EP4068235A1 - Trennungsüberwachungssystem, vorrichtung und verfahren - Google Patents

Trennungsüberwachungssystem, vorrichtung und verfahren Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4068235A1
EP4068235A1 EP22165412.2A EP22165412A EP4068235A1 EP 4068235 A1 EP4068235 A1 EP 4068235A1 EP 22165412 A EP22165412 A EP 22165412A EP 4068235 A1 EP4068235 A1 EP 4068235A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wireless device
conditions
wireless
respect
separation
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22165412.2A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Mario BAITINI
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.)
Vodafone Automotive SpA
Original Assignee
Vodafone Automotive SpA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vodafone Automotive SpA filed Critical Vodafone Automotive SpA
Publication of EP4068235A1 publication Critical patent/EP4068235A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18Status alarms
    • G08B21/22Status alarms responsive to presence or absence of persons
    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/0202Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
    • G08B21/0277Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]
    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18Status alarms
    • G08B21/24Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/002Generating a prealarm to the central station

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for indicating excess separation between two devices (such as a first and a second device, which could be considered a monitored and a supervisor device, respectively) with respect to a surveillance zone around a third device.
  • the method and system issues an alert if, under certain conditions, one, or both, of the first and second devices leave the surveillance zone around the third device.
  • the invention can be used in various situations, including to issue an alert in the event of a child being inadvertently left in a vehicle.
  • Losing sight of a child who should be supervised is an alarming event, which on occasion can result in the child coming to harm. Loss or theft of a valuable object can also cause emotional and financial distress. Technology can be used to help prevent such incidents.
  • a first device is associated with a parent or guardian and a second device with a child. If the distance between the first and second device exceeds a certain threshold, an alarm will sound or other notification will be sent. See, for example, US Patent Publication Nos. US 2016/193960 , US 2016/307426 , US 2005/040956 , US 6,714,132 , US 2015/274036 , US 2004/160320 , US 5,661,460 , US 5,289,163 .
  • the second device is a pressure sensor embedded in a child seat so as to be able to sense a child in the seat.
  • devices can be used to establish the perimeter of a safety zone, so that if a child wearing another device leaves the safety zone, then an alert is initiated.
  • the method indicates excessive separation between a first wireless device and a second wireless device in the context of a first and second zone or region defined around or with respect to a third device (or a plurality of third devices).
  • the first and second zones may represent the same area and have the same boundaries, or may be different areas, having different zone boundaries.
  • the first and second zones will typically be at least partly overlapping.
  • the first zone will include the third wireless device within or on its boundary, such that the first zone extends contiguously from or around the third wireless device.
  • the second zone will include the third wireless device within or on its boundary, such that the second zone extends contiguously from or around the third wireless device.
  • the boundary or perimeter of each of the first or second zone is not necessarily equidistant to the third wireless device at all points on the boundary. However, the boundary or perimeter of each of the first or second zone around the third wireless device may be equidistant, such that the third wireless device is a centre point of the respective zone.
  • the first and second zones are not
  • the first device may be a monitored device, which could be associated with a monitored entity such as a child or valuable item.
  • the second device may be a supervisor device, which could be associated with a supervisor or caretaker of the monitored entity such as a parent or guardian.
  • the third device may be a surveillance zone device, which may be associated with, or may define, a first zone in which surveillance of the monitored device takes place, and a second zone in which surveillance of the supervisor device takes place.
  • the surveillance zones could be considered a 'safe space' or 'bubble' within which the monitored device and supervisor device can move freely, providing both the monitored device and supervisor device remain within their respective zone (which may be the same area or zone).
  • the first and second zones can be defined as areas each having a perimeter or boundary a fixed distance around the third device, or could be defined with respect to the third device in another way. More than one third device could be used to define a given surveillance zone and its boundary or perimeter.
  • the first zone defined with respect to the third device and relevant to the first wireless device may be the same, or different to the second zone defined with respect to the third device and relevant to the second device.
  • the first device and the second device may be subject to surveillance zones of different areas and having different boundaries.
  • the first and second surveillance zones may be entirely different, may be overlapping, or may be the same.
  • the first surveillance zone (first zone) is a smaller area than the second surveillance zone (second zone), the first zone being entirely within the second zone.
  • the method monitors the spacing or separation between the first device and the third device, and between the second device and the third device.
  • the monitoring describes receiving or obtaining any indicator of the relative position of the given devices.
  • the indicator may simply be the receipt (or lack of receipt) of a wireless transmission between two devices.
  • the indicator could be a measure of the distance between devices, or a measure of a parameter that is related to the distance between devices in a predictable manner (signal strength, for instance).
  • the method determines whether the supervisor device and monitored device are both within their respective surveillance zone defined with respect to the surveillance zone device. In particular, the method determines if the monitored device is inside the first surveillance zone, whilst the supervisor device is outside of the second surveillance zone. This could indicate, for instance, that the monitored entity associated with the monitored device might be unsupervised.
  • the determination of the presence or absence of the monitored device and/or supervisor device inside their surveillance zones can be made in a number of ways, as discussed below.
  • the presence or absence of the monitored device and/or supervisor device inside their respective surveillance zones can be indicated by whether a wireless connection (via a specific wireless technology) can be made between the first device (monitored device) and the third device (the surveillance zone device) and/or between the second device (the supervisor device) and the third device (the surveillance zone device).
  • the presence or absence of the monitored device and/or supervisor device inside their respective surveillance zone can be indicated by obtaining a measure or indication of the separation between the first device (monitored device) and the third device (the surveillance zone device) and between the second device (the supervisor device) and the third device (the surveillance zone device).
  • the first, second and third device are each wireless devices.
  • Wireless devices are devices that can communicate, at least with each other, via wireless means.
  • the wireless devices may be connected to a telecommunications network through a telecommunications infrastructure, or could communicate with each other directly via wireless technologies including WiFi RTM , Bluetooth RTM or ultra-wide-band.
  • the devices may be mobile devices, such as a mobile telephone, smartphone or tablet, or may be another portable or wearable device, including but not limited to a smart watch or a wireless communications beacon within a necklace or bracelet.
  • the devices may be incorporated or embedded in another item, including a car seat, child car seat, car navigation system, or an item of clothing.
  • the alert may be any type of alarm or notification.
  • the alert may be the sounding of an alarm at the first, second or third device, or at another device associated with one or more of the devices.
  • the alert could be a notification message sent to one or more of the first, second or third device, or another device associated with one of the devices.
  • the alert could be a voice call or automated audible message sent to one or more of the first, second or third device, or another device associated with one of the devices.
  • Other actions may be initiated together with the alert, including unlocking of a vehicle associated with the third device (surveillance zone device) or activation of climate control in a vehicle associated with the third device (surveillance zone device).
  • the monitored device is associated with an entity such as a child (for instance, as part of a wearable item worn by the child).
  • the supervisor device is associated with a parent or guardian of the child (for instance, the smartphone belonging to the parent or guardian).
  • the surveillance zone device is associated with a surveilled area, such as the interior of a vehicle (for instance, being part of the vehicle anti-theft system or navigation system).
