EP1514248B1 - Object presence analysis system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A presence analysis system for objects carried by a user has a signal-transmitter provided on the object to be observed in terms of its presence for transmitting an object or signal-transmitter specific signal and a receiver for receiving signals including the object or signal-transmitter specific signal. A capacitative link formed by the person or clothing of the person conducts the signal from the transmitter to the receiver. An analysis unit coupled with the receiver generates an output signal indicating the presence or absence of the object by analysis of the signals received.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the presence analysis of objects, in particular of objects that are worn in the immediate environment of a user, for example on the body or in clothing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system, components of that system, and a method by which the presence of certain objects in a user-proximate environment area is reliably detected, i. the presence of these objects, in particular objects can be detected.

Background of the invention

For example, in the field of civil protection, it is necessary that the forces involved here are equipped to fulfill the purpose with certain resources. The review of the scope of equipment often causes difficulties and is often not reliable feasible especially under time pressure. Furthermore, it may happen that equipment will go unnoticed lost and the loss of these items initially goes unnoticed. The unnoticed loss of objects from the immediate surrounding area of a person, such as the loss of valuables due to carelessness or theft, is also a problem in everyday life.

Out JP 6-215281 a circuit system is known in which ways signals are generated by radio paths that allow as such the generation of an alarm signal as soon as the distance between two circuit components exceeds a predetermined level.

Out US 4,494,950 a system for the administration of medicaments is known, in which sensors measured values are processed by signal technology. The generated signals are transmitted through the human body by using it as an electrical conductor.

Out US 6,211,799 B1 a circuit is known which makes it possible to couple capacitive signals in the body of a user while allowing a signal transfer between two body-mounted circuits.

Out EP 0 843 425 A2 An electronic communication system is known, which as such comprises a user-side circuit, as well as an external circuit. About the user-worn circuit can be coupled capacitive way signals in the user. These signals can be transmitted to the external circuit by the user touching a corresponding input interface.

Out US 2002/0030585 A1 For example, a system is known which as such comprises circuitry incorporated into a garment. Via those circuit devices, signals are generated which are capacitively coupled into a user. As described above, these signals are provided by the user to an external system.

Object of the invention

In view of the foregoing, the object of the invention is to provide solutions by which the presence of certain objects, i. the presence of objects in the surrounding area, in particular the area close to the body, can be reliably analyzed, recorded or monitored by a person.

Inventive solution

This object is achieved by a system having the features specified in claim 1.

The present invention is based on the approach to generate a signal associated with an object to be monitored, in particular connected to this object, a signal which is coupled via a user, in particular his body and / or clothing in a receiving device, based on a signal-processing viewing of a detected via the user or his clothing Empiangsereignisses, an indicative of the presence of an object analysis output signal is generated.

This advantageously makes it possible to ascertain the presence of suitably equipped objects in the area of a user by means of analysis procedures carried out continuously or at predetermined time intervals, the absence of selected objects promptly finding precipitation in an analysis output signal generated automatically, preferably without user intervention , On the basis of the detected presence or non-presence, the generation of output signals can advantageously be determined by user-specific, selectively defined evaluation criteria.

By incorporating a signal transmission device according to the invention into a valuable object, for example into a wallet, it becomes possible to record the loss of this wallet from a defined proximity of the user within a short period of time of, for example, 300 milliseconds.

Brief description of the invention

The receiving event detected by the receiving device is checked by a preferably programmable evaluation device in the region of the receiving device. If it is determined that the reception event contains the signal generated by the signal transmission device, the evaluation device can generate an analysis output signal indicating that the object to be observed is still located in the analysis area. If, however, it is determined by the assessment device that a presence of the signal transmission device or of the object connected therewith in the analysis region can not be established with regard to the reception event detected by the reception device, then an analysis output signal can be generated by the assessment device that evaluates the absence of the indicating observing object. Such an output signal may initiate a warning procedure. By means of this warning procedure, warning signals can be generated that can be sensed by a user equipped with a corresponding analysis system. Such warning signals may be particularly audible, visual and / or tactile, i. haptic way to be communicated to the user. It is possible to integrate the receiver into easily-lost items such as cell phones and / or PDAs. Preferably, the system thus formed is configured such that the removal of the receiver from the observation area leads to the generation of an example acoustic warning signal.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the signal transmitting device is preferably designed such that it in particular those specific to the object or sender specific Signals based on capacitive and / or electromagnetic interaction effects in a, the receiving device bearing user couples for at least partial transmission of the part emitted by the signal transmitting device, in particular object and / or sender-specific signal on the body and / or clothing of the user. By including the body of the user or the clothing of the user in the signal transmission path between the signal transmitting device and the receiving device, form the signal transmitter, the user or his clothing and the receiving device is a concatenated system, the quality in particular in the form of existence or non-existence a signal chain between the system components determines the generation of the analysis output signal.

Since inductive and / or capacitive decoupling of the signal transmitter from the receiver equipped with the receiver results in a marked loss of intensity of the signal component caused by the signal transmitter in the receiver event detected by the receiver, the presence or failure of the receiver event can be viewed with high reliability Non-presence of the object in the surveillance area are closed.

Advantageously, the receiving device comprises a receiving device for detecting the object or sender-specific signal coupled into the user and / or his clothing on the basis of capacitive interaction effects.

Preferably, the receiving member is arranged to detect the signals injected into the user or his clothing with a high signal detection efficiency. A particularly high signal detection efficiency can be achieved by the receiving organ is close to the body, especially in the waistband or shirt pocket area, or in particular worn with skin contact. The receiving member may be integrated, for example, in a piece of jewelry, in a mobile phone or in particular in a wristwatch. It is possible in a particularly advantageous manner, auzubilden the receiving member as a flat unit which is unobtrusively attachable to a back of a wristwatch, or can be integrated into a bracelet.

It is possible to design the transmitting device in such a way that the signal transmitted by the latter contains a data telegram. This data telegram can be used to identify the signal transmission device. It is also possible to transmit data via this data telegram that have been generated in the area of the signal transmission device in interaction with the object to be observed. For example, it is possible to configure a signal transmitting device associated with an image recording device in such a way that it also transmits data with the data telegram which provide information about the availability state of the image recording device or otherwise recorded information / measured values in the region of the associated object. A signal transmission device according to the invention associated, for example, with an air filter device can transmit data in the context of the data telegram which provide information about the filter state of the air filter. A signal transmission device assigned to an ammunition magazine can also provide information about the filling state of this magazine via the data message in addition to information about the presence of a magazine.

The data message is preferably transmitted in pulses and preferably takes into account a predetermined bit pattern standard. In addition to the content of the data telegram, it is also possible, based on the time interval between successive transmitted data telegrams or characteristic pulse sequences, to identify the transmitting device essential for the transmission of the signal. The identification of the signal transmitter proves to be particularly advantageous if the inventive system for analyzing a plurality of objects correspondingly comprises a plurality of signal transmitting devices. The identification of the signal transmission devices can be carried out on the basis of an identification code contained in the respectively emitted signal and / or otherwise largely unambiguous features of the signals transmitted by the respective transmission device.

In particular for realizing a system for monitoring a plurality of objects, the signal transmitting devices assigned to the objects are preferably configured in such a way that the emitted signals, in particular object or transmitter-specific signals, exist largely free of interference, at least in phases. The largely overlay-free arrival of the signal emitted by the signal transmission means signals in particular be achieved in that the signals are delivered in a pulsed manner, wherein the pulses preferably have relatively short phase lengths and between the pulses, for example by at least ten times greater time intervals. It is also possible to pulse-generate the individual signals in such a way that the pulse length and / or the distance between the signal sequences varies, for example, at random. This makes it possible, within a not unacceptably long time window with sufficiently high probability, to ensure a non-interference arrival of the signals emitted by the individual signal transmitting devices, at the receiving device.

It is also possible to equip the receiving device with a trigger signal transmitting device for transmitting a trigger signal. The emission of a preferably coded trigger signal makes it possible to address the individual signal transmission devices in a targeted manner and to prompt them to transmit signals in a predetermined time pattern or also with regard to desired information contents. In order to enable such an optionally encrypted signal dialogue between the receiving device and the respective transmitting device, a corresponding signal transmitting device is also provided with a trigger signal detecting device.

