SE1130067A1 - transponder System - Google Patents

Abstract

System for reporting the position of a transponder comprising an activating unit (A3) comprising software for transmitting an activating command over a radio frequency and a transponder (A2) able to receive an activating command and to transmit a message containing its identity and position in response to an activating command characterised in that said transponder comprises a GNSS receiver for determining its position, radio frequency transceiver means for transmitting its position and transponder software for controlling said GNSS receiver and said transceiver.

Description

the position of the transponder. Overlapping cover area from three base stations describes the position range of the transponder.

A further object of the system according to the present invention is that the position of the activated transponder is located by means of a bearing system by means of the transmitted radio signals of the transponder by means of. a wireless local area network (WLAN) e.g. bluetooth type, UHF transceiver.

A further object of the system according to the present invention is that the transponder is the possibility of transmitting an alarm by means of the built-in radio modem B2 or by means of a wireless local area network (WLAN (Wireless Local Area Area Network)) e.g. type Bluetooth, UHF transceiver if a signal from a security transmitter is absent for a pre-defined time interval.

A further object of the system according to the present invention is to be able to forward messages to another transponder in the immediate area via the local network.

This possibility is also used in such cases when e.g. the transponder's ability to send a message using the built-in radio modem is not possible due to e.g. radio shadow or malfunction.

A further object of the system according to the present invention is that the local network mha. for example The UHF transceiver can receive alarms from a smoke alarm and forward the alarm to the fire brigade / alarm center / relatives / nearby residents.

The time required from the time the fire alarm triggers the alarm and until the fire brigade is in place can be shortened and can thus probably save lives.

A further object of the present invention is that it contains an audible signaling device which can be activated via the radiotelephony network or the local network and used as acknowledgment that search personnel have obtained position information on the carrier of the transponder.

A further object of the present invention is to use the radio modem B2 or the wireless local area network (WLAN) built into the transponder, e.g. type Bluetooth, UHF transceiver is to download and upload program code or other data.

A further object of the present invention is to use the radio modem B2 or the wireless local area network (WLAN) built into the transponder, e.g. bluetooth, UHF transceivers can communicate with other transponders.

A further object of the present invention is that it contains a vibrator device which can be activated via the radiotelephony network or the local network and used as acknowledgment that the search personnel have obtained position information on the carrier of the transponder.

A further object is that the present invention may also comprise a visual LED device consisting of high intensity LEDs which can be activated via the radiotelephony network or the local network to facilitate the search of the carrier of the transponder for the search personnel in the dark.

In a special embodiment of the present invention, the transponder is built into the metal construction of the positioning object.

The built-in principle is that the transponder cannot be dismantled or deactivated without damaging the object unless a special tool is used.

A further object of the present invention is to detect system errors.

If a system error occurs, alarms are sent to a predetermined GSM telephone number and / or via the Wireless Local Area NetWork (WLAN), e.g. type Bluetooth, UHF transceiver The system in accordance with the present invention constitutes a miniaturized system for locating superficial objects. The transponder contains two transceivers, suitably of the type modem for radiotelephone networks for and a local radio network for data communication, a receiver for satellite positioning type GPS, logic unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN (Wireless Local Area NetWork)) e.g. type Bluetooth, UHF transceiver and power supply. The transponder has a unique identity.

The system is controllable and controllable using an existing proven radio system for telephony and a wireless local area network. The advantages of using an already existing radio network are partly that the functionality is well proven at the same time as a generally large coverage area is obtained and further that costs for construction and operation of such a large coverage area are eliminated.

Figure Description The present invention will be described in the form of preferred, illustrative embodiments by means of the accompanying drawings which show: Figure A An illustrative embodiment of the present invention together with communication systems for activation and location.

Figure B A block diagram of the illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

Figure C Illustration of the rescue system for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, etc.

Figure D Illustration of safety system for the elderly Figure E Illustration of the present invention in a vehicle application type bicycle Figure F Illustration of cycling computer function Figure G Illustration of the transponder relay transmission function l.

