WO2003058574A1

WO2003058574A1 - System for controlling the presence of objects and humans inside a location area

Info

Publication number: WO2003058574A1
Application number: PCT/ES2002/000080
Authority: WO
Inventors: María Montserrat MORENO FERNANDEZ
Original assignee: Moreno Fernandez Maria Montser
Priority date: 2002-01-08
Filing date: 2002-02-26
Publication date: 2003-07-17

Abstract

The invention relates to a system of protecting and locating small electronic devices and mobile phones. The inventive system comprises two emitting-receiving apparatuses using radio-frequency waves which are installed in the object to be protected. According to the invention, a maximum separation distance is set which, if exceeded, triggers the pre-fixed acoustic signal or alarm. One of said two emitting-receiving apparatuses is in the user's possession and is fixed to the device to be protected as a security means. The other apparatus, which is also used as a security means, is carried by the user and can take the form of a small key case. Both of the aforementioned apparatuses are designed such that visual and acoustic signals are activated therein when they are separated from one another by a pre-determined distance. Moreover, the apparatuses comprise systems which can be used to activate and deactivate the alarms as well as to disable said alarms when they are triggered. The invention can be used to alert the user's attention to lost, forgotten or stolen items.

Description

PRESENCE CONTROL SYSTEM OF LIVING OBJECTS AND BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA

Object of the Invention The present invention relates to a system that detects the presence of living beings and / or objects (especially portable electronic devices) by using at least two transmitter-receivers: a transmitter-receiver carried by the being or object whose presence (or non-presence) is to be detected, and another transceiver carried by the person who intends to detect the presence (or non-presence) of the living being or object mentioned above within a certain location area defined by at least a predefined warning distance.

The present system has innumerable fields of application: from avoiding forgetfulness, loss or theft of objects to avoiding risk situations related to the loss or non-control status of young children, the elderly, disabled people, pets, herds or dangerous animals.

Background of the Invention

To date, various devices have appeared on the market that try to alert the user about the location of everyday objects.

It is worth noting the commercialization of a type of keychains that equipped with a device sensitive to an identical sound or very similar to a whistle; so that when said whistle is detected, said device beeps in response. Thus, when the user does not know the exact location of his key ring (under the table papers, in a table drawer, in the pocket of his jacket that is on the hanger, ...) the user It just has to whistle and the key ring "respond" to the whistle through a beep that, when heard by the user, will allow you to deduce the location by noticing where the beep that the keychain emitted comes from.

Description of the Invention The present invention consists of a Control System for the Presence of Objects and Living Beings within a Location Area, which at least comprises: a first wireless transceiver, carried by a user of said presence control system ; and a second wireless transceiver, carried by an entity whose presence is controlled, selected from: living beings and objects; characterized in that, in addition, said presence control system comprises, at least: means for detecting the presence of the second transceiver within a location area, said location area being defined by at least one location distance existing between the first Transceiver and the second transceiver, selected from: maximum distance of distance, minimum distance of approach, and combinations thereof; said presence detection means being arranged, in a location selected from: the first transceiver, the second transceiver, a third wireless auxiliary transceiver, and combinations of said locations; and warning means activated by the presence detection means, in the event of an event selected from: presence and non-presence of the second transceiver within the location area; being said said warning means, in a location selected from: the first transceiver, the second transceiver, the third transceiver, and combinations of said locations. At least one of the first, second and third transmitters-receivers of the Presence Control System communicates with at least one of the first, second and third transmitters-receivers, by means of at least one type of communication signals selected from: radiofrequency, infrared, microwave, ultrasound, optical link, radar, sonar, laser, Doppler effect, interferometry and combinations thereof.

The presence detection means of the System

Presence Control, detect the presence or absence of the second transceiver within the location area by means of at least one detection method selected from: decrease in the intensity of the communication signal below a threshold, increase in the communication signal strength above a threshold, time elapsed between transmission and confirmation of reception of the communication signal, alteration of at least one parameter of the communication signal selected from: frequency, amplitude, phase, waveform, modulation, carrier, and combinations of said parameters, communications protocol, and combinations thereof; using at least one element selected from: power supply, antenna, processor, memory, integrated circuit, and combinations thereof.

