WO2006005271A1

WO2006005271A1 - Device for monitoring mutual position of objects

Info

Publication number: WO2006005271A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2005/000055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frantisek Kreidl
Original assignee: Frantisek Kreidl
Priority date: 2004-07-09
Filing date: 2005-07-04
Publication date: 2006-01-19
Also published as: CZ2004799A3

Abstract

A device for monitoring mutual position of objects with at least two modules connected to the monitored objects comprising a control module (1) connected to a controlled object (3) and a detection module (2) operated by the user, the control module (1) including a first receiver (11) for reception of signals from the detection module (2), a first transmitter (12) and a first control and evaluation unit (13) the input of which is connected to the first receiver (11) and the output of which is connected to the first transmitter (12) and to a first alarm (14). The detection module comprises a second receiver (21) for the reception of signals from the control module (1) a second transmitter (22) and a second control and evaluation unit (23) including a meter of the intensity of the control signal received from the control module (1).

Description

Device for monitoring mutual position of objects

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for monitoring mutual position of objects which comprises at least two modules each of them being operably connected to an object or a person which is under the mutual control.

Description of prior art

There are various devices for the control of mutual position of objects including persons or animals to serve in particular the business or military purposes including radar based equipment, remotely controlled objects, safety devices and pagers. Although the objects under the control of end-consumers such as highly sophisticated mobile phones make use of many controlling systems an easy monitoring of the position thereof by the end-customer is not obvious.

US patent No. 6,246,861 discloses a cellular telephone location system determining the geographic position of cellular telephones. This system is based on the signal strength measurement received from surrounding base stations to provide for the handoff of the mobile phone i.e. its communication transition from one cell to another cell with a more appropriate signal. The signal intensity is the function of the distance and since the position of each of the base station is known, the distance becomes a function of the (x, y) geographic position of the mobile phone. Nevertheless, there are many situations in practice where the user needs to control or find out an important object which is not carried on him or to monitor a person or animal of which he loosed the sight. These needs are becoming more urgent simultaneously with the development of modern high-tech society where some objects become indispensable for the day -by- day life.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective device that would enable the user to check a position of objects including persons entrusted into his care or which should remain available and detectable even for the time on which they are not carried on him.

The device for monitoring mutual position of objects comprises at least two modules each connected to the mutually monitored objects characterized in that it comprises a control module connected to a controlled object and a detection module operated by the user whereby the control module includes a first receiver for reception of signals from the detection module, a first transmitter and a first control and evaluation unit the input of which is connected to the first receiver and the output of which is connected to a first transmitter and to a first alarm whereby the detection module comprises a second receiver for the reception of signals from the control module a second transmitter and a second control and evaluation unit including a meter of the intensity of the control signal received from the control module the input of the second control and evaluation unit being connected to the second receiver a regulator and an activator and the output of which being connected to the second transmitter and a second alarm .

The following is the description of other embodiments of the invention which develop or define more specifically the substantial features thereof.

The first control and evaluation unit of the control module is provided with a first generator of a control signal and an alarm signal and a decoder of an activation, testing and detection signal and the second control and evaluation unit of the detection module is provided with a second generator of an activation, testing and detection signal and a decoder of a control signal and a decoder of a checking detection signal.

The first generator is programmed to produce a control signal of constant intensity or to produce a control signal of various intensity.

The first control and evaluation unit of the control module is provided with a safety loop connected to a breaker of the circuit established between the control module and the controlled object.

The control module is adapted to be attached to the controlled object or is incorporated into the controlled object.

The alarm is adapted to produce an audio, a video or a mechanical signal.

The controlled object is a mobile phone.

The activation signal, the control, testing, alarm, detection and checking detection signal is a digitally or analogously modulated code signal.

The control and evaluation unit is provided with a function of floating coding calibration or a control and subordinated function change-over switch.

An advantage of the device according to the invention is that it enables the user to keep objects or persons of his interests at a distance which is pre-selected by the user and moreover to provide a basic protection against stealing by an additional function of integrated alarm system, without using external means such as cellular phone system. The device is portable and may be used alternatively for one or more objects by simply adding other control modules.

The device according to the invention has a wide range of application such as keeping a limited distance between two persons like a mother and child, between a followed and the following person etc. or between the owner of an object and this object or more objects used by him such as a mobile phone, car, bicycle, keys, purse, glasses etc. The alarm function may be used as a warning signal if the object is to be stolen. The device may be used for similar purposes in business for example where a displacement of equipment, devices, tools or remote controlled manipulators in warehouse systems where the articles are to be equipped with control modules etc.

Brief description of the drawing

The preferred embodiments of the invention are further described by way of examples and in more details with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Description of the preferred embodiments

In the embodiment shown in the drawing the device according to the invention comprises a control module 1, and the detection module 2. The control module 1 is mechanically connected to a controlled object 3 by means of clamps 18 which object may be a mobile phone, baggage etc. incl. a person or an animal, hi another embodiment not shown in the drawing the control module 1 is incorporated into the controlled object 3. If the controlled object is a person or an animal the control module 1 may be attached to it by a bracelet, anklet, and collar, fixed on a body or a clothing.

The control module 1 includes a first receiver 11 and a first transmitter 12, operating block 10 connected to an alarm 14 and, as the case may be, an independent power source 19. Alternatively, the control module 1 may be connected to a power source of the controlled object 3 if so equipped. In the control module the operating block 10 is represented by a control and evaluation unit 13 (CEU 13) which comprises a generator of a control signal and a generator of an alarm signal and decoders of an activation testing signal and checking detection signal and, as the case may be, a regulation signal. The alarm 14 is provided with an audio or video signaling device, hi the embodiment shown in the drawing the control module 1 includes also a breaker 18 of the circuit established by attaching the control module 1 to the controlled object 3 by a mechanical coupling 17. In the event of an uncontrolled separation of the control module 1 from the controlled object 3 the circuit breaker 18 disconnects a safety loop included in the CEU 13 which in response generates a respective alarm signal.

The detection module 2 is to be operated by the user or a device controlling the position of the controlled objects 3 i.e. the distance between the control module 1 and the detection module 2. The user may attach the detection module to his clothing by means of zip or a hand bracelet or to another object which he carries on him such as a watch strap.

The detection module 2 comprises a second receiver 21 and a second transmitter 22, an operating block 20 to which the second receiver 21 and the second transmitter 22 and an alarm 24 is connected. The operating block 26 incorporates a control and evaluation unit 23 (CEU 23) which is in turn connected to a regulator 25, a tester 27 and an activator 26. The CEU 23 includes a decoder of a control signal and an alarm signal and a generator of an activating signal and a testing signal, or as the case may a generator of a regulation signal. The detection module 2 is fed by and independent power source 29.

The operation of the device is based on the metering of the intensity of the control signal emitted by the control module 1 and received and metered by the detection module 2 whereby the intensity thereof depends on the distance between the control module 1 and the detection module 2. /zminka o pfekazkach by vec zbytecne komplikovala a proto byla vypustena/ The mutual communication between the control module 1 and the detection module 2 is accomplished by the first receiver 11 and the first transmitter 12 of the control module 1 and the second receiver 21 and the second transmitter 22 of the detection module 2.

The controlled limiting distance between the module 1 and the module 2 which is subject to an alarm situation when surpassed is to be determined by setting a nominal intensity value of the control signal emitted by the first transmitter 12 of the control module 1 and received by the second receiver 22 of the detection module 2. This control signal may be an analogous or a digital signal sent within the transmission band allowed by the respective authority for the industrial communication technologies in which the device is used and certified and homologized. The control signal is modulated by a special code set up for the given device in the CEU 13 and generated by the respective control signal generator. The CEU 23 is provided by a decoder of this control signal.

The regulator 25 of the operation block 20 of the detection module 2 is used for setting the control signal intensity nominal value in the respective circuit of the CEU 23 unit which intensity value corresponds to the determined limiting distance between the control module 1 and the detection module 2. The device is activated by switching on the activator 26 of the detection module 2 whereby the CEU 23 sends an activation signal through the second transmitter 22 and the first receiver 11 to the operating block 10 of the module 1 namely to the activation signal decoder of the CEU 13. The control signal generator of the CEU 13 then generates a code modulated control signal which is emitted by the first transmitter 11. The control signal is received by the second receiver 22 and decoded by the CEU 23 control signal decoder. If the intensity of the control signal received and metered in the CEU 23 drops below the nominal value set by the regulator 23 (vypusteno jako zbytecne: or will be close to zero value) due to the exceeding of the limiting distance between the control module 1 and the detection module 2 or an uncontrolled deactivation of the control module, the CEU 23 activates the respective alarm 24 of the detection module 2. The output of the alarm may be of various nature for example an audio, video or mechanical - vibration signal etc.

In order to provide an audio or video detection of the position of the control module 1 and consequently of the object 3 another function of the activator 26 may be used which function is activated by sending a coded detection signal by the second transmitter 22 of the module 2 to the first receiver 11 of the module 1. Like in the previously described case the CEU 13 of the module 1 decodes the detection signal and turns on the alarm 14 of the control module 1. This function may be performed also automatically for example together with the activation of the alarm 24 of the detection module 2.

Alternatively, the turning on the alarm of the control module 1 by a second alarm signal of the detection module 2 may depend on further extending the distance between the control module 1 and the detection module 2 i.e. on the subsequent loss of the control signal intensity without the necessity to activate manually a second alarm signal. The intensity level corresponding to such distance is also to be set by the regulator 25 so that the alarm of the module 1 is automatically turned on upon the subsequent loss of the control signal i.e. upon the further increase of the distance between the control module 1 and the detection module 2.

To verify the coordination of said both functions of the control module 1 and the detection module 2 the detection module 2 incorporates a tester 27. After its activation by the user the CEU 23 generator produces a testing signal and sends it over through the second transmitter 22 to the control module 1 where it is decoded by the testing signal decoder of the CEU 13. The generator of the CEU 13 then produces a short-time checking detection signal and sends it over through the first transmitter 12 to the detection module 2 whose CEU 23 turns on the alarm 24. Simultaneously, according to another embodiment of the invention, also the alarm 14 of the control module 1 may be turned on for a short-time period. The function of the tester may be incorporated in the regulator 25 so that it may be activated by holding its push button down for a certain time for example for an interval exceeding 2 seconds.

To spare the power source energy consumed during the operation of the transmitter 12 sending the control signal, the module 1 may be provided with a stand-by function which is first activated by engaging the activator's 26 push button and thus sending the respective activation signal, hi this operation stage the transmitter 12 fails to send any signal. Only after repeated engaging the activator's 26 push button for a certain time interval to be set on the CEU 13 the second activation signal activates the CEU 13 which puts the transmitter 12 in operation. Its operation may be limited to certain time which may be required by the user to ascertain on the basis of the response in CEU 23 whether the preset limiting distance was exceeded or not.

In the above-described embodiment the output of the first transmitter 12 and the second transmitter 22 of the control signal are adjusted at the same value whereby the nominal intensity value of the received control signal is adjusted by the regulator 25. Naturally another alternative solution is available, where the limiting distance is adjusted by the regulation of the power of the transmitter 12 of the control module 1 whereby the control signal nominal intensity value set up in the CEU 23 remains constant, hi such a case the power of the first transmitter 12 of the module 1 will be set up by the regulator 25 by generating another adjustment signal in the CEU 23 and by transmission thereof through the second transmitter 22 over the first receiver 11 to the CEU 13. Here the adjustment signal is decoded and the power of the first transmitter 12 and consequently the limiting distance are adjusted. The higher will be the power of the first transmitter 12 the longer will be the limiting distance if the minimal intensity of the received signal set up in the CEU 23 remains constant.

Further, the device may be completed by the function of float coding calibration or, as the case may be, by changing the operation condition to a control and subordinated function i.e. to so called "master/slave" operation regime.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It may be obvious for those skilled in the art that the detection module may control more than one object, the controlling circuits and the CEU units may be multiplied so that individual objects may be subject to various set up conditions. To enable easier and advanced control the modules may be provided by displays etc. Industrial applicability

It appears from the preceding description that the device for monitoring mutual position of objects according to the invention i.e. the device for monitoring the distance between persons or between a user as a holder of an object and this object or objects, respectively, may find various application in the day-to-day situations. For example for maintaining a limited distance between two persons - e.g. mother and child - between the holder of an object and this object such as a mobile phone, car, bicycle, keys, purse, glasses etc to prevent their stealing or loss. The device may be used as well for similar purposes in business area for example where it is desirable to monitor a displacement of equipment, devices, tools or remote controlled manipulators for example in warehouse systems where the articles are to be equipped with control modules etc.

Claims

1. Device for monitoring mutual position of objects comprising at least two modules each connected to the mutually monitored objects characterized in that it comprises a control module III connected to a controlled object /3/ and a detection module 111 operated by the user whereby the control module III includes a first receiver /11/ for reception of signals from the detection module 111, a first transmitter /12/ and a first control and evaluation unit /13/ the input of which is connected to the first receiver /11/ and the output of which is connected to the first transmitter /12/ and to a first alarm /14/ whereby the detection module comprises a second receiver /21/ for the reception of signals from the control module /1/ a second transmitter /22/ and a second control and evaluation unit /23/ including a meter of the intensity of the control signal received from the control module III the input of the second control and evaluation unit /23/ being connected to the second receiver /21/ a regulator /25/ and an activator /26/ and the output of which being connected to the second transmitter /22/ and a second alarm /24/.

2. Device of claim 1 wherein the first control and evaluation unit /13/ of the control module /1/ is provided with a first generator of a control signal and an alarm signal and a decoder of an activation, testing and detection signal and the second control and evaluation unit /23/ of the detection module 121 is provided with a second generator of an activation, testing and detection signal and a decoder of a control signal and a decoder of a checking detection signal.

3. Device of one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the first generator is programmed to produce a control signal of a constant intensity.

4. Device of one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the first generator is programmed to produce a control signal of various intensity.

5. Device of one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first control and evaluation unit /13/ of the control module /1/ is provided with a safety loop connected to a breaker /18/ of the circuit established between the control module III and the controlled object 13/.

6. Device of one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the control module /1/ is adapted to be attached to the controlled object (3) or is incorporated into the controlled object (3).

7. Device of one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the alarm (14, 24) is adapted to produce an audio, a video or a mechanical signal.

8. Device of one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the controlled object (3) is a mobile phone.

9. Device of one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the activation signal, the control, testing, alarm, detection and checking detection signal is a digitally or analogously modulated code signal.

10. Device of one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the control and evaluation unit (13, 23) is provided with a function of floating coding calibration or a control and subordinated function change-over switch.