FR2869691A1 - Movable entity e.g. domestic animal such as dog or cat, monitoring method, involves triggering satellite locating device if received signal level is less than preset level, and sending geographical coordinates of entity to receiver of base - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves measuring level of a signal emitted from a base at a constant power level and received by a movable entity. A satellite positioning device is triggered if the measured level is lower than a pre-established level due to movement of the entity away from the base beyond a predictable perimeter. Geographical coordinates of the entity are sent to a receiver of the base by a radio transmitter/receiver (2).

Description

2869691 1

  The present invention relates to a device with low power consumption for monitoring the presence of an entity in a defined area around a landmark and locating it to find it if it moves away from said area. This entity can be a person, an animal or an object.

  Current systems use satellite devices (GPS for example), worn by the monitored entity and put into permanent or periodic action to track or locate it. Other systems lead to send a radio signal by the desired entity and then locate its location by analyzing the signal received at the cue point. (By direction finding and received power level measurement) These systems all lead to a quasi-permanent energy consumption and therefore to a large volume or weight of the power module carried by the monitored entity.

  The method according to the invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the consumption and therefore, for equivalent period of autonomy, to reduce the volume and the weight of the assembly by the use of smaller cells or batteries.

  It consists in emitting from the reference point called base in the rest of the text, an omnidirectional electromagnetic field of constant power so as to cover around it a reception zone whose received power decreases as a function of the distance. The monitored entity is provided with a radio receiver tuned to this transmitted frequency, a means for measuring the level of the received electromagnetic power. It is currently known to make such devices that consume little energy (such as pagers). It furthermore has a radio transmitter capable of sending to a receiver of the base, its geographical coordinates, and an electronic means of management of the process explained in detail in the description which follows.

  The entity is normally in listening mode and measuring at each signal reception of the base, a reception level depending inter alia on its distance from the base. When this level is above a pre-set limit, the entity stays tuned and triggers no action.

  When the monitored entity moves beyond a foreseeable perimeter around the base, the level measurement means causes a wakeup action of the satellite tracking device and the radio transmitter which sends to the receiver of the basis, the geographic coordinates of the entity.

  The extent of the surveillance zone will depend on the electromagnetic power emitted by the base transmitter, the sensitivity of the receiver carried by the supervised entity as well as the configuration of the terrain of the zone which influences the conditions of the spread.

  The triggering perimeter beyond which an alert is issued will not necessarily have a regular geometric shape, but in return will be functionally favorable since the receiver of the base will receive in return in acceptable propagation conditions the location data. of the entity sought.

  According to the particular embodiments: The electromagnetic power emitted from the base can be modified to enlarge or reduce the surveillance zone or adapted according to the patterns of propagation of the terrain.

  - The transmitted frequency can be modulated in multifrequency or broad spectrum mode to improve the reception in case of obstacles and thus ensure a more homogeneous coverage in urban areas for example.

  - The transmitted carrier frequency can be modulated to transmit encoded data and ensure better discrimination of the base transmitter against possible interference transmitters.

  - The entity receiving means can be put into an electronic sleep state and periodically woken to measure the reception level. This mode can significantly reduce power consumption. The periodicity of waking must be compatible with the speed of mobility. The transmitter of the base having a permanent source of energy will then have to operate continuously.

  The receiving means of the entity can receive digital data from the base such as, for example, commands for modifying its setting such as the reception level, the periodicity of waking up or its operation to trigger or stop the search; solicit visual or audible warning means to draw attention to the entity sought (for example: buzzer, voice message, light label, flashing lights, etc.) The receiving means of the base can receive an identification code of the entity which allows to simultaneously monitor any number of entities on the area.

  - The base has a means of transmission via the telephone network and connects with a service station in case of an alert. The service station consists of a message server connected to the telephone network decoding the identification and location information of the entity. The base receives in return the information which makes it possible to find the entity.

  The service station can thus view on a geographical map of the location the position of the entity and guide the search or intervention service to the entity by providing familiar topographical landmarks around his place of life.

  One variant of the present invention consists in equipping the base with a satellite locating means. The base can calculate, based on the data received by radio the location of the searched entity, the relative distance and its direction relative to landmarks, for example the magnetic north. When the base is carried by a vehicle or a person and if it renews this calculation periodically, it can become mobile and it acquires an entire autonomy of locating and guiding the base to the desired entity.

  A first improvement in the application of this variant consists in providing the base of a direction indicator, a distance indicator and an indicator intended for its operator: direction indicator, North Magnetic or geographical indicator.

  To give the direction of the entity, one solution is to orient the housing so that the needle of a compass is in coincidence with one of the light emitting diodes arranged on a ring. A processor calculates and illuminates the appropriate diode and the direction is given by the orientation arrow of the housing. The distance is given by a display.

  The carrier of the base thus has at any time a means of locating the entity sought in distance and orientation relative to itself.

  A second improvement of this method is to include in the housing a magneto-resistive sensor for detecting the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field. This avoids to incrust a needle compass and allows to provide the direct direction by the lit diode on the crown. The direction and distance indicator may usefully be an LCD of an arrow indicating the direction and distance on a pre-calibrated level indicator to approximate the desired entity as compared to a simple one. compass incorporated in the base case.

  The drawings illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 represents the set of functional components of the system with fixed base.

  Figure 2 shows the set of functional components in the variant where the base is movable.

  Figure 3 shows an orientation solution in the case of a mobile base.

  With reference to these drawings, entity (1) comprises a radio transceiver (2) and satellite locating means (3). A reference point called base (4) comprises a radio transceiver (5). The entity and base transceivers are tuned to each other to enable recognition and exchange of digital data.

  The desired entity also has an electronic means (6) for measuring the radio reception level of the received signals and a power source such as batteries or batteries.

