WO2008006543A1

WO2008006543A1 - Device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects via a gps system

Info

Publication number: WO2008006543A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/006098
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianantonio Bona
Original assignee: VERIS Srl
Current assignee: VERIS Srl
Priority date: 2006-07-10
Filing date: 2007-07-10
Publication date: 2008-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2009-01-10
Also published as: ITBL20060024A1

Abstract

The subject of the Invention is a device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects via a GPS detection system combined with a radio or telephone communication system, wherein a central unit (100) and peripheral units (100') - (100') etc. are comprised, equipped with their own GPS device to receive satellite signals and their own microprocessor (20) to process the string of data acquired; the microprocessor (20) of the central unit (100) being linked to a multiplexer (50) for communication management and equipped with a software enabling it to query peripheral units (100') (100') - etc. for data and process such data on the basis of those acquired through its own GPS system (10), wherein the microprocessor (20) of peripheral units (100') - (100') is linked to its own multiplexer (50) for communication management and is equipped with a software which processes the data obtained through its own GPS device and sends them to the central unit (100) by means of a pre- determined radio frequency, which connects the central unit (100) and the peripheral units (100') - (100').

Description

Description of the INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE, ANIMALS OR OBJECTS VIA A GPS SYSTEM

The present innovation relates to a new device which is able to detect and locate or visually follow the position and movement of people, animals or objects, within the coverage of radio communication devices working at particular wavelengths, or on GSM or similar networks, regardless of visibility conditions between the monitoring station and the points to be detected.

The principal characteristic of the innovation is the combination of standard GPS technology and an innovative radio or GSM network communication system, equippedwith a central control andoperation unit - suitably integrated with suitable software - paired with one ormoreperipheral devices tobe controlled andoperated, always integrated with suitable software. Such a combination allows a constant interactionbetween eachperipheral device and the central unit thus allowing the latter to automatically communicate its position with respect to points or coordinates which are predetermined by the satellite communication system by installing specific software, wherein peripheral units may also act as repeaters to enhance the coverage of the radio communication network .

The use of a satellite-based positioning system is already well known, as they enable drivers to access updated information about their position and their arrival point on the display of a palmtop, with respect to predetermined and stored driving directions or maps . Thus drivers are able to follow the directions corresponding to the purpose of their journey and always choose the shortest routes or those corresponding best to their travel intentions. The communication system in question is also known as Global Positioning System (GPS) and allows drivers to keep their position under constant control with respect to terrestrial coordinates through a set of communication satellites . Data obtained via the systemprovide drivers with sufficientlyprecise information about their position and direction with respect previously established maps .

An analogous satellite-based communication system enables aircraft or ship crews to be continuously updated about their position with respect to terrestrial coordinates or specific identification references .

In the present art, however, the Global Positioning System does not allow fixed operators to detect the position and driving direction of a single vehicle, airplane or ship : to do so, operators have to implement radar detections and an identification procedure via radio contact.

It cannot be deemed feasible, however, for a fixed operator to adopt a radar detection system to locate the position and driving direction of one or more such vehicles , as is the case with shipping carriers or cars in a race track or a taxi fleet when they go beyond the limits of the operator's visual field.

In these examples and a number of similar cases , the fixed operator establishes a direct contact with the drivers on the telephone or through a radio system in order to learn about their positions at that time and to provide them with instructions .

In a completely different context, it is well known that hunters always need to know the positions of their hunting dogs , especially when they are not in sight or cannot hear the hunters' bells because they are far away.

To overcome this problem, the state-of-the-art technology features an electronic device to be applied to the dog's collar. Upon reception of radio commands the device is able to emit a beep so that the hunters can then determine whether their animals are approaching or moving away by hearing the intensity of the beep increase ordecrease . The device is also able toproduce aparticular noise, for example a siren, to inform hunters when the leader of the pack has spotted the prey.

This device, however, has a limited coverage area, proving useless when the distance from the dog exceeds the radio and/or audio signal range. Moreover, a continuous signal transmission from the device disturbs and distracts the dog, and can also be perceived by the game.

Similar problems have to be faced also in other sectors as is the case with, for example, the detection and management of ships and other vessels within a harbour or airplanes in an airport, when foggy weather hinders the sight of all vehicles, either moving or stationary.

Similarly, in the case of avalanches or other natural disasters, it might be difficult for rescue teams to locate victims , if they are under the debris and cannot be seen or heard.

The principle feature of this innovative device is the use of a communication system combining radio connections or GSM-like networks and a GPS-detection system. Such a combination is intended to provide fixed operators with the opportunity to automatically identify the position and, if required, the direction of people, animals or objects with respect to a reference point within a system - based on relative or previously georeferenced coordinates - which is accepted and shared by a single system processing and viewing the data supplied by an terrestrial satellite system.