  • the method may be used to prevent forgotten baby syndrome, such that an alert is sent (perhaps to the supervisor device) in the event that the monitored device (associated with the child) remains within a first surveillance zone (within the car interior) whilst the supervisor device (associated with the parent or guardian) is determined to have left a second surveillance zone (being the same as the first surveillance zone, or being a zone that has a slightly larger area and having its boundary a short distance (i.e. 1 metre) from the car interior).
  • the first and second surveillance zones could be defined around a third device which is attachable by a user to a fixed point (such as a beach umbrella on a beach).
  • the monitored device may be associated with, or attached to, a valuable item such as a wallet.
  • the supervisor device may be associated with the owner of the monitored device (for example, being the smartphone of the owner of the monitored entity).
  • the method further comprises:
  • the set of conditions is a first set of conditions
  • the method further comprises:
  • the set of conditions may be a first set of conditions, and the method may further comprise:
  • the method further comprises:
  • the set of conditions is a first set of conditions, and the method further comprises:
  • the alert is initiated if both the first device (monitored device) and the second device (supervisor device) have left their respective surveillance zones, and in addition, the separation between the first device (monitored device) and the second device (supervisor device) suggests that the first and second device have not left their respective surveillance zones together.
  • the separation of the first wireless device (monitored device) and the second wireless device (supervisor device) is considered in relation to a third zone defined with respect to the second wireless device.
  • the third zone extends contiguously from the second wireless device, so the second wireless device is within or on the boundary of the third zone.
  • the third zone is not remote from the second wireless device.
  • the boundary or perimeter of the third zone is not necessarily equidistant to the second wireless device at all points on the boundary. However, the boundary or perimeter of the third zone around the second wireless device may be equidistant, such that the second wireless device is a centre point of the third zone.
  • the method further comprises:
  • Whether a set of conditions has been met depends on the separation between the first, second and/or third devices. Any measure indicative of the extent of separation could be used. In one example, the extent of separation could be indicated by whether a wireless connection is made between two devices (in other words, whether the devices are within the each other's wireless range). In another example, a distance (or an indication of distance, such as signal power) is used as a measurement or indication of the separation between two of the devices, and this is then compared to a threshold to determine if the device is within its zone and so the prescribed conditions are met.
  • the first wireless device being inside the first zone defined with respect to the third wireless device comprises the first wireless device and the third wireless device being wirelessly connected;
  • determining whether a set of conditions is met comprises determining whether the first wireless device and the third wireless device are wirelessly connected, and/or determining whether the second wireless device and the third wireless device are wirelessly connected, and/or determining whether the first wireless device and the second wireless device are wirelessly connected.
  • the method may determine whether two of the first, second or third device are wirelessly connected.
  • the wireless connection is a connection via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ultra-wide-band technologies, or any other type of wireless communications technology or wireless telecommunication mechanism.
  • the wireless communications technology has a reception range, defining an area in which the wireless connection can be made around the device.
  • the first wireless device being inside the first zone defined with respect to the third wireless device comprises the first wireless device and the third wireless device being spaced apart by at most a first threshold separation;
  • the separation may be any indication of the extent of separation, including a measurement of the distance between two devices, or another indicator related to the distance (such as the strength of a signal passed between two devices).
  • the threshold separation will be a threshold associated with the type of indication of the extent of separation that is determined.
  • the method may further comprise:
  • the first wireless device, the second wireless device and/or third wireless device are connected to a telecommunications network, and determining whether a set of conditions is met comprises the telecommunications network comparing location data for the first wireless device, the second wireless device and/or the third wireless device.
  • the devices are connected to a telecommunications network, and the separation can be determined by the telecommunications network identifying the location of each device and so determining the distance between devices.
  • the determination of the separation may take place at an entity or controller within the network, or a group of entities within the network, and then transmitted or sent to one of the first, second or third devices, or a controller associated with and/or local to the first, second or third devices.
  • the step of determining whether the conditions are met could take place at the network entity in the telecommunications network, or at the controller associated with and/or local to the first, second or third device.
  • one of the first wireless device, second wireless device and/or third wireless device is connected to a telecommunications network, and initiating the alert comprises sending an alert message via the telecommunications network to at least one of the first wireless device, the second wireless device and/or the third wireless device.
  • the alert may be an SMS or IMS message, or another notification sent via the telecommunications network.
  • initiating an alert may further comprise sending an alert message via the telecommunications network to a further device that is not the first, second or third wireless device.
  • At least one of the first wireless device, second wireless device and/or third wireless device comprises a transceiver, and initiating the alert comprises one of the first, second or third wireless device sending an alert message to at least one other of the first, second or third wireless device.
  • the alert message could be made directly via a wireless communications technology such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or ultra-wide-band.
  • initiating an alert comprises activating an alarm or sending a notification.
  • the alarm may be sounded at one or more of the first, second or third wireless device.
  • the alarm may be sounded at another entity directly connected to one or more of the first, second or third wireless device, or connected via a telecommunications network.
  • Initiating an alert may comprise sending a message or notification to any one of the first, second, or third wireless device, or another device.
  • Initiating an alert may also comprise other actions, including activating air conditioning within a surveillance zone associated with the third device (such as the first or second zone), unlocking access doors to allow access to a surveillance zone (for example, where the method is used to prevent forgotten child syndrome), or locking access doors to prevent access to a zone (for example, where the method is used to prevent theft of an unattended valuable object).
  • a surveillance zone associated with the third device such as the first or second zone
  • unlocking access doors to allow access to a surveillance zone for example, where the method is used to prevent forgotten child syndrome
  • locking access doors to prevent access to a zone (for example, where the method is used to prevent theft of an unattended valuable object).
  • each of the first, second and third device comprise a transceiver.
  • Each of the first second or third device may be a mobile device, beacon for wireless communication, tablet or other wireless device.
  • the second wireless device comprises a plurality of second wireless devices
  • the step of determining whether a set of conditions is met comprises determining whether the set of conditions is met for each one of the plurality of second wireless devices; and wherein if the set of conditions is met for every second wireless device of the plurality of second wireless devices, then initiating the alert.
  • the first wireless device comprises a plurality of first wireless devices
  • the step of determining whether a set of conditions is met comprises determining whether the set of conditions is met for each one of the plurality of first wireless devices; and wherein if the set of conditions is met for any one first wireless device of the plurality of first wireless devices, then initiating the alert.
  • an alert may be issued if any one of the first devices (monitored devices) leaves the first surveillance zone whilst the second device(s) (supervisor device(s)) remain within the second surveillance zone, then an alert may be issued.
  • an alert may be issued if any one first device (monitored device) is outside of the first surveillance zone whilst also being separated from any one second device (supervisor device) by more than a threshold separation.
  • a plurality of first wireless devices and a plurality of second wireless devices may be used.
  • the first surveillance zone is the same as or overlapping with the second surveillance zone.
  • the first surveillance zone is entirely inside (or concentric with) the second surveillance zone.
  • at least the third device is located within both the first and the second surveillance zone.
  • a controller or a controlling apparatus for controlling a system for indicating excessive separation between a first wireless device and a second wireless device, the controller in communication with the first wireless device, the second wireless device and a third wireless device, wherein the controller or controlling apparatus is configured to:
  • the first wireless device is a monitored device, associated with a monitored entity.
  • the second wireless device may be a supervisor device, associated with a supervisor or guardian of the monitored device.
  • the third wireless device may be a surveillance zone device, which is associated with a first and second surveillance zone.
  • the surveillance zones may be areas or regions defined with respect to the third wireless device.
  • the first zone defined for the first device may be different in size (and/or shape) than compared to the second zone defined for the second device.
  • the zones may be defined by a threshold distance, or may be determined by the presence or absence of a wireless connection between the given devices. An alert may be initiated if the monitored device is within its surveillance zone, whilst the supervisor device is outside of its surveillance zone.
  • controlling apparatus is configured to:
  • the set of conditions is a first set of conditions
  • the controlling apparatus is further configured to:
  • the set of conditions is a first set of conditions
  • the controlling apparatus is further configured to:
  • controlling apparatus is further configured to:
  • Various measures could be used to determine whether the first wireless device is within a first zone defined with respect to a third wireless device, whether the second wireless device is within a second zone defined with respect to a third wireless device, or whether the first wireless device is within a third zone defined with respect to a second wireless device. In some examples, this could be indicated by the presence or absence of a wireless connection between the given pairs of devices, wherein the zones relate to regions of wireless reception or coverage.
  • the controller may obtain an indication of the separation between the given devices (which could be a measure of distance, or another related indicator that is proportional to the distance) and then compare this to a threshold value associated with the separation. In this example, a threshold defines the boundary of a given surveillance zone.
  • the first wireless device being inside the first zone defined with respect to the third wireless device comprises the first wireless device and the third wireless device being wirelessly connected;
  • the wireless connection is a connection via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ultra-wide-band technologies, or any other wireless communications technology.
  • the wireless communications technology at a given device will have a range of reception, which would in turn define the respective zone.
  • the first wireless device being inside the first zone defined with respect to the third wireless device comprises the first wireless device and the third wireless device being spaced apart by at most a first threshold separation;
  • the method is further configured to:
  • the first wireless device, the second wireless device and/or the third wireless device are connected to a telecommunications network
  • the controlling apparatus being configured to determine whether a set of conditions is met comprises the telecommunications network comparing location data for the first wireless device, the second wireless device and/or third wireless device and receiving the results of this comparison at the controlling apparatus.
  • one of the first wireless device, second wireless device and/or third wireless device is connected to a telecommunications network, and the controlling apparatus being configured to initiate the alert comprises the controlling apparatus causing transmission of an alert message via the telecommunications network to at least one of the first wireless device, the second wireless device and/or the third wireless device.
  • At least one of the first wireless device, the second wireless device and/or the third wireless device comprises a transceiver, and the controlling apparatus being configured to initiate the alert comprises the controlling apparatus causing transmission of an alert message to at least one other of the first, the second or the third wireless device.
  • the second wireless device comprises a plurality of second wireless devices
  • the controlling apparatus being configured to determine whether a set of conditions is met comprises the controlling apparatus being configured to determine whether the set of conditions is met for each one of the plurality of second wireless devices; and wherein if the set of conditions is met for every second wireless device of the plurality of second wireless devices, then the controlling apparatus is configured to initiate the alert.
  • there are two or more second devices (supervisor devices) and an alert is raised if every one of the second devices (supervisor devices) is determined to be outside of the second zone defined with respect to the third device, whilst the first device (monitored device) remains within the first zone.
  • the first wireless device comprises a plurality of first wireless devices
  • the step of determining whether a set of conditions is met comprises determining whether the set of conditions is met for each one of the plurality of first wireless devices; and wherein if the set of conditions is met for any one first wireless device of the plurality of first wireless devices, then initiating the alert.
  • there are two or more first devices (monitored devices) and an alert is raised if any one of the first devices (monitored devices) is determined to be outside of the first zone defined with respect to the third device, whist the second device(s) (monitored device(s)) is determined to be within the second zone.
  • the controlling apparatus is configured to initiate the alert comprises the controlling apparatus being configure to activate an alarm or send a notification.
  • the controlling apparatus may activate or initiate an alarm at one or more of the first, second or third device, or at another device.
  • the controlling apparatus is integral to one of the first device (monitored device), second device (supervisor device) or third device (the surveillance zone device), or is a stand-alone entity.
  • the controlling apparatus could be located at a telecommunication network entity and connected to the first, the second and the third device via a telecommunications network.
  • the controlling apparatus may be a single network entity, or a group of network entities performing the described functions of the controlling apparatus.
  • a system for indicating excessive separation between a first wireless device and a second wireless device comprising:
  • the controlling apparatus is integrated into one of the first, second or third wireless device, or is a stand-alone entity.
  • the first, second or third wireless device each comprise any one of: a mobile telecommunications wireless device, a wearable wireless device, a wireless device embedded into another item, a wireless communications beacon.
  • the first, second and third wireless device may comprise a transceiver, with means for communication by wireless technologies.
  • the first wireless device, the second wireless device, and the third wireless device may be any type of device that allows wireless communication, at least with devices within a certain proximity of each other.
  • the first, second and third wireless device (which may be the monitored, the supervisor, and the surveillance zone device, respectively) are each any one of: a mobile device, a wearable device, a device embedded into another entity.
  • the first, second or third wireless device could be embedded into a vehicle navigation or anti-theft system, or embedded into a child car seat.
  • a computer-readable medium carrying a computer program comprising program instructions that, when executed on a computer cause the computer to perform the method as described above.
  • the computer program when executed on a mobile device, may comprise an application for carrying out the described method.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a system comprising a first wireless device 30, a second wireless device 20, a third wireless device 10 and a controller (or controlling apparatus) 40. At least the first 30 and third 10, and the second 20 and third 10 wireless devices are capable of wireless communication with each other.
  • the controller 40 is in communication with all of the first 30, second 20 and third 10 wireless devices.
  • the first wireless device 30 may be considered or denoted a monitored device (M), associated with a monitored entity
  • the second wireless device 20 may be considered or denoted a supervisor device (S), associated with a caretaker or guardian of the monitored entity
  • the third wireless device 10 may be considered or denoted a surveillance zone device (Z) for defining a surveillance zone. This denotation is used within the description of the illustrative examples of the invention, as described below.
  • the controller 40 is integrated or embedded within the surveillance zone device 10. Both the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30 are each in communication with the controller 40 at the surveillance zone device 10.
  • Each of the monitored device 30, supervisor device 20 and surveillance zone device 10 are wireless devices and comprise a transceiver.
  • the devices may be a mobile device (such as a smartphone or tablet), or may be a wearable device having a wireless beacon (such as a smart watch, smart bracelet or smart dongle).
  • the devices (in particular the monitored device 30) may be embedded in an item of clothing, or another item (such as a child seat).
  • the device (in particular the surveillance zone device 10) could be embedded in another piece of hardware (such as a vehicle navigation system, vehicle alarm system or another item within a vehicle control system).
  • the devices may communicate with each other using any suitable wireless telecommunications technologies, or a mix of wireless telecommunications technologies, including but not limited to Bluetooth TM , ultra-wide-broad and Wi-fi TM ,
  • the supervisor device 20 is intended to be carried by a guardian or caretaker of a monitored entity.
  • the supervisor device 20 is configured to transmit or receive an identification signal that, after evaluation by the surveillance zone device 10, will allow the controller to determine or obtain information on the presence or absence of the supervisor device in a surveillance zone, to provide information on the proximity of the supervisor device to the surveillance zone device 10 and/or to the monitored device 30.
