WO2007012733A1 - System for locating a movable object lost by a user - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for locating a movable object lost by a user, in particular a pet, characterized in that it comprises: a transmitter module, associated with the movable object, including first transmitter means for emitting locating signals via a first communication network; a locating server, including: receiver means for receiving the locating signals of the transmitter module via the communication network; first electronic data processing means to generate, from said locating signals, locating data adapted to a rapid recovery of the movable object by the user, a receiver module enabling the locating data concerning the lost movable object from the locating server to be received by the user via a second communication network.

Description

 SYSTEM FOR LOCATING EQUAL FURNITURE GOODS BY ONE

USER

The present invention relates to a system for locating a movable asset misplaced by a user, including a pet or an object.

France currently has about 9 million cats and 8 million dogs, or 1 in 2 French who owns a pet with more than 52% of homes. France is the 1st European country ahead of Spain, England and Germany. Pets represent each year in France a market of 3.35 billion Euros (the equivalent of the budget of an average state of Africa).

In twenty years the expenses have been multiplied by 15, they tend to progress steadily by 26% per year. Since 1990 spending on our pets has increased by 1300%. France ranks second in the world and ranked first in Europe in terms of pet ownership (behind the US with 230 million) 17 million dogs and cats (9 million cats and 8 million dogs ) against 14 million for England and 12 million for Italy. More than 70% of dogs and cats live in single-family houses, places that favor all the more the loss of these animals.

Each year, 60,000 animals (dogs and cats combined) are lost. More than 53% of dogs and cats live in towns of less than 20,000 inhabitants. The

.ègSe Most rural areas are composed of large areas (fields, forests, etc.), where the search for a lost animal is difficult.

More than 90% of homeowners view their pet as a full member of the family.

Faced with this problem, it can be seen that there are no effective and reliable solutions to accelerate and complete the search for a lost animal. The present invention solves this problem by proposing a system making it possible to locate a movable property misplaced by a user, in particular a pet, characterized in that it comprises: a transmitter module, associated with the movable good, comprising first means of transmission for transmitting location signals via a first communication network,

a location server, comprising:

reception means for receiving the location signals from the transmitter module via the communication network,

first computer processing means for generating, from the location signals, location information adapted to rapid recovery of the movable property by the user,

a receiver module allowing the user:

receiving from the location server the location information concerning the movable property lost via a second communication network.

Preferably according to the invention, the transmitter module further comprises a sealed voice chip, remotely activatable by the user via the location server, comprising second transmission means for transmitting an audio message, in particular intended for people likely to to be near the lost movable property of the type: "I am lost, please call the number 0 800 000 000" or "It would be necessary to reload my necklace" or "It would be necessary to think about the renewal of my vaccine".

Preferably according to the invention: the transmitter module and the receiver module each comprise a device connected to a GPS-type network making it possible to transmit and receive, in an updated manner by real or near real time, location signals corresponding to their relative geographical coordinates,

the receiver module and / or the location server comprise second computer processing means for generating in real time, as a function of the location signals corresponding to the relative geographical coordinates of the transmitter module and the receiver module, dynamic location information, in particular a dynamic compass indicating the direction of the transmitter module in the form of cardinal points, the distance and the difference in altitude between the transmitter module and the receiver module.

Electronic tracking of animals

Principle: a computer terminal, a communicating pocket computer, a mobile phone or a voice server triggers and activates the localization and tracking of a communicating module (GSM / GPRS type, Edge, Bluethooth, RFID ...) GPS installed on an animal and receives directly or via a geolocation platform the GPS and / or cell location information (cell-id) in a textual and / or cartographic form indicating the position of the animal in the form of an icon or in a vocal way.

Process: an animal is equipped with a communicating module (GSM / GPRS, Edge, Bluethooth, RFID ...) GPS. Activation of the location of the module is triggered from a computer terminal connected to the Internet, a communicating handheld, a mobile phone (including SMS or wap), a fixed telephone team an RFID type transmitter or via a voice server.

This activation can be transmitted directly to the module or via a geolocation platform.

The module receives this request and returns the GPS information to the communicating handheld transmitter or mobile phone, or via the geolocation platform.

The geolocation platform can also perform a cell-id request.

The information transmitted via the geolocation platform is accessible via the Internet, wap or SMS. The transmitted information is presented in a textual form "nearest street, speed, altitude" and / or map from the position of the animal represented by an icon or voice.

This information can be transmitted punctually (a location) or continuously (or tracking) in the form of successive locations.

The disabling of the location of the module can also be triggered from a computer terminal connected to the Internet, a communicating handheld, a mobile telephone (in particular by SMS or wap), a fixed telephone team of an RFID transmitter or via a voice server.

Location and electronic tracking adapted to dogs Principle: a computer terminal, a communicating handheld, a mobile phone or a voice server triggers and activates the localization and tracking of a communicating module (GSM / GPRS, Edge, Bluethooth, RFID. ..) GPS installed on a dog, and receives directly or via a geolocation platform the GPS information and / or location by cells (cell-id) in a text, voice or a map indicating in the form of an icon the position of the dog.