The signal transmitting devices may be provided with their own power source, for example a button cell, to provide the energy required to generate the signal. Alternatively, or in combination with this measure, it is possible to transmit the energy required for generating the signal generated by the signal transmitting device on electromagnetic and / or capacitive (field electric) paths to the signal transmitting device, in particular via the trigger signal. A signal transmission device designed in this way thus comprises an absorption device formed by a trigger signal detection device for absorbing energy fractions coupled into the user on the basis of capacitive interaction effects, wherein in the signal transmission device at least a portion of the absorbed energy fractions is used to generate the object and / or transmitter-specific signal ,

In addition to the system described above, the present invention also relates to the individual components of this system as such, in particular in the form of transportable or purpose-specific prepared units of the signal transmitting device and / or the receiving device.

The receiving device is integrated in a mobile telephone, using functional groups of this functional unit. In the integration of the receiving device according to the invention in a mobile phone, it is possible to use its optical, acoustic and optionally directed to the sense of touch output devices.

The signal transmission device is preferably designed such that it can be coupled in an advantageous manner with an object to be observed with respect to its presence. For this purpose, the signal transmission device can be designed, for example, as a film component and connected in the manner of an adhesive label to the object to be observed. An embodiment of the signal transmission device which is advantageous in particular for detecting the presence of a wallet in the environment of a user is given by the fact that it is designed as a substantially check card-shaped element which can be plugged, for example, into a check card receiving compartment of the wallet.

By the system described above, according to the invention, a method for carrying out a presence analysis of objects is used, in which an object or transmitter-specific signal is transmitted as part of a signal transmission step by a connected to the object to be observed signal transmitting device and as part of a received signal analysis step is judged from a receive signal received by a receiving device, whether the object provided with the transmitting device is located in an observation area. The observation area can be defined in an advantageous manner as that area in which the signal generated by the signal transmitting device can still be received by the receiving device with a predetermined minimum signal intensity. In particular, in a transmission of the signal generated by the signal transmitting device on the electromagnetic and / or capacitive way, a clearly recognizable intensity drop occurs when the object to be observed is removed from the proximal area of the user.

The signal transmission device is preferably triggered in terms of the transmission of the object and / or transmitter-specific signal. It is possible to specifically address the signal transmitting device and to cause a signal feedback by the addressing. A, an absence of presence of the object to be observed indicating analysis output signal can then be generated when the required feedback of the signal transmitting device does not occur. This signal feedback can be omitted because, for example, the trigger signal or the signal sending device addressing signal has not reached the signal transmitting device. The feedback can also be omitted if the trigger or interrogation signal has indeed reached the signal transmitting device, however, due to too large a distance to the user, not, or with too low signal intensity arrives at the receiving device.

Particularly when using a plurality of signal transmitting devices, the signals generated by them, in particular object and / or transmitter-specific signals, are transmitted preferably on different frequency bands. This makes it possible, even at the same time to be detected by different signal transmitting devices emitted signals individually collision-free. It is possible to configure the signal transmitting device in each case in such a way that signals generated by the latter, in particular object or transmitter-specific signals, are emitted in pulses on two different frequency bands. The time interval between the pulse sequences occurring on two different frequency bands, the pulse sequences as such and / or in particular the content of the pulse sequences can be used to identify the respective signal transmitting device and to transmit further information. It is possible to further configure the signal transmitting devices such that the signals emitted by them are applied with sufficient statistical freedom to the receiving device with high statistical probability.

The observation or analysis area is the area in which a signal transmission between the signal transmitting device and the Receiving device with an example by an intensity threshold as sufficiently classified signal transmission characteristic is carried out. The judging means may be configured in view of a desired observation characteristic. So it is possible to specify, for example, the surveillance area. It is also possible to configure the signal output by a teach-in procedure. As part of the teach procedure, for example, it may be determined that a completeness check is performed by the assessor.

For example, as part of a completeness check, the review facility may sequentially bypass the presence of individual items of equipment needed by the user, and generate output signals representative of the presence or absence of the items in question. It is possible to provide an interface device, for example in the form of an input key, via which the state that certain objects are classified as not present is classified as proper.

