GB2458322A - Tracking device with magnetic attachment and integral battery compartment. - Google Patents

Tracking device with magnetic attachment and integral battery compartment. Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2458322A
GB2458322A GB0804787A GB0804787A GB2458322A GB 2458322 A GB2458322 A GB 2458322A GB 0804787 A GB0804787 A GB 0804787A GB 0804787 A GB0804787 A GB 0804787A GB 2458322 A GB2458322 A GB 2458322A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
housing
tracking device
battery
magnets
magnet
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0804787A
Other versions
GB0804787D0 (en
Inventor
Paul Oughton
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.)
CISTRAK GPS Ltd
Original Assignee
CISTRAK GPS Ltd
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 CISTRAK GPS Ltd filed Critical CISTRAK GPS Ltd
Priority to GB0804787A priority Critical patent/GB2458322A/en
Publication of GB0804787D0 publication Critical patent/GB0804787D0/en
Publication of GB2458322A publication Critical patent/GB2458322A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S19/00—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems; Determining position, velocity or attitude using signals transmitted by such systems
    • G01S19/01—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
    • G01S19/13—Receivers
    • G01S19/34—Power consumption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L25/00—Recording or indicating positions or identities of vehicles or trains or setting of track apparatus
    • B61L25/02—Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S1/00—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S19/00—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems; Determining position, velocity or attitude using signals transmitted by such systems
    • G01S19/01—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
    • G01S19/13—Receivers
    • G01S19/35—Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G01S5/14—Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Abstract

A housing 2 for a tracking device comprises a subsidiary housing 10 formed integrally within the main housing 2. The subsidiary housing 10 takes the form of a compartment to house a battery 12. The base 4 of the housing 2 has a one or more of magnets 16 which are molded into the body of the housing 2 such that the outer surface 18 of each lies flush with the outer surface of the base 4. The magnets may be endymium magnets. The housing may further comprise a button accessible from the exterior of the housing to activate and deactivate the device.

Description

* 2458322
TRACKING DEVICE
The present invention relates to tracking device. The invention especially relates to a tracking device having an improved housing suitable for mounting on a vehicle.
There are numerous designs of tracking devices currently available for covert use. One such tracking device is marketed by the Applicant in the UK under the Magpodm brand. This device comprises a single unit that houses a GPS/GPRS/GSM tracking device that can be traced worldwide from any Internet enabled computer to provide a mapping platform. Alternatively the device can be traced simply by dialling the device from a mobile phone. In such a case, the caller receives an *:::: SMS message that provides the street address and post code information identifying the location of the device. * 0*
One limitation with known tracking devices is the battery life.
Advances in battery technology have increased battery life to up to *. seven days for such devices in some cases but once the battery charge I* :*.. has diminished the entire device has to be taken out of action for recharging. In most cases tracking devices are used to monitor only a certain number of events, or a number of events during a specific period of time and batteries can be recharged once the necessary data has been collated without the device being out of action during a critical time. However, constraints on battery life become increasingly important if the device is mounted on a vehicle to monitor its location without limiting use to a time period. In such a case it would be impractical, and in many cases impossible, to take the device out of action for recharging (which often takes around twenty four hours).
The present invention seeks to alleviate the aforementioned problems with known devices by providing a tracking device which includes a housing having an integral compartment to receive a rechargeable battery.
Kiown tracking devices, such as the Magpodm include a housing that has a number of magnets extending from a surface thereof to allow . the device to be attached to, for example the underside of, a vehicle.
The magnets protrude from the surface of the housing. This can limit the exact location on the vehicle on which the device can be mounted.
This results in an increase in the time for installing the device, which is . often critical in covert operations. ** * S
* Furthermore, the fact that the magnets protrude from the housing means that there is only a magnetic bond to a metal surface at each end of the magnet. Devices can be prised off the surface, often fairly easily, by placing a levering device in the gap between the base of the housing and the surface.
The present invention also seeks to alleviate these problems by providing a tracking device with a housing having at least one magnet moulded into the body of the housing, the outer surface of the or each magnet lying flush with an outer surface of the housing.
According to one aspect there is provided a housing for a tracking device comprising an integrally formed compartment for receiving a battery for the device.
Preferably the compartment has a cover integrally formed with the housing to allow access to the battery for replacement thereof. * * ****
Preferably the cover is lockable. * ** * * S *.**
Preferably still, the housing has a button accessible from the exterior . of the housing to activate and deactivate the device. S. * * S
* According to a second aspect there is provided a housing for a tracking device, the housing including at least one magnet integrally moulded to the housing and having an outer surface which is flush with the an outer surface of the housing.
Preferably the housing includes a plurality of magnets. Preferably still the or each magnet is an endymium magnet.
According to a third aspect, there is provided a tracking device located within a housing according to the first or second aspects.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an end view of a housing for a tracking device constructed in accordance with the present invention; *.SS * ** ** S Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the housing of S...
Figure 1; and * .* * * . S. S. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of the housing of *. Figures 1 and 2. I SSe S. ** * S I
S
As can be seen from the Figures, a housing 2 for a tracking device (not shown) comprises a single piece unit having a base 4, upstanding walls 6 and a top surface 8. The shape of the housing 2 is clearly seen in the Figures but it will be appreciated that, for the purposes of the invention, the housing 2 could be of any desired shape.
Located within the housing 2 is a tracking device. The tracking device is not shown in the Figures and could be of any known type, and which generally consist of a GPS/GPRS/GSM receiver and transmitter.
A subsidiary housing 10 is formed integrally within the main housing 2.
The subsidiary housing 10 takes the form of a compartment to house a battery 12 which provides power to the tracking device.
The subsidiary housing 10 has a hinged cover 14 which is formed integral with the outer surface of the main housing 2. The cover 14 may be lockable. S... * I SS*
* The battery 12 is of a type that is rechargeable and can simply be removed from its compartment by unlocking and opening the cover 14 to allow access to the subsidiary housing 10. Whilst the battery 12 is I..... charging, a replacement spare battery 12 may be installed to allow the
ISI
device to continue to be activated. Consequently, the device never has to be taken out of action provided the cover 14 can be opened and the battery replaced.
The base 4 of the housing 2 has a plurality of endymium magnets 16 which are moulded into the body of the housing 2 such that the outer surface 18 of each magnet 16 ties flush with outer surface of the base 4. The figures show six magnets 16 but it will be appreciated that any number of magnets 16 may be moulded within the housing 12. It will also be appreciated that one magnet may be used or that the entire outer surface of the base 4 may be magnetised in some way.
The magnets 16 allow the housing 12 (and thus tracking device) to be instantly attached to any metal surface, for example the underside of a motor vehicle. The fact that the magnets 16 lie flush with the base 4 increases the magnetic bond between the housing and the metal surface. *.. * . * S. I
A plunger button 20 is formed within a surface of the housing 12 (in S...
the embodiment shown in the Figures the button is located in the end :.::e surface but it could be at any location on the housing 12). The button may be depressed by a user to activate or deactivate the device. * S.. * S S...
In an alternative embodiment no plunger button is present. In this case, the device is simply deactivated upon removal of the battery.
A tracking device with a housing 2 as described is designed specifically for covert use within for example the security industry logistics and transport industry, police, plant hire or machinery hire.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of one embodiment of a tracking device and housing therefore according to the present invention and of just one form in which it may be used.
The skilled reader will understand that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention. * * * *. * *%*. * *
S... S * S. *5 * *SS* a a5S * S *IS) 5* 51 * * S * S

Claims (8)

  1. Claims 1. A housing for a tracking device comprising an integrally formed compartment for receiving a battery for the device and including at least one magnet integrally moulded to the housing and having an outer surface which is substantially flush with the outer surface of the housing.
  2. 2 A housing according to claim 1, wherein the compartment has a cover integrally formed with the housing to allow access to the battery for replacement thereof.
  3. 3. A housing according to claim 2, wherein the cover is lockable.
  4. 4. A housing according to any preceding claim, further comprising a button accessible from the exterior of the housing to activate and deactivate the device.
  5. 5. A housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing includes a plurality of magnets.
  6. 6. A housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each magnet is * ** an endymium magnet. * I ** .
    :.*s
  7. 7. A tracking device located within a housing according to any preceding claim. * S
  8. 8. A housing for a tracking device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures.
GB0804787A 2008-03-15 2008-03-15 Tracking device with magnetic attachment and integral battery compartment. Withdrawn GB2458322A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0804787A GB2458322A (en) 2008-03-15 2008-03-15 Tracking device with magnetic attachment and integral battery compartment.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0804787A GB2458322A (en) 2008-03-15 2008-03-15 Tracking device with magnetic attachment and integral battery compartment.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0804787D0 GB0804787D0 (en) 2008-04-16
GB2458322A true GB2458322A (en) 2009-09-16

Family

ID=39328150

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0804787A Withdrawn GB2458322A (en) 2008-03-15 2008-03-15 Tracking device with magnetic attachment and integral battery compartment.

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2458322A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201600122283A1 (en) * 2016-12-01 2018-06-01 Paolo Sodi APPARATUS FOR MONITORING ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS THROUGH A VEHICLE

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4569462A (en) * 1984-09-10 1986-02-11 Martin Paul, Inc. Dispensing container for powdery, granular and pellet-like materials
US5157405A (en) * 1991-11-01 1992-10-20 Keith H. Wycoff Hunting arrow tracking system
US5218366A (en) * 1991-10-24 1993-06-08 Litton Systems Inc. Emergency transmitter buoy for use on marine vessels
DE4242033C1 (en) * 1992-12-12 1994-05-11 Loewe Opta Gmbh Domestic TV receiver cabinet - has lower part of reduced width for accommodating left and right loudspeaker boxes
CA2242390A1 (en) * 1998-07-06 2000-01-06 Peter Powlousky Battery operated, portable transmitter having coil surrounding tubular, ferromagnetic housing
US20080204474A1 (en) * 2007-02-26 2008-08-28 Natali Franco Dual window display box

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4569462A (en) * 1984-09-10 1986-02-11 Martin Paul, Inc. Dispensing container for powdery, granular and pellet-like materials
US5218366A (en) * 1991-10-24 1993-06-08 Litton Systems Inc. Emergency transmitter buoy for use on marine vessels
US5157405A (en) * 1991-11-01 1992-10-20 Keith H. Wycoff Hunting arrow tracking system
DE4242033C1 (en) * 1992-12-12 1994-05-11 Loewe Opta Gmbh Domestic TV receiver cabinet - has lower part of reduced width for accommodating left and right loudspeaker boxes
CA2242390A1 (en) * 1998-07-06 2000-01-06 Peter Powlousky Battery operated, portable transmitter having coil surrounding tubular, ferromagnetic housing
US20080204474A1 (en) * 2007-02-26 2008-08-28 Natali Franco Dual window display box

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201600122283A1 (en) * 2016-12-01 2018-06-01 Paolo Sodi APPARATUS FOR MONITORING ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS THROUGH A VEHICLE
EP3330743A1 (en) * 2016-12-01 2018-06-06 Paolo Sodi Equipment for monitoring ambient parameters around a vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0804787D0 (en) 2008-04-16

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)