Process: a dog is equipped with a communicating module (GSM / GPRS, Edge, Bluethooth ...) GPS. Activation of the location of the module carried by the dog is triggered from a computer terminal connected to the Internet, a communicating handheld, a mobile phone (in particular by SMS, or WAP) or via a voice server.

This activation can be transmitted directly to the module or via a geolocation platform.

The module carried by the dog receives this request and returns the GPS information on the communicating handheld transmitter or mobile phone, or via the geolocation platform.

The geolocation platform can also synchronously or asynchronously perform a request for cell localization (cell-id) of the module carried by the dog. The information transmitted via the geolocation platform is accessible via the Internet, wap or sms.

The transmitted information is presented in a textual form "nearest street, speed, altitude", map from the position of the dog represented by an icon or voice.

This information can be transmitted punctually (a location) or continuously (or tracking) in the form of a series of successive locations.

The deactivation of the location of the module carried by the dog can be triggered also from a computer terminal connected to the Internet, a communicating handheld, a mobile phone

(including SMS, WAP) or via a voice server.

The transmitter module carried by the dog has the following advantages miniaturization, performance of GSM / GPRS and GPS components, high autonomy, geographical portability. It is composed :

- a GPS module of the TIM Supersens type, providing a significantly increased sensitivity and a better sensitivity of the HF receiver, benefiting from a ceramic antenna, optimized management: standby and woken up if a need for localization is felt ,

- a Quadri-band GSM module, 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 Mhz, a microprocessor microchip type (8-bit micro controller, flash type memory for evolutions by reprogramming the source code),

- a SIM card reader,

- a 3.6 Volts battery (rechargeable lithium battery with a nominal voltage of 3.6V and a capacity between 840 and 1000mA / h with standby time (excluding GPS tracking): about 120 hours, battery life in continuous tracking mode (or fully charged battery tracking) of 37H with a constantly monitored charge state and an alert SMS sending below a certain charge threshold,

The dimensions of the module are typically as follows: Length: 57 mm

Width: 40mm

Height: lβmm

Its weight is typically less than 60 grams.

Communication protocol carried out by sms, each sms frame including the identification of the terminal TE, the callback number, the command to be executed, the parameters.

Localization and electronic tracking adapted to cats

In the case of cats, the configuration chosen is that of a Radio and GPS module

The system consists of a small transmitter (the size of a small matchbox with dimensions: 5cmx4cmx2mm) that attaches to the collar of the animal.

It operates in Ultra Low Power (ULP) mode which refers to long range radio technology and is composed of an onboard Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

The selected application is a system to help the return home of lost or runaway pets.

The principle is to transmit the position recorded by a GPS receiver embedded in the collar of the animal to transmit this position via an Ultra Low Power radio link to a receiving base deployed to the owner's home, then to a CaIl Center , or to the owner via the location platform, via a telephone line, in particular of the RTC type.

A security perimeter is defined around the home of the owner, in which the animal can move without triggering an alarm (monitoring mode) in which the GPS is deep sleep (inactive) and where the low energy radio is used to detect the presence of the animal.

When the animal leaves the safety perimeter (configurable threshold):

. the GPS is activated,

. an alarm is transmitted to the base, then to the CaIl Center or to the owner via the location platform,

. the GPS position is transmitted periodically to allow the location of the animal on a geographical representation. This is the so-called "tracking" mode in which the animal is tracked within a radius of 10 km around the home of its owner (this constraint therefore establishes the range limit of the radio system).

The transmitter electronic collar:

The collar is composed of a Islan-500mw radio card emitting in the 868 MHz ISM band and usable royalty free (without royalty), a GPS receiver and a battery to power the entire 'electronic.

The application is implemented on a microcontroller of the Isxlan type card. This manages the radio communications between the collar and the receiving base as well as the dialogue with the GPS receiver.

This medallion equips the animal to watch. It must be able to be supported by a cat. The Base (receiver):

An emitter / receiver base consisting of an Isxlan type radio card transmitting on the 500 MW frequency band and an integrated RTC modem. The software installed on the Isxlan card manages the exchanges with the collar and takes initiatives to call a remote device via the RTC modem.

This equipment is powered by the power supply unit. It is disposed in the person owning the animal. This base is equipped with a light indicating that the animal has left the safety zone (orange) or out of range (red) and a push button to exit the alarm mode. Remote Server:

A remote device (Location Server) located in a remote location and managed by a service provider.

This equipment is called by the receiving base when the animal has left the safety zone around the house (animal on the run) and regularly retrieves the position taken by the GPS placed on the animal. Principle of operation:

- medallion of the animal carrying an is / xlan radio card and a GPS receiver,

- Receiving base integrating an is / xlan card and a PSTN modem to transmit the position of the animal to the call center or the owner via the location platform,

- PDA-equipped personal assistant equipped with a radio with a cartographic function allowing the intervention personnel to follow the animal once there,

- computer equipment call center equipped with a mapping system for viewing from application servers GPS positions transmitted by the animal's locket.

Operating mode

In standby mode, the GPS is off (idle mode) and a radio frame is emitted every 10s to estimate the distance between the animal and the receiving base.

A device can significantly reduce the probability of false alarms related in particular to bad temporary radio receptions.

On triggering the alarm, the medallion switches to tracking mode, the GPS is activated and the position is transmitted to the central station (call center) via the radio and then the RTC line every 30 seconds. Application requirements

Detection of the animal within a radius of 5 km Volumes and weight supportable by a cat Battery life of several months Transmission of an alarm on low battery The reception base will have a battery backup Location via a GSM network only and voice chip II is about using GSM module attached around the dog's neck. This module integrates a waterproof voice chip which allows in case of loss:

1 / to locate the dog in real time by implementing the GSM cells (CeIl Id) which provide a precision of about 100 meters in an urban environment via a location platform,

2 / send an SMS to activate a pre-recorded alert message in the collar to add an additional chance to find the dog and warn passersby. It should be noted that the recorded message is audible more than 10 meters away from the misplaced animal.

The voice chip is able to restore a pre-registration of two or three messages.

As a result, the master who loses his dog can activate, via the Internet, but especially via a voice server, the voice chip contained in the collar of the dog and activated by its integrated GSM and will issue an alert message to those around him, of the type: "I am lost, please call the central Trace Dog at 0800 etc."

At the same time, the plant operates the location of the animal via the operator and its location by cells (CeIl id).

This fun and media solution avoids the inconvenience of the additional cost of GPS, the complicated problem of the positioning of the antenna towards the satellites whereas in GSM the position is indifferent, the overweight, the congestion of the GPS antenna and especially lastly power consumption with the alarm clock problems of the GPS.

The basic module is integrated on an electronic card that integrates a voice chip to issue messages of the aforementioned type, but also "It would recharge my collar" or even "it would be necessary to think about the renewal of my vaccine".

The typology of the messages will be directly related to the services desired by the user owner of the animal and the technical capabilities of the chips of the market.

For economic reasons of subscription on the SIM card, we wish to avoid using the voice permanently. However we can agree on a certain number of messages recorded via the voice server. It is necessary to restore a quality hearing without weighing too much on the set because the customer is extremely sensitive to the final size of the necklace. It is also necessary to integrate a short antenna directly into the housing.

Consumption and optimization:

The consumption of the housing is an important parameter. It must be ensured that there is a sleep mode that only retrieves SMS messages. In this case just only wake up it by a particular SMS message. Or even provide an alarm every 30 minutes just for the recovery of an alert message that will then trigger the permanent tracking mode until recovery of the animal and the signal of the voice chip.

In this last hypothesis of automatic awakening, a time information before awakening of the collar and starting actions (Puce and tracking) may be given to the owner. Sample message: "We have treated your request well. Tracedog's services will be able to locate your dog and trigger the voice chip in exactly 2 minutes and 37 seconds. "

Drawing :

Information circuit:

1 - Entering customer information into the database in ASP.

2 - Emergency call triggering.

3 - Rerouting the voice call to the assistant or automatic triggering.

4 - Sending an SMS by secure access to the platform of the telecom operator.

5 - Routing of the SMS to the collar.

6 - Activation of the voice chip (in case of activated collar).

7 - Return of the SMS in cell mode (CeIl id) with X and Y to server for the localization.

8 - Access to the web portal for localization by the assistant or the end customer.

9 - Forward alerts according to media settings (fax, SMS, email, file ...).

From a technical point of view, this is to provide a set of applications (electronic firmware, application servers) to access the functionalities and computer data. In this project, it is more precisely to create an interconnection gateway between the SMS location data (X and Y) provided by the telecommunications operator and the application servers and to optimize this solution. localization by triggering a voice chip on the animal in case of loss. Dynamic compass

In order to facilitate the search for animals or lost property, the system proposes to generate a "dynamic compass" generated and drawn on the fly, according to GPS type information simultaneously from 2 separate and distant sources.

This system makes it possible to periodically locate, in real time or near real time, a GSM / GPRS GPS module with respect to another GSM / GPRS GPS module, indicating on one and / or the other the direction and the distance that separates them. .

Process :

A module 1 sends directly or via a geolocation platform to a module 2 a request for location or tracking. Module 2 returns its GPS position and / or cells (cell-id) to module 1 in a unique or periodic manner.

Module 1, through a resident computer program, composes a compass oriented from its position towards module 2.

This dynamic compass can evolve periodically according to the variations of positions of the module 1 and the variations of positions received from the module 1.

The compass will also indicate the distance and altitude difference between the 2 modules.

The compass can also be composed by a remote geolocation platform, from data received from the 2 modules. The platform will then return an image of the dynamic compass on one and / or the other of the modules.

The system object of the present invention is intended to apply also in the case of the location and search of people likely to wear a transmitter module, especially in the form of bracelet or pendant.

Claims

1. System for locating a movable asset misplaced by a user, including a pet, characterized in that it comprises: a transmitter module, associated with the movable good, comprising first transmission means for transmitting location signals via a first communication network,

a location server, comprising:

reception means for receiving the location signals from the transmitter module via the communication network,

first computer processing means for generating, