EP1119835A1 - Device for signalling spatial separation or closeness beyond or within a predetermined limit - Google Patents

Device for signalling spatial separation or closeness beyond or within a predetermined limit

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Publication number
EP1119835A1
EP1119835A1 EP99970195A EP99970195A EP1119835A1 EP 1119835 A1 EP1119835 A1 EP 1119835A1 EP 99970195 A EP99970195 A EP 99970195A EP 99970195 A EP99970195 A EP 99970195A EP 1119835 A1 EP1119835 A1 EP 1119835A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unit
frame
identification information
signal
received
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP99970195A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1119835B1 (en
Inventor
Pierre Sorriaux
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1119835A1 publication Critical patent/EP1119835A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1119835B1 publication Critical patent/EP1119835B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
    • G08B21/0227—System arrangements with a plurality of child units
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
    • G08B13/14—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
    • G08B13/1427—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
    • G08B21/0241—Data exchange details, e.g. data protocol
    • G08B21/0247—System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/24—Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Definitions

  • the invention finds its application in particular for the warning of a person when it is distant from an object, a person or an animal, of which it is the holder, the guardian or the monitoring, beyond a certain distance.
  • the object can be a personal effect, luggage, a key or a bunch of keys and the purpose of the device according to the invention is to warn its holder that he has forgotten the object or that it is too far away to monitor it effectively.
  • the invention also finds an application for warning a person when he or herself, or an object, another person or an animal is approaching a particular place within a certain corresponding distance for example to a security perimeter.
  • Patent application FR 2 676 135 describes a system more particularly intended for signaling the crossing by a child of a predetermined distance with respect to its guardian.
  • a transmitter box worn by the child transmits a signal to a landline at the caretaker.
  • the landline includes a receiver associated with a signal strength detection circuit from the transmitter. When the strength of the received signal falls below a predetermined threshold, due to the distance beyond a certain limit, an alarm is activated at the receiver.
  • Each of the boxes housing the transmitter and receiver must have its own manual on / off control.
  • Patent application WO 95/02874 relates to a system making it possible to monitor one or more objects by means of a receiver and one or more transmitters which can be associated with the respective objects to be monitored. It is indicated that not only an alarm is triggered when a transmitter moves away beyond a certain distance from the receiver, but also that the distance and direction of the transmitter can be measured; however, a detailed description of the means to be used for this purpose is not given.
  • Patent application EP 0 838 907 more specifically describes an alarm system which is triggered when a mobile phone moves away beyond a given distance relative to a belt support (or hanger) of a user.
  • Transmitter / receiver units are associated with the telephone and the belt support to transmit signals containing respective identification information and to verify that signals are received with a sufficient level and containing the expected identification information.
  • phone uses resources from it.
  • Patent application WO 93/25 983 describes a system comprising two units emitting / receiving ultrasonic waves.
  • an alarm is triggered at a first unit (monitoring unit) when the second unit (monitored unit) no longer receives a signal and alerts the first unit by sending an alert signal d 'high amph- tude.
  • the monitoring unit sends a signal to the monitored unit and the latter relays it to the monitoring unit in order to be able to measure the distance and adjust the intensity of the alarm accordingly. , so that the closeness between the units results in a higher alarm sound level.
  • the user can therefore locate the monitored unit.
  • This system requires the emission of ultrasound. It is not suitable for reliable use in any environment.
  • the emission of the alarm is limited to the emission of a powerful alert signal from the monitored unit to the monitoring unit and the good reception of this signal alert by the monitoring unit.
  • the invention aims to provide a device which is multi-purpose and autonomous, and capable of operating reliably and with high security in a disturbed electromagnetic environment and in the presence of other similar devices operating nearby
  • the invention proposes a device for warning of spatial separation beyond a threshold of distance between a first monitored unit and a second alert unit, in which: the first unit includes means for wireless transmission of a signal comprising identification information; the second unit comprises means for receiving said signal and controlling the operation of a warning means when the received signal has a level below a predetermined threshold or when the identification information is not recognized in the received signal; and means are provided for automatically switching the first unit and the second unit into an inactive state and into an active state when they are respectively physically connected to each other and physically separated from each other, device in which, according to the invention.
  • the first unit is an autonomous unit which includes coding means for controlling the transmission of a signal in the form of periodic frames comprising identification information coded in a variable form with each frame, and
  • the second unit is an autonomous unit which includes decoding means capable of recognizing the identification information in each frame received, for controlling the operation of the warning means for a predetermined time interval in response to correct non-reception or the non-recognition of the identification information of a frame or of a predetermined number of consecutive frames sent.
  • means are provided for placing the second unit in the inactive state at the end of said predetermined time interval of operation of the warning means if, during this time interval, the identification information has not been recognized in at least one possibly received frame, and to interrupt the operation of the warning means if, during this time interval, the identification information has been recognized in a received frame.
  • the transmission of identification information coded in a variable form to each frame offers great security both with regard to fraud attempts, and in the presence of parasitic electromagnetic emissions or coming from similar devices operating nearby. .
  • the receiver goes into an inactive state only after a predetermined time interval has elapsed following the triggering of the alarm allows a user to have time to return to close to an object monitored, from which he may have inadvertently moved away without deactivating the receiver. It therefore remains active without the user having to perform any maneuver after triggering the alarm.
  • the second unit, or alert unit comprises a transmitter for the wireless transmission of an interrogation signal, for example periodically, and the first unit, or monitored unit, comprises a receiver for controlling the transmission of at least one frame in response to the reception of the interrogation signal.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to associate several monitored units with the same alert unit, the latter interrogating the monitored units sequentially by sending personalized interrogation signals.
  • the second unit comprises a switch making it possible to select between a distance monitoring mode and a proximity monitoring mode, and means are provided in the second unit for controlling the operation of the horn. when, in the reconciliation monitoring mode, the identification information is recognized in a received frame.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • - Figure 5 schematically illustrates the operation of the alert unit in a third embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 very schematically shows a first embodiment of a warning device according to the invention comprising a first unit 10, forming a monitored unit, and a second unit 20, forming an alert unit.
  • the first unit 10 comprises a control circuit 12, a transmitter 14, an electrical power source 16 and an on / off switch 18.
  • control circuit 12 comprises a central unit 120, memories 122, 124, and a time base 126 supplying clock signals
  • the transmitter 14 comprises an oscillator 140, the output of which is connected to an antenna 142, and a modulator 144 controlled by the circuit 12.
  • the oscillator produces a signal at a frequency for example of several hundreds of MHz.
  • the digital signals received from the control circuit 12 in the form of periodic frames are transformed into pulse trains applied to the antenna 142.
  • Each frame includes identification information specific to the unit 10.
  • the second unit 20 comprises a circuit 22, a receiver 24, an electric power source 26, an on / off switch 28 and a warning device 29.
  • the control circuit 22 comprises a central unit 220, memories 222, 224 and a time base 226 supplying clock signals.
  • the receiver 24 includes a detection and amplification circuit 240, the input of which is connected to an antenna 242, a threshold circuit 244 and a demodulator 246
  • the signals transmitted by the unit 10 and received by the antenna 242 are detected by the circuit 240 which produces a signal whose amplitude varies as a function of the distance between the units 10 and 20.
  • the signal level is below a determined threshold, fixed by the circuit 244, the latter blocks the demodulator 246 of so that no signal is transmitted to the control circuit 22.
  • the train of pulses produced by the circuit 244 is demodulated by the demodulator 246 to allow the production of a digital signal in the form of a frame which can be read by the control circuit 22.
  • Units 10 and 20 with power sources 16, 26 in the form of miniature batteries can be produced in a very compact manner and housed in small-sized boxes, operating independently.
  • the horn 29 is for example of sound and / or light and / or vibrator type. It is triggered by the control circuit 22 when no frame is received in a given time interval, or when information identification of the unit 10 is not recognized in a received frame or in several consecutive received frames.
  • the operation of the units 10 and 20 under the control of programs stored in the control units 12 and 22 will be described later in detail.
  • the activation, or implementation of the units 10 and 20, by closing the switches 18, 28, is carried out automatically as soon as the units 10 and 20 are distant from each other, while conversely the deactivation, or decommissioning of units 10 and 20, by opening switches 18, 28, is carried out automatically as soon as units 10 and 20 are brought together.
  • the activation of units 10 and 20 can be viewed, for example, by lighting up a light-emitting diode.
  • the switches 18. 28 are with mechanically actuated movable contact elastically returned to the closed position.
  • the units 10 and 20 are housed in boxes 15, 25 (shown diagrammatically by dashed lines) provided with lugs 15a, 25a which, penetrating into respective housings 25b, 15b, act at the end of their travel on the contacts of the switches 18, 28 when the housings 15, 25 are joined to one another.
  • FIG. 2 shows for example the housing 15 of the first unit associated with a key 30, and the housing 25 of the second unit which can be mechanically connected, in a separable manner, to the housing 15.
  • the housing 15 can constitute, or form part of, a key ring that the user keeps on him.
  • the key 30 When the key 30 is not used, it is connected, with the housing 15, to the housing 25.
  • the user detaches it from the housing 25, which activates the units 10 and 20. If, subsequently , it moves away from the key 30 beyond a predetermined distance, a warning signal is produced by the housing 25.
  • the device then functions as an "anti-forgetting" alarm in the case where the user has inadvertently left the key on a door or on a vehicle ignition switch.
  • a housing such as 15 can be associated with any type of object or even with a person or an animal under surveillance.
