EP1607921A1 - Method and arrangement to determine whether two objects belong to each other - Google Patents

Abstract

The two objects [10,11] are signal coupled so long as they are within a specific distance [30] of each other. When the distance becomes too great an alarm is triggered and a signal is emitted. The system may be used with such as keys and briefcases so as to prevent loss.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement to determine the affiliation of two objects according to the preamble of claim 1 and 9, respectively.

In the use of daily objects such as e.g. Bags, keychains, valuable or useful items such as purses or umbrellas, it is known that such objects through inattention or forgetfulness get lost. Examples of such inattention or forgetfulness refer to getting off a transport, leaving a restaurant or a other room.

Are known various devices that a retrieval allow such objects. These devices are under the terms «Key finder» or «key finder» known.

In DE 35 13 242 A1 is as "key finder" an arrangement revealed when triggered by clapping hands or whistling an acoustic signal sounds and so the respective Person is enabled, the searched object or the with the to find the relevant object connected device again.

However, these well-known "key finders" only provide one Symptom fighting. For the users of such objects is it is therefore desirable, alone the impending loss to signal such an object.

The present invention is therefore based on the object a method and arrangement for determining affiliation of two objects indicating the affiliation two objects signal that a loss is excluded or at least that can be avoided or that proximity of the both objects can be detected. The procedure and The arrangement should be very easy to handle be designed and used by virtually anyone can be.

This object is achieved by the in the claim 1 specified method and by in claim 9 resolved arrangement solved.

According to the inventive method, according to which
in Mother's Day first funds are available, which determine a deviation of a specified distance to a daughter's day via the communication link;
in Mother's Day there are second means which signal the deviation of the fixed distance to a daughter's day;
can be determined in a simple way a spatial affiliation of two objects, namely Mother's Day and daughter's day.

Depending on the choice of means of signaling is the application the inventive method and its apparatus design not in the sense of the inventive arrangement Persons limited.

i) Gemäss der Bezeichnung der vorliegenden Schrift geht es um die Feststellung der Zugehörigkeit zweier Objekte, die zu ihrer Unterscheidung zuweilen auch «ausgezeichnetes Objekt» und «weiteres Objekt» genannt werden. Im folgenden Kontext wird ein «ausgezeichnetes Objekt» als «Muttertag», ein «weiteres Objekt» als «Tochtertag» bezeichnet, die Bezeichnung stützt sich auf «tag» (engl. für Etikett, elektronisches Etikett, usw.). In technischer Hinsicht sind diese Tags Sender/Empfänger mit den gemäss der erfindungsgemässen Lehre versehenen Mitteln zur Feststellung der «Distanz» und zur Signalisierung. Dies kann auf vielfältige Weise ausgestaltet sein, z.B. mit einem passiven/aktiven RF-Schaltkreis in hochintegrierter Form oder als SAW-Bauteil.

ii) Unter dem Begriff «Distanz» ist nicht allein eine tatsächliche räumliche Distanz zwischen den zwei Objekten subsummiert, sondern auch eine virtuelle Distanz, die z.B. durch ein Medium wie z.B. eine Wand zwischen den beiden Objekten bewirkt wird. Damit ist auch eine Reichweite hinsichtlich des verwendeten Kommunikationsmediums wie z.B. Ultraschall oder elektromagnetische Wellen oder Infrarot (IR) begrifflich mit eingeschlossen.

iii) Je nach Anwendungsgebiet des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens und der diesem Verfahren entsprechenden Anordnung ist es besonders vorteilhaft, die vorgenannten Tags symmetrisch auszugestalten.

For the purposes of this document and teaching according to the invention, the terms used are to be understood as follows and include the following characteristics:

i) According to the title of the present document, it is a question of determining the affiliation of two objects, sometimes called "excellent object" and "further object" for their distinction. In the following context, an "excellent object" is referred to as "mother's day", a "further object" as a "daughter's day", the term is based on "tag" (English for label, electronic label, etc.). In technical terms, these tags are transceivers with the means according to the invention for determining the "distance" and for signaling. This can be configured in many ways, for example with a passive / active RF circuit in a highly integrated form or as a SAW component.

ii) The term «distance» not only subsumes an actual spatial distance between the two objects, but also a virtual distance, which is caused, for example, by a medium such as a wall between the two objects. This also includes a range in terms of the communication medium used, such as ultrasound or electromagnetic waves or infrared (IR) conceptually included.

iii) Depending on the field of application of the method according to the invention and the arrangement corresponding to this method, it is particularly advantageous to design the aforementioned tags symmetrically.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are dependent Claims specified.

Figur 1

Darstellung der Wirkungsbereiche der erfindungsgemässen Anordnung;

Figur 2

Ansicht eines Muttertags mit Bedienungs-, Anzeige- und Anschlusselementen;

Figur 3a

Kaskadierte Funktion Muttertag/Tochtertag;

Figur 3b

Kommunikationsverbindung über mehrere Tochtertags.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Showing:

FIG. 1

Representation of the areas of action of the inventive arrangement;

FIG. 2

Mother's Day view with operating, display and connection elements;

FIG. 3a

Cascaded function Mother's Day / daughter's day;

FIG. 3b

Communication connection over several daughter's days.

Within the meaning of the nomenclature introduced above, the Figure 1 is a Mother's Day 10, via a communication link 15 is coupled with a daughter's day 11.1. With the Reference numeral 30 is an effective range 30 and a distance, respectively 30 shown, within which the affiliation of the daughter's day 11.1 on Mother's Day 10 according to the following explanations can be determined. Outside the sphere of influence 30 is a daughter's day 11.2.

In Figure 2, a Mother's Day 10 is exemplified. Within the meaning of the teaching according to the invention, individual elements represented can be dispensed with or additional elements, not shown, can be added. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, it is shown:
On / off switch 21;
Keypad 22 with three easy-to-use keys;
Optical display element 23;
USB connector 24 and USB connector 25.

The on / off switch 21 can be used together with the optical display elements 23 used for certain Mother's Day setting that are characterized by different operating times a designed as a push button switch 21 result. In This embodiment is a keypad 22 with three easy to see or feel buttons especially for people provided, which have trouble due to a disability, ordinary to press small buttons or so-called dip-switches. The type of controls 22 or switch 21 is for the inventive method is not essential. With the However, keys of a keypad 22 is easier to adjust the tags especially in conjunction with corresponding ones Display means 23 ensured.

The external form as well as the embedding into a housing of a such mother's day 10 is freely selectable and can / should aspects consider the handling as well as the aesthetic design, for example, as a trailer, "gadget".

i) Schall, Ultraschall

ii) Infrarot

iii) Funkverbindung, vorzugsweise im ISM-Band.

In Figure 2 - as mentioned - a "Mother's Day" 10 is shown. In terms of ease of use of the present invention can be provided that Mother's Day 10 and Daughter Day 11 differ only in their function, however, are designed identically in the structural features. The function Mother's Day or daughter's day is preferably adjustable with at least one switch 21 or by programming via existing on the day 10 or 11 connecting elements 24 and 25th
As a transmission medium for the communication link 15 can be provided:

i) sound, ultrasound

ii) infrared

iii) Radio communication, preferably in the ISM band.

In the aforementioned transmission medium "sound" is also the Case included where sound is transmitted in the water. This is e.g. applicable to at least two divers, so they do not lose each other. In this application is especially beneficial if the tags are not only constructive are symmetrical, but also functional: The means that every day the function «Mother's Day» and the The «daughter's day» function includes.

As previously exemplified for divers, determined the choice of the transmission medium according to the intended application and the spatial impact area 30 to be reached.

i) Laufzeitmessung zwischen Muttertag und Tochtertag;

ii) durch Messung/Detektion eines Pegels bzw. Feldstärke;

iii) wie unter ii) jedoch in einer einfacheren Ausführung Kommunikationsverbindung vorhanden/nicht vorhanden.

The following methods can be used by way of example for determining the distance or exceeding or falling below (= deviation) a given distance:

i) transit time measurement between Mother's Day and daughter's day;

ii) by measuring / detecting a level or field strength;

iii) as under (ii) but in a simpler form communication link present / absent.

ii) Pulsmodulation oder Pulsweitenmodulation,

ii) Phasenverschiebung,

iii) Frequenzmodulation oder

iv) Amplitudenmodulation.

Depending on the environment, for wireless communication, be it with RF or with sound, additional modulation must be provided for the transmission, for example, and in a non-exhaustive list:

ii) pulse modulation or pulse width modulation,

ii) phase shift,

iii) frequency modulation or

iv) amplitude modulation.

At a higher level in terms of communication technology can be provided that to determine the affiliation in a periodic or aperiodic cycle Polling of Daughter Day 11 by Mother's Day 10 is done. One aperiodic cycle can then be used advantageously at a spatial concentration of a variety of Mother's Day Daughter Day couples easily collisions in to reduce communication. If necessary, anti-collision algorithms could be additionally provided.

i) Einstellen je einer Nummer auf Muttertag 10 und Tochtertag 11 über sogenannte Dip-Switches oder den Schalter 21 oder die Tasten des Tastenblocks 22.

ii) Bei einer räumlichen Nähe von einigen Zentimetern [cm] über eine Infrarotkommunikation, gegebenenfalls unter Betätigung eines Schalters.

iii) Durch einen im Muttertag vorhandenen Magneten, der aufgrund der sehr geringen Reichweite von wenigen Millimetern [mm] eine Kommunikation zwischen den beiden Tags zur Übermittlung der gegenseitigen Identität initiieren kann.

iv) Mechanische Paarung/Verheiratung durch gemeinsames Schütteln von Muttertag 10 und Tochtertag 11; die Schüttelfrequenz bzw. ein daraus generiertes Abtastmuster wird für die Zuordnung der jeweiligen Identität herangezogen.

v) Elektrische und somit datenmässige temporäre Kopplung von Muttertag 10 und Tochtertag 11 über ein USB-Kupplung 24 und USB-Stecker 25.

In particular, in the case of an expected multitude of Mother's Day daughter-day couples, it is necessary to "marry" or "pair" these pairs, that is to say to each of these couples the identity of the other day or a common identity. Depending on the technology used and the transmission medium used, this can be achieved in a non-exhaustive list with:

i) Setting each number on Mother's Day 10 and Daughter's Day 11 via so-called dip-switches or the switch 21 or the keys of the keypad 22.

ii) At a spatial proximity of a few centimeters [cm] via an infrared communication, if necessary by operating a switch.

(iii) Through a Mother's Day magnet, which due to its very short range of a few millimeters [mm] can initiate communication between the two tags to convey mutual identity.

iv) Mechanical mating / marriage by joint shaking of Mother's Day 10 and daughter's day 11; the shaking frequency or a sampling pattern generated therefrom is used for the assignment of the respective identity.

v) Electrical and thus data-related temporary coupling of Mother's Day 10 and daughter's day 11 via a USB coupling 24 and USB connector 25.

The aforementioned identity is contained in a frame. From a layer 3 view of the ISO communication model, an example of such a transmission frame is shown below in Table 1: Sketch of the structure of a transmission frame ·· src_addr DEST_ADDR action ··

src_addr

Adresse, Identität des sendenden Tag, Muttertag 10

dest_addr

Adresse, Identität des adressierten Tag, Tochtertag 11, 11.1, 11.2, usw.

command

auszuführender Befehl oder Aktion.