In this context, a further important objective of this system is the timely distribution of information and orders associated with the real-time knowledge about the position of a person, animal or vehicle.

Thanks to this innovative system, moreover, operations can be conducted on a limited area by using radio communication devices , or on a virtually unlimited space by using specific telephone communications enabling interaction between the central unit and the peripheral units , or by creating a radio relay system among the points concerned.

This advanced solution can also be usedby rescue services to locate people, for example in the case of natural disasters, or children who get lost in crowded places ; each terminal can also notify the services of any dangerous or specific situation.

In addition to the detection of missing people, the device may also be applied during foggy weather conditions or obstacles hindering the sight of vessels/vehicles in harbours, airports, stations , etc .

Equally important, the device may be applied to animals, e.g. hunting dogs, without producing any disturbance noises.

This advanced system has been conceived to fulfil all these tasks, and many more, thanks to the combination of standard satellite detection technology (similar to GPS) with an innovative radio communication system, connecting a central operation unit (equipped with a suitable software) with one or more peripheral units (also equippedwith suitable software) to constantly interact with each other, so that the positions and movements of peripheral units can be notified automatically, with respect to predetermined points recognised by the processing system.

The advantages of this system and the attainment of the objectives mentioned can be further illustrated through the description of a possible structural solution, to be considered as purely indicative and non-limiting, as shown also by means of 5 schematic figures, reproduced in 5 enclosed tables and of them:

- Fig. 1 shows a functioning scheme for a standard satellite positioning system (GPS) - as normally used in cars;

- Fig.2 shows an implementation scheme for a central remote control unit - to be used, for instance, to detect the position of vehicles equipped with a palmtop receiving signals emitted by satellite networks as those shown in Fig. 1 — associated with a radio transceiver;

- Fig. 3 shows an implementation scheme for a peripheral unit with a structure similar to that of the central unit in Fig.2 , connected with the same satellite network shown in Fig. 1 but adapted to perform a derived function;

- Fig. 4 shows an implementation scheme for a peripheral unit. In comparisonwith the scheme in Fig.3 the solutionhas beenmodified and simplified for a different application;

- Fig.5 shows an implementation scheme for the communication system, consisting of a central unit as in Fig.2 and a complete peripheral unit as in Fig. 3, to be applied to the person, animal or object in question .

In the Figs, same elements are represented, or meant to be represented, throughout by the same reference number.

From the Figs . it can be derived that the device mainly comprises a central operation unit (100) and one or more peripheral units (100') - (100") - etc., all of which are enabled to receive the datacontainedin the signals (101) - (102) - (103) , etc. transmitted by the satellite network (A) - (B) - (C) - etc.

Asmentionedabove, Fig .1 shows the functioning scheme of a standard satellite communication system, in which signals (Ia) - (Ib) - (Ic) are transmitted to a receiver (1) via a set of satellites (A) - (B) - (C) pertaining to the GPS system.

The device (1) receives a string of data and sends it to a microprocessor (2) . Data provided include the georeferenced position with respect to the Greenwich meridian, as well as the speed at which the vehicle equipped with the GPS palmtop (P) is moving.

This information is processed by the microprocessor (2) of the navigation system included in every palmtop (P) , which usually works under Windows CE .

The receiver (1) is also equipped with software which displays the road map on a monitor (3) and uses the data received to locate the references positions on the map; subsequent information is then processed to show the position of the vehicle in real time and the route to the preset destination.

This device does not supply any position data outside the network : the position of the vehicle is indicated exclusively on the palmtop (P) with no possibility for others to receive such information.

Withparticular reference to Fig.2 , which shows themain components of a central unit (100) , it is worth mentioning that central unit (100) is equipped with a GPS receiver (10) to receive satellite signals, connected to a microprocessor (20) and a monitor (30) , which can always be incorporated into a palmtop similar, in every respect, to those currently in use (P) (Fig. 1) .

In particular, the microprocessor (20) of the central unit (100)

- also equipped with suitable software for the management and communication with the peripheral units (100') - (100") - etc.

- processes the data string received by the receiver (10) under Windows CE, Palm or other operating systems.

The same microprocessor (20) of the central unit (100) is also equipped with a radio or telephone communication system (40) which can comprise one single system or two separate systems for receiving and transmitting data.

The central unit (100) interacts with peripheral units (100' ) - (100") - etc. via serial and/or radio connections, its microprocessor (20) being equipped with a multiplexer (50) , for the management of data exchange among the receivers (10) , the communication devices (40) for querying theperipheral units (100 )

- (100") - etc.

