WO2007069890A1 - System for providing a warning signal when a movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone - Google Patents
System for providing a warning signal when a movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2007069890A1 WO2007069890A1 PCT/NL2006/000636 NL2006000636W WO2007069890A1 WO 2007069890 A1 WO2007069890 A1 WO 2007069890A1 NL 2006000636 W NL2006000636 W NL 2006000636W WO 2007069890 A1 WO2007069890 A1 WO 2007069890A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- predetermined
- movable body
- allowable zone
- warning signal
- position coordinates
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
- G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
- G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
- G08B21/0205—Specific application combined with child monitoring using a transmitter-receiver system
- G08B21/0211—Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
- G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
- G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
- G08B21/0227—System arrangements with a plurality of child units
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
- G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
- G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
- G08B21/0261—System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
- G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
- G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
- G08B21/0269—System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
- G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
- G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
- G08B21/0272—System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
- G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
- G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
- G08B21/0275—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID
Definitions
- the invention relates to a system for providing a warning signal when a movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone which is separated from a predetermined allowable zone by a predetermined boundary, wherein the system comprises at least a first device and second device, wherein the first device is arranged to be carried by a movable body, wherein the first and/or second device is provided with a facility for determining a position of the first device, wherein the system is provided with an analyser for analysing the position on the basis of predetermined data, wherein the system is further provided with a generator for generating the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone.
- the first device may be carried by an animal or for instance a child, and the second device may be carried or positioned near an animal minder or child minder.
- the second device When the animal or child carrying the first device moves from the allowable zone to the non-allowable zone and a predetermined border is crossed, the second device will generate a warning signal so that the animal minder or the child minder can act upon this information.
- An advantage of the known system is that the predetermined boundary does not need to be physically present. No fences etc. are needed. In a sense the system provides a virtual fence. The technology is also referred to as geo-fencing.
- this object is met by a system according to the preamble of claim 1 and that is further characterized in that the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position of the first device and/or on a position of the second device.
- a system according to an embodiment of the invention allows thus for an alteration of the predetermined boundary depending on the position of the first device and/or on a position of the second device.
- position is not necessarily equivalent to the term “position coordinates”.
- a “position” may also entail an absence or presence of the device in a predetermined area, or settings of the device itself without reference to an external reference system. Such a position may, for instance, entail the time as monitored by the device by an internal clock.
- position coordinates encompasses quantitative information about the position, of e.g. the first device, with respect to an external reference system. It is possible that the warning signal comprises information about a position, e.g. the position coordinates, of the first device. This may in particular urgent circumstances be very helpful.
- a system for providing a warning signal when a second movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone which is separated from a predetermined allowable zone by a predetermined boundary
- the system comprises at least a first device, second device and third device, wherein the first device is arranged to be carried by a first movable body, wherein the first device and/or the second device is provided with a facility for determining a position of the first device, wherein the allowable zone is associated with the position of the first device, wherein the third device is arranged for detecting a position of the first and/or second movable body, wherein the third device is communicatively connected to the first device and/or second device, wherein the system is provided with an analyser for analysing the position of the first device on the basis of predetermined data, wherein the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position of the first device, wherein the analyser is further arranged for analysing the position of the first and
- the first movable body may for instance be an allowed movable body.
- the second movable body may for instance be a non-allowed movable body.
- the position of the first device determines the predetermined boundary.
- a zone e.g. a detection zone of the third device, is a non-allowable zone if the first device is in a first position, e.g. absent in the detection zone, and is an allowable zone if the first device is in a second position, e.g. present in the detection zone.
- the third device detects a second movable body, not carrying the first device, on a certain position, e.g.
- the system may differentiate between a second movable body not carrying a first device and a first movable body carrying a first device (or a second movable body accompanied by a first movable body carrying a first device) and determine accordingly whether the presence of the movable body on the detected position is allowed or not allowed.
- the warning signal comprises information about the position, e.g. the position coordinates, of the first movable body and/or second movable body.
- predetermined access rights are assigned to a first device, defining whether or not the allowable zone defined by the predetermined boundary associated with the position of the first device is overruled by a non-allowable zone which generally occupies an area.
- the position of the first device comprises position coordinates of the first device. This provides the advantage that the position of the first device comprises quantitative information about the position of the first device with respect to an external reference system.
- the position of the first and/or second movable body comprises position coordinates of the first and/or second movable body, respectively. This provides the advantage that the position of the first and/or second movable body comprises quantitative information about the position of the first and/or second movable body with respect to an external reference system.
- the first device is provided with a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the second device
- the second device is provided with a receiver for receiving the signal from the first device.
- information such as the position coordinates of the first device, can be communicated from the first device to the second device.
- the first device is provided with a facility for determining the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device.
- the first device can determine its own position (coordinates) and can establish whether or not the movable body is present within the non- allowable zone and/or communicate this position (coordinates) or information with respect to this position (coordinates) to the second device.
- the second device is provided with a facility for determining the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device.
- a simple first device can be used which need not be able to determine its position (coordinates) itself.
- the first device is provided with the analyser, and that the transmitter of the first device is arranged to transmit a data signal to the second device when the analyser establishes that the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone.
- the second device is provided with the analyser, and that the transmitter of the first device is arranged to transmit the position of the first device to the second device.
- a particular embodiment of a system according to the invention is characterized in that, in use, the first device is carried by the movable body and that the analyser is arranged to establish that the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position, for example position coordinates, of the first device carried by the movable body. This allows for simple detection of the presence or absence of the movable body carrying the first device within the non-allowable zone.
- the generator is arranged for activating the warning signal when the movable body crosses the predetermined boundary into the non-allowable zone, and for deactivating the warning signal when the movable body crosses the predetermined boundary into the allowable zone.
- the warning signal is generated during the entire stay of the movable body in the non-allowable zone.
- the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device. It may, for instance, be the case that when the carrier of the first device is within an allowable zone represented by a set of predetermined position coordinates, for instance a fenced garden of a house, the distance between the first and second device is not relevant. It is also possible though that the second device is provided with a facility for determining its position, for example its position coordinates. In that case the predetermined data may be dependent on the position, for example the position coordinates, of the second device. It may for instance apply that the predetermined data comprise a distance between the position coordinates of the first device and the position coordinates of the second device.
- a child minder would like a child to be within a predetermined radius from the child minder.
- the child minder carrying the second device, and the child carrying the first device, move with respect to each other, and the distance between the two becomes larger, a predetermined boundary is crossed.
- an alarm signal is generated to the child minder, and when the child walks away from the child minder also an alarm signal, or warning signal, is provided so that the child minder knows that the distance between the child and the minder itself is growing.
- the predetermined data comprise a distance between the position coordinates of the first device and the position coordinates of a predetermined position.
- the child carrying a first device when the child carrying a first device is within a predetermined radius from a predetermined position within the area of a school, no warning signal will be generated. However, when the distance is growing, and the predetermined boundary which is based on the predetermined data, is crossed by the child carrying the first device, the second device will generate the warning signal.
- the position coordinates may be GPS-coordinates but may also be based on any other external reference system. It is also possible that the first and second device are both arranged to be carried by one and the same movable body. In this particular case the first and the second device may be integrally positioned within one housing. The movable body carrying the device may in that particular embodiment also be warned by the warning signal when the movable body is present in a non- allowable zone.
- the system comprises a plurality of second devices.
- the plurality of second devices may comprise at least a first second device and a second second device, both provided with a facility for communicating with each other. It may for instance apply that the first second device communicates the presence of the first device within an allowable zone associated with the first second device to the second second device. In response, the second second device may refrain from generating the warning signal, or suppress the warning signal, which warning signal would indicate the absence of the first device in an allowable zone associated with the second second device. It is also possible that the first second device is arranged for requesting from the second second device a position of the first device, e.g.
- the second second device may then be arranged to transmit the requested position of the first device to the first second device. It will be appreciated that the second second device may similarly be arranged to request a position of the first device from the first second device.
- each zone is a three-dimensional zone.
- the first device is further provided with a sensor for measuring a parameter, such as gas, moisture, angle of inclination, altitude, drop, velocity, acceleration, jerk, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and or electric and/or magnetic radiation, wherein the generator is arranged for generating the data signal when the measured value of the parameter exceeds a predetermined level.
- the warning signal comprises information about the measured value of the parameter.
- the first and/or the second device comprises an input facility for inputting predetermined data. It is for instance possible that dependent on who in particular is carrying the first and/or second device, a first or a second set of predetermined data apply.
- the first and/or second device comprises a phone facility for sending a message via a phone network.
- a system according to the invention may in that case easily be incorporated in current communication systems.
- FIG. 1 shows schematically a first embodiment of a system according to the invention
- Fig. 2 shows schematically a second embodiment of a system according to the invention
- FIG. 3 shows schematically a third embodiment of a system according to the invention
- Fig. 4a shows schematically a first example of a fourth embodiment of a system according to the invention
- Fig. 4b shows schematically a second example of the fourth embodiment of a system, according to the invention.
- Fig. 5a shows schematically a first example of a fifth embodiment of a system according to the invention
- Fig. 5b shows schematically a second example of the fifth embodiment of a system according to the invention.
- Fig. 6 shows schematically a sixth embodiment of a system according to the invention.
- All figures show schematically examples of a system for providing a warning signal W when a movable body (not shown in Figs l-5b) is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone NZ which is separated form a predetermined allowable zone AZ by a predetermined boundary PB, PBI, PBII.
- movable body is referred to as “movable object” or as “movable organism”.
- a movable object is mentioned also a movable organism can be read, and where a movable organism is mentioned also a movable object can be read.
- the system comprises a first device 1 and a second device 2.
- the first device 1 is arranged to be carried by the movable organism which is not shown.
- the first device 1 may be arranged to be strapped to a leg or arm or wrist or other part of the movable organism.
- the first device 1 and or second device 2 is further provided with a facility for determining the position coordinates of the first device. These position coordinates are to an external reference system. Such coordinates may for instance be GPS-coordinates or any other suitable position coordinates.
- the first device 1 may further be provided with a transmitter (not shown) for transmitting a signal to the second device 2.
- the second device 2 is provided with a receiver (not shown) for receiving the signal of the first device 1.
- the system is further provided with an analyser for analyzing the position coordinates of the first device 1 on the basis of predetermined data.
- position coordinates also encompasses information representative of the position coordinates.
- the system is further provided with a generator (not shown) for generating the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone NZ.
- the second device 2 is provided with the generator.
- the first device 1 is provided with the analyser, and the transmitter of the first device 1 is arranged to transmit a data signal to the second device 2 when the analyser establishes that the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone.
- the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary PB is dependent on the position coordinates of the first device 1 and/or on a position of the second device 2.
- the predetermined data do in fact not necessarily always represent predetermined boundaries. After all, the predetermined data may lead to the determination of a predetermined boundary PB after input of for instance the position coordinates of the first device 1. Additionally or alternatively the position of the second device 2 determines in combination with the predetermined data how a predetermined boundary PB is defined.
- the first device 1 is carried by the movable organism.
- the system is such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position coordinates of the first device 1.
- the position coordinates of first device 1 are determined by the first device 1.
- the analyser of the first device 1 analyses these position coordinates on the basis of the predetermined data and in this case, decides not to transmit a data signal to the second device 2 as the analyser establishes, on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device carried by the movable organism and on the basis of the predetermined data, that the predetermined boundary PBI is not crossed by the first device, i.e.