  • the supervisor device 20 may be a stand-alone device (such as a wireless communication beacon, for instance a Bluetooth or ultra-wide bandwidth beacon) or it may be a function performed by the guardian or caretaker's smartphone or mobile device (used as a wireless communication beacon, for instance a Wi-fi TM , Bluetooth or ultra-wide bandwidth beacon controlled by a specific application at the mobile device).
  • a wireless communication beacon for instance a Bluetooth or ultra-wide bandwidth beacon
  • a wireless communication beacon for instance a Wi-fi TM , Bluetooth or ultra-wide bandwidth beacon controlled by a specific application at the mobile device.
  • the monitored device 30 is configured to be carried by or associated with the monitored entity, such as an individual (or object) that requires supervision.
  • the monitored device 30 is configured to transmit an identification signal that, after evaluation by the surveillance zone device 10 (and/or, in other examples, by the supervisor device 20), will allow the controller to obtain notification or information of the monitored device's presence within a surveillance zone, and/or determine its proximity to other devices.
  • the monitored device may be a wireless communication beacon, for instance a Wi-fi RTM , Bluetooth RTM or ultra-wide-band beacon.
  • the surveillance zone device 10 can be positioned in a location or area at which monitoring is required (for example, in a vehicle) in order to establish one or more surveillance zones or "safety bubbles" for the monitored 30 and supervisor 20 devices.
  • the surveillance zone device 10 is configured to determine the virtual perimeter of the surveillance zones.
  • the surveillance zone device 10 may be a stand-alone device (for example, wireless communications beacon, such as a Bluetooth, Wi-fi TM or ultra-wide-band beacon) or could be integrated with other hardware (such as a vehicle's anti-theft alarm or telematics box in the illustrative example).
  • the controller 40 comprises a processor, configured to acquire, obtain or determine information on the proximity of each of the supervisor device 20, the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 to each other.
  • the controller may receive information on whether a wireless connection is made between any two of the monitored device 30, the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10.
  • the controller 40 may calculate separations based on parameters provided by each device, or may be provided with relevant values directly by the devices.
  • the controller 40 may receive a parameter other than a location or a measure of distance to determine an extent of separation, for instance a measure that has a known relationship with distance (such as signal strength), in order to determine the separation between devices.
  • the controller 40 is also configured to process the obtained or determined information, in order to determine if certain conditions are met. If certain conditions are met, the controller may generate an alert (for example, sound an alarm or send a mobile phone notification) and/or may initiate another action (for instance, unlocking of the doors or turning on temperature controls within the surveillance zone).
  • FIGURES 2 and 3 Methods according to the flow diagrams shown at FIGURES 2 and 3 can be implemented at the system of FIGURE 1 .
  • the methods of FIGURES 2 and 3 can be used to monitor whether a supervisor device 20 (associated with a guardian or caretaker, such as a parent) leaves a surveillance zone, whilst a monitored device 30 (associated with a monitored entity, such as a child) remains inside the surveillance zone.
  • the described example method may be particularly useful for preventing forgotten baby syndrome - where a baby or toddler is inadvertently left in a vehicle by a carer or guardian.
  • the system is idle 210.
  • the surveillance zone device 10 may make a wireless connection 212 (and subsequently lose a connection 214) with the supervisor device 20 only, and still remain in the idle mode 210.
  • a wireless connection may be considered to have been made if a wireless connection of a particular type (for instance including but not limited to Bluetooth, WiFi and ultra-broad-band) is established that is capable for use in communication or exchange of information.
  • a wireless connection of a particular type for instance including but not limited to Bluetooth, WiFi and ultra-broad-band
  • a wireless connection of a particular type for instance including but not limited to Bluetooth, WiFi and ultra-broad-band
  • a wireless connection of a particular type (for instance including but not limited to Bluetooth, WiFi and ultra-broad-band) is established that is capable for use in communication or exchange of information.
  • the supervisor device 20 is considered to be inside its surveillance zone defined with respect to the surveillance zone device 10, but if a wireless connection is not made between these two devices, then the supervisor device 20 is considered to be outside its surveillance zone.
  • the establishment or otherwise of a wireless connection provides a binary (inside/outside) indication of whether a device (in this example, the supervisor device 20) is in its surveillance zone defined with respect to the surveillance zone device 10.
  • the surveillance zone device 10 makes a wireless connection (according to the description above) to both the supervisor device 20 and to the monitored device 30 simultaneously 216, then the system switches to a monitoring mode 220. For instance, when the monitored device 30 and the supervisor device 20 each move within signal range of the surveillance zone device 10 then a wireless connection is made. In the illustrative example where the surveillance zone (for both the monitored device 30 and supervisor device 20) is within a vehicle, then this indicates the parent or guardian associated with a supervisor device 20 and a child associated with a monitored device 30 have entered the vehicle. Thus monitoring should begin.
  • the system continues in the monitoring state 220 until or unless further conditions are met.
  • the system remains in the monitoring state 220 whilst both the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 10 are within their surveillance zones, and so a wireless connection between each of these devices and the surveillance zone device is maintained.
  • the system periodically confirms that the surveillance zone device 10 and the supervisor device 20, and the surveillance zone device 10 and the monitored device 30, are wirelessly connected. Although periodic determination of these parameters may also take place in the idle mode 210, the period of time between each determination in the idle mode 210 will be less than in the monitoring mode 220 (such that much more frequent determinations are made in the monitoring mode 220).
  • a wireless connection between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is lost 218, or if the connection between the surveillance zone device 10 and both of the monitored device 30 and the supervisor device 20 are lost 218, then the system returns to the idle state 210.
  • these conditions assume that either the monitored device 30 (associated with a child) or the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30 (associated with the guardian and the child, respectively) have exited the vehicle. Therefore, safety related to the child being left in the vehicle is no longer of concern, and so monitoring is no longer required.
  • the system moves to a pre-alert state 230.
  • the supervisor device 20 for instance, associated with the parent or guardian
  • the monitored device 30 for instance, associated with the child
  • the pre-alert state 230 is a state activated in the system prior to an alert being sent. Activation of a pre-alert state 230 begins a short, predefined time interval t. During the pre-alert state 230 the system continues to monitor the separation of the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30 to the surveillance zone device 10 by determining whether a wireless connection is made between the surveillance zone device 10 and each of the monitored 30 and supervisor 20 devices.. During the predefined time interval, t, the presence or absence of a connection may be determined more frequently than during the monitoring state 220, or at the same frequency (or simply at the beginning and end of the predefined time interval, t, only).
  • the use of the pre-alert state 230 avoids excessive false alerts, as it allows determination whether the supervisor device 20 has left its surveillance zone for a sustained period of time.
  • the predefined time interval t must therefore be chosen appropriately, so as to minimise false alerts, but without leaving the monitored device 30 (and associated child or other entity) alone in its surveillance zone for too extended a period.
  • the predefined time interval t may be 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 60 seconds, 120 seconds or 300 seconds.
  • An alert 240 that is initiated may take various forms.
  • the alert 240 is a notification (such as a screen notification or text-based message via IMS or SMS) to the supervisor device 20.
  • the alert could be a telephone call, screen notification or text-based message to a nominated smartphone or other mobile device (and which is not necessarily the same as the supervisor device 20).
  • the system could instead or additionally activate an alarm at the surveillance zone device 10 (which could be connected to a vehicle alarm, for instance).
  • the alert could further initiate other actions, for instance unlocking access to a surveillance zone (i.e. unlocking a vehicle) or turning on air conditioning or temperature controls in a surveillance zone.
  • the system in the idle state 210 makes a wireless connection with the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 (without also making a wireless connection between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10) 222 then the system is moved directly to the pre-alert state 230.
  • this could indicate that a child associated with the monitored device 30 has been placed in the vehicle by a person not associated with the supervisor device 20, so the child appears to be left unattended.
  • FIGURE 3 A second example of a method that can be implemented at the system of FIGURE 1 is shown in FIGURE 3 .
  • the surveillance zone device 10 may make a connection 242 (and subsequently lose a connection 244) with the supervisor device 20 only, but remain in the idle mode 210.
  • a connection is considered to have been made if the extent of separation (shown in FIGURE 3 as d(SZ) ) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is determined at the controller to be less than or equal to a first threshold T 1 .
  • d(SZ) the extent of separation between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is determined at the controller to be less than or equal to a first threshold T 1 .
  • the separation is measured or determined as a distance and the first threshold T 1 is a first threshold distance.
  • the separation could be any measure indicative of the spacing between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 (such as a measurement of signal strength, which is related to distance).
  • the measure of separation can be determined by parameters obtainable via any wireless communication technologies, for instance Bluetooth, ultra-wide-band or WiFi.
  • the system switches to a monitoring mode 220.
  • the separations d(SZ) and d(MZ) are distances obtainable via wireless technologies (although other indications for the amount of separation could be used), and the first threshold T 1 and second threshold T 2 are threshold distances.
  • the first threshold T 1 and second threshold T 2 may be the same, or different. In the previous illustrative example, this set of conditions might be met if a parent (carrying the supervisor device 20) and a child (carrying, wearing or associated with the monitored device 30) enter a surveillance zone defined within a vehicle interior with respect to the surveillance zone device. Thus, the monitoring state 220 is initialised.
  • connection with the monitored device 30 is lost 248, or if the connections with the monitored device 30 and with the supervisor device 20 are lost 248, then the system returns to the idle state 210.
  • the loss of connection with a device is measured according to the separation between either the supervisor device 20 or monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 and comparison with a respective threshold distance.
  • the system returns to an idle mode 210 from the monitoring mode 220 when the separation between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 (shown in FIGURE 3 as d(MZ) ) is determined at the controller to be less than or equal to a second threshold T 2 , or that the separation between the monitored device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 (shown in FIGURE 3 as d(MZ) ) is determined at the controller to be less than or equal to a second threshold T 2 , as well as the separation between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 (shown in FIGURE 3 as d(SZ) ) is determined at the controller to be less than or equal to a first threshold T 1 .
  • the separation d(MZ) and d(SZ) are distances and the first threshold T 1 and second threshold T 2 are threshold distances.
  • the system remains in the monitoring state 220 whilst both the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 10 are within their respective surveillance zones.
  • the system periodically determines the separation between the surveillance zone device 10 and the supervisor device 20, and between the surveillance zone device 10 and the monitored device 30. Although periodic determination of these parameters may also take place in the idle mode 210, the period of time between measurements of the separation will be less in the monitoring mode 220 (such that much more frequent determinations are made in the monitoring mode 220 than the idle mode 210).
  • the surveillance zone device 10 In the event that the surveillance zone device 10 loses connection 254 with the supervisor device 20 (whilst maintaining connection with the monitored device 30), the system moves to the pre-alert state 230 (as described in more detail above). In practice, the surveillance zone device 10 is considered to lose connection 254 with the supervisor device 20 when it is determined that the separation between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than the first threshold T 1 .
  • the extent of separation in this case is a measure of the distance d(SZ) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10, and the first threshold T 1 is a first threshold distance.
  • this set of conditions would align with the supervisor device 20 (for instance, associated with a guardian) leaving the surveillance zone (for instance the interior of a vehicle) whilst the monitored device 30 (for instance, associated with a child) is still within the surveillance zone. Therefore this set of conditions could indicate that a parent or guardian has left the child in the vehicle unattended.
  • the extent of separation d(SZ) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 and the extent of separation d(MZ) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is determined once again. If the extent of separation d(SZ) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is still greater than the first threshold T 1 , and also the extent of separation d(MZ) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is still less than or equal to the second threshold T 2 , an alert 240 is initiated. In the illustrative example, this could indicate that the child associated with the monitored device 30 has been left in the surveillance zone (i.e.
  • the alert 240 that is initiated may take various forms.
  • the alert 240 is a notification (such as a screen notification or text-based message via IMS or SMS) to the supervisor device 20.
  • the pre-alert state 230 is deactivated 256, and the system returns to a monitoring state 220. For instance, in the illustrative example this could occur if the parent or guardian carrying the supervisor device 20 has returned to a vehicle comprising the surveillance zone defined with respect to the surveillance zone device 10.
  • the system is returned 252 to the idle state 210. For instance, in the illustrative example this could indicate that the child associated with monitored device 30 has been removed from the vehicle during the predefined time interval t associated with the pre-alert stage 230.
  • the system in the idle state 210 identifies the extent of separation d(MZ) of the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to the second threshold T 2 (whilst the extent of separation d(SZ) of the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is also greater than the first threshold T 1 ) then the system is moved directly to the pre-alert state 230. According to the illustrative example, this could occur if a child associated with the monitored device 30 has been placed in the vehicle by a person not associated with the supervisor device 20, so the child appears to be left unattended.
  • FIGURES 1 , 2 and 3 could be implemented as a safety system to prevent leaving an unattended child in a vehicle.
  • the surveillance zone device 10 may be installed at the vehicle dashboard, and in some circumstances may be incorporated into the vehicle's own software.
  • FIGURE 4 shows two configurations when the system is used to improve the safety of a child transported in a vehicle.
  • the separation (distance d(SZ) ) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a first threshold, T 1 .
  • the separation (distance d(MZ) ) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is also less than or equal to a second threshold, T 2 .
  • both the parent and child have entered and are inside a vehicle 50 housing the majority of their respective surveillance zones, defined with respect to surveillance zone 10.
  • the system has automatically been moved to a monitoring state 220, although a pre-alert state 230 has not be triggered.
  • the separation (distance d(SZ) ) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than the first threshold, T 1 .
  • the separation (distance d(MZ) ) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 remains less than or equal to the second threshold, T 2 .
  • the system is moved to a pre-alert state 230 when it is first determined that the distance d(SZ) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is more than the first threshold, T 1 . If these conditions continue after a predefined time interval t , then an alert 240 will be issued. These conditions could align with the parent or guardian associated with the supervisor device 20 having exited their surveillance zone associated with the vehicle 50, leaving the child (associated with monitored device 30) inside.
  • FIGURE 5 shows an alternative example of a system for monitoring excessive separation between a second and third device.
  • FIGURE 5 shows a system comprising a first wireless device 30, a second wireless device 20, a third wireless device 10 and a controller (or controlling apparatus) 40.
  • the first wireless device 30 may be considered or denoted a monitored device, M, associated with a monitored entity.
  • the second wireless device 20 may be considered or denoted a supervisor device, S, associated with the caretaker or guardian of the monitored entity.
  • the third wireless device 10 may be considered or denoted a surveillance zone device, Z, around which a surveillance zone is defined. Again, this denotation is used within the description of the system and method below.
  • the controller 40 is configured to control the described system (and to perform the described method) and is integrated into the supervisor device 20.
  • the supervisor device 20 could be a smartphone, executing an application at the control unit of the smartphone.
  • the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30 are each in wireless communication with the surveillance zone device 10, and furthermore are in wireless communication with each other. Wireless communication may take place via any wireless technology, or by different wireless technology between pairs of devices.
  • the system can be used to improve the safety of a child within a vehicle, in particular for prevention of forgotten baby syndrome.
  • the surveillance zone device 10 may be mounted within the vehicle or form part of the car control system of anti-theft alarm
  • the supervisor unit 20 could be incorporated into a mobile device (such as a smartphone or tablet) carried by a parent or guardian
  • the monitored device 30 could be a wearable beacon worn or associated with the child.
  • the system could be used in any other application where a supervisor or guardian wishes to define a surveillance zone, and to monitor their separation from a monitored entity (such as a child or a valuable item) within the surveillance zone.
  • a monitored entity such as a child or a valuable item
  • the system and method will be discussed with reference to an illustrative example application in which the surveillance zone device 10 is attached to a beach umbrella, to set up a surveillance zone for the monitored device 30 (and the supervisor device 20) around the beach umbrella.
  • the supervisor device 20 is associated with a parent or guardian who wishes to supervise or monitor a child (primarily in the surveillance zone) associated with the monitored device 30.
  • the system and method is not intended to be limited to this illustrative example.
  • FIGURE 6 shows a process diagram for an example method executed at the controller 40 of the system shown in FIGURE 5 , in which the controller 40 is integrated into the supervisor device 20.
  • the monitored device 30 or the surveillance zone device 10 is capable of determining a measure of the separation between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10, and then providing or transmitting this measure of separation to be received by the controller 40 at the supervisor device 20.
  • the method of FIGURE 6 is shown as considering a measure of separation to a threshold in order to determine if a device is inside or outside of its surveillance zone, a binary consideration of whether a wireless connection has been made (as discussed above with respect to the method of FIGURE 2 ) could instead be used to determine whether a device is inside or outside of its surveillance zone.
  • the system begins in an idle mode 210.
  • the controller 40 may periodically transmit and receive signals from the surveillance zone device 10 and the monitored device 30, in order to obtain or determine information on the separation between each of the surveillance zone device 10, the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30.
  • the system moves 266 to a monitoring state 220.
  • these conditions indicate that the supervisor device 20 (associated with the parent or guardian) and the monitored device 30 (associated with the child) have moved into their surveillance zone around the surveillance zone device 10 (defined as an area around the surveillance device attached to a beach umbrella), and so the separation monitoring should begin.
  • this step 266 of moving into the monitoring state 220 is optional, as the system could be activated directly into the monitoring state 220 by a user via the controller 40.
  • a parent or guardian could activate the monitoring state 220 via an application running at the supervisor device 20.
  • the controller 40 will periodically transmit and receive signals from the surveillance zone device 10 and a monitored device 30.
  • the transmission and receipt may take place with greater frequency in the monitoring state 220 than in the idle state 210.
  • the system continues in the monitoring state 220 whilst the same conditions persist (in other words, whilst the extent of separation (distance d(SZ)) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a first threshold T 1 , the extent of separation (distance d(MZ)) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a second threshold T 2 , then the monitoring state 220 continues).
  • the monitoring state 220 would continue whilst the supervisor device 20 associated with the parent and guardian and the monitored device 30 associated with the child are inside the perimeter of their surveillance zone defined around the beach umbrella to which the surveillance zone device 10 is attached.
  • the controller 40 determines a determination that one or both of the supervisor 20 and monitored 30 device(s) leave their surveillance area, then the system leaves the monitoring state 220. For instance, under a particular set of conditions 272, the controller 40 obtains a determination that the separation (distance d(SZ)) between a supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 has exceeded a first threshold T 1 . The controller also obtains a determination that the separation (distance d(MZ)) between a monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a second threshold T 2 . In this way, according to the illustrative example, the system determines the parent or carer associated with the supervisor device 20 has left the child associated with the monitored device 30 alone in their surveillance zone. Consequently, the system moves to a pre-alert state 230.
  • the controller 40 obtains a determination that the separation (distance d(SZ)) between a supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a first threshold T 1 .
  • the controller 40 also obtains a determination that the separation (distance d(MZ)) between a monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 has exceeded a second threshold T 2 .
  • the system determines that the child associated with the monitored device 30 has left their surveillance zone, although the parent or guardian associated with supervisor device 20 remains within their surveillance zone. Consequently, the system moves to a pre-alert state 230.
  • the controller 40 obtains a determination that the separation (distance d(SZ)) between a supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than a first threshold T 1 .
  • the controller 40 also obtains a determination that the separation (distance d(MZ)) between a monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than a second threshold T 2 . According to the illustrative example, this indicates both the parent or guardian associated with the supervisor device 20 and the child associated with the monitored device 30 have left their surveillance zone.
  • the system proceeds to obtain a determination of the separation (distance d(SM)) between the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30.
  • this separation (distance d(SM)) is greater than a third threshold T 3 , then the system moves from the monitoring state 220 to the pre-alert state 230.
  • these conditions indicate that both the parent or guardian associated with the supervisor device 20 and the child associated with the monitored device 30 have left their surveillance zone, and that they do not appear to have done so together.
  • the controller 40 obtains a determination that the separation (distance d(SZ)) between a supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is more than a first threshold T 1 , and that that the separation (distance d(MZ)) between a monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 has exceeded a second threshold T 2 , whilst also that the separation (distance d(SM) ) between the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30 is less than or equal to a third threshold T 3 , then the system moves from the monitoring state 220 back to the idle state 210.
  • this set of conditions indicates that although both the parent or guardian associated with the supervisor device 20 and the child associated with the monitored device 30 have left their surveillance zone, they have done so together (and so it can be assumed the child is still being supervised).
  • the system When in the pre-alert state 230 the system allows a predefined time interval t to elapse. During this time, the controller may continue to obtain determination of the separation between each of the devices. If, after elapse of the predefined time interval t the controller determines the separation between each of the surveillance zone device 10, the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30 still fall within one of the sets of conditions described above described for entry to the pre-alert state 230, then the system will this time proceed to initiate an alert 240.
  • the alert 240 may be an alarm sounded at the supervisor device 20, for example. Alternatively, the alert may be a telephone call or text notification to a nominated device (such as the supervisor device 20).
  • the controller 40 obtains a determination 274 that the separation (distance d(SZ)) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a first threshold T 1 , as well as receiving a determination that the separation (distance d(MZ)) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a second threshold T 2 , the system reverts back to a monitoring state 220. In the illustrative example, this would be the case if both the parent or guardian associated with the supervisor device 20 and the child associated with the monitored device 30 move back inside their surveillance zone, and so no alert is necessary.
