WO2021191854A1

WO2021191854A1 - Method and apparatus for locating an individual with respect to a control area

Info

Publication number: WO2021191854A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/052522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gaetano D'AQUILA; Giuseppe Cutri'; Giuseppe FEDELE
Original assignee: Gipstech Srl
Priority date: 2020-03-26
Filing date: 2021-03-26
Publication date: 2021-09-30
Also published as: IT202000006382A1

Abstract

Apparatus and method for locating an individual (20) where the method comprises: - a step A of defining a control area (10) which consists of a spatial region; wherein said step A involves associating with the control area (10) an identity of an individual (20) to be monitored; - a step B which involves the emission, by a control device (40), of an identification request which has a positive outcome if the control device (40) receives a response within a first predefined period of time; an acknowledgement step C which involves carrying out the acknowledgement procedure following the receipt of the response from the control device (40); - a localization step D which involves localization, in real time, of a position of the control device (40); - a verification step E which has a positive outcome if, following the execution of a first step C and a first step D, the position detected in the first step D is situated within the control area (10) defined in the step A, otherwise it has a negative outcome; wherein the first step A and the first step B are carried out simultaneously or in sequence within a second predefined period of time; - a signalling step F which involves signalling an alarm to a control entity if the step B has a negative outcome or if the step C has a negative outcome or if the step E has a negative outcome.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATING AN INDIVIDUAL WITH

RESPECT TO A CONTROL AREA

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present disclosure concerns an apparatus and a method for locating an individual and, specifically, for checking that the position of an individual is located within a predefined control area.

The apparatus and the method according to the present disclosure are specifically intended to check for compliance regarding confinement of an individual within said control area which may be fixed or mobile. PRIOR ART

Nowadays in view of the high density of the population worldwide and the ease with which individuals are able to move around it is becoming increasingly necessary to have access to effective control means which are able to detect, periodically or systematically, the areas in which individuals are permanently located or where they are simply passing through.

This need is associated with the possibility of particular situations occurring, such as the containment of social events which could be associated for example with the need to transfer temporarily prison inmates outside of prisons and/or sick persons outside of hospitals, while at the same time continuing to monitor them and/or being able to control, monitor and limit the spread of infections, especially viral infections, resulting from the large number of individuals between whom there is widespread daily contact, especially during a working activity.

Measures commonly applied both in the case of monitoring of prison inmates and in the case where the spread of viruses must be contained, especially in a pandemic, are dependent on the possibility of having effective methods for ensuring the correct isolation of individuals and/or social groups, understood as being groups of individuals living together, in order to limit contacts and correspondingly the risks of infection or, in the case of prison inmates, limit and the condition their personal freedom in order to prevent further crimes, or in the case of sick persons, limit the risks associated with the impossibility of carrying out timely interventions of varying kinds.

In order for these instruments to be effective, it has proved to be essential to be able to have methods and systems for carrying out checks as to the confinement of persons within predefined control areas which may be sanitary installations and/or domestic environments and/or in any case open or closed locations.

SUMMARY

The problem forming the basis of the present invention is that of ensuring the widespread monitoring of the location of individuals who are subject to confinement, especially in order to optimize and minimise the effects associated with a possible violation of said confinement.

For example, in the case of an epidemic, it is necessary to limit the spread of an infection by means of the isolation of individuals and/or social groups, while in the case of the general monitoring of a person or a prison inmate it is necessary to ensure that they remain confined within a given, fixed or mobile, spatial region in order to prevent the occurrence of further negative events such as further crimes.

The task of an apparatus and a method for locating an individual according to the present invention is to solve this problem. In connection with this task an object of the invention is to propose an apparatus and a method for locating an individual whereby it is possible to verify the confinement of an individual within a control area in a simple and reliable manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for locating an individual, the implementation of which is simple and low-cost, such that it is possible to carry out a widespread check for compliance with regard to the confinement of individuals within respective control areas.

A further object of the invention is to propose an apparatus and a method for locating an individual which ensure a reliable correlation between the location of an individual and the identity of said individual.

A further object of the invention is to allow the localization of the individual by means of certain methods which limit the disclosure of sensitive data concerning said individual or which are able to ensure a minimum impact in terms of possible violation of individual privacy.

This task as well as these and other objects which will become clearer below are achieved by an apparatus and method for locating an individual according to the attached independent claims.

