarily) of address (d) to transmit the content of its event buffer to it.

(MES], d, n: The supervisor requests the address subsystem (d) to send it its measurement file number (n).

[RES], d, n: The supervisor requests the address subsystem (d) to send him his results file number (n).

[EVE], d: The supervisor requests the address subsystem (d) to send him his event file.

[CONF], d, n: The supervisor requests the address subsystem (d) to send it its local configuration file number n.

[NBCFG]: The supervisor requests the address subsystem (d) to send it the number of local configuration files it has.

Another instruction intervention is that by which the supervisor requests a subsystem, energized and selected by an operator, to send it the instructions to generate a corresponding screen. Response interventions can have the following structure

[answer], d, aaaaa, ai, a ₂ , a ₃ , ...: The address subsystem (d) informs the supervisor that he has received the information or instruction intervention [ aaaaaa], and transmits to it the data ai, a ₂ , a ₃ , etc., which are requested of it, if necessary. These data can be measurement data or data corresponding to screen generation software.

[answer], d; aaaaaa, n: The address subsystem (d) replies to the supervisor that it has received its request [aaaaaa] to transfer a local file (n); this intervention is followed, after a fixed time delay, by the transfer of the file in binary form.

[transfin], d, aaaaaa, n: The address subsystem (d) tells the supervisor that he has finished transferring the file requested by the intervention [aaaaaa] and number (n).

Control interventions can have the following structure:

[transcont], d, ni, n ₂ , ...: The supervisor who has received an intervention [transfin] from the address subsystem (d) sends a series of control parameters to it; this checks that all the records have been received by the supervisor.

Response interventions can have the following structure:

[repcont], d, n: The address subsystem (d) indicates that the control parameters returned by the supervisor are correct (n = 0) or incorrect (n = 1); in the latter case, it is the supervisor's responsibility to restart the exchange sequence allowing the file to be transferred. The above binding protocol is given by way of example and a different embodiment can of course be envisaged.

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of an exemplary system according to the invention. In this figure, numerical references identical to those of FIG. 1 designate identical or equivalent elements therein.

Reference 50 also designates an ultrasonic sensor comprising 13 ultrasonic probes. This sensor is connected to acquisition means 52 by an RS 485 link. The acquisition means comprise an RS232 / RS485 converter (reference 54), connected itself, on the one hand by an RS 485 link (reference 55 ) to a box 56 for receiving the distance pulses, and on the other hand by an RS 232 link (reference 57), to an acquisition system 58 which receives and stores the distance pulses. The latter is in communication with network 22, here an Ethernet network (TCP / IP protocol).

The box 56 receives the pulses from the encoder 10 and counts them so that the acquisition step of the sensors is x meters (for example every 3 meters). All these x meters, a trigger order is sent to the sensor 50 and to the acquisition system via the serial link.

The system 58 interrogates each probe of the sensor 50. It sends the address of the first probe while awaiting its response. Upon receipt of the response, it stores the value sent in response and interrogates the next probe ... etc.

The reference 70 designates a location system connected to a GPS antenna 72. This system also receives the distance pulses from the encoder 10, and can thus constitute a file associating curvilinear abscissa and geographic coordinates.

The initialization and monitoring of a measurement session by an operator is facilitated by the use of the display means 35 of the supervisor. As already explained above, a screen configuration is preferably used which reflects the configuration of subsystems chosen and selected by an operator, each subsystem transferring to the supervisor the information necessary for the creation of a specific screen.

There are thus as many screens or screen portions as there are measurement subsystems, each screen or portion being for example accessible by a tab.

Such screens are for example used from the deployment phase and allow the operator to dialogue with each subsystem during its deployment.

The deployment phase can also end on a screen, also accessible by tab, concerning all the subsystems, and which gives the results of the correct functioning tests executed on each of them. The result of a test can be "good" or "bad". If it is “bad”, the operator returns to the screen corresponding to the deployment of the offending subsystem, and starts the procedure again, until the test is “good”.