The central unit (100) is equipped with a monitor (30) showing its position and that of the connected peripheral unit at any given time, on the basis of the data received from the satellite system (A) - (B) - (C) - etc. The radio communication system is preferably a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) -Network or a GSM-like network . The microprocessor of the peripheral units sends the data to the central unit by means of a pre-determined radio frequency, whichconnects thecentralunitandtheperipheralunits .

With reference to Fig. 3 a peripheral unit (100' ) comprises a GPS detection or receiving system (10' ) for the signals (101) - (102) - (103) - etc. emitted by a set of satellites (A) - (B) - (C) - etc., as well as a microprocessor (20') and a monitor (30') to display theposition of thepalmtopwhichintegrates the components , and consequently the vehicle including the palmtop .

The microprocessor (20') also works under a Windows CE, Palm or other operating system, and is equipped with specific software making it dependent on the central unit (100) , and a radio or telephone communication system (40' ) .

The receiving/transmission device (40' ) ensures the transmission of information from the peripheral unit (100' ) to the central unit (100) by supplying a physical routing support for incoming and outgoing data via suitable radiofrequencies or dedicated telephone lines .

The microprocessor (20') of the peripheral unit (100') interfaces with the reception (10') and transmission (40') systems , processes relevant data and responds to the queries sent by the central unit (100) . Its software, in addition to other tasks, may enable the peripheral unit (100' ) to temporarily function as a local radio relay system for other peripheral units (100") , etc.

The microprocessor (20' ) also features a port to connect a multiplexer (50' ) or a connection device for all components of the peripheral unit (100'), such as the GPS receiver (10'), the transmitter (40' ), the radio relay function or any other component required for specific applications , particularlywith amicrophone which is connected to an amplifier and a digital analogue converter, able to collect pre-determined acoustic signals .

Themultiplexer (50) is always operatedby themicroprocessor (20') enabling the connection with the components mentioned.

The microprocessor (20') of the peripheral unit (100') can also comprise a display (30' ) for viewing the monitored position - just as it is communicated to the central unit (100) — on the peripheral unit itself (100') .

The microprocessor (20' ) finally includes an expanded memory unit and all other devices which are normally included in a standard palmtop, as suppliedwith anyperipheral unit (100') and the central unit (100) .

On the basis of the description presented so far, with special reference to Fig. 2 and 3, it is worth mentioning that the central unit (100) and the peripheral units (100') - (100") - etc. are all designedwith the same elements andhave a similar configuration , the only difference being the software installed in each of them, which allows the central unit (100) to query peripheral units and peripheral units only to respond to the queries sent by the central unit.

As a result, a central unit (100) canbe transformedinto aperipheral unit (100') at any time, simply by changing the software of the saidunit for amplifying and guaranteeing the radio communications of the entire system and/or a peripheral unit (100') can be transformedinto a central unit (100) atany time, simplyby changing the software .

By acquiring the position data supplied by one or more peripheral units (100' ) and combining them with the coordinates of its own position - as detected by its integrated GPS system (10) - the central unit (100) can display its position with respect to that of each peripheral unit (100') - (100") - etc. on its own monitor (30) . This function is enabled by the specific software installed in the central unit (100) in line with the scheme presented in Fig. 5.

In this way, a GPS-detection system - normally used to detect the relativepositions of a central unit (100) andone ormoreperipheral units (100') - (100") -etc. as well themovements of theperipherals

- canbe used, in combinationwith a radio or telephone communication system, to ensure constant interaction with the central unit, in line with the aforementioned principal task of this novel system.

Consequently, peripheral units can thenbemanaged instantaneously

- even if they are all located at different distances - also thanks to the radio relay function, which fulfils the aforementioned purposes .

The system is also an effective remote control instrument for vehicles, both moving and stationary, in harbours, airports and any other facilities , especially in poor or zero visibility conditions. Moreover, the system can locate missing people or objects, thus enabling the attainment of the other purposes mentioned.

Fig.4 shows a simplified configuration of a peripheral unit (100A) to be used, for example, on a hunting dog; obviously in such case the unit does not need to be equipped with a monitor (30) .

In this simplified version, the animal's collar is equipped with a peripheral unit (100A) basically comprising a GPS receiver (10A) connected to a microprocessor (20A) and a transceiver (40A) - via a multiplexer (50A) — which allows the unit to receive queries from the central unit (100) held by the hunter and to send the responses processed by the microprocessor (20A) on the basis of the data string acquired by the GPS receiver (10A) .

In this way — in line with some of the purposes mentioned early in this document- within the coverage of thepresetradio frequency, the hunter can constantly locate the dog, avoiding the emission of continuous and irritating noises and at the same time view if the animal is steady on the point.

The "steady" condition of the dog when it recognizes the prey is received by the central unit (100) , which sees the lasting of the same data for a determined time with the visual and acoustic information on the monitor of the central unit. Furthermore, when in this "steady" condition the dog barks because of seeing the prey, a microphone with an amplifier and a digital analogue converter transmit the signal to the microprocessor (20A) of the terminal (100A) which in this way sends the respective signal to the central unit (100) .