  • connection between the boxes 15 and 25 is carried out by plugging the pins 15a, 25a into the housings 25b, 15b, the mechanical connection means of the boxes thus also acting on the on / off switches.
  • mechanical or other (for example magnetic) connection means separate from the lugs 15a, 25a and housings 25b, 15b may be provided to connect the housings 15, 25 in a removable manner.
  • the on / off switches 18, 28 could be with movable contact that can be actuated magnetically, for example in the form of microswitches housed in vacuum interrupters.
  • the opening of the contacts can then be carried out by magnets carried by the housings 15, 25. These magnets can also, possibly, constitute the removable connection means of the housings 15, 25 with one another.
  • the remoteness of the units 10, 20 automatically causes the switches 18, 28 to close, thus activating the units 10 and 20.
  • phase 100 When switch 18 (phase 100) closes. an initialization phase 101 of the unit 10 is carried out during which a CTE frame counter and a CSE synchronization counter are reset to zero A frame is produced (phase 102), comprising synchronization information and a identification information.
  • the synchronization information is in the form of a series of bits and is intended for the initial calibration of an awakening circuit ("watchdog") of the unit 20.
  • the identification information is information coded on several bits which, in the first frame produced after initialization, is constituted by a serial number specific to the unit 10 and stored in a memory of the control unit 12, at the manufacturing stage of the unit 10.
  • step 104 After a sleep phase 103, which has a duration slightly less than the periodicity of transmission of the frames, for example approximately 2 s, on waking up from the unit 10 (step 104), the frame produced in step 102 is transmitted (step 105). The content of the CTE and CSE counters is incremented (phase 106) before returning to phase 102.
  • Incrementing the CTE counter causes the creation of a new frame (phase 102).
  • Each new frame, after the initial frame. only includes identification information, different each time.
  • the identification information inserted in each new frame is obtained by coding according to a pre-programmed coding law, from the initial serial number, and according to the content of the frame counter CTE. It may be different in length from the original serial number.
  • the content of the CSE synchronization counter is examined (phase 107). If it reaches a given threshold SE, for example corresponding to a predetermined operating time of 2 min or more, self-calibration is performed (step 108) followed by resetting the CSE counter (step 109) before go to step 105.
  • This self-calibration consists in measuring and re-calibrating if necessary the period of a wake-up circuit ("watchdog"), for example between 10 ms and 40 ms, at the end of which it is each time it is checked whether the 2 s period of transmission of the frames has elapsed or not. Recalibration of the wake-up circuit is carried out from the internal time base of the control circuit 12 and makes it possible to guarantee the constancy of the period of 2 s, so that the unit 10 and the unit 20 operate in synchronism.
  • the transmitter circuits only work when the unit 10 wakes up, so that power consumption is limited.
  • phase 200 On the receiver side (FIG. 3B), when switch 28 is closed (phase 200), an initialization phase 201 is carried out during which a frame counter CTR, a synchronization counter CSR and an error counter CE are reset.
  • phase 203 If no frame is received from the demodulator 246 by the control circuit within a predetermined time to, for example 30 s, after initialization (test 202), the operation of the unit 20 is stopped (phase 203). An error signal can then be produced, by display of a particular indicator or control of the horn 29, in a mode different from the alarm mode. The operation of the unit 20 can then restart only after reinitialization. This can be achieved by opening / closing switches 18 and 28 (by uniting and then separating units 10 and 20), or by removing and replacing batteries 16 and 26, or by pressing a specific reset button on units 10 and 20.
  • an initial calibration is carried out on the basis of the synchronization information received with this first frame (step 204) and the initial identification information received, constituted by the serial number of the the unit 10 is stored (step 205) in order to be used for decoding the identification information contained in the following frames.
  • the initial calibration makes it possible to synchronize the start of the sleep period of unit 20 with that of unit 10 and to define the duration thereof.
  • the unit 20 After reception of the first frame, the unit 20 is periodically brought into the sleep phase 206 for a predetermined duration, slightly less than the period of transmission of the frames, at the end of which it goes into the wake-up phase 207.
  • the period of the frames being chosen for example equal to 2 s, we choose for example a sleep phase duration of the unit 20 of 1840 ms. If, after the end of the sleep period, no frame is received during the remaining period of the frame transmission period (test 208), which corresponds to an "out of time" error, the content of the counter d CE errors is incremented (step 210). If, on the other hand, a frame is received within the time limit, it is checked (step 209). Verification consists in recognizing the identification information contained in the frame received.
  • the identification information is calculated by the control circuit 22 of the unit 20 using the number of series initially received and stored, and the content of the frame counter CTR. The calculated identification information is compared with that contained in the received frames. It will be noted that the frame counter CTR and the synchronization counter CSR are incremented during the test 207 after each phase 206. If the identification information received is incorrect, the content of the error counter CE is incremented (step 210) . If the identification information checked in step 209 is correct, the content of the error counter CE is reduced to zero (step 211) before returning to the sleep phase 204.
  • the operation of the alarm is controlled (step 213) and it is tested if the alarm 29 is on from a predetermined time interval T, for example at least 30 s (test 214). If that is the case. the operation of the unit 20 is stopped by passing to phase 203 and the horn is cut off. If the alarm has been operating for a duration less than the duration T of the predetermined time interval, as well as as long as the content of the error counter CE does not reach the predetermined value E, it is returned to phase 206. The stopping of the horn 29, in the case where it has been triggered for a duration less than T, is carried out in step 21 1 in response to the recognition of information of correct identification in a received frame.
  • a predetermined value E for example at least the value 2 (test 212)
  • T for example at least 30 s
  • the content of the synchronization counter CSR is examined (cf. test 216) in order to perform a periodic recalibration of the unit 20 and align it with the unit 10.
  • the recalibration (step 217) is carried out when the content of the counter CSR reaches a value SR corresponding for example to a duration of 2 min (test 216), and the counter CSR is reset to zero (step 218).
  • the recalibration carried out from the internal clock of the control circuit 22 makes it possible to ensure the consistency of the duration of the sleep and waking phases, so that the unit 20 is indeed in the waking phase when 'a frame is likely to be received.
  • the receiver units 24 are only active in the wake-up phase.
  • the alarm is produced in the case where a frame is not received from the demodulator 246 (signal received too weak during a period of transmission of the frames), or when frames are received but the information identification is not recognized in two consecutive frames.
  • a frame is not received from the demodulator 246 (signal received too weak during a period of transmission of the frames), or when frames are received but the information identification is not recognized in two consecutive frames.
  • other configurations can be chosen to control the triggering of the horn 29, for example when two or more consecutive frames are not received or that the identification information is not recognized in a single frame or in more than two consecutive frames.
  • An advantage of the embodiment described above is that the alert unit 20 does not require reinitialization if, after the alarm has been triggered, this unit is brought close to the unit 10, before the end of the time interval T, the operation of the alarm being then interrupted.
  • FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • the elements common to the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3 bear the same references and their description will not be repeated here in detail.
  • the second unit 20 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that it comprises a transmitter 23 connected to the antenna 242.
  • the transmitter 23 comprises an oscillator 234 and a modulator 236 controlled by the control circuit 22.
  • the transmitter produces a periodic interrogation signal in the form of pulse trains.
  • the first unit 10 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that it comprises a receiver 13 connected to the antenna 142.
  • the receiver 13 comprises a circuit 134 for detection and amplification and a demodulator 136 connected to the control circuit 12.
  • the control circuit 12 controls the operation of the transmitter 14 which transmits one or more frames.
  • the unit 20 can be associated with several units 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... interrogated in turn by varying the interrogation signal cyclically.
  • the interrogation signals intended for the units 10, 10', 10 ", ... are distinguished from each other by a different coding of the pulse trains which constitute them.
  • Each unit 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... transmits at least one frame comprising its own identification information in response to the reception and recognition of the interrogation signal intended for it.
  • Each transmission of a interrogation signal by the unit 20 defines a window (time interval) during which the unit 20 detects the reception of frames coming from the interrogated unit
  • each unit 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... is provided with a warning device 19 which is triggered by the control circuit 12 when no interrogation signal is received, or an interrogation signal is received with an insufficient level or is not recognized in a given time interval, for example corresponding to one or more periods of the interrogation signal.
  • the receiver 13 may then be provided with a threshold circuit which inhibits the operation of the demodulator when the level of the received signal is insufficient, in the same way as the receiver 24 of the unit 20.
  • an alarm can be produced at the level of or of a unit 10, 10 ′, 10 ", ... when it moves away from the unit 20 beyond a given distance.
  • This alarm in addition to that produced at unit 20, allows the holder of the latter to more easily locate unit 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... and therefore the object, the animal or the person with whom it is associated, in the event of abnormal removal. This also makes it possible to exert a dissuasive effect vis-à-vis a person who has taken hold of an object with which the unit 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... is associated.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of a unit 20 according to another embodiment of the invention in which the unit 20 is provided with a switch making it possible to switch from a remote monitoring mode to a monitoring mode of reconciliation.
  • This switch 32 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1.
  • the state of the switch 32 is recognized by the control circuit 24.
  • the operation of the unit 20 then differs from that illustrated in FIG. 3B from the test 208 (frame received?). If no frame is received, we examine what is the operating mode defined by the state of switch 32 (test 230). In distance monitoring mode, we go to step 210 of incrementing the error counter CE, as in the case of FIG. 3B. In reconciliation monitoring mode, we return to step 206.
  • the monitoring mode is determined (test 233). In distance monitoring mode, we go to step 210 (increment of CE). In reconciliation monitoring mode, we return to step 206.
  • the proximity monitoring mode makes it possible to detect penetration inside a security perimeter around the unit 20.
  • An output connection to a more powerful alarm device may be provided on the unit housing. 20.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
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Abstract

A first unit (10) comprises a first transmitter (12) for wireless transmission of a signal in the from of periodic frames comprising identity information encoded in varying form in each frame, and a second unit (20) comprises a first receiver (22) for receiving said signal and for causing an alarm (29) to operate in response to failure to receive or to recognize identity information. Means (16, 26, 15a, 25a, 15b, 25b) are provided for automatically deactivating at least one of the first and second units when they are physically close together, and for automatically activating said units when they are physically separate from each other.

Description

Dispositif d'avertissement de séparation ou de rapprochement spatial au-delà ou en-deçà d'une limite prédéterminéeSpatial separation or rapprochement warning device above or below a predetermined limit
Domaine de l'invention L'invention trouve notamment son application pour l'avertissement d'une personne lorsqu'elle est éloignée d'un objet, d'une personne ou d'un animal, dont elle est le détenteur, le gardien ou le surveillant, au-delà d'une certaine distance. Par exemple, l'objet peut être un effet personnel, un bagage, une clé ou un trousseau de clés et le but du dispositif selon l'invention est d'avertir son détenteur qu'il a oublié l'objet ou qu'il en est trop éloigné pour le surveiller efficacement.Field of the Invention The invention finds its application in particular for the warning of a person when it is distant from an object, a person or an animal, of which it is the holder, the guardian or the monitoring, beyond a certain distance. For example, the object can be a personal effect, luggage, a key or a bunch of keys and the purpose of the device according to the invention is to warn its holder that he has forgotten the object or that it is too far away to monitor it effectively.
L'invention trouve aussi une application pour l'avertissement d'une personne lorsqu'elle-même, ou bien un objet, une autre personne ou un animal se rapproche d'un lieu particulier en-deçà d'une certaine distance correspondant par exemple à un périmètre de sécurité.The invention also finds an application for warning a person when he or herself, or an object, another person or an animal is approaching a particular place within a certain corresponding distance for example to a security perimeter.
Arrière-plan de l'inventionInvention background
La demande de brevet FR 2 676 135 décrit un système plus particulièrement destiné à signaler le franchissement par un enfant d'une distance prédéter- minée par rapport à son gardien. Un boîtier émetteur porté par l'enfant émet un signal vers un poste fixe au niveau du gardien. Le poste fixe comprend un récepteur associé à un circuit de détection de l'intensité du signal de l'émetteur. Lorsque l'intensité du signal reçu tombe en dessous d'un seuil prédéterminé, en raison de l'éloignement au-delà d'une certaine limite, une alarme est activée au niveau du récepteur. Chacun des boîtiers logeant l'émetteur et le récepteur doit être muni de sa propre commande manuelle marche/arrêt.Patent application FR 2 676 135 describes a system more particularly intended for signaling the crossing by a child of a predetermined distance with respect to its guardian. A transmitter box worn by the child transmits a signal to a landline at the caretaker. The landline includes a receiver associated with a signal strength detection circuit from the transmitter. When the strength of the received signal falls below a predetermined threshold, due to the distance beyond a certain limit, an alarm is activated at the receiver. Each of the boxes housing the transmitter and receiver must have its own manual on / off control.
Un système destiné également à la surveillance d'un enfant est décrit dans la demande de brevet WO 93/19437. Par rapport au précédent, il présente l'avantage d'une activation et désactivation automatiques de l'émetteur et du récepteur lorsqu'ils sont physiquement séparés l'un de l'autre, et réunis l'un à l'autre.A system also intended for monitoring a child is described in patent application WO 93/19437. Compared to the previous one, it has the advantage of automatic activation and deactivation of the transmitter and the receiver when they are physically separated from each other, and joined together.
La demande de brevet WO 95/02874 concerne un système permettant de surveiller un ou plusieurs objets au moyen d'un récepteur et d'un ou plusieurs émetteurs pouvant être associés aux objets respectifs à surveiller. Il est indiqué que non seulement une alarme est déclenchée lorsqu'un émetteur s'éloigne au-delà d'une certaine distance du récepteur, mais aussi que la distance et la direction de l'émetteur peuvent être mesurées ; toutefois, une descπption détaillée des moyens à mettre en oeuvre à cet effet n'est pas donnée.Patent application WO 95/02874 relates to a system making it possible to monitor one or more objects by means of a receiver and one or more transmitters which can be associated with the respective objects to be monitored. It is indicated that not only an alarm is triggered when a transmitter moves away beyond a certain distance from the receiver, but also that the distance and direction of the transmitter can be measured; however, a detailed description of the means to be used for this purpose is not given.
La demande de brevet EP 0 838 907 décπt, de façon plus précise, un système d'alarme qui est déclenché lorsqu'un téléphone mobile s'éloigne au-delà d'une distance donnée par rapport à un support (ou accroche) de ceinture d'un utilisateur. Des unités émettπces/réceptπces sont associées au téléphone et au support de ceinture pour émettre des signaux contenant des informations d'identification respectives et vérifier que des signaux sont reçus avec un niveau suffisant et contenant l'information d'identification attendue L'unité associée au téléphone utilise des ressources de celui-ci. Dès que le téléphone s'éloigne au-delà de la distance prédéterminée, ou que l'unité associée au téléphone ne reconnaît plus l'information d'identification du support de ceinture associe, et réciproquement, une alarme est émise par le support et par le téléphone, et celui-ci s'éteint automatiquement La demande de brevet WO 93/25 983 décrit quant à elle un système comprenant deux unités émettnces/réceptπces d'ondes ultrasonores. Dans un mode de fonctionnement, une alarme est déclenchée au niveau d'une première unité (unité de surveillance) lorsque la deuxième unité (unité surveillée) ne reçoit plus de signal et alerte la première unité par émission d'un signal d'alerte d'amph- tude élevée. Dans un autre mode de fonctionnement, l'unité de surveillance envoie un signal à l'unité surveillée et celle-ci le relaie vers l'unité de surveillance pour pouvoir effectuer une mesure de distance et moduler en conséquence l'intensité de l'alarme, de sorte que le rapprochement entre les unîtes se traduit par un niveau sonore de l'alarme plus élevé Dans le deuxième mode de fonctionnement, l'utih- sateur peut donc localiser l'unité surveillée. Ce système requiert l'émission d'ultrasons. Il n'est pas adapté a une utilisation fiable dans tout environnement. En outre, dans le premier mode de réalisation, l'émission de l'alarme est tπbutaire de l'émission d'un signal d'alerte puissant de l'unité surveillée vers l'unité de surveillance et de la bonne réception de ce signal d'alerte par l'unité de surveillance.Patent application EP 0 838 907 more specifically describes an alarm system which is triggered when a mobile phone moves away beyond a given distance relative to a belt support (or hanger) of a user. Transmitter / receiver units are associated with the telephone and the belt support to transmit signals containing respective identification information and to verify that signals are received with a sufficient level and containing the expected identification information. phone uses resources from it. As soon as the telephone moves away beyond the predetermined distance, or when the unit associated with the telephone no longer recognizes the identification information of the associated belt support, and vice versa, an alarm is emitted by the support and by the telephone, and the latter turns off automatically Patent application WO 93/25 983 describes a system comprising two units emitting / receiving ultrasonic waves. In one operating mode, an alarm is triggered at a first unit (monitoring unit) when the second unit (monitored unit) no longer receives a signal and alerts the first unit by sending an alert signal d 'high amph- tude. In another operating mode, the monitoring unit sends a signal to the monitored unit and the latter relays it to the monitoring unit in order to be able to measure the distance and adjust the intensity of the alarm accordingly. , so that the closeness between the units results in a higher alarm sound level. In the second operating mode, the user can therefore locate the monitored unit. This system requires the emission of ultrasound. It is not suitable for reliable use in any environment. In addition, in the first embodiment, the emission of the alarm is limited to the emission of a powerful alert signal from the monitored unit to the monitoring unit and the good reception of this signal alert by the monitoring unit.
Obiet et résumé de l'inventionObject and summary of the invention
Par rapport à l'état de la technique ci-dessus évoqué, l'invention a pour but de proposer un dispositif qui soit multi-usages et autonome, et capable de fonctionner de façon fiable et avec une haute secuπté dans un environnement électromagnétique perturbé et en présence d'autres dispositifs analogues fonctionnant à proximité A cet effet, l'invention propose un dispositif d'avertissement de séparation spatiale au-delà d'un seuil de distance entre une première unité surveillée et une deuxième unité d'alerte, dans lequel : la première unité comporte des moyens pour l'émission sans fil d'un signal comprenant une information d'identification ; la deuxième unité comporte des moyens pour recevoir ledit signal et commander le fonctionnement d'un moyen avertisseur lorsque le signal reçu a un niveau inférieur à un seuil prédéterminé ou lorsque l'information d'identification n'est pas reconnue dans le signal reçu ; et des moyens sont prévus pour faire passer automatiquement la première unité et la deuxième unité dans un état inactif et dans un état actif lorsqu'elles sont respectivement reliées physiquement l'une à l'autre et séparées physiquement l'une de l'autre, dispositif dans lequel, conformément à l'invention.Compared to the state of the art mentioned above, the invention aims to provide a device which is multi-purpose and autonomous, and capable of operating reliably and with high security in a disturbed electromagnetic environment and in the presence of other similar devices operating nearby To this end, the invention proposes a device for warning of spatial separation beyond a threshold of distance between a first monitored unit and a second alert unit, in which: the first unit includes means for wireless transmission of a signal comprising identification information; the second unit comprises means for receiving said signal and controlling the operation of a warning means when the received signal has a level below a predetermined threshold or when the identification information is not recognized in the received signal; and means are provided for automatically switching the first unit and the second unit into an inactive state and into an active state when they are respectively physically connected to each other and physically separated from each other, device in which, according to the invention.
