GB2343071A

GB2343071A - Object tracking

Info

Publication number: GB2343071A
Application number: GB9900179A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Dalgleish
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-01-07
Filing date: 1999-01-07
Publication date: 2000-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-07
Also published as: GB2343071B; GB9900179D0

Abstract

A device for tracking a moveable object 4 (which may be a road vehicle) comprising means for storing in memory expected object positions forming one or more predetermined tracks of movement, means adapted to determine the current object position (for example a system based on GPS satellites 1, 2, 3), means for comparing and detecting any deviation between current and expected position, and means to communicate the current object position to a remote base station only when a given deviation from a predetermined track of movement is detected. The tracking system may be activated only when tracking is required by an earth's magnetic field sensor. Data relating to the movement of the object may be transmitted from the base station over a wide area network such as the Internet.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED OBJECT TRACKING The present invention relates to the tracking of moveable objects. More particularly, the present invention relates to the tracking of the movement of objects, such as vehicles, in three dimensional space or time, or in both.

In many commercial situations a manager of a vehicle needs to know the position of the vehicle during the course of its movements. Typically the manager is at a location remote from the vehicle itself.

Well known in the art are global positioning systems (GPS), which use a plurality of satellites orbiting the earth to transmit signals that a receiver located on the earth's surface is able, by triangulation techniques, to identify its own location. Advances in such systems have meant that this technology is wide spread in use, in diverse equipment, and thus is effective in identifying the position of vehicles or fleets of vehicles.

GB-A-2 288 892 describes a system in which the position of a road vehicle is monitored by transmitting GPS positional data via an aerial on the vehicle to a base station. However, data is transmitted at closely spaced regular intervals to allow substantial real-time tracking, and this requires a relatively high level of data transfer and/or storage.

GB-A-2 318 940 discloses a procedure which reduces somewhat the amount of data to be transmitted by storing a vehicle's first position in full, and only storing subsequent positions relative to the first position. However, this apparatus still requires that the vehicle's position is measured every minute and therefore does not obviate any repetition of data that occurs when, for example, position has not changed significantly.

JP-A-6 112 887 describes a device which can be used to identify the fixed position of an object.

A third party is notified only at such time as the device's own position deviates outside a permissible tolerance level, thus allowing the elimination of unnecessary transmission of positional data. However, the device is not capable of tracking the continuing movement of an object or in a way that minimises the transmission and/or storage of data.

In contrast to the prior art discussed above, the present invention seeks to enable tracking of a moveable object whilst only utilising the smallest number of messages necessary, and thus keeping communication costs low.

In general, previous systems have ensured tracking accuracy by setting the reporting rate at a relatively high frequency of fixed distance-interval or time-interval reporting. This type of tracking has the following disadvantages: (a) on long straight journeys, many unnecessary position reports are sent that are not required for accurate tracking; (b) on circuitous routes insufficient reports give misleading information, and actual positions reported may give misleading data.

In the case of a long, straight journey only the initial and end positions are necessary to give an accurate report of movements that have happened. In contrast, on a journey with many bends, for example a route through an urban area, regular reporting at, say, one mile intervals may erroneously imply a certain track, whereas in fact a very different route may have been taken. In order to overcome the above mentioned difficulties, the present invention seeks to track a moveable object to provide an accurate report of its position whilst minimising the level of data transfer required.

US 5,777,580 discloses a system in which the power supply of an activatible vehicle location determination system is tumed on upon receipt of a message from a separately powered communication system. Thus, a relatively low power pager receiver can, for example, activate a relatively high power GPS system, and such an operation is useful for vehicle security purposes.

In the latter situation, it is useful to have the unit switched off until the vehicle is known to be stolen. However, such a unit will not respond until a person remote from the vehicle determines that it should be activated. Although conventional movement sensors, such as mercury switches, can be used to activate the unit, this arrangement may not be effective when vehicle movement is very small, or altematively will cause activation during loading of the vehicle with heavy masses or by other similar vibration.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for tracking a moveable object comprising: (a) a first means capable of storing in memory expected object positions forming one or more predetermined tracks of movement; (b) a second means adapted to determine the current object position; (c) a third means capable of comparing, and detecting any deviation (s) between, the current and expected object positions; and (d) a fourth means arrange to communicate the current object position to a remote base only when a given deviation from a predetermined track of movement is detected. Preferably, the position tracked is communicable as either a geographical location, or as a function of time, or as a function of both.

If time at each location, or at the end of the journey, is an important criteria, then the equipment may also be programme to assume: -a linear time/distance forecast, -a non linear, but function based forecast, or -a pre-loaded trip-time elapsed forecast.

In these enhanced modes, transmissions only occur when the apparatus detects that moveable object deviates from the forecast.

In addition, the function of time preferably includes date, time of day and/or time elapsed from start of actual track.

Further, the predetermined track is usually either (i) any chosen algebraic function, or (ii) any previously made actual track (s), or (iii) an amalgamation (s) thereof. Thus, the actual track may be compared with, for example, a straight route, a circumferential route of a certain radius, a previously made route, or with a function of any amalgamation of such routes.

In another preferred version, the apparatus may further comprise a fifth means capable of determining most common current positions to allow algorhythmical calculation of future predetermined track (s). Hence, a degree of prediction of the next route may be made given accumulated data regarding many previous routes and the numerical occurrence of each which affords a probability factor to each previous route.

In a further advantageous aspect, any deviation between current and expected positions is detectable when a given tolerance level of deviation is exceeded. Typically, GPS signals are accurate to about 50 metres and so it is preferred that a tolerance level of about 200 metres be calibrated. In this way, if the difference between actual and predetermined locations is equal to or exceeds 200 metres, then a deviation is detected and communicated to the remote location.

Similarly, tolerance levels for time can be calibrated when time is an important function.

In a particularly preferred version, the object is a vehicle. However, the principle of the apparatus may apply to any moveable object.

Typically, the second means incorporates a global positioning satellite system. Further, in order to minimise power consumption, the relatively high power GPS system can, in one version of the invention, be activated by a second system that operates at a constantly, relatively low power state. An example of such a second system is an earth's magnetic field sensor (EMFS) that can detect small variations in vehicular movement and direction of movement.

In contrast to conventional movement sensors, such as mercury switches, an EMFS will not respond merely to shock (as caused during loading of a stationary vehicle with heavy masses).

Further, even if the vehicle endeavours to move in exactly a straight line, local anomalies in the earth's magnetic field will still initiate a signal. The EMFS may be tumed on, by say, a switch undemeath the driver's seat, and hence may (if necessary) be independent of both the owner or the manager at the remote base.

In a most preferred version, data transfer and/or storage is minimised by way of the fourth means only communicating current position when a given deviation is detected.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of tracking a moveable object, comprising the steps of: (a) storing expected object positions forming one or more predetermined tracks of movement in memory means; (b) determining the current object position; (c) comparing, and detecting any deviation between, the current and expected object positions; and (d) communicating the current object position to a remote base only when a given deviation from a predetermined track of movement is detected.

Further preferred features of this aspect are mentioned in the method subsidiary claims.

The present invention will now be described in further detail, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 represents a GPS system; and Figures 2 to 6 show various tracks to aid explanation of the present invention.

In Figure 1 the earth's surface is schematically illustrated showing continuously orbiting satellites (1,2 and 3), which are examples of the space based navigation system satellites developed by the US Department of Defence.

As shown, three satellites are within direct line of sight of a vehicle (4), for which it is possible to calculate a geographical location by triangulation methods to an accuracy of typically within 50 metres.

Signals from the satellite system can be received by a disc (5) based at a remote location and can be interpreted by a personal computer (6) by a manager of the movement of the vehicle (4).

1 As the vehicle travels along its route, the satellite system can relay its position at intervals back to the remote base, thus allowing the movements of the vehicle to be tracked. However, in the present invention, the reporting of position back to base need not be at fixed distance-intervals or time-intervals, and significant savings in levels of transfer and storage of data can be achieved, as explained below with reference to Figures 2 to 6.

In Figure 2, a journey on a straight road is illustrated with position reports being relayed at 1 to 10. However, many unnecessary position reports are sent, with reports 2 to 9 being redundant in order to accurately recreate the journey.

In contrast, Figure 3 shows that on a circuitous route, for example in urban areas, not enough reports may be generated. If position reports are generated with too large a reporting interval, an erroneous implied track will be suggested. In Figure 3, a straight journey is indicated, whereas in fact a very different route has been taken.

To correct for these disadvantages, the present invention allows for reporting when, for example, a deviation from a straight line occurs or when a deviation from a curve of certain radius occurs.

Thus, as shown in Figure 4, only reports at positions 1,6 and 9 are generated. The transmitter remembers the track from 2 to 5, and from 7 to 8 and only when the track goes outside the envelope will a transmission be generated. This saves 6 messages from a possible total of 9. Further, as depicted in Figure 5, a transmission only occurs at positions 1 to 4, and transmissions at positions 5 to 8 are avoided because a description of the curve is transmitted at position 4.

The invention also allows for the communication of a predetermined route from the base to the vehicle and positional reports are only transmitted when deviation from the predetermined route takes place. This is illustrated in Figure 6, in which reports of position only need to be generated at positions 2 and 3.

It is also possible, according to the present invention, to analyse the routes of many previous journeys of the same vehicle to build up a probability profile, which can allow the algorhythmical calculation at the base or vehicle of a future track. Thus, a vehicle tracking system may analyse a journey to-date and predict the future track of the vehicle expressed either as an algebraic function or decide that it is the same as a part or all of a previous journey. The system reports or stores either an algebraic function or a journey code, before only reporting or storing data when the said journey lies outside a certain tolerance function in relation to the algebraic function or section of the previous journey.

The vehicle tracking system of the invention may also analyse a series of journeys by a vehicle or fleet of vehicles and assume that the location at which the vehicle (s) spends most of its time is its base, and that all journeys are likely to have a beginning or end at that point. Therefore, the system can assume that any new journey which commences away from the base is likely to end at the base by proceeding in a route that has previously been travelled from this point to the base.

Such systems, as described in the above two paragraphs, are useful because they cut down the amount of data transfer and/or storage necessary during the tracking of a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles.

The apparatus and method of the invention can also be applied to low cost systems of tracking fleets of vehicles which use the Internet. At present, half of the vehicle fleets in the UK have insufficient resources to be able to buy and operate conventional tracking equipment. The companies owning such fleets as well as being aware of the competitive threat posed by existing, large courier companies that can offer parcel tracking services, would also like to know where their own vehicles are located.

By leasing the apparatus of the present invention at relatively low cost to customers, a communication system can be arrange to build up position reports from their vehicles into a database situated on an Intemet server. When a customer logs in to the system via his ISP Intemet access point, his keyword and menu stored on his computer opens up a map to show his vehicle tracks together with various reports on vehicle performance, delivery time, driver hours and so forth. The charge for a customer's weekly access fee would typically be very low per vehicle.

In addition, the tracking system may require the customer to input an authorisation code from the remote base before tracking data is received and, by inputting addition codes, the customer may determine the format or frequency intervals at which he receives data. In this way, the system may be largely customer maintained, which is cost-effective for the system's owner.

Such a system can be modified further such that data stored on the network could be sold to data information publishers, the data being sorted by vehicle type, time of day, and so forth.

Further, by giving the vehicle a low cost bar code reader, customers'clients can be offered the ability of tracking individual parcels carried by the customer. Indeed, if the customer has a low cost signature capture device, clients could see evidence of delivery via the Intemet.

Other modifications include : -putting voice messages in the in-vehicle unit to enunciate after receiving a code via the Intemet ; -putting push buttons on the in-vehicle unit for the driver to acknowledge voice messages or to send an alarm ; -providing"geo-fencing"for each vehicle so that an e-mail or SMS message is sent if the vehicle crosses the geo-fence; -billing for reports on a"pay per use"basis rather than a fixed charge.

If a customer does not settle his bill, it is easy to merely disable his log-in code. Another advantage of such systems is the low cost, which can effectively remove the need for a customer to have a credit status (that would need to be checked).

The great advantage of the apparatus and method according to the present invention is the cost reduction because of the reduction in total data required to be transmitted and/or stored as compared to conventional systems. Despite this the present invention still allows for the accurate tracking of moveable objects such as vehicles.

1. An apparatus for tracking a moveable object comprising: (a) a first means capable of storing in memory expected object positions forming one or more predetermined tracks of movement; (a) a second means adapted to determine the current object position; (b) a third means capable of comparing, and detecting any deviation (s) between, the current and expected object positions; and (a) a fourth means arrange to communicate the current object position to a remote base only when a given deviation from a predetermined track of movement is detected.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position tracked is communicable as either a geographical location, or as a function of time, or as a function of both.

3. An apparatus as daimed in claim 2, wherein the function of time includes date, time of day and/or time elapsed from start of actual track.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined track is either (i) any chosen algebraic function, or (ii) any previously made actual track (s), or (iii) amalgamation (s) thereof.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a fifth means capable of determining most common current positions to allow algorhythmical calculation of future predetermined track (s).