  • a further possibility is that, whilst the system is in the pre-alert stage 230, the controller 40 obtains a determination 268 that although the separation (distance d(SZ)) between a supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is more than a first threshold T 1 , and the separation (distance d(MZ)) between a monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone 10 device is more than a second threshold T 2 , also the separation (distance d(SM)) between the supervisor device 20 and monitored device 30 is less than or equal to a third threshold T 3 .
  • the system moves from a pre-alert state 230 back to the idle state 210 .
  • this might indicate that both the parent or guardian associated with the supervisor device 20 and the child associated with the monitored device 30 have left their surveillance zone, but are still in close proximity to each other.
  • FIGURE 7 illustrates various scenarios for the system and method of FIGURE 5 and 6 , respectively.
  • the system is in a monitoring state 220.
  • the separation (distance d(SZ)) of the supervisor device 20 from the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a first threshold T 1
  • the separation (distance d(MZ)) of the monitored device 30 from the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a second threshold T 2 .
  • second threshold T 2 represents a shorter distance than first threshold T 1
  • the surveillance zone for the parent or guardian associated with the supervisor device 20 is a larger area than the surveillance zone for the child associated with the monitored device 30.
  • FIGURE 7(b) illustrates the scenario in which a set of conditions for entering the pre-alert state, as described above, is met.
  • the separation (distance d(SZ)) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than a first threshold T 1
  • the separation (distance d(MZ)) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to the second threshold T 2 .
  • the parent or guardian associated with the supervisor device 20 appears to have left their assigned surveillance zone, but leaving the child associated with the monitored device 30 within their surveillance zone. Therefore, the pre-alert state 230 is initiated. If the conditions remain unchanged, then an alert 240 will be initiated after elapse of a predetermined time interval t .
  • FIGURE 7(c) illustrates the scenario in which another of the sets of conditions for entering the pre-alert state, as described above, is met.
  • the separation (distance d(SZ) ) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a first threshold T 1
  • the separation (distance d(MZ)) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than the second threshold T 2 .
  • the pre-alert state 230 is initiated. If the conditions remain unchanged after elapse of a predetermined time interval t , then an alert 240 will be initiated.
  • FIGURE 7(d) illustrates the scenario in which another set of conditions for entering the pre-alert state, as described above, is met.
  • the separation (distance d(SZ)) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than a first threshold T 1
  • the separation (distance d(MZ)) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than the second threshold T 2
  • the separation (distance d(SM)) between the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30 also exceeds a third threshold T 3 .
  • the pre-alert state 230 is initiated. If the conditions remain unchanged after elapse of a predetermined time interval t , then an alert 240 will be initiated.
  • FIGURE 7(e) illustrates a further scenario in which a set of conditions set out above are met.
  • the separation (distance d(SZ)) between the supervisor device 20 and the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than a first threshold T 1
  • the separation (distance d(MZ)) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is also greater than the second threshold T 2 .
  • the separation (distance d(SM)) between the supervisor device 20 and the monitored device 30 is less than or equal to a third threshold T 3 .
  • the parent or guardian associated with the supervisor device 20 and the child associated with the monitored device 30 appear to have left their assigned surveillance zones together, and the pre-alert state 230 does not need be initiated. In fact, the system can return to the idle state 210, for instance to conserve power.
  • FIGURE 8 illustrates certain scenarios in which more than one supervisor device 20, or more than one monitored device 30, is used.
  • a first and second supervisor device 20 could be used, each associated with a different parent or guardian.
  • a plurality of monitored devices 30 could be used, each associated with one of a group of children.
  • FIGURE 8(a) illustrates a scenario in which a first 20a and a second 20b supervisor device is present, and a single monitored device 30.
  • the separation (distance d(MZ)) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to the second threshold T 2 .
  • the separation (distance d(S a Z)) of the first supervisor device 20a and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to the first threshold T 1 .
  • the separation (distance d(S b Z)) of the second supervision device 20b from the surveillance zone device 10 is greater than the first threshold T 1 .
  • the system remains in a monitoring state 220 (rather than moving to a pre-alert state 230), because at least one of the supervisor devices 20a, 20b meets the requirements for being within the surveillance zone together with the monitored device 30.
  • FIGURE 8(b) shows the same devices in an alternative configuration.
  • the separation (distance d(MZ)) between the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to the second threshold T 2 .
  • the separation (distances d(S a Z), d(S b Z)) of both the first 20a and the second 20b supervisor device is greater than the first threshold T 1 .
  • the system is moved to a pre-alert mode 230, and would initiate an alert 240 if the same conditions are met after elapse of a predefined time period t .
  • these conditions indicate that the monitored entity 30 is within the surveillance zone, but all of the supervisor devices 20a, 20b have left the surveillance zone, apparently leaving the entity associated with the monitored device 30 unattended.
  • FIGURE 8(c) shows a further scenario in which three monitored devices 30a, 30b, 30c are used, and a single supervisor device 20.
  • the separation (distance d(SZ)) of the supervisor device 20 from the surveillance zone device 10 is less than or equal to a first threshold T 1 (and so the supervisor device 20 is considered to be within its assigned surveillance zone).
  • Two of the monitored devices 30a, 30b are separated from the surveillance zone device by a distance d(M a Z), d(M b Z) less than or equal to the second threshold T 2 .
  • the separation (distance d(M c Z)) between the third monitored device 30c and the surveillance zone device 10 exceeds the second threshold T 2 .
  • the system moves from the monitoring state 220 to the pre-alert state 230.
  • An alert 240 will be issued if the same conditions persist after elapse of a predefined time period t .
  • FIGURE 9 shows a further example of the described system.
  • a surveillance zone device 10 and monitored device 30 are used.
  • a controller may be integrated into the surveillance zone device 10 in order to be able to perform the method.
  • This example of the system may monitor separation in order to issue an alert if a monitored device 30 enters a surveillance zone.
  • this system could be used for the purposes of maintaining social distancing, wherein the surveillance zone device associated with a user, and the monitored device is associated with another person from whom the user must maintain at least a particular distance.
  • the system is in the monitoring state 220.
  • a surveillance zone is established having a perimeter at a distance to the surveillance zone device 10 equal to a first threshold T 1 .
  • a monitored device 30 is separated from the surveillance zone device 10 by a separation (distance d(MZ)) greater than the first threshold T 1 , and so no action is taken.
  • the system remains in the monitoring state 220.
  • the system may move to a pre-alert state 230. If, after elapse of a predefined time period t, the separation (distance d(MZ)) of the monitored device 30 from the surveillance zone device 10 is still less than or equal to the first threshold T 1 , then an alert 240 can be initiated. Such an alert 240 may be an alarm sounded at the surveillance zone device 10, for instance.
  • both the monitored device 30 and the surveillance zone device 10 may be a smartphone executing a dedicated application. Any given mobile device may act as a surveillance zone device 10 or a monitored device 30, or a stand-alone beacon could be used as the monitored device 30.
  • the mobile device may provide the controller or control unit, as well as the wireless technology functions and acoustic warning means such as an alarm.