Figure H An illustrative system diagram regarding surveillance of an object provided with a transponder within a defined surveillance area.

Figure I An illustration of triangulation.

Figure J An illustration regarding relay transmission function 2.

Embodiments Embodiments Figure A shows an overview of a transponder system A2 in accordance with the present invention together with a mobile telephony system A1 and the communication unit A3 in the form of a mobile telephone.

Figure B is shown in an illustrative embodiment of the transponder system A2 in the form of a block diagram.

The transponder system A2 comprises a microcontroller B1, a GSM modem intended for, for example, SMS and radiotelephony B2 with the antenna B6, a satellite receiver 3 with the antenna B7 for e.g. GPS, a Wireless Local Area NetWork (WLAN) e.g. type Bluetooth, UHF transceiver B4 with associated antenna system BS, a motion sensor B5, light device with, for example, high-intensity LEDs B 10, a vibrator device B11, a buzzer device B 12 and a battery unit B9 for power supply .

The illustrative embodiment is comprised of a low-power microcontroller B1 with a control program stored in the microcontroller's program memory.

The microcontroller B1 with software controls the function of the transponder.

The microcontroller B1 is developed for use in battery-based applications where low power consumption is a requirement.

In power save mode, the power consumption is only a few nA (nanoAmpere).

The microcontroller Bl has approx. 60K Byte internal program memory and approx. 4K Byte RAM.

The satellite receiver B3 is e.g. based on GPS and the latest technology and has high sensitivity.

A GPS antenna B7 is connected to the GPS receiver B3.

The GSM modem B2 is in miniature design and works on, for example, the frequency bands 850/900/1800/1900 MHz. A GSM antenna B6 is connected to the GSM modem B2.

The UHF transceiver B4 is for example based on PLL technology with b1.a. adjustable bandwidth on the receiver / transmitter and automatic antenna tuning. Other features are high transfer speeds, up to 115.2 kbps. Frequency range 420,000 MHz - 440,000 MHz.

The UHF transceiver has an associated antenna system BS, built into the transponder.

The transponder unit A2 focuses on receiving control information and transmitting data via a radio modem B2 built into the transponder intended for communication with a radio-based system for mobile telephony type GSM / 3G / 4G A1 and / or via a wireless local area network (WLAN). Area NetWork)) e.g. type Bluetooth, (UHF transceiver) B4.

Control information can also come from a motion sensor function BS in the transponder.

The position of the transponder is obtained with the help of the GPS receiver B3 or with available information in e.g. The GSM network (identity of the GSM bases, distance between the object and the GSM base 4 and signal strength).

Improvement of the position of the transponder based on available information in t.eX. The GSM network can be obtained by so-called triangulation.

Triangulation means that the calculation of the transponder's position area is based on available connection information from at least three base stations for radiotelephony type GSM / 3G / 4G A1.

The identity of the GSM base, the distance between the object and the GSM base and the signal strength from three base stations used together with the position of the three GSM bases form the basis for determining the position area of the transponder.

Figure I shows the coverage areas from three base stations I1, 12 and 13.

The position area of the transponder is the common overlapping surface 14.

When starting the transponder at RESET, either externally commanded RESET or start-up after charging a discharged battery, an initialization sequence is executed.

The initiation sequence involves i.a. that the GPS receiver is started with non-existent satellite band data, a so-called cold start. After obtaining a valid position from the GPS receiver, the GPS receiver is put into sleep mode.

The GSM modem B2 is put into active power-saving sleep mode with the AT command AT + CFUN = 5.

In this sleep mode, certain parts of the modem are turned off so that the power consumption is very low compared to an active GSM modem. The power consumption is on average 1.5mA. In idle mode, the GSM modem can e.g. receive SMS.

If an SMS message is to be sent and the GSM modem is in sleep mode, the microprocessor can wake up the GSM modem by setting the signal DTR (Data Terminal Ready) = 0 and waiting for the signal CTS (Clear To Send) to be low (0).

