EP0487420B1 - System to localize persons and/or objects in a controlled zone - Google Patents

System to localize persons and/or objects in a controlled zone Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0487420B1
EP0487420B1 EP91403142A EP91403142A EP0487420B1 EP 0487420 B1 EP0487420 B1 EP 0487420B1 EP 91403142 A EP91403142 A EP 91403142A EP 91403142 A EP91403142 A EP 91403142A EP 0487420 B1 EP0487420 B1 EP 0487420B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
detector
equipment
locating
item
portable equipment
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91403142A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0487420A1 (en
Inventor
Gérard Thomas
Alain Mascarello
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.)
ALE International SAS
Original Assignee
Alcatel Business Systemes SA
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Publication of EP0487420A1 publication Critical patent/EP0487420A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B3/00—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems
    • G08B3/10—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
    • G08B3/1008—Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems
    • G08B3/1016—Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems using wireless transmission
    • G08B3/1083—Pager locating systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
    • G07C9/28—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a system for locating people and / or objects in a monitored area such as an establishment.
  • the invention extends to the use of a system for locating people and / or objects for various industrial applications and in particular a telephone application and a computer application.
  • Locating people in an establishment is a significant problem, especially in a private telephone switching system, since it is known that more than fifty percent of telephone calls fail to reach their goal because the person to which is intended for the call is not located near the telephone set assigned to it.
  • this known information system does not automatically direct the telephone call to the telephone station closest to the person in question since the person to whom the call is intended is not located before dialing the predetermined telephone number.
  • Known detection systems mainly consist of a management unit connected to code reading devices such as magnetic card readers or the like arranged at access points in the monitored area. Persons authorized to enter the monitored area are provided with a portable identification device, such as a magnetic card, on which an access authorization code is carried. The location of the person requesting access is easily deduced by the management unit by recognizing the access authorization code when the person in question requests a reading device with his portable equipment.
  • Locating objects in a monitored area such as a warehouse is a problem of nature equivalent to the problem of locating people.
  • the problem of locating objects, for example transportable materials arises in particular in the event of a rapid inventory of the objects in question.
  • the known systems which have been presented previously do not provide a satisfactory solution to the location of objects because they require human intervention.
  • the document GB-A-2 216 358 describes a system for locating a mobile object provided with transmitting means receiving coded infrared location signals which comprises detectors arranged along the path provided for the mobile object, these detectors having the same each of transceiver means of coded infrared signals and being placed under the control of a central control.
  • the infrared location signals are there to allow information transmission and the exact location of the mobile object, when the signals coming from this mobile object are likely to be reflected along the way.
  • the objective of the invention is to overcome the various problems of the prior art.
  • an object of the invention is to provide an automatic localization system applicable equally to people and objects.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide an automatic location system for people and / or objects in a monitored area constituting a simple global solution for a large number of applications such as for example the automatic transfer of communications. telephone, access control in a protected area, location of equipment in a warehouse, control and management of passenger traffic, control and management of the exits of people and materials in an establishment, etc. Consequently, the invention relates to an automatic location system having a structure which is flexible enough to be used in combination with a wide range of applications.
  • the present invention provides a system for locating people and / or objects in a monitored area comprising a management unit for receiving location commands, a plurality of detectors, transmitters of location signals, connected to the management unit and distributed in the monitored area, at least one transceiver equipment carried by a person and / or an object to be located, each detector, provided with a control unit, comprising means for transmitting and reception of coded pulse infrared signals controlled by the management unit, each transceiver equipment also comprising a control unit and means of transmitting and receiving coded pulse infrared signals.
  • each transceiver equipment comprises a storage means containing an individual identification code which is used by this equipment to transmit an coded infrared location signal upon reception of a first coded infrared signaling signal containing an identification code which corresponds to that of the equipment in question and a detector transmits to the management unit, in the event of reception of a coded infrared location signal coming from a device, a its own identification code accompanied by the identification code of this equipment.
  • the automatic location system comprises a management unit 200 connected by a bus 110 to a plurality of detectors 300 and portable equipment 400 intended to be carried by people and / or objects.
  • the detectors 300 are distributed in a monitored area 120 such as the building of a company, preferably in different places where people and / or objects to be located circulate in the monitored area.
  • the term “monitored area” is understood to mean an area in which the detectors 300 are capable of identifying portable equipment 200 and therefore a person or an object carrying portable equipment.
  • the portable equipment is autonomous and communicates with the detectors by exchange of coded signals in the form of modulated waves, for example infrared signals. It will be understood that the communication between a portable equipment and a detector can only be established if the portable equipment is in the vicinity of the detector so that if the communication is established, the position of the portable equipment is given by the position of the known detector of the management unit 200.
  • the automatic location system according to the invention is preferably designed to operate in at least three modes, the "presence” mode in which the management unit and the detectors are designed to locate a particular portable device, the "passage” mode in which the management unit and the detectors are designed to locate at the same time a plurality of portable devices without particular distinction and the "manual" mode in which the wearer of portable equipment voluntarily operates his portable equipment to be located by the management unit.
  • Presence in which the management unit and the detectors are designed to locate a particular portable device
  • the "passage” mode in which the management unit and the detectors are designed to locate at the same time a plurality of portable devices without particular distinction
  • the “manual” mode in which the wearer of portable equipment voluntarily operates his portable equipment to be located by the management unit.
  • the management unit 200 is connected to a data input unit 140 to receive an input signal 130 corresponding to a command to locate a person or an object in the monitored area 120.
  • the management unit 200 comprises a control and calculation unit 220 incorporating means for memorizing adapted data and programs, interface means 230 connected to the control and calculation unit 220 and to the data input unit 140 for translating the location control signal into an instruction recognizable by the control and calculation unit 220, bus interface means 210, 215 for enabling communication by bus with the detectors 300, according to a determined communication protocol, for example the "HDLC" protocol.
  • All the hardware constituting the management unit 200, as well as the associated programs, can advantageously consist of a suitably programmed computer.
  • the management unit 200 supplies the data input unit 140, which can advantageously be a computer dedicated to an application of any kind, with an output signal corresponding to a localization information of portable equipment 400 as will be described later.
  • the connection between the management unit 200 and the data input unit 140 is, for example, of the "V24" type, known per se and easy to implement.
  • the communication between the management unit 200 and the detectors 300 is carried out in the form of the exchange of control messages and data compatible with a communication protocol, in this case with the "HDLC" protocol.
  • a communication protocol in this case with the "HDLC" protocol.
  • the detectors 300 all being connected to bus 110, the communication protocol on bus 110 includes a conventional mechanism for managing message collisions in order to ensure proper communication on the bus as well as a mechanism for monitoring transmission errors. This type of mechanism being well known, it will not be described in more detail below.
  • a detector 300 comprises transmission / reception means 310, 320 of the detector, a control unit 330 of the detector connected to the transmission / reception means 310, 320 of the detector, a storage means 340 of detector connected to the detector control unit 330 and interface means 360, 370 connecting the detector control unit 330 to the bus 110.
  • the bus 110 is made up of two wired links connecting the bus interfaces 210, 215 of the management unit 200 and the bus interfaces 360, 370 of each detector 300.
  • a wired link and its corresponding bus interfaces (215, 360) are dedicated to sending messages from the management unit 200 to the detectors 300.
  • the other wired link and its corresponding bus interfaces (210, 370) are dedicated to sending messages from one or more detectors 300 to the management unit 200.
  • the bus link between the management unit 200 and the detectors is given to as an example.
  • this known type of connection has the advantage of offering the location system according to the invention a very flexible architecture. Thus it is particularly easy to extend the monitored area by increasing the number of detectors connected to the bus 110 without significant modifications to the overall operation of the location system.
  • the detectors 300 are designed to operate according to the two modes indicated above, the "presence” mode and the "passage” mode.
  • the configuration of a detector 300 determines its operating mode.
  • the configuration parameters are loaded into the storage means 340 of the detector at the time of the initialization of the localization system or during its operation in localization.
  • the loading of the configuration parameters of the detectors is taken over by the management unit 200 for example in the form of sending configuration messages via the bus 110.
  • One of the configuration parameters of a detector is a code individual detector identification such as a logical address, recorded in the detector storage means 340 such as an EEPROM memory.
  • each detector 300 is known to the management unit by its individual detector identification code.
  • the detector control unit 330 is designed to be sensitive to the reception of a message on the bus interface means 360 corresponding to a location command sent by the data input unit 140.
  • This message corresponding to a location command is sent by the management unit 200, intended for all the detectors 300 connected to the bus 110 and configured in "presence” mode.
  • This message includes a command part corresponding to the content of the request identifiable by the detector control units 330 and a given part corresponding to the individual identification code of the portable equipment to be located in the monitored area 120. It will thus be understood that Each portable device 400 is assigned an individual identification code as will be described below.
  • the control unit 330 of a detector 300 configured in "presence" mode activates the transmission means 310 to generate a first coded signal in the form of modulated waves.
  • the information contained in the first coded signal identifies in particular an individual code of a portable device 400.
  • This first coded signal is broadcast by all the detectors configured in "presence” mode having received said message corresponding to a location command, each detector 300 diffusing said coded signal in part of the monitored area 110. It will be understood that when the monitored area 110 is a building, the detectors 300 are placed in the rooms of the building and each detector has a broadcasting capacity covering the volume d 'a piece.
  • the transmission 310 and reception 320 means each comprise several diodes transmission and reception respectively allowing the transmission and reception of coded signals in the form of modulated waves, such as infrared optical signals.
  • the modulation is of the pulse position type in order to allow emissions of high power and of short duration.
  • the detectors 300 configured in "presence" mode, each broadcast a first coded signal, for example in the form of light rays modulated in the infrared spectrum (represented by IR in the figure 3), capable of being picked up by portable equipment 400.
  • portable equipment 400 comprises means for transmitting / receiving 410,420 of coded signals in the form of modulated waves, a control means 440, a storage means 430 for storing an identification code individual portable equipment, an alarm means 450 and a current supply means such as a battery 470 coupled with solar cells 475.
  • the reception means 410 consists of a reception diode and a high gain amplifier block capable of receiving the first coded signal in the form of modulated waves and supplying the control means 440 with the information carried by this first. signal, an individual identification code for portable equipment.
