GB2254756A - Personnel location monitoring system - Google Patents
Personnel location monitoring system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2254756A GB2254756A GB9202120A GB9202120A GB2254756A GB 2254756 A GB2254756 A GB 2254756A GB 9202120 A GB9202120 A GB 9202120A GB 9202120 A GB9202120 A GB 9202120A GB 2254756 A GB2254756 A GB 2254756A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- unit
- signal
- fixed
- location
- mobile unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B3/00—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems
- G08B3/10—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
- G08B3/1008—Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems
- G08B3/1016—Personal calling arrangements or devices, i.e. paging systems using wireless transmission
- G08B3/1083—Pager locating systems
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Alarm Systems (AREA)
- Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
In a location monitoring system, a plurality of mutually spaced-apart fixed units (Fig. 1) are each capable of transmitting a wireless (e.g. microwave or infra-red) fixed unit signal (FUS), at least one mobile unit (Fig. 2) to be carried by a person is capable of detecting such a fixed-unit signal when in a limited region with respect to the fixed unit transmitting the signal, and a central unit (Fig. 3) receives a location signal (LS) from the or each mobile unit indicating which fixed unit was last detected by that mobile unit.
Description
PERSONNEL LOCATION MONITORING SYSTEM
This invention relates to a location monitoring system.
In sensitive environments, such as prisons or nuclear establishments, there is a need to be able to track personnel so that, in the event of an emergency, at least their approximate location can be determined. Because this needs to be done at least partly indoors, conventional range and direction finding equipment is unsuitable.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a location monitoring system, comprising a plurality of mutually spaced-apart fixed units each capable of transmitting a wire tess fixed unit signal (preferably a microwave and/or infra-red signal, but alternatively a magnetic 01. radio signal for example), at least one mobile unit to be carried by a person (for example in, or- clipped to, their breast pocket) and capable of detecting such a fixed-unit signal when in a limited region (such as within 3 metres) with respect to the fixed unit transmitting the signal, a central unit, and means for' transmitting a location signal from the or- each mobile unit to the central unit indicating which fixed unit was last detected by that mobile unit.
Preferably, the fixed unit signal of each fixed unit is indicative of the identity of that fixed unlit, and the location signal.
transmitting means is operable t.o transmit from the mobile on it. to the central unit such a location signal indicative of the identity of the detected fixed unit. @ In the case wtoer'e there is a plul-ality of such mohile units, preferably the location signal is also indicative of the identity of the respective mobile till it In one embodiment, the location signal is transmitted as a wi.re- less signal (for example a radio signal) directly from the, or the respective, mobile unit to the central unit. In this case, the or each mobile unit is preferably operabLe l.o store the identity of aL least the last detected fixed unit and optionally also the time of detection.
The or each mobile unil. preferably further comprises means operable by the person to cause the location signal. to be transmitted. This may be used to contact Lhe central unit in an emergency. In this case, the central unit may include means to transmit an acknowledgement signal in response to receipt of the location signal, and the or- each mobile unit may include means to receive the acknowledgement signal caused by it location signal and indicate the acknowledgement signal to the person.
Additionally or- alternatively, the or each mobile unit may comprise means to cause the location signal to be transmitted periodically.
Also, additionally or alternatively, the central unit may be operable to transmit an interrogation signal, anti the or each mobile unit may be operable to detect such an interrogation signal and to transmit the location signal in response thereto.
In another embodiment, the location signal may be transmitted as a wire-less signal (for example of the same type as the fixed unit signal) from the, or the respective, mobile unit to the fixed unit and relayed to the central unit, the location signal being indicative of detected fixed unit. by virtue of which fixed unit r-clays the location signal. In this case, such a location signal may he transmitted each time a fixed unil. is detected.
In accordance with another aspect oi' the present invention, there is provided a system for monitoring the location of a portable transmitting anti receiving module in a given space, comprising a plurality of separated and fixed units (for example microwave units) each adapted to emit a beam limited to a specific region in space, and the portable nodule being adapted to be cats vied l)y a person and to detect the beam when in the region to cause the region to be identified and recorded.
A specific embodiment of the present invention and some modifications thereto will now be described by way of example with reí'erence to the accompanying drawings, in whirl: Figure 1 is a block diagram il lustr-ating one of the @ fixed units; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile unit; and
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a central unit.
Referring to Figure 1, each fixed unit comprises a secure housing 10 having an external connection 12 to mains electricity which supplies a power supply unit 14 which may also include a back-up rechargeable battery. The power supply unit 14 ener-gises a microwave or infra-red transmitter 16 and also a code gener-ator- 18.The code generator 18 produces a coded signal which is unique to the fixed unit in question and which modulates the transmitter 16, so that the signal FUS transmitted thereby is specific to that fixed unit.
A respective fixed unit is installed at each point to be monitored. In a prison environment, fixed units would be installed, for- example, above external doorways, above entrances to corridors, in narrow gaps between buildings, at a gate to a r-ecreation field, and so on.
Each person to be monitored, for example each prison officer, is provided with a mobile unit, as shown in Figure 2, which is normally carried in or clipped to the breast pocket. Each mobile unit comprises a housing 20 containing a rechargeable battery 22, microwave or infrå- red (as appropriate) receiver 24, radio transmitter 26 and receiver 28, switch 30, indicator 32, such as a light, and microprocessor comprising an MPU 34, with associated RAN 36, ROM 38 and I/O 40.
The MPU 34 is programmed by the ROM 38 to operate in part as follows. The output of the microwave/infra-red receiver 24 is monitored and when a fixed unit signal FUS is detected the identity code of the fixed unit generating the signal is stor-ed in the RAM 36.
Either the KAM 36 may store the identity code of the last detected fixed unit, or alternatively it may store the Identity codes of the last two or more detected fixed units in the order in which they were detected. The mobile unit may also include a r-eal time clock, and the time of detection of the fixed tini I. can then also be stored.
The power of the transmitters 16 in the fixed units and the sensitivity of the receivers 24 in the mobile units are selected so that each mobile unit only responds to a fixed unit when it is a predetermined distance therefrom, such as 3 metres.
Referring to Figur-e 3 the central unit comprises a micro- computer- 50 comprising a CPti 52 with associated ROM 54, RAM 56 and I/O 58, a display 60, a keyboard 62, a radio receiver 64 antl a radio transmitter 66.
The MPU 34 of each mobile unit is programmed by its ROM 38, and
MPU 52 of the central unit is programmed by its KOM 54, to operate as follows. The state of the switch 30 of the mobile unit. is monitored, and when depressed the radio transmitter 26 is enabled to transmit a location signal LS which includes a code (stored in the RON 38) specific to the mobile unit in question and the identity code or codes (stored in the KAM 36) of the last detected fixed unit(s) and optionally also the time(s) of detection. In the central unit, the output oE the receiver 64 is monitored, and when a location signal LS is detected, the codes contained therein are decoded and displayed on the display 60 so as Lo identify the generating mobile unit and the last: detected fixed units. Furthermore, an acknowledgement signal AS is transmitted by the transmitter 66 of the central station including the identity code of the generating mobile unit. Also, an alarm signal may be generated at the central station.The mobile units monitor the outputs of the receivers 28, and upon detection of an acknowledgement signal AS containing the code of the mobile unit in question, the indicator lighL 32 of that mobile unit is illuminated, thus indicating acknowledgement by the central unit.
In the case of a prison environment, it will be appreciated that as each prison officer passes a fixed unit, his mobile unit will he updated with the code of that fixed unit. In the event of an emergency, sucti as an attack on the officer, upon pressing the switch of his mobile unit, the central unit will be informed of the identity of the officer and at least the last fixed unit which the officer passed. Assistance can then be summoned by the operator of the central unit, and also the indicator- light on the officer's mobile unit will be lit, assuming successful transmission, to reassure him that assistance should be on the way.
Variolls modi f icat ions, developments and refinements may be made to the system described above. For example, the fixed unit signals FtiS may be other wire-less signals, such as radio signals or magnetic field signals. Al so, instead of the identity code for- each mobile unit being stored in it S ROM 38, it may be stor-ed in a personal identifi(::atior key, such as a smart-card, which is specific to a particular user, and the personal identification key may be then @nser@ed into any mobile unit and program that unit with the user-'s identity. in this case, rather I hari the alarm being raised by pressing a switch 30, the mobile units may operate such that r-emoval of the per-sondl identification key from the mobile unit serves the same purpose.Furthermore, instead of, or in addition to, the location signal LS being transmitted only upon operation of the switch 30 (or- removal of the personal identification key), it. may be transmitted periodically, or each Lime a fixed unit is detected, or in response to a coded interrogation signal sent from the central unit to the mobile unit. In this way, the central unit can be kepl: op to date as regards the approximate locations of all of the mobile units.Additionally, instead of the location signals being transmitted directly from the mobile urn its to the central unit, they may be relayed via fixed relay units or the fixed units mentioned above. In the latter case, iL may be unnecessary for the location signal transmitted from the mobile unit to the fixed unit to include the code of the fixed unit, provided that the central unit is able to determine from which fixed unit it is receiving a location signal.It will also be appreciated that, if the system described above is used with only one mobile unit, or if it is unnecessary to be able to distinguish one mobile unit from another, then the location signal need not include the code identifying the mobile unit. The fixed units may l)e anli-tamper protected arid include a rad C) transmitter so that if a fixer unit is tampered with it can send ari appropriat:e signal to the central unit. Although the central unit has been described above as a single unit, it will be appreciated that the receiver and transmitter may be near the area being ng monitored, whereas the remainder of the central unit may be at a r-ernote location.
Claims (18)
1. A personnel location monitoring system, comprising:
a plurality of mutually spaced-apart fixed units each capable of transmitting a wire-less fixed unit signal;
at least one mobile unit to be carried by a person and capable of detecting such a fixed-unit signal when in a limited region with respect to the fixed unit transmitting the signal;
a central unit; and
means for trarisrititting a location signal from the or each mobile unit to the central unit indicating which fixed unit was last. detected by that mobile unit.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1', wherein each fixed unit signal is transmitted by a microwave and/or infra-red beam.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each fixed unit signal is transmitted by a magnetic field or radio signal.
4. A system as claimed in any preceding clairn, wherein:
the fixed unit signal of each fixed unit is indicative of the identity of that fixed unit ; and
the location signal transmitting means is oper-able to transmit from the mobile unit to the central unit such a location signal indicative of the identity of the detected fixed unit.
5. A sysLem as claimed ill claim 4, and in I. he case where there is a plurality of such mobile units, wherein:
the location signal. is also indicative of the idelltiLy of the respective mobile unit.
6. A system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein:
the location signal-is transmitted as a wire-less signal directly from the, or the respective mobile unit to the central unit.
A A system as claimed iii claim 6, wherein: the Location signal is transmitted as a radio signal.
8. A system as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein:
the or- each mobile unit is operable to store Lhe identity of at least the last detected fixed unit.
9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein:
the or each mobile unit is operable to store the time of detection of at least the last detected unit.
10. A system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein:
the or- each mobile unit further comprises means operable by the person to enable the location signal to be transmitted.
11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein:
the central unit includes means to t ransmit an acknowledgement signal in response to receipt of the location signal; and
the or each mobile unit includes means to receive the acknowledgement signal caused by its Location signal and indicate he ackriowl edgenient s igrial to the person
12. A system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 11 where in the or- each mobile unit: conlprises means to cause the location signal to be transmitted periodically.
13. A system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 12, wherein:
the central unit is operable to transmit an i interrogation signal and
the or each mobile unit is operable to detect such an interrogation signal and to transmit the location signal in response I- lie r'e to.
14. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 lo 3, wherein: the location signal is transmitted as a wire-less signal from the, or the respective, mobile unit to the fixed unit and relayed to the central unit, the location signal being indicative of detected fixed unit by virtue of which fixed unit relays the location signal.
15. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the location signal which is transmitted from the or each mobile unit to the fixed unit is of the same type as the fixed unit signal.
16. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein:
such a location signal is transmitted each time a fixed unit is detected.
17. A system for monitoring the location of a portable transmitting and receiving module in a given space, comprising a plurality of separated and fixed units (for example microwave units) each adapted to emit a beam limited to a specific region in space, and the portable module being adapted to be carried by a per-son and to detect the beam when in the region to cause the region to be identified and recorded.
18. A system for monitoring the location of a portable transmitting and receiving module in a given space, comprising a plurality of separated and fixed units (for example microwave units) each adapted to emit a beam limited to a specific region in space, and the portable module being adapted to be carried by a person and to detect the beam when in the region to cause the region to be identified and recorded.
18. A personnel local ion monitoring system substantial I y as described with refer-erice to the drawings.
Amendments to the claims
have been filed as follows 1. A personnel location monitoring system, comprising:
a plurality of mutually spaced-apart fixed units each capable of transmitting a wire-less fixed unit signal;
at least one mobile unit to be carried by a person and capable of detecting such a fixed-unit signal when in a limited region with respect to the fixed unit transmitting the signal;
a central unit; and
means operable by the person for transmitting an emergency location signal from the or each mobile unit to the central unit indicating which fixed unit was last detected by that mobile unit.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each fixed unit signal is
transmitted by a microwave and/or inf ra-red beam.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each fixed unit signal is
transmitted by a magnetic field or radio signal.
4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein:
the fixed unit signal of each fixed unit is indicative of the
identity of that fixed unit; and
the location signal transmitting means is operable to transmit from the mobile unit to the central unit such a location signal indicative of the identity of the detected fixed unit.
5. A system as claimed in claim 4, and in the case where there is a plurality of such mobile units, wherein:
the location signal is also indicative of the identity of the respective mobile unit.
6. A system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein:
the location signal is transmitted as a wire-less signal directly from the, or the respective, mobile unit to the central unit.
7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
the location signal is transmitted as a radio signal.
8. A system as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein:
the or each mobile unit is operable to store the identity of at least the last detected fixed unit.
9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein:
the or each mobile unit is operable to store the time of detection of at least the last detected unit.
10. A system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein:
the central unit includes means to transmit an acknowledgement signal in response to receipt of the location signal; and
the or each mobile unit includes means to receive the acknowledgement signal caused by its location signal and indicate the acknowledgement signal to the person.
11. A system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the transmitting means of the or each mobile unit is operable to transmit periodically a location signal indicating which fixed unit was last detected by that mobile unit.
12. A system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 10, wherein:
the central unit is operable to transmit an interrogation signal; and
the transmitting means of the or each mobile unit is operable to detect such an interrogation signal and to transmit a location signal in response thereto indicating which fixed unit was last detected by that mobile unit.
13. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein:
the location signal is transmitted as a wire-less signal from the, or the respective, mobile unit to the fixed'unit and relayed to the central unit, the location signal being indicative of detected fixed unit by virtue of which fixed unit relays the location signal.
14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the location signal which is transmitted from the or each mobile unit to the fixed unit is of the same type as the fixed unit signal.
15. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transmitting means of the or each mobile unit is operable to cause a location signal to be transmitted each time a fixed unit is detected.
16. A personnel location monitoring system substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
17. A personnel location monitoring system, comprising:
a plurality of mutually spaced-apart fixed units each capable of transmitting a wire-less fixed unit signal;
at least one mobile unit to be carried by a person and capable of detecting such a fixed-unit signal when in a limited region with respect to the fixed unit transmitting the signal;
a central unit; and
means for transmitting a location signal from the or each mobile unit to the central unit indicating which fixed unit was last detected by that mobile unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB919107696A GB9107696D0 (en) | 1991-04-11 | 1991-04-11 | Location monitoring system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9202120D0 GB9202120D0 (en) | 1992-03-18 |
| GB2254756A true GB2254756A (en) | 1992-10-14 |
Family
ID=10693084
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB919107696A Pending GB9107696D0 (en) | 1991-04-11 | 1991-04-11 | Location monitoring system |
| GB9202120A Withdrawn GB2254756A (en) | 1991-04-11 | 1992-01-31 | Personnel location monitoring system |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB919107696A Pending GB9107696D0 (en) | 1991-04-11 | 1991-04-11 | Location monitoring system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9107696D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1992018956A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2271692A (en) * | 1992-10-13 | 1994-04-20 | Marconi Gec Ltd | Vehicle location system |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6003770A (en) | 1992-10-06 | 1999-12-21 | Interdigital Technology Corporation | Wireless telephone debit card system and method |
| FR2719145B1 (en) * | 1994-04-21 | 1996-07-12 | S3Eb | System for monitoring people on a site. |
| DE19621424A1 (en) * | 1996-05-28 | 1997-12-04 | Telemedia Gmbh | Scanned data selection method for momentary vehicle position |
| FR2785055B1 (en) * | 1998-10-21 | 2003-11-14 | Ecole Nationale D Ingenieurs D | MOBILE LOCATION SYSTEM IN A DEFINED AREA |
| FR2786875B1 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2001-09-28 | Alain Vaucelle | FACILITY FOR SEARCHING AND LOCATING PEOPLE IN A DELIMITED ENCLOSURE |
| FR3049715B1 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2019-10-04 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOCATING OBJECTS |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1257692A (en) * | 1969-07-28 | 1971-12-22 | ||
| GB1543910A (en) * | 1976-04-20 | 1979-04-11 | Plessey Co Ltd | Vehicle communication systems |
| DE2929961A1 (en) * | 1979-07-24 | 1981-02-12 | Itt Ind Gmbh Deutsche | Called person locating system in office telephone installations - has proximity detector automatically redirecting call to nearest substation frequented by person concerned |
| GB2223380A (en) * | 1988-07-27 | 1990-04-04 | Shorrock Ltd | Personnel location system |
| GB2239758A (en) * | 1990-01-04 | 1991-07-10 | Stc Plc | Navigation facility for cellular telephones |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3739329A (en) * | 1971-05-24 | 1973-06-12 | Recognition Devices | Electronic system for locating |
| US3984807A (en) * | 1973-11-05 | 1976-10-05 | Products Of Information Systems | Vehicle location system |
| US4275385A (en) * | 1979-08-13 | 1981-06-23 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated | Infrared personnel locator system |
| EP0372640A1 (en) * | 1988-12-05 | 1990-06-13 | Ericsson Radio Systems B.V. | Personal paging system with determination of the status of a paging unit and of a user thereof |
-
1991
- 1991-04-11 GB GB919107696A patent/GB9107696D0/en active Pending
-
1992
- 1992-01-31 GB GB9202120A patent/GB2254756A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-04-10 WO PCT/GB1992/000653 patent/WO1992018956A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1257692A (en) * | 1969-07-28 | 1971-12-22 | ||
| GB1543910A (en) * | 1976-04-20 | 1979-04-11 | Plessey Co Ltd | Vehicle communication systems |
| DE2929961A1 (en) * | 1979-07-24 | 1981-02-12 | Itt Ind Gmbh Deutsche | Called person locating system in office telephone installations - has proximity detector automatically redirecting call to nearest substation frequented by person concerned |
| GB2223380A (en) * | 1988-07-27 | 1990-04-04 | Shorrock Ltd | Personnel location system |
| GB2239758A (en) * | 1990-01-04 | 1991-07-10 | Stc Plc | Navigation facility for cellular telephones |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2271692A (en) * | 1992-10-13 | 1994-04-20 | Marconi Gec Ltd | Vehicle location system |
| GB2271692B (en) * | 1992-10-13 | 1997-04-09 | Marconi Gec Ltd | Vehicle location system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9107696D0 (en) | 1991-05-29 |
| GB9202120D0 (en) | 1992-03-18 |
| WO1992018956A1 (en) | 1992-10-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |