GB2445981A

GB2445981A - Tracking device combining a GPS, cellular and RF chip

Info

Publication number: GB2445981A
Application number: GB0701530A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Walkey; Matthew Johnson
Original assignee: CONVERT ASSET TRACKING SYSTEMS
Current assignee: CONVERT ASSET TRACKING SYSTEMS
Priority date: 2007-01-26
Filing date: 2007-01-26
Publication date: 2008-07-30
Also published as: GB0701530D0

Abstract

A tracking device is disclosed comprising a RF chip in combination with at least two of a GPS chip, a GPRS chip and a GSM chip, whereby, each of the combination of chips are controlled by a single microprocessor. The tracking device also has means to continuously transmit GPS coordinate data to a receiver via RF. The receiver may be an internet based receiver for providing real time location. The tracking device may further comprise a serial input for a sensor such as a movement, light or temperature sensor. The tracking device may be constructed from a waterproof material or housed in a waterproof casing such that it is suitable for wet environments. In such a case, the device may incorporate means to transmit GPS coordinate data via sonar.

Description

IMPROVED TRACKING DEVICE

The present invention relates to an improved tracking device. More especially the invention relates to a tracking device designed to be smaller than all known tracking devices using similar technology and that does not suffer from the disadvantages of loss of coverage to the same extent as previous devices.

GSM technology is used with tracking devices to communicate the exact location to a source. A SIM card is used with mobile telephones to provide a unique identifier. The SIM card sits within a SIM card holder formed within the mobile telephone structure.

SIM cards, consisting of a microchip built within a motherboard are relatively large in size. Use of SIM cards are, however, an efficient way of providing a unique identifier for all the various sizes telephones in the mobile telephone Industry. Due to practical constraints, mobile telephones have a finite minimum size to which they must be designed. In all cases the minimum size is still sufficiently large for the mobile telephone to still be able to carry a SIM card.

Tracking devices are known which combine GPS, GSM and RF technology to identify the exact location of the device are known. One example of such a device is described in WO 01/73466. This device described therein utilises GSM technology as a primary locator and consequently, the device will fail to work where is a loss of GSM coverage and will continue not to transmit any signal until GSM coverage is once again obtained. Furthermore, the use of GSM as a primary source of location often has the disadvantage of a considerable time delay in obtaining a signal. Assisted pre-programmed time chips are often

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required to be installed to overcome this problem. Moreover, the device described does not work in real time and relies on the need to be switched on and off to avoid battery loss.

A further device is described In DE 202004019579. This device utilises GSM technology to send messages but not to act as a locator. The device described In this document does not appear to utilise an RF beacon.

The present invention seeks to provide a tracking device that overcomes problems associated with known devices by providing a tracking device that combines at least two of a GPS chip, a GPRS chip and a GSM chip with an RF chip and that Includes means to continuously transmit a GPS co-ordinate over the RF frequency.

According to one aspect, there is provided, a tracking device comprising at least two of a GPS chip, GPRS chip, GSM chip in combination with an RF chip, all chips of the combination being controlled by a single microprocessor, and means to continuously transmit the GPS coordinate over the RF frequency.

The device utillses GPS or GPRS as the primary means of location (rather than GSM). Consequently, the device Is able to send a continuous stream of data to a receiver, which may, for example, be Internet based, so to provide real time location.

The fact that the GPS coordinate, or the relevant part of that coordinate, is transmitted as an RF data stream ensures that the device will continually transmit a signal, even in areas where GSM coverage is lost. Transmitting the GPS coordinate with a unique identifier avoids signals being mixed when a number of similar devices are transmitting signals within close proximity of each other.

A digital decoder may be incorporated into the device to break down the GPS signal to a manageable size to allow the unique identifier and the pulse code in binary format, together with the GPS coordinate, are transmitted over the RF frequency.

The fact that the tracking device uses a microprocessor rather than a SIM card to provide a unique identifier allows the size of the tracking device to be substantially reduced.

Unlike other know tracking devices, the design of the tracking device is not dictated by the size of a S1M card and, consequently, the size of the device can be reduced by as much as 50%. As such, a tracking device of the present invention could be designed In such a way as to be 1 inch square or less. As such the potential use of the tracking device is greatly increased and enhanced. Some examples of use are described below.

The robustness of the tracking device is also greatly increased. For example, the device does not require a SIM card holding mechanism which would otherwise be subject to vibrations. Rather, the microprocessor is simply soldered, or otherwise attached, to a circuit board, like all other components of the device.

The removal of a SIM card from the device also means that the device is not susceptible to damage commonly incurred to SIM cards, for example, failure of the metal contacts over time and cracking of the outer plastic housing.

The tracking device is less susceptible to damage through severe environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity due to the device not having a SIM card which would otherwise be susceptible to such damage.

Due to its size and simplicity in construction, the device can be incorporated into items worn by a person, for example, clothing, body armour. rt could also be incorporated into luggage or other types of bag.

The device would be constructed from waterproof material or could be housed in waterproof casing such that it is suitable In wet environments. In such a case, the device could incorporate means to transmit the GPS coordinate via sonar. The device could be incorporated into a personal flotation device.

The material of the device could be solar reactive to allow it to be entirely self-contained and solar powered to avoid the need for a battery or other separate power source. The device would be able to work In natural or artificial sunlight The tracking device may Include one or more serial inputs to enhance operation of the device and to allow for other operations to be Incorporated.

The inputs could provide, for example, a button to provide voice or data communication to an emergency service provider in the event of an emergency. Alternatively or additionally, the inputs could provide for a microphone for voice recordal, movement sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors and/or infra-red sensors to trigger an alarm.

The device may include a RFXD chip rather than a simple RF chip.

The simplicity of the design and the fact that all the chips of the device are controlled by a single microprocessor allows the device to be easily and efficiently controlled via the internet.

The above described embodiments are given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tracking device comprising at least two of a GPS chip, GPRS chip, GSM chip in combination with an RF chip, all chips of the combination being controlled by a single microprocessor, and means to continuously transmit the GPS coordinate over the RF frequency.

2. A tracking device comprising at least two of a GPS chip, GPRS chip, GSM chip in combination with an RF chip, all chips of the combination being controlled by a single microprocessor, and means to continuously transmit the GPS coordinate over a sonar frequency.

3. A tracking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the GPS or GPRS chip is primary source of location of the device.

4. A tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tracking device is less than 1 inch square in size.

5. A tracking device according to any one of claIms 1 to 4, further comprising one or more serial inputs to allow for a further operation to be incorporated.

6. A tracking device according to claim S wherein a serial input comprises a button to provide voice or data communication to an emergency service provider.

7. A tracking device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a serial input provides for a microphone for voice recordal.

8. A tracking device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a serial input provides for a sensor. 4%

9. A tracking device according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is a movement sensor.

10. A tracking device according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is a light sensor.

11. A tracking device according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

12. A tracking device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a digital decoding device to decode the GPS signal for transmission through the RF or sonar frequency.

13. A tracking device substantially as hereinbefore described.