DE102019004573A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LONG-TERM AUTONOMOUS MONITORING OF AN OBJECT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for long-term, autonomous monitoring of objects by determining the position of the objects when the location or position is changed. It is inventive that the energy flow / energy consumption only takes place after the activation unit has been triggered and the control unit is queried before the reporting process.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for actually determining the location of an object, for example by means of a GPS system (Global Positioning System), after a spatial change in position and / or location, with an activation unit, reporting unit and a control unit. Areas of application are, for example, real-time reports of theft with information on the position or vandalism or accident reports. The device described consumes energy only in the activated state, as a result of which the device and the method on which it is based are given advantages over the prior art.

State of the art

In addition to devices that report a theft acoustically and / or visually, there are systems that transmit the route and / or location of an object to a suitable recipient (e.g. the owner or the law enforcement agency) without warning the perpetrator. In the case of such devices, a distinction can be made between permanently active and not permanently active systems.

Constantly active systems are used if one assumes a theft in a timely manner and wants to document it. Such systems are used by the police or detective agencies. Use cases are, for example, suitcases of money, art objects and other goods of relatively high value with a relatively small physical size. With these systems, the position is continuously tracked over a usually previously defined, relatively short period of time (1-3 days).

In applications where theft is not assumed to take place immediately, energy consumption plays an important role, which is why systems that are not constantly active are used that have a non-activated state (stand-by mode) and an activated state (theft mode) . A further differentiation can also be made for systems with stand-by mode and theft mode that are not always active.

A distinction is made between systems that can draw energy from existing power grids, for example the circuit in the car fed by the car battery, and therefore do not require an energy storage device, and systems that have their own energy storage device because there is no local energy source. Such systems, which are used, for example, to determine the location of stolen bicycles, work autonomously with their own energy storage devices (rechargeable batteries or batteries). The size of the energy storage device is usually very limited because the system should not be recognized by third parties. Due to this limitation, the useful life of the system is severely limited. In the non-activated state (stand-by mode) in which no position notification is made, the period of use is usually a few days to a few months (maximum 6 months for a very large device with an autonomous power supply for construction machinery). It can be assumed that this manufacturer's information regarding the service life in the non-activated state, in severe weather, especially low temperatures, will be further shortened.

If the monitored object is now stolen, theft mode is activated. Activation can take place, for example, via a pressure switch or a reed switch. In the activated state (theft mode), the system sends the actual location, which was determined, for example, by means of GPS (global positioning system) or mobile radio system, at predetermined intervals to an equally predetermined receiver. In this case, too, the useful life of autonomous systems with their own energy storage is severely limited. As a rule, the energy storage of those autonomous systems with their own energy storage is sufficient to send 2-48 hours of position data to a receiver in the activated state (theft mode). Here, too, it can be assumed that the stated manufacturer's information is severely impaired by bad weather, in particular low temperatures. Since autonomous systems usually only have an energy storage device, the duration of the activated state (theft mode) is additionally limited by the duration of the previous non-activated state (stand-by mode). If an object with an autonomous theft system installed as described here is stolen after 3 months in which the theft system was in the non-activated state (stand-by mode), it must be assumed that the duration of the activated state (theft mode) will last Due to the previous 3 months "waiting time" was very limited to maybe 1-24 hours.

Systems described here which are not constantly active and have their own energy storage device, which have a stand-by mode and a theft mode, are known.

A related device is for example in DE 200 22 713 U 1 described. After switching from the inactive state (stand-by mode) to the activated state (theft mode) using a pressure sensor or reed switch the transmitting device informs a predetermined recipient and transmits the actual position information.

A similar device is disclosed in the patent of US 2011/0148627 known. Here, too, after manual switching or automatic switching by a reed switch, the transmitting device is activated, which then continuously transmits the current position to a suitable receiver.

Problem:

1. a) erst nach der Aktivierung, also lediglich im aktivierten Zustand (Diebstahlmodus) elektrische Energie verbraucht,
2. b) vor der Positionsübermittlung prüft, ob die Lage- oder Ortsänderungen durch eine berechtigte Person vorgenommen wurde. In diesem Fall kann das System sich direkt oder nach einem vorher festgelegten Zeitrahmen wieder abschalten,
3. c) bei einer Aktivierung im Fall eines Diebstahls die Positionsangaben nach Prüfung von Punkt b) meldet (zum Beispiel über ein vorhandenes Mobilfunknetz),
4. d) im Fall von Vandalismus oder eines Unfalls, bei dem lediglich die Lage, allerdings nicht die Ortsposition geändert wurde, nach Prüfung von Punkt b) eine Meldung an den Eigentümer/Besitzer macht (zum Beispiel über ein vorhandenes Mobilfunknetz).

The invention is based on the object of developing a device that

1. a) only consumes electrical energy after activation, i.e. only in the activated state (theft mode),
2. b) before the position is transmitted, checks whether the change of location or location has been made by an authorized person. In this case, the system can switch itself off again immediately or after a predetermined time frame.
3. c) when activated in the event of theft, reports the position information after checking point b) (for example via an existing cellular network),
4. d) in the event of vandalism or an accident in which only the location but not the location has been changed, after checking point b), reports to the owner / owner (for example via an existing cellular network).