- la première unité est une unité autonome qui comporte des moyens de codage pour commander l'émission d'un signal sous forme de trames périodiques comprenant une information d'identification codée sous une forme variable à chaque trame, etthe first unit is an autonomous unit which includes coding means for controlling the transmission of a signal in the form of periodic frames comprising identification information coded in a variable form with each frame, and
- la deuxième unité est une unité autonome qui comporte des moyens de décodage aptes à reconnaître l'information d'identification dans chaque trame reçue, pour commander le fonctionnement du moyen avertisseur pendant un intervalle de temps prédéterminé en réponse à la non-réception correcte ou à la non-reconnaissance de l'information d'identification d'une trame ou d'un nombre prédéterminé de trames consécutives émises.the second unit is an autonomous unit which includes decoding means capable of recognizing the identification information in each frame received, for controlling the operation of the warning means for a predetermined time interval in response to correct non-reception or the non-recognition of the identification information of a frame or of a predetermined number of consecutive frames sent.
Avantageusement, des moyens sont prévus pour faire passer la deuxième unité à l'état inactif à la fin dudit intervalle de temps prédéterminé de fonctionnement du moyen avertisseur si, pendant cet intervalle de temps, l'information d'identification n'a pas été reconnue dans au moins une trame éventuellement reçue, et pour interrompre le fonctionnement du moyen avertisseur si, pendant cet intervalle de temps, l'information d'identification a été reconnue dans une trame reçue. L'émission d'une information d'identification codée sous une forme variable à chaque trame offre une grande sécurité tant vis-à-vis de tentatives de fraude, qu'en présence d'émissions électromagnétiques parasites ou provenant de dispositifs similaires fonctionnant à proximité.Advantageously, means are provided for placing the second unit in the inactive state at the end of said predetermined time interval of operation of the warning means if, during this time interval, the identification information has not been recognized in at least one possibly received frame, and to interrupt the operation of the warning means if, during this time interval, the identification information has been recognized in a received frame. The transmission of identification information coded in a variable form to each frame offers great security both with regard to fraud attempts, and in the presence of parasitic electromagnetic emissions or coming from similar devices operating nearby. .
Le fait que le récepteur passe à un état inactif seulement après qu'un intervalle de temps prédéterminé se soit écoulé à la suite du déclenchement de l'alarme permet à un utilisateur d'avoir le temps de revenir à proximité d'un objet surveillé, dont il avait pu s'éloigner par inadvertance, sans désactivation du récepteur. Celui-ci reste donc actif sans que l'utilisateur ait à accomplir une quelconque manoeuvre après déclenchement de l'alarme.The fact that the receiver goes into an inactive state only after a predetermined time interval has elapsed following the triggering of the alarm allows a user to have time to return to close to an object monitored, from which he may have inadvertently moved away without deactivating the receiver. It therefore remains active without the user having to perform any maneuver after triggering the alarm.
Selon une variation de réalisation, la deuxième unité, ou unité d'alerte, comprend un émetteur pour l'émission sans fil d'un signal d'interrogation, par exemple de façon périodique, et la première unité, ou unité surveillée, comprend un récepteur pour commander l'émission d'au moins une trame en réponse à la réception du signal d'interrogation.According to a variant embodiment, the second unit, or alert unit, comprises a transmitter for the wireless transmission of an interrogation signal, for example periodically, and the first unit, or monitored unit, comprises a receiver for controlling the transmission of at least one frame in response to the reception of the interrogation signal.
Cette disposition permet d'associer plusieurs unités surveillées à une même unité d'alerte, cette dernière interrogeant les unités surveillées de façon séquentielle par émission de signaux d'interrogation personnalisés.This arrangement makes it possible to associate several monitored units with the same alert unit, the latter interrogating the monitored units sequentially by sending personalized interrogation signals.
Selon encore une autre variante de réalisation, la deuxième unité comporte un commutateur permettant de sélectionner entre un mode de surveillance d'éloignement et un mode de surveillance de rapprochement, et des moyens sont prévus dans la deuxième unité pour commander le fonctionnement de l'avertisseur lorsque, dans le mode de surveillance de rapprochement, l'information d'identification est reconnue dans une trame reçue.According to yet another alternative embodiment, the second unit comprises a switch making it possible to select between a distance monitoring mode and a proximity monitoring mode, and means are provided in the second unit for controlling the operation of the horn. when, in the reconciliation monitoring mode, the identification information is recognized in a received frame.
Brève description des dessins Dans la description détaillée faite ci-après, il sera fait référence aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :Brief description of the drawings In the detailed description given below, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- la figure 1 est un schéma d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention .- Figure 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention.
- la figure 2 montre très schématiquement une application du dispositif de la figure 1 ;- Figure 2 very schematically shows an application of the device of Figure 1;
- les figures 3A et 3B illustrent schématiquement le fonctionnement de l'unité surveillée et de l'unité d'alerte du dispositif de la figure 1 ;- Figures 3A and 3B schematically illustrate the operation of the monitored unit and the alert unit of the device of Figure 1;
- la figure 4 est un schéma d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention ; et - la figure 5 illustre schématiquement le fonctionnement de l'unité d'alerte dans un troisième mode de réalisation d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention.- Figure 4 is a diagram of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention; and - Figure 5 schematically illustrates the operation of the alert unit in a third embodiment of a device according to the invention.
Description détaillée de modes de réalisation de l'invention La figure 1 montre très schématiquement un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif d'avertissement conforme à l'invention comportant une première unité 10, formant unité surveillée, et une deuxième unité 20, formant unité d'alerte.Detailed description of embodiments of the invention FIG. 1 very schematically shows a first embodiment of a warning device according to the invention comprising a first unit 10, forming a monitored unit, and a second unit 20, forming an alert unit.
La première unité 10 comprend un circuit de commande 12, un émetteur 14, une source d'alimentation électπque 16 et un commutateur marche/ arrêt 18.The first unit 10 comprises a control circuit 12, a transmitter 14, an electrical power source 16 and an on / off switch 18.
De façon classique, le circuit de commande 12 comporte une unité centrale 120, des mémoires 122, 124, et une base de temps 126 fournissant des signaux d'horlogeConventionally, the control circuit 12 comprises a central unit 120, memories 122, 124, and a time base 126 supplying clock signals
L'émetteur 14 comprend un oscillateur 140, dont la sortie est reliée a une antenne 142, et un modulateur 144 commandé par le circuit 12. L'oscillateur produit un signal à une fréquence par exemple de plusieurs centaines de MHz. Les signaux numéπques reçus du circuit de commande 12 sous forme de trames peπodiques sont transformes en trains d'impulsion appliqués à l'antenne 142. Chaque trame comprend une information d'identification propre à l'unité 10. La deuxième unité 20 comprend un circuit de commande 22, un récepteur 24, une source d'alimentation électπque 26, un commutateur marche/ arrêt 28 et un dispositif avertisseur 29.The transmitter 14 comprises an oscillator 140, the output of which is connected to an antenna 142, and a modulator 144 controlled by the circuit 12. The oscillator produces a signal at a frequency for example of several hundreds of MHz. The digital signals received from the control circuit 12 in the form of periodic frames are transformed into pulse trains applied to the antenna 142. Each frame includes identification information specific to the unit 10. The second unit 20 comprises a circuit 22, a receiver 24, an electric power source 26, an on / off switch 28 and a warning device 29.
Le circuit de commande 22 comporte une unité centrale 220, des mémoires 222, 224 et une base de temps 226 fournissant des signaux d'horloge. Le récepteur 24 comprend un circuit 240 de détection et amplification, dont l'entrée est reliée à une antenne 242, un circuit a seuil 244 et un démodulateur 246 Les signaux émis par l'unité 10 et reçus par l'antenne 242 sont détectes par le circuit 240 qui produit un signal dont l'amplitude vaπe en fonction de la distance entre les unités 10 et 20. Lorsque le niveau de signal est inféπeur à un seuil déterminé, fixé par le circuit 244, celui-ci bloque le démodulateur 246 de sorte qu'aucun signal n'est transmis au circuit de commande 22. Par contre, lorsque le niveau de signal est au moins égal à ce seuil, le train d'impulsions produit par le circuit 244 est démodulé par le démodulateur 246 pour permettre la production d'un signal numéπque sous forme d'une trame pouvant être lue par le circuit de commande 22.The control circuit 22 comprises a central unit 220, memories 222, 224 and a time base 226 supplying clock signals. The receiver 24 includes a detection and amplification circuit 240, the input of which is connected to an antenna 242, a threshold circuit 244 and a demodulator 246 The signals transmitted by the unit 10 and received by the antenna 242 are detected by the circuit 240 which produces a signal whose amplitude varies as a function of the distance between the units 10 and 20. When the signal level is below a determined threshold, fixed by the circuit 244, the latter blocks the demodulator 246 of so that no signal is transmitted to the control circuit 22. On the other hand, when the signal level is at least equal to this threshold, the train of pulses produced by the circuit 244 is demodulated by the demodulator 246 to allow the production of a digital signal in the form of a frame which can be read by the control circuit 22.