- First device 1 is currently present in an allowable zone AZ, viz. in the allowable zone AZI. However, when first device 1 moves from position Xl to position X2, a predetermined boundary is crossed, viz. the predetermined boundary PBI. The first device 1 determines its position coordinates. As the analyser of the first device 1 establishes that the predetermined boundary is crossed, i.e. that the first device is present in the non-allowable zone NZ, the transmitter of the first device 1 transmits a data signal to the second device 2. The generator of the second device 2 generates the warning signal on receipt of the data signal.
- the analyser is arranged to establish that the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device carried by the movable organism. It is worth noting that in this example the analyser may not detect the presence of a movable organism not carrying a first device.
- predetermined boundary PBII When the first device 1 moves from position X2 to position X3 predetermined boundary PBII is crossed.
- the predetermined boundary PBII is defined on the basis of a distance from coordinates of a predetermined position. In this case it is worth noting that the predetermined boundary PBII is also independent of position coordinates of the second device 2.
- Fig. 2 is intended to explain an embodiment wherein the second device 2 is provided with a facility (not shown) for determining its position coordinates.
- the predetermined boundary PBI is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.
- the predetermined boundary PBIII is not dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.
- the predetermined boundary PB may be determined by the predetermined boundaries PBI and PBIII defining the allowable zones AZI and AZII and non-allowable zone NZ in which first device 1 may or may not be present respectively.
- This embodiment is suitable for a child minder which is following the child.
- the child minder carrying second device 2 can decide to move towards the child carrying first device 1, in the example towards position Y2, so that the child carrying first device 1 is again within an allowable zone AZ, this time defined by predetermined boundary PBII.
- the predetermined boundary PBIII may e.g. represent a garden in which the child carrying first device 1 may be present regardless of the position of the child minder carrying the second device 2.
- the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary PBI, PBII is dependent on a position of the second device 2.
- the predetermined data comprise an allowable distance between the position coordinates of the first device 1 and the position coordinates of the second device 2.
- the predetermined boundary is relative to the position coordinates of the second device 2.
- the predetermined boundary following from the predetermined data may at some stage also be a fixed predetermined boundary. It is for instance possible that the predetermined data comprises a distance between the position coordinates of the first device 1 and position coordinates of a central point in a physically fenced zone.
- Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention wherein the predetermined data represent a plurality of predetermined two- zones-separating boundaries PB which are unconnected to each other.
- the predetermined data represent position coordinates of a plurality of predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries PB.
- Each predetermined boundary PB defines by itself, or by itself and another predetermined boundary PB, an allowable or non-allowable zone.
- the movable organism carrying first device 1 can freely move in the allowable zone AZ between or around non-allowable zones NZIII, NZIV and NZI.
- all predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries PB appear related to a radius of a circle that surrounds a predetermined position, i.e.
- non-allowable zone NZI and NZII may be defined by predetermined data which represent at least two predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries which are related to two zones of which one comprises the other. It is of course also possible that the predetermined data represent at least two predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries which are unrelated to two zones of which one comprises the other, e.g. that the predetermined data represent at least two predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries which are related to two zones of which one does not comprise the other. The latter situation is shown by non-allowable zone NZIII and NZIV.
- Figs. 4a and 4b show an embodiment wherein the system is provided with a plurality of second devices 2.1,2.2.
- the system is provided with two second devices 2.1, 2.2, each of which is carried by a movable organism, e.g. a child minder.
- This embodiment is suitable for two child minders which both follow a child.
- one second device 2.1 is carried by a father
- the other second device 2.2 is carried by a mother
- the first device 1 is carried by a child.
- Each second device 2.1,2.2 is provided with a facility (not shown) for determining its respective position coordinates.
- the predetermined boundary PBI is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.1 while the predetermined boundary PBII is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.2.
- the predetermined boundary PB may be defined by an outer perimeter of the predetermined boundaries PBI and PBII, thus defining the allowable and non-allowable zone in which device 1 may or may not be present respectively.
- the allowable zone AI associated with the second device 2.1 and the allowable zone All associated with the second device 2.2 share a common allowable zone AZIII.
- the allowable zones AZI and AZII become separated.
- the analyser of the first device will establish that the child carrying the first device is present within the allowable zone associated with the second device 2.2.
- the first device will not transmit the data signal to the second devices 2.1,2.2.
- the second devices 2.1 and 2.2 are each provided with a facility (not shown) for communicating with the other second device 2.2 and 2.1, respectively.
- the second device 2.2 can communicate the presence of the (child carrying) first device 1 within the allowable zone AZII associated with the second device 2.2 to the second device 2.1.
- a network may be formed, wherein either second device can communicate the presence and/or absence of the first device within the allowable zone associated with that second device to the other second device.
- the analyser of the first device will establish that the child carrying the first device is present within the non-allowable zone.
- the first device will transmit the data signal to the second devices 2.1,2.2.
- the generator of each second device 2.1,2.2 may then generate the warning signal. It is also possible that just one second device 2.1,2.2 of the plurality of second devices, e.g. only the second device 2.1,2.2 nearest to the first device 1, generates the warning signal if the child carrying first device 1 crosses the predetermined boundary PB into the non-allowable zone NZ.
- the father and/or the mother carrying second device 2.1,2.2 can decide to move towards the child carrying first device 1 so that the child carrying first device 1 is again within an allowable zone. It will be appreciated that once the child carrying the first device 1 is again within the allowable zone associated with one of the second devices 2.1,2.2, the respective second device may be arranged to communicate the presence of the (child carrying) first device 1 within the allowable zone associated with the respective second device to the other second device.
- the predetermined data comprise an allowable distance between the position coordinates of the first device and the position coordinates of the second devices 2.1 and 2.2.
- Figs. 5a and 5b show an alternative embodiment wherein the system is provided with a plurality of second devices 2.1,2.2.
- the system is provided with two second devices 2.1, 2.2, each of which is carried by a movable organism, e.g. an employee of a package delivery service.
- This embodiment is suitable for two employees which handle packages in subsequent stages of the delivery service, e.g. a first employee at a distribution centre and a second employee entrusted with home delivery.
- one second device 2.1 is carried by the first employee
- the other second device 2.2 is carried by the second employee
- the first device 1 is carried by a movable object, such as a package.
- each second device 2.1,2.2 is provided with a facility (not shown) for determining its respective position coordinates.
- the predetermined boundary PBI is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.1 while the predetermined boundary PBII is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.2.
- the predetermined boundary PB may be defined by an outer perimeter of the predetermined boundaries PBI and PBII, thus defining the allowable and non-allowable zone in which device 1 may or may not be present respectively.
- the allowable zone AI associated with the second device 2.1 and the allowable zone All associated with the second device 2.2 share a common allowable zone AZIII. This may for instance be the case when the first employee is close to the second employee, e.g. to hand over the package to be delivered.
- the second devices 2.1 and 2.2 are each provided with a facility (not shown) for communicating with a fourth device 4.
- the second device 2.2 can communicate the presence of the (package carrying) first device 1 within the allowable zone AZII associated with the second device 2.2 to the fourth device 4, while the second device 2.1 can communicate the absence of the (package carrying) first device 1 within the allowable zone AZI associated with the second device 2.1 to the fourth device 4.
- the fourth device provided with the analyser.
- the fourth device 4 is arranged for generating a warning signal if the first device 1 is not present in an allowable zone.
- the fourth device is arranged for refraining from generating the warning signal, or for suppressing the warning signal when the first device is present in at least one allowable zone associated with at least one of the second devices 2.1,2.2.
- the first employee carrying second device 2.1 and the second employee carrying second device 2.2 move away from the package carrying first device 1, i.e. leave the package unattended, or when the package carrying first device 1 moves away from both the first employee carrying second device 2.1 and the second employee carrying second device 2.2, e.g. because the package was taken by an unauthorised person, the first employee will communicate the absence of the first device in the allowable zone AZI associated with the second device 2.1 to the fourth device and the second employee will communicate the absence of the first device in the allowable zone AZII associated with the second device 2.2 to the fourth device if the package carrying first device 1 crosses the predetermined boundary PB into the non-allowable zone NZ outside the allowable zones AZI and AZII. In that situation, the analyser of the fourth device will establish that the package carrying the first device is present within the non-allowable zone, and the fourth device will generate the warning signal.
- the position coordinates may be expressed in GPS- coordinates (Global Positioning System) or any other position coordinates which are based on a external reference system, such as position coordinates generated by LPM (Local Position Measurement), GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) positioning, DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), active/passive RF-ID (Radio Frequency IDentification), Radar identification, Galileo, Acoustic positioning system (e.g. ATT, Acoustic Tracing and Tracking), UWB (Ultra Wide Band) positioning, and/or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) positioning systems.
- LPM Local Position Measurement
- GSM Global System for Mobile communications
- DECT Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
- active/passive RF-ID Radio Frequency IDentification
- Radar identification Galileo
- Acoustic positioning system e.g. ATT, Acoustic Tracing and Tracking
- UWB Ultra Wide Band
- WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
- the predetermined data represent position coordinates of a predetermined boundary PBI which is independent on the position coordinates of the first device 1.
- the area within the predetermined boundary PBI is in this example defined as non-allowable zone NZ, e.g. a yard or an office building, and outside the predetermined boundary PBI may be defined as allowable zone AZI.
- the second device is provided with the analyser and with the generator.
- the first device is arranged to determine its position coordinates and transmit them to the second device, e.g. at regular time intervals or when requested by the second device.
- the system is further provided with a third device 3.
- the third device 3 is arranged for detecting the position, e.g.
- the third device 3 may e.g. comprise a video camera, an infrared detector and/or radar.
- the third device may function as a known security system for detecting the presence of a movable organism within the non- allowable zone NZ.
- the third device 3 is communicatively connected to the second device 2 and/or first device 1. It will be appreciated that the second device and the third device may be integrated into a single apparatus.
- the predetermined boundary PBII is dependent on the position coordinates of the first device 1. For instance when first device 1 is at position Ql the predetermined boundary PBII applies.
- the predetermined boundary PBII defines the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1.
- Fig. 6 shows a first movable organism MOI carrying the first device 1.
- the third device 3 will detect the position of the first movable organism.
- the second device 2 will receive the position coordinates of the first device 1.
- the second and third device are communicatively connected, and the analyser may be provided with a comparator for comparing the position of the first movable organism detected by the third device, with the position coordinates of the first device detected (here received) by the second device. If the analyser determines that the first movable organism is within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1, the system will not generate a warning signal, as the first movable organism is detected to be present within an allowable zone, viz. allowable zone AZII.
- the first movable organism MOI carrying the first device 1 is an allowable movable organism, as it carries the first device which determines an allowable zone AZII around the first movable organism. It will be appreciated that it is also possible that a plurality of movable organisms is present within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device, and that the plurality of movable organisms is detected by the third device. In this case the system will not generate a warning signal, as each movable organism of said plurality of movable organisms is detected to be present within the allowable zone.
- Fig. 6 also shows a second movable organism MOII, not carrying a first device 1.
- the third device 3 will detect the position of the second movable organism.
- the second device 2 will detect (receive) the position coordinates of the first device 1.
- the analyser will now determine that the second movable organism is not within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1, the system will generate a warning signal as the second movable organism is detected to be present within a non-allowable zone, viz. non-allowable zone NZ.
- the second movable organism MOII not carrying the first device 1 is a non-allowable movable organism, as it does not carry the first device, and is not present in the allowable zone associated with the first device.
- the analyser determines that the second movable organism not carrying a first device 1 is within the allowable zone AZI, no warning signal will be generated.
- the first movable organism MOI carrying the first device 1 can move freely, without causing a warning signal to be generated, throughout the area within the predetermined boundary PBI and outside the predetermined boundary PBI, since the first movable organism is present within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1.
- the second movable organism MOII can, in this example, move freely, without causing a warning signal to be generated, throughout the area outside the predetermined boundary PBI since, in that case, the second movable organism is present within the allowable zone AZI.
- the second movable organism MOII can, however, not move freely throughout the area within the predetermined boundary PBI since, in that case, the second movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone NZ. Therefore, the warning signal will be generated when the second movable organism, not carrying a first device 1, crosses the predetermined boundary PBI into the non- allowable zone NZ where it is detected by the third device 3.
- the warning signal may comprise information about the position of the second movable organism, e.g. the position coordinates of the second movable organism. It will be appreciated that the system may also provide information on the position, e.g. position coordinates, of the first movable organism carrying the first device.
- known security systems are activated when no movable object is allowed, e.g. during night time, in a zone, e.g. an office building, that is secured using the security system.
- the known security systems are deactivated when predetermined movable organisms, e.g. employees, are allowed, e.g. during working hours, in the zone, e.g. the office building, that is secured using the security system.
- This has the disadvantage that during the time the known security system is deactivated, the known security system is unable to detect movable organisms that are not allowed to be present within the zone that is secured using the security system.
- a security system comprising the third device 3, or a plurality of third devices 3, is active at all times, thus detecting the presence of any movable object at all times.
- a movable object is detected in an allowable zone associated with the position coordinates of the first device, e.g. an employee carrying the first device, no warning signal will be generated, or the warning signal from the third device will be suppressed.
- the warning signal will be generated.
- the system according to the invention provides a higher level of security, since the system will be activated at all times.
- first, second and/or (if present) third and/or fourth devices may form a network, wherein any signal or information, such as e.g. position coordinates (e.g. determined by the third or first device) may be distributed from any device to any other device (e.g. to the second device), either directly or via any first, second, third and/or fourth device.
- any signal or information such as e.g. position coordinates (e.g. determined by the third or first device) may be distributed from any device to any other device (e.g. to the second device), either directly or via any first, second, third and/or fourth device.
- the predetermined boundary PBI is determined by the predetermined data. It will be appreciated, that the predetermined boundary PBI can also be determined by parameters of the third device, e.g. a field of view of a camera or a detection range of a detector, or external parameters, e.g. walls of an office building, which define the non- allowable zone in which the third device may detect the presence of a movable organism. In that case it is possible that if a movable organism is present within the allowable zone AZI outside the predetermined boundary PBI, the third device is inherently unable to detect the presence of the movable organism, so that, inherently, no warning signal will be generated.
- the third device e.g. a field of view of a camera or a detection range of a detector, or external parameters, e.g. walls of an office building, which define the non- allowable zone in which the third device may detect the presence of a movable organism. In that case it is possible that if a movable organism is present within the
- the analyser is arranged to establish that the movable organism carrying the first device is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device, as, in the example of Fig. 6, the first device, and hence the movable organism carrying the first device, is always within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of that first device.
- the system comprises one non-allowable zone NZ, one stationary allowable zone AZI and one movable allowable zone AZII. It will be appreciated that the system may also comprise a plurality of non-allowable zones, e.g. a plurality of offices in an office building, and/or a plurality of stationary allowable zones, e.g. a plurality of corridors in an office building, and/or a plurality of movable allowable zones, e.g. a plurality of allowable zones each associated with a respective first device of a plurality of first devices wherein e.g. each first device may be carried by an employee of a plurality of employees.
- the system is provided with one third device. It will be appreciated that the system may also be provided with a plurality of third devices.
- the first device is not arranged to determine and/or transmit its position coordinates to the second device.
- the first device may, for instance be arranged as a passive device, such as a RFID label, which may be arranged to transmit a signal in response to a request, such as an electric and/or magnetic interrogation field.
- the request may be generated by the second device.
- the second device may, hence, be arranged for determining the position, e.g. position coordinates, of the first device, e.g. by using techniques known per se, such as phase difference measurements, time-of- flight measurements, etc.
- the system of Fig. 6 is further provided with the third device 3, which is arranged for detecting the position, e.g. position coordinates, of the movable organism.
- the second device 2 and the third device 3 in combination determine the position of the first device and the position of the movable organism.
- the system may be provided with the comparator for comparing the position of the first movable organism detected by the third device, with the position coordinates of the first device detected by the second device.
- the second device may also be arranged for determining, a position of the first device such as the presence of the first device in a predetermined area, e.g. within the predetermined boundary PBI and/or for instance with a detection area of the third device, or the absence of the first device in the predetermined area.
- the third device is arranged for determining a position of the first and/or second movable organism, such as the presence of the first and/or second movable organism in the predetermined area, e.g. within the predetermined boundary PBI, or the absence of any movable organism in the predetermined area.
- this system does not provide position coordinates of the first device and the first and/or second movable organism, it will be appreciated that it can be used for determining whether or not a movable organism carrying the first device, is present in the predetermined area (allowable zone) and/or whether a movable organism not carrying the first device, or not accompanied by a movable organism carrying the first device, is present in the predetermined area (non- allowable zone).
- the system determines that the first movable organism MOI is within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1, the system will not generate the warning signal, as the first movable organism is detected to be present within an allowable zone, viz. allowable zone AZII.
- the system determines that the second movable organism MOII, not carrying a first device 1 is not within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1, the system will generate a warning signal as the second movable organism is detected to be present within a non-allowable zone, viz. non-allowable zone NZ. It will be appreciated that if the analyser determines that the second movable organism not carrying a first device 1 is within the allowable zone AZI, no warning signal will be generated.
- the system of Fig. 6 has been explained with respect to an office building. It will be appreciated that the system can also be applied for other purposes. For example, the system can be used to protect an open building site.
- construction workers or allowed visitors carry a first device, so that the system detects their presence in an allowed zone associated with the respective first device.
- Non-allowed visitors for instance playing children, do not carry a first device.
- the presence of these non-allowed visitors in a non-allowable zone will be detected by the third device (such as a camera or radar system).
- the third device such as a camera or radar system.
- Other examples where the system may be used are (logistical) warehouses, sheds, garages, etc. which are sometimes left open, and hence accessible for non-allowed visitors, for convenience.
- the system of Fig. 6 could also be used as a home security system, allowing the inhabitants to freely move throughout the premises, but generating a warning signal when a non-allowed visitor enters. Such security system need not be deactivated when the inhabitants are present.
- the system could further be provided with door-locks which automatically close when no allowed person is present at the premises, and/or automatically open when an allowed person approaches the door.
- An other example of the use of the system according to Fig. 6 is finding and optionally pinpointing a fare dodger, for example on a train.
- the first device can be associated with a valid fare ticket.
- the valid fare ticket thus, creates an allowable zone for the passenger. If a passenger does not carry a valid ticket, the presence of the passenger outside an allowable zone will be detected by the third device.
- the system can be arranged to indicate the position coordinates (e.g. seat number) of the passenger without the valid ticket.
- the system according to Fig. 6 may also be used to determine the position of a plurality of first movable organism and/or a plurality of second movable organisms.
- the third device may determine the position of at least one movable organism, if present.
- the third device may determine the position, e.g. position coordinates, of a first movable organism or of each of a plurality of first movable organisms, if present, and of a second movable organism or of each of a plurality of second movable organisms, if present.
- the second device may determine the position, e.g. the presence and/or position coordinates, of at least one first device, if present.
- the second device may for instance determine the presence of first devices designed as RF-ID labels, or open a communications channel with each of the first devices present.
- the analyser may be arranged to count the total number of movable organisms, i.e.
- first and/or second movable organisms detected by the third device and the total number of first devices detected by the second device. If, in a special embodiment, the analyser then determines that the total number of movable organisms detected by the third device equals the total number of first devices detected by the second device, the analyser may determine that there is no reason to assume a warning signal is to be generated, as it is likely that each detected movable organism carries a first device. If the analyser determines that the total number of movable organisms detected by the third device does not equal the total number of first devices detected by the second device, e.g. that the total number of detected movable organisms exceeds the total number of detected first devices, there may be a reason to generate a warning signal.
- a movable organism not carrying a first device is accompanied by a movable organism carrying a first device.
- the analyser may then determine whether a movable organism not carrying a first device is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position of the movable body detected by the third device, and whether the position of the movable body not carrying the first device is outside the allowable zone associated with the position of at least one first device.
- the generator may generate the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the movable organism not carrying a first device is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position of that movable organism detected by the third device, and that the position of the movable organism not carrying a first device is outside the allowable zone associated with the position of the first device.
- predetermined access rights are assigned to a first device.
- an allowable zone associated with the position coordinates of this first device is overruled by a first non-allowable zone and not by a second non-allowable zone.
- a movable organism carrying the first device may be allowed to be present in the area generally occupied by the second non-allowable zone, as the first device defines an allowable zone within the second non- allowable zone wherein the allowable zone (locally) overrules the second non-allowable zone.
- the movable organism carrying the first device may, however, not be allowed to be present in the first non-allowable zone, as the allowable zone defined by the first device does not overrule the first non-allowable zone.
- the system is provided with one first device. It will be appreciated that the system can also be provided with a plurality of first devices. This may e.g. prove useful for a child minder, or a plurality of child minders, minding a plurality of children each carrying a first device. It is possible that a warning signal that is generated by the system when a certain first device is present in a non-allowable zone can be distinguished from a warning signal that is generated when another first device is present in a non-allowable zone.
- the first and the second device may both be arranged to be carried by a movable organism. It is also possible that the first and the second device are both arranged to be carried by the same movable organism. In this case the organism, e.g. a person, carrying the first device and the second device will itself receive the warning signal when a predetermined boundary is crossed into a non-allowable zone.
- Figs. 1 to 6 show two- dimensional zones it is possible that one or each zone is actually three- dimensional.
- the warning signal may be any audible, visible or other type of signal. It is even possible that the warning signal comprises information about a position of the first device, e.g.
- the first and/or second device comprises a phone facility for sending a message via a phone network.
- the first and/or second device may comprise an input facility for inputting predetermined data. It will be understood that allowable zones and non-allowable zones are fully interchangeable if so desired.
- a system according to an embodiment of the invention can be carried out on the level of hardware and/or on the level of software. After all, the components needed to build such a system are all available in the art.
- the first device is provided with the analyser, and the transmitter of the first device is arranged to transmit a data signal to the second device when the analyser establishes that the movable organism is present in a non-allowable zone.
- the analyser of the first device determines, on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device carried by the movable organism, whether the movable organism is present in an allowable zone or in a non-allowable zone.
- the data signal, signalling that the first device is present in the non-allowable zone is transmitted to the second device.
- the fourth device is provided with the analyser.
- the second device 2 is provided with the analyser, and the transmitter of the first device 1 is arranged to transmit the position coordinates of the first device to the second device.