Detailed characteristics of an apparatus and a method for locating an individual according to the invention are contained in the dependent claims.

Further characteristic features and advantages will emerge more clearly from the description of a preferred, but non-exclusive embodiment of an apparatus and a method for locating an individual according to the invention, illustrated in an embodiment provided solely by way of a non-limiting example in the attached sets of drawings listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS

- Figure 1 shows a simplified diagram of an apparatus and a method for locating an individual according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a detail of an apparatus for locating an individual according to the invention, relating to an identifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With particular reference to the said figures, a method for locating an individual comprises:

- a step A of defining a control area 10 which consists of a spatial region, the actual geographical location of which could be known or unknown; the step A involving associating with the control area 10 an identity of an individual 20 to be monitored;

- a step B which involves the emission, by a control device 40, of an identification request; wherein said step B has a positive outcome if the control device 40 receives a response to the identification request within a predefined period of time which for example may be between 10 seconds and 15 minutes and preferably equal to 3 minutes, otherwise it has a negative outcome;

- an acknowledgement step C, which involves carrying out said acknowledgement procedure following receipt of the response from the control device 40; wherein said acknowledgement procedure involves acquiring, by means of the control device 40, identification information identifying the user and has a positive outcome if said identification information corresponds to that of said identity otherwise it has a negative outcome;

- a localization step D which involves the localization, for example in real time, by means of an estimate of a position of the control device 40; - a verification step E which has a positive outcome if, following the execution of a first step C and a first step D, the position detected in said first step D is situated within the control area 10 defined in step A, otherwise it has a negative outcome; wherein the first step C and the first step D are carried out simultaneously or in sequence within a second predefined period of time which for example may be between 1 second and 30 minutes and preferably is equal to 1 minute;

- a signalling step F which involves signalling an alarm to a control entity, which may be for example a monitored control unit, if at least one of step B, step C or step E has a negative outcome and/or optionally if the localization of the step D should fail, for example because of tampering with the control device 30.

The control device 40 may be a portable electronic device which may be provided with geo-location and/or displacement estimation means, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetic sensors and/or any other means able to receive further natural and artificial environmental signals such as for example, but not exclusively, terrestrial geomagnetism, Wi-Fi signals, or signals from radio mobile networks.

In particular, the control device 40 may comprise or consist of a smartphone.

The identity of the individual 20 to be monitored is defined by means of identification information which comprises biometric data of the individual 20, such as a pattern representing a digital imprint or the facial anatomy and/or data incorporated in an identifier 30 carried by the individual 20.

In step B, said response may be manual or may comprise an interaction of a user with the control device 40, for example by performing, by means of said control device 40, reading of a digital imprint or reading of facial anatomical parameters.

Alternatively, said response may be automatic, namely may comprise an interaction of the control device 40 with an identifier 30 carried by the user. For example, the identifier may incorporate an RFID tag or another type of receiving and transmitting device, for example operating using communication protocols known as Near Field Communication or NFC or by means of the technology commercially known as Bluetooth®, such that the control device 40 may acquire from the identifier 30 the said data which incorporates identification information identifying the user, coming into contact with or being brought close to said identifier 30.

The user is to be understood as being the individual 20 to be located where, in the present text, the object of this localization is to check that this individual 20 does not move away from the control area 10 or does not exit said area, except for short periods of time. This localization has a particular application in the sector of house arrests where the detained person, namely the individual 20, is not authorized to leave the control area which is formed, in this case, by the detention location.

Likewise, said localization may be used in the event of infections for monitoring a containment strategy which requires persons to limit their movements and/or not to leave their domicile except for brief periods and/or within predefined time bands.

For the purposes of the acknowledgement in step C, the control device 40 may have access to a data bank which comprises a plurality of identities of individuals 20 to be monitored and, for each of these, the corresponding identification information. Thus said acknowledgement may involve a comparison between:

- the identification information present in the data bank and associated with the identity of an individual 20 to be monitored;

- the identification information contained in the data received from the identifier 30 or acquired directly from the individual 20, for example by means of biometric reading.

Said data bank may be incorporated in the control device 40 or may be provided in a remote device accessible by the control device 40, for example by means of a telecommunications network. The step D may be incorporated in the step A, the control device 40 having a fixed position inside the control area.

In other words, the control device 40 may be fixed to a stationary support inside the control area.