The processor's I / O channel connected to the GSM modem is interrupt controlled. Incoming data from the GSM modem is automatically taken care of by the I / O channel driver and placed in a buffer.

The normal state of the microcontroller B1 is a so-called stand-by when a STOP instruction has been executed. The transponder then consumes minimal energy, only a few uA (microAmpere).

Only the microcontroller's B1's built-in RTI (RealTime Interrupt) timer is active and generates system interruptions. The system interruption wakes up the rr1 microcontroller 1 which then continues to execute program code according to the STOP instruction.

Control is done by two timer indicators.

If timer 1 is triggered, according to the pre-programmed schedule, the main program wakes up the GPS receiver B3 from its sleep mode which then becomes active to update its GPS position.

The GPS position is delivered as ASCII data from the GPS receiver according to the NMEA-Ol 83 protocol in 9600 Baud on one of the microcontroller's 1 interrupt-controlled SCI channels.

When the update is complete, the GPS receiver A3 returns to its hibernate mode and consumes only a few (micro Ampere).

In idle mode, the GPS receiver retains 3 current satellite band data in its own internal RAM.

The sleep mode can be a maximum of 2 hours for the saved satellite band data to be valid hot start information to update the GPS position.

The above sequence is repeated continuously.

If timer 2 has tripped, the UHF transceiver unit B4 is activated.

The driver of the UHF transceiver unit 4 reads FSK data from the receiver's I / O port for a predetermined time. Received data is sent to Parsern who evaluates the content.

Valid content is evaluated and the current program routine is executed with any accompanying parameters in the control information. Invalid data is discarded and Timer 2 is initialized again for 15 seconds.

The UHF transceiver unit B4 is now switched off completely during this time to save battery power.

The UHF transceiver B4 draws only 0.3uA in this mode.

When Timer 2 triggers again, the program returns to activating the UHF transceiver B4 again and again solving the input data. This is an eternal program loop.

Depending on the command code, position data and other parameters are transmitted to the transmitter in the UHF transceiver B4 and or the radio modem B2.

In addition to the command itself, control information also contains parameter settings of the transmitter, such as deviation, frequency etc.

BNF (Backus Naur Form) syntax: To prevent your transponders from transmitting their message using the UHF transceiver B4 at the same time and thus making it impossible or difficult for the receiving unit to perceive the message, the transmission sequence always begins with a delay. The delay is calculated by a random generator in software. Each transmission is preceded by a new random delay.

The transponder is powered by a battery system built into the transponder.

The battery system can consist of fl your series resp. parallel-connected battery cells of e.g. type Lithium- Ion.

The transponder can also be powered by connection to the object's own power supply system, for example battery system, generator, etc., externally connected battery system, externally connected battery charger, solar cells or fuel cells.

Illustrative application example Figure C shows an illustration of the use of the rescue system in e.g. natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

The transponder is the size of a wristwatch intended to be used for e.g. to locate people / animals who have experienced some type of natural disaster such as earthquakes, tornadoes, etc. or terrorist attacks and are hidden in e.g. landslides from a house.

Transponder A2 is activated from an application in an iPhone phone or phones that use the operating system Andriod, Windows Mobile, Palm or Symbian.

Depending on the design of the phone, the phone uses a built-in WLAN type Bluetooth or using an external electronics unit A3: 1 connected to the phone consisting of a wireless local area network (eng.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area NetWork)) e.g. bluetooth, UHF transceiver and battery system.

The local radio network communicates with the transponder's built-in WLAN e.g. Bluetooth or UHF transceiver.

The technology in transponder A2 is based on using a satellite receiver type GPS B3 in miniature size with high sensitivity (> = -163 dBm), an active GPS antenna B7 with low noise factor, a UHF transceiver B4 in miniature format with low power consumption, a microcontroller B1 with low self-consumption for logic control, high-intensity lighting device with, for example, LEDs B 10, a vibrator device B11, a buzzer device B 12 and a battery system B9 with high reliability.

The normal state of the transponder is hibernation. Only the GPS receiver B3 is active, in an alternating mode between active GPS reception and a special power saving mode (hibernate mode).

