WO2008018088A1

WO2008018088A1 - A device for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security and a method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2008018088A1
Application number: PCT/IN2007/000227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shailendra Bansal
Original assignee: Shailendra Bansal
Priority date: 2006-08-08
Filing date: 2007-06-06
Publication date: 2008-02-14

Abstract

The novel device for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security and a method thereof is a combination of a GPS antenna, GPS receiver, a programmable logic controller, a transceiver, an embedded application software accessible through a wide area network / internet, backup battery, relay to control the fuel pump/ignition and a network link with Google Earth or similar mapping software in public domain. Criminal activities like vehicle theft, kidnapping, rash driving, vehicle misuse are common problems which have been addressed in a simple yet accurate and effective manner. With this device one can not only effectively ensure safety of vehicle, human beings but also prevent misuse, all in real time.

Description

A DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LOCATION IN REAL TIME AND IMPROVED SECURITY AND

A METHOD THEREOF

Field of Invention The present invention relates to a novel device for automatic vehicle location in real time and for improved security and a method thereof. The present invention particularly relates to a novel device for automatic vehicle location and security and a method thereof, wherein Global Positioning System (GPS) and standard mobile communication technology such as Global System for Mobile (GSM), Group 3 Communication (G3), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is used to establish connection between the vehicle unit and the control Personal Computer / Personal Digital Assistant (PC/PDA), for automatic vehicle location in real time and for providing improved security. The present invention more particularly relates to a novel device for automatic vehicle location and security and a method thereof, which is capable of providing information on movement of vehicle(s) on an internet enabled PC/PDA in real time as well as the ability to control the same from the PC/PDA.

The main usages of the novel device of the present invention will be for the automatic location of vehicles(s) and its security. The description of the prior art as well as the description of the present invention shall establish the further usages of the novel device for automatic vehicle location and security.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the invention: This invention relates to a tracking system, tracking method and security. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a tracking and security system and method that swings into operation upon an unauthorized movement of an object, for example a vehicle. 2. Description of the Related Art: The tracking of stolen vehicles is well known and techniques for doing so range from the concept of an alarm sounding from which a vehicle can be audibly tracked to the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to track vehicles once they are known to be stolen. The reduction in price of global position system (GPS) receivers and the improved position accuracy available from GPS since selective availability (SA) was removed in April 2000, has fostered the use of onboard GPS receivers to track the position of vehicles.

3. An audible alarm is primarily a deterrent with notification of the presence of the alarm being intended to be sufficient to ward off casual or petty thieves. However, determined or professional car thieves will typically be able to disable / disconnect most audible alarms either before stealing the vehicle, by use of infrared code scanners, or manually within seconds of effecting entry to the vehicle, thus giving the impression of a fake alarm or an accidental situation of the alarm by the vehicle's owner.

Reference may be made to patent no. WO 95/22131 wherein is disclosed a tracking device in which signal strengths and identification information from cellular transmitters received at the device are retransmitted to a remote monitoring station along with information relating to the direction and distances traveled by the vehicle. A computer at the remote monitoring station determines the position of a vehicle using the information transmitted from the device. The direction and distance information is typically used when the vehicle cannot receive adequate signals from the cellular transmitters to triangulate.

In another prior art reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,804 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,164 which discloses a tracking system using radio direction finding and a GPS receiver.

In still another prior art reference may be made to patent no. WO 98/01769 which discloses a tracking system using a GPS receiver and a gyroscope. In yet another prior art reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,219 which discloses a system for directing a following device toward a moveable object using radio frequencies and an ultrasonic signal.

In still yet another prior art reference may be made to patent no. GB 2360588 which discloses a navigation system for directing a user to a destination using GPS.

In a further prior art reference may be made to patent no. CN1570667 which discloses a vehicle positioning system, which communicates with servomechanism through connecting integral inclusion wireless radio service with Internet.

In still further prior art reference may be made to patent no. TW581982B which discloses an automatic vehicle location system (AVLS) for communicating with a server in an internet by applying the general packet radio service (GPRS).

In yet another prior art reference may be made to patent no. BE1015333 which discloses the system is based on an interface comprising a GSM, UMTS or GPRS wireless modem or an equivalent, a GPS module and a microprocessor. A data bus connected to an on-board computer that enables vehicle faults to be traced and diagnosed via a computer located at an emergency service control room, breakdown service control room and/or vehicle manufacturer location.

Reference may also be made to patent no. CN1512138 which discloses the network navigation method for vehicle based on GPS and GPRS includes establishing navigation center with rich map resource, fast calculation capacity and capacity of connecting GPRS system; adding GPRS module to vehicular navigation equipment with GPS module and capable of displaying map and playing back sound.