The control area may also be defined as being a spatial region surrounding the control device 490 which, consequently, has intrinsically a fixed position in the control area being able, however, per se to be spatially displaced, the control area being also mobile in this case.

During the localization of step D, said position may be an absolute position, namely a geographically located position, i.e. able to be expressed by means of geographic coordinates which may be estimated for example by means of known geo-location techniques such a those described in the patent documents in the name of the same Applicant WO2015111089, WO2015197769, EP3227636

Alternatively, said position is a relative position namely information which comprises the estimate of at least one distance from at least one reference device 51 , 52, 53 which, in the context of step A, is positioned in a fixed position with respect to the control area 10.

In other words, the reference devices 51, 52 and 53 form the - so-called - anchor points, namely fixed reference points with respect to which the control device 40 may estimate its own position in order to locate the individual 20.

For example, the step A may involve the provision of at least one reference device 51 , 52, 53 which will have its own identification code.

The control area may therefore be defined as being a spatial region surrounding at least one reference device 51 , 52, 53. The reference device 51, 52, 53 may be configured to emit the identification request according to step B.

In this case, the step D may involve that the control device 40, for localization thereof, be moved close to a reference device 51 , 52, 53 and its identification code acquired. In this case, the position of the control device 40 may be assumed as corresponding to that of the reference device 51 , 52, 53, whose identification code it has acquired, or, for example, depending on the mode of acquisition of the identification code, it may be assumed as being included in an area surrounding the position of the reference device 51 , 52, 53, whose identification code it has acquired.

The control device 40 may be configured to acquire simultaneously or in sequence multiple identification codes of corresponding reference devices 51, 52, 53 and to use the conventional localization methods mentioned above to estimate a relative position contained in the region in which the reference devices 51 , 52 and 53 are located. In other words, the control device 40 may be configured to triangulate the position of the control device 40 with respect to the position of a plurality of reference devices 51 , 52 and 53.

Expressed differently yet again, the control device 40 is configured to apply signal merging algorithms, including therein also other external signals which are already present in the environment of the control area (Wi-Fi, GSM etc,) and which also use a plurality of reference identifiers to estimate the relative position of the control device 40 with respect to the respective reference devices 51 , 52 and 53. For example, the identification code may be a symbol or an image, such as a QR code or bar code, and the acquisition may therefore be performed by means of optical reading of this symbol or image.

In this case the position of the control device may be assumed as substantially coinciding with that of the reference device 51, 52, 53, whose identification code it has acquired.

Alternatively, the identification code may consist of information electronically stored in the reference device 51, 52, 53 and the latter as well as the control device 40 may be configured in such a way that the control device may acquire said information for example by means of a radiofrequency data exchange or by means of an NCF-based communication protocol, as mentioned above, or by means of a protocol based on the use of Bluetooth®. In this case the position of the control device may be assumed as being included within the communication range of the control device 40 and the reference device 51 , 52, 53, whose identification code it has acquired, or said position may be estimated by using conventional methods based on the measurement of other parameters useful for estimating the distance present between the transmitter and the receiver, such as for example the measurement of the power of the signal present on the receiver or the flight time of the signal measured between the transmitter and the receiver.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control device 40 may be incorporated in a reference device 51 , 52 and/or 53.

In this case the localization step D is performed beforehand, namely upon installation, during step A, of the reference device 51, 52 and/or 53 which incorporates the control device 40 in the control area 10. Equally well, in this case, the step E must always have a positive outcome, the control device 40 in fact being fixed in the control area 10, despite tampering with the control device 40 as will be explained more clearly below.

The control area 10 of step A may be defined selectively as being a spatial region which is:

- absolute, i.e. which can be defined by means of geographical coordinates, or

- relative, i.e. which can be defined by a set of positions which satisfy a predefined positional - for example distance - relationship, with respect to at least a spatial reference point which is not necessarily geographically located and which may in turn be moving. In other words, although it is always possible to represent a posteriori the spatial reference position in any absolute system of coordinates (including a geographical system), this representation may be omitted without affecting the object of the method which is that of determining the presence of an individual 20 in the same control area with which the reference device is associated, regardless of the representation in an absolute reference system of the control area. This spatial reference point may be for example defined by at least one reference device 51 , 52 and/or 53.