Likewise, a folding screen can be used for each measuring device. These screens, and the final screen, allowing a general control of the correct folding of the entire device, and are accessible by tabs. There are three possible states of folding of each device:

- folding is not carried out, or insufficiently carried out, and this hinders the mobility of the device,

- the folding is incomplete, but this does not prevent the release of the device to a safer parking area, or even its transfer,

- the folding is completely and correctly carried out.

In the event that a subsystem fails to fold correctly, the operator can return to the corresponding screen and start the procedure again.

During the measurement, the screen 35 can be configured in four functional areas:

• the location zone shows the distance traveled by the system of the device since the start of the session; it also presents, where appropriate, the location X, Y of the device; It is also this which includes, where appropriate, assistance in guiding the vehicle. • the control area; it is for example in the form of a series of three-color lights, one per subsystem, indicating the operating state of the subsystems; green means "correct operation", orange means "transiently disturbed operation", red means "emergency shutdown of the whole subsystem"; a zone is reserved for the display of a message when one of the LEDs turns orange or red. The control area also contains three buttons that can be clicked to:

- suspend the measurement without suspending the distance (and resume it);

- suspend the measurement by suspending the distance (and resume it);

- end the measurement.

• the event entry monitoring area, which recalls, for example, the last four events entered by one or other of the input subsystems, with the possibility of correcting from the supervisor's keyboard 38, or of completing , the characteristics of these events;

• finally, the measurement monitoring area, in which one or more diagrams are displayed, presenting in a simple manner either the history of such or such sub-data of such or such measurement functions, or the set of sub-data corresponding to a measurement (deflection basin, cross section).

The “localization” and “control” zones can be deported on a “head-up” display, in front of the driver.

An example of screens is given below during the initialization of the measurement.

Three screens are used, for example, accessible by a system of tabs. The first screen presented makes it possible to configure the device, with, in particular, for each input subsystem, the configuration to be implemented and for each measurement subsystem, the configuration to be implemented.

A second screen is used to define the identifier of the measurement session to be executed. In particular, it allows you to enter the following information: - Name of laboratory

- Name of operator

- Name of the driver of the vehicle

- Session date - Session start time

- Campaign name

- Client name

- Case number

- Comment 1 - Comment 2

- Number "n" (from 1 to 9) of route sections taken by the session

- Curvilinear tracking system used to define the route,

- Geographical location system used to define the route,

and for each portion of the route taken:

- Name of the route section taken

- PR, Profile or Arc relative to which the start of the route portion is located

- Distance to the PR, to the profile or to the start of the arc (positive or negative)

- Geographic coordinates XO at the start of the route section (0 = not used) - Geographic coordinates Y0 at the start of the route section

(0 = unused)

- Geographic coordinates Z0 at the start of the route portion (0 = unused)

- Number of the route taken at the start of the route portion - Direction of the readings on this route portion (1 = cross, -1

= decrease.)

- N ° of the layer (1 = wearing course)

For the last section of route taken: - Name of the last section of route taken - PR, Profile or Arc relative to which the end of the route portion is located

- Distance to the PR, to the profile or to the start of the arc (positive or negative) - Geographic coordinates X1 at the end of the session (0 = not used)

- Geographic coordinates Y1 at the end of the session (0 = unused)

- Geographical coordinates Z1 at the end of the session (0 = unused)

Finally, a third screen presents a spreadsheet allowing you to enter the events preliminary to the measurement: offset, calibration events, etc.

When this information is sufficiently defined, the deployment phase of the measuring device can be launched (see above).

Claims

1. Measuring and / or event reporting system along a route comprising:

- computer means (20), called first means,

- means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events, known as second means,

- means (22) of communication between the second means and the first means,

- means (10, 24, 26) for synchronously transmitting to the second means information synchronized with distance information along the route.

2. System according to claim 1, the means (10, 24, 26) for transmitting information synchronized with distance information comprising an analog link (24) for sending said synchronized information to the second means.

3. System according to claim 2, the means (10, 24, 26) for transmitting information synchronized with distance information comprising means (10) distance sensors.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising switching means (26), controlled by the first means

(20), to select a state of transmission or non-transmission, to the second means, of said synchronized information.