The drawbacks of the above referred hitherto known prior art are that all of them do not depict the vehicle tracking on Google Earth or similar publicly available mapping software and therefore the information available from the above systems is of not much use. The above said prior art patents do not have the option of uploading pictures also on the server. Further, the prior art systems do not allow complete control of the vehicle.

From a survey of the hitherto known prior art, it is seen that the technical problems that need to be solved are that the position data received by the vehicle unit should be depicted in such a way which any person can easily understand and comprehend. In case of problems inside the vehicle like break-ins, kidnapping, main battery disconnection, alerts should be made available at the control centre. In case of theft there should be an option to stop the vehicle by blocking the ignition or the fuel pump. There should be option to lock / unlock the doors from the control centre, if required.

The main object of the present option is to provide a novel device for automatic vehicle location in real time and for improved security, which obviates the drawbacks of the hitherto known prior art as detailed herein above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security so as to enable any user to see the location of the vehicle from his internet enabled PC / PDA.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide the option of virtual geo-fencing which is basically an alert when the vehicle leaves the geo-fence.

Yet another object of the present invention is to enable monitoring of break-ins in real time.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide means for receiving alert at the control centre in case of emergency for automatic distress message.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an alert when the main battery is disconnected. ^ ^ otill further object of the present invention is to download the vehicle movement data on a particular day and analyse it for parameters such as overspeeding, extra stopping, misuse, maintenance planning.

Yet further object of the present invention is to provide means to block the engine / fuel pump in case of vehicle theft.

Another object of the present invention is to capture images of the vehicle and transmit them over the GPRS or 3G network to the server for storage and viewing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide means to establish a two way conversation between the vehicle driver and the control centre or to discreetly monitor the sounds in the vehicle from the control centre.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide means to inform the control centre in case main battery is disconnected as well as continue to work with a backup battery.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to keep communication costs low. With GPRS and 3G users are billed on the basis of their use of bandwidth rather than their usage time it is therefore feasible to maintain a low data rate channel open almost permanently for minimal cost to the user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means to log the location data in the unit itself in case communication network not being available and transmit data of that duration also once the communication link is re-established.

A still further object of the present invention is to enable usage in other moving public utility vehicles like trains, buses, other movable objects and monitor their movement in real time from the internet enabled PC/PDA. .^"he novel device for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security and a method thereof, of the present invention, is capable of providing information on movement of vehicles on the internet enabled PC/PDA in real time as well as the ability to control the same from the PC/PDA. The device utilizes Global Positioning System (GPS) and mobile communication network through one of the standard communication protocols available for automatic vehicle location in real time and for providing improved security.

The present invention is illustrated in figure 1 of the drawings accompanying this specification. In the drawings like reference numbers / letters correspond to parts in the various figures. Figure 1 depicts as to how the present invention functions.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, the present invention is illustrated, wherein:

"A" represents the GPS Satellite: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide radio-navigation system formed from a constellation of 24 satellites and their ground stations. One of these 24 satellites is depicted in the figure. Total of at least 3 satellite signals are required to provide location data.

"B" represents a vehicle fitted with the present invention. In place of the shown vehicle it could be any movable object such as train, bus, car.

"C" represents a cell tower which receives the data from the transceiver fitted inside the vehicle unit and communicates with the web server on the internet. The transceiver may be any one or combination (GSM) transceiver, a general packet radio service (GPRS) transceiver or a third generation (3G) cellular transceiver.

"D" represents an internet gateway which transmits data from the cell tower to the application software on the server

"E" represents application software on a server which receives the data from the vehicle unit via the mobile network and archives it as per the vehicle id.

"F" represents a user who is viewing the location of the vehicle from his/her internet enabled PC/PDA.

"G" represents a call centre which is also viewing the location of the vehicle from its PC and also issuing necessary control commands if required. C 06.08.0? )

Figure-2 of the drawings shows the block diagram of the vehicle unit wherein:

"A" represents a GPS antenna

"B" represents a GPS receiver

"C" represents a PLC controller

"D" represents a transceiver

"E" represents 12V supply from vehicle battery (main battery)

"F", "G" and "H" are three general purpose outputs which can be used to control different functions of a vehicle like fuel pump, ignition, central locking, air conditioner etc via a 12V relay at each output..

"I", "J" and "K" are triggers which can be used to send signals to the control centre for events like emergency panic button press, main battery disconnection, over heating of engine / refrigeration compartment, tampering of fuel seal, over speeding, accident, break in etc.