The problem was solved as follows:

• • Aktivierungseinheit 1
• • Kontrolleinheit 2
• • Meldeeinheit 3

A device was developed that consists of three functional units, one

• • Activation unit 1
• • Control unit 2
• • Reporting unit 3

• 1 eine stark vereinfachte schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur langfristigen autonomen Überwachung eines Objektes.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a schematic exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying figure. This shows:

• 1 a greatly simplified schematic representation of a device according to the invention for long-term autonomous monitoring of an object.

In 1 is a greatly simplified schematic representation of a device according to the invention for long-term autonomous monitoring of an object.

This has an activation unit as an essential component 1 , a control unit 2 and a reporting unit 3 on.

The activation unit 1 is designed as a switching element. It is triggered, for example, mechanically by a pressure sensor (pressed = no electrical contact) or by a reed switch in combination with a magnet (magnetic field nearby = no electrical contact). If, for example, the object is lifted, a pressure switch closes the switch by releasing the pressure. In the case of a reed switch and magnet combination, the reed switch is triggered by the distance from the magnet. In this case, the magnet remains in place (for example under a table top or in a frame), the device is attached to the movable object (for example goods, cardboard) near the magnet. If the switching element is triggered, the circuit is closed and the control unit and the signaling unit are supplied with power.

The control unit 2 has the task of preventing a report if authorized persons trigger the activation unit. The control unit can be a combination of hard and software. When triggered, the control unit queries the proximity of a system (e.g. a cell phone) with a software key, e.g. via Bluetooth. If the authorized person's system (for example a cell phone) is nearby, the control unit ensures that no position information is sent to the receiver after activation. After a predetermined waiting time, the system deactivates itself so that the non-activated state (stand-by mode) is restored, in which no energy is used.

The reporting unit 3 In the event that the control unit does not stop the process, it transmits the position information, for example via mobile radio, to the previously specified recipient. The signaling unit can also be used to activate additional devices and systems. For example, cameras in the vicinity (access routes) can be activated in order to identify fleeing vehicles and / or to trigger lighting / acoustic or optical signals. In the event of theft, the location can be tracked using position information. If, for example, the activation unit was activated by vandalism or an accident, the actual position information does not change. The owner / owner can then visit the location promptly and initiate further measures.

With the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention it is thus possible to provide a simple structure and still specify an efficient method for long-term autonomous monitoring of an object which uses an existing energy store more efficiently and thus more economically than is currently possible with existing methods and devices is.

Application examples:

The invention can be used primarily outdoors or in warehouses. These include high seats, barns, sheds, gardening tools, construction and gardening machines, beekeeping stalls and similar products and properties without electricity. The device is attached so that it is not visible.

Example 1: The device is integrated into the underside of the beehive. The hives are free-standing on a hive stand or in an apiary. The device in the hive then triggers a reed switch when the hive is removed from the hive. A pressure switch can also be used here, although this can be more easily noticed by thieves. Since the beekeeper or the authorized person has a mobile device with them, no theft or vandalism is reported after the control unit has been queried (contact with the mobile device). Freestanding apiaries are also affected by vandalism. The hives are often thrown from the hives. In this case, the device triggers and informs the owner promptly about the incident. In this way, the bee colony can still be saved by quickly intervening.

Example 2: The device is positioned in the goods packaging in storage rooms. In this case, the triggering takes place preferably through the reed switch / magnet combination, whereby the magnet is not visibly attached under a table or shelf.

Example 3: Use in high seats. It can also be hidden in the wood. The legs are suitable for this. If the high seat is tipped over, the device is triggered by separating the reed switch and magnet.

Example 4: wooden pile. Trees are cut into pieces for removal and put together into so-called wooden piles. These can then be charged. To prevent theft, the device is hidden in two adjacent trunks by means of a hole in the trunk. The magnet is positioned in the neighboring trunk by means of a hole. If the logs are separated from each other during loading, the device is triggered.

Example 5: The device is integrated in a door or gate. It is triggered by opening the door or gate. Either the pressure switch switches or a magnet in the door is removed from the frame with the device.

Example 6: In the event of theft or vandalism, the perpetrators are unrecognizable during the course of the crime by choosing suitable clothing (hoods, masks, glasses). More distant recording devices (e.g. cameras) in driveways can be activated by the reporting unit after being triggered and thus record license plates or images of perpetrators without masking / hoods.

Example 7: Reporting of position information from moving objects that are ready to save energy after returning to a certain position (working, standby or parking position) until they are activated. The deactivation or activation is achieved by means of a pressure switch or a combination of a reed switch with a magnet.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 20022713 U [0008]
• US 2011/0148627 [0009]

Claims (6)

A method for monitoring an object with an arrangement of activation unit, control unit, a reporting unit and an energy store, characterized in that an energy flow / energy consumption only occurs when the activation unit is triggered and a check is carried out by the control unit prior to the reporting process by the reporting unit. Device for monitoring objects, in particular for performing the method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the activation unit consists of a push button. Device for monitoring objects, in particular for performing the method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the activation unit consists of a switching element (reed switch / reed contact) and a magnet, the current flow of the switching element taking place by spatial separation of the switching element and magnet. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the control unit is designed as a sensor element and the reporting unit is only activated when a signal from the environment is not available, the signal preferably originating from a radio communication device, preferably a mobile phone or transponder. Device for monitoring objects, in particular for performing the method according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the reporting unit determines the geographic coordinates of the device and sends it by radio / cellular network. Device for monitoring objects, in particular for performing the method according to Claim 1 to 5 , characterized in that the method for monitoring an object after deactivation of the activation unit changes to a state without energy flow until the activation unit is triggered again.

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