The identification request of step B may involve the emission of a signal able to be perceived by the user, such as a light signal and/or sound signal and/or a vibration. Said signal able to be perceived by the user could be emitted equally well by the control device 40 or the identifier 30 or both of them.

In step B, the interaction envisaged in said automatic response may comprise, as mentioned further above:

- an optical acquisition by the control device 40 of an image impressed on the identifier 30 and/or

- reception, by the control device 40, of an electromagnetic response signal B emitted by the identifier 30; where the identification request consists of an electromagnetic request signal A.

The present method, in particular, may envisage the execution of a plurality of steps B which are performed at predefined time intervals or at time intervals of random duration or at intervals associated with the occurrence of triggering events such as, for example, detection of displacement, detection of a variation in environmental parameters, detection of a variation in vital parameters. These triggering events could be performed equally well by the control device 40 and/or the identifier 30 and/or the reference device (51 , 52, 53).

In this way it is possible to check, with the frequency of said time intervals, whether the individual 20 to be monitored actually remains within the control area.

In general, as mentioned further above, the localization step of step D may involve the detection, by the control device 40, of a signal which is emitted by the reference device 51 , 52, 53.

The step A may involve associating at least one first identity, and preferably a plurality of first identities of corresponding individuals 20 to be monitored, with a first control device 40, and at least one second identity, and preferably a plurality of first identities of corresponding individuals 20 to be monitored, with a second control device 40.

In this case, therefore, each control device 40 will be associated with a group of identities of a corresponding number of individuals 20 to be monitored where each group comprises at least one identity, namely is intended to monitor an individual 20 who has said identity.

Each individual 20, who has an identity belonging to the group of the first identities, may carry a first identifier 30 which incorporates the data defining their first identity.

Likewise, each individual 20, whose identity belongs to the group of the second identities, may carry a second identifier 30 which incorporates data defining his/her second identity.

In this way, each group of individuals, whose identity belongs to the first group of identities or to the second group of second identities, may have a different control area namely a control area which does not intersect spatially, in a horizontal direction and/or in a vertical direction.

The present method may comprise a step G which involves the reception, by the first control device 40, of:

- a first signal for identification by each possible first identifier 30 which is within a predefined distance from the first control device 40 and/or

- a second signal for identification by each possible second identifier 30 which is within the same predefined distance from the first control device 40.

The step F may signal an alarm if, in step G, the first control signal 40 receives at least one second identification signal.

In other words, the present method may envisage emitting an alarm in the case where a control device 40 associated with a first group of individuals 20 to be monitored receives a second identification signal namely a signal of an identifier 30 carried by an individual 20 belonging to a second group of individuals 20. Thus it is possible to signal a situation where individuals 20 who belong to different groups and should remain separate, for example in order to avoid medical infection, move to within a distance of each other considered to be dangerous.

An example of an application may envisage that the control device 40 be fixed in a given position.

For example, the control device could be installed permanently in an environment, such as inside a domestic lamp, or inserted in an electric wall socket.

In this case the present solution allows adjustment of the amplitude of the radius within which the person with the associated identifier 30 may move without triggering the alarm, since the amplitude of the radius depends on how frequently it is required to perform the acknowledgement step C before generating any alarm.

In this way it is possible to implement configurable monitoring measures which have the purpose of signalling any movements away from a predetermined position, thus making the execution of monitoring operations simpler and more effective. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step A may envisage configuring a plurality of control devices 40 so that they are mutually connected when they are within a predefined operating zone or when they are located within a predefined reciprocal operating distance.

In this case, the method according to the present invention may envisage a step for emitting an alarm, for example directed towards the control entity, if at least one control device 40 of said plurality moves out of said operating zone or if it is displaced by a distance greater than said operating distance with respect to at least one further control device 40 of said plurality.

Said operating zone may be defined by environmental or artificial electromagnetic signals, such as Wi-Fi signals or radio-mobile signals or terrestrial geomagnetism, which, being local to said operating zone, form a further distinctive element thereof, it not being possible to detect said same signals if said control device 40 should be located at a distance from said operating zone, it instead being possible, if necessary, to detect other signals which cannot be attributed to said initial operating zone.

An apparatus for locating an individual 20, according to the present invention, therefore comprises:

- an identifier 30, configured to be fixed to the body of a user and to incorporate data constituting information identifying the identity of said user;

- a control device 40 configured to acquire said data from the identifier 30, for example using the methods and the technical means already mentioned above, and to a perform a localization by estimating its own position.