Les unités 10 et 20 avec des sources d'alimentation 16, 26 sous forme de piles miniatures peuvent être réalisées de façon très compacte et logées dans des boîtiers de petites dimensions, fonctionnant de façon autonome.Units 10 and 20 with power sources 16, 26 in the form of miniature batteries can be produced in a very compact manner and housed in small-sized boxes, operating independently.
L'avertisseur 29 est par exemple de type sonore et/ou lumineux et/ou vibreur. Il est déclenché par le circuit de commande 22 lorsqu'aucune trame n'est reçue dans un intervalle de temps donne, ou lorsqu'une information d'identification de l'unité 10 n'est pas reconnue dans une trame reçue ou dans plusieurs trames reçues consécutives. Le fonctionnement des unités 10 et 20 sous la commande de programmes mémorisés dans les unités de commande 12 et 22 sera décrit plus loin en détail. L'activation, ou mise en oeuvre des unités 10 et 20, par fermeture des commutateurs 18, 28, est réalisée automatiquement dès que les unités 10 et 20 sont éloignées l'une de l'autre, tandis qu'inversement la désactivation, ou mise hors service des unités 10 et 20, par ouverture des commutateurs 18, 28, est réalisée automatiquement dès que les unités 10 et 20 sont rapprochées l'une de l'autre. L'activation des unités 10 et 20 pourra être visualisée par exemple par allumage d'une diode électroluminescente.The horn 29 is for example of sound and / or light and / or vibrator type. It is triggered by the control circuit 22 when no frame is received in a given time interval, or when information identification of the unit 10 is not recognized in a received frame or in several consecutive received frames. The operation of the units 10 and 20 under the control of programs stored in the control units 12 and 22 will be described later in detail. The activation, or implementation of the units 10 and 20, by closing the switches 18, 28, is carried out automatically as soon as the units 10 and 20 are distant from each other, while conversely the deactivation, or decommissioning of units 10 and 20, by opening switches 18, 28, is carried out automatically as soon as units 10 and 20 are brought together. The activation of units 10 and 20 can be viewed, for example, by lighting up a light-emitting diode.
Dans l'exemple illustré, les commutateurs 18. 28 sont à contact mobile actionné mécaniquement rappelé élastiquement en position fermée. Les unités 10 et 20 sont logées dans des boîtiers 15, 25 (schématisés par des traits mixtes) munis d'ergots 15a, 25a qui, pénétrant dans des logements respectifs 25b, 15b, agissent en fin de course sur les contacts des commutateurs 18, 28 lorsque les boîtiers 15, 25 sont accolés l'un à l'autre.In the example illustrated, the switches 18. 28 are with mechanically actuated movable contact elastically returned to the closed position. The units 10 and 20 are housed in boxes 15, 25 (shown diagrammatically by dashed lines) provided with lugs 15a, 25a which, penetrating into respective housings 25b, 15b, act at the end of their travel on the contacts of the switches 18, 28 when the housings 15, 25 are joined to one another.
La figure 2 montre par exemple le boîtier 15 de la première unité associé à une clé 30, et le boîtier 25 de la deuxième unité qui peut être relié méca- niquement, de façon séparable, au boîtier 15.FIG. 2 shows for example the housing 15 of the first unit associated with a key 30, and the housing 25 of the second unit which can be mechanically connected, in a separable manner, to the housing 15.
Le boîtier 15 peut constituer, ou faire partie d'un porte-clés que l'utilisateur conserve sur lui. Lorsque la clé 30 n'est pas utilisée, elle est reliée, avec le boîtier 15, au boîtier 25. Pour utiliser la clé 30. l'utilisateur la détache du boîtier 25, ce qui active les unités 10 et 20. Si, ultérieurement, il s'éloigne de la clé 30 au- delà d'une distance prédéterminée, un signal d'avertissement est produit par le boîtier 25. Le dispositif fonctionne alors comme un avertisseur "anti-oubli" dans le cas où l'utilisateur a laissé par inadvertance la clé sur une porte ou sur un contact de démarrage d'un véhicule.The housing 15 can constitute, or form part of, a key ring that the user keeps on him. When the key 30 is not used, it is connected, with the housing 15, to the housing 25. To use the key 30. the user detaches it from the housing 25, which activates the units 10 and 20. If, subsequently , it moves away from the key 30 beyond a predetermined distance, a warning signal is produced by the housing 25. The device then functions as an "anti-forgetting" alarm in the case where the user has inadvertently left the key on a door or on a vehicle ignition switch.
Le dispositif selon l'invention n'est à l'évidence pas limité à une telle application, un boîtier tel que 15 pouvant être associé à tout type d'objet ou encore à une personne ou un animal sous surveillance.The device according to the invention is obviously not limited to such an application, a housing such as 15 can be associated with any type of object or even with a person or an animal under surveillance.
Avantageusement, la liaison entre les boîtiers 15 et 25 est réalisée par l'enfichage des ergots 15a, 25a dans les logements 25b, 15b, les moyens de liaison mécanique des boîtiers agissant ainsi également sur les commutateurs marche/arrêt. Bien entendu, des moyens de liaison mécanique ou autre (par exemple magnétique) distincts des ergots 15a, 25a et logements 25b, 15b pourront être prévus pour relier les boîtiers 15, 25 de façon amovible.Advantageously, the connection between the boxes 15 and 25 is carried out by plugging the pins 15a, 25a into the housings 25b, 15b, the mechanical connection means of the boxes thus also acting on the on / off switches. Of course, mechanical or other (for example magnetic) connection means separate from the lugs 15a, 25a and housings 25b, 15b may be provided to connect the housings 15, 25 in a removable manner.
Selon une vaπante de réalisation, les commutateurs marche/arrêt 18, 28 pourront être à contact mobile actionnable magnétiquement, par exemple sous forme de micro-rupteurs logés dans des ampoules sous vide. L'ouverture des contacts peut alors être réalisée par des aimants portés par les boîtiers 15, 25. Ces aimants peuvent aussi, éventuellement, constituer les moyens de liaison amovible des boîtiers 15, 25 entre eux. L'éloignement des unités 10, 20 provoque automatiquement la fermeture des commutateurs 18, 28, donc l'activation des unités 10 et 20.According to a variant embodiment, the on / off switches 18, 28 could be with movable contact that can be actuated magnetically, for example in the form of microswitches housed in vacuum interrupters. The opening of the contacts can then be carried out by magnets carried by the housings 15, 25. These magnets can also, possibly, constitute the removable connection means of the housings 15, 25 with one another. The remoteness of the units 10, 20 automatically causes the switches 18, 28 to close, thus activating the units 10 and 20.
On notera aussi que l'activation des unîtes 10, 20 et leur désactivation pourront être commandées automatiquement par le retrait des boîtiers 15, 25 d'un support commun, et par le rangement des boîtiers 15, 25 sur le support commun Des moyens de liaison, par exemple mécaniques ou magnétiques peuvent être prévus pour relier les boîtiers de façon amovible sur le support commun, lesquels moyens de liaison pourront aussi servir à la désactivation et à l'activation automatique des commutateurs marche/arrêt des unités 10, 20, comme décπt précédemment. Les figures 3A et 3B sont des diagrammes montrant schématiquement le fonctionnement des unités 10 et 20 respectivement.It will also be noted that the activation of the units 10, 20 and their deactivation can be automatically controlled by the removal of the boxes 15, 25 from a common support, and by the storage of the boxes 15, 25 on the common support Connection means , for example mechanical or magnetic may be provided to connect the boxes removably on the common support, which connecting means can also be used for deactivation and automatic activation of the on / off switches of units 10, 20, as decπt previously. Figures 3A and 3B are diagrams schematically showing the operation of units 10 and 20 respectively.
A la fermeture de l'interrupteur 18 (phase 100). une phase d'initialisa- tion 101 de l'unité 10 est réalisée au cours de laquelle un compteur de trames CTE et un compteur de synchronisation CSE sont remis a zéro Une trame est élaborée (phase 102), comprenant une information de synchronisation et une information d'identification. L'information de synchronisation est sous forme d'une suite de bits et est destinée au calibrage initial d'un circuit d'éveil ("watchdog") de l'unité 20. L'information d'identification est une information codée sur plusieurs bits qui, dans la première trame élaborée après initialisation, est constituée par un numéro de série propre a l'unité 10 et stocke dans une mémoire de l'umte de commande 12, au stade de fabπcation de l'umte 10.When switch 18 (phase 100) closes. an initialization phase 101 of the unit 10 is carried out during which a CTE frame counter and a CSE synchronization counter are reset to zero A frame is produced (phase 102), comprising synchronization information and a identification information. The synchronization information is in the form of a series of bits and is intended for the initial calibration of an awakening circuit ("watchdog") of the unit 20. The identification information is information coded on several bits which, in the first frame produced after initialization, is constituted by a serial number specific to the unit 10 and stored in a memory of the control unit 12, at the manufacturing stage of the unit 10.
Apres une phase de sommeil 103, qui a une durée légèrement inféπeure à la périodicité d'émission des trames, par exemple environ 2 s, au réveil de l'unité 10 (étape 104), la trame élaborée à l'étape 102 est émise (étape 105). Le contenu des compteurs CTE et CSE est incrémenté (phase 106) avant retour à la phase 102.After a sleep phase 103, which has a duration slightly less than the periodicity of transmission of the frames, for example approximately 2 s, on waking up from the unit 10 (step 104), the frame produced in step 102 is transmitted (step 105). The content of the CTE and CSE counters is incremented (phase 106) before returning to phase 102.
L'incrémentation du compteur CTE provoque l'élaboration d'une nouvelle trame (phase 102). Chaque nouvelle trame, après la trame initiale. comprend uniquement une information d'identification, différente à chaque fois. L'information d'identification insérée dans chaque nouvelle trame est obtenue par codage selon une loi de codage pré-programmée, à partir du numéro de série initial, et en fonction du contenu du compteur de trames CTE. Elle peut avoir une longueur différente de celle du numéro de série initial. Préalablement à l'envoi d'une trame, le contenu du compteur de synchronisation CSE est examiné (phase 107). S'il atteint un seuil donné SE, par exemple correspondant à une durée de fonctionnement prédéterminée de 2 min ou plus, un auto-calibrage est effectué (étape 108) suivi d'une remise à zéro du compteur CSE (étape 109) avant de passer à l'étape 105. Cet auto-calibrage consiste à mesurer et re-calibrer si nécessaire la période d'un circuit de réveil ("watchdog"), par exemple comprise entre 10 ms et 40 ms, au terme de laquelle il est à chaque fois vérifié si la période de 2 s d'émission des trames est écoulée ou non. Le recalibrage du circuit de réveil est réalisé à partir de la base de temps interne du circuit de commande 12 et permet de garantir la constance de la période de 2 s, de sorte que l'unité 10 et l'unité 20 fonctionnent en synchronisme. Les circuits de l'émetteur ne fonctionnent que lors du réveil de l'unité 10, de sorte que la consommation d'énergie est limitée.Incrementing the CTE counter causes the creation of a new frame (phase 102). Each new frame, after the initial frame. only includes identification information, different each time. The identification information inserted in each new frame is obtained by coding according to a pre-programmed coding law, from the initial serial number, and according to the content of the frame counter CTE. It may be different in length from the original serial number. Before sending a frame, the content of the CSE synchronization counter is examined (phase 107). If it reaches a given threshold SE, for example corresponding to a predetermined operating time of 2 min or more, self-calibration is performed (step 108) followed by resetting the CSE counter (step 109) before go to step 105. This self-calibration consists in measuring and re-calibrating if necessary the period of a wake-up circuit ("watchdog"), for example between 10 ms and 40 ms, at the end of which it is each time it is checked whether the 2 s period of transmission of the frames has elapsed or not. Recalibration of the wake-up circuit is carried out from the internal time base of the control circuit 12 and makes it possible to guarantee the constancy of the period of 2 s, so that the unit 10 and the unit 20 operate in synchronism. The transmitter circuits only work when the unit 10 wakes up, so that power consumption is limited.
Du côté récepteur (figure 3B), à la fermeture de l'interrupteur 28 (phase 200), une phase d'initialisation 201 est réalisée au cours de laquelle un compteur de trames CTR, un compteur de synchronisation CSR et un compteur d'erreurs CE sont remis à zéro.On the receiver side (FIG. 3B), when switch 28 is closed (phase 200), an initialization phase 201 is carried out during which a frame counter CTR, a synchronization counter CSR and an error counter CE are reset.
Si aucune trame n'est reçue du démodulateur 246 par le circuit de commande dans un délai prédéterminé To, par exemple 30 s, après initialisation (test 202), le fonctionnement de l'unité 20 est arrêté (phase 203). Un signal d'erreur peut alors être produit, par affichage d'un voyant particulier ou commande de l'avertisseur 29, sur un mode différent du mode d'alarme. Le fonctionnement de l'unité 20 ne peut alors redémarrer qu'après réinitialisation. Celle-ci peut être réalisée par ouverture/fermeture des interrupteurs 18 et 28 (en réunissant puis séparant les unités 10 et 20), ou par retrait et remise en place des piles 16 et 26, ou par actionnement d'un bouton de réinitialisation particulier sur les unités 10 et 20. Si une première trame est reçue dans le délai, un calibrage initial est réalisé à partir de l'information de synchronisation reçue avec cette première trame (étape 204) et l'information d'identification initiale reçue, constituée par le numéro de série de l'unité 10, est mémorisée (étape 205) afin d'être utilisée pour le décodage des informations d'identification contenues dans les trames suivantes. Le calibrage initial permet de synchroniser le début de la période de sommeil de l'unité 20 sur celle de l'unité 10 et d'en définir la durée.If no frame is received from the demodulator 246 by the control circuit within a predetermined time To, for example 30 s, after initialization (test 202), the operation of the unit 20 is stopped (phase 203). An error signal can then be produced, by display of a particular indicator or control of the horn 29, in a mode different from the alarm mode. The operation of the unit 20 can then restart only after reinitialization. This can be achieved by opening / closing switches 18 and 28 (by uniting and then separating units 10 and 20), or by removing and replacing batteries 16 and 26, or by pressing a specific reset button on units 10 and 20. If a first frame is received within the time limit, an initial calibration is carried out on the basis of the synchronization information received with this first frame (step 204) and the initial identification information received, constituted by the serial number of the the unit 10 is stored (step 205) in order to be used for decoding the identification information contained in the following frames. The initial calibration makes it possible to synchronize the start of the sleep period of unit 20 with that of unit 10 and to define the duration thereof.
Après réception de la première trame, l'unité 20 est amenée périodiquement en phase de sommeil 206 pendant une durée prédéterminée, légèrement inférieure à la période d'émission des trames, au terme de laquelle elle passe en phase de réveil 207. La période des trames étant choisie par exemple égale à 2 s, on choisit par exemple une durée de phase de sommeil de l'unité 20 de 1 840 ms. Si, après la fin de la période de sommeil, aucune trame n'est reçue pendant la durée restante de la période d'émission des trames (test 208), ce qui correspond à une erreur "hors délai", le contenu du compteur d'erreurs CE est incrémenté (étape 210). Si, par contre, une trame est reçue dans le délai, elle est vérifiée (étape 209). La vérification consiste dans la reconnaissance de l'information d'identification contenue dans la trame reçue. A cet effet, à partir d'une loi pré-programmée correspondant à la loi de codage utilisée par l'unité 10, l'information d'identification est calculée par le circuit de commande 22 de l'unité 20 en utilisant le numéro de série initialement reçu et mémorisé, et le contenu du compteur de trames CTR. L'information d'identification calculée est comparée à celle contenue dans les trames reçues. On notera que le compteur de trames CTR et le compteur de synchronisation CSR sont incrémentés lors du test 207 après chaque phase 206. Si l'information d'identification reçue est incorrecte, le contenu du compteur d'erreurs CE est incrémenté (étape 210). Si l'information d'identification vérifiée à l'étape 209 est correcte, le contenu du compteur d'erreurs CE est ramené à zéro (étape 211) avant retour à la phase de sommeil 204.After reception of the first frame, the unit 20 is periodically brought into the sleep phase 206 for a predetermined duration, slightly less than the period of transmission of the frames, at the end of which it goes into the wake-up phase 207. The period of the frames being chosen for example equal to 2 s, we choose for example a sleep phase duration of the unit 20 of 1840 ms. If, after the end of the sleep period, no frame is received during the remaining period of the frame transmission period (test 208), which corresponds to an "out of time" error, the content of the counter d CE errors is incremented (step 210). If, on the other hand, a frame is received within the time limit, it is checked (step 209). Verification consists in recognizing the identification information contained in the frame received. To this end, from a pre-programmed law corresponding to the coding law used by the unit 10, the identification information is calculated by the control circuit 22 of the unit 20 using the number of series initially received and stored, and the content of the frame counter CTR. The calculated identification information is compared with that contained in the received frames. It will be noted that the frame counter CTR and the synchronization counter CSR are incremented during the test 207 after each phase 206. If the identification information received is incorrect, the content of the error counter CE is incremented (step 210) . If the identification information checked in step 209 is correct, the content of the error counter CE is reduced to zero (step 211) before returning to the sleep phase 204.
Lorsque le contenu du compteur d'erreurs atteint une valeur prédéterminée E, par exemple au moins la valeur 2 (test 212), le fonctionnement de l'avertisseur est commandé (étape 213) et il est testé si l'avertisseur 29 est en marche depuis un intervalle de temps T prédéterminé, par exemple au moins 30 s (test 214). Si tel est le cas. le fonctionnement de l'unité 20 est arrêté par passage à la phase 203 et l'avertisseur est coupé. Si l'avertisseur fonctionne depuis une durée inférieure à la durée T de l'intervalle de temps prédéterminé, de même que tant que le contenu du compteur d'erreurs CE n'atteint pas la valeur prédéterminée E, il est retourné à la phase 206. L'arrêt de l'avertisseur 29, dans le cas où il a été déclenché depuis une durée inférieure à T, est réalisé à l'étape 21 1 en réponse à la reconnaissance d'une information d'identification correcte dans une trame reçue.When the content of the error counter reaches a predetermined value E, for example at least the value 2 (test 212), the operation of the alarm is controlled (step 213) and it is tested if the alarm 29 is on from a predetermined time interval T, for example at least 30 s (test 214). If that is the case. the operation of the unit 20 is stopped by passing to phase 203 and the horn is cut off. If the alarm has been operating for a duration less than the duration T of the predetermined time interval, as well as as long as the content of the error counter CE does not reach the predetermined value E, it is returned to phase 206. The stopping of the horn 29, in the case where it has been triggered for a duration less than T, is carried out in step 21 1 in response to the recognition of information of correct identification in a received frame.
Après chaque phase 206, le contenu du compteur de synchronisation CSR est examiné (cf. test 216) afin d'effectuer un recalibrage périodique de l'unité 20 et l'aligner sur l'unité 10. Le recalibrage (étape 217) est effectué lorsque le contenu du compteur CSR atteint une valeur SR correspondant par exemple à une durée de 2 min (test 216), et le compteur CSR est remis à zéro (étape 218). Le recalibrage effectué à partir de l'horloge interne du circuit de commande 22, permet de s'assurer de la constance de la durée des phases de sommeil et de réveil, de sorte que l'unité 20 se trouve bien en phase de réveil lorsqu'une trame est susceptible d'être reçue. Les unités du récepteur 24 ne sont actifs qu'en phase de réveil.After each phase 206, the content of the synchronization counter CSR is examined (cf. test 216) in order to perform a periodic recalibration of the unit 20 and align it with the unit 10. The recalibration (step 217) is carried out when the content of the counter CSR reaches a value SR corresponding for example to a duration of 2 min (test 216), and the counter CSR is reset to zero (step 218). The recalibration carried out from the internal clock of the control circuit 22 makes it possible to ensure the consistency of the duration of the sleep and waking phases, so that the unit 20 is indeed in the waking phase when 'a frame is likely to be received. The receiver units 24 are only active in the wake-up phase.
Dans l'exemple décrit, l'alarme est produite dans le cas où une trame n'est pas reçue du démodulateur 246 (signal reçu trop faible pendant une période d'émission des trames), ou lorsque des trames sont reçues mais l'information d'identification n'est pas reconnue dans deux trames consécutives. Bien entendu, par une gestion appropriée des indications d'erreurs "hors délai" et "trame erronée", d'autres configurations pourront être choisies pour commander le déclenchement de l'avertisseur 29, par exemple lorsque deux trames consécutives ou plus ne sont pas reçues ou que l'information d'identification n'est pas reconnue dans une seule trame ou dans plus de deux trames consécutives.In the example described, the alarm is produced in the case where a frame is not received from the demodulator 246 (signal received too weak during a period of transmission of the frames), or when frames are received but the information identification is not recognized in two consecutive frames. Of course, by appropriate management of the “out of time” and “erroneous frame” error indications, other configurations can be chosen to control the triggering of the horn 29, for example when two or more consecutive frames are not received or that the identification information is not recognized in a single frame or in more than two consecutive frames.
Un avantage du mode de réalisation décrit ci-avant est que l'unité d'alerte 20 ne nécessite pas de réinitialisation si, après déclenchement de l'avertisseur, cette unité est ramenée à proximité de l'unité 10, avant la fin de l'intervalle de temps T, le fonctionnement de l'avertisseur étant alors interrompu.An advantage of the embodiment described above is that the alert unit 20 does not require reinitialization if, after the alarm has been triggered, this unit is brought close to the unit 10, before the end of the time interval T, the operation of the alarm being then interrupted.
La figure 4 montre un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un dispositif selon l'invention. Les éléments communs aux modes de réalisation des figures 1 et 3 portent les mêmes références et leur description ne sera pas reprise ici en détail. La deuxième unité 20 se distingue de celle de la figure 1 en ce qu'elle comprend un émetteur 23 relié à l'antenne 242. L'émetteur 23 comprend un oscillateur 234 et un modulateur 236 commandé par le circuit de commande 22. L'émetteur produit un signal d'interrogation périodique sous forme de trains d'impulsions. La première unité 10 se distingue de celle de la figure 1 en ce qu'elle comprend un récepteur 13 relié à l'antenne 142. Le récepteur 13 comprend un circuit 134 de détection et amplification et un démodulateur 136 relié au circuit de commande 12. En réponse à la réception et à la détection du signal d'interrogation, le circuit de commande 12 commande le fonctionnement de l'émetteur 14 qui émet une ou plusieurs trames. L'unité 20 peut être associée à plusieurs unités 10, 10', 10", ... interrogées tour à tour en faisant varier le signal d'interrogation de façon cyclique. Les signaux d'interrogation destinés aux unités 10, 10', 10",... se distinguent les uns des autres par un codage différent des trains d'impulsions qui les constituent. Chaque unité 10, 10', 10", ... émet au moins une trame comportant une information d'identification qui lui est propre en réponse à la réception et reconnaissance du signal d'interrogation qui lui est destiné. Chaque émission d'un signal d'interrogation par l'unité 20 définit une fenêtre (intervalle de temps) pendant laquelle l'unité 20 détecte la réception de trames en provenance de l'unité interrogée. Selon une variante du mode de réalisation de la figure 4, la ou chaque unité 10, 10', 10", ... est munie d'un dispositif avertisseur 19 qui est déclenché par le circuit de commande 12 lorsqu'aucun signal d'interrogation n'est reçu, ou un signal d'interrogation est reçu avec un niveau insuffisant ou n'est pas reconnu dans un intervalle de temps donné, par exemple correspondant à une ou plusieurs périodes du signal d'interrogation. Le récepteur 13 pourra alors être muni d'un circuit à seuil qui inhibe le fonctionnement du démodulateur lorsque le niveau du signal reçu est insuffisant, de la même façon que le récepteur 24 de l'unité 20.Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention. The elements common to the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3 bear the same references and their description will not be repeated here in detail. The second unit 20 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that it comprises a transmitter 23 connected to the antenna 242. The transmitter 23 comprises an oscillator 234 and a modulator 236 controlled by the control circuit 22. The transmitter produces a periodic interrogation signal in the form of pulse trains. The first unit 10 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that it comprises a receiver 13 connected to the antenna 142. The receiver 13 comprises a circuit 134 for detection and amplification and a demodulator 136 connected to the control circuit 12. In response to the reception and detection of the interrogation signal, the control circuit 12 controls the operation of the transmitter 14 which transmits one or more frames. The unit 20 can be associated with several units 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... interrogated in turn by varying the interrogation signal cyclically. The interrogation signals intended for the units 10, 10', 10 ", ... are distinguished from each other by a different coding of the pulse trains which constitute them. Each unit 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... transmits at least one frame comprising its own identification information in response to the reception and recognition of the interrogation signal intended for it. Each transmission of a interrogation signal by the unit 20 defines a window (time interval) during which the unit 20 detects the reception of frames coming from the interrogated unit According to a variant of the embodiment of FIG. each unit 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... is provided with a warning device 19 which is triggered by the control circuit 12 when no interrogation signal is received, or an interrogation signal is received with an insufficient level or is not recognized in a given time interval, for example corresponding to one or more periods of the interrogation signal. The receiver 13 may then be provided with a threshold circuit which inhibits the operation of the demodulator when the level of the received signal is insufficient, in the same way as the receiver 24 of the unit 20.
Grâce à cette disposition, une alarme peut être produite au niveau de la ou d'une unité 10, 10', 10", ... lorsqu'elle s'éloigne de l'unité 20 au-delà d'une distance donnée. Cette alarme, en complément de celle produite au niveau de l'unité 20, permet au détenteur de cette dernière de localiser plus facilement l'unité 10, 10', 10", ... et donc l'objet, l'animal ou la personne auquel elle est associée, en cas d'éloignement anormal. Cela permet aussi d'exercer un effet dissuasif vis-à-vis d'une personne qui s'est emparée d'un objet auquel l'unité 10, 10', 10", ... est associée.Thanks to this arrangement, an alarm can be produced at the level of or of a unit 10, 10 ′, 10 ", ... when it moves away from the unit 20 beyond a given distance. This alarm, in addition to that produced at unit 20, allows the holder of the latter to more easily locate unit 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... and therefore the object, the animal or the person with whom it is associated, in the event of abnormal removal. This also makes it possible to exert a dissuasive effect vis-à-vis a person who has taken hold of an object with which the unit 10, 10 ', 10 ", ... is associated.
La figure 5 illustre le fonctionnement d'une unité 20 selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention dans lequel l'unité 20 est munie d'un commutateur permettant de passer d'un mode de surveillance d'éloignement à un mode de surveillance de rapprochement. Ce commutateur 32 est montré en pointillés sur la figure 1. L'état du commutateur 32 est reconnu par le circuit de commande 24. Le fonctionnement de l'unité 20 diffère alors de celui illustré par la figure 3B à partir du test 208 (trame reçue ?). Si aucune trame n'est reçue, on examine quel est le mode de fonctionnement défini par l'état du commutateur 32 (test 230). En mode de surveillance d'éloignement, on passe à l'étape 210 d'incrémentation du compteur d'erreurs CE, comme dans le cas de la figure 3B. En mode de surveillance de rapprochement, on retourne à l'étape 206.FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of a unit 20 according to another embodiment of the invention in which the unit 20 is provided with a switch making it possible to switch from a remote monitoring mode to a monitoring mode of reconciliation. This switch 32 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. The state of the switch 32 is recognized by the control circuit 24. The operation of the unit 20 then differs from that illustrated in FIG. 3B from the test 208 (frame received?). If no frame is received, we examine what is the operating mode defined by the state of switch 32 (test 230). In distance monitoring mode, we go to step 210 of incrementing the error counter CE, as in the case of FIG. 3B. In reconciliation monitoring mode, we return to step 206.
Si une trame est reçue, on examine si elle est correcte (test 209). Dans l'affirmative, on détermine le mode de surveillance (test 231). En mode de surveillance d'éloignement, on passe à l'étape 21 1 (CE=0 et arrêt éventuel de l'avertisseur). En mode de surveillance de rapprochement, on examine si un délai prédéterminé s'est écoulé depuis le passage de l'unité 20 à l'état actif (test 232). Si ce délai n'est pas écoulé, on retourne à l'état 206. S'il est écoulé on passe à l'étape 213 (commande avertisseur).If a frame is received, it is examined whether it is correct (test 209). If so, the monitoring mode is determined (test 231). In distance monitoring mode, go to step 21 1 (CE = 0 and possible stop of the horn). In proximity monitoring mode, it is examined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the passage of the unit 20 to the active state (test 232). If this time has not elapsed, we return to state 206. If it has elapsed, we go to step 213 (horn command).