Figure-3 of the drawings shows the connections pertaining to a backup battery to the system, wherein:

"A" represents a wire going to the main battery.

"B" represents a diode, such as a 6Amp diode, connected between the positive terminal of main battery and backup battery.

"C" represents supply from backup battery being fed to the vehicle unit.

"D" represents a backup battery, such as a 12V 1.2AH battery being used as a backup battery.

"E" represents the earth connection from the negative terminal of the backup battery to ground.

Figure-4 of the drawings shows the connections of a relay to a fuel pump wherein: "A" represents a 12V replay coil which is in NC (Normally Closed) position and when it receives output from the call centre computer via the vehicle unit it opens and thereby the fuel pump circuit opens and the vehicle stops after some time. ^ ^

B" represents a connection to the vehicle unit using a white cable. Output on this cable from the call centre computer makes the relay activate from the NC position to open position.

"C" represents +12V signal from the ignition. "D" represents the ignition key.

"E" represents a connection between the ignition and the fuel pump which needs to be cut and made via the 12V relay. "F" represents a Fuel Pump.

Figure-5 of the drawings represents flow chart of the embedded software wherein:

"A" represents receiving of co-ordinates, speed and time from the vehicle unit by the software

"B" represents conversion of the data received in A into xml format and storing in a separate file

"C" represents conversion of the data received in A into kml format and storing in yet another separate file

"D" represents plotting of the xml data onto one of the many available map options like mappoint, mapquest, Google Earth, Virtual Earth

"E" represents a network link between the kml data of C and Google Earth to get route, speed and time at location in real time

"F". represents tabulation of data in B to get total distance traveled in a day, total running time and total stationary time of the moving object.

"G" represents addition of individual distances traveled in a day to get total distance traveled in a month

"H" represents a screen shot of Google Earth desktop program showing the route traveled by the moving object on a particular day.

The novel device of the present invention for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security and a method thereof is a combination of a GPS antenna, GPS receiver, a programmable logic controller, a transceiver, an embedded application software accessible through a wide area network / internet, backup battery, relay to " ^• 'Jf I oontrol the fuel pump/ignition and a network link with Google Earth or similar mapping software in public domain. Criminal activities like vehicle theft, kidnapping, rash driving, vehicle misuse are common problems which have been addressed in a simple yet accurate and effective manner. With this device one can not only effectively ensure safety of vehicle, human beings but also prevent misuse, all in real time.

Accordingly the present invention provides a novel device for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security, which comprises in combination a GPS antenna, GPS receiver, a programmable logic controller, a transceiver, mobile communication network, a server having embedded application software, network link to publicly available mapping software, relay connected to vehicle(s) ignition / fuel pump enabling control of the said vehicle(s) and a backup battery, wherein the said GPS receiver is capable of receiving GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, through the said GPS antenna, the output of the said receiver being fed to the said mobile communication network through a programmable logic controller (PLC) and the said transceiver; characterized in that the said server having embedded application software being capable of routing the said output signal of the mobile communication network to a publicly available mapping software through a network link.

In an embodiment of the present invention the GPS signal is received from a plurality of GPS satellites such as US defense satellites by the GPS receiver via the GPS antenna.

In another embodiment of the present invention the GPS antenna is a low profile antenna with the ground reception power sensitivity at over -13OdB.

In still another embodiment of the present invention the GPS signal received is processed by the GPS receiver and converted into location co-ordinates.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention the location co-ordinates alongwith the GMT received from the GPS satellites is transmitted to the PLC which calculates the speed of the moving vehicle based on the change in location co-ordinates as a function of time. ^ ^

In still yet another embodiment of the present invention the interval at which the vehicle unit transmits the data is capable of being programmed depending on whether the vehicle is stationary or moving.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the speed, location co-ordinates and GMT is passed on to the transceiver, wherein the transceiver is such as one or combination of GSM transceiver, a general packet radio service (GPRS) transceiver or a third generation (3G) cellular transceiver.

In still further embodiment of the present invention the mobile communications network is such as a GSM network or a GPRS network or a 3G network or any other mobile communications network, wherein the transceiver communicates with application software on a server via the mobile network to which it is permanently connected.

In yet further embodiment of the present invention the embedded application software enables receiving of data and storing the same on a storage device such as hard disk for analysis of parameters such as over speeding, extra stopping, misuse like harsh breaking, maintenance planning.

In another embodiment of the present invention the embedded application software displays the vehicle location in real-time and with ability of auto follow at different level of zooms on one of the many different map options available.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention the embedded application software permits viewing route of previous days to be seen on the application software with details such as speed, timings and course.