This position may be absolute, i.e. may be a geographically located position, or a relative position thereof which comprises at least one estimate of a distance from at least one reference device 51 , 52, 53.

The apparatus may also comprise a remote verification unit 60 which may consist of the aforementioned control entity; wherein the control device 40 may be configured to integrate in a data packet the data acquired from the identifier 30 and the absolute position or the relative position and transmit this packet to the remote unit 60, for example as indicated by the reference C in Figure 1.

The remote unit 60 may be configured to transmit in turn notifications and/or instructions to the control device 40 which, in turn, may be configured to receive - and optionally display on an interface - said notifications and/or carry out said instructions.

For example, the step B may involve the sending, by the remote unit 60, of an instruction to the control device 40 to emit an identification request to the individual 20 or individuals 20 to be monitored.

The control device may be configured to receive the data packet and to carry out a check as to whether the absolute position or the relative position is located in a control area 10 associated with the identity associated with said identifier 30 and to signal an alarm if this check has a negative outcome.

The control device 40 may configured to carry out a check if the aforementioned absolute position or relative position is located in a control area 10 associated with the identity associated with the identifier 30 and to signal an alarm, for example to the remote unit 60, if this check has a negative outcome.

In other words, the check as to whether an individual 20, to whom the identity read by the identifier 30 corresponds, is in the control zone associated with it or not may be performed locally by the control device 40 itself or by a remote unit 60 to which the control device 40 transmits said data packet. The apparatus according to the present invention may also comprise at least one reference device 51 , 52, 53 which incorporates its own identifier.

The control device 40 may be configured to acquire, at regular or irregular time intervals, said identifier and associate it with the identity associated with the individual 20 from whose identifier 30 the control device received the identification data.

In other words, the control device 40 may be configured to acquire the identifier of the reference device 51 , 52, 53 for example by means of optical reading of a fixed image on the reference device 51 , 52, 53 or by means of reception of an electromagnetic signal, as described more fully above.

In general, the control device 40 and the reference device 51 , 52, 53 may be configured to communicate with each other, as for example indicated by the reference D in Figure 1.

As already mentioned, the control device 40 and the reference device 51 , 52, 53 may be devices which are autonomous and separate or separable or may be integrated in a single object.

The control device 40 may be configured to transmit the aforementioned data packet to the reference device 51 , 52, 53 and the latter may be configured to receive the data packet and transmit it to the remote unit 60 or to carry out a check if the absolute position or the relative position is situated in a control area 10 associated with the identity associated with this identifier 30 and to signal an alarm, for example to the remote unit 60, if the outcome of this check is negative.

In other words, the check as to whether the individual 20 has left the control area 10 associated with his/her identity may be carried out by the reference device 51 , 52, 53.

The attached Figure 1 shows by way of a non-limiting example three reference devices 51, 52, 53, each of which may have any one of the characteristics described above. By means of a plurality of reference devices 51 , 52, 53 it is for example possible to define in a very flexible manner a control area which is for example defined by a spatial region defined by the places which are located within a predefined distance from at least one of the reference devices 51 , 52, 53.

This distance may for example consist in the communication range of a Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi system or a system of telecommunication devices based on the IEEE 802.11 Standards.

The identifier 30 may be configured to be irreparably damaged following separation thereof from the user, namely from the individual 20 whose identity data it incorporates, or to record separation thereof from the user. For example, the identifier 30 may consist of an arm band or an ankle band and may comprise:

- a body 31 made of yielding material and/or provided with fragile zones able to form preferential breakage zones, namely this material may comprise cellulose material which may be water-repellent and/or polymeric material and may be stratified or composite;

- a telecommunication device 32 having an antenna connected to a storage means inside which the data containing the information identifying the identity of the individual with the associated identifier 30 may be incorporated, in a non- modifiable manner, during a set-up step included in step A; - closing means 33, for example comprising an adhesive or a rivet or a button, which are designed to irreversibly fix a first part of the body 31 to a second part thereof, where these parts may consist of opposite ends of the body 31 if the latter has for example a strip-like form.

The closing means may be configured to be deformed or to break in the event of separation of the identifier 30 from the individual 20 with whom it has been associated.

