DE19755142B4 - Method and system for transport and position monitoring of moving objects - Google Patents

Abstract

Transport logistics procedures. and position monitoring of moving goods, goods or similar objects moving with different means of transport, comprising the following steps:
- Unauthorized attachment of a miniaturized high-frequency transmitter can only be done by destroying it
at one point in a freight documentation
containing an identification label
as part of the freight documentation,
which, after an external, remote-controlled activation, sends a data telegram at predetermined, programmable time intervals, the data telegram clearly defining the object;
- receiving the data telegrams from receiving stations of a GSM telecommunication network and / or from geostationary location satellites;
- Continuous recording of the reception data and localization of the respective transmission location via the radio cells of the GSM network and / or the satellite positioning system by means of a central computer, wherein a new data recording only takes place if a changed position of the object can be determined on reception;
- Transfer of recorded position and transport route data to the respective object by means of a regional or continental data communication network, preferably the Internet on request and after identifying the inquirer by specifying and checking a code word which at least partially corresponds to the data telegram of the object transmitter;
- Whereby the data is recorded in parallel for a large number of objects on and with the central computer, which is used for charging and billing at the same time on request and transmission via the data communication network and
- Whereby the transport route and course are reconstructed from the stored, recorded data, so that the transport speed and an expected arrival time at a destination can be calculated for the requesting party.

Description

The invention relates to a method for transport logistics and position monitoring of moving objects using a miniaturized radio frequency transmitter, preferably in IC card format.

From the German published application DE 42 37 486 A1 A device for theft detection of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is known, a high-frequency transmitter being provided there, which is attached to or in the motor vehicle. In the event that the vehicle is moved unauthorized, that is, by external influences, the transmitter is activated, and a receiver system is able to receive the signal emitted by the high-frequency transmitter and to trigger an alarm. The radiation radius of the high-frequency transmitter, which is located in the motor vehicle, is only extremely small and it is not possible to locate the vehicle itself.

In the device for determining the location of a moving object DE 43 12 670 A1 a transmitter is assigned to an object, for example a ship or a land vehicle. In order to design the position determination very precisely in the near field, a differential GBS system is used here, ie satellite location. Although the object can be located relatively precisely, it is not possible to check the transport route or transport progress and thus to identify the position of the objects over a regional or supra-regional area, or only with considerable effort. This applies in particular when a large number of objects are provided with a corresponding monitoring device.

Portable high-frequency transmitters for keyless entry systems, in particular vehicles, are also known, the transmitter being in credit card format. So the reveals DE 36 27 194 A1 a transmitter in the manner of a transponder that transmits radio frequency energy in the near field, for example to open the door of a motor vehicle or to be able to put the vehicle into operation.

According to US 3,825-833 an electromagnetic transmitter is known, which is arranged camouflaged in a key or the like. The transmitter is only activated in the event of danger, ie the power supply circuit is only closed after a corresponding manual action. The short range of the transmitter can then be increased almost indirectly via transponder stations. The transmitter described in the US patent serves primarily to send an emergency signal, the location itself being secondary. A similar emergency transmitter is in the German patent application DE 38 19 057 A1 shown.

Furthermore, it has already been proposed especially vehicles of higher Price ranges to be provided with a transmitter, so that a satellite-based locating is possible in the event of theft or other loss. Due to the fact that equipment required for location is relatively complex and expensive, So far, such systems have only been used for the high-quality products mentioned Products to wear.

In the case of an inexpensive design of radio frequency transmitters, which is due to progressive miniaturization and inexpensive electronic components is quite possible, there is a fundamental Problem in the assignment if a large number of objects with such transmitters is provided.

From the publication on the Euteltracs system, Electrical communications, 1st quarter 1993, pages 60 to 65 will rely on an integrated messaging and messaging service to determine position for European Transport company received. However, according to the local solution the driver of the respective motor vehicle itself becomes active and it is not an integration into local radio cells of a known one GSM network provided.

The DE 43 21 418 A1 relates to a method for locating mobile stations in a cellular mobile radio network. Specifically, the individual base stations of a cellularly constructed mobile radio network should each be connected to a bearing assigned to them. The mobile radio network in turn has a location center assigned to the direction finders, so that it is possible to locate the mobile station located within a cell in a more precise manner.

Ultimately it shows DE 44 23 328 A1 a device for displaying location data of mobile bodies on digitized maps. There, a location of a vehicle is determined by means of a GPS signal receiver located in a motor vehicle, movement and operating status data of a vehicle, for example the speed, also being recorded within the vehicle. A transmitter provided transmits the corresponding position data to a master computer. The position determination there is carried out exclusively by acquiring signals from the GPS satellite system or by reading measured speed values within the vehicle and determining the distance, taking into account the elapsed time.

Starting from the above, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method which makes it possible to improve transport logistics in freight forwarding companies by optimizing transport routes from the data obtained are and more accurate predictions can be made about the arrival of goods and goods at the destination.

The solution to the problem of the invention is carried out using the method defined in the claim.

In the process of transport logistics and position monitoring moving objects, e.g. of transport pallets, parcels, containers, Vehicles of all kinds, people, animals, but also smaller objects like luggage a miniaturized high-frequency transmitter becomes as insoluble as possible or can only be removed by destruction attached to the object in question. It should be noted at this point that the attached miniaturized high-frequency transmitters on the relevant Object is fixed that this after use by authorized persons using a special tool destructively can be removed. Disconnecting the radio frequency transmitter However, unauthorized persons can only be destroyed. By recording the last message from the broadcaster can then be concluded that there are abnormalities become. After the radio frequency transmitter has been uncovered, a specified, possibly programmable time interval is sent a data telegram, the data telegram clearly defines the object.

This definition is through one given special code, for example the owner, the Transport goods, the forwarder and the like. The data telegram contains Furthermore Information that a review regarding the admissibility a monitoring request allow.

The data telegrams sent are from Receiving stations added. These receiving stations are special preferably devices of a GSM, DECT or similar telecommunications network and / or facilities of geostationary location satellites. Prefers becomes a transport and position monitoring in regional or national Area using the radio cells of a telecommunications network carried out. In the continental surveillance area on the other hand, geostationary Location satellites used. Especially when monitoring Ship transport routes have shown the use of geostationary location satellites as particularly advantageous.

The respective receive data both the radio cells of the telecommunications network as well as the geostationary location satellites get to a central computer, whereby from the received data Localization of the respective sender location and thus the object is possible. In this way, the transport route of an object can be tracked across several radio cells and can be traced without special monitoring or reception facilities must be created.

From monitoring the transport route and the time recording can be a speed determination of the transport vehicle and there is a possibility Steering timeouts to record or too long rest or break times and the associated location to determine.

The recorded position or Transport route data of the respective object are then available on request and after identifying the requester by specifying and checking a Code word, which at least partially corresponds to the data telegram, gesendgt.

This sending to the entitled Receiver, e.g. the forwarder who is interested in where the consigned was Goods located can over regional and continental data communication networks, e.g. the internet in cheaper Way to be realized.

Data recording for a variety of objects takes place on and with the mentioned central computer, which at the same time and billing is used per request.

In the invention, the stored, recorded data of the transport route and the transport process reconstructed, the transport speed and an estimated time of arrival at the destination can be calculated.

To the amount of data for data recording To save in or with the central computer is a save only carried out if a changed position of the object when received is noticeable.

At one using the procedure System for transport logistics and position monitoring of moving objects is preferably on a miniaturized fixed frequency transmitter in IC card format or in a comparable handy format. The fixed frequency transmitter has a manually or machine readable one Identification marking on and sends after Freischatten in predeterminable intervals a data telegram, which among other things contains the identification code.

The system further comprises a radio cell reception network, preferably a telecommunications operator and / or a satellite-based location device for receiving the data telegrams.

A central computer is found in the system Application that is connected to the radio cell reception network and / or the satellite-based location device and is the received signals of the same identification codes records location-related in a corresponding file, so that at a authorized access to the central computer of the transport history and the respective position of the object or objects can be called up.

The fixed frequency transmitter used in the system in IC card format is designed as a so-called tag and includes funds for a permanent connection to the object, creating an unauthorized Removal can be largely ruled out.

In a preferred embodiment of the fixed frequency transmitter used in the system has one Receiver for remote controlled shading and / or for switching from a sleep mode to the transmission state, so that an overall energy-saving Operation and thus a sufficient lifespan of the self-sufficient transmitter unit can be achieved.

Due to the embodiment of the radio frequency transmitter as a fixed frequency transmitter that only works in the frequency range, which of common telecommunications operators or satellite positioning systems can be used, i.e. electronically tunable oscillators or the like are dispensed with, So that the Costs when creating the transmitter, especially if it is made accordingly large quantities can be kept low. Due to the programmable interval mode of operation of the transmitter Small energy consumption, which means especially in connection with the remote-controlled activation option the period of use is extended.

Due to the fact that by Access the identification code only authorized information seekers on the transport and position monitoring system have the requirements of data protection and other entrepreneurial Interests taken into account.

The central computer of operated or managed by a special service provider, which after identification of the requester, the desired stored position data or releases the transport history. In order to manageable the amount of data to be handled keeping is not just a storage of information only then made when a changed position of the objects was found, but not retrieved records after a predetermined period of time undetected changes in position deleted.

In an embodiment of the invention the requesting party, i.e. the customer of the service system the course of transport and the current location or location not only transmitted in coordinate form, instead there is a graphic representation using cartographic Overlays, with the positions reached in each case with additional Information such as day and time are provided.

Consists of a group identification code the possibility, that this system according to the invention for larger freight forwarders, Car rental companies or train operators are used to make this possible to move quickly and comprehensively an overview of the respective position to get the vehicles or the like.

The invention is based on the following of an embodiment and with the help of a figure.

The 1 shows a basic representation of the system for transport and position monitoring of moving objects using the example of a container 1 who is on a motor vehicle 3 located.

As shown, is on the container 1 , for example at a location where freight documentation is usually located, a fixed frequency transmitter 2 attached in IC card format. The transmitter 2 contains an identification label either in plain text or in the so-called BAR or bar code.

This marking is registered by the carrier and is part of the freight documentation. That means it will be any freight, in this case the container 1 , assigned a corresponding label.

That from the broadcaster 2 After its activation, the transmitted data telegram contains an individual code, which is used to identify the transmission signal and thus the container 1 serves.

If the on the motor vehicle 3 located containers 1 now moved regionally or supraregionally on corresponding traffic routes, then the radio frequency signals transmitted by radio cell reception antennas at predetermined time intervals 4 a GSM or DECT network operator and a processing station 5 fed, which is part of the existing network. From the processing station 5 information can then be selected that the radio cell change when moving the motor vehicle 3 with container 1 and transmitter 2 correspond. The transport process can be reconstructed from the registration of these radio cell changes and position monitoring can take place.

This is what the processing station stands for 5 via a data line with a central computer 6 of the transport and position monitoring system in connection. This central computer 6 has another interface to receive data from a receiver 9 for satellite-based location systems 7 take. These satellite-based tracking devices 7 , which can be part of a GPS navigation device, for example, enable position monitoring in areas that are not or only insufficiently supplied by a telecommunications radio cell network; this applies, for example, to sea routes or air transport.

An access interface 8th of the central computer 6 now enables transport and / or position monitoring data to be queried by an authorized person, in the present case the freight forwarder, who knows the identification code. The authorized user can access the central computer in predetermined periods, for example in times of low traffic, via a data network 6 Download the information relevant to the objects in question in order to have them in your own computer system for documentation, control and verification purposes, in particular for possible insurance claims. The one in the central computer 6 Stored data are automatically deleted after a predetermined time in order to limit the data stock, likewise only movement or position change data of the respective object being taken over into the stock to be stored under the aspect of data reduction.

From the stored data can be determine the transport speed and the arrival of the or determine the objects at a given destination a priori.

1

Container

2

RF transmitter

3

motor vehicle

4

Radio cells receiving antenna

5

processing station

6

central computer

7

satellite-based tracking device

8th

Access interface

9

receiver

Claims (1)

Transport logistics procedures. and position monitoring movable goods moved with different means of transport, goods or similar objects, comprising the following steps: - Unauthorized only by destroying solvable Attach a miniaturized radio frequency transmitter at a Place a freight documentation containing an identification label as Part of the freight documentation, which after a external, remote-controlled activation in predefined, programmable intervals sends a data telegram, the data telegram clearly identifying the object Are defined; - Receive the data telegrams from receiving stations of a GSM telecommunications network and / or from geostationaries Positioning satellites; - Current Recording of the received data and localization of the respective transmission location via the radio cells the GSM network and / or the satellite positioning system by means of a Central computer, with a renewed data recording only then occurs when a changed position of the object is received is noticeable; - Transfer of recorded position and transport route data for the respective Object using a regional or continental data communication network, preferably the Internet on request and after identification of the Inquirer by specification and examination a code word which at least partially corresponds to the data telegram corresponds to the object transmitter; - Taking the data record in parallel for a large number of objects take place on and with the central computer, which at the same time and billing each on request and transmission over the data communication network Is used and - In which continue the transport route from the stored, recorded data and course is reconstructed so that the transport speed and an estimated time of arrival at a destination for the requester is predictable.