Si une trame reçue n'est pas correcte, on détermine le mode de surveillance (test 233). En mode de surveillance d'éloignement, on passe à l'étape 210 (incrémentation de CE). En mode de surveillance de rapprochement, on retourne à l'étape 206.If a received frame is not correct, the monitoring mode is determined (test 233). In distance monitoring mode, we go to step 210 (increment of CE). In reconciliation monitoring mode, we return to step 206.
L'observation d'un délai pendant lequel le fonctionnement de l'avertisseur est inhibé en mode surveillance de rapprochement permet d'éviter une alarme intempestive à la mise en service et lors de la réception des premières trames, jusqu'à ce que les unités 10 et 20 aient été suffisamment éloignées l'une de l'autre. L'éloignement mutuel est considéré comme suffisant lorsque, en mode surveillance d'éloignement, l'avertisseur est déclenché. On peut aussi prévoir que l'actionnement du commutateur 32 du mode surveillance d'éloignement au mode surveillance de rapprochement ne soit effectué qu'après eloignement mutuel suffisant entre les unités 10 et 20.The observation of a delay during which the operation of the alarm is inhibited in close monitoring mode makes it possible to avoid an untimely alarm at the start-up and during the reception of the first frames, until the units 10 and 20 were sufficiently distant from each other. Mutual distance is considered sufficient when, in distance monitoring mode, the horn is triggered. It can also be provided that the actuation of the switch 32 from the remote monitoring mode to the close monitoring mode is only carried out after sufficient mutual distance between the units 10 and 20.
Le mode de surveillance de rapprochement permet de détecter une pénétration à l'intérieur d'un périmètre de sécurité autour de l'unité 20. Une connexion de sortie vers un dispositif d'alarme plus puissant pourra être prévue sur le boîtier de l'unité 20. The proximity monitoring mode makes it possible to detect penetration inside a security perimeter around the unit 20. An output connection to a more powerful alarm device may be provided on the unit housing. 20.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif d'avertissement de séparation spatiale au-delà d'un seuil de distance entre une première unité surveillée (10) et une deuxième unité d'alerte (20), dans lequel la première unité comporte des moyens pour l'émission sans fil d'un signal comprenant une information d'identification, la deuxième unité comporte des moyens pour recevoir ledit signal et commander le fonctionnement d'un moyen avertisseur (29) lorsque le signal reçu a un niveau inférieur à un seuil prédétermine ou lorsque l'information d'identification n'est pas reconnue dans le signal reçu , et des moyens sont prévus pour faire passer automatiquement la première unité et la deuxième unité dans un état inactif dans un état actif lorsqu'elles sont respectivement reliées physiquement l'une a l'autre et séparées physiquement l'une de l'autre, caractéπsé en ce que1. Spatial separation warning device beyond a distance threshold between a first monitored unit (10) and a second alert unit (20), in which the first unit includes means for transmission without wire of a signal comprising identification information, the second unit comprises means for receiving said signal and controlling the operation of a warning means (29) when the received signal has a level below a predetermined threshold or when the identification information is not recognized in the received signal, and means are provided for automatically switching the first unit and the second unit into an inactive state into an active state when they are respectively physically connected to the 'other and physically separated from each other, caractéπsé in that
- la première unité ( 10) est une unité autonome qui comporte des moyens de codage pour commander l'émission d'un signal sous forme de trames péπodiques comprenant une information d'identification codée sous une forme variable a chaque trame, etthe first unit (10) is an autonomous unit which includes coding means for controlling the transmission of a signal in the form of periodic frames comprising identification information coded in a variable form with each frame, and
- la deuxième unité (20) est une unité autonome qui comporte des moyens de décodage aptes à reconnaître l'information d'identification dans chaque trame reçue, pour commander le fonctionnement du moyen avertisseur pendant un intervalle de temps prédéterminé en réponse à la non-réception ou à la non- reconnaissance de l'information d'identification d'une trame ou d'un nombre prédéterminé de trames consécutivesthe second unit (20) is an autonomous unit which includes decoding means capable of recognizing the identification information in each frame received, for controlling the operation of the warning means for a predetermined time interval in response to the failure to reception or non-recognition of the identification information of a frame or a predetermined number of consecutive frames
2 Dispositif selon la revendication 1. caracteπse en ce que des moyens sont prévus pour faire passer la deuxième umte a l'état inactif à la fin dudit intervalle de temps prédétermine si, pendant cet intervalle de temps, l'information d'identification n'a pas été reconnue dans au moins une trame éventuellement reçue, et pour interrompre le fonctionnement dudit moyen avertisseur si, pendant cet intervalle de temps prédéterminé, l'information d'identi- fication a été reconnue dans une trame reçue.2 Device according to claim 1. caracteπse in that means are provided for passing the second umte to the inactive state at the end of said predetermined time interval if, during this time interval, the identification information n ' has not been recognized in at least one possibly received frame, and for interrupting the operation of said warning means if, during this predetermined time interval, the identification information has been recognized in a received frame.
3. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 et 2, caractéπsé en ce que la deuxième unité (20) comprend un émetteur (23) pour l'émission sans fil d'un signal d'interrogation, et la première unité comprend un récepteur (13) qui pour commander automatiquement l'émission d'au moins une trame en réponse à la réception du signal d'interrogation 3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, caractéπsé in that the second unit (20) comprises a transmitter (23) for the wireless transmission of an interrogation signal, and the first unit comprises a receiver (13) which for automatically controlling the transmission of at least one frame in response to the reception of the interrogation signal
4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la première unité comprend un avertisseur (19) et des moyens (12) agissant en réponse à la non-réception correcte du signal d'interrogation pour commander ledit avertisseur (19). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first unit comprises an alarm (19) and means (12) acting in response to the correct non-reception of the interrogation signal to control said alarm (19).
5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une pluralité de premières unités surveillées (10, 10', 10", ...) associées à une même deuxième unité d'alerte (20), en ce que la deuxième unité comprend un émetteur (23) pour l'émission sans fil de façon séquentielle d'une pluralité de signaux d'interrogation distincts correspondant chacun à une première unité surveillée particulière, et en ce que chaque première unité comprend un récepteur pour commander automatiquement l'émission d'au moins une trame en réponse à la réception du signal d'interrogation correspondant.5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of first monitored units (10, 10 ', 10 ", ...) associated with the same second alert unit ( 20), in that the second unit comprises a transmitter (23) for the sequential wireless transmission of a plurality of distinct interrogation signals each corresponding to a particular first monitored unit, and in that each first unit includes a receiver for automatically controlling the transmission of at least one frame in response to reception of the corresponding interrogation signal.
6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, caractérisé en ce que les signaux d'interrogation sont émis de façon périodique. 6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the interrogation signals are transmitted periodically.
7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que la deuxième unité comporte un commutateur permettant de sélectionner entre un mode de surveillance d'éloignement et un mode de surveillance de rapprochement, et des moyens sont prévus dans la deuxième unité pour commander le fonctionnement de l'avertisseur lorsque, dans le mode de surveillance de rapprochement, l'information d'identification est reconnue dans une trame reçue.7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second unit comprises a switch making it possible to select between a distance monitoring mode and a proximity monitoring mode, and means are provided in the second unit for controlling the operation of the alarm when, in the approach to close monitoring, the identification information is recognized in a received frame.
8. Dispositif selon la revendication 7. caractérisé en ce que des moyens sont prévus dans la deuxième unité pour qu'en mode de surveillance de rapprochement, le fonctionnement de l'avertisseur soit inhibé pendant un temps prédéterminé après le passage à l'état actif. 8. Device according to claim 7. characterized in that means are provided in the second unit so that in proximity monitoring mode, the operation of the alarm is inhibited for a predetermined time after the transition to the active state .
EP99970195A 1998-10-07 1999-10-07 Device for signalling spatial separation or closeness beyond or within a predetermined limit Expired - Lifetime EP1119835B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9812555A FR2784485B1 (en) 1998-10-07 1998-10-07 SPACE SEPARATION WARNING DEVICE BEYOND A PREDETERMINED LIMIT
FR9812555 1998-10-07
PCT/FR1999/002399 WO2000021049A1 (en) 1998-10-07 1999-10-07 Device for signalling spatial separation or closeness beyond or within a predetermined limit

Publications (2)

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EP1119835A1 true EP1119835A1 (en) 2001-08-01
EP1119835B1 EP1119835B1 (en) 2003-01-29

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EP99970195A Expired - Lifetime EP1119835B1 (en) 1998-10-07 1999-10-07 Device for signalling spatial separation or closeness beyond or within a predetermined limit

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US (1) US6472986B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1119835B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002526873A (en)
AT (1) ATE232003T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2346650C (en)
DE (1) DE69905183T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2192416T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2784485B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2000021049A1 (en)

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ES2192416T3 (en) 2003-10-01
JP2002526873A (en) 2002-08-20
CA2346650C (en) 2007-11-27
EP1119835B1 (en) 2003-01-29
FR2784485B1 (en) 2001-02-23
DE69905183T2 (en) 2004-01-15
DE69905183D1 (en) 2003-03-06
FR2784485A1 (en) 2000-04-14
WO2000021049A1 (en) 2000-04-13
CA2346650A1 (en) 2000-04-13
US6472986B1 (en) 2002-10-29
ATE232003T1 (en) 2003-02-15

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