In still another embodiment of the present invention the embedded application software permits establishment of a network link between itself and publicly available mapping software like Google Earth such that the location information is seen in real time on - -.- ... .- .. - Y i ooogle Earth with option of specifying the height of viewing, angle of viewing fly on refresh, enabling visible record on a map of all the trips made on a particular day.

In still yet another embodiment of the present invention the vehicle is controllable from the PC for switching off the ignition, blocking of fuel pump, locking / unlocking doors using appropriate 12V relays and also receiving triggers in case of main battery failure, press of panic button in case of emergency in the vehicle, break in / accident.

In a further embodiment of the present invention a standby battery is installed in parallel to the main battery such that the vehicle unit remains operational even in case the main battery being disconnected with the intention to disarm the unit.

In a still further embodiment of the present invention 1 way or 2 way communications is established between the vehicle unit and the control centre.

Accordingly the present invention provides a method for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security using the novel device of the present invention described herein, which comprises receiving signals from a plurality of GPS satellites by a GPS receiver, converting the said signals into location co-ordinates, transferring the said location co-ordinates and GMT to a programmable logic controller (PLC) capable of calculating the speed of the moving vehicle on the basis of the location co-ordinates and transferring the speed, location co-ordinates, images from web camera and GMT via the transceiver using one or more of the different communication options available in the mobile network to a server capable of archiving the said information and reproducing the same on the user interface in a graphical format using the different map options; presenting the said data for analytical purposes; ability to create a geo-fence, creating a network link in publicly available mapping software such as Google Earth or similar from application software to show current position, movement track, speed therein; controlling the vehicle like blocking the fuel pump or engine, receiving alert messages from the vehicle based on specific events and displaying them on the computer. ■^"he novelty in the present invention is the visualization of the moving object in real time on Google Earth desktop program through the creation of a network link with the server software with the ability to see the locations through which the object has passed, when it passed and at what speed. The other novelty is to visualize the moving object in real time in other publicly available mapping software like Mappoint, mapquest, virtual earth etc.and the ability to see previous day(s) data of location, time and speed.

The following examples are given by way of illustration of the working of the present invention in actual practice and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

Example-1

A prototype device was tested in a car which was taken to a place nearly 20 kms away and brought back to the original location. The movement of the vehicle in real time was observed in Google Earth using a network link with the application software on the web server and the view changed automatically based on the position of the vehicle. The height of the view was kept fixed at 1 km and angle of observation 30degrees which was programmable. The vehicle was also stopped at the desired location by issuing command from the controlling device.

Example-2

A prototype device of the present invention was tested in a train (Shatabdi Express) going from Agra to Gwalior and its location was transmitted every 20 sec by the vehicle unit to the application software on the web server through the GPRS network and the same was used to see the movement of the train in real time and observe the speed of the train, heading at different times of the journey. It was observed that the maximum speed of the train was 131 kmph.

Example-3 A prototype device of the present invention, was coupled to a web camera and the images from the same were transmitted along with the speed, location co-ordinates and GMT to the server through the GPRS network and the images thus received were stored automatically and also available for viewing.

Example 4

A prototype device of the present invention was fitted in the car a virtual geo-fence of 2 km was created around the car and when the car left that virtual geo-fence a sms alert was received on our mobile which gave details as to when the car left the virtual geo- fence, from where it left and the id of the vehicle. This sms alert enabled us to take necessary action to recover the vehicle.

Example 5

A prototype device of the present invention was used to monitor the movement data of the vehicle for different days of a month was downloaded on the PC from the server and analysed for over speeding, extra stopping, misuse, maintenance planning. Necessary instructions were issued to the drivers in cases of over speeding, misuse and extra stopping.

As per the experiments carried out in various situations and locations with a prototype device of the present invention, it has been observed that the vehicle location was available in real time on mapping software by creating a network link with the application software with fly to refresh option in such a way which was easily understandable and which was not available till now. Not only was the vehicle location available but its speed at different locations, times when it passed those locations was also available. We were also able to see the images of the vehicle on the server and also control the vehicle in various ways from the internet and the different programmable events in the vehicle generated different triggers which were monitorable on the control centre PC. * U o, Un. {J/ )

The main advantages of the present invention are:

1. Stolen vehicles can be recovered.

2. Totally covert solution.

3. Based on true GPS satellite signals.

4. Works anywhere there is cellular coverage.

5. Geographic virtual fencing (Geo-fencing).

6. Monitor real time break-ins.

7. Accident detection.

8. Lock / unlock doors from control computer.

9. See exact location of the vehicle and its track on Google Earth, or similar mapping software at your internet enabled PC/PDA.