  • controller integrated into either the surveillance zone device 10, or the supervisor unit 20, it will be understood that the controller could be integrated into any of the devices, including the monitored device 30. Any of the devices could be provided as simple stand-alone wireless beacons, provided functionality is available across the devices to determine the separation between the required devices (or whether a wireless connection is made), and to transmit the determined separations to the controller.
  • the supervisor device is associated with a parent or guardian
  • the monitor devices is associated with a child
  • the monitored device may be associated with a valuable item or property, under the supervision of a caretaker associated with the supervisor device.
  • a preferred application of the described systems is within a vehicle (wherein the surveillance zone is housed within the vehicle) in order to provide a safety system for alert in the case of forgotten baby syndrome.
  • the system could be used in any application where supervision of a monitored entity within a surveillance zone is required.
  • surveillance zone device third wireless device
  • a plurality of surveillance zone devices could be used, which together could define the boundary of a surveillance zone. For instance, an alert could be initiated if a monitored device is wirelessly connected to at least one of the surveillance zone devices, but the supervisor device is not in wireless connection with any of the surveillance zone devices.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Maintenance And Management Of Digital Transmission (AREA)
EP22165412.2A 2021-03-31 2022-03-30 Trennungsüberwachungssystem, vorrichtung und verfahren Pending EP4068235A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102021000007958A IT202100007958A1 (it) 2021-03-31 2021-03-31 Separation monitoring system, apparatus and method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4068235A1 true EP4068235A1 (de) 2022-10-05

Family

ID=76375558

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22165412.2A Pending EP4068235A1 (de) 2021-03-31 2022-03-30 Trennungsüberwachungssystem, vorrichtung und verfahren

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4068235A1 (de)
IT (1) IT202100007958A1 (de)

Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5289163A (en) 1992-09-16 1994-02-22 Perez Carla D Child position monitoring and locating device
US5661460A (en) 1994-12-13 1997-08-26 Secure Technologies, Inc. Distance determination and alarm system
US6714132B2 (en) 2001-10-11 2004-03-30 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Self-activating system and method for alerting when an object or a person is left unattended
US20050040956A1 (en) 2003-08-05 2005-02-24 Allen Steven R. Separation alert system
US7408445B1 (en) 2005-02-23 2008-08-05 Bill Cunningham Proximity activated vehicle signaling system
US20110030607A1 (en) 2009-08-10 2011-02-10 Ocke Mannerfelt Marine Vessel with Extendable and Retractable Surface Effect Wings
US20150274036A1 (en) 2014-03-31 2015-10-01 Eli Arad Smart phone alert system for abandoned infants behind in seats vehicle
US20160193960A1 (en) 2015-01-02 2016-07-07 Voxx International Corporation System and method for providing alerts about a condition of a child car seat
US20160200248A1 (en) 2014-10-14 2016-07-14 Rajinder Singh Bluetooth low energy (btle) smart car seat alert system
US20160307426A1 (en) 2015-04-14 2016-10-20 Carlson DeAlmeida Barros BABYSTAR - Alert system for babies left unattended in a car
WO2016209349A1 (en) * 2015-06-25 2016-12-29 Intel Corporation Alerting on proximity of items
US20160379459A1 (en) * 2015-06-29 2016-12-29 Victor TRANG System, apparatus, and method of providing an alert for an infant in a car seat
WO2018104144A1 (en) * 2016-12-05 2018-06-14 Philips Lighting Holding B.V. Object for theft detection
WO2020212960A1 (en) * 2019-04-18 2020-10-22 Aubergine Factory S.R.L. Monitoring and signaling system and related method to prevent the abandonment of infants and/or pets in vehicles

Patent Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5289163A (en) 1992-09-16 1994-02-22 Perez Carla D Child position monitoring and locating device
US5661460A (en) 1994-12-13 1997-08-26 Secure Technologies, Inc. Distance determination and alarm system
US6714132B2 (en) 2001-10-11 2004-03-30 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Self-activating system and method for alerting when an object or a person is left unattended
US20040160320A1 (en) 2001-10-11 2004-08-19 Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Self-activating system and method for alerting when an object or a person is left unattended
US20050040956A1 (en) 2003-08-05 2005-02-24 Allen Steven R. Separation alert system
US7408445B1 (en) 2005-02-23 2008-08-05 Bill Cunningham Proximity activated vehicle signaling system
US20110030607A1 (en) 2009-08-10 2011-02-10 Ocke Mannerfelt Marine Vessel with Extendable and Retractable Surface Effect Wings
US20150274036A1 (en) 2014-03-31 2015-10-01 Eli Arad Smart phone alert system for abandoned infants behind in seats vehicle
US20160200248A1 (en) 2014-10-14 2016-07-14 Rajinder Singh Bluetooth low energy (btle) smart car seat alert system
US20160193960A1 (en) 2015-01-02 2016-07-07 Voxx International Corporation System and method for providing alerts about a condition of a child car seat
US20160307426A1 (en) 2015-04-14 2016-10-20 Carlson DeAlmeida Barros BABYSTAR - Alert system for babies left unattended in a car
WO2016209349A1 (en) * 2015-06-25 2016-12-29 Intel Corporation Alerting on proximity of items
US20160379459A1 (en) * 2015-06-29 2016-12-29 Victor TRANG System, apparatus, and method of providing an alert for an infant in a car seat
WO2018104144A1 (en) * 2016-12-05 2018-06-14 Philips Lighting Holding B.V. Object for theft detection
WO2020212960A1 (en) * 2019-04-18 2020-10-22 Aubergine Factory S.R.L. Monitoring and signaling system and related method to prevent the abandonment of infants and/or pets in vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT202100007958A1 (it) 2022-10-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10896595B2 (en) Temporary security bypass method and apparatus
US5621388A (en) System for monitoring and locating a person within a preselected distance from a base-station
US9792808B2 (en) Alert system with zoning using wireless portable detectors and a central station
EP3710851B1 (de) System und verfahren zur überwachung einer person
EP3734563B1 (de) Systeme und verfahren für stabile totmann-alarme
US20170061766A1 (en) Devices, systems, and methods for detecting falls
EP3208785B1 (de) Verfahren zum positionsbasierten bewusstsein von sicherheits-sensoren
WO2001009856A1 (en) System and method for monitoring spatial relationship between mobile objects
US20120046009A1 (en) Personal Emergency System for a Mobile Communication Device
CN113838264A (zh) 报警系统及报警方法
EP4068235A1 (de) Trennungsüberwachungssystem, vorrichtung und verfahren
KR101668655B1 (ko) 회원 단말기를 이용한 미아 찾기 시스템 및 방법
US10832509B1 (en) Systems and methods of a doorbell device initiating a state change of an access control device and/or a control panel responsive to two-factor authentication
US11688269B2 (en) Method and apparatus for detecting when a security system is armed and a mobile device is left inside
CN113763682A (zh) 终端的安全告警方法、移动设备、电子设备以及存储介质
WO2015004510A1 (en) A novel safe guard device as insurance for life
EP3227868B1 (de) Verfahren und system für beobachtung
WO2024057634A1 (ja) 通知システムおよび通知方法
KR20140008272A (ko) 착용형 위험 감지 장치 및 위험 고지 장치
WO2015187052A1 (ru) Система безопасности при сопровождении недееспособных или иных лиц
JP2007241826A (ja) 監視システム

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20230405

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230519