The GPS receiver is active for a few seconds to update the position (satellite band data) and then to go into sleep mode. In idle mode, the power consumption of the GPS receiver is only a few microAmpere.

The sleep mode can be up to a maximum of 2 hours.

In parallel with the GPS receiver B3 being in idle mode, the transponder A2 listens for an activation signal on one or fl your predetermined radio frequencies using. UHF transceiver B4.

To consume minimal energy, the receiver of the UHF transceiver is only active for a short time within a time window of about 5 seconds.

In order for the activation signal transmitted from A3 to be perceived by all transponders in the area, the activation sequence is transmitted for at least 15 seconds.

The activation signal is intended for all transponders in a delimited area of a radius of approx. 50-100 meters. When the activation sequence is received, each transponder randomizes a length of the delay that precedes the transponder's transmission of identity and GPS position.

The random delay is designed so that your transponder units do not collide with their transmissions. To prevent this from happening, the transmission sequence is repeated a number of times. Each time the transmission sequence is repeated, a new delay time is randomized. When the maximum number of retransmissions has been performed, the transponder returns to its original normal state.

The phone A3 and the phone's application will now show, partly the GPS position for the phone A3 using the phone's built-in GPS receiver and the GPS position for all transponders that answered the call map together with the answering transponder's identity. Depending on the type of telephone used for location and that circumstances in the search area, the GSM / 3G / 4G network A1 may be out of order due to. events in the area, maps are used locally on the phone instead of on the Internet.

Transponder A2 contains an audible signal device B 12 and a vibrator device B11 which can be activated via the local network and used to give the wearer of the transponder acknowledgment that search personnel have found the wearer's position.

Transponder A2 also contains a visual LED device B10 consisting of high-intensity LEDs that can be activated via the local network to facilitate the search of the carrier of the transponder for the search personnel in the dark.

In all embodiments, transponder A2 transmits its identity and GPS position in one of the pager formats POCSAG, FLEX, GOLAY at a predetermined frequency.

Figure D shows an illustration of the security system.

The transponder A2 continues to work in one embodiment as a security system for personal use and is based on the latest GPS / GSM / UHF technology.

The transponder A2 is, for example, in the form of a brooch or wristwatch.

New modern technology with miniaturized GPS receiver B3, radio modem B2 and associated antennas makes this possible.

The transponder A2 solves the problem of finding people who have disappeared and dramatically shortens the search time compared to previous products on the market. The product is a "green / organic" variant, where a search by helicopter is no longer needed.

The transponder is backwards compatible with radio bearing so that bearing from a helicopter or with a hand bearing can be performed with existing equipment. Police operations that perform searches with hand pointers on the ground from the signals transmitted by the missing radio transmitter are no longer needed.

The transponder system can alarm by holding down the security system's alarm button for at least five seconds. The GPS position is sent to one or more of the pre-programmed GSM telephone numbers in the transponder. The SMS contains the type of alarm, the owner's name (possibly social security number), street address, city, telephone number, GPS position and date and time.

A worried relative can send an SMS via the radiotelephony system A1 to the transponder unit A2 with a request for positioning.

The transponder returns the GPS position shown directly on the map in Lex. and GSM / 3G phone A3.

When a valid positioning request has been received, the transponder's GPS position with associated formation is sent to one or more of your pre-programmed GSM telephone numbers or only to the person requesting positioning.

The transponder contains only the GSM telephone numbers that are authorized to position the device.

SMS with position data can be sent to iPhone and Android based GSM / 3G phones that have a special application installed. The position and associated data are displayed either in the local map of the phone or via maps on the Internet.

With the GARMIN Mobile XT application installed in t.eX. NOKIA 5800, the GPS position can be displayed directly on the map in the mobile phone. The GPS position is also displayed in plain text format type WGS 84 and text message containing e.g. personal data.

The default format for SMS data content is the Garmin PeerPoint Messaging System (GPPMS).

GSM phones that can be used with GARMIN Mobile XT are e.g. Symbian Smartphones (NOKIA S60 second and third edition and SONY ERICSSON UIQ 3), Windows GSM phones with WM2003 and newer.

The transponder also contains a backward compatible track transmitter function so that the user can be located using. bearing of the police.

With a low battery in the transponder, for example, a red LED flashes and an SMS is sent to any GSM number programmed.

In a further embodiment of the security system, the UHF transceiver B4 built into transponder A2 is used as a receiver of fire / smoke alarms from radio-based smoke alarm D2, e.g. type DELTRONIC PR-l2ll installed in housing D3.

Received alarm is forwarded to the alarm center and neighbor / relative / nearby resident by sending an SMS message.

The SMS contains the type of alarm, the owner's name, street address, city, telephone number, and alarm reception list (ie all GSM telephone numbers that have also received the alarm), GPS position and date and time.

The GSM telephone numbers in the alarm list are preceded by the designations GR, AH corresponding to GRanne and AnHörig.

In order for this function to be activated, it is required that the fire alarm's transmission ID has been programmed into the transponder unit.

Forwarding of the alarm via the person D1's transponder A2 to the alarm / fire authority / relative takes place at the same time as the fire / smoke alarm is triggered.

Alarm message also contains the GPS position of transponder A2.

The shortened time consumption from the time the alarm is triggered until the fire brigade is in place can be shortened and can thus probably save lives. Alarms to neighbors / neighbors can also enable early rescue efforts.

Transponder A2 is very suitable for people belonging to risk groups such as the disabled, disabled, people with hearing loss, people who sleep deeply due to. medication etc. which is difficult due to. their handicap to alert the fire brigade themselves. The UHF transceiver B4 can also be used as a bearing transmitter.

Figure E shows an illustration of a vehicle application type bicycle.

The transponder A2 further operates in an embodiment for e.g. tracking a vehicle such as a bicycle. A transponder A2 is mounted in the frame of the bicycle during manufacture or retrofitted.

Transponder A2 is also connected to a charging socket El on the bike.

Transponder A2 is at this time in sleep mode, ie. it does not transmit any information and the power consumption is consequently very small as only the GSM modem B2 is in its active power saving sleep mode and that the UHF transceiver B4 is active at certain time intervals to listen for control information addressed to the vehicle.

Transponder A2 has built-in parking functions that can be activated by the owner which enables the owner of the bicycle to become aware that the bicycle has just been stolen or is about to be stolen by transponder A2 sending an alarm to the owner.

The transponder's "parking guard" is activated by transmitting control information via an existing radio system, e.g. a GSM / 3G / 4G radiotelephony network or a Wireless Local Area NetWork (WLAN) e.g. type Bluetooth, UHF transceiver to transponder B with request for activation of the "parking guard".

First, the GPS BS satellite receiver built into the transponder is activated to determine the object's position. This position is stored in the transponder as a reference position.

A virtual fence (eng. Geofence) is then activated around the bike with a predetermined radius using. the stored reference position.

Continuous satellite positioning is then performed while the "parking guard" is activated.

The satellite position of the bicycle is compared with the reference position.

If the position of the bicycle is outside the virtual zone, an alarm message is sent by means of the radio modem B2 to predetermined programmed telephone numbers.

The message is sent completely automatically and contains the bicycle's satellite position as well as a text message that the bicycle has been moved outside the established virtual zone.

The satellite position is shown directly on the map using a software application in e.g. a GSM / 3G / 4G phone / display device type iPhone, Android or iPad. Older mobile phones with the Garmin Mobile XT software installed, so the satellite-based position can be displayed directly using. mobile phone map.

The satellite based position information also in WGS-84 format as well as text message containing information about the stolen bike and owner information.

The default format for the message content is the Garmin PeerPoint Messaging System.

GSM phones that can be used together with the map program GARMIN Mobile XT, are e.g. Symbian Smartphones (NOKIA 5800, NOKIA S60 second and third edition and SONY ERICSSON UIQ 3), Windows GSM phones with WM2003 and newer.

Additional embodiments via the UHF transceiver B4 built into the transponder A2, various functions can be obtained, namely minute parking, cycling computer function with map, area monitoring, relay transmission functions and track transmitter function.

The transponder's "minute parking" is activated by transmitting a uniquely coded activation sequence from a handheld small UHF transceiver such as can be mounted on the keychain.

The "parking guard" in the transponder is in this case a motion sensor that is activated.

If a movement is detected by the motion sensor, a radio signal is sent to the owner's UHF transceiver unit in the keychain, which then sends an audible alarm signal to the human ear indicating that the object has been moved from its previous position.

Bicycle computer function Figure F.

In a further embodiment where a bicycle has been provided with a transponder A2, e.g. a phone of type iPhone or ZTE (based on the operating system Andriod) A3 replace a regular bicycle computer and also add new so-called bicycle. cycling computer functions such as that the bike's position, speed and altitude are continuously displayed (position update every second) on the digital map in the phone. The phone A3 is mounted in a holder A331 on the handlebars. If the telephone A3 does not contain a WLAN function, the holder A331 can be included in the WLAN with associated power supply for communication with the transponder A2.

This feature is based on using a special software application in a phone type.

Iphone, ZTE etc. to obtain the same functions as in a bicycle computer and to show the bicycle's satellite-based position on a map.

A special software application in the phone communicates with the transponder using the radio systems built into the phone based on e.g. Bluetooth, WLAN or using a UHF transceiver connected to the I / O port on the phone. The I / O port can e.g. be of the USB type.

Information such as position, speed, altitude is delivered by the transponder to the application in the phone.

In a further embodiment, the transponder A2 can communicate with one or more transponders via an existing radio system, e.g. a GSM / 3G / 4G radiotelephony network or a Wireless Local Area NetWork (WLAN) e.g. type Bluetooth, (UHF) transceiver. Illustration of relay transmission function 1 in figure G.

This function is used in the case] when e.g. transponder A2's ability to send message using the built-in mobile telephony radio transceiver B2 is not possible due to e.g. radio shadow.

Transponder A231 then makes a request if there is any transponder in the transponder's coverage area that can forward a message via the radiotelephony network Transponder A231 then transmits by means of. The UHF radio transceiver B4 a so-called "Public call" which means that if there are additional transponders in the immediate area that perceive the call, they will answer with their identity. In the illustration in Figure G, transponder A231 has perceived the response from transponder A232.

Transponder A231 now sends its message to be forwarded by means of the radio modem for mobile telephony B2 to transponder A232 with a request that the message be forwarded.

When transponder A232 has performed the transmission request, transponder A232 sends an acknowledgment message to transponder A2: 1.

Illustration of relay transmission function 2 in figure J.

The relay transmission function can also be used for e.g. to send a message to a transponder that is outside the coverage area of transponder A231 by forwarding a message via one or more other transponders using a wireless local area network (WLAN), e.g. bluetooth type, UHF transceiver.

Illustration of area surveillance in Figure H.

The device area monitoring function is a simpler way of monitoring that the object equipped with transponder A2 does not move outside a certain area. An external UHF transceiver RT1 is installed centrally in the area to be monitored. The UHF transceiver RT1 has different settings that control the range of the transmitter and thus the radius of the monitored area.

At regular intervals, the radio transceiver RT1 sends a coded signal addressed to transponder A2. If the transponder A2 does not perceive this coded signal addressed to the transponder within a time interval at a certain predetermined time interval due to that the object with the transponder is outside the coverage area of the radio signals from the external UHF transceiver, then transponder A2 sends an alarm message via the built-in radio modem B2.

The address of the alarm message is the telephone number already programmed in transponder A2.

In all reported application examples, transponder A2 also has a built-in track transmitter function that can be activated at the request of search personnel such as the police.

The track transmitter is based on the UHF transceiver B4.

Transponder A2 can receive control information to the track transmitter either from the built-in radio modem for mobile telephony B2 or via the receiver in the UHF transceiver B4 used as track transmitter. 11

Claims (1)

Claims 1