The specified fields of this transmission frame have the following meaning:

src_addr

Address, identity of the sending day, Mother's Day 10

DEST_ADDR

Address, identity of the addressed day, daughter's day 11, 11.1, 11.2, etc.

command

to execute command or action.

With a transfer frame according to the structure in Table 1 It is possible, on the one hand, the affiliation of several To determine Daughter's Day on a single Mother's Day. In addition, with provision of appropriate controls in the manner of a switch 21 on the Mother's Day 10 targeted messages to one of several Daughter's Day be sent out, with which a certain action at the daughter's day or a specific answer to the question Mother's Day 10 can be initiated.

An advantageous application with several predetermined distance values, for example, for a person with a little obedient dog for the necessary and animal welfare provisions sufficient freewheeling given. This person (dog owner) wears a Mother's Day 10 on her, her dog or darling is attached to a mounted on the collar Daughter Day 11 provided. In Table 1 typical values of distances 30 and associated alarm levels are given for this application, which allow the dog owner by a non-technical communication between her and her darling to intervene in time and to put the darling back on the leash if necessary. In the present case, the dog owner moves with the Mother's Day 10 in the open field, so that the specified distances correspond to radii and the associated area of action 30 is approximately circular. Assignment of alert level to distance. Alert level, level Distance value in [m] 1; green 20 2; yellow 40 3; red 60

Using the example of the above-mentioned application for dogs, a so-called "virtual dog leash" will be the following additional Function explained. Since the dog owner on the Alert levels informed about the distance to their favorite is, can either by an actuator 21 am Mother's Day 10 or automatically through the daughter's day 11 or Mother's Day 10 triggered the signaling at the dog e.g. be made by ultrasound. Because of the high Learning skills of dogs causes this to happen Dog realizes he has crossed the allowed freewheeling Rayon Has. When returning to a rayon closer to the Dog owner then takes a shutdown of the particular Very unpleasant ultrasound sounds for dogs.

In the exemplary embodiment of a mother's day 10 according to FIG. 2 optical signaling elements 23 are provided. Just The above application is quite suitable instead of optical signaling elements 23 an acoustic or to provide mechanical signaling elements. For the latter, for example, one associated with the stages provide different levels of vibration (so-called vibro alarm), as is common in the field of mobile devices.

For a blind person could also be similar to the Braille font with actuatable by an electronic control pins realized a differentiated, so-called tactile signaling become. Possible in particular is a combination with the keypad 22 allowing such a handicapped person due to a pen integrated in the key the signal possible selections or actions.

The above examples always refer to exceeding a predetermined distance. But there are also applications given where the signaling at the carrier by falling below your given distance. For example, such a carrier may suggest such a tag be warned of a dangerous object. Under dangerous In this context, objects become charges of chemical hazardous substances or moving objects understood.

The teaching according to the invention of the signaling of a deviation a given distance may be for certain applications be supplemented with a differential analysis of Function Distance between the two tags: Exceeds the temporal Derivation of the distance a certain value, can at the concerned Mother's Day 10 or daughter's day 11 a signaling to be triggered. This is especially advantageous when it comes to the deviation of a given Determine distance as early as possible. By the time Deriving the current distance it is found that Mother's Day 12 and daughter's day 11 - for whatever reason always - suddenly move away from each other very quickly or approach.

The connection means 24 and / or 25 can also be used for this purpose for the signaling of the detected deviation such a signal outside Mother's Day 10 or Daughter Day 11, e.g. a mobile phone, transferred to.

The function mother's day 10 and daughter's day 11 can also be cascaded be implemented. For this purpose, FIG. 3a shows a distribution this function in a tree structure. Each of the Rectangles shows one day, with the rectangles the second Stage, both the function daughter's day up, and the Feature Mother's Day down. Such an implementation is in particular using transmission frames in the manner according to Table 1 feasible. Is to required to "marry" the tags beforehand or to "Mate".