  • the reception means 410 will comprise several reception diodes distributed over the surface of the portable equipment to collect most of the first coded signal broadcast by a detector 300. In this case, good reception of the first coded signal by the receiving means 410 of the portable equipment is practically independent of the relative position of the latter in the diffusion zone of a detector 300.
  • the control means 440 is chosen to have a rest mode in which its current consumption is almost zero as well as an activation input ( symbolized by RESET in Figure 4) restoring it to a normal operating mode.
  • One such control means 440 may be the RTC PCD3342 microcontroller.
  • An activation logic 465 connected to the reception means 410 and to the control means 440 has the function of processing the first pulse of the first coded signal received by the reception means 410 to restore the normal operating mode of the control means 440 by activating its RESET input. Once the control means in the active state, the activation logic 465 directs the following pulses of the first coded signal to an interrupt input (symbolized by INTER in FIG. 4) of the control means 440.
  • the means of control 440 is designed to decode the following pulses of the first coded signal so as to recover an individual identification code of portable equipment and compare this code with the individual identification code recorded in the storage means 430.
  • the control unit 440 controls the transmission means 420, via a control interface 425, to generate a second coded signal in the form of modulated waves, such as an optical signal modulated in the spectrum infrared, and activate the alarm means 450.
  • the transmission means 420 comprises one or more transmission diodes of a modulated optical signal, for example an infrared signal, for di fuse the second coded signal directive or radiant respectively.
  • the alarm means 450 is advantageously an audible alarm having the same role as the alarm of portable equipment of the "pager" type. If the detected code and the registered code do not are not identical, the control unit 440 does not generate a second coded signal and locks in the inactive state.
  • the second coded signal is capable of being interpreted by a detector as a confirmation of presence in response to the first coded signal transmitted.
  • the second coded signal can repeat the individual identification code of the portable equipment 400.
  • the second coded signal received by reception means 320 from a detector 300 is supplied to control means 330 of the detector.
  • the control means 330 of the detector 300 generates a location message containing the individual identification code of the portable equipment having emitted the second coded signal and its individual detector identification code to supply the message to the management unit 200 via bus 110.
  • the location of the person or object carrying the portable equipment which was sensitive to the first coded signal emitted by the detectors is easily obtained by associating the individual identification code of the detector which emitted the location message and the location of said detector in the monitored area. This association can be achieved by software using correspondence tables well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the management unit is designed to locate a plurality of portable devices for the purpose of monitoring their movement.
  • the "passage” mode also includes an additional functionality allowing to monitor the direction of passage of the carriers of portable equipment.
  • the management unit 200 sends a destination control message to all the detectors 300 in which the given part corresponds to a general identification code for portable equipment.
  • the detectors 300 In response to this command message, the detectors 300 emit a first coded signal, via their respective detector emission means 310, representative of the general identification code of portable equipment. Each portable equipment sensitive to the first coded signal, transmits in response, via the portable equipment transmission means 420, a second coded signal representative of its own portable equipment identification code as described above.
  • the detector 300 having activated the portable equipment 400 and detected the second coded signal, supplies the management unit 200, in the form of a message, its individual detector identification code and the individual identification code d portable equipment activated portable equipment.
  • the management unit can maintain a data table in which each identification code of portable equipment is linked to a code of detector identification of the detector that activated the portable equipment in question.
  • the detectors 300 are designed to detect the direction of passage of portable equipment.
  • FIG 3B there is shown a detector 300 in which the transmission / reception means 310, 320 are divided into two distinct groups A, B.
  • the transmit / receive groups 310A, 320A and 310B, 320B are controlled alternately and cyclically by a timing means 335 connected to the control unit 330.
  • Each group A, B comprises a plurality of transmit / receive diodes arranged to cover a surveillance area forming a lobe.
  • the geometry of a lobe is obtained, in a known manner, by adjusting the intensity of the current supplying the transmission diodes and by orienting the reception diodes suitably.
  • the transmission / reception diodes of the two groups A, B define two non-overlapping monitoring lobes A, B formed symmetrically with respect to a passage axis P.
  • the detector 300 is designed so that each group of diodes A, B independently detects the presence of portable equipment inside the surveillance zone which it covers.
  • the detector storage means 340 also comprises two memory areas for storing two separate detector identification codes (Code A, Code B) assigned respectively to each group A, B of transmission / reception diodes.
  • the detector 300 shown in FIG. 3B therefore constitutes a particular type of detector of the location system according to the invention, this particular type of detector finally corresponding to a juxtaposition of two detectors as shown in FIG. 3A.
  • the detector control unit 330 of the detector of FIG. 3B activates the timing means 335 so that a first coded signal is alternately and cyclically emitted by the diodes d of each group A, B.
  • the detector 300 When the detector 300 detects, by the reception diodes of a group A, B, a second coded signal emitted by a portable equipment in response to the first coded signal, it sends a message to the management unit 200 containing the code identification of the detector assigned to the group of diodes (code A or code B) having detected the second coded signal and the individual identification code of the portable equipment detected by this group.
  • the messages generated by the detectors 300 are compiled by the management unit and the direction of passage of localized portable equipment is obtained by statistical processing.
  • the purpose of the "manual" mode is to allow the wearer of portable equipment to voluntarily identify himself to the management unit. This operation is more particularly intended to be used in applications of the round security type.
  • portable equipment 400 further comprises an operating means 460, for example a switch of the push button type, connected to the activation logic 465.
  • the actuation of the operating means 460 forces the logic d activation 465 to activate the RESET input of the control means 440 and to provide the control means 440, on the INTER input, with a manual activation signal.
  • the control means 440 restored to normal operating mode, extracts the individual identification code of portable equipment in the storage means 430 and generates a second coded signal via the interface of command 425 which is transmitted in the form of waves modulated by the transmission means 420.
  • a detector 300 In “manual" mode, a detector 300, suitably configured, is in the passive state, awaiting reception of a second coded signal.
  • the passive state of a detector 300 is signaled to the wearer of the portable equipment 400 by a display means 350, for example an indicator light, connected to the control unit 330 of the detector.
  • the detector control unit 330 is arranged to measure the availability state of the bus 110, for example using a program known per se, and to control the display means 350 as a function of the result of the measured.
  • the control unit 330 of the detector activates the display means 350 when the bus 110 is available.
  • the reception means 320 of the detector are in a state to receive a second coded signal.
  • a second coded signal is emitted by a portable equipment 400, in response to the actuation of its operating means 460, this is received by the receiving means 320 of the detector 300 close to the portable equipment 400 in question.
  • the information contained in the second coded signal is supplied to the control unit 330 of the detector so that the latter generates a location message comprising the individual identification code of the portable equipment having emitted the second coded signal and its own individual detector identification code.
  • This location message is then transmitted to the management unit 200 via the bus 110. Its interpretation by the management unit 200 is carried out in the same manner as described above.
  • the individual identification code of portable equipment contains additional information relating to a service. particular, for example an amount of money. It will then be understood that the portable equipment 300 can be used as an electronic purse. It is also possible to provide for the use of the portable equipment 400 for several services by means of switches connected to the control means 440 of portable equipment to control its operation as a function of the service chosen.
  • the storage means 430 of portable equipment consists of an EEPROM memory arranged on a removable card, of the smart card type, capable of being able to be personalized. Furthermore, the EEPROM memory is subdivided into memory blocks each identifiable by an address in which micro-coded instructions are recorded for controlling the micro-controller 440 as a function of the type of the first coded signal detected by the equipment reception means 410 portable (specific code for identifying portable equipment or general code for identifying portable equipment).
  • the current supply means consist of a battery 470 permanently recharged by solar cells 475 to give the portable equipment a great autonomy.
  • This autonomy is further increased in particular by the use of a microcontroller 440 having a rest mode, a memory 430 with low energy consumption and an activation logic 465 energizing the microcontroller only when the portable equipment is requested, that is to say when a first coded signal is received by the reception means 410 or when the operating means 460 is actuated.
  • a private installation telephone switching system consists of a network head 600 designed to direct telephone calls to at least one of a plurality of telephone stations.
  • a detector 300 is associated with a telephone station 500 and with the individual identification code of the detector 300 considered the call number of the associated telephone station 500.
  • the individual identification code of a portable device 400 is associated with the extension number of the person to whom the portable device is assigned.
  • the head of the network 600 is coupled to the management unit 200 and is arranged to provide the management unit with a location control signal in the event that a telephone call can not be made because only the person to whom the call is intended is far from its assigned telephone extension.
  • the management unit 200 transmits to the detectors 300 a message corresponding to the location command.
  • This message includes the individual identification code of the portable equipment 400 carried by the person to whom the call is intended.
  • the individual identification code in this case corresponds to the extension number of the person called.
  • the detectors 300 then emit a first coded signal containing this individual identification code of portable equipment according to the procedure described above with reference to the "presence" mode.
  • Portable equipment 400 whose individual identification code is identical to the individual portable equipment identification code sought, emits a second coded signal.
  • This second coded signal is received by the detector 300 closest to the person called.
  • This detector transmits a location message to the management unit.
  • the location message includes the number of the associated telephone set 500 as the individual detector identification code.
  • the management unit 200 then supplies the head of the telephone network 600 with a signal corresponding to the number of the telephone set associated with the detector 300 having received the second coded signal. It then suffices for the network head 600 to direct the waiting telephone call to the telephone station 500 which has just been located.
  • a second use of the location system according to the invention relates to access control procedures in a computer network.
  • the location system according to the invention makes it possible to increase the security of a computer network.
  • a computer network generally consists of a plurality of data entry stations, for example terminals, linked to a central computer. Access to the central computer is subject to knowledge of access codes authorizing a connection for an authorized person. An unauthorized person can, however, enter the computer network by knowing the access codes.
  • the persons authorized to enter the computer network are provided with portable equipment and each data entry station is associated with a detector.
  • the central computer is connected to the management unit of the location system.
  • the central computer When a request for connection to the computer network is made by a person via a data entry station, the central computer recognizes the access codes required for the connection. In response to access codes, the central computer transmits to the management unit a signal for the location of the portable equipment assigned to the person responding to these access codes.
  • the management unit then transmits to the detectors a message corresponding to the location control of the portable equipment, the individual identification code of which corresponds to the person identified by the access codes.
  • the management unit supplies the central computer with the individual identification code of the detector having received a second coded signal.
  • the central computer can then, by correspondence, identify the data entry station associated with the detector having received the second coded signal and decide to establish the connection if this data entry station is the one which emitted the codes. 'access.