- the first device may be provided with the analyser and/or that in the examples of Figs l-4b and 6 a fourth device may be provided comprising the analyser and/or that in the examples of Figs.
- the second device may be provided with the analyser.
- the analyser of the second device determines, on the basis of the position coordinates received from of the first device, whether the movable organism carrying the first device is present in the non-allowable zone.
- the first device need not comprise the analyser. This may e.g. be particularly advantageous when the system is provided with a plurality of first devices. In that case, the system may require only one single analyser in the second device.
- the first device may transmit the position coordinates of the first device to the second device when first device is present in the non- allowable zone and/or when the first device is present in the allowable zone.
- the warning signal comprises information about the position coordinates of the first device, e.g. the position coordinates, to enable a quick response to the warning signal.
- the first device 1 described in the examples may be provided with a facility for determining movement or motion of the first device 1, e.g. on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device T.
- the first device may be arranged to transmit a data signal to the second device when the first device has not moved for a predetermined period of time. Thus, the second device 2 will be warned when the first device is immobile longer than the predetermined period of time.
- the first device 1 is arranged to transmit a reporting signal to the second device 2 at a predetermined time interval.
- the second device may be arranged to generate a warning signal when the reporting signal has not been received a predetermined period of time after the last received reporting signal.
- the second device may generate the warning signal when the first device has e.g. become submersed in water, or when the first device 1 has entered an area with no (or poor) reception/transmission properties.
- the second device may be arranged to generate a warning signal and/or to determine the position coordinates of the first device, e.g.
- the second device recognizes that the first device reappears after having been lost.
- the first device is provided with a sensor for measuring a parameter.
- This sensor may e.g. comprise a gas detection sensor, a moisture or water detection sensor, an inclination angle detection sensor, a drop detection sensor, an altitude sensor, a velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a jerk sensor, a heart rate sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and/or a sensor to detect electric and/or magnetic radiation, such as light.
- the transmitter of the first device may then be arranged to transmit a data signal when the measured value of the parameter exceeds a predetermined level, e.g. when the heart rate drops below a predetermined heart rate, or when the temperature (e.g. body temperature of the movable organism) rises above a predetermined temperature.
- the first device may transmit the measured value of the parameter to the second device when the predetermined level is exceeded, and/or when the predetermined level is not exceeded, e.g. to monitor the measured value of the parameter.
- the warning signal comprises information about the measured value of the parameter, e.g. the measured value, to enable a quick response to the warning signal.
- the term measured value also encompasses information representative of the measured value.
- the first device is arranged to refrain from transmitting any signal until the analyser establishes that the first device is present in the non-allowable zone. This provides the advantage that the power consumption of the first device may be relatively low as no signals are transmitted when the first device is present in the allowable zone. This may also be used when the first device is not to be detected by external systems. As long as the first device does not transmit any signal, it may remain unnoticeable e.g. to receivers of the external system.
- the second device may be provided with a transmitter for transmitting an information request signal to the first device.
- the first device may be provided with a receiver for receiving the information request signal, and may be arranged to, in response to receiving the information request signal, transmit an information signal, e.g. an information signal comprising the position coordinates of the first device and/or an information signal comprising the measured value of the parameter measured by the sensor.
- the first and/or second device may be provided with a facility for controlling whether the second device is allowed or disallowed to transmit the information request signal, and/or a facility for controlling whether the first device is allowed or disallowed to transmit the information signal in response to an information request signal.
- the second device is provided with a generator for generating the warning signal, while the first device is free of a generator for generating a warning signal.
- the movable organism carrying the first device may not be warned by a warning signal when the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone. This may prove especially useful when the movable organism carrying the first device is not to be distressed and/or informed by the warning signal.
- the first an/or second device is provided with a facility for controlling whether the generator of the second device is enabled or disabled. It is, thus, possible that the first and/or second device comprises e.g.
- the first device is provided with a generator for generating the warning signal.
- the first an/or second device is provided with a facility for controlling whether the generator of the first device is enabled or disabled. It is, thus, possible that the first and/or second device comprises e.g. a switch to disable the generator of the first device, so that no warning signal is generated at the first device, or that the warning signal at the first device is suppressed, when the analyser establishes that the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone.
- the generator for generating the warning signal may be arranged for activating the warning signal when the first device crosses the predetermined boundary into the non-allowable zone, and for deactivating the warning signal when the first device crosses the predetermined boundary into the allowable zone.
- the generator may thus generate two signals, e.g. an enable-sigrial and a disable-signal, while the warning signal will remain activated during the entire period that the movable organism is detected present in the non-allowable zone.
- the movable organism is allowed to be present in the allowable zone and not allowed to be present in the non-allowable zone. It will be appreciated that it is also possible that the movable organism is allowed to be present in the non-allowable zone and not allowed to be present in the allowable zone. It is also possible that the movable organism is allowed or not allowed to be present in both the allowable and non-allowable zone. In these cases it may be required that the warning signal is generated if the movable organism is present in the non-allowable zone. It is also possible that a first warning signal is generated if the movable organism is present in the allowable zone and a second warning signal is generated if the movable organism is present in the non-allowable zone.
- first, second, third and/or fourth device is arranged to cause a warning signal if tampered with.
- An embodiment of a system according to the invention may be combined with a system wherein images as recorded by cameras are compiled on an image carrier, on the basis of the warning signal.
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Abstract
System for providing a warning signal when a movable body is present in a non-allowable zone which is separated from an allowable zone by a predetermined boundary, wherein the system comprises at least a first device and second device, wherein the first device is arranged to be carried by a movable body, wherein the first and/or second device is provided with a facility for determining a position of the first device, wherein the system is provided with an analyser for analysing the position of the first device on the basis of predetermined data, wherein the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position of the first device and/or on a position of the second device, wherein the system is further provided with a generator for generating the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone.
Description
System for providing a warning signal when a movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone
The invention relates to a system for providing a warning signal when a movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone which is separated from a predetermined allowable zone by a predetermined boundary, wherein the system comprises at least a first device and second device, wherein the first device is arranged to be carried by a movable body, wherein the first and/or second device is provided with a facility for determining a position of the first device, wherein the system is provided with an analyser for analysing the position on the basis of predetermined data, wherein the system is further provided with a generator for generating the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone.
Such a system is known from NL 1021921. In use, the first device may be carried by an animal or for instance a child, and the second device may be carried or positioned near an animal minder or child minder. When the animal or child carrying the first device moves from the allowable zone to the non-allowable zone and a predetermined border is crossed, the second device will generate a warning signal so that the animal minder or the child minder can act upon this information. An advantage of the known system is that the predetermined boundary does not need to be physically present. No fences etc. are needed. In a sense the system provides a virtual fence. The technology is also referred to as geo-fencing.
Although the known system is indeed usable, there is a need for a much more versatile system.
It is an object of the present invention to meet that need. According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is met by a system according to the preamble of claim 1 and that is further characterized
in that the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position of the first device and/or on a position of the second device.
A system according to an embodiment of the invention allows thus for an alteration of the predetermined boundary depending on the position of the first device and/or on a position of the second device.
The term "position" is not necessarily equivalent to the term "position coordinates". A "position" may also entail an absence or presence of the device in a predetermined area, or settings of the device itself without reference to an external reference system. Such a position may, for instance, entail the time as monitored by the device by an internal clock.
It should be understood that the term "position coordinates" encompasses quantitative information about the position, of e.g. the first device, with respect to an external reference system. It is possible that the warning signal comprises information about a position, e.g. the position coordinates, of the first device. This may in particular urgent circumstances be very helpful.
According to a second aspect of the invention a system is provided for providing a warning signal when a second movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone which is separated from a predetermined allowable zone by a predetermined boundary, wherein the system comprises at least a first device, second device and third device, wherein the first device is arranged to be carried by a first movable body, wherein the first device and/or the second device is provided with a facility for determining a position of the first device, wherein the allowable zone is associated with the position of the first device, wherein the third device is arranged for detecting a position of the first and/or second movable body, wherein the third device is communicatively connected to the first device and/or second device, wherein the system is provided with an analyser for analysing the position of the first device on the basis of predetermined data, wherein the predetermined data are such that
the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position of the first device, wherein the analyser is further arranged for analysing the position of the first and/or second movable body, wherein the system is further provided with a generator for generating the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the second movable body is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position of the second movable body detected by the third device, and that the position of the second movable body is outside the allowable zone associated with the position of the first device. Here the first movable body may for instance be an allowed movable body. The second movable body may for instance be a non-allowed movable body. Hence the position of the first device determines the predetermined boundary. Hence it is possible that a zone, e.g. a detection zone of the third device, is a non-allowable zone if the first device is in a first position, e.g. absent in the detection zone, and is an allowable zone if the first device is in a second position, e.g. present in the detection zone. Thus, if the third device detects a second movable body, not carrying the first device, on a certain position, e.g. present in the detection zone of the third device, it depends on the position of the first device whether the second movable body is present in a non-allowed zone or in an allowed zone, and hence whether or not the warning signal is generated. Hence, when the third device detects a movable body, the system may differentiate between a second movable body not carrying a first device and a first movable body carrying a first device (or a second movable body accompanied by a first movable body carrying a first device) and determine accordingly whether the presence of the movable body on the detected position is allowed or not allowed.
It is possible that the warning signal comprises information about the position, e.g. the position coordinates, of the first movable body and/or second movable body.
It is possible that predetermined access rights are assigned to a first device, defining whether or not the allowable zone defined by the
predetermined boundary associated with the position of the first device is overruled by a non-allowable zone which generally occupies an area.
It is possible that the position of the first device comprises position coordinates of the first device. This provides the advantage that the position of the first device comprises quantitative information about the position of the first device with respect to an external reference system.
It is possible that the position of the first and/or second movable body comprises position coordinates of the first and/or second movable body, respectively. This provides the advantage that the position of the first and/or second movable body comprises quantitative information about the position of the first and/or second movable body with respect to an external reference system.
It is possible that the first device is provided with a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the second device, and the second device is provided with a receiver for receiving the signal from the first device. Hence, information, such as the position coordinates of the first device, can be communicated from the first device to the second device.
It is possible that the first device is provided with a facility for determining the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device. Hence, the first device can determine its own position (coordinates) and can establish whether or not the movable body is present within the non- allowable zone and/or communicate this position (coordinates) or information with respect to this position (coordinates) to the second device.
It is possible that the second device is provided with a facility for determining the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device. Hence, a simple first device can be used which need not be able to determine its position (coordinates) itself.
It is possible that the first device is provided with the analyser, and that the transmitter of the first device is arranged to transmit a data signal to
the second device when the analyser establishes that the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone.
It is also possible that the second device is provided with the analyser, and that the transmitter of the first device is arranged to transmit the position of the first device to the second device.
A particular embodiment of a system according to the invention is characterized in that, in use, the first device is carried by the movable body and that the analyser is arranged to establish that the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position, for example position coordinates, of the first device carried by the movable body. This allows for simple detection of the presence or absence of the movable body carrying the first device within the non-allowable zone.
It is possible that the generator is arranged for activating the warning signal when the movable body crosses the predetermined boundary into the non-allowable zone, and for deactivating the warning signal when the movable body crosses the predetermined boundary into the allowable zone. Thus, the warning signal is generated during the entire stay of the movable body in the non-allowable zone.
It is also possible that the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device. It may, for instance, be the case that when the carrier of the first device is within an allowable zone represented by a set of predetermined position coordinates, for instance a fenced garden of a house, the distance between the first and second device is not relevant. It is also possible though that the second device is provided with a facility for determining its position, for example its position coordinates. In that case the predetermined data may be dependent on the position, for example the position coordinates, of the second device. It may for instance apply that the predetermined data comprise a distance between the position coordinates of the first device and the position coordinates of the second device.
This is in particular very useful when, for instance, a child minder would like a child to be within a predetermined radius from the child minder. When the child minder, carrying the second device, and the child carrying the first device, move with respect to each other, and the distance between the two becomes larger, a predetermined boundary is crossed. When the child minder walks away and the child does not follow, an alarm signal is generated to the child minder, and when the child walks away from the child minder also an alarm signal, or warning signal, is provided so that the child minder knows that the distance between the child and the minder itself is growing. It may also be that the predetermined data comprise a distance between the position coordinates of the first device and the position coordinates of a predetermined position. For instance, when the child carrying a first device is within a predetermined radius from a predetermined position within the area of a school, no warning signal will be generated. However, when the distance is growing, and the predetermined boundary which is based on the predetermined data, is crossed by the child carrying the first device, the second device will generate the warning signal.
The position coordinates may be GPS-coordinates but may also be based on any other external reference system. It is also possible that the first and second device are both arranged to be carried by one and the same movable body. In this particular case the first and the second device may be integrally positioned within one housing. The movable body carrying the device may in that particular embodiment also be warned by the warning signal when the movable body is present in a non- allowable zone.
It is also possible that the system comprises a plurality of second devices. In that case the plurality of second devices may comprise at least a first second device and a second second device, both provided with a facility for communicating with each other. It may for instance apply that the first second device communicates the presence of the first device within an allowable zone
associated with the first second device to the second second device. In response, the second second device may refrain from generating the warning signal, or suppress the warning signal, which warning signal would indicate the absence of the first device in an allowable zone associated with the second second device. It is also possible that the first second device is arranged for requesting from the second second device a position of the first device, e.g. an absence or presence of the first device within the allowable zone associated with the second second device or a position coordinate of the first device as determined by the second second device. The second second device may then be arranged to transmit the requested position of the first device to the first second device. It will be appreciated that the second second device may similarly be arranged to request a position of the first device from the first second device.
Preferably each zone is a three-dimensional zone. It is possible that the first device is further provided with a sensor for measuring a parameter, such as gas, moisture, angle of inclination, altitude, drop, velocity, acceleration, jerk, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and or electric and/or magnetic radiation, wherein the generator is arranged for generating the data signal when the measured value of the parameter exceeds a predetermined level. It is possible that the warning signal comprises information about the measured value of the parameter.
It furthermore applies that the first and/or the second device comprises an input facility for inputting predetermined data. It is for instance possible that dependent on who in particular is carrying the first and/or second device, a first or a second set of predetermined data apply.
It is possible that the first and/or second device comprises a phone facility for sending a message via a phone network. A system according to the invention may in that case easily be incorporated in current communication systems.
The invention is now further elucidated on the basis of a drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows schematically a first embodiment of a system according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows schematically a second embodiment of a system according to the invention;
Fig. 3 shows schematically a third embodiment of a system according to the invention;
Fig. 4a shows schematically a first example of a fourth embodiment of a system according to the invention;
Fig. 4b shows schematically a second example of the fourth embodiment of a system, according to the invention;
Fig. 5a shows schematically a first example of a fifth embodiment of a system according to the invention; Fig. 5b shows schematically a second example of the fifth embodiment of a system according to the invention; and
Fig. 6 shows schematically a sixth embodiment of a system according to the invention.
In the drawing, like parts or like features are referred to by like references.
All figures show schematically examples of a system for providing a warning signal W when a movable body (not shown in Figs l-5b) is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone NZ which is separated form a predetermined allowable zone AZ by a predetermined boundary PB, PBI, PBII.
Throughout this description a "movable body" is referred to as "movable object" or as "movable organism". The terms "movable object" and "movable organism" are herein treated as equivalent. Hence, it will be appreciated that where, in the examples, a movable object is mentioned also a
movable organism can be read, and where a movable organism is mentioned also a movable object can be read.
The system comprises a first device 1 and a second device 2. The first device 1 is arranged to be carried by the movable organism which is not shown. The first device 1 may be arranged to be strapped to a leg or arm or wrist or other part of the movable organism. The first device 1 and or second device 2 is further provided with a facility for determining the position coordinates of the first device. These position coordinates are to an external reference system. Such coordinates may for instance be GPS-coordinates or any other suitable position coordinates. The first device 1 may further be provided with a transmitter (not shown) for transmitting a signal to the second device 2. The second device 2 is provided with a receiver (not shown) for receiving the signal of the first device 1. The system is further provided with an analyser for analyzing the position coordinates of the first device 1 on the basis of predetermined data. Here the term position coordinates also encompasses information representative of the position coordinates. The system is further provided with a generator (not shown) for generating the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone NZ. In Figs. 1-6 the second device 2 is provided with the generator. In Figs. l-4b the first device 1 is provided with the analyser, and the transmitter of the first device 1 is arranged to transmit a data signal to the second device 2 when the analyser establishes that the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone.
According to the invention the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary PB is dependent on the position coordinates of the first device 1 and/or on a position of the second device 2. The predetermined data do in fact not necessarily always represent predetermined boundaries. After all, the predetermined data may lead to the determination of a predetermined boundary PB after input of for instance the position coordinates of the first device 1. Additionally or alternatively the position of the second
device 2 determines in combination with the predetermined data how a predetermined boundary PB is defined.
In Fig. 1 the first device 1 is carried by the movable organism. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the system is such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position coordinates of the first device 1. For instance when first device 1 is at position Xl the predetermined boundary PBI applies. The position coordinates of first device 1 are determined by the first device 1. The analyser of the first device 1 analyses these position coordinates on the basis of the predetermined data and in this case, decides not to transmit a data signal to the second device 2 as the analyser establishes, on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device carried by the movable organism and on the basis of the predetermined data, that the predetermined boundary PBI is not crossed by the first device, i.e. the movable organism is not present in the non-allowable zone NZ. First device 1 is currently present in an allowable zone AZ, viz. in the allowable zone AZI. However, when first device 1 moves from position Xl to position X2, a predetermined boundary is crossed, viz. the predetermined boundary PBI. The first device 1 determines its position coordinates. As the analyser of the first device 1 establishes that the predetermined boundary is crossed, i.e. that the first device is present in the non-allowable zone NZ, the transmitter of the first device 1 transmits a data signal to the second device 2. The generator of the second device 2 generates the warning signal on receipt of the data signal. Thus, in this example the analyser is arranged to establish that the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device carried by the movable organism. It is worth noting that in this example the analyser may not detect the presence of a movable organism not carrying a first device.
When the first device 1 moves from position X2 to position X3 predetermined boundary PBII is crossed. When the first device 1 is in the allowable zone AZII the predetermined boundary PBII is defined on the basis
of a distance from coordinates of a predetermined position. In this case it is worth noting that the predetermined boundary PBII is also independent of position coordinates of the second device 2.
Fig. 2 is intended to explain an embodiment wherein the second device 2 is provided with a facility (not shown) for determining its position coordinates. In this embodiment it is possible that the predetermined boundary PBI is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2. In this example the predetermined boundary PBIII is not dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2. For instance, when second device 2 is at position Yl the predetermined boundary PB may be determined by the predetermined boundaries PBI and PBIII defining the allowable zones AZI and AZII and non-allowable zone NZ in which first device 1 may or may not be present respectively. This embodiment is suitable for a child minder which is following the child. For instance, when the child carrying first device 1 moves away from child minder carrying second device 2, the child minder will be warned by the warning signal if the child carrying first device 1 crosses the predetermined boundary PBI into the non-allowable zone NZ. As a result thereof the child minder carrying second device 2 can decide to move towards the child carrying first device 1, in the example towards position Y2, so that the child carrying first device 1 is again within an allowable zone AZ, this time defined by predetermined boundary PBII. In this example the predetermined boundary PBIII may e.g. represent a garden in which the child carrying first device 1 may be present regardless of the position of the child minder carrying the second device 2. In this embodiment the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary PBI, PBII is dependent on a position of the second device 2. In this embodiment it is thus possible that the predetermined data comprise an allowable distance between the position coordinates of the first device 1 and the position coordinates of the second device 2. Thus, the
predetermined boundary is relative to the position coordinates of the second device 2.
The predetermined boundary following from the predetermined data may at some stage also be a fixed predetermined boundary. It is for instance possible that the predetermined data comprises a distance between the position coordinates of the first device 1 and position coordinates of a central point in a physically fenced zone.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention wherein the predetermined data represent a plurality of predetermined two- zones-separating boundaries PB which are unconnected to each other. In this example, the predetermined data represent position coordinates of a plurality of predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries PB. Each predetermined boundary PB defines by itself, or by itself and another predetermined boundary PB, an allowable or non-allowable zone. The movable organism carrying first device 1 can freely move in the allowable zone AZ between or around non-allowable zones NZIII, NZIV and NZI. Although all predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries PB appear related to a radius of a circle that surrounds a predetermined position, i.e. the centre of a circle, it is of course possible that one or each of the predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries are unrelated to a radius of a circle. In fact, each predetermined boundary can have any desired shape. It will be appreciated that this also applies to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b and 6. In Fig. 3 non-allowable zone NZI and NZII may be defined by predetermined data which represent at least two predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries which are related to two zones of which one comprises the other. It is of course also possible that the predetermined data represent at least two predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries which are unrelated to two zones of which one comprises the other, e.g. that the predetermined data represent at least two predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries which are related to two
zones of which one does not comprise the other. The latter situation is shown by non-allowable zone NZIII and NZIV.
Figs. 4a and 4b show an embodiment wherein the system is provided with a plurality of second devices 2.1,2.2. In this example the system is provided with two second devices 2.1, 2.2, each of which is carried by a movable organism, e.g. a child minder. This embodiment is suitable for two child minders which both follow a child. In this example, one second device 2.1 is carried by a father, the other second device 2.2 is carried by a mother and the first device 1 is carried by a child. Each second device 2.1,2.2 is provided with a facility (not shown) for determining its respective position coordinates. In this embodiment it is possible that the predetermined boundary PBI is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.1 while the predetermined boundary PBII is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.2. For instance, when second device 2.1 is at position Pl and the second device 2.2 is at position Rl the predetermined boundary PB may be defined by an outer perimeter of the predetermined boundaries PBI and PBII, thus defining the allowable and non-allowable zone in which device 1 may or may not be present respectively. Note that in Fig. 4a the allowable zone AI associated with the second device 2.1 and the allowable zone All associated with the second device 2.2 share a common allowable zone AZIII.
If the father and mother carrying the second devices 2.1 and 2.2, respectively, move away from each other, e.g. to positions P2 and R2, respectively, as shown in Fig. 4b, the allowable zones AZI and AZII become separated. The analyser of the first device will establish that the child carrying the first device is present within the allowable zone associated with the second device 2.2. Thus, the first device will not transmit the data signal to the second devices 2.1,2.2. In this example the second devices 2.1 and 2.2 are each provided with a facility (not shown) for communicating with the other second device 2.2 and 2.1, respectively. In the example of Fig. 4b the second device 2.2 can communicate the presence of the (child carrying) first device 1 within the
allowable zone AZII associated with the second device 2.2 to the second device 2.1. Thus, a network may be formed, wherein either second device can communicate the presence and/or absence of the first device within the allowable zone associated with that second device to the other second device. When the child carrying first device 1 moves away from both the father carrying second device 2.1 and the mother carrying second device 2.2, both the father and the mother will be warned by the warning signal if the child carrying first device 1 crosses the predetermined boundary PB into the non-allowable zone NZ outside the allowable zones AZI and AZII. In that situation, the analyser of the first device will establish that the child carrying the first device is present within the non-allowable zone. Thus, the first device will transmit the data signal to the second devices 2.1,2.2. The generator of each second device 2.1,2.2 may then generate the warning signal. It is also possible that just one second device 2.1,2.2 of the plurality of second devices, e.g. only the second device 2.1,2.2 nearest to the first device 1, generates the warning signal if the child carrying first device 1 crosses the predetermined boundary PB into the non-allowable zone NZ.
In response to the warning signal, the father and/or the mother carrying second device 2.1,2.2 can decide to move towards the child carrying first device 1 so that the child carrying first device 1 is again within an allowable zone. It will be appreciated that once the child carrying the first device 1 is again within the allowable zone associated with one of the second devices 2.1,2.2, the respective second device may be arranged to communicate the presence of the (child carrying) first device 1 within the allowable zone associated with the respective second device to the other second device.
In this embodiment it is thus possible that the predetermined data comprise an allowable distance between the position coordinates of the first device and the position coordinates of the second devices 2.1 and 2.2.
Figs. 5a and 5b show an alternative embodiment wherein the system is provided with a plurality of second devices 2.1,2.2. In this example the
system is provided with two second devices 2.1, 2.2, each of which is carried by a movable organism, e.g. an employee of a package delivery service. This embodiment is suitable for two employees which handle packages in subsequent stages of the delivery service, e.g. a first employee at a distribution centre and a second employee entrusted with home delivery. In this example, one second device 2.1 is carried by the first employee, the other second device 2.2 is carried by the second employee and the first device 1 is carried by a movable object, such as a package.
In Figs. 5a and 5b, each second device 2.1,2.2 is provided with a facility (not shown) for determining its respective position coordinates. In this embodiment it is possible that the predetermined boundary PBI is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.1 while the predetermined boundary PBII is dependent on the position coordinates of the second device 2.2. For instance, when second device 2.1 is at position Pl and the second device 2.2 is at position Rl the predetermined boundary PB may be defined by an outer perimeter of the predetermined boundaries PBI and PBII, thus defining the allowable and non-allowable zone in which device 1 may or may not be present respectively.
Note that in Fig. 5a the allowable zone AI associated with the second device 2.1 and the allowable zone All associated with the second device 2.2 share a common allowable zone AZIII. This may for instance be the case when the first employee is close to the second employee, e.g. to hand over the package to be delivered.
If the first and second employee carrying the second devices 2.1 and 2.2, respectively, move away from each other, e.g. to positions P2 and R2, respectively, as shown in Fig. 5b, the allowable zones AZI and AZII become separated.
In this example the second devices 2.1 and 2.2 are each provided with a facility (not shown) for communicating with a fourth device 4. In the example of Fig. 5b the second device 2.2 can communicate the presence of the
(package carrying) first device 1 within the allowable zone AZII associated with the second device 2.2 to the fourth device 4, while the second device 2.1 can communicate the absence of the (package carrying) first device 1 within the allowable zone AZI associated with the second device 2.1 to the fourth device 4. In this example, the fourth device provided with the analyser. The fourth device 4 is arranged for generating a warning signal if the first device 1 is not present in an allowable zone. The fourth device is arranged for refraining from generating the warning signal, or for suppressing the warning signal when the first device is present in at least one allowable zone associated with at least one of the second devices 2.1,2.2.
When the first employee carrying second device 2.1 and the second employee carrying second device 2.2 move away from the package carrying first device 1, i.e. leave the package unattended, or when the package carrying first device 1 moves away from both the first employee carrying second device 2.1 and the second employee carrying second device 2.2, e.g. because the package was taken by an unauthorised person, the first employee will communicate the absence of the first device in the allowable zone AZI associated with the second device 2.1 to the fourth device and the second employee will communicate the absence of the first device in the allowable zone AZII associated with the second device 2.2 to the fourth device if the package carrying first device 1 crosses the predetermined boundary PB into the non-allowable zone NZ outside the allowable zones AZI and AZII. In that situation, the analyser of the fourth device will establish that the package carrying the first device is present within the non-allowable zone, and the fourth device will generate the warning signal.
In general, the position coordinates may be expressed in GPS- coordinates (Global Positioning System) or any other position coordinates which are based on a external reference system, such as position coordinates generated by LPM (Local Position Measurement), GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) positioning, DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications), active/passive RF-ID (Radio Frequency IDentification), Radar identification, Galileo, Acoustic positioning system (e.g. ATT, Acoustic Tracing and Tracking), UWB (Ultra Wide Band) positioning, and/or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) positioning systems. Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention wherein the predetermined data represent position coordinates of a predetermined boundary PBI which is independent on the position coordinates of the first device 1. The area within the predetermined boundary PBI is in this example defined as non-allowable zone NZ, e.g. a yard or an office building, and outside the predetermined boundary PBI may be defined as allowable zone AZI. In this example the second device is provided with the analyser and with the generator. In this example, the first device is arranged to determine its position coordinates and transmit them to the second device, e.g. at regular time intervals or when requested by the second device. In Fig. 6 the system is further provided with a third device 3. The third device 3 is arranged for detecting the position, e.g. position coordinates, of the movable organism. The third device 3 may e.g. comprise a video camera, an infrared detector and/or radar. The third device may function as a known security system for detecting the presence of a movable organism within the non- allowable zone NZ. The third device 3 is communicatively connected to the second device 2 and/or first device 1. It will be appreciated that the second device and the third device may be integrated into a single apparatus. In the example of Fig. 6 the predetermined boundary PBII is dependent on the position coordinates of the first device 1. For instance when first device 1 is at position Ql the predetermined boundary PBII applies. The predetermined boundary PBII defines the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1.
Fig. 6 shows a first movable organism MOI carrying the first device 1. The third device 3 will detect the position of the first movable organism. The second device 2 will receive the position coordinates of the first device 1. The
second and third device are communicatively connected, and the analyser may be provided with a comparator for comparing the position of the first movable organism detected by the third device, with the position coordinates of the first device detected (here received) by the second device. If the analyser determines that the first movable organism is within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1, the system will not generate a warning signal, as the first movable organism is detected to be present within an allowable zone, viz. allowable zone AZII. In this example, the first movable organism MOI carrying the first device 1 is an allowable movable organism, as it carries the first device which determines an allowable zone AZII around the first movable organism. It will be appreciated that it is also possible that a plurality of movable organisms is present within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device, and that the plurality of movable organisms is detected by the third device. In this case the system will not generate a warning signal, as each movable organism of said plurality of movable organisms is detected to be present within the allowable zone.
Fig. 6 also shows a second movable organism MOII, not carrying a first device 1. The third device 3 will detect the position of the second movable organism. The second device 2 will detect (receive) the position coordinates of the first device 1. The analyser will now determine that the second movable organism is not within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1, the system will generate a warning signal as the second movable organism is detected to be present within a non-allowable zone, viz. non-allowable zone NZ. In this example, the second movable organism MOII not carrying the first device 1 is a non-allowable movable organism, as it does not carry the first device, and is not present in the allowable zone associated with the first device. It will be appreciated that if the analyser determines that the second movable organism not carrying a first device 1 is within the allowable zone AZI, no warning signal will be generated.
In this example the first movable organism MOI carrying the first device 1 can move freely, without causing a warning signal to be generated, throughout the area within the predetermined boundary PBI and outside the predetermined boundary PBI, since the first movable organism is present within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1. The second movable organism MOII can, in this example, move freely, without causing a warning signal to be generated, throughout the area outside the predetermined boundary PBI since, in that case, the second movable organism is present within the allowable zone AZI. The second movable organism MOII can, however, not move freely throughout the area within the predetermined boundary PBI since, in that case, the second movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone NZ. Therefore, the warning signal will be generated when the second movable organism, not carrying a first device 1, crosses the predetermined boundary PBI into the non- allowable zone NZ where it is detected by the third device 3. In this example, the warning signal may comprise information about the position of the second movable organism, e.g. the position coordinates of the second movable organism. It will be appreciated that the system may also provide information on the position, e.g. position coordinates, of the first movable organism carrying the first device.
In general, known security systems are activated when no movable object is allowed, e.g. during night time, in a zone, e.g. an office building, that is secured using the security system. In general the known security systems are deactivated when predetermined movable organisms, e.g. employees, are allowed, e.g. during working hours, in the zone, e.g. the office building, that is secured using the security system. This has the disadvantage that during the time the known security system is deactivated, the known security system is unable to detect movable organisms that are not allowed to be present within the zone that is secured using the security system.
In the system according to the invention, as explained in relation to Fig. 6, it is possible that a security system, comprising the third device 3, or a plurality of third devices 3, is active at all times, thus detecting the presence of any movable object at all times. In case the presence of a movable object is detected in an allowable zone associated with the position coordinates of the first device, e.g. an employee carrying the first device, no warning signal will be generated, or the warning signal from the third device will be suppressed. In case the presence of a movable object, e.g., a person that is not allowed to be present, is detected outside an allowable zone associated with the position coordinates of the first device, i.e. in a non-allowable zone, the warning signal will be generated. Thus, the system according to the invention provides a higher level of security, since the system will be activated at all times.
It will be appreciated that the first, second and/or (if present) third and/or fourth devices, or a plurality of first, second, third and/or fourth devices, may form a network, wherein any signal or information, such as e.g. position coordinates (e.g. determined by the third or first device) may be distributed from any device to any other device (e.g. to the second device), either directly or via any first, second, third and/or fourth device.
In the example of Fig. 6, the predetermined boundary PBI is determined by the predetermined data. It will be appreciated, that the predetermined boundary PBI can also be determined by parameters of the third device, e.g. a field of view of a camera or a detection range of a detector, or external parameters, e.g. walls of an office building, which define the non- allowable zone in which the third device may detect the presence of a movable organism. In that case it is possible that if a movable organism is present within the allowable zone AZI outside the predetermined boundary PBI, the third device is inherently unable to detect the presence of the movable organism, so that, inherently, no warning signal will be generated.
It will be appreciated that in the example of Fig. 6 it is not required that the analyser is arranged to establish that the movable organism carrying
the first device is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device, as, in the example of Fig. 6, the first device, and hence the movable organism carrying the first device, is always within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of that first device.
In Fig. 6 the system comprises one non-allowable zone NZ, one stationary allowable zone AZI and one movable allowable zone AZII. It will be appreciated that the system may also comprise a plurality of non-allowable zones, e.g. a plurality of offices in an office building, and/or a plurality of stationary allowable zones, e.g. a plurality of corridors in an office building, and/or a plurality of movable allowable zones, e.g. a plurality of allowable zones each associated with a respective first device of a plurality of first devices wherein e.g. each first device may be carried by an employee of a plurality of employees. In Fig. 6 the system is provided with one third device. It will be appreciated that the system may also be provided with a plurality of third devices.
It will be appreciated that in the embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 6 it is also possible that the first device is not arranged to determine and/or transmit its position coordinates to the second device. The first device may, for instance be arranged as a passive device, such as a RFID label, which may be arranged to transmit a signal in response to a request, such as an electric and/or magnetic interrogation field. The request may be generated by the second device. The second device may, hence, be arranged for determining the position, e.g. position coordinates, of the first device, e.g. by using techniques known per se, such as phase difference measurements, time-of- flight measurements, etc.
As the system of Fig. 6 is further provided with the third device 3, which is arranged for detecting the position, e.g. position coordinates, of the movable organism. The second device 2 and the third device 3 in combination
determine the position of the first device and the position of the movable organism. Thus, again the system may be provided with the comparator for comparing the position of the first movable organism detected by the third device, with the position coordinates of the first device detected by the second device.
It will be appreciated that the second device may also be arranged for determining, a position of the first device such as the presence of the first device in a predetermined area, e.g. within the predetermined boundary PBI and/or for instance with a detection area of the third device, or the absence of the first device in the predetermined area. It is also possible that the third device is arranged for determining a position of the first and/or second movable organism, such as the presence of the first and/or second movable organism in the predetermined area, e.g. within the predetermined boundary PBI, or the absence of any movable organism in the predetermined area. Although this system does not provide position coordinates of the first device and the first and/or second movable organism, it will be appreciated that it can be used for determining whether or not a movable organism carrying the first device, is present in the predetermined area (allowable zone) and/or whether a movable organism not carrying the first device, or not accompanied by a movable organism carrying the first device, is present in the predetermined area (non- allowable zone).
If the system determines that the first movable organism MOI is within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1, the system will not generate the warning signal, as the first movable organism is detected to be present within an allowable zone, viz. allowable zone AZII.
If the system determines that the second movable organism MOII, not carrying a first device 1 is not within the allowable zone AZII associated with the position coordinates of the first device 1, the system will generate a warning signal as the second movable organism is detected to be present
within a non-allowable zone, viz. non-allowable zone NZ. It will be appreciated that if the analyser determines that the second movable organism not carrying a first device 1 is within the allowable zone AZI, no warning signal will be generated. The system of Fig. 6 has been explained with respect to an office building. It will be appreciated that the system can also be applied for other purposes. For example, the system can be used to protect an open building site. In this case construction workers or allowed visitors carry a first device, so that the system detects their presence in an allowed zone associated with the respective first device. Non-allowed visitors, for instance playing children, do not carry a first device. Hence, the presence of these non-allowed visitors in a non-allowable zone will be detected by the third device (such as a camera or radar system). Other examples where the system may be used are (logistical) warehouses, sheds, garages, etc. which are sometimes left open, and hence accessible for non-allowed visitors, for convenience.
The system of Fig. 6 could also be used as a home security system, allowing the inhabitants to freely move throughout the premises, but generating a warning signal when a non-allowed visitor enters. Such security system need not be deactivated when the inhabitants are present. The system could further be provided with door-locks which automatically close when no allowed person is present at the premises, and/or automatically open when an allowed person approaches the door.
An other example of the use of the system according to Fig. 6 is finding and optionally pinpointing a fare dodger, for example on a train. The first device can be associated with a valid fare ticket. The valid fare ticket, thus, creates an allowable zone for the passenger. If a passenger does not carry a valid ticket, the presence of the passenger outside an allowable zone will be detected by the third device. The system can be arranged to indicate the position coordinates (e.g. seat number) of the passenger without the valid ticket.
The system according to Fig. 6 may also be used to determine the position of a plurality of first movable organism and/or a plurality of second movable organisms.
In an embodiment of the system according to Fig. 6 the third device may determine the position of at least one movable organism, if present.
Hence, the third device may determine the position, e.g. position coordinates, of a first movable organism or of each of a plurality of first movable organisms, if present, and of a second movable organism or of each of a plurality of second movable organisms, if present. The second device may determine the position, e.g. the presence and/or position coordinates, of at least one first device, if present. The second device may for instance determine the presence of first devices designed as RF-ID labels, or open a communications channel with each of the first devices present. The analyser may be arranged to count the total number of movable organisms, i.e. first and/or second movable organisms, detected by the third device and the total number of first devices detected by the second device. If, in a special embodiment, the analyser then determines that the total number of movable organisms detected by the third device equals the total number of first devices detected by the second device, the analyser may determine that there is no reason to assume a warning signal is to be generated, as it is likely that each detected movable organism carries a first device. If the analyser determines that the total number of movable organisms detected by the third device does not equal the total number of first devices detected by the second device, e.g. that the total number of detected movable organisms exceeds the total number of detected first devices, there may be a reason to generate a warning signal. It is in this case, however, still possible that a movable organism not carrying a first device is accompanied by a movable organism carrying a first device. The analyser may then determine whether a movable organism not carrying a first device is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position of the movable body detected by the third device, and whether the position of the movable body not carrying the
first device is outside the allowable zone associated with the position of at least one first device. The generator may generate the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the movable organism not carrying a first device is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position of that movable organism detected by the third device, and that the position of the movable organism not carrying a first device is outside the allowable zone associated with the position of the first device.
It will be appreciated that it is also possible that predetermined access rights are assigned to a first device. In this case, it is possible that an allowable zone associated with the position coordinates of this first device is overruled by a first non-allowable zone and not by a second non-allowable zone. Thus, a movable organism carrying the first device may be allowed to be present in the area generally occupied by the second non-allowable zone, as the first device defines an allowable zone within the second non- allowable zone wherein the allowable zone (locally) overrules the second non-allowable zone. The movable organism carrying the first device may, however, not be allowed to be present in the first non-allowable zone, as the allowable zone defined by the first device does not overrule the first non-allowable zone.
In the examples of Figs. 1-6 the system is provided with one first device. It will be appreciated that the system can also be provided with a plurality of first devices. This may e.g. prove useful for a child minder, or a plurality of child minders, minding a plurality of children each carrying a first device. It is possible that a warning signal that is generated by the system when a certain first device is present in a non-allowable zone can be distinguished from a warning signal that is generated when another first device is present in a non-allowable zone.
In the examples the first and the second device may both be arranged to be carried by a movable organism. It is also possible that the first and the second device are both arranged to be carried by the same movable organism. In this case the organism, e.g. a person, carrying the first device and
the second device will itself receive the warning signal when a predetermined boundary is crossed into a non-allowable zone. Although Figs. 1 to 6 show two- dimensional zones it is possible that one or each zone is actually three- dimensional. As said before the warning signal may be any audible, visible or other type of signal. It is even possible that the warning signal comprises information about a position of the first device, e.g. the position coordinates of the first device, or information about the position of the, allowed or non- allowed, movable organism, e.g. the position coordinates of the movable organism. It is also possible that the first and/or second device comprises a phone facility for sending a message via a phone network. The first and/or second device may comprise an input facility for inputting predetermined data. It will be understood that allowable zones and non-allowable zones are fully interchangeable if so desired. A system according to an embodiment of the invention can be carried out on the level of hardware and/or on the level of software. After all, the components needed to build such a system are all available in the art.
In the examples of Figs. l-4b the first device is provided with the analyser, and the transmitter of the first device is arranged to transmit a data signal to the second device when the analyser establishes that the movable organism is present in a non-allowable zone. Thus, in these examples the analyser of the first device determines, on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device carried by the movable organism, whether the movable organism is present in an allowable zone or in a non-allowable zone. The data signal, signalling that the first device is present in the non-allowable zone, is transmitted to the second device. This provides the advantage that the first device only needs to transmit a signal, viz. the data signal, to the second device, when the first device is present in the non-allowable zone, thus, e.g., reducing power consumption of the first device. In the example of Figs. 5a and 5b the fourth device is provided with the analyser. In the example of Fig. 6 the second device 2 is provided with the analyser, and the transmitter of the first
device 1 is arranged to transmit the position coordinates of the first device to the second device. It will be appreciated that in the example of Figs. 5a, 5b and 6 the first device may be provided with the analyser and/or that in the examples of Figs l-4b and 6 a fourth device may be provided comprising the analyser and/or that in the examples of Figs. l-5b the second device may be provided with the analyser. In the latter case, the analyser of the second device determines, on the basis of the position coordinates received from of the first device, whether the movable organism carrying the first device is present in the non-allowable zone. This provides the advantage that the first device need not comprise the analyser. This may e.g. be particularly advantageous when the system is provided with a plurality of first devices. In that case, the system may require only one single analyser in the second device.
Both when the analyser is provided in the first device or in the second device, the first device may transmit the position coordinates of the first device to the second device when first device is present in the non- allowable zone and/or when the first device is present in the allowable zone. It is also possible that the warning signal comprises information about the position coordinates of the first device, e.g. the position coordinates, to enable a quick response to the warning signal. Optionally, the first device 1 described in the examples may be provided with a facility for determining movement or motion of the first device 1, e.g. on the basis of the position coordinates of the first device T. The first device may be arranged to transmit a data signal to the second device when the first device has not moved for a predetermined period of time. Thus, the second device 2 will be warned when the first device is immobile longer than the predetermined period of time.
It is also possible that the first device 1 is arranged to transmit a reporting signal to the second device 2 at a predetermined time interval. The second device may be arranged to generate a warning signal when the reporting signal has not been received a predetermined period of time after the
last received reporting signal. Thus, the second device may generate the warning signal when the first device has e.g. become submersed in water, or when the first device 1 has entered an area with no (or poor) reception/transmission properties. In an advanced embodiment, the second device may be arranged to generate a warning signal and/or to determine the position coordinates of the first device, e.g. on the basis of position coordinates of the first device transmitted by the first device, when the reporting signal is received by the second device, after not having been received during the predetermined period of time after the previous received reporting signal. Thus the second device recognizes that the first device reappears after having been lost.
It is also possible that the first device is provided with a sensor for measuring a parameter. This sensor may e.g. comprise a gas detection sensor, a moisture or water detection sensor, an inclination angle detection sensor, a drop detection sensor, an altitude sensor, a velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a jerk sensor, a heart rate sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and/or a sensor to detect electric and/or magnetic radiation, such as light. The transmitter of the first device may then be arranged to transmit a data signal when the measured value of the parameter exceeds a predetermined level, e.g. when the heart rate drops below a predetermined heart rate, or when the temperature (e.g. body temperature of the movable organism) rises above a predetermined temperature. The first device may transmit the measured value of the parameter to the second device when the predetermined level is exceeded, and/or when the predetermined level is not exceeded, e.g. to monitor the measured value of the parameter. It is also possible that the warning signal comprises information about the measured value of the parameter, e.g. the measured value, to enable a quick response to the warning signal. Here the term measured value also encompasses information representative of the measured value.
It is possible that the first device is arranged to refrain from transmitting any signal until the analyser establishes that the first device is present in the non-allowable zone. This provides the advantage that the power consumption of the first device may be relatively low as no signals are transmitted when the first device is present in the allowable zone. This may also be used when the first device is not to be detected by external systems. As long as the first device does not transmit any signal, it may remain unnoticeable e.g. to receivers of the external system.
The second device may be provided with a transmitter for transmitting an information request signal to the first device. The first device may be provided with a receiver for receiving the information request signal, and may be arranged to, in response to receiving the information request signal, transmit an information signal, e.g. an information signal comprising the position coordinates of the first device and/or an information signal comprising the measured value of the parameter measured by the sensor. In an advanced embodiment the first and/or second device may be provided with a facility for controlling whether the second device is allowed or disallowed to transmit the information request signal, and/or a facility for controlling whether the first device is allowed or disallowed to transmit the information signal in response to an information request signal.
In the examples it may apply that the second device is provided with a generator for generating the warning signal, while the first device is free of a generator for generating a warning signal. Hence, the movable organism carrying the first device may not be warned by a warning signal when the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone. This may prove especially useful when the movable organism carrying the first device is not to be distressed and/or informed by the warning signal. In an advanced embodiment the first an/or second device is provided with a facility for controlling whether the generator of the second device is enabled or disabled. It is, thus, possible that the first and/or second device comprises e.g. a switch
to disable the generator of the second device, so that no warning signal is generated at the second device, or that the warning signal is suppressed at the second device, when the analyser establishes that the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone. It is also possible that the first device is provided with a generator for generating the warning signal. In an advanced embodiment, the first an/or second device is provided with a facility for controlling whether the generator of the first device is enabled or disabled. It is, thus, possible that the first and/or second device comprises e.g. a switch to disable the generator of the first device, so that no warning signal is generated at the first device, or that the warning signal at the first device is suppressed, when the analyser establishes that the movable organism is present within the non-allowable zone.
It will be appreciated that the generator for generating the warning signal may be arranged for activating the warning signal when the first device crosses the predetermined boundary into the non-allowable zone, and for deactivating the warning signal when the first device crosses the predetermined boundary into the allowable zone. The generator may thus generate two signals, e.g. an enable-sigrial and a disable-signal, while the warning signal will remain activated during the entire period that the movable organism is detected present in the non-allowable zone.
In the examples the movable organism is allowed to be present in the allowable zone and not allowed to be present in the non-allowable zone. It will be appreciated that it is also possible that the movable organism is allowed to be present in the non-allowable zone and not allowed to be present in the allowable zone. It is also possible that the movable organism is allowed or not allowed to be present in both the allowable and non-allowable zone. In these cases it may be required that the warning signal is generated if the movable organism is present in the non-allowable zone. It is also possible that a first warning signal is generated if the movable organism is present in the
allowable zone and a second warning signal is generated if the movable organism is present in the non-allowable zone.
It is possible that the first, second, third and/or fourth device is arranged to cause a warning signal if tampered with. An embodiment of a system according to the invention may be combined with a system wherein images as recorded by cameras are compiled on an image carrier, on the basis of the warning signal.
All such variants are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. System for providing a warning signal when a movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone which is separated from a predetermined allowable zone by a predetermined boundary, wherein the system comprises at least a first device and second device, wherein the first device is arranged to be carried by a movable body, wherein the first and/or second device is provided with a facility for determining a position of the first device, wherein the system is provided with an analyser for analysing the position of the first device on the basis of predetermined data, wherein the system is further provided with a generator for generating the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone, wherein the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position of the first device and/or on a position of the second device.
2. System for providing a warning signal when a second movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone which is separated from a predetermined allowable zone by a predetermined boundary, wherein the system comprises at least a first device, second device and third device, wherein the first device is arranged to be carried by a first movable body, wherein the first and/or second device is provided with a facility for determining a position of the first device, wherein the allowable zone is associated with the position of the first device, wherein the third device is arranged for detecting a position of the first and/or second movable body, wherein the third device is communicatively connected to the first device and/or second device, wherein the system is provided with an analyser for analysing the position of the first device on the basis of predetermined data, wherein the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position of the first device, wherein the analyser is further arranged for analysing the position of the first and/or second movable body, wherein the system is further provided with a generator for generating the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the second movable body is present within the non-allowable zone on the basis of the position of the second movable body detected by the third device, and that the position of the second ■ movable body is outside the allowable zone associated with the position of the first device.
3. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the position of the first device comprises position coordinates of the first device.
4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the position of the first and/or second movable body comprises position coordinates of the first and/or second movable body, respectively.
5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device is provided with a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the second device, wherein the second device is provided with a receiver for receiving the signal from the first device.
6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device is provided with a facility for determining the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device.
7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second device is provided with a facility for determining the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device.
8. System according to at least claim 2, wherein the third device is arranged for determining position coordinates of the first and/or second movable body.
9. System according to claim 5 and 6, wherein the first device is provided with the analyser, and wherein the transmitter of the first device is arranged to transmit a data signal to the second device when the analyser establishes that the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone.
10. System according to claim 5 and 6, wherein the second device is , provided with the analyser, and wherein the transmitter of the first device is arranged to transmit the position of the first device to the second device.
11. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, the first device is carried by the movable body and wherein the analyser is arranged to establish that the movable body is present within the non- allowable zone on the basis of the position of the first device carried by the movable body.
12. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the generator is arranged for activating the warning signal when the movable body crosses the predetermined boundary into the non-allowable zone, and/or for deactivating the warning signal when the movable body crosses the predetermined boundary into the allowable zone.
13. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device.
14. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second device is provided with a facility for determining its position, for example its position coordinates.
15. System according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined data are such that the predetermined boundary is dependent on the position, for example the position coordinates, of the second device.
16. System according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined data comprise an allowable distance between the position coordinates of the first device and the position coordinates of the second device.
17. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined data comprise a distance between the position coordinates of the first device and position coordinates of a predetermined position.
18. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device is provided with a facility for determining movement or motion of the first device, wherein the first device is arranged to transmit a data signal to the second device when the first device has not moved for a predetermined period of time.
19. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device is arranged to repeatedly transmit a reporting signal to the second device at a predetermined time interval, wherein the second device is arranged to generate the warning signal when the reporting signal has not been received a predetermined period of time after the last received reporting signal.
20. System according to claim 19, wherein the second device is arranged to generate a warning signal and/or to determine the position coordinates of the first device when the reporting signal is received by the second device, after not having been received during the predetermined period of time after the previous received reporting signal.
21. System according to at least claim 5, wherein the first device is further provided with a sensor for measuring a parameter, wherein the transmitter is arranged for transmitting a data signal when the measured value of the parameter exceeds a predetermined level.
22. System according to claim 21, wherein the parameter is at least one of gas, moisture, angle of inclination, altitude, drop, velocity, acceleration, jerk, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and electric and/or magnetic radiation.
23. System according to any at least claim 5, wherein the transmitter of the first device is arranged for transmitting the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device to the second device.
24. System according to claim 5 and 21 or 22, wherein the transmitter of the first device is arranged for transmitting the measured value of the parameter to the second device.
25. System according to claim 9, wherein the first device is arranged to refrain from transmitting any signal until the analyser establishes that the predetermined boundary is crossed.
26. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second device is provided with a transmitter for transmitting an information request signal to the first device.
27. System according to claim 26 and 23 and/or 24, wherein the first device is arranged for transmitting the position, for example the position coordinates, of the first device and/or the measured value of the parameter to the second device upon receiving the information request signal.
28. System according to claim 27, wherein the first and/or second device is provided with a facility for controlling whether the second device is allowed or disallowed to transmit the information request signal.
29. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the position coordinates are generated by at least one of GPS, LPM, GSM, DECT,
Active RF-ID, Passive RF-ID, Radar identification, Galileo, Acoustic positioning, UWB positioning or WLAN positioning systems.
30. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second device are both arranged to be carried by one and the same movable body.
31. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each zone is three dimensional.
32. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the warning signal comprises information about the position of the first device, for example the position coordinates of the first device.
33. System according to at least claim 2, wherein the warning signal comprises information about the position of the second movable body, for example the position coordinates of the second movable body.
34. System according to claim 21, wherein the warning signal comprises information about the measured value of the parameter.
35. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second device comprises an input-facility for inputting predetermined data.
36. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second device comprises a phone facility for sending a message via a phone network.
37. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined data represent a plurality of predetermined two-zones- separating boundaries which are unconnected to each other.
38. System according to claim 37, wherein the predetermined two-zones- separating boundaries are unrelated to a radius of a circle that surrounds a predetermined position.
39. System according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the predetermined data represent at least two predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries which are related to two zones of which one does not comprise the other.
40. System according to claim 37, 38 or 39, wherein the predetermined data represent at least two predetermined two-zones-separating boundaries which are related to two zones of which one comprises the other.
41. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises a plurality of first devices.
42. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises a plurality of second devices.
43. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises a plurality of third devices.
44. System according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the system comprises a fourth device which is communicatively connected to the plurality of first devices and/or the plurality of second devices, wherein the fourth device is provided with the analyser, wherein the fourth device is further provided with the generator for generating the warning signal when the analyser establishes that the movable body is absent within any allowable zone associated with any first or second device.
45. System according to claim 44, wherein the system comprises a plurality of fourth devices.
46. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second device, and optionally the third and/or fourth device, form a network.
47. System according to claim 42, wherein the plurality of second devices comprises at least a first second device and a second second device, both provided with a facility for communicating with each other.
48. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second device is provided with the generator for generating the warning signal when the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone.
49 System according to claim 48, wherein the first and/or second device is provided with a facility for controlling whether the generator of the second device is enabled or disabled.
50. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device is provided with the generator for generating the warning signal when the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone.
51. System according to any one of claims 1-49, wherein the first device is free of a generator for generating the warning signal when the movable body is present within the non-allowable zone.
52. System according to claim 50, wherein the first and/or second device is provided with a facility for controlling whether the generator of the first device is enabled or disabled.
53. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein predetermined access rights are assigned to a first device, defining whether or not the allowable zone defined by the predetermined boundary associated with the position of the first device is overruled by a non-allowable zone which generally occupies an area.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP05077845A EP1796053A1 (en) | 2005-12-12 | 2005-12-12 | System for providing a warning signal when a movable organism is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone |
EP05077845.5 | 2005-12-12 | ||
EP06076919.7 | 2006-10-24 | ||
EP06076919 | 2006-10-24 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2007069890A1 true WO2007069890A1 (en) | 2007-06-21 |
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ID=37852321
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/NL2006/000636 WO2007069890A1 (en) | 2005-12-12 | 2006-12-12 | System for providing a warning signal when a movable body is present in a predetermined non-allowable zone |
Country Status (1)
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WO (1) | WO2007069890A1 (en) |
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KR20170093945A (en) * | 2014-12-17 | 2017-08-16 | 후아웨이 테크놀러지 컴퍼니 리미티드 | Geo-fencing implementation method and mobile device |
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US11094202B2 (en) | 2015-03-31 | 2021-08-17 | SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. | Systems and methods for geo-fencing device communications |
US9870566B2 (en) | 2015-03-31 | 2018-01-16 | SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd | Authentication systems and methods for generating flight regulations |
US9805372B2 (en) | 2015-03-31 | 2017-10-31 | SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd | Authentication systems and methods for generating flight regulations |
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US11367081B2 (en) | 2015-03-31 | 2022-06-21 | SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. | Authentication systems and methods for generating flight regulations |
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