FR2719145A1 - Surveillance system of people on a site. - Google Patents

Abstract

System for monitoring people on a site comprising: - a plurality of portable radiofrequency transmitters (2), - at least one radiofrequency reception unit (4), - a central unit (1), - a plurality of beacons (3 ) distributed over the different areas (Z) of the site and each emitting infrared radiation (IR) carrying location information, allowing the central unit (1) to locate the person calling. Applications to the surveillance of residences for the elderly or to access control.

Description

The present invention relates to a system of

  monitoring of people on a site.

  The invention finds particular advantageous application: - to the surveillance of persons, in a medical or paramedical environment, - to the control of the access to zones whose access is regulated. There are already systems in place, such as seniors' residences, that allow residents to report to remote security personnel that they are in trouble. For this purpose, residents wear radio transmitters. A simple manual pressure on a control button triggers a signal

emergency radio frequency.

  Such systems, however, do not make it possible to locate the emergency call other than by a dialogue with the person who issues or by consulting a list associating with each resident one or more

places where he can be.

  A main object of the invention is to solve this problem. To this end, the invention proposes a system for monitoring people on a site comprising: a plurality of portable transmitters, each allocated to a person and capable of transmitting radio frequency radiation carrying information from it on command thereof; identification, - a central unit which is connected to the reception unit and which processes the information coming from the transmitters, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of beacons distributed over the various zones of the site and each emitting a carrier infrared radiation location information, the transmitters comprising means for receiving this infrared radiation and for retransmitting the location information received by the radiofrequency radiation emitted, this location information enabling the central unit to identify the zone o find the beacon whose calling sender has retransmitted the location information, and so of

locate the person calling.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will emerge again from the description which

  follows. This description is purely illustrative and not

  limiting. It should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 diagrammatically represents a senior citizen monitoring system according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 diagrammatically represents an access control system conforming to another mode of

embodiment of the invention.

  The monitoring system shown in Figure 1 is for example set up in a residence of elderly people. It includes a central unit 1, as well as medallions 2 worn by residents to watch. Each medallion 2 transmits radio frequency RF signals intended to be picked up by at least one reception unit 4, to which the central unit 1 is connected. Each zone Z of the monitored site is equipped with at least one beacon 3 emitting infrared coded infrared radiation intended to be received by the medallions 2. The code transmitted to the medallions 2 comprises in particular a code of

  location specific to each beacon 3.

  The information frame emitted by a medallion 2 in the direction of the reception unit 4 and the central unit 1 comprises in particular: the code of the transmitter (that is to say the identification of the person who calls); the type of call (emergency call - service call);

  - the last beacon code memorized by the medallion.

  The central unit 1 is connected to a unit 5 which is a transmitter with carrying currents, by which it communicates with the beacons 3. This unit 5 transmits on the network 7 of the site electrical distribution, coded frames conveyed by the currents carriers. In FIG. 1, the reference 6 schematically illustrates the power supply

  of the network 7 by the 220 V lines of the sector.

  The different elements of the system are now going

  be described in detail.

  The central unit 1 comprises a microcomputer 10 which manages the information received and transmitted.

  network, as well as a printer 11 connected to the micro-

computer 10.

  The links 12, 13 between the central unit 1, and the transmit and receive units 4 and 5 use means of the BATIBUS, RS 232, RS 485, current loop, etc. type. Referring to Figure 1 through 14 and the means of the units 4 and 5 which ensure the conversions, - the radio frequency signal into a binary signal transmitted by the link 12, - the binary signal transmitted by the link 13 into a

powerline signal.

  Beacons 3 are infrared emitters plugged into jacks 9 of the sector. They emit permanently in the infrared a code defining the place Z in which they are installed. They include means for programming the location code before putting the system into operation. The same tag 3 can thus be adapted to different places

installation.

  Thanks to the connection to the power supply network 7 of the site, the infrared emission power is important. The signals are emitted omnidirectionally and are received, either directly or indirectly by reflection on the walls and ceiling of the room, by any medallion receiver 2 located nearby. It will be noted that the IR signals have the essential characteristic of being stopped by the physical obstacles, and in particular by the walls and ceilings of the premises in which they are emitted, so that they are necessarily located, unlike radiofrequency radiations, which they go through

walls and ceilings.

  A tag 3 can be a simple tag that emits

  only its location code.

  A tag 3 may also include means for receiving the information conveyed by the sector 7 in the form of carrier currents and for

  transmission of this information to medallions 2.

  The information can be issued by the unit 5

  generally to all tags 3.

  When they receive information, the tags 3 modify their emission codes so as to reissue

  the information received for the medallions 2.

  The tags 3 can also be addressable individually by the unit 5. They comprise at this point

  effect a decoder of the frame received from the sector.

  The information received may then be: - either retransmitted to the medallion 2 which has just called and only to this one, the medallions 2 also including frame decoders; or only read by the beacon 3, the reception of the signal controlling, for example, the emission of an audible signal by the beacon 3 itself, this audible signal constituting an acknowledgment signal confirming to the resident who has called that his call has been received by the central unit 1. The information received by a beacon 3 can also control a mechanism, in the room Z where is the beacon 3, such as an opening

lock.

  The medallions 2, like the existing models, each comprise a unit 20 for transmitting coded radio frequency signal frames. The transmission is controlled by pressing a key 21a or 2lb or tearing of the holding strap 22. The key 21a triggers an emergency call signal; the key 21b

  triggers a service call signal.

  Each medallion 2 further comprises a reception unit 23 and storage means 24 in which the resident's identification is stored and

  the last location code received from a tag 3.

  Thus, a medallion 2 can always issue a location code, even if it is out of the field

issuing tags 3.

  Some transmitters may be particularized.

  In particular, the transmitter used by the surveillance intervention personnel may be a box 8 comprising a keyboard 8a and display means 8b allowing the surveillance personnel to

interact with the central unit 1.

  The housing 8 also has the same

  features that medallions 2.

  However, it is active only in case of use and always remains in the pocket, out of function. It is activated by push button. It then memorizes the code of the place in which it is located. Information is displayed on the screen 8b to indicate to the user that a location code transmitted by a beacon 3 has been received and that the transmitter unit 8 is ready for transmission

of a coded sequence.

  The code generated by the typing on the keyboard 8a is integrated into the general location and

  identification issued in radiofrequency.

  In the case of installations where the central unit 1 returns an acknowledgment signal to the transmitter 2 or 8 from which it receives a call, the sending of the radio frequency frame triggers for the box 8 an internal delay during which the reception the acknowledgment code (carried by an IR signal) triggers on said housing 8 a sound signal. After transmission of the radio frequency signal, or after a few minutes if the transmission has not been triggered, the power supply is interrupted and the site memory

reset.

  The keyboard 8a allows in particular the callers to be identified by particular codes transmitted

at the central unit 1.

  In return, the central unit 1 can transmit to the housing 8, via the tags 3, messages

viewed on screen 8b.

  The housing 8 may also include mobility sensors to protect the isolated personnel, this housing 8 emitting a particular code in case

prolonged immobilization.

  The number of reception units 4 depends on the importance and the topology of the place to be covered. The reception units 4 merely retransmit the information they receive. They can therefore be easily moved or their numbers modified, following

the evolution of the installation.

  The transmitter 5 with carrying currents is controlled

by the Central Unit 1.

  It may be of the general acknowledgment type, that is to say that it transmits the information it receives to all the beacons, the latter receiving and retransmitting all, by infrared emission, the code

  received in addition to their own location code.

  It can also be a coded transmitter, and send the information transmitted to it by the central unit

  on specific tags only.

  Application to surveillance in a residence

  for old people going now is described.

  No wiring required, the installation can be considered in new construction or on site

  occupied. The places can be equipped gradually.

  The type of tag can then always be

  modified to meet specific requirements.

  The tags 3 are simply plugged into power outlets 9 rooms, apartments, common areas and sites of passage of the site. The location codes of the tags 3 are programmed on them,

  when they are set up on the site.

  Note that since the location codes issued by the tags 3 are memorized successively by the medallions 2, a single tag 3 provides coverage of an apartment of several rooms if it has only one entry. This tag

  3 is then placed in the room overlooking this entrance.

  The medallion 2 of any resident in the apartment is necessarily passed in front of this tag

  3 and therefore bears the location code of said apartment.

  In case of a call from one of the other rooms (bedroom, shower room, wc), this is the code of the apartment

which is issued.

  Similarly, tags 3 spotting common rooms (library, dining room, TV room ...)

  are installed near the entrances.

  The presence of beacons 3 in the corridors, and especially in those leading to the outside allows in case of call to know the direction taken by

the person before his call.

  The commissioning of these beacons being done without wiring, the protection of the external zones is possible. Break points, summer garden, kiosk, ... can be equipped as well as the crossing points,

paths, crossings, portals ....

  On receipt of a call frame, the central unit 1 notifies the speaker of the place of call, the name of the caller and possibly prepares a record on this caller. This option is of interest in institutions where staff are new or acting and therefore do not personally know each resident's medical habits and problems. On site, the speaker, by typing a code on its case 8, simply pays the call if everything is in order or requires the intervention of a person

specific.

  In the case where the place of intervention is equipped with tags 3 with general acknowledgment, the speaker is informed by an audible signal emitted by the beacons or by its box 8, that his message has been taken into account by the CPU 1. The coding returned by the tags 3 on the housing 8 may correspond to an answer

  particular of the Central Unit 1.

  The principle of the acknowledgment by the staff of the calls received allows the central unit to record continuously: Name of the caller, place of call, type of call, time of call Name of the speaker, place of answer, type

  of acquittal, time of acquittal.

  It is important to ensure the proper functioning of medallions 2 worn by the residents. One solution is to have on a common passage (restaurant, TV room ...) display means such as a screen in the vicinity of a specific verification tag 3. The reception of a frame coming from this beacon 3 is recognized by the central unit 1 as a test and sends back on the screen a message addressed to the resident transmitter sending him

pointing out that everything is in order.

  In conjunction with the posting of this message, the unit

  central i updates an activity control file.

  The latter is also updated by all receptions, alarm or service received from all transmitters 2 and 8 on the site. The consultation of this file brings up the list of emitters 2 and 8 that have not issued for a certain time, for example

for 24 hours or 48 hours.

  In the case where no emission from a particular transmitter medallion 2 is recorded within the time period indicated above, a manager, nurse, service woman, is informed. During his next service, this speaker then asks the resident carrier of the issuer 2 to make a call, and immediately follow the call of a call from its own issuer associated with a particular code. The reception following these two frames will then be considered by the central unit 1 as an update of the activity control file. The reception of the frame sent by the speaker alone indicates the failure of the

medallion 2 of the resident.

  Some of the apartments in these residences can be equipped with 3 coded beacons. Following a call, the central unit 1 periodically triggers, until the speaker acknowledges, the audible signal.

  tag 3 to reassure the caller.

  Other applications of the invention are still possible. In particular, the invention is advantageously used for controlling access to restricted access areas. FIG. 2 shows an access control system according to the invention. For the elements of the system of Figure 1 which are found on that of Figure 2, the same numbering of

increased reference of 100.

  This access control system comprises in particular a central unit 101 connected to a radiofrequency reception unit 104 and to a current transmission unit.

  carriers 105 by computer links 112 and 113.

  Infrared coded radiation emission beacons 103, connected to sector 107, are arranged near the access points, which are shown

  schematically by a door P in FIG.

  The people on the site are equipped with boxes 108 which receive the IR frames emitted by the tags 103 and emit an RF radiation intended to be

received by units 104.

  The plugging of tags 103, near the access points not giving rise to an intensive passage, offers an economical alternative to conventional systems by

smart card or magnetic strip.

  The use of coded tags 103 and RF transmitters 108 displays allows the establishment of a dialogue

  in complete confidentiality with the Central Unit 101.

  The principle used allows access control without modification or addition to existing wiring. Two cases are to be considered: The door P to be controlled can be equipped with a lock remotely controlled by the central unit 101: A tag 103 is plugged near this access. The opening request is made by the RF transmitter 108 of the personnel and the opening controlled by the central unit 101. The control of the door P is not connected to the central unit 101: This door P is equipped an electric lock S connected to the output contact of a coded tag 103 plugged nearby. On reception of its code by carrier currents, it is the tag 103 which then commands the opening of the door P. As in the above example of the equipment of a residence for the elderly, the choice of the number and the location of the receiving units 104 RF is

  depending on the configuration of the site.

  The type of transmission unit 105, general or coded acknowledgment, depends on the communication protocol between the personnel and the central unit 101 and therefore of the type

of tag 103 adopted.

  The particularities are the following:

  Immediate implementation without cables.

  20. Quick installation, possibly complementing a

existing installation.

  Low cost per controlled point next to a card reader. At Vandal Protection, no fragile card readers, the discreet tag can be located at the top. Increased security, typing a code can be requested

  to counter the problem of lost or stolen transmitters.

  Other applications of the invention than those just described are of course also possible. In particular, the invention can also be

  applied to the guarding of premises.

  The implementation of this principle of call from a specific location and confirmation, recorded automatically permanently allows the establishment of any monitoring protocol for all types of establishment. The immediate installation without cable offers the possibility to establish the monitoring of a temporary activity: construction site, exhibition, temporary storage ... The trip of the rounders can be modified according to the use of the monitored premises. The new route will simply be redefined by moving the

  tags in a new power outlet.

  By the use of coded beacons, the rondier can be informed discreetly when calling a

route modification.

Claims (12)

  1. System for monitoring people on a site comprising: a plurality of portable transmitters (2, 102), each assigned to a person and able to transmit on command thereof radiofrequency (RF) radiation carrying information identification, - at least one radiofrequency (RF) receiving unit (4, 104), - a central unit (1, 101) which is connected to the reception unit (4, 104) and which processes the information in from the transmitters (2, 102), characterized in that it comprises a plurality of beacons (3, 103) distributed over the different zones (Z, P)) of the site and each emitting infrared (IR) radiation carrying location information, the transmitters (2, 102) having means for receiving said infrared (IR) radiation and for retransmitting the location information received by the radiofrequency (RF) radiation transmitted, said location information enabling the CPU (1, 101) of i to identify the zone (Z, P) where is the beacon (3, 103) whose emitter (2, 102) which calls retransmitted the location information, and thus to locate the person calling.   2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the beacons (3, 103) infrared emission (IR)   are powered by the mains (6, 7; 106, 107).   3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a power-line transmitter connected to the central unit (1, 101) and transmitting, to the beacons (3, 103), on the network (7, 107) of the site's power supply, information that   transmits the central unit (1, 101).   4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the beacons (3, 103) comprise means for transmitting, by infrared radiation (IR), information received from the central unit (1, 101) destined for transmitters (2, 102; 8, 108).   5. System according to one of claims 3 and 4,   characterized in that the central unit (1, 101) comprises means for transmitting, when receiving a call from a transmitter (2, 8; 102, 108), acknowledgment information to that transmitter (2, 8; 102, 108) and / or at least its beacon (3, 103), the reception (4, 104) of this information by said transmitter or beacon triggering an acknowledgment signal sound or visual.   6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that an emitter comprises timing means which, after a radiofrequency transmission (RF) of the transmitter, open a time window waiting for an acknowledgment of information from of the central unit (1, 101) carried by infrared radiation (IR) transmitted by a beacon (3, 103).   7. System according to one of the claims   previous, characterized in that the emitters (2, 102) comprise means for storing the location information carried by the last infrared radiation (IR) received.   8. System according to one of the claims   preceding, characterized in that it comprises a beacon for checking the emitters (2, 102) and display means arranged in the vicinity thereof, the central unit (1, 101) returning to said means of displaying an acknowledgment information when it receives, from an issuer, location information   specific to this verification tag.   9. System according to one of the claims   previous, characterized in that the central unit (1, 101) comprises means for detecting transmitters (2, 102) which it has not received a call for a predetermined time. 10. System for monitoring the residence of persons who are medically or para- medically followed, including residences of the elderly, according to one of the preceding claims.   11. Access control system according to one of the   claims i to 9, characterized in that tags   (103) are disposed adjacent to doors (P) which control access to restricted areas, the central unit (101) transmitting, when receiving a call from a transmitter (102), and after verification of the identification of the issuer, an order to open the door.   12. System according to claims 3 and 11 in   combination, characterized in that the opening order is transmitted by carrier currents to the beacon identified by the central unit (101), the beacons (103) comprising means for controlling the opening of the doors in function   orders received from the central unit (101).