Alternatively, the closing means may be able to be opened and closed again and are designed to detect opening thereof once they have been closed during the set-up step, so that they are able to signal whether the identifier 30 may have been removed from the body of the individual 20 to be monitored, following the set-up step.

The step A may envisage said set-up step in which:

- the data relating to the information identifying the identity of an individual 20 with which said identifier 30 is associated is irreversibly incorporated in an identifier 30;

- said identity is associated with a specific control area 10 in which the individual 20 is confined.

During this set-up step at least one reference device 51 , 52 and 53 may also be provided in the control area 10. Furthermore, during the set-up step the identity of the individual 20 to be monitored may be associated with the control device 40 which may be given to the individual 20 to be monitored or, for example, may be integrated in the reference device 51 , 52, 53.

Each reference device 51 , 52, 53 may be fixable to a fixed support such as wall and provided with means for detecting removal - including temporary removal - thereof from this fixed support. For example, the reference device 51, 52, 53 may have a frame on which a tongue is fixed, said tongue being elastically pushed from a position pressed against the frame into a position where it is separated from the frame. The reference device 51 , 52, 53 may also be provided with means for detecting whether the tongue is no longer in the pressed-down position.

The reference device 51 , 52, 53 may therefore be configured so that, when it is fixed onto the fixed support, the interaction therewith forces the tongue into the pressed-down position and, in the event of removal from the fixed support, the tongues assumes spontaneously, by means of an elastic action, the separated position.

In this way, it is possible to detect immediately should a reference device 51 , 52, 53 be displaced from the fixed support, in fact modifying the location of the control area 10 if it is defined with respect to the position of said reference device 51 , 52, 53.

The method according to the present invention may involve the emission of an alarm if the reference device 51 , 52, 53 is removed from its prearranged support onto which it is fixed during step A.

Clearly, depending on the relevant requirements for implementation of the present invention, each reference device 51 , 52, 53 may be fixed within space, for example fixed to a stationary support, or may be mobile.

In fact, during implementation of the present invention, the present method may be used to check whether at least one individual 20 being monitored remains within a control area which is mobile. For example, this application is advantageous in the case of transportation of prison inmates or sick persons where a reference device 51 , 52, 53 is fixed to the transportation vehicle which may define the said control area.

It has therefore been shown how a method and an apparatus according to the present invention are able to fulfil the task and achieve the predefined objects, allowing the confinement of an individual within a control area to be verified in simple and effective manner.

The method according to the present invention may moreover be implemented in a simple and low-cost manner so that it is possible to carry out a widespread check for compliance regarding the confinement of individuals within respective control areas.

With an apparatus and a method for locating an individual according to the present invention it is therefore possible to ensure a reliable correlation between the location of an individual and the identity of said individual.

The invention thus devised may be subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the attached claims. Moreover, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

Where the constructional characteristics and the techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference numbers or symbols, these reference numbers or symbols have been assigned with the sole purpose of facilitating understanding of the said claims and consequently they do not limit in any way the interpretation of each element which is identified, purely by way of example, by said reference numbers or symbols.

Claims

1. Method for locating an individual (20) which comprises:

- a step A of defining a control area (10) which consists of a spatial region; wherein said step A involves associating with said control area (10) an identity of an individual (20) to be monitored wherein said identity is defined by means of identification information which comprises biometric data of said individual (20) and/or data incorporated in an identifier (30) carried by said individual (20);

- a step B which involves the emission, preferably by a control device (40) and/or by said identifier (30) if provided, of an identification request; wherein said step B is has a positive outcome if said control device (40) receives a response to said identification request within a first predefined period of time, otherwise it has a negative outcome; wherein said response is manual, i.e. comprising an interaction of a user with said control device (40), or is automatic, i.e. comprising an interaction of the control device (40) with one said identifier (30), which is carried by said user;

- an acknowledgment step C which involves carrying out said acknowledgment procedure following receipt of said response from said control device (40); wherein said acknowledgment procedure involves acquiring, by means of said control device (40), identification information identifying said user and has a positive outcome if said identification information corresponds to that of said identity otherwise it has a negative outcome;

- a localization step D which involves localization, by means of an estimate, of a position of said control device (40) with respect to said control area;

- a verification step E which has a positive outcome if, following the execution of a first said step C and a first said step D, the position detected in said first step D is located within the control area (10) defined in said step A, otherwise it has a negative outcome; wherein said first step C and said first step D are carried out simultaneously or in sequence within a second predefined period of time; - a signalling step F which involves signalling an alarm to a control entity if said step B has a negative outcome or if said step C has a negative outcome or if said step E has a negative outcome; wherein said step A involves associating at least a first said identity with a first said control device (40) and at least a second said identity with a second said control device (40); wherein each individual (20) who has said first identity carries a first identifier (30) which incorporates data defining said first identity and each individual (20) to whom said second identity corresponds carries a second identifier (30) which incorporates data defining said second identity; wherein said method comprises a step G which involves the receiving, by said first control device (40), of:

- a first signal for identification by each possible said first identifier (30) which is within a predefined distance from said first control device (40) and/or

- a second signal for identification by each possible said second identifier (30) which is within said predefined distance from said first control device (40); wherein said step F involves signalling said alarm even if in said step G said first control device (40) receives at least one said second identification signal.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said position of said control device (40) is an absolute position, i.e. a geographically located position, or is a relative position or an information which comprises at least an estimate of a distance from at least one reference device (51 , 52, 53) which, in said step A, is positioned in a fixed position with respect to said control area (10).

3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said step D is incorporated in said step A, said control device (40) having a fixed position within said control area.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control area (10) of said step A is selectively defined as a spatial region which is:

- absolute, i.e. can be defined by geographical coordinates, or

- relative, i.e. can be defined by a set of positions which satisfy a predefined relative position relation with respect to at least one spatial reference which is not geographically located.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the request for identification of said step B involves the emission of a signal capable of being perceived by said user. 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in said step

B, the interaction provided in said automatic response comprises:

- an optical acquisition by said control device (40) of an image impressed on said identifier (30);

- a reception, by said control device (40), of an electromagnetic response signal emitted by said identifier (30); wherein said identification request consists of an electromagnetic request signal.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, which involves the execution of a plurality of said steps B where the steps B of said plurality are carried out at predefined time intervals or at random duration time intervals or at intervals connected to the occurrence of local events such as displacement detections, detection of the variation of environmental parameters, detection of the variation of vital parameters.

8. Method according to Claim 2 and one of the preceding claims, wherein the localization step of said step D involves the detection, by said control device

(40), of a signal that is emitted by said reference device (51 , 52, 53).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said step (A) involves configuring a plurality of said control devices (40) so that the control devices (40) of said plurality are mutually connected when they are within a predefined operating area or when they are within a predefined reciprocal operating distance; wherein said method involves an alarm emission step if at least one of the control devices (40) of said plurality moves out of said operating area or is moved to a greater distance than said operating distance with respect to at least one further control device (40) of said plurality; wherein said operating area may be defined by environmental or artificial electromagnetic signals.

10. Apparatus for locating an individual (20), configured to carry out a method for locating an individual (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus comprises: - an identifier (30), configured to be fixed to the body of a user and to incorporate data constituting information identifying the identity of said user;

- a control device (40) configured to acquire said data from said identifier (30) and to perform a localization by estimating its own absolute position, i.e. a position that can be represented in an absolute geographical reference system, or its own relative position which comprises at least one estimate of a distance from at least one reference device (51 , 52, 53).

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, which comprises a remote verification unit (60); wherein said control device (40) is configured to integrate, in a data packet, the data acquired from said identifier (30) and said absolute position or said relative position and transmit said packet to said remote unit (60) which is configured to receive said data packet and to carry out a check if said absolute position or said relative position is located in a control area (10) associated with said identity and to signal an alarm if said check has a negative outcome.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control device (40) is configured to carry out a check if said absolute position or said relative position is located in a control area (10) associated with said identity and to signal an alarm if said check has a negative outcome. 13. Apparatus according to one of claims 10 to 12, which comprises at least one reference device (51 , 52, 53) which incorporates its own identifier and which is selectively autonomous with respect to said control device (40) or integrated with said control device (40) in a unitary object; said control device (40) being configured to: - acquire said identifier and associate it with said identity at regular or irregular time intervals, if said reference device (51 , 52, 53) is autonomous with respect to said control device (40); or to

- associate said identifier with said identity at regular or irregular time intervals, if said reference device (51, 52, 53) is integral with said control device (40).

14. Apparatus according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein said identifier (30) is configured to be irreparably damaged following its separation from said user or to record its separation from said user.