  The base emits a radio-electric signal recognized by the sought-after entity and of constant power, periodic or not, and radiates around it an area covered by its radio-electric field (7). The entity is normally in listening mode and measuring at each signal reception of the base, a reception level depending inter alia on the distance from this base. When this level is higher than a pre-established limit, the searched entity stays tuned and does not trigger any action. When this level falls below this pre-established limit, the entity's process management means (8) triggers a satellite location procedure and radio-transmits a message containing its geographical position to the base. The management controller (9) of the base enters the Alert mode and triggers the processing necessary to provide the location information to the user through an appropriate interface (10).

  FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the base is equipped with a satellite locating means (11). The base can calculate, based on the data of the entity locator (3) received by the radio (2) of the entity, the relative distance of the entity and its direction relative to the magnetic north. If it renews this calculation periodically, the base can thus become mobile offering the advantage of full autonomy of locating and guiding the base to the entity.

  Figure 3 shows an example of a housing facilitating the search of the entity with a mobile base. The housing is provided with a direction indicator (14), a distance indicator (15) and a magnetic north indicator (16).

  To give the direction of the entity, the housing is oriented by its wearer so that the compass needle (16) is in coincidence with one (18) of the light-emitting diodes (17) arranged on a ring gear ( 18). The management means illuminates the appropriate diode (17) and the direction is given by the arrow (14). The distance is given by a display {15). The carrier of the base thus has at any time a means of locating the entity sought in distance and orientation relative to itself.

  APPLICATIONS: The invention finds a particularly interesting application, although not exclusive, in the field of the care of pets (such as dogs or cats) by integrating into the collar of the animal the electronic components, the source of energy and radio-transmission antennas and location.

  The invention also finds an interest in the location of any person lost at sea following a fall of a boat and wearing on his jersey a device similar to the collar. The portable and autonomous orientation box can provide useful indications for rescue.

  The invention also finds an interesting application in the location of any person who can move away from his usual place of life and expose himself to a personal risk that may require assistance. This is the case of people with degenerative neurological pathologies requiring regular monitoring of travel by health care staff, but also accommodation centers. The case is the same for children or people with intellectual disabilities who have spatial and temporal orientation difficulties.

  Another application of the invention concerns the possibility for the bearer of the mobile base to move towards a fixed entity. This application has a particular advantage in finding a vehicle temporarily away from its driver (large parking lots) More generally to allow the approximation of two movable persons relative to each other, this method presents an optimal radio-electric discretion by proposing transmission-reception powers just adapted to the need; this characteristic finds its interest for groups of nomadic individuals wishing to have a reciprocal and relative location. This is particularly the case for teams of 2869691 7 people (occupations exposed) in exploration scattered over an uncontrolled geographical territory (unknown, new or without communication infrastructure).

Claims (1)

8 CLAIMS:   1) Method for finding a mobile entity on land or at sea with low power consumption on the monitored entity comprising a radio communication means (2), a geographical location means (3), an electronic measurement means radio signal reception level (6), an electronic method for managing the process (8), these first 4 means being carried by the monitored mobile entity, and a base which comprises means for communicating via radio (5) with the mobile entity, an electronic method management means (9), an information interface (10) of the operator, characterized in that if the monitored entity moves away from the base beyond a predictable perimeter, the measuring means (6) measuring a level of reception of the signals transmitted at constant energy level by means (5) of the base, lower than a pre-established threshold, the management means (9) of the entity causes a wake up action it of the geographical location and of the radio transmitter (2) which sends to the receiver of the base the geographic coordinates of the entity.   2) Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the frequency transmitted by the base can be modulated in multifrequency or broad spectrum transmission to improve reception in case of obstacles and thus ensure a more homogeneous coverage in urban areas or the like.   3) Method according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the frequency transmitted by the base can be modulated to transmit coded data and ensure better discrimination of the base transmitter relative to possible parasitic transmitters.   4) Method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the means of receiving the entity can be put in an electronic sleep state and woken periodically to measure the level of reception.   5) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving means of the entity can receive digital data from the base to receive commands to modify its operating mode such as the reception level, the periodicity of waking etc. 6) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for receiving the base makes it possible to receive an identification code of the entity and, in this way, make it possible to simultaneously monitor any number of entities on The area.   7) Method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the base has a transmission means via the telephone network to contact a service station in case of an alert. This help desk consists of a message server connected to the telephone network decoding the identification and location information of the entity from the base and returning to the station and its operator in return the information that allows to find the entity.   8) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base is equipped with a satellite location means (1l), it calculates and displays periodically based on the data of the locator of the entity received by radio, the relative distance and direction of the moving entity relative to the base.   9) Method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the base is provided with a direction indicator, a distance indicator and a magnetic north indicator together on a housing, the direction of the entity being obtained by orientation of the housing so that the needle of a compass is in coincidence with one of the light-emitting diodes arranged on a ring, the distance being calculated and then read on a display.   10) Method according to claim 9 characterized in that the base has a magneto-resistive sensor for detecting the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field.   11) Method according to one of claims 8, 9 or 10 characterized in that the base comprises means for calculating and viewing are constituted by a microcomputer associated with a graphic screen on which are displayed plans or maps of places where the person seeking the entity must evolve to find it, the plans or cards being renewed on the screen according to the movements of the operator and the entity.   12) Method according to any one of the preceding claims and characterized in that the crossing of the zone limit automatically triggers one or more actions on the entity, such as for example a voice message if it is a person or animal, or a binding electric shock if it is an animal, or a light or sound signal as a siren if it is an object.   13) Method according to any one of the preceding claims and characterized in that the person seeking the entity can at any time trigger and stop on the means set on the entity the activation of the location and its transmission by channel radio.