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
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Abstract

A system to localise persons and/or objects in a controlled zone (120) comprising a management unit (200) for receiving localisation commands, a plurality of detectors (300) linked to the management unit (200) and distributed in the controlled zone, a plurality of portable equipment items (400) carried by the persons and/or objects to be localised. The detectors (300) communicate with the portable equipment items by exchange of coded signals in response to a localisation command. When a portable equipment item is activated by a first coded signal sent by a detector, it transmits to this detector a second coded signal representative of its particular identification code in order to be localised by the management unit. <IMAGE>

Description

L'invention concerne un système de localisation de personnes et/ou d'objets dans une zone surveillée telle qu'un établissement. L'invention s'étend à l'utilisation d'un système de localisation de personnes et/ou d'objets pour diverses applications industrielles et en particulier une application téléphonique et une application informatique.The invention relates to a system for locating people and / or objects in a monitored area such as an establishment. The invention extends to the use of a system for locating people and / or objects for various industrial applications and in particular a telephone application and a computer application.

La localisation des personnes dans un établissement est un problème important, notamment dans un système de commutation téléphonique d'installation privée , puisqu'il est connu que plus de cinquante pour cent des appels téléphoniques n'atteignent pas leur objectif du fait que la personne à qui est destiné l'appel ne se trouve pas à proximité du poste téléphonique qui lui est attribué.Locating people in an establishment is a significant problem, especially in a private telephone switching system, since it is known that more than fifty percent of telephone calls fail to reach their goal because the person to which is intended for the call is not located near the telephone set assigned to it.

On connaît déjà des systèmes d'information, connus sous le nom de "Pager", constitués d'une pluralité d'équipements portatifs conçus pour recevoir une information sous forme d'ondes radio modulées émises par un site émetteur, le plus souvent en modulation de fréquence. Les personnes désireuses d'être informées qu'un appel téléphonique leur est destiné, portent un équipement portatif du type "Pager". Lorsqu'un appel téléphonique est destiné à une personne et que celle-ci ne décroche pas son combiné téléphonique attribué, le système d'information active l'équipement portatif de la personne en question afin de la prévenir de l'appel en émettant une alarme et/ou en affichant un message sur un dispositif d'affichage de l'équipement portatif. La personne sait alors qu'elle doit composer, sur le poste téléphonique le plus proche, un numéro téléphonique prédéterminé lui permettant d'obtenir la communication correspondant à l'appel.Information systems are already known, known under the name of "Pager", made up of a plurality of portable devices designed to receive information in the form of modulated radio waves emitted by a transmitting site, most often in modulation. frequency. Persons wishing to be informed that a telephone call is intended for them, carry portable equipment of the "Pager" type. When a telephone call is intended for a person and that person does not pick up their assigned telephone handset, the information system activates the portable equipment of the person in question in order to warn them of the call by issuing an alarm and / or by posting a message on a display device of the portable equipment. The person then knows that he must dial, on the telephone set nearest, a predetermined telephone number allowing him to obtain the communication corresponding to the call.

Toutefois ce système d'information connu ne permet pas d'aiguiller automatiquement l'appel téléphonique vers le poste téléphonique le plus proche de la personne en question puisque la personne à qui est destiné l'appel n'est pas localisée avant qu'elle compose le numéro téléphonique prédéterminé.However, this known information system does not automatically direct the telephone call to the telephone station closest to the person in question since the person to whom the call is intended is not located before dialing the predetermined telephone number.

On connaît aussi des systèmes de détection de personnes pour le contrôle des accès dans une zone surveillée. Les systèmes connus de détection sont principalement constitués d'une unité de gestion reliée à des dispositifs de lecture de codes tels que des lecteurs de cartes magnétiques ou analogues disposés en des points d'accès de la zone surveillée. Les personnes autorisées à pénétrer la zone surveillée sont munies d'un dispositif d'identification portatif, tel qu'une carte magnétique, sur laquelle est porté un code d'autorisation d'accès. La localisation de la personne demandant l'accès est facilement déduite par l'unité de gestion en reconnaissant le code d'autorisation d'accès lorsque la personne en question sollicite un dispositif de lecture avec son équipement portatif.There are also known systems for detecting people for controlling access to a monitored area. Known detection systems mainly consist of a management unit connected to code reading devices such as magnetic card readers or the like arranged at access points in the monitored area. Persons authorized to enter the monitored area are provided with a portable identification device, such as a magnetic card, on which an access authorization code is carried. The location of the person requesting access is easily deduced by the management unit by recognizing the access authorization code when the person in question requests a reading device with his portable equipment.

Cependant ces systèmes connus de détection de personnes requièrent, comme pour les systèmes d'information décrits précédemment, une phase manuelle. En outre les systèmes de détection de personnes ne sont pas adaptés pour les applications de téléphonie évoquées ci-dessus.However, these known systems for detecting people require, as for the information systems described above, a manual phase. In addition, people detection systems are not suitable for the telephony applications mentioned above.

La localisation d'objets dans une zone surveillée telle qu'un entrepôt, est un problème de nature équivalente au problème de localisation de personnes. Le problème de la localisation d'objets, par exemple de matériels transportables, se pose notamment en cas d'inventaire rapide des objets en question. Or, il apparaît évident que les systèmes connus qui ont été présentés précédemment n'apportent pas une solution satisfaisante à la localisation d'objets du fait qu'ils nécessitent une intervention humaine.Locating objects in a monitored area such as a warehouse is a problem of nature equivalent to the problem of locating people. The problem of locating objects, for example transportable materials, arises in particular in the event of a rapid inventory of the objects in question. However, it seems obvious that the known systems which have been presented previously do not provide a satisfactory solution to the location of objects because they require human intervention.

On connaît encore des systèmes de localisation automatique de matériels sur des chaînes de montage, mais ceux-ci fonctionnent essentiellement par détection de passage en des points de contrôle pour un trafic de passage donné et ils ne sont donc pas adaptés à la localisation de personnes circulant librement dans une zone surveillée.Systems for the automatic location of equipment on assembly lines are still known, but these work essentially by detection of passage at control points for a given passage traffic and they are therefore not suitable for locating people traveling freely in a supervised area.

Le document GB-A-2 216 358 décrit uns système de localisation d'un objet mobile doté de moyens émetteurs récepteurs de signaux infrarouges codés de localisation qui comporte des détecteurs disposés au long du trajet prévu pour l'objet mobile, ces détecteurs disposant eux-mêmes chacun de moyens émetteurs-récepteurs de signaux infrarouges codés et étant placés sous le contrôle d'une commande centrale. Les signaux infrarouges de localisation y sont pour permettre des transmissions d'informations et la localisation exact de l'objet mobile, lorsque les signaux provenant de cet objet mobile sont susceptibles d'être réfléchis au long du trajet.The document GB-A-2 216 358 describes a system for locating a mobile object provided with transmitting means receiving coded infrared location signals which comprises detectors arranged along the path provided for the mobile object, these detectors having the same each of transceiver means of coded infrared signals and being placed under the control of a central control. The infrared location signals are there to allow information transmission and the exact location of the mobile object, when the signals coming from this mobile object are likely to be reflected along the way.

L'objectif de l'invention est de pallier les différents problèmes de l'état antérieur de la technique.The objective of the invention is to overcome the various problems of the prior art.

En particulier un objectif de l'invention est de fournir un système de localisation automatique applicable indifféremment aux personnes et aux objets.In particular, an object of the invention is to provide an automatic localization system applicable equally to people and objects.

Un autre objectif de l'invention est de fournir un système de localisation automatique de personnes et/ou d'objets dans une zone surveillée constituant une solution globale simple pour un grand nombre d'applications comme par exemple le transfert automatique de communications téléphoniques, le contrôle d'accès dans une zone protégée, la localisation de matériel dans un entrepôt, le contrôle et la gestion des passages de rondiers, le contrôle et la gestion des sorties de personnes et de matériels dans un établissement, etc... Par conséquent, l'invention vise un système de localisation automatique présentant une structure suffisamment souple pour être utilisée en combinaison avec une grande panoplie d'applications.Another objective of the invention is to provide an automatic location system for people and / or objects in a monitored area constituting a simple global solution for a large number of applications such as for example the automatic transfer of communications. telephone, access control in a protected area, location of equipment in a warehouse, control and management of passenger traffic, control and management of the exits of people and materials in an establishment, etc. Consequently, the invention relates to an automatic location system having a structure which is flexible enough to be used in combination with a wide range of applications.

Pour atteindre un tel objectif la présente l'invention propose un système de localisation de personnes et/ou objets dans une zone surveillée comprenant une unité de gestion pour recevoir des commandes de localisation, une pluralité de détecteurs, émetteurs de signaux de localisation, reliés à l'unité de gestion et répartis dans la zone surveillée, au moins un équipement émetteur-récepteur porté par une personne et/ou un objet à localiser, chaque détecteur, doté d'une unité de commande, comportant des moyens d'émission et de réception de signaux infrarouges à impulsions codées commandés par l'unité de gestion, chaque équipement émetteur-récepteur comportant aussi une unité de commande et des moyens d'émission et de réception de signaux infrarouges à impulsions codées.
Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, chaque équipement émetteur-récepteur, de type portatif, comporte un moyen de mémorisation contenant un code individuel d'identification qui est exploité par cet équipement pour émettre un signal infrarouge codé de localisation à réception d'un premier signal infrarouge codé de signalisation contenant un code d'identification qui correspond à celui de l'équipement considéré et un détecteur transmet à l'unité de gestion, en cas de réception d'un signal infrarouge codé de localisation provenant d'un équipement, un code d'identification qui lui est propre accompagné du code d'identification de cet équipement.To achieve such an objective, the present invention provides a system for locating people and / or objects in a monitored area comprising a management unit for receiving location commands, a plurality of detectors, transmitters of location signals, connected to the management unit and distributed in the monitored area, at least one transceiver equipment carried by a person and / or an object to be located, each detector, provided with a control unit, comprising means for transmitting and reception of coded pulse infrared signals controlled by the management unit, each transceiver equipment also comprising a control unit and means of transmitting and receiving coded pulse infrared signals.
According to a characteristic of the invention, each transceiver equipment, of the portable type, comprises a storage means containing an individual identification code which is used by this equipment to transmit an coded infrared location signal upon reception of a first coded infrared signaling signal containing an identification code which corresponds to that of the equipment in question and a detector transmits to the management unit, in the event of reception of a coded infrared location signal coming from a device, a its own identification code accompanied by the identification code of this equipment.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, pour système de localisation associable à un réseau informatique pour autoriser l'accès du réseau à une personne ayant des droits correspondants par l'intermédiaire d'une station d'entrée de données, un équipement portatif individuel est affecté à la personne et l'accès à une station par une personne est conditionné par la localisation d'un équipement portatif approprié par un détecteur proche de cette station.According to another characteristic of the invention, for location system associable with a computer network to authorize network access to a person having corresponding rights via a data entry station, individual portable equipment is assigned to the person and access to a station by a person is conditioned by the location of appropriate portable equipment by a detector near this station.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront mieux à la lecture de la description qui suit de quelques modes de réalisation préférentiels de l'invention accompagnés des dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • La figure 1 représente, de façon schématique, l'architecture du système de localisation selon l'invention;
  • La figure 2 représente plus en détail la structure de l'unité de gestion selon l'invention;
  • La figure 3A représente plus en détail la structure d'un premier type de détecteur selon l'invention;
  • La figure 3B représente plus en détail la structure d'un second type de détecteur selon l'invention;
  • La figure 4 représente plus en détail la structure d'un équipement portatif selon l'invention;
  • La figure 5 représente de façon schématique la structure d'un système téléphonique utilisant le système de localisation selon l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of some preferred embodiments of the invention accompanied by the appended drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents the architecture of the location system according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 shows in more detail the structure of the management unit according to the invention;
  • FIG. 3A shows in more detail the structure of a first type of detector according to the invention;
  • FIG. 3B shows in more detail the structure of a second type of detector according to the invention;
  • Figure 4 shows in more detail the structure of portable equipment according to the invention;
  • FIG. 5 schematically represents the structure of a telephone system using the location system according to the invention.

En se reportant à la figure 1, le système de localisation automatique comprend une unité de gestion 200 reliée par un bus 110 à une pluralité de détecteurs 300 et des équipements portatifs 400 destinés à être portés par des personnes et/ou des objets. Les détecteurs 300 sont répartis dans une zone surveillée 120 telle que le bâtiment d'une entreprise, de préférence en des endroits différents où circulent les personnes et/ou objets à localiser dans la zone surveillée. On entend par zone surveillée une zone dans laquelle les détecteurs 300 sont susceptibles d'identifier un équipement portatif 200 et donc une personne ou un objet portant l'équipement portatif. Selon l'invention, les équipements portatifs sont autonomes et communiquent avec les détecteurs par échange de signaux codés sous forme d'ondes modulées, par exemple des signaux infrarouges. On comprendra que la communication entre un équipement portatif et un détecteur ne peut être établie que si l'équipement portatif se trouve dans le voisinage du détecteur de sorte que si la communication est établie, la position de l'équipement portatif est donnée par la position du détecteur connue de l'unité de gestion 200.Referring to Figure 1, the automatic location system comprises a management unit 200 connected by a bus 110 to a plurality of detectors 300 and portable equipment 400 intended to be carried by people and / or objects. The detectors 300 are distributed in a monitored area 120 such as the building of a company, preferably in different places where people and / or objects to be located circulate in the monitored area. The term “monitored area” is understood to mean an area in which the detectors 300 are capable of identifying portable equipment 200 and therefore a person or an object carrying portable equipment. According to the invention, the portable equipment is autonomous and communicates with the detectors by exchange of coded signals in the form of modulated waves, for example infrared signals. It will be understood that the communication between a portable equipment and a detector can only be established if the portable equipment is in the vicinity of the detector so that if the communication is established, the position of the portable equipment is given by the position of the known detector of the management unit 200.

Le système de localisation automatique selon l'invention est conçu de préférence pour fonctionner selon au moins trois modes, le mode "présence" dans lequel l'unité de gestion et les détecteurs sont conçus pour localiser un équipement portatif particulier, le mode "passage" dans lequel l'unité de gestion et les détecteurs sont conçus pour localiser en même temps une pluralité d'équipements portatifs sans distinction particulière et le mode "manuel" dans lequel le porteur d'un équipement portatif actionne volontairement son équipement portatif pour être localisé par l'unité de gestion. Nous décrirons dans un premier temps la structure du système de localisation automatique selon l'invention pour un fonctionnement en mode "présence".The automatic location system according to the invention is preferably designed to operate in at least three modes, the "presence" mode in which the management unit and the detectors are designed to locate a particular portable device, the "passage" mode in which the management unit and the detectors are designed to locate at the same time a plurality of portable devices without particular distinction and the "manual" mode in which the wearer of portable equipment voluntarily operates his portable equipment to be located by the management unit. We will first describe the structure of the automatic location system according to the invention for operation in "presence" mode.

L'unité de gestion 200 est reliée à une unité d'entrée de données 140 pour recevoir un signal d'entrée 130 correspondant à une commande de localisation d'une personne ou d'un objet dans la zone surveillée 120. En se reportant à la figure 2, l'unité de gestion 200 comprend une unité de commande et de calcul 220 incorporant des moyens de mémorisation de données et de programmes adaptés, des moyens interfaces 230 reliés à l'unité de commande et de calcul 220 et à l'unité d'entrée de données 140 pour traduire le signal de commande de localisation en une instruction reconnaissable par l'unité de commande et de calcul 220, des moyens interface de bus 210, 215 pour permettre une communication par bus avec les détecteurs 300, selon un protocole de communication déterminé, par exemple le protocole "HDLC". L'ensemble du matériel constituant l'unité de gestion 200, ainsi que les programmes associés, peut avantageusement consister en un ordinateur convenablement programmé.The management unit 200 is connected to a data input unit 140 to receive an input signal 130 corresponding to a command to locate a person or an object in the monitored area 120. With reference to FIG. 2, the management unit 200 comprises a control and calculation unit 220 incorporating means for memorizing adapted data and programs, interface means 230 connected to the control and calculation unit 220 and to the data input unit 140 for translating the location control signal into an instruction recognizable by the control and calculation unit 220, bus interface means 210, 215 for enabling communication by bus with the detectors 300, according to a determined communication protocol, for example the "HDLC" protocol. All the hardware constituting the management unit 200, as well as the associated programs, can advantageously consist of a suitably programmed computer.

En réponse au signal d'entrée 130, l'unité de gestion 200 fournit à l'unité d'entrée de données 140, qui peut avantageusement être un ordinateur dédié à une application de nature quelconque, un signal de sortie correspondant à une information de local isation d'un équipement portatif 400 comme cela sera décrit plus loin. La connexion entre l'unité de gestion 200 et l'unité d'entrée de données 140 est par exemple du type "V24", connue en soi et facile à mettre en oeuvre.In response to the input signal 130, the management unit 200 supplies the data input unit 140, which can advantageously be a computer dedicated to an application of any kind, with an output signal corresponding to a localization information of portable equipment 400 as will be described later. The connection between the management unit 200 and the data input unit 140 is, for example, of the "V24" type, known per se and easy to implement.

La communication entre l'unité de gestion 200 et les détecteurs 300 est réalisée sous la forme d'échange de messages de commande et de données compatibles avec un protocole de communication, dans le cas présent avec le protocole "HDLC". Ainsi que cela apparaît sur la figure 1, les détecteurs 300 étant tous reliés au bus 110, le protocole de communication sur le bus 110 comprend un mécanisme conventionnel de gestion des collisions de messages afin d'assurer une communication convenable sur le bus ainsi qu'un mécanisme de contrôle des erreurs de transmission. Ce type de mécanisme étant bien connu, il ne sera pas décrit plus en détail ci-après.The communication between the management unit 200 and the detectors 300 is carried out in the form of the exchange of control messages and data compatible with a communication protocol, in this case with the "HDLC" protocol. As shown in FIG. 1, the detectors 300 all being connected to bus 110, the communication protocol on bus 110 includes a conventional mechanism for managing message collisions in order to ensure proper communication on the bus as well as a mechanism for monitoring transmission errors. This type of mechanism being well known, it will not be described in more detail below.

En se reportant à la figure 3A, un détecteur 300 comprend des moyens d'émission/réception 310, 320 de détecteur, une unité de commande 330 de détecteur reliée aux moyens d'émission/réception 310,320 de détecteur, un moyen de mémorisation 340 de détecteur relié à l'unité de commande 330 de détecteur et des moyens interface 360,370 reliant l'unité de commande 330 de détecteur au bus 110.Referring to FIG. 3A, a detector 300 comprises transmission / reception means 310, 320 of the detector, a control unit 330 of the detector connected to the transmission / reception means 310, 320 of the detector, a storage means 340 of detector connected to the detector control unit 330 and interface means 360, 370 connecting the detector control unit 330 to the bus 110.

Selon un mode préférentiel de l'invention, le bus 110 est constitué de deux liaisons filaires reliant les interfaces de bus 210, 215 de l'unité de gestion 200 et les interfaces de bus 360, 370 de chaque détecteur 300. Une liaison filaire et ses interfaces de bus correspondants (215, 360) sont dédiées à l'envoi de message depuis l'unité de gestion 200 vers les détecteurs 300. L'autre liaison filaire et ses interfaces de bus correspondants (210,370) sont dédiés à l'envoi de message depuis un ou des détecteurs 300 vers l'unité de gestion 200. Bien entendu, la liaison par bus entre l'unité de gestion 200 et les détecteurs est donnée à titre d'exemple. Toutefois ce type de liaison connu présente l'avantage d'offrir au système de localisation selon l'invention une architecture très souple. Ainsi il est particulièrement aisé d'étendre la zone surveillée en augmentant le nombre de détecteurs reliés au bus 110 sans modifications importante du fonctionnement global du système de localisation.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bus 110 is made up of two wired links connecting the bus interfaces 210, 215 of the management unit 200 and the bus interfaces 360, 370 of each detector 300. A wired link and its corresponding bus interfaces (215, 360) are dedicated to sending messages from the management unit 200 to the detectors 300. The other wired link and its corresponding bus interfaces (210, 370) are dedicated to sending messages from one or more detectors 300 to the management unit 200. Of course, the bus link between the management unit 200 and the detectors is given to as an example. However, this known type of connection has the advantage of offering the location system according to the invention a very flexible architecture. Thus it is particularly easy to extend the monitored area by increasing the number of detectors connected to the bus 110 without significant modifications to the overall operation of the location system.

Les détecteurs 300 sont conçus pour fonctionner selon les deux modes indiqués précédemment, le mode "présence" et le mode "passage". La configuration d'un détecteur 300 détermine son mode de fonctionnement. Les paramètres de configurations sont chargés dans les moyens de mémorisation 340 de détecteur au moment de l'initialisation du système de localisation ou pendant son fonctionnement en localisation. Le chargement des paramètres de configuration des détecteurs est pris en charge par l'unité de gestion 200 par exemple sous la forme d'envois de messages de configuration via le bus 110. Un des paramètres de configuration d'un détecteur est un code d'identification individuel de détecteur tel qu'une adresse logique, enregistrée dans les moyens de mémorisation 340 de détecteur tels qu'une mémoire EEPROM. Ainsi chaque détecteur 300 est connue par l'unité de gestion sous son code d'identification individuel de détecteur.The detectors 300 are designed to operate according to the two modes indicated above, the "presence" mode and the "passage" mode. The configuration of a detector 300 determines its operating mode. The configuration parameters are loaded into the storage means 340 of the detector at the time of the initialization of the localization system or during its operation in localization. The loading of the configuration parameters of the detectors is taken over by the management unit 200 for example in the form of sending configuration messages via the bus 110. One of the configuration parameters of a detector is a code individual detector identification such as a logical address, recorded in the detector storage means 340 such as an EEPROM memory. Thus each detector 300 is known to the management unit by its individual detector identification code.

En mode "présence", l'unité de commande 330 de détecteur est conçue pour être sensible à la réception d'un message sur les moyens interface de bus 360 correspondant à une commande de localisation émise par l'unité d'entrée de données 140. Ce message correspondant à une commande de localisation est émis par l'unité de gestion 200, à destination de tous les détecteurs 300 reliés au bus 110 et configurés en mode "présence". Ce message comprend une partie commande correspondant à la teneur de la requête identifiable par les unités de commande 330 de détecteur et une partie donnée correspondant au code d'identification individuel de l'équipement portatif à localiser dans la zone surveillée 120. On comprendra ainsi qu'à chaque équipement portatif 400 est attribué un code d'identification individuel comme cela sera décrit ci-dessous.In "presence" mode, the detector control unit 330 is designed to be sensitive to the reception of a message on the bus interface means 360 corresponding to a location command sent by the data input unit 140. This message corresponding to a location command is sent by the management unit 200, intended for all the detectors 300 connected to the bus 110 and configured in "presence" mode. This message includes a command part corresponding to the content of the request identifiable by the detector control units 330 and a given part corresponding to the individual identification code of the portable equipment to be located in the monitored area 120. It will thus be understood that Each portable device 400 is assigned an individual identification code as will be described below.

En réponse au message correspondant à une commande de localisation, l'unité de commande 330 d'un détecteur 300 configuré en mode "présence" active les moyens d'émission 310 pour engendrer un premier signal codé sous forme d'ondes modulées. L'information contenue dans le premier signal codé identifie notamment un code individuel d'un équipement portatif 400. Ce premier signal codé est diffusé par tous les détecteurs configurés en mode "présence" ayant reçu ledit message correspondant à une commande de localisation, chaque détecteur 300 diffusant ledit signal codé dans une partie de la zone surveillée 110. On comprendra que lorsque la zone surveillée 110 est un immeuble, les détecteurs 300 sont placés dans les pièces de l'immeuble et chaque détecteur a une capacité de diffusion couvrant le volume d'une pièce. Une correspondance simple entre une pièce de l'immeuble où est placé un détecteur 300 et le code d'identification individuel du détecteur permet de localiser précisément ce détecteur dans la zone surveillée. De façon préférentielle, pour couvrir une partie étendue de la zone surveillée, les moyens d'émission 310 et de réception 320 comprennent chacun plusieurs diodes respectivement d'émission et de réception permettant l'émission et la réception de signaux codés sous forme d'ondes modulées, tels que des signaux optiques infrarouges. Dans ce cas la modulation est du type position d'impulsion afin de permettre des émissions de forte puissance et de courte durée. Par conséquent, en réponse au message de commande de localisation, les détecteurs 300, configurés en mode "présence", diffusent chacun un premier signal codé, par exemple sous forme de rayons lumineux modulés dans le spectre des infrarouges (représentés par IR sur la figure 3), susceptibles d'être captés par un équipement portatif 400.In response to the message corresponding to a location command, the control unit 330 of a detector 300 configured in "presence" mode activates the transmission means 310 to generate a first coded signal in the form of modulated waves. The information contained in the first coded signal identifies in particular an individual code of a portable device 400. This first coded signal is broadcast by all the detectors configured in "presence" mode having received said message corresponding to a location command, each detector 300 diffusing said coded signal in part of the monitored area 110. It will be understood that when the monitored area 110 is a building, the detectors 300 are placed in the rooms of the building and each detector has a broadcasting capacity covering the volume d 'a piece. A simple correspondence between a room in the building where a detector 300 is placed and the individual identification code of the detector makes it possible to precisely locate this detector in the monitored area. Preferably, to cover an extended part of the monitored area, the transmission 310 and reception 320 means each comprise several diodes transmission and reception respectively allowing the transmission and reception of coded signals in the form of modulated waves, such as infrared optical signals. In this case the modulation is of the pulse position type in order to allow emissions of high power and of short duration. Consequently, in response to the location control message, the detectors 300, configured in "presence" mode, each broadcast a first coded signal, for example in the form of light rays modulated in the infrared spectrum (represented by IR in the figure 3), capable of being picked up by portable equipment 400.

En se reportant maintenant à la figure 4, un équipement portatif 400 comprend des moyens d'émission/réception 410,420 de signaux codés sous forme d'ondes modulées, un moyen de commande 440, un moyen de mémorisation 430 pour enregistrer un code d'identification individuel d'équipement portatif, un moyen d'alarme 450 et un moyen d'alimentation en courant tel qu'une batterie 470 couplée avec des cellules solaires 475.Referring now to FIG. 4, portable equipment 400 comprises means for transmitting / receiving 410,420 of coded signals in the form of modulated waves, a control means 440, a storage means 430 for storing an identification code individual portable equipment, an alarm means 450 and a current supply means such as a battery 470 coupled with solar cells 475.