5. System for measuring and / or recording events along a route according to one of claims 1 to 4, the first means

(20) comprising means (30 - 33) for, or specially programmed for, identifying, among the second means, which are present or under voltage, and for assigning to each of these a communication address or identification.

6. System of measurement and / or records of events along a route comprising:

- computer means (20), called first means,

- means (24) of communication between the second means and the first means,

- means (30 - 33) for, or specially programmed to, allow the first means (20) to identify, among the second means, which are present or under voltage, and to assign to each of the latter an address or a communication identification.

7. The system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, the first means (20) comprising means (30 - 33) for, or specially programmed for, receiving from each of the second means present or energized, an address assignment request. or communication identification.

8. System according to claim 5 or 6, comprising means (30 - 33) for, or specially programmed for:

- send an instruction to each of the second means,

- receive, in response to said instruction, a response from each of the second means present and energized, - assign to each of the second means present and energized, an address or a communication identification.

9. System according to one of claims 5 to 8, comprising means (35, 36, 38) for, or specially programmed for, allowing an operator to select one or more second (s) means (s), among the second means (17 - 18) present or under tension.

10. System according to claim 9, the first means (20) comprising means for constituting a display dependent on all of the second means selected.

11. The system as claimed in claim 9 or 10, the first means (20) comprising means for, or programmed to receive, from each of the second selected means, information or instructions or software means for constituting a screen page. or visualization.

12. System according to one of claims 1 to 11, at least one of the second means comprising storage means (42) for storing measurement and / or event capture data.

13. System according to one of claims 1 to 12, at least one of the second means being clocked by an information or a distance signal, and storing the measured data with distance data.

14. System according to one of claims 1 to 13, at least one of the second means being clocked by time, and storing the measured data with time data.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, said second means clocked by time converting the stored time data into distance data.

16. System according to one of claims 1 to 15, the first means (20) comprising means for, or programmed to, send to at least one second means an instruction requesting information on an operating state of said sub- system.

17. System according to one of claims 1 to 16, the means (22) of communication between the second means and the first means comprising a network type link (22).

18. Computing device (20) for managing or supervising measurement and / or recording of events along a route comprising: - means (23) for connection to a communication network - means (30 - 33) for, or specially programmed for, making it possible to identify, among second means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events, which are present or under voltage, and for assigning to each of these a communication address or identification.

19. Device according to claim 18, further comprising means (30 - 33) for, or specially programmed for, receiving from each of the second means present or energized, a request for allocation of address or identification of communication.

20. Device according to claim 18, comprising means (30 - 33) for, or specially programmed for:

21. Device according to one of claims 18 to 20, further comprising means for controlling switching means (26).

22. Device according to one of claims 18 to 21, further comprising means for, or specially programmed for, sending to each of the second means a state control instruction and receiving in response information or information characteristic of the 'state of one or more second means.

23. Device according to one of claims 18 to 22, further comprising means for, or specially programmed for, sending to each of the second means an instruction for transferring measurement files.

24. Device according to one of claims 18 to 23, further comprising means for, or specially programmed for transmitting to second means information or signals synchronized with distance information along a route.

25. Device according to one of claims 18 to 24, further comprising means for, or specially programmed for, suspending or interrupting the transmission of information or signals synchronized with distance information along a route and / or transmit a measurement interrupt instruction or signal.

26. Device according to one of claims 18 to 25, further comprising means for, or specially programmed for, calibrating a distance sensor.

27. Device according to one of claims 18 to 26, further comprising means for, or specially programmed for, transmitting data to one, or receiving data from a microprocessor of a second means (14 - 17) measuring and / or entering events.

28. Device according to claim 27, the data being calibration or diagnostic data of said second means.

29. Measuring device for measuring and / or recording events along a route comprising:

- means (45) for connection to a communication network,

- means (40 - 43) for, or specially programmed for, transmitting presence or power-up data to a computer system, or for sending a request for allocation of an address or a communication identification.

30. Device according to the preceding claim, further comprising means (56) for receiving information or signals synchronized with distance information along a route.