Allow transmission frames in the manner according to Table 1, the communication link 15 between a mother's day 10 and a daughter's day 11.2 via a relay 11.1 acting To lead Daughter's Day 11.1. Such a structure is in Figure 3b shown.

The above-mentioned further embodiments of the present invention are freely combinable. So are the in By no means on the arrangements shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b the use of an electromagnetic transmission medium limited, but can - a suitable modulation and a appropriate protocol structuring required - too be implemented in the water by sound.

List of references used, nomenclature

10

Object, excellent object, mother's day

11, 11.1, 11.2,

another object, daughter's day

15

communication link

21

On / off switch

22

keypad

23

Display element, signaling element, e.g. alphanumeric, graphic

24

Connection element, connection means, USB coupling

25

Connection element, connection means, USB plug

30

Alarm range, distance, range of action of the inventive arrangement

M0, M11, ..

Indexed label of Mother's Day

T11, T12, ..

Indexed term of daughter's day

List of abbreviations used

IR

Infrared

ISM, ISM band

Regulated frequency bands for «Industrial, Scientific, Medical» Devices.

ISO

International Organization for Standardization

RF

Radio Frequency

SAW

Surface Accoustic Wave

USB

Universal Serial Bus

Claims (16)

Method for determining the affiliation of at least one daughter's day (11, 11.1, 11.2) to a mother's day (10), wherein a wireless communication link (15) exists between the at least one daughter's day (11, 11.1, 11.2) and the mother's day (10),
characterized in that
first means are present in the mother's day (10) which detect a deviation of a defined distance (30) from a daughter's day (11, 11.1, 11.2) via the communication link (15);
in mother's day (10) second means (23) are present, which signal the deviation of the fixed distance (30) to a daughter's day (11, 11.1, 11.2). Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
as transmission medium for the communication connection (15) infrared, sound or a radio connection is provided. Method according to claim 2,
characterized in that
for the radio link (15) at least one frequency from the ISM band is provided. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
Mother's Day (10) and daughter's day (11) are structurally identical. Method according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the function mother's day (10) or daughter's day (11) is adjustable. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that
Mother's Day and / or daughter's day has a connecting element (24, 25) for the temporary supply of energy or for setting the function or for forwarding a signal containing the deviation of the fixed distance (30). Method according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that
the second means (23) are designed as optical and / or acoustic and / or mechanical display means. Method according to claim 7,
characterized in that
the mechanical display means (22, 23) are designed as tactile display means or as vibrators. Arrangement comprising a mother's day (10) and at least one daughter's day (11, 11.1, 11.2) for determining the affiliation of daughter's day (11, 11.1, 11.2) to the mother's day (10), wherein between the daughter's day (11, 11.1, 11.2) and the Mother's Day (10) is a wireless communication link (15),
characterized in that
first means are present in the mother's day (10) which detect a deviation of a defined distance (30) from a daughter's day (11, 11.1, 11.2) via the communication link (15);
in mother's day (10) second means (23) are present, which signal the deviation of the specified distance (30) to a daughter's day. Arrangement according to claim 9,
characterized in that
as transmission medium for the communication connection (15) infrared, sound or a radio connection is provided. Arrangement according to claim 10,
characterized in that
for the radio link (15) at least one frequency from the ISM band is provided. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 11,
characterized in that
Mother's Day (10) and daughter's day (11) are structurally identical. Arrangement according to claim 12,
characterized in that
the function Mother's Day (10) or daughter's day (11) with a switch (21) or via a connection element (24, 25) is adjustable. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 13,
characterized in that
Mother's Day and / or daughter's day has a connecting element (24, 25) for the temporary supply of energy or for setting the function or for forwarding a signal containing the deviation of the fixed distance (30). Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 14,
characterized in that
the second means (22, 23) are designed as optical and / or acoustic and / or mechanical display means. Arrangement according to claim 15,
characterized in that
the mechanical display means (22, 23) are designed as tactile display means or as vibrators.

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