The warning means of the Presence Control System comprise at least one device selected from: acoustic devices, luminous devices, vibration devices, information presentation devices, and combinations thereof. In one of the possible embodiments of the invention, the Presence Control System additionally comprises configuration means of at least one location distance by the user of the control system, said configuration means being arranged in at least one location selected from : the first transceiver, the second transceiver, the third transceiver, and combinations of said locations. There is a possibility that the Presence Control System detects the presence of a plurality of second transceiver receivers within at least one location area defined by at least one location distance existing between the first transceiver and each of said seconds. transmitters-receivers. Similarly, the Presence Control System can also optionally detect the presence of a second transceiver within at least one location area defined by at least one location distance existing between the second transceiver and a plurality of first transmitters - receivers

In another embodiment of the invention, the Presence Control System comprises first electronic control means that control at least one parameter of said control system, selected from: activation and deactivation of the detection, activation and deactivation means of the warning means, timing of the activation and deactivation of the detection means, timing of the activation and deactivation of the warning means, and combinations thereof. One of the possible applications of the Presence Control System is that the second transceiver be carried by living beings that require a control of their presence, selected from: young children, elderly, disabled people, pets, flocks and dangerous animals ; thus warning of risk situations that affect selected entities among: said living beings, third living beings and objects. Another of the possible applications of the Presence Control System is that at least one of the first, second and third transceivers, be coupled externally or internally to an object selected from: portable objects, electronic devices, watches, key chains, wallets , suitcases, clothing, clothing accessories, mobile phones, electronic diaries, laptops, pendants, bracelets, straps and objects whose morphology allows to connect transceivers; thus alerting of events selected from: forgetfulness, loss and subtraction of objects.

There is also the possibility that at least one of the first, second and third transceivers of the Presence Control System, use at least one element selected for its operation: electricity power supply, antenna, processor, memory, integrated circuit, communication protocol, keyboard, acoustic devices, light devices, vibration devices, information presentation devices, and combinations thereof; belonging to the electronic device in which said transceiver is coupled.

In another embodiment of the invention, the Presence Control System additionally comprises second electronic control means that control at least one functionality of the electronic device in which at least one of the first, second and third transceivers are coupled; said functionality being selected from: activation and deactivation of the electronic device, automatic execution of a warning telephone call to a predefined number, automatic sending of a warning message to a predefined number, and combinations thereof.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1: It is a flow chart representing a basic operating scheme of the invention. Figure 2: It is a block diagram that includes the elements that make up the system in one of its realizations.

Description of Embodiments of the Invention Referring to Figure 1, the beginning of the process would consist in the activation of the security system. At this point, the monitoring loop would begin, which begins with the verification that the devices are at a shorter distance than the security one (for example, 10m). If it has not been exceeded, the device will not do anything or if it has returned to the security radio after being out of it, what will be done is to deactivate the acoustic and visual signals that warned of the previous situation. It is checked if the alarm has been deactivated. If so, all systems are turned off. If not, it is re-verified that the devices remain within the safety radius. If you leave it, the alarms are activated and, in the case of mobiles, they are blocked. It is checked again if the alarm has been deactivated and if not, it continues in a distance verification loop and activated alarms until it is once again within the security zone. If you return to the security zone or turn off the alarm device, we deactivate the warning signals. The end of the flowchart comes when the system is deactivated.

As can be seen, the system remains in an infinite loop of distance verification that is only interrupted by the deactivation or shutdown of the devices. The Activation and Deactivation sections are those that will vary depending on the device to be protected and the characteristics that the system wants to give. That is, you can include all kinds of signals (hum, melodies, LED indicators, vibration) as well as make them vary depending on whether you are closer or more away from the protected object.

In Figure 2 you can see the elements that make up the system. The power supply, the microprocessor and the transceiver are the necessary elements for the operation of said system in the present embodiment. The rest are peripherals that will vary according to needs.

Tx / Rx: The transmitter / receiver is a key part of the design since the rest will depend on its technical characteristics.

It can be radio frequency to avoid the obstacles between them and the frequencies chosen will be those that mark the law for devices of these characteristics. In addition, it is designed so that the recognition signals between each pair of devices in the system are unique, so that the signals do not interfere with that of other users of the system.

A simple prototype could be a short-range Tx / Rx (about 10m) that would only be able to notify the microprocessor that the communication has been interrupted.

A more complete model allows a recognition of the distance to which they are from each other and modify according to this the alarm signals in frequency, intensity or type of melodies. Microprocessor: In a very simple model you could do without it and replace it with another type of logic. The Microprocessor is periodically responsible for sending the signal that activates the Tx to send a signal to the other device and to verify that another is received with the same periodicity. In case of loss of communication, it will activate the predefined alarm signals. If you want to use a display for visualizations or you want to use infrared type keys, the microprocessor would allow you to include them in the design without more than a correct programming. It also allows you to use a single button to perform different functions depending on the status of the device.

Power Supply: Essential to power the system. If the devices are autonomous, they can use button-type batteries or if they are integrated in another device (for example, a mobile phone) use the batteries of this other.

Indicators: They could be LEDs or even a display. They are used to know in which way the device is working and also as an alarm indicator.

Speaker / Buzzer: A buzzer or loudspeaker emitting melodies serves as alarm alarms. Push buttons: At least one button is needed to be able to turn off and on the system. They can also be used to increase or decrease the volume of the sound messages or to select one type of warning or another (for example, enable the visual warning and turn off the sound, meeting mode). Memory: Type EEPROM, can be used to memorize the key that distinguishes a device from one user from another device from another user that is nearby, or to store melodies. Vibrator: It constitutes another type of alternative warning. MOBILE APPLICATION In the case of applying the system to mobile phones the operation and the elements that would compose it would be the following: Device-Keychain

A possible configuration of it is composed of the Microprocessor, the Tx / Rx, the Battery, an LED, a Buzzer and a button

With a first press of the button the alarm system would start up, sending the keychain Tx an activation signal to the Mobile Device. If in this situation you leave the security zone, the key ring would beep until you return to that security zone or press the button.

If the button is pressed when there is no alarm situation the device will be deactivated. As you can see, with just one button you can perform two functions: ON / OFF and deactivate the alarm. Mobile device

There are two possibilities: that the system is integrated in the phone or that it is coupled externally. In the event that the system is integrated in the phone, you only need to integrate the Tx / Rx in the phone, since the rest of the elements already come in it. Once the system is activated (operation that is carried out from the key ring) if it leaves the safety distance, the mobile will start to make signals as it is pre-defined. In addition, a password will be blocked and requested to work again, thus avoiding that in case of theft the phone can be used. When the security distance is re-entered, the phone will stop requesting the access code and stop the warning signals. The access code not only serves to protect the mobile from theft but, if what is lost is the key ring, entering the key will deactivate the alarm status. In the event that the system is coupled externally, the device that is attached must include the same elements as the key ring and, in addition, an extra alarm system. The system will alert when, while in alarm mode, it is necessary to separate the Device-Keychain from the Device-Mobile. So be alert for any attempt to Theft sabotaging the device within the safe distance.

A simple push-button that is pressed against the mobile when the system is fixed to it, serves as a warning, since when it is separated from the telephone, said push-button remains without pressing and the alarm goes off.

Claims

1. PRESENCE CONTROL SYSTEM OF OBJECTS AND LIVING BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, which at least comprises: a first wireless transceiver, carried by a user of said presence control system; and a second wireless transceiver, carried by an entity whose presence is controlled, selected from: living beings and objects; characterized in that, additionally, said presence control system comprises, at least: means for detecting the presence of the second transceiver within a location area, said location area being defined by at least one location distance existing between the first Transceiver and the second transceiver, selected from: maximum distance of distance, minimum distance of approach, and combinations thereof; said presence detection means being arranged, in a location selected from: the first transceiver, the second transceiver, a third wireless auxiliary transceiver, and combinations of said locations; and warning means activated by the presence detection means, before an event selected from: presence and non-presence of the second transceiver within the location area; said warning means being arranged, in a location selected from: the first transceiver, the second transceiver, the third transceiver, and combinations of said locations.

2. PRESENCE CONTROL SYSTEM OF LIVING OBJECTS AND BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of: the first, second and third transceivers, communicates with at least one of: first, second and third transceivers, by means of at least one type of communication signals selected from: radiofrequency, infrared, microwave, ultrasound, optical link, radar, sonar, laser, Doppler effect, interferometry and combinations thereof.

3. PRESENCE CONTROL SYSTEM OF LIVING OBJECTS AND BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to claim 2, characterized in that the presence detection means detect the presence or non-presence of the second transmitter-receiver within the location area by means of at least one detection method selected from: decrease in the intensity of the communication signal below a threshold, increase in the intensity of the communication signal above a threshold, time elapsed between transmission and confirmation of reception of the communication signal, alteration of at least one parameter of the communication signal selected from: frequency, amplitude, phase, waveform, modulation, carrier, and combinations of said parameters, communications protocol, and combinations thereof; using at least one element selected from: power supply, antenna, processor, memory, integrated circuit, and combinations thereof.

4. PRESENCE CONTROL SYSTEM OF LIVING OBJECTS AND BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to claim 1, characterized in that the warning means comprise at least one device selected from: acoustic devices, lighting devices, vibration devices, vibration devices, presentation of information, and combinations thereof.

5. CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE PRESENCE OF LIVING OBJECTS AND BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises configuration means of at least one location distance by the user of the control system, said means being arranged configuration in at least one location selected from: the first transceiver, the second transceiver, the third transceiver, and combinations of said locations.

6. PRESENCE CONTROL SYSTEM OF OBJECTS AND LIVING BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to claim 1, characterized in that the presence detection means detect the presence of a plurality of second transceiver receivers within at least one area of location defined by at least one location distance between the first transceiver and each of said second transceivers.

7. PRESENCE CONTROL SYSTEM OF OBJECTS AND LIVING BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to the claim 1, characterized in that the presence detection means detect the presence of a second transmitter-receiver within at least one location area defined by at least one location distance existing between the second transmitter-receiver and a plurality of first transmitters- receivers

8. CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE PRESENCE OF LIVING OBJECTS AND BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises first electronic control means that control at least one parameter of said control system, selected from: activation and deactivation of the detection means, activation and deactivation of the warning means, timing of the activation and deactivation of the detection means, timing of the activation and deactivation of the warning means, and combinations thereof.

9. SYSTEM FOR THE PRESENCE CONTROL OF OBJECTS AND LIVING BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to claim 1, characterized in that the second transceiver is carried by living beings that require a control of their presence, selected from: small children , elderly, disabled people, pets, herds and dangerous animals; thus warning of risk situations that affect selected entities among: said living beings, third living beings and objects.

10. SYSTEM FOR THE PRESENCE CONTROL OF OBJECTS AND LIVING BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the first, second and third transceivers, It is connected externally or internally to an object selected from: portable objects, electronic devices, watches, key chains, wallets, suitcases, clothing, clothing accessories, mobile phones, electronic agendas, laptops, pendants, bracelets, straps and objects whose morphology allows coupling transceivers; thus alerting of events selected from: forgetfulness, loss and subtraction of objects.

11. CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE PRESENCE OF OBJECTS AND LIVING BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the first, second and third transceivers, makes use of at least one element for its operation. selected from: electricity power supply, antenna, processor, memory, integrated circuit, communication protocol, keyboard, acoustic devices, luminous devices, vibration devices, information presentation devices, and combinations thereof; belonging to the electronic device in which said transceiver is coupled.

12. PRESENCE CONTROL SYSTEM OF OBJECTS AND LIVING BEINGS WITHIN A LOCATION AREA, according to any of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that it comprises a second electronic means of control that control at least one device functionality electronic in which at least one of the first, second and third transceivers are coupled; said functionality being selected from: activation and deactivation of the electronic device, automatic execution of a warning telephone call to a predefined number, automatic sending of a warning message to a predefined number, and combinations thereof.