Le moyen de réception 410 est constitué d'une diode de réception et d'un bloc amplificateur de grand gain capables de recevoir le premier signal codé sous forme d'ondes modulées et fournir au moyen de commande 440, l'information portée par ce premier signal, soit un code d'identification individuel d'équipement portatif. De préférence, le moyen de réception 410 comprendra plusieurs diodes de réception réparties sur la surface de l'équipement portatif pour recueillir la plus grande partie du premier signal codé diffusé par un détecteur 300. Dans ce cas, la bonne réception du premier signal codé par le moyen de réception 410 de l'équipement portatif est pratiquement indépendante de la position relative de ce dernier dans la zone de diffusion d'un détecteur 300. Le moyen de commande 440 est choisi pour posséder un mode de repos dans lequel sa consommation en courant est presque nulle ainsi qu'une entrée d'activation (symbolisée par RESET sur la figure 4) le rétablissant dans un mode normal de fonctionnement. Un tel moyen de commande 440 peut être le micro-contrôleur PCD3342 de RTC. Une logique d'activation 465 reliée au moyen de réception 410 et au moyen de commande 440 a pour fonction de traiter la première impulsion du premier signal codé reçu par le moyen de réception 410 pour rétablir le mode normal de fonctionnement du moyen de commande 440 en activant son entrée RESET. Une fois le moyen de commande à l'état actif, la logique d'activation 465 dirige les impulsions suivantes du premier signal codé vers une entrée d'interruption (symbolisée par INTER sur la figure 4) du moyen de commande 440. Le moyen de commande 440 est conçu pour décoder les impulsion suivantes du premier signal codé de manière à récupérer un code d'identification individuel d'équipement portatif et comparer ce code au code d'identification individuel enregistré dans le moyen de mémorisation 430. Si le code détecté et le code enregistré sont identiques, l'unité de commande 440 commande le moyen d'émission 420, via une interface de commande 425, pour engendrer un second signal codé sous forme d'ondes modulées, tel qu'un signal optique modulé dans le spectre des infrarouges, et activer le moyen d'alarme 450. Avantageusement, le moyen d'émission 420 comprend une ou plusieurs diodes d'émission d'un signal optique modulé, par exemple un signal infra-rouge, pour diffuser respectivement de façon directive ou rayonnante le second signal codé. Le moyen d'alarme 450 est avantageusement une alarme sonore ayant le même rôle que l'alarme d'un équipement portatif du type "pager". Si le code détecté et le code enregistré ne sont pas identiques, l'unité de commande 440 n'engendre pas de second signal codé et se verrouille à l'état inactif. Le second signal codé est de nature à être interprété par un détecteur comme une confirmation de présence en réponse au premier signal codé émis. A titre d'exemple, le second signal codé peut répéter le code d'identification individuel de l'équipement portatif 400.The reception means 410 consists of a reception diode and a high gain amplifier block capable of receiving the first coded signal in the form of modulated waves and supplying the control means 440 with the information carried by this first. signal, an individual identification code for portable equipment. Preferably, the reception means 410 will comprise several reception diodes distributed over the surface of the portable equipment to collect most of the first coded signal broadcast by a detector 300. In this case, good reception of the first coded signal by the receiving means 410 of the portable equipment is practically independent of the relative position of the latter in the diffusion zone of a detector 300. The control means 440 is chosen to have a rest mode in which its current consumption is almost zero as well as an activation input ( symbolized by RESET in Figure 4) restoring it to a normal operating mode. One such control means 440 may be the RTC PCD3342 microcontroller. An activation logic 465 connected to the reception means 410 and to the control means 440 has the function of processing the first pulse of the first coded signal received by the reception means 410 to restore the normal operating mode of the control means 440 by activating its RESET input. Once the control means in the active state, the activation logic 465 directs the following pulses of the first coded signal to an interrupt input (symbolized by INTER in FIG. 4) of the control means 440. The means of control 440 is designed to decode the following pulses of the first coded signal so as to recover an individual identification code of portable equipment and compare this code with the individual identification code recorded in the storage means 430. If the code detected and the recorded code are identical, the control unit 440 controls the transmission means 420, via a control interface 425, to generate a second coded signal in the form of modulated waves, such as an optical signal modulated in the spectrum infrared, and activate the alarm means 450. Advantageously, the transmission means 420 comprises one or more transmission diodes of a modulated optical signal, for example an infrared signal, for di fuse the second coded signal directive or radiant respectively. The alarm means 450 is advantageously an audible alarm having the same role as the alarm of portable equipment of the "pager" type. If the detected code and the registered code do not are not identical, the control unit 440 does not generate a second coded signal and locks in the inactive state. The second coded signal is capable of being interpreted by a detector as a confirmation of presence in response to the first coded signal transmitted. As an example, the second coded signal can repeat the individual identification code of the portable equipment 400.

Le second signal codé reçu par un moyen de réception 320 d'un détecteur 300 est fourni au moyen de commande 330 du détecteur. Le moyen de commande 330 du détecteur 300 engendre un message de localisation contenant le code d'identification individuel de l'équipement portatif ayant émis le second signal codé et son code d'identification individuel de détecteur pour fournir le message à l'unité de gestion 200 via le bus 110. La localisation de la personne ou de l'objet portant l'équipement portatif qui a été sensible au premier signal codé émis par les détecteurs est obtenue facilement en associant le code d'identification individuel du détecteur qui a émis le message de localisation et la localisation dudit détecteur dans la zone surveillée. Cette association peut être réalisée par logiciel grâce à des tables de correspondance bien connues de l'homme du métier.The second coded signal received by reception means 320 from a detector 300 is supplied to control means 330 of the detector. The control means 330 of the detector 300 generates a location message containing the individual identification code of the portable equipment having emitted the second coded signal and its individual detector identification code to supply the message to the management unit 200 via bus 110. The location of the person or object carrying the portable equipment which was sensitive to the first coded signal emitted by the detectors is easily obtained by associating the individual identification code of the detector which emitted the location message and the location of said detector in the monitored area. This association can be achieved by software using correspondence tables well known to those skilled in the art.

Nous allons maintenant décrire le fonctionnement du système de localisation selon l'invention en mode "passage". Dans ce mode de fonctionnement, l'unité de gestion est conçue pour localiser une pluralité d'équipements portatifs dans le but de surveiller leur déplacement. Nous verrons par la suite, que le mode "passage" comporte en outre une fonctionnalité supplémentaire permettant de surveiller le sens de passage des porteurs d'équipement portatif.We will now describe the operation of the location system according to the invention in "passage" mode. In this operating mode, the management unit is designed to locate a plurality of portable devices for the purpose of monitoring their movement. We will see later, that the "passage" mode also includes an additional functionality allowing to monitor the direction of passage of the carriers of portable equipment.

Dans le mode "passage", l'unité de gestion 200 émet à destination de tous les détecteurs 300 un message de commande de localisation dans lequel la partie donnée correspond à un code d'identification général d'équipement portatif.In the "passage" mode, the management unit 200 sends a destination control message to all the detectors 300 in which the given part corresponds to a general identification code for portable equipment.

En réponse à ce message de commande, les détecteurs 300 émettent un premier signal codé, via leurs moyens d'émissions de détecteur 310 respectifs, représentatif du code d'identification général d'équipement portatif. Chaque équipement portatif sensible au premier signal codé, émet en réponse, via les moyens d'émission d'équipement portatif 420, un second signal codé représentatif de son propre code d'identification d'équipement portatif comme décrit précédemment. Le détecteur 300 ayant activé l'équipement portatif 400 et détecté le second signal codé, fournit à l'unité de gestion 200, sous la forme d'un message, son code d'identification individuel de détecteur et le code d'identification individuel d'équipement portatif de l'équipement portatif activé.In response to this command message, the detectors 300 emit a first coded signal, via their respective detector emission means 310, representative of the general identification code of portable equipment. Each portable equipment sensitive to the first coded signal, transmits in response, via the portable equipment transmission means 420, a second coded signal representative of its own portable equipment identification code as described above. The detector 300 having activated the portable equipment 400 and detected the second coded signal, supplies the management unit 200, in the form of a message, its individual detector identification code and the individual identification code d portable equipment activated portable equipment.

On comprendra que ces opérations sont identiques pour tous les détecteurs et tous les équipements portatifs présents dans la zone surveillée. De cette manière, à chaque instant réprésenté par l'envoi d'une commande de localisation, l'unité de gestion peut entretenir une table de données dans laquelle chaque code d'identification d'équipement portatif est mis en relation avec un code d'identification de détecteur du détecteur qui a activé l'équipement portatif en question.It will be understood that these operations are identical for all the detectors and all the portable equipment present in the monitored area. In this way, at each instant represented by the sending of a location command, the management unit can maintain a data table in which each identification code of portable equipment is linked to a code of detector identification of the detector that activated the portable equipment in question.

Dans le prolongement de l'invention, les détecteurs 300 sont conçus pour détecter le sens de passage d'un équipement portatif. En se reportant à la figure 3B, on a représenté un détecteur 300 dans lequel les moyens d'émission/ réception 310,320 sont scindés en deux groupes A,B distincts. Les groupes d'émission/réception 310A,320A et 310B,320B sont commandés alternativement et cycliquement par un moyen de cadencement 335 relié à l'unité de commande 330. Chaque groupe A,B comprend une pluralité de diodes d'émission/réception agencées pour couvrir une zone de surveillance formant un lobe. La géométrie d'un lobe est obtenue, de façon connue, en réglant l'intensité des courant alimentant les diodes d'émission et en orientant convenablement les diodes de réception. Les diodes d'émission/réception des deux groupes A,B définissent deux lobes de surveillance A,B non recouvrant formés symétriquement par rapport à un axe de passage P.As an extension of the invention, the detectors 300 are designed to detect the direction of passage of portable equipment. Referring to Figure 3B, there is shown a detector 300 in which the transmission / reception means 310, 320 are divided into two distinct groups A, B. The transmit / receive groups 310A, 320A and 310B, 320B are controlled alternately and cyclically by a timing means 335 connected to the control unit 330. Each group A, B comprises a plurality of transmit / receive diodes arranged to cover a surveillance area forming a lobe. The geometry of a lobe is obtained, in a known manner, by adjusting the intensity of the current supplying the transmission diodes and by orienting the reception diodes suitably. The transmission / reception diodes of the two groups A, B define two non-overlapping monitoring lobes A, B formed symmetrically with respect to a passage axis P.

Le détecteur 300 est conçu de manière que chaque groupe de diodes A,B détecte de manière indépendante la présence d'un équipement portatif à l'intérieur de la zone de surveillance qu'il couvre. Le moyen de mémorisation de détecteur 340 comprend par ailleurs deux zones mémoires pour enregistrer deux codes (Code A, Code B) d'identification de détecteur distincts affectés respectivement à chaque groupe A,B de diodes d'émission/réception.The detector 300 is designed so that each group of diodes A, B independently detects the presence of portable equipment inside the surveillance zone which it covers. The detector storage means 340 also comprises two memory areas for storing two separate detector identification codes (Code A, Code B) assigned respectively to each group A, B of transmission / reception diodes.

