WO2008081050A1

WO2008081050A1 - Locating device

Info

Publication number: WO2008081050A1
Application number: PCT/ES2006/000722
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio HERNÁNDEZ-ROS KIRKPATRICK; Manuel SÁNCHEZ-ROBLES RUTE
Original assignee: Hernandez-Ros Kirkpatrick Anto; Sanchez-Robles Rute Manuel
Priority date: 2006-12-28
Filing date: 2006-12-28
Publication date: 2008-07-10

Abstract

Locating and security device comprising a first receiver-transmitter apparatus suitable for installation or locating in an object intended for transport and a second receiver-transmitter apparatus adapted to be transported independently of the object to be transported by the person transporting the object intended for transport, in such a way that for said object an area of guarantee or security is provided.

Description

LQCALIZATION DEVICE

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a locator and safety device against the theft of objects suitable for any type of object used by the transport of hand luggage, electronic devices such as computers or the like, which allows physical location in a nearby environment of the person carrying the referred object.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE [0002] At present, a person or traveler carrying hand luggage has the fear that another person will take away their hand luggage while he performs some task or management that prevents him from maintaining permanent physical or visual contact with the referred hand luggage. The aforementioned fear increases the tension and fatigue of a transfer. [0003] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a location and security device that allows the person carrying hand luggage to maintain safe contact with their hand luggage, while he performs some task or management that prevents him from maintaining contact. permanent physical or visual with the referred luggage. CHARACTERIZATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention seeks to solve or reduce one or more of the drawbacks set forth above by means of a location and safety device as claimed in claim 1. Embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a location and security device that allows to maintain a secure contact, without being said physical or visual contact, to a person carrying hand objects.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a warning signal to the person who manually transports an object based on the relative distance between the person transporting the object and the object transported. [0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a location and safety device that avoids the theft of manually transported objects when the person transporting the object occupies its attention in a task other than being aware of the transported object. [0008] Still another object of the invention is to include the location and security device in an object of the suitcase type, handbag, electronic device such as a computer, or the like.

[0009] Still another object of the invention is to provide a small-scale location and safety device, simple to construct, install and operate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] The devices that materialize the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 shows in a block diagram a locator and safety device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, a location and safety device 11, 12 is illustrated that prevents the removal of at least one object 13 such as carry-on luggage that is transported by a person traveling from one place to another or that, for example, deposits said object 13 on the ground next to it, paying attention to a task other than being aware of object 13 deposited on the ground.

[0013] The location and security device 11, 12 comprises a first 11 receiver-emitter apparatus suitable for being installed or located in the object 13 to be transported and a second 12 receiver-emitter apparatus adapted to be transported independently of the object 13 to be transported by the person transporting the desired object 13 or vice versa. Both first 11 and second 12 receiver communicate via an air interface.

[0014] The operation of both 11, 12 receiver-emitter devices is explained below. Once both devices have been switched on by means of two start and stop switches respectively. For example, a fact that occurs when the person displaces at least one hand object 13 at an airport or he is sitting in a cyber cafe and has left the object 13 that he carries next to him on his side.

[0015] In the circumstances described above, the object 13 transported is substantially at a reduced distance in which there is almost permanent physical or visual contact, such contact ceasing to exist while the person performs another task and / or his attention is diverted from the Object 13 transported, for example, consults a computer screen of information to contrast the information contained in a ticket with the information provided by an airport operator.

[0016] In such circumstances of momentary distraction, another person can take advantage of the situation to subtract the transported object 13 so that the distance between the first 11 transmitter-receiver apparatus installed in the object 13 and the second 12 transmitter-receiver carrying on it the person who is in the care of the object 13 transported tends to increase substantially and continuously.

[0017] When the relative distance between both 11, 12 sender-receivers exceeds a predetermined safety threshold, previously established by the person transporting the object 13, one of the two sender-receiver devices or both first 11 and second 12 sender- receiver emit at least one alarm signal such as acoustic, vibratory, bright or similar suitable for the person carrying the object 13 to be aware that the object 13 is at a distance greater than the distance at which the contact can be physical or visual, that is, outside the zone of tranquility and security that the object carrier previously predetermined.

[0018] If the second 12 transmitter-receiver emits a simultaneous alarm signal to which the first 11 transmitter-receiver emits, both persons, the one who has stolen the hand luggage 13 and the one carrying the same initially perceive said signal or alarm signals, so that the person who has stolen the object 13 may choose to detach the stolen object and the person who initially transported it is aware that the object leaves outside the security zone predetermined by it.

[0019] Consequently, the carrier of hand luggage understands that the object being transported is being stolen. [0020] The alarm signal will be deactivated, at least, when the object 13 transported enters, again, within the tranquility zone delimited by the predetermined distance threshold, that is, it is found again around the person transporting the desired object so that it will maintain physical or visual contact with the object it carries.

[0021] Consequently, between the first 11 sender-receiver apparatus and the second 12 sender-receiver apparatus there is a transmission and reception of a signal relative to an air interface used to communicate both sender-receivers 11, 12 and said signal is converted to an electrical signal that is received in a programming medium that executes an algorithm for calculating the numerical value relative to the existing distance, at all times, between both first 11 and second 12 receiving transmitter apparatus.

[0022] Once the numerical value corresponding to the difference in distance between the two devices 11 has been obtained, 12 is compared with the threshold value stored, previously, in the microprocessor connected to the first 11 transmitter-receiver apparatus and in the case of that the difference between both values exceeds the safety or confidence threshold, the microprocessor is adapted to generate the corresponding signal or alarm signals and send it to the first 11 transmitter-receiver apparatus so that it is transmitted to the second 12 transmitter-receiver, and send it to a first alarm generating means perceptible by the person who subtracts the object 13. Said first alarm generator generates the corresponding acoustic, luminous, vibratory or similar signal and / or all simultaneously or alternatively, in order to notify the person that is responsible for the care and transport of object 13 and the person who subtracts object 13.

[0023] Also, once the second 12 sender-receiver receives the alarm signal transmitted from the first 11 sender-receiver, it is forwarded to a second alarm generating means adjacent to the second 12 sender-receiver that is transported by the person which is responsible for transporting the object 13.

[0024] Similarly, said second alarm generator generates the corresponding acoustic, luminous, vibratory or similar signal and / or all simultaneously or alternatively, in order to notify the person in charge of the care and transport of the object 13. [0025] If the result of the comparison is negative, that is, the distance value is less than the preset threshold, no alarm signal is generated.

[0026] The calculation of the relative distance between both devices 11, 12 is performed a number of pre-established times per unit of time, being X times per minute, X times per Y minutes, etc., being selectable by the person transporting the object 13 through a program stored for this purpose in the microprocessor.

[0027] The first 11 and second 12 emitter-receiver can emit and receive signals relative to the air interface used such as diffused light, ultrasound, radio or similar to convert them into the electrical signal that is supplied to the microprocessor that stores the threshold value of distance that must not be exceeded in any case, makes the comparison between the electrical signal received from the transmitter-receiver device that represents the distance existing in an instant between both first 11 and second 12 devices and generates the alarm signal that can be sent to the device that will generate the light, acoustic, vibratory or similar alarm signal or signals or all simultaneously, so that the person in charge of the object becomes aware that the object is not substantially in physical and / or visual contact with it .

[0028] Obviously, the microprocessor also stores and executes the logic required to govern the repetition process of obtaining the electrical signal representative of the distance between both first 11 and second 12 emitter-receiver devices.

[0029] As mentioned, both first 11 and second 12 transmitter-receiver comprise means that generate the corresponding alarm signal simultaneously, independently or one generates it, for example, the first 11 transmitter-receiver, and the second 12 transmitter- receiver does not generate any signal or vice versa. Also, the microprocessor can be connected to any of the first 11, second 12 emitter-receiver. Obviously, both emitters-receivers 11, 12 are connected to an electric power source such as an independent long-lasting battery, and can be rechargeable. [0030] In the case that several objects 13 are transported, each of them incorporates a first 11 receiver-transmitter apparatus, respectively, so that they communicate with a single second 12 transmitter-receiver. In such a case, through an alphanumeric interface that can be connected to the microprocessor, the number of objects that are transported and with which the predetermined safety distance between each first 11 sender-receiver and the second 12 sender is indicated is indicated. receiver.

[0031] It should be noted that with the alphanumeric interface the different options provided by the algorithms programmed and stored in the microprocessor can be selected. The alphanumeric interface can include a communication mouse and a screen to carry out said selection and programming tasks more comfortable, simple and pleasant to the person who is to transport the desired object 13.

[0032] Likewise, it should be noted that the present invention can be implemented in a variety of computers including microprocessors, a computer-readable storage medium, which includes volatile and non-volatile memory elements and / or storage elements. The logic of the computer hardware that cooperates with various instruction sets is applied to the data to perform the functions described above and to generate output information. The programs used by the computer hardware taken as an example can preferably be implemented in various programming languages, including a high-level programming language oriented to procedures or objects for communicating with a computer system. Each computer program is preferably stored in a storage medium or device, for example, ROM or magnetic disk that is readable by a general purpose or special programmable computer to configure and operate the computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computer in order to execute the procedures described above. Likewise, the programming medium can be considered to be implemented as a computer readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium thus configured causes a computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner. [0033] The embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented as the best explanation of the present invention and its practical application and thus allow those skilled in the art to practice and use the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the description and examples above have been presented for the purpose of illustration and only as an example. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise manner described. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the previous teaching without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Device for locating objects used to transport hand luggage; characterized in that the location device comprises a first (11) receiver-emitter apparatus suitable for being installed or located in the object (13) to be transported and a second (12) receiver-emitter apparatus adapted to be transported independently of the object (13) to be transported by the person transporting the desired object (13) or vice versa, so that when the object (13) transported is at a distance greater than a predetermined distance threshold of the person transporting said object (13), a warning signal is generated to be perceived by said person.

2. Device according to claim 1; characterized in that the predetermined distance threshold value determines the existence of almost permanent physical or visual contact between the object (13) transported and the person transporting it.

3. Device according to claim 2; characterized in that the first (11) and second (12) receiver-emitter apparatus communicate through an air interface such as diffused light, ultrasound, radio or similar.

4. Device according to claim 3; characterized in that for the communication signal exchanged between both first (11) and second (12) receiver-emitter apparatus it is converted into an electrical signal that is supplied to a programmable logic medium that stores the predetermined distance threshold value and, in the If the distance between both (11, 12) receivers-emitters is greater in absolute value than the referred threshold, the programmable logic means generates a signal that is transformed by a first alarm generating means into the corresponding alarm signal or notice to be perceived by the said person.

5. Device according to claim 4; characterized in that the alarm signal is maintained while the distance between both receivers-emitters is greater than the predetermined distance threshold value.

6. Device according to claim 5; characterized in that the alarm signal is an acoustic, luminous, vibratory or similar signal and / or all simultaneously or alternatively.

7. Method according to claim 1; characterized in that it comprises the step of introducing a predetermined distance value so that when the distance between the first (11) and second (12) emitter-receiver apparatus exceeds said predetermined value a signal is generated that is transformed into a first medium Alarm generator in the corresponding alarm or warning signal to be perceived by a person.

8. A computer-readable medium that has computer-readable instructions configured for a computer to execute the method according to claim 7.