31. Device according to claim 29 or 30, comprising means for connection to an analog link.

32. Device for measuring and / or recording events along a route comprising:

- means (45) for connection to a communication network,

- Means (56) for connection to an analog link parallel to the communication network.

33. IT process for managing or supervising measurement and / or reporting of events along a route comprising:

- establishing a connection of a computer device (20) to a communication network,

- identify, among second means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events, which are present or under voltage, and to assign to each of these a communication address or identification.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the computing device receives from each of the second means present or energized, a request for address allocation or communication identification.

35. The method as claimed in claim 33, in which the computer device:

- sends an instruction to each of the second means,

- receives, in response to said instruction, a response from each of the second means present and energized,

- assigns to each of the second means present and energized, an address or a communication identification.

36. Method according to one of claims 33 to 35, wherein a control instruction is sent to switching means (26).

37. Method according to one of claims 33 to 36, in which a state control instruction is sent to each of the second means and information or information characteristic of the state of one or more second means is received in response.

38. Method according to one of claims 33 to 37, an instruction for transferring measurement files being sent to each of the second means.

39. Method according to one of claims 33 to 38, information or signals synchronized with distance information along a route being transmitted to second means.

40. Method according to one of claims 33 to 39, the computer means suspending or interrupting the transmission of information or signals synchronized with distance information along a route and / or transmitting a signal or an instruction of 'measurement interruption.

41. Method according to one of claims 33 to 40, further comprising a step of calibrating a distance sensor.

42. Method according to one of claims 33 to 41, data being transmitted to or received from a microprocessor of a second means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events.

43. The method of claim 42, the data being calibration or diagnostic data of said second means.

44. Method for measuring and / or recording events along a route using means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events, comprising:

- establishing a connection of the means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events to a communication network, - transmit to a computer system (20) presence or power-up data, or send to a computer system a request for allocation of an address or of a communication identification.

45. Method according to the preceding claim, in which said means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events receive information or signals synchronized with distance information along a route.

46. The method of claim 44 or 45, further comprising a step of connection to an analog link.

47. Process for measuring and / or recording events along a route comprising:

- establish a connection to a communication network,

- establish a connection to an analog link parallel to the communication network.

48. Process for measuring and / or recording events along a route comprising:

- the displacement, along said route, of a system according to one of claims 1 to 17,

- the measurement record and / or the entry of events using the means (14 - 17) of measurement and / or entry of events,

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the transmission, synchronously, to the means (14 - 17) of measuring and / or capturing events, of information synchronized with distance information along the route. .

50. Process for measuring and / or recording events along a route comprising:

- the movement, along the route, of means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events, - the transmission, in the said means, of a signal or of information synchronized with distance information along the route.

51. The method of claim 50, said signal or said information being transmitted by an analog link (24) to said means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events.

52. The method of claim 50 or 51, switching means (26) controlled by computer means (20) controlling the delivery of the signal or information synchronized to said means (14 - 17) for measurement and / or capture. events.

53. Method for producing or configuring a measuring device and / or recording events along a route comprising:

- selecting at least one means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events from a plurality of means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events,

- the identification, in IT means (20), of the selected means or means,

- the allocation, by computer means (20), of a communication address or identification to each of said selected means.

54. The method of claim 53, each of the selected means sending to said computer means a request for allocation of address or communication identification.

55. The method of claim 53 or 54, the computer means (20) sending an instruction to the means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or capturing events, and receiving a response to said instruction from each of the means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or entering selected events.

56. Method according to one of claims 53 to 55, the computer means receiving from each of the means (14 - 17) for measuring and / or for entering selected events, information or instructions or software means to constitute a screen or display page adapted to, or characteristic of, each of said selected means.

57. Computer program or computer program element comprising the instructions for implementing a method according to one of claims 33 to 56.

58. Data carrier (37), which can be read by a computer system, comprising the data, in coded form, for implementing a method according to one of claims 33 to 56.

59. Software product comprising a program data support means, capable of being read by a computer system, making it possible to implement a method according to one of claims 33 to 56.