10. Cut engine/fuel pump in case of vehicle theft.

11. Press panic button in case of emergency for automatic distress Message.

12. Works even when battery is disconnected with backup battery.

13. Data of vehicle movement on a particular day can be downloaded and analysed for parameters such as over speeding, extra stopping, misuse, maintenance planning.

14. Insurance premium discounts may apply.

15. Can be installed on any 12V machinery / vehicle.

16. Hardware can be moved from one vehicle to another with ease.

17. Images from the vehicle can be received at the server.

18. 2 way communication can be established between the vehicle and the control centre.

Claims

vVe claim:

1. A novel device for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security, which comprises in combination a GPS antenna, GPS receiver, a programmable logic controller, a transceiver, mobile communication network, a server having embedded application software, network link to publicly available mapping software, relay connected to vehicle(s) ignition / fuel pump enabling control of the said vehicle(s) and a backup battery, wherein the said GPS receiver is capable of receiving GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, through the said GPS antenna, the output of the said receiver being fed to the said mobile communication network through a programmable logic controller (PLC) and the said transceiver; characterized in that the said server having embedded application software being capable of routing the said output signal of the mobile communication network to a publicly available mapping software through a network link.

2. A novel device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the GPS signal is received from a plurality of GPS satellites such as US defense satellites by the GPS receiver via the GPS antenna.

i 3. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-2, wherein the GPS antenna is a low profile antenna with the ground reception power sensitivity at over -13OdB.

4. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-3, wherein the GPS signal received is processed by the GPS receiver and converted into location co-ordinates. i

5. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-4, wherein the location co-ordinates alongwith the GMT received from the GPS satellites is transmitted to the PLC which calculates the speed of the moving vehicle based on the change in location co-ordinates as a function of time.

) *^■ w. wu. {if i o. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-5, wherein the interval at which the vehicle unit transmits the data is capable of being programmed depending on whether the vehicle is stationary or moving.

7. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-6, wherein the speed, location co-ordinates and GMT is passed on to the transceiver, wherein the transceiver is such as one or combination of GSM transceiver, a general packet radio service (GPRS) transceiver or a third generation (3G) cellular transceiver.

8. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-7, wherein the mobile communications network is such as a GSM network or a GPRS network or a 3G network or any other mobile communications network, wherein the transceiver communicates with application software on a server via the mobile network to which it is permanently connected.

9. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-8, wherein the embedded application software enables receiving of data and storing the same on a storage device such as hard disk for analysis of parameters such as over speeding, extra stopping, misuse like harsh breaking, maintenance planning.

10. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-9, wherein the embedded application software displays the vehicle location in real-time and with ability of auto follow at different level of zooms on one of the many different map options available.

11. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-10, wherein the embedded application software permits viewing route of previous days to be seen on the application software with details such as speed, timings and course.

12. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-11 , wherein the embedded application software permits establishment of a network link between itself and publicly available mapping software like Google Earth such that the location information is seen in real time on Google Earth with option of specifying the height of viewing, angle of viewing fly on refresh, enabling visible record on a map of all the trips made on a particular day.

13. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-12, wherein the vehicle is controllable from the PC for switching off the ignition, blocking of fuel pump, locking / unlocking doors using appropriate 12V relays and also receiving triggers in case of main battery failure, press of panic button in case of emergency in the vehicle, break in / accident.

14. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-13, wherein a standby battery is installed in parallel to the main battery such that the vehicle unit remains operational even in case the main battery being disconnected with the intention to disarm the unit.

15. A novel device as claimed in claim 1-14, wherein a 1 way or 2 way communications is established between the vehicle unit and the control centre.

16. A method for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security using the novel device as described in the claims herein above, which comprises receiving signals from a plurality of GPS satellites by a GPS receiver, converting the said signals into location co-ordinates, transferring the said location co-ordinates and GMT to a programmable logic controller (PLC) capable of calculating the speed of the moving vehicle on the basis of the location co-ordinates and transferring the speed, location coordinates, images from web camera and GMT via the transceiver using one or more of the different communication options available in the mobile network to a server capable of archiving the said information and reproducing the same on the user interface in a graphical format using the different map options; presenting the said data for analytical purposes; ability to create a geo-fence, creating a network link in publicly available mapping software such as Google Earth or similar from application software to show current position, movement track, speed therein; controlling the vehicle like blocking the fuel pump or engine, receiving alert messages from the vehicle based on specific events and displaying them on the computer. v, _υ, ,

17. A novel device for automatic vehicle location in real time and improved security, substantially as herein described with reference to the examples and drawings accompanying this specification.