The system according to the invention is configured such that objects entering the observation area and equipped with a signal transmission device according to the invention register with the assessment device as part of a registration procedure (possibly in connection with the generation of a message signal) and that the presence analysis extends to the newly added objects becomes. As soon as such objects arrive from the observation area, a warning signal is generated, for example. In connection with this warning signal -or alternatively, an observation data set is generated which records the departure time and the current GPS data.

It is possible to configure the system such that the entry of certain objects and the recognition of the same results in a completeness analysis of a given scope. Thus, it is possible to configure the system such that, for example, the inclusion of a wallet (which is equipped with the signal transmitting device according to the invention) results in requiring the presence of a mobile phone, a wristwatch and certain other equipment items each provided with a signal transmitting device according to the invention becomes.

It is possible to carry out a data transfer to and / or from the receiving device arranged by the user by sector-specific signal transmitting devices. Such area specific receiving devices may e.g. be provided in a passage area. You can e.g. be coupled with a (e.g., house) door handle or a vehicle door handle. By contact with the above elements or by approximating such system boundaries, it is possible to classify the user's current configuration status as proper, if necessary to externally record this equipment status, and to generate a warning or loss signal only when this equipment status changes. This makes it possible that, for example, only for the loss (i.e., for the distance from the observation area) of objects e.g. after leaving a motor vehicle to generate a warning signal. When traversing a (for example, a front door), object-specific data output-also in the form of acoustic or optical signals-can be deduced, showing, for example, which objects are at the user and which objects are still to be suspected in the motor vehicle. The system according to the invention can also be used for time and attendance detection.

The clipboard of the respective evaluation results can take place in storage devices which are preferably arranged in the region of the assessment device. Alternatively, or in combination with it, it is also possible to provide memory devices in the region of the respective signal transmission device. On a memory device provided in the region of the signal transmission device, a configuration data record can also be provided in the form of a configuration key for configuration of the system upon entry into the observation area and, if appropriate, user-made confirmation.

Identifiable codes can be generated in the area of the receiving device, in particular of the evaluation device, which is coupled to the receiving device, for providing an indicative analysis signal based on the presence or non-presence of the object, and can be given special consideration by a signal processing consideration of the receiving event. Thus, the judging means may cause a particularly noticeable - object specific - "reminder" signal when For example, a special object of value, piece of jewelry, is first applied from the observation area, in particular, a valuable piece of clothing placed on a lying outside the observation area wardrobe, or a screen was parked in a suitably remote stand. The permissibility of bringing out certain, equipped with a signal transmitting device objects from the observation area can be done by active input or by the type of delivery of the objects. If, for example, the screen and the jacket are dispensed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, the removal of these objects can be classified as permissible. As soon as one of these objects returns to the observation area, a reminder signal can be initiated for the missing object.

The logical evaluation of the received by the receiving device and evaluated by the evaluation device signals can be carried out under different, preferably user-individually determinable strategies. Thus, it is possible for the output of visual signals (possibly using the display of a mobile phone) to configure the system according to the invention such that it checks the presence of certain objects. ("Do I have it .....?"). The assessor may also be configured to allow the system to read the completeness (have I forgotten something?) Or remove (in case of losing or stealing), remembering (temporarily removed items, or unlocked doors) e.g. of encoders AND receiver (s).

The system component comprising the receiving device can also receive special protection in the system and, incidentally, can secure a relatively easily lost or forgetable object.

It is possible to forward a data telegram or a code sequence (possibly as an appendix or integration sequence of the identification signal) to the receiving device via the signal transmission device assigned to the respective object, eg a keychain. Thus, a circuit connected to the receiving device receives data indicative of, for example, whether a key was used to lock / unlock a door (in particular, before it was put in a bag), or whether a particular one Equipment object is in a certain state (level, state of charge, temperature, ...).

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

eine Schemadarstellung zur Erläuterung der operativen Verknüpfung einzelner Funktionsgruppen einer Signalsendeeinrichtung;

Figur 2

eine weitere Schemadarstellung zur Erläuterung der internen Architektur einer, einer Signalsendeeinrichtung zugeordneten Signalgenerierungseinrichtung;

Figur 3

eine Schemadarstellung zur Erläuterung des Aufbaus einer in einen scheckkartenförmigen Grundkörper integrierten Signalsendeeinrichtung;

Figur 4a

eine Schemadarstellung zur Erläuterung des Aufbaus einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer Empfangseinrichtung sowie der daran angekoppelten Beurteilungseinrichtung;

Figur 4b

eine Schemadarstellung zur Erläuterung einer bevorzugten Architektur der Beurteilungseinrichtung.

Further details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It shows:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation for explaining the operative linkage of individual functional groups of a signal transmitting device;

FIG. 2

a further schematic representation for explaining the internal architecture of a signal generating device associated with a signal transmitting device;

FIG. 3

a schematic representation for explaining the structure of an integrated into a check card-shaped body signal transmitting device;

FIG. 4a

a schematic representation for explaining the structure of a preferred embodiment of a receiving device and the attached thereto evaluation device;

FIG. 4b

a schematic representation for explaining a preferred architecture of the assessment device.

Description of preferred embodiments

In the following, the present invention will be described in terms of a system for preventing the unnoticed loss of objects commonly carried by a system user near the body.

For this purpose, the objects to be observed are provided with a signal transmitting device, which preferably capacitively (statically) couples signals into the human body or its clothing by charge exchange in the low-frequency range. A receiving device provided near the user detects the signal coupled into the body and feeds this signal to a suitable evaluation device. This evaluation device preferably expects a specific time interval Signal. If this signal fails, a corresponding warning message is communicated to the user acoustically, visually and / or for example by vibration. Preferably, the signal transmitting device associated with the respective object to be observed is permanently attached to the object to be observed, for example a valuable object, or integrated into it. By connecting a corresponding signal transmitting device with a wallet, for example, a loss of the same can be prevented. The receiving device provided for detecting the signals generated by the signal transmission device and the components required to generate the loss signal can form an independent receiving device or be integrated, for example, in a mobile telephone or a wristwatch. The signal transmitting device may be in the form of a check card, and can be incorporated without need for a professional assembly technology in corresponding compartments a wallet or wallet.

In FIG. 1 schematically illustrated a signal transmitting device comprising a capacitive surface 1, a mixer 2, an identity code generator 3, a clock pulse generator 4, and a supressor 6 coupled to a frequency generator 5.

By way of example, the signal transmission device constructed in this way can generate a code signal successively at periodic intervals (for example 3 times per second) which is conducted to the capacitive surface 1. In the simplest case, this code signal is generated by the frequency generator 5 alone. In addition, a digital data signal (eg containing an identification number) may be modulated. Alternatively, or in combination with this, it is possible to provide discretizable signals in the form of a "melody" at different frequencies via the identity code generator 3 shown here. A collision, the signals generated by a plurality of such signal transmitting devices, can be sufficiently avoided that these signal transmitting device either operate with different frequencies and / or transmission / pause ratio are tuned so that collisions are largely avoided or at least occur sufficiently rarely. By irregular pauses can continue to reduce the probability of collision, the signal emitted by a plurality of signal transmitting devices signals. The correspondingly generated signals are preferably via the here shown capacitive surface in the system user, in particular in the body and / or the clothing of the same coupled as long as the capacitive surface 1 is sufficiently close to the system user.

In FIG. 2 the architecture of an electronic circuit arrangement provided in the region of the respective signal transmitting device is shown, by means of which the signals inductively or capacitively coupled into the user can be generated. The arrangement shown here, provided in the region of the signal transmission device, also includes the system FIG. 1 provided mixer 2, a configurator 7, a signal generator 8, a burst or. Sleep timer 9, a clock generator 10 and an ID memory 11 with serial output. The sum signals formed by the mixer 2, from the part of the configurator 7 and the signal generator 8 can be forwarded directly to the skin of the system user via a capacitive surface, optically via light or laser and inductively via a line device. The provided for signal generation module of the signal transmitter comprises in the case of a particularly simple in its construction variant, a signal generator in the form of an oscillator whose frequency is given permanently or in pulses with intermediate pause intervals on an output.

In the case of a plurality of signal transmission devices, the signals generated in each case are distinguished by the signals differing either by different duration frequencies and / or by the duration of individual frequency bands and / or the duration of the intervals between them.

In an expanded form, digital information can be impressed on the output frequency or on the output frequencies (AM-FM, etc.). It is possible, for example, to send out an identifying identifier successively repeatedly, in which case the data telegrams exchanged can also be encrypted so that the form of these data telegrams changes continuously. The in FIG. 2 shown construction allows for signal generation and modulation several variants.

A central component forms in this embodiment, the configurator 7 by which the functional behavior of the circuit shown here can be determined in an advantageous manner and which sets the individual functional groups in the respective desired operating state. The configurator 7, for example, set the transmission frequency or the transmission frequencies of the signal generator 8, wherein these signal transmission frequencies could also change during a transmission (hopping). In order to obtain, for example, a cyclic output of an identifier, it can be accommodated in the ID memory 11 (eg shift register connected as a ring counter) and transmitted bit by bit from the configurator 7 to the mixer 2 (modulator) via a clock generator 10 (singleshot (eg monoflop)) depending on the configuration as amplitudes or frequency modulation. In the latter case, for example, depending on a bit value (1 or 0), the frequency of the signal generator 8 are changed. In addition to the ID identifier, external data can also be inserted bit by bit into the module and sent. For example, a recipient who responds to the identifier may send it to another e.g. Forward external system. Before the transmission of a sequence, a defined start signal can be output by the configurator 7 with which a receiver can go into a start position suitable for reliable signal acquisition, in order to be able to assign the received signals correctly.

After a complete signal, in particular data sequence has been output via the mixer 2, the configurator 7 can be caused by the sleep timer 9 to turn off the entire assembly or at least individual components of the same for a certain period of time. This pause is preferably much longer than the time of the signal transmission. This saves on the one hand current (important for battery operation) and on the other hand, any other objects associated signal transmitters have the opportunity to send their signals sufficiently collision-free. The pauses can be randomly stretched so that even in the event of a collision of transmitted data, they will most likely no longer collide in the next cycle. For example, a typical duty cycle is 1 to 100. It is possible to generate for each transmit sequence by the configurator a checksum that allows a check of the received signal for any errors contained therein.

From the table below, the components of the described signal generator in connection with tasks and properties are shown again. component tasks properties Signal transmitter VCO variable carrier frequency Programmable function generator ID memory with serial output clear identification Shift register as ring counter mixer modulates the charge driver analogue and circuit configurator dynamic control programmable Burst / sleep timer dynamic bursts, powerdown monostable, variable burst clock shiftet ID (oneshot one-by-one) Star / Stop + pulses / pause 1/50 substratum Minus to the power supply forms a capacitive opposite pole

Physical Embodiments of Code Signalers

To achieve a receiver (description follows) via a user, the signal transmitting device preferably feeds a signal via a pole directly into a contact point or indirectly via a capacitive surface from a few centimeters away into the user. The opposite pole uses parasitic capacitances that form the transmitter and receiver (for example, via earth, body, etc.).

Likewise, the signal and the identifier can also be emitted optically (laser, LED, IR, ETC) acoustically (sound, ultrasound, ITC) or inductively (scatter field, coupler ETC). The signal transmission approaches described can also be used in combination.

The signal transmitting device preferably comprises a voltage supply which can be embodied, for example, by a battery. the sleep timer 9, which is preferably integrated in the signal transmission device, allows a long service life since between the individual Signal sequences the power supply can be switched off by the sleep timer.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the power supply or at least a support thereof can be carried out using a solar cell.

The signal transmitting device according to the invention can be integrated into pin buttons (buttons), key fobs, stickers or check cards. In particular, with regard to the receiving device described below, it becomes possible to realize functional components of this system by using electronic device circuits. Thus, for example, the receiving device according to the invention can be realized under any recourse to the functional groups provided by a mobile telephone.

The ID number preferably generated by the ID memory 11 is preferably unique. This makes it possible to uniquely identify the object associated with the corresponding signal transmitter. The signal transmission device according to the invention can be integrated as a code signal generator in a push-button-like element which can be attached to clothing, valuables and equipment accessories in an advantageous manner. This makes it possible to determine, by the presence analysis system according to the invention, whether the system user is dressed properly - e.g. Wear protective clothing and, where appropriate, other approved accessories are in the user's area.

In FIG. 3 an embodiment of the signal transmitting device according to the invention is shown as a check card-like element. This signal transmitting device comprises a capacitive surface 1 formed by a copper foil which is arranged over a large area in the check card-like element. This capacitive surface is connected to a signal generator 12 in connection in its construction, for example, the above in connection with the Figures 1 and 2 can correspond to described circuits. The power supply of the signal generator 12 and the other functional components connected therein takes place in this embodiment via a flat battery 13, which is designed here as a lithium battery. the signal transmission device shown here is designed as a flat customer card, wherein the transmission of the signal via the formed as a copper foil surface capacitive surface 1 takes place. The loss of a wallet containing important papers, the loss of a wallet with money and credit cards can be detected for a short time if the wallet or purse is equipped with such a signal sending device.

In FIG. 4a the construction of a preferred embodiment of a receiving device is shown connected thereto assessment device.

The receiving device comprises a capacitive surface 14, which is coupled to a decoder 16 via an operational amplifier 15. The operational amplifier 15 receives the input signal detected via the capacitive surface 14, which as a rule has a low intensity and amplifies it in such a way that it can be processed by the decoder 16. This decoder 16 generates, for example, a numerical value corresponding to the frequency of the detected signal (in the simplest embodiment) or decodes a data telegram which is modulated onto the frequency, in particular an identification code modulated onto the frequency. A comparator 17 determines if the determined value already exists. If this value is not available, it is stored in a free memory space. An incrementable counter 19 selects the next free memory space and remains after the first recognized value was entered there, initially on this stand.

After the counter has been incremented, a retriggerable monoflop 20 is started in this exemplary embodiment. The aforementioned comparison determines the next time a signal is received, whether its value has already been stored, and if necessary increments the counter 19, which thus points to the next position, retriggering the monoflop. If the memory location is empty, the counter automatically increments until it returns to a memory occupied by a value. By this arrangement, several expected values of different signal transmitting devices can be monitored by only one monoflop 20.

signaling device

If an expected signal does not arrive, the retriggering for the monoflop drops out and it returns to the starting position after the set time. It triggers two functions. First, the relevant memory location in the memory bank 18 is deleted. In addition, a signal generator 21 is activated, the acoustic, optical and / or, for example, also haptic perceptible e.g. in the form of vibrations. The message signals generated in this way can be generated in such a way that it can be seen from which signal transmitting device or which associated therewith has just been removed from the surrounding area of the system user.

The digital functions of the receiving device described above as well as the evaluation device thus connected in the data network can preferably be determined via a microcontroller or another logic device.

Aplikationsbeispiele

The signal transmitter units designed as signal transmitter units can be designed, for example, as plastic cards for purses or wallets, as trailers for car and (or apartment keys, as well as stickers for labels on valuables such as cameras, camcorders and mobile telephones.) The receiving unit provided for receiving and evaluating the signals can It is possible to visualize the use of the system according to the invention by means of an equipment element which is easily recognizable from the outside, whereby the receiving device according to the invention can be integrated into this equipment element, for example as a pin-button Signal-transmitting or signal-receiving devices can, for example, be issued to tourists in the context of travel events.Top-pickers have a recognizable increase in the number of tourists equipped in this way htes Tatrisiko because a stealing a secured by the inventive system object is made immediately apparent.

The receiving device according to the invention is housed in a mobile phone. via the mobile phone can functionally already on the call signaling devices provided therein (ringing; Vibrationsgenerator) are used. It is also possible, in the integration of the receiving device according to the invention in watches on the alarm or wake-up systems present therein to take recourse. The system according to the invention is preferably tuned such that the removal of an object equipped with a corresponding signal transmitting device by more than 15 cm and a time duration of more than 1.5 seconds already triggers an alarm signal from the user's body. The removal of the signal receiver from the body of the user by a predetermined distance of, for example, half a meter leads preferably also to the output of an alarm signal triggers. The removal of the signal receiver from the body of the user by a predetermined distance of, for example, half a meter preferably also leads to the output of an alarm signal.

FIG. 4b shows a further construction of a receiving device according to the invention with attached assessment device. In the FIG. 4b The circuit shown comprises an operational amplifier 15, which detects, for example via a high-gain active bandpass, a reception device which is detected, for example, by means of a capacitive surface, which transmits the reception event to a tone decoder 16. The operational amplifier makes it possible to substantially suppress ubiquitous ripple voltages and preferably to supply only the thus filtered signals to the sound decoder. The tone decoder 16 can either detect a fixed evaluation frequency (usually adjustable by RC element) or a frequency found by an (analog or digital) ramp generator (which stops the ramp generator at this point). Thus, in the first case, the presence and duration of signals can be measured, while in the second case, the frequencies used can additionally be determined. In the first case a simple on / off function can be realized. Otherwise, the signals are forwarded to a processing system (microcontroller), which also controls the operation of the ramp generator. A second, expanded embodiment variant has components that can process the received signals independently (self-sufficient).

The central control of the circuit shown here takes over the receive register 25. Initially, this with the ramper 26 (for example, a DA converter or a digital potentiometer) the Sound decoder 16 to an agreed frequency and remains until a start character is detected. (The signal amplification of the input amplifier 15 can also be controlled via the ramper 26 in this circuit variant, autogain is possible). If this is the case, the receive buffer is filled bit by bit and formed a checksum. This checksum must match the checksum of the transmit signal sent in the sequence at a specific point, only then can the sequence, which consists of one or more bytes, be processed as follows:

A particular (or determinable) byte contains 4-bit control instruction and 4-bit memory location selection in correspondence register 27 (this corresponds to 16 24-bit memory locations; other versions with more or less memory are also possible). The so selective memory is switched to the comparator 28. This comparator 28 compares the bit pattern contained in the memory location with one from the receive buffer with which the signal generator identification number represents. If they match, a control statement is generated. The data in the correspondence register 27 are non-volatile in this embodiment, once registered, they can preferably not be changed or only in conjunction with a special proof of authorization. The control instructions are described in more detail below. There are, for example, instructions that cause the code switch 29 switch to drive the output SET, its state is then maintained until another control code changed him or a Clearimpuls accomplished this from outside. A control command causes the lost timer 30 to ensure that the code stored in the selected correspondence register 27 is received again within one second. If this is not the case, a level is briefly output via the strobe input and the set input is reset.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. By way of example, the logical processing of the analysis results of the assessment device can also be done case-specifically, differently from the previously described configurations.

Claims (8)

1. Object presence analysis system with:

   - at least one signal transmission device, which is assigned to an object to be observed for its presence, to transmit an object-specific or transmission device-specific signal,

   - a reception device to register a reception event which, in the case of object presence, contains the object-specific or transmission device-specific signal,

   - an assessment device which is connected to the reception device to generate an indicative analysis output signal based on the presence or non-presence of the object by a signalprocessing observation of the reception event,

   - an output device to output the presence output signal by acoustic, optical and/or haptic means.

   - whereby the reception device is integrated in a mobile phone and

   - the system is configured in such a way that objects with a signal transmission device entering the observation area are registered with the assessment device within the framework of a registration procedure and

   - that as soon as the aforementioned objects leave the observation area an observation data set is generated which records the time of leaving and the current GPS data.
2. System in accordance with Claim 1, whereby the signal transmission device is designed in such a way that the object-specific or transmission device-specific signal is configured as a data telegram.
3. System in accordance with Claim 2, whereby the data telegram carries an identification code.
4. System in accordance with at least one of the Claims 1 to 3, whereby it includes several transmission devices.
5. System in accordance with at least one of the Claims 1 to 4, whereby the signal transmission devices are configured in such a way that the transmitted object-specific or transmission device-specific signals are largely free of overlays at least in phases.
6. System in accordance with at least one of the Claims 1 to 5, whereby the reception device has a trigger signal transmission device for the transmission of a trigger signal.
7. System in accordance with at least one of the Claims 1 to 6, whereby at least one of the signal transmission devices has a trigger signal registration device.
8. System according to Claim 7, whereby at least one signal transmission device has an absorption device to absorb energy fractions coupled with the user on the basis of inductive and/or capacitive counter-effects, whereby at least part of the absorbed energy fractions is used in the transmission device to generate the object-specific or transmission device specific signal.

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