Le détecteur 300 représenté en figure 3B constitue donc un type particulier de détecteur du système de localisation selon l'invention, ce type particulier de détecteur correspondant finalement une juxtaposition de deux détecteurs tels que représentés en figure 3A. En réponse à un message correspondant à une commande de localisation, l'unité de commande 330 de détecteur du détecteur de la figure 3B, active le moyen de cadencement 335 de manière qu'un premier signal codé soit alternativement et cycliquement émis par les diodes d'émission de chaque groupe A,B. Lorsque le détecteur 300 détecte, par les diodes de réception d'un groupe A,B, un second signal codé émis par un équipement portatif en réponse au premier signal codé, il envoie un message à l'unité de gestion 200 contenant le code d'identification de détecteur affecté au groupe de diodes (code A ou code B) ayant détecté le second signal codé et le code d'identification individuel de l'équipement portatif détecté par ce groupe. Les messages engendrés par les détecteurs 300 sont compilés par l'unité de gestion et le sens du passage d'un équipement portatif localisé est obtenu par traitement statistique.The detector 300 shown in FIG. 3B therefore constitutes a particular type of detector of the location system according to the invention, this particular type of detector finally corresponding to a juxtaposition of two detectors as shown in FIG. 3A. In response to a message corresponding to a location command, the detector control unit 330 of the detector of FIG. 3B, activates the timing means 335 so that a first coded signal is alternately and cyclically emitted by the diodes d of each group A, B. When the detector 300 detects, by the reception diodes of a group A, B, a second coded signal emitted by a portable equipment in response to the first coded signal, it sends a message to the management unit 200 containing the code identification of the detector assigned to the group of diodes (code A or code B) having detected the second coded signal and the individual identification code of the portable equipment detected by this group. The messages generated by the detectors 300 are compiled by the management unit and the direction of passage of localized portable equipment is obtained by statistical processing.

Nous allons maintenant décrire la structure du système de localisation selon l'invention pour un fonctionnement en mode "manuel". L'objet du mode "manuel" est de permettre au porteur d'un équipement portatif de s'identifier volontairement auprès de l'unité de gestion. Ce fonctionnement est plus particulièrement destiné à être utilisé dans des applications du type ronde de sécurité.We will now describe the structure of the location system according to the invention for operation in "manual" mode. The purpose of the "manual" mode is to allow the wearer of portable equipment to voluntarily identify himself to the management unit. This operation is more particularly intended to be used in applications of the round security type.

En fonction de ce qui précède, un équipement portatif 400 comprend en outre un moyen de manoeuvre 460, par exemple un commutateur du type bouton poussoir, relié à la logique d'activation 465. L'actionnement du moyen de manoeuvre 460 force la logique d'activation 465 à activer l'entrée RESET du moyen de commande 440 et à fournir au moyen de commande 440, sur l'entrée INTER, un signal d'activation manuelle. En réponse au signal d'activation manuelle, le moyen de commande 440, rétabli en mode de fonctionnement normal, extrait le code d'identification individuel d'équipement portatif dans le moyen de mémorisation 430 et engendre un second signal codé via l'interface de commande 425 qui est émis sous forme d'ondes modulées par le moyen d'émission 420.Depending on the above, portable equipment 400 further comprises an operating means 460, for example a switch of the push button type, connected to the activation logic 465. The actuation of the operating means 460 forces the logic d activation 465 to activate the RESET input of the control means 440 and to provide the control means 440, on the INTER input, with a manual activation signal. In response to the manual activation signal, the control means 440, restored to normal operating mode, extracts the individual identification code of portable equipment in the storage means 430 and generates a second coded signal via the interface of command 425 which is transmitted in the form of waves modulated by the transmission means 420.

En mode "manuel", un détecteur 300, convenablement configuré, est à l'état passif, en attente de réception d'un second signal codé. L'état passif d'un détecteur 300 est signalé au porteur de l'équipement portatif 400 par un moyen de visualisation 350, par exemple un témoin lumineux, relié à l'unité de commande 330 du détecteur. En outre l'unité de commande 330 du détecteur est agencée pour mesurer l'état de disponibilité du bus 110, par exemple à l'aide d'un programme connu en soi, et commander le moyen de visualisation 350 en fonction du résultat de la mesure. En d'autres termes, l'unité de commande 330 du détecteur active le moyen de visualisation 350 quand le bus 110 est disponible. Lorsque le moyen de visualisation 350 est activé, les moyens de réception 320 du détecteur sont en état de recevoir un second signal codé. Lorsqu'un second signal codé est émis par un équipement portatif 400, en réponse à l'actionnement de son moyen de manoeuvre 460, celui-ci est reçu par les moyens récepteurs 320 du détecteur 300 proche de l'équipement portatif 400 en question. L'information contenue dans le second signal codé est fournie à l'unité de commande 330 du détecteur pour que celui-ci engendre un message de localisation comportant le code d'identification individuel de l'équipement portatif ayant émis le second signal codé et son propre code d'identification individuel de détecteur. Ce message de localisation est ensuite transmis à l'unité de gestion 200 via le bus 110. Son interprétation par l'unité de gestion 200 est réalisée de la même manière que décrite précédemment.In "manual" mode, a detector 300, suitably configured, is in the passive state, awaiting reception of a second coded signal. The passive state of a detector 300 is signaled to the wearer of the portable equipment 400 by a display means 350, for example an indicator light, connected to the control unit 330 of the detector. In addition, the detector control unit 330 is arranged to measure the availability state of the bus 110, for example using a program known per se, and to control the display means 350 as a function of the result of the measured. In other words, the control unit 330 of the detector activates the display means 350 when the bus 110 is available. When the display means 350 is activated, the reception means 320 of the detector are in a state to receive a second coded signal. When a second coded signal is emitted by a portable equipment 400, in response to the actuation of its operating means 460, this is received by the receiving means 320 of the detector 300 close to the portable equipment 400 in question. The information contained in the second coded signal is supplied to the control unit 330 of the detector so that the latter generates a location message comprising the individual identification code of the portable equipment having emitted the second coded signal and its own individual detector identification code. This location message is then transmitted to the management unit 200 via the bus 110. Its interpretation by the management unit 200 is carried out in the same manner as described above.

En mode "manuel", on peut avantageusement prévoir que le code d'identification individuel d'équipement portatif contient une information supplémentaire relative à un service particulier, par exemple un montant d'argent. On comprendra alors que l'équipement portatif 300 peut être utilisé comme un porte-monnaie électronique. On peut aussi prévoir l'utilisation de l'équipement portatif 400 pour plusieurs services grâce à des commutateurs reliés au moyen de commande 440 d'équipement portatif pour commander son fonctionnement en fonction du service choisi.In "manual" mode, it is advantageous to provide that the individual identification code of portable equipment contains additional information relating to a service. particular, for example an amount of money. It will then be understood that the portable equipment 300 can be used as an electronic purse. It is also possible to provide for the use of the portable equipment 400 for several services by means of switches connected to the control means 440 of portable equipment to control its operation as a function of the service chosen.

Avantageusement, le moyen de mémorisation 430 d'un équipement portatif est constitué d'une mémoire EEPROM disposée sur une carte amovible, du type carte à puce, susceptible de pouvoir être personnalisée. Par ailleurs, la mémoire EEPROM est subdivisée en blocs mémoire chacun identifiable par une adresse dans lesquels sont enregistrées des instructions micro-codées pour commander le micro-contrôleur 440 en fonction du type du premier signal codé détecté par les moyens de réceptions 410 d'équipement portatif (code particulier d'identification d'équipement portatif ou code général d'identification d'équipement portatif).Advantageously, the storage means 430 of portable equipment consists of an EEPROM memory arranged on a removable card, of the smart card type, capable of being able to be personalized. Furthermore, the EEPROM memory is subdivided into memory blocks each identifiable by an address in which micro-coded instructions are recorded for controlling the micro-controller 440 as a function of the type of the first coded signal detected by the equipment reception means 410 portable (specific code for identifying portable equipment or general code for identifying portable equipment).

En se reportant à la figure 4, les moyens d'alimentation en courant sont constitués d'une batterie 470 rechargée en permanence par des cellules solaires 475 pour conférer à l'équipement portatif une grande autonomie. Cette autonomie est encore augmentée en particulier par l'utilisation d'un micro-contrôleur 440 possédant un mode de repos, une mémoire 430 à faible consommation d'énergie et une logique d'activation 465 mettant sous tension le micro-contrôleur seulement quand l'équipement portatif est sollicité c'est-à-dire quand un premier signal codé est reçu par le moyen de réception 410 ou quand le moyen de manoeuvre 460 est actionné.Referring to FIG. 4, the current supply means consist of a battery 470 permanently recharged by solar cells 475 to give the portable equipment a great autonomy. This autonomy is further increased in particular by the use of a microcontroller 440 having a rest mode, a memory 430 with low energy consumption and an activation logic 465 energizing the microcontroller only when the portable equipment is requested, that is to say when a first coded signal is received by the reception means 410 or when the operating means 460 is actuated.

Nous allons maintenant décrire une première utilisation du système de localisation selon l'invention appliquée à un système de commutation téléphonique dans une installation privée. En se reportant à la figure 5, un système de commutation téléphonique d'installation privée est constitué d'une tête de réseau 600 conçue pour diriger des appels téléphoniques vers au moins un poste parmi une pluralité de postes téléphoniques. Selon cette première utilisation, on associe à un poste téléphonique 500 un détecteur 300 et au code d'identification individuel du détecteur 300 considéré le numéro d'appel du poste téléphonique 500 associé. Par ailleurs on associe au code d'identification individuel d'un équipement portatif 400 le numéro du poste de la personne auquel est attribué l'équipement portatif.We will now describe a first use of the location system according to the invention applied to a telephone switching system in a private installation. Referring to Figure 5, a private installation telephone switching system consists of a network head 600 designed to direct telephone calls to at least one of a plurality of telephone stations. According to this first use, a detector 300 is associated with a telephone station 500 and with the individual identification code of the detector 300 considered the call number of the associated telephone station 500. Furthermore, the individual identification code of a portable device 400 is associated with the extension number of the person to whom the portable device is assigned.