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein any deviation between current and expected positions is detectable when a given tolerance level of deviation is exceeded.

7. An apparatus as daimed in any preceding claim, wherein the object is a vehicle.

8. An apparatus as daimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second means incorporates a global positioning satellite system.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a fifth means adapted to activate said second, third and fourth means when tracking is required, said fifth means operable at a power level lower than for said second, third and/or fourth means.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said fifth means is an earth's magnetic field sensor.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein data transfer and/or storage is minimised by way of the fourth means only communicating current position when deviation is detected.

12. A method of tracking a moveable object comprising the steps of: (a) storing expected object positions forming one or more predetermined tracks of movement in memory means ; (b) determining the current object position; (a) comparing, and detecting any deviation between, the current and expected object positions; and (a) communicating the current object position to a remote base only when a given deviation from a predetermined track of movement is detected.

13. A method as daimed in Claim 12, wherein said method is used to track one or more vehicles.

14. A method as daimed in claim 13, wherein at said remote base data is stored comprising at least one of: current location, time and status of said vehicle (s), and said data is subsequently sent over a wide area network to the vehicle (s) owner (s) automatically or upon request.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said wide area network is the Internet.

16. A method as claimed in any of claims 12-15, wherein the remote base comprises a plurality of base locations to increase system capacity or reduce system response time.

17. A method as claimed in any of claims 12-16, wherein said current position of the object is only communicated to said remote base after one or more correct authorisation codes are sent from said remote base.

18. A method as claimed in any of claims 12-17, wherein said current position of the object is communicated in a format and/or at frequency intervals determined by said remote base.

19. A method as claimed in any of claims 12-18, further comprising the step of activating said second, third and fourth means by a fifth means when tracking is required, said fifth means operating at a power level lower than required for said second, third and/or fourth means.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said fifth means is an earth's magnetic field sensor.

21. An apparatus for tracking a moveable object substantially as herein before described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of tracking a moveable object substantially as herein before described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.

Claims

CLAIMS : 1. An apparatus for tracking a moveable object comprising: (a) a first means adapted to store in memory expected object positions forming one or more tracks of movement previously traversed by the object; (b) a second means adapted to determine the current object position; (c) a third means adapted to compare and detect any deviation (s) between, the current and expected object positions; and (d) a fourth means arranged to communicate the current object position to a remote base only when a given deviation from an expected object position is detected.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position tracked is communicable as either a geographical location, or as a function of time, or as a function of both.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the function of time includes date, time of day and/or time elapsed from start of actual track.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein any deviation between current and expected positions is detectable when a given tolerance level of deviation is exceeded.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the object is a vehicle.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second means incorporates a global positioning satellite system.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a fifth means adapted to activate said second, third and fourth means when tracking is required, said fifth means operable at a power level lower than for said second, third and/or fourth means.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said fifth means is an earth's magnetic field sensor.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein data transfer and/or storage is minimised by way of the fourth means only communicating current position when deviation is detected.
10. A method of tracking a moveable object comprising the steps of :- (a) storing expected object positions forming one or more tracks of movement previously traverse by the object in memory means; (b) determining the current object position; (c) comparing, and detecting any deviation between, the current and expected object positions; and (d) communicating the current object position to a remote base only when a given deviation from an expected object position is detected.
11. A method as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said method is used to track one or more vehicles.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein at said remote base data is stored comprising at least one of: current location, time and status of said vehicle (s), and said data is subsequently sent over a wide area network to the vehicle (s) owner (s) automatically or upon request.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said wide area network is the Internet.
14. A method as claimed in any of claims 10-13, wherein the remote base comprises a plurality of base locations to increase system capacity or reduce system response time.
15. A method as claimed in any of claims 10-14, wherein said current position of the object is only communicated to said remote base after one or more correct authorisation codes are sent from said remote base.
16. A method as claimed in any of claims 10-15, wherein said current position of the object is communicated in a format and/or at frequency intervals determined by said remote base.
17. A method as claimed in any of claims 10-16, further comprising the step of activating said second, third and fourth means by a fifth means when tracking is required, said fifth means operating at a power level lower than required for said second, third and/or fourth means.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said fifth means is an earth's magnetic field sensor.
19. An apparatus for tracking a moveable object substantially as herein before described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.

20 A method of tracking a moveable object substantially as herein before described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.