The same solution shown in Fig. 4 can clearly be applied to other specific cases , such as locating a child lost in a crowd or rescuing aperson lostin themountains or the victimof an avalanche, provided that these people carry with them a peripheral unit (100' ) , either in standard or simplified configuration (100A) .

Electricityis suppliedtocentral (100) andperipheral units (100') , (100") , etc. by themains orrechargeablebatteries. Thedescription of such systems is omitted in this document, since they are deemed to be obvious elements of the device. Similarly, the central unit (100) and the peripheral units (100' ) , (100") , (100A) , etc. can also perform additional tasks, such as measuring local temperatures or emitting supplementary acoustic signals .

Claims

1. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects via a GPS detection system combined with a radio or telephone communication system, to locate their position and their possible movements , characterised in that a central unit (100) and one or more peripheral units (100' )

- (100") - etc. are comprised, all of which equipped with their own GPS device to receive satellite signals and their ownmicroprocessor (20) toprocess the stringofdataacquired; the microprocessor (20) of the central unit (100) being linked to a multiplexer (50) for communication management and equippedwith a software enabling it to queryperipheral units

(100') - (100") - etc. for data and process such data on the basis of thoseacquiredthroughits ownGPS system (10) , wherein the microprocessor (20) of peripheral units (100') - (100")

- etc. is linked to its own multiplexer (50) for communication management and is equipped with a software which processes the data obtained through its own GPS device and sends them to the central unit (100) by means of a pre-determined radio frequency, which connects the central unit (100) and the peripheral units (100') - (100") - etc., in order to make the position and movement of each peripheral unit (100' ) - (100") - etc. visible on the monitor (30) of the central unit (100) , with respect to the position of the central unit (100) itself.

2. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects via a GPS system according to claim 1, characterised in that a device being provided for functioning as a central unit

(100) essentially comprises a GPS receiver of satellite signals (10) , connected with a microprocessor (20) and a monitor (30) which can always be integrated into a palmtop

(P) similar to those currently used but combined with a radio or telephone communication system (40) .

3. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects according to claim 1, characterised in that a device being provided for functioning as a peripheral unit (100') - (100") - etc. essentially comprises a GPS receiver of satellite signals (10' ) , connected with a microprocessor (20' ) and possibly a monitor (30' ) which can always be integrated into a palmtop (P) similar to those currently used but combined with a radio or telephone communication system (40') .

4. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects via a GPS system according to claim 2 , characterised in that the microprocessor (20) not only processes the data string obtained from the GPS receiver (10) of the central unit (100) but is also combined with a multiplexer (50) enabling it to manage communications among various devices of the central unit (100) , in particular its monitor (30) and communication system (40) for querying the peripheral units (100') - (100") - etc.

5. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects according to claim 4, characterised in that themicroprocessor (20) of said central unit (100) is equipped with specific software enabling the all of the components to function as a central operation unit.

6. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects according to claim 3, characterised in that the microprocessor (20') of a peripheral unit (100') - (100") - etc. is equipped with a multiplexer (50') enabling it to manage communications among various devices of that peripheral unit, inparticular its communication system (40' ) for responding to queries sent by the central unit (100) .

7. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects according to claim 6, characterised in that themicroprocessor (20' ) of theperipheralunit (100' ) - (100") is equipped with a specific software enabling all of the components to function as a peripheral unit to be monitored.

8. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects according to any of claims 1 to 7 , characterised in that the microprocessor (20) of the central unit (100) sends processed information to a monitor (30) after obtaining it from its own GPS receiver (10) and the communication systems (40') of each peripheral unit (100') - (100") - etc., thus making the position - whether stationary or moving - of each peripheral unit (100') - (100") -etc. visible, with respect to the fixed position of the central unit (100) .

9. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects via a GPS detection system according to claim 1 and

3, characterised in that after a design variation, aperipheral unit (100A) is equipped with a microprocessor (20A) which processes the satellite signal received by its own GPS receiver (10A) and, via a multiplexer (50A) , is connected with a transceiver (40A) to receive queries from a central unit (100) and to respond with relevant information which will be displayed on the monitor (30) of the central unit (100) .

10. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the radio communication system is a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) -Network or a GSM-like network.

11. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a peripheral unit (100' ) can be transformed into a central unit (100) and/or a central unit (100) can be transformed into a peripheral unit (100' ) .

12. A device for detecting the movement of people , animals or objects according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a condition of a person, animal or object can be sent from a terminal (100A) to the control unit (100) .

13. A device for detecting the movement of people, animals or objects according to anyone of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a terminal (100A) comprises a microphone.