WO2010095918A1

WO2010095918A1 - Electronic system for the early detection and location of fallen trees in order to prevent illegal logging

Info

Publication number: WO2010095918A1
Application number: PCT/MX2010/000009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adolfo MACIAS HERNÁNDEZ; Gabriel Herrera Orozco
Original assignee: Macias Hernandez Adolfo; Gabriel Herrera Orozco
Priority date: 2009-02-18
Filing date: 2010-02-11
Publication date: 2010-08-26
Also published as: MX2009001820A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system allowing early detection of illegal tree logging and providing notification to the authorities of same. The system includes a wireless network of electronic devices for detecting fallen trees, portable electronic devices for recording geographical coordinates, a communication station and a user interface. The wireless network includes a variable number of cells and each cell can contain a repeating electronic device and various electronic devices for detecting fallen trees. The number of cells in the wireless network and the number of electronic devices for detecting fallen trees per cell will depend on the size of the wooded area to be protected and the tree density in said area.

Description

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR THE DETECTION AND EARLY LOCATION OF THE TREE FALL TO AVOID THE ILLEGAL SIZE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention relates to an electronic system to detect the broth of trees in remote and extensive areas, knowing in real time the state of its components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, the problem of illegal logging represents very severe economic and ecological losses. This problem contributes to global warming, contributes to the problem of insecurity, generates losses to governments due to lack of tax capture and affects the legal timber trade.

The United Nations Organization for

Agriculture and Food (FAO) estimates that currently the loss of forests directly affects 90% of the 1.2 billion people who live in extreme poverty, since it directly affects their livelihoods. Greenpeace argues that 80% of logging in Brazil violates government controls and that mahogany exploitation reaches figures of up to $ 1,600 per m ³ . For its part, the Mexican Civil Council for Sustainable Forestry (CCMSS) ensures that in the country the authorities seize only 0.13% of the wood illegally extracted in Mexican forests, and that the black timber market in Mexico represented 3.612 million pesos in 2006. The annual loss that governments have due to lack of capture of taxes due to illegal logging is estimated by the World Bank at 15 billion dollars.

Systems that allow the detection of illegal logging of trees are very expensive and / or inefficient. The best known types of these systems are: systems that compare images of forests via satellite; CCTV systems; and rondines by the authorities. Systems that compare images of ^' forests via satellite have so far proved very slow to detect illegal logging. In addition, the vast majority of countries do not have resources to pay for their own satellites, and the Rental costs for a satellite are beyond the reach of many countries. CCTV systems are inefficient, as it would not be economically feasible to monitor large areas of forest with them. In addition, it would be very prone to errors due to the large number of people that would be needed to monitor the images. Air and land patrols have proved ineffective in detecting illegal logging in time, due in large part to the large size of forested areas. On the other hand, the rondines are not effective and sometimes those who carry them out are threatened with security. It is known of incidents in which forest guards and / or people who report illegal logging have been victims of violent acts by illegal loggers.

There is knowledge of the existence of US Patent No. US 5,506,565 dated April 9, 1996 from the inventors Joseph Andrew De León and Brian W. Peterson, which also seeks to attack the problem of illegal logging. The present application shows many advantages over the aforementioned patent. In said patent the system does not detect if any of its elements have stopped function, if it is no longer present, if it has no energy or if it has been destroyed. The inclination sensor proposed in that patent is made of mercury, which is harmful to the environment. On the other hand, two different models of devices are used for tilt monitoring, depending on whether a vertical or horizontal device is needed. The above increases design, manufacturing, inventory and storage costs. To locate the activated device (broth tree) a triangulation system is used, so its accuracy may vary depending on the environmental conditions. In addition, the lack of a device to calculate triangulation would leave many more devices disabled.

An effective way to reduce illegal logging is: make an early detection of logging, know the exact location and report it to the competent authorities. In this way, illegal loggers could be caught flagrantly. If several authorities are aware of these reports, the opportunity for acts of corruption is diminished. These factors would eventually cause illegal logging to cease to be viable. The system The inclination monitoring proposed by this patent allows us to use a single device model, which reduces design, manufacturing, storage and inventory costs. When reporting an event, the devices are identified with their geographical coordinates, which makes their location more accurate and reliable. The system includes a database with the location of each installed device. The present patent application offers these and many more advantages that will be explained later.

This invention proposes a solution to drastically reduce the problem of illegal logging in a more effective, more viable way, and with a better cost-benefit ratio than the systems that currently exist. A system that can protect very large forested areas and that does so in real time is proposed. With this solution, illegal logging is detected early to notify the competent authorities. In addition, the state of its elements is known at all times, providing that some element of the system is damaged or stops functioning properly. This way, operations can be implemented to stop illegal loggers quickly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES.

The attached sheets contain figures of the preferred embodiments to further clarify the aspects, advantages and characteristics of the present invention and others. It will be appreciated that these figures show only preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The invention will be described and explained with specificity and additional detail by means of the use of the attached Figures, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the electronic device to detect the broth of a tree (Mote) containing the communication port (1), CPU (2), Transceiver

(3), accelerometer (4), GPS global positioning system (5) and antenna (18).

Figure 2 shows the electronic repeater device containing the communication port (6), CPU (7), Transceiver (Transceiver) (8), accelerometer (9), transceiver (transceiver 2)

(10), repeater antenna (19) and antenna 2 (20).

Figure 3 illustrates the electronic geographic coordinate programmer device (Programmer) including the communication port (11), CPU (12), Keyboard (13), Display (14), GPS (15), transceiver (16), memory (17) and antenna (21).

Figure 4 is a general diagram of the network containing mote (22), repeater (23), network (24), central with transceiver (25) and mobile communication device (28).

Figure 5 shows the wireless programmer (26) and nickname (22).

Figure 6 illustrates the wired programmer (27) and nickname (22).

Figure 7 shows the general sequence of operation of the system that includes the mote (22), repeater (23) and central with transceiver (25). Figure 8 illustrates a system without anomalies containing the mote (22), repeater (23) and central with transceiver (25).

Figure 9 illustrates a system without communication between repeater and control panel containing the nickname (22), repeater (23) and central with transceiver (25).

Figure 10 illustrates a system without communication between repeater and mote containing the mote (22), repeater (23) and central with transceiver (25).

Figure 11 shows the wireless programming of repeaters, which contains the wireless programmer (26) and the repeater (23); Y

Figure 12 shows the wired repeater programming, which contains the wired programmer (27) and the repeater (23).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a system for early detection and warning of illegal logging authorities. This system contains a wireless network of electronic devices to detect the tree broth, repeater electronic devices, portable electronic devices to record geographical coordinates, a communications center and an interface with the user.

The wireless network will consist of a variable number of cells. Each cell can contain an electronic repeater device, and several electronic devices to detect the tree broth. Depending on the extent of the forest area to be protected and the density of trees that have that area, the amount of cells in the wireless network may vary, as well as the number of electronic devices to detect the fall of trees per cell.

Electronic repeater devices and electronic devices to detect the fall of trees, are strategically placed in the area forest that you want to protect. The status of each electronic device to detect the tree stock, and of each electronic repeater device, will be reported periodically to the communications center. This will be done through one or more electronic repeater devices, so their status will also be known at all times. That is, if a repeater electronic device fails, it will also be detected in the communications center. The communications center will be alerted when an electronic device has been detected to detect the tree broth or when a repeater electronic device has broth, or when one of these devices does not respond to the communication. The communications center channels this report to show it to one or more managers through an interface with the user. This report will contain the geographical position of the tree and a notice of which of the previous cases was presented. The user interface can be a computer, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or any electronic communication device. Electronic repeater devices and electronic devices for detecting tree broth have a weatherproof housing. Said housing will be of some color that will cause it to be confused with the tree on which they are mounted. In addition, the aforementioned devices contain energy modules which can be solar panels, alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries, wind generators, etc. The type of energy module that each component will carry will depend on: the level of autonomy that is desired, the geographical and climatic conditions, and the type of forest to be protected with this system.

As you can see, the electronic devices to detect the tree broth and the electronic repeater devices are very similar. One of the main differences between them is their energy module, since that of the repeater is more powerful. This is done in order that the electronic repeater device may be transmitting and receiving more frequently and at greater distances than an electronic device to detect the tree broth. To achieve this, a second transceiver can be used electronic that uses a different communication technology.

Electronic devices to detect the broth of trees are installed in the trees, although one does not necessarily have to be installed in each tree, and they contain:

• a two or three axis accelerometer,

• a processing unit,

«An electronic transceiver, and

• a power module.

Each electronic device to detect the tree stock is identified within the wireless network by its geographical coordinates. The frequency with which the state of the trees is sent with devices to detect the broth of trees will depend on how much risk the forest area has to be cut down. To send the status of the tree, the processing unit of the electronic device to detect the tree broth will take the reading of its accelerometer. If this reading exceeds the equivalent of 40 degrees of inclination with respect to the vertical, the processing unit He will interpret it as a broth. This is done to consider the natural movement of the tree and not interpret it as an alarm. Then, the processing unit sends the status of the tree to the electronic repeater device through its electronic transceiver.

Each electronic repeater device contains: • a processing unit,

"A two or three axis accelerometer,

• an electronic transceiver to communicate with electronic devices to detect falling trees,

• an electronic transceiver to communicate with the communications center or with another electronic repeater device,

• and a power module.

Depending on the distance at which the wooded area to be protected from any other compatible communications network is located, the repeater electronic device may have two different wireless communication technologies: one to communicate with the electronic devices for detect the fall of trees, and the other one with greater scope to communicate with the communications center or with another electronic repeater device. To communicate with the communications center, a proprietary or existing data network is used, such as satellite radio or cellular telephony. In addition, electronic repeater devices can also detect when they have fallen. For this they use their processing unit, accelerometer and electronic transceiver in the same way that electronic devices do to detect the fall of trees.

The portable electronic device for recording geographical coordinates consists of: • an energy module,

• a processing unit,

• a keyboard for testing,

• a screen for testing,

»And a geographical positioning module.

This device is used to record the geographical coordinates of the place where electronic devices have been installed to detect the fall of Trees and electronic repeater devices. In addition, it allows testing between devices in the wireless network (electronic devices to detect the tree broth, repeater electronic devices and / or communications center).

In order to determine the geographical location of the electronic devices to detect the tree stock and of the electronic repeater devices, their geographical position can be recorded by means of a portable electronic device to record geographical coordinates or they can carry a geographical positioning module. To record its geographical coordinates, each electronic device to detect the tree stock and each electronic repeater device is installed in its respective place (tree, pole, etc.). It is then connected via cables or wirelessly with the portable electronic device to record geographic coordinates. The latter takes the data of the geographical position of its geographical positioning module and sends them to the device to which the geographical coordinates are to be recorded. The keyboard and the screen of the portable electronic device for recording geographical coordinates are used for testing. Electronic devices to detect tree stock and electronic repeater devices will have different modes of operation. Among them are the programming mode, test mode and normal mode. The devices when leaving the factory are in programming mode, because there is no reason for them to try to join the wireless network if they have not recorded their geographical coordinates. In this mode, the portable electronic device is used to record geographic coordinates, and it configures the devices. An example of these parameters is the frequency with which they should be reported, the transmission power, the reception power, etc. Once this has been done, the electronic devices to detect the tree broth and the repeater electronic devices enter into test mode. In this mode you can be ordered to do communication tests between two elements of the wireless network (electronic devices to detect the tree broth, repeater electronic devices and / or communications center). Some of the tests that can be done between two devices are: communication between two network elements wireless, verify that the geographical position that has been recorded to the electronic device to detect the fall of trees is correct, and so on. Then, to enter the normal mode of operation, the portable electronic device is used to record geographical coordinates. In this mode of operation the inclination of the devices will be monitored and communicating with the other components of the electronic system for the early detection of illegal logging.

In each portable electronic device to record geographical coordinates the geographic coordinates of each of the electronic devices that you have configured (electronic devices to detect the fall of trees and repeater electronic devices) are stored. The intention of storing this information is to have a reliable database of each electronic device in the communications center to detect the fall of trees and each electronic repeater device. In addition, with the database there is another way to compare and verify that all network components are being reported. Provided that the inclination of the trunks and branches can vary greatly from one tree to another, the electronic devices to detect the tree broth and the electronic repeater devices make a measurement to take their initial reference of inclination. The above is done after these devices have been installed in their respective place and since the portable electronic device for recording geographical coordinates has configured them. The sequence of this process is as follows:

1. The device to be recorded is physically installed (electronic device to detect the tree broth or the electronic repeater device).

2. The processing unit verifies that its geographical coordinates have been recorded to the device. This is done by bidirectional communication between the device to be recorded and the portable electronic device to record geographical coordinates.

3. The processing unit takes an accelerometer reading. 4. The processing unit of the device to be recorded stores the inclination corresponding to the accelerometer reading in non-volatile memory. This to establish an initial reference of inclination that will be compared with the threshold of 40 degrees with respect to the vertical, and thus determine when a tree has been broth.

This will facilitate the installation of electronic devices to detect tree broth and repeater electronic devices, since it will avoid the need for them to be installed completely horizontal or completely vertical.

Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other modes apparent to those skilled in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is proposed to be defined only by the following claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to implement said invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the contents of the following claims are claimed as property.

1. An electronic system for the detection of tree broth that contains,

electronic devices to detect the broth of trees,

electronic repeater devices,

portable electronic devices to record geographic coordinates,

a communications center, and

an interface with the user,

characterized in that it monitors the inclination of trees at any time, communicates and records the status of electronic devices to detect the broth of trees and electronic repeater devices.

2. The electronic system according to claim 1 characterized in that the devices Portable electronics to record geographic coordinates are used to record geographic coordinates to electronic devices to detect falling trees and electronic repeater devices.

3. The electronic system according to claim 1, characterized in that the communications center periodically stores the state of the electronic devices to detect the fall of trees and the repeater electronic devices.

4. The electronic system according to claim 1, characterized in that the communications center channels the information to the competent authorities in case the fall of protected trees is detected.

5. The electronic system according to claim 1 characterized in that the user interface serves to inform the geographical position of where the fall of a protected tree has been detected, or where a communication error has been detected in the electronic devices for detect the fall of trees and / or in the electronic repeater devices.

6. An electronic device to detect the fall of trees strategically placed in a tree belonging to a wooded area that you want to protect, identified within the electronic system by its geographical coordinates, characterized in that it contains:

a) an accelerometer;

b) a processing unit;

c) an electronic transceiver, capable of bidirectional communication with the communications center, with other electronic devices to detect the fall of trees or with electronic repeater devices;

d) an energy module that can consist of batteries, solar panels or wind generators; Y

e) a weatherproof housing.

7. A method for sending information to the communications center corresponding to the status of electronic devices to detect the tree broth by means of one or more electronic repeater devices.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the information sent to the communications center will contain the geographical position of the tree belonging to the wooded area to be protected.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it reports the tilt status of the electronic devices to detect the tree broth and the repeater electronic devices consisting of the following steps:

a) when the information on the status of the tree in question is sent, the processing unit of the electronic device to detect the fall of trees will take the reading of its accelerometer; b) if said reading exceeds 40 degrees of inclination with respect to the vertical, the processing unit of the electronic device to detect the tree broth will interpret it as a broth;

c) the processing unit of the electronic device to detect the tree broth sends the status of the tree to a repeater electronic device by means of its electronic transceiver; Y

d) the electronic repeater device receives the information through an electronic transceiver.

10. The electronic system according to claim 1, characterized in that it detects the status of its components periodically.

11. The electronic system according to claim 1, characterized in that the information regarding the state of the electronic devices for detecting the tree broth and the repeater electronic devices arrives at the communication center via the devices

12. The electronic system according to claim 1, characterized in that the information regarding the state of the electronic devices is stored in the communication center and is only channeled to the user interface if any of the following situations is detected:

a) the fall of an electronic device to detect the fall of trees installed in a tree;

b) the fall of an electronic repeater device;

c) an electronic device to detect the fall of trees does not respond to communication with an electronic repeater device;

d) some electronic repeater device does not respond to communication with the communications center;

e) some electronic device to detect the fall of trees has low energy; Y

f) some electronic repeater device has low energy.

13. A method for installing electronic devices to detect tree stock and repeater electronic devices regardless of their orientation with respect to the horizontal and then make communication tests, characterized in that the geographical coordinates of the tree or structure are recorded in the tree. which is installed by means of the portable electronic device to record geographical coordinates.

14. A portable electronic device for recording geographical coordinates responsible for configuring and recording geographic coordinates to electronic devices for detecting tree stock and repeater electronic devices, characterized in that said device can be connected via cable or wirelessly to devices electronic devices to detect falling trees and repeater electronic devices.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that it stores the geographic coordinates of each device that it has enabled.

16. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that it sends information to the communications center to create a database of installed devices.

17. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that it contains:

a) an energy module;

b) a processing unit;

c) a keyboard;

d) a screen;

e) a geographical positioning module;

f) a memory; Y

g) a communication port.

18. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that said device allows communication tests between electronic devices to detect the tree broth, repeater electronic devices and the communication center.

19. A method of storing a database of devices in a communications center electronic devices to detect the broth of trees and the electronic repeater devices that have been installed, as well as their geographical positions, characterized in that the communications center can receive and store information regarding the status of electronic devices to detect the fall of trees and electronic repeater devices

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the communications center automatically determines what information should be reported to the corresponding authorities.

21. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the communications center can channel and send the geographical coordinates of the fall of a tree.

22. An electronic device connected to the communications center that comprises an interface with the user characterized in that it graphically or by means of sound notifies the type of report and the geographical coordinates from which the fall of a tree originated.

23. The electronic device according to claim 22, characterized in that said The device sends the information about the geographical coordinates of the broth of a tree to another electronic device.

24. The electronic device according to claim 22, characterized in that said user interface can be a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cell phone, and / or a computer.