La tête du réseau 600 est couplée à l'unité de gestion 200 et est agencée pour fournir à l'unité de gestion un signal de commande de localisation dans le cas où un appel téléphonique ne peut aboutir du fait que la personne à laquelle l'appel est destiné est éloignée de son poste téléphonique attribué. En réponse à la commande de localisation, l'unité de gestion 200 transmet vers les détecteurs 300 un message correspondant à la commande de localisation. Ce message comprend le code d'identification individuel de l'équipement portatif 400 porté par la personne à laquelle l'appel est destiné. Le code d'identification individuel correspond dans ce cas au numéro du poste de la personne appelée. Les détecteurs 300 émettent alors un premier signal codé contenant ce code d'identification individuel d'équipement portatif selon la procédure décrite précédemment en référence au mode "présence". L'équipement portatif 400 dont le code d'identification individuel est identique au code d'identification individuel d'équipement portatif recherché, émet un second signal codé. Ce second signal codé est reçu par le détecteur 300 le plus proche de la personne appelée. Ce détecteur transmet alors un message de localisation à l'unité de gestion. Le message de localisation comprend le numéro du poste téléphonique 500 associé en tant que code d'identification individuel de détecteur. L'unité de gestion 200 fournit ensuite à la tête du réseau téléphonique 600 un signal correspondant au numéro du poste téléphonique associé au détecteur 300 ayant reçu le second signal codé. Il suffit alors à la tête de réseau 600 de diriger l'appel téléphonique en attente vers le poste téléphonique 500 qui vient d'être localisé.The head of the network 600 is coupled to the management unit 200 and is arranged to provide the management unit with a location control signal in the event that a telephone call can not be made because only the person to whom the call is intended is far from its assigned telephone extension. In response to the location command, the management unit 200 transmits to the detectors 300 a message corresponding to the location command. This message includes the individual identification code of the portable equipment 400 carried by the person to whom the call is intended. The individual identification code in this case corresponds to the extension number of the person called. The detectors 300 then emit a first coded signal containing this individual identification code of portable equipment according to the procedure described above with reference to the "presence" mode. Portable equipment 400 whose individual identification code is identical to the individual portable equipment identification code sought, emits a second coded signal. This second coded signal is received by the detector 300 closest to the person called. This detector then transmits a location message to the management unit. The location message includes the number of the associated telephone set 500 as the individual detector identification code. The management unit 200 then supplies the head of the telephone network 600 with a signal corresponding to the number of the telephone set associated with the detector 300 having received the second coded signal. It then suffices for the network head 600 to direct the waiting telephone call to the telephone station 500 which has just been located.

Une deuxième utilisation du système de localisation selon l'invention concerne les procédures de contrôle d'accès dans un réseau informatique. En particulier le système de localisation selon l'invention permet d'accroître la sécurité d'un réseau informatique. Un réseau informatique est généralement constitué d'une pluralité de stations d'entrée de données, par exemple des terminaux, reliées à un ordinateur central. L'accès à l'ordinateur central est subordonné à la connaissance de codes d'accès autorisant une connexion pour une personne autorisée. Une personne non autorisée peut toutefois pénétrer le réseau informatique en connaissant les codes d'accès. Selon l'invention les personnes autorisées à pénétrer le réseau informatique sont munies d'un équipement portatif et chaque station d'entrée de données est associée à un détecteur. Par ailleurs, l'ordinateur central est relié à l'unité de gestion du système de localisation. Lors d'une demande de connexion au réseau informatique formulée par une personne via une station d'entrée de données, l'ordinateur central reconnaît les codes d'accès requis pour la connexion. En réponse aux codes d'accès, l'ordinateur central transmet à l'unité de gestion un signal de demande de localisation de l'équipement portatif attribué à la personne répondant à ces codes d'accès.A second use of the location system according to the invention relates to access control procedures in a computer network. In particular, the location system according to the invention makes it possible to increase the security of a computer network. A computer network generally consists of a plurality of data entry stations, for example terminals, linked to a central computer. Access to the central computer is subject to knowledge of access codes authorizing a connection for an authorized person. An unauthorized person can, however, enter the computer network by knowing the access codes. According to the invention, the persons authorized to enter the computer network are provided with portable equipment and each data entry station is associated with a detector. Furthermore, the central computer is connected to the management unit of the location system. When a request for connection to the computer network is made by a person via a data entry station, the central computer recognizes the access codes required for the connection. In response to access codes, the central computer transmits to the management unit a signal for the location of the portable equipment assigned to the person responding to these access codes.

L'unité de gestion transmet alors aux détecteurs un message correspondant à la commande de localisation de l'équipement portatif dont le code d'identification individuel correspond à la personne identifiée par les codes d'accès. En réponse à la commande de localisation, l'unité de gestion fournit à l'ordinateur central le code d'identification individuel du détecteur ayant reçu un second signal codé. L'ordinateur central peut alors, par correspondance, identifier la station d'entrée de données associée au détecteur ayant reçu le second signal codé et décider d'établir la connexion si cette station d'entrée de données est celle qui a émis les codes d'accès. Ainsi le système de localisation selon l'invention permet de diminuer les risques d'accès non autorisés dans un réseau informatique.The management unit then transmits to the detectors a message corresponding to the location control of the portable equipment, the individual identification code of which corresponds to the person identified by the access codes. In response to the location command, the management unit supplies the central computer with the individual identification code of the detector having received a second coded signal. The central computer can then, by correspondence, identify the data entry station associated with the detector having received the second coded signal and decide to establish the connection if this data entry station is the one which emitted the codes. 'access. Thus the location system according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the risks of unauthorized access in a computer network.

Bien entendu, on pourra prévoir d'autres variantes de réalisation de l'invention sans pour cela sortir du cadre de l'invention.Of course, other embodiments of the invention can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

  1. A locating system for locating persons and/or objects in a zone under surveillance (120), the system comprising a management unit (200) for receiving locating commands, a plurality of detectors (300) that emit locating signals, that are connected to the management unit, and that are distributed throughout the zone under surveillance, at least one item of emit/receive equipment carried by a person and/or an object to be located, each detector, provided with a control unit (330), including emit and receive means (310, 320) for emitting and receiving pulse-coded infrared signals controlled by the management unit, each item of emit/receive equipment also including a control unit (440) and emit and receive means (410, 420) for emitting and receiving pulse-coded infrared signals, said locating system being characterized in that each item of emit/receive equipment (400), which is of the portable type, includes storage means containing an individual identification code which is used by the item of equipment for emitting a locating encoded infrared signal on receiving a signalling first encoded infrared signal containing an identification code which corresponds to that of the item of equipment in question, and in that, when a detector receives a locating encoded infrared signal coming from an item of equipment, the detector transmits an identification code that is specific to it accompanied by the identification code of the item of equipment.
  2. A locating system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the detectors, as intended for monitoring a through flow, includes two distinct groups of emit and receive means (310, 320), each group being active in a different surveillance zone, the two groups being alternately controlled by cyclical clock means (335), and being provided with identification codes that are distinct from each other, so that it is possible to detect the direction of flow of an item of portable equipment from one zone to the other.
  3. A locating system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one item of portable equipment includes operating means (460) connected to its control unit (440) and used for unrequested identification purposes in manual mode to trigger emission of a second locating encoded infrared signal, which is a function of the individual identification code of the item of equipment in question.
  4. A locating system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one item of portable equipment includes alarm means (450) connected to its control unit (440) and activated whenever the equipment emits a second locating encoded infrared signal.
  5. A locating system according to claim 4, in which the detectors are connected to the management unit (200) via a bus (110), and in which at least one detector includes visual indication means (350) which indicate whether it is in the active state or the passive state, and which are connected to the control unit (330) of the detector for this purpose, the control unit being organized to measure the availability of the bus and for controlling the visual indication means as a function of this availability measurement, following reception of a second locating encoded infrared signal by the equipment when the emit and receive means (310, 320) of said detector have been activated by receiving a second locating encoded signal causing the detector to switch to the active state.
  6. A locating system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, associated with a computer network so as to allow a person having access rights to access the network via a data-input station, said locating system being characterized in that a person is allowed access to a station only if a detector (300) close to the station locates a suitable item of portable equipment.
EP91403142A 1990-11-21 1991-11-21 System to localize persons and/or objects in a controlled zone Expired - Lifetime EP0487420B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9014524 1990-11-21
FR9014524A FR2669454B1 (en) 1990-11-21 1990-11-21 SYSTEM FOR LOCATING PEOPLE AND / OR OBJECTS IN A MONITORED AREA.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0487420A1 EP0487420A1 (en) 1992-05-27
EP0487420B1 true EP0487420B1 (en) 1997-11-05

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ID=9402433

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91403142A Expired - Lifetime EP0487420B1 (en) 1990-11-21 1991-11-21 System to localize persons and/or objects in a controlled zone

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EP (1) EP0487420B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE160041T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69128126T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2110434T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2669454B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9317993U1 (en) * 1993-11-09 1994-03-31 Lillig, Heiner, 45663 Recklinghausen Device for spatially resolved detection of a call signal, in particular a patient call in hospitals, clinics and the like.
DE19812909A1 (en) * 1998-03-18 1999-10-14 Bb Data Inf & Komm Syst Gmbh Inventory system in which a localization identifier is obtained from an energy network
US6236858B1 (en) * 1998-06-30 2001-05-22 Avaya Technology Corp. Wireless terminal automatically alerting user upon wireless terminal entering a specified physical location

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3696384A (en) * 1971-07-08 1972-10-03 Recognition Devices Ultrasonic tracking and locating system
EP0056045A1 (en) * 1980-07-21 1982-07-21 Mastiff Security Systems Limited A location device
US4598275A (en) * 1983-05-09 1986-07-01 Marc Industries Incorporated Movement monitor
GB2193359B (en) * 1986-07-31 1990-07-11 Multitone Electronics Plc Area communications systems
GB2216358A (en) * 1988-02-26 1989-10-04 Siemens Ag Tracking moving object

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE160041T1 (en) 1997-11-15
FR2669454B1 (en) 1995-06-02
DE69128126T2 (en) 1998-03-05
ES2110434T3 (en) 1998-02-16
DE69128126D1 (en) 1997-12-11
FR2669454A1 (en) 1992-05-22
EP0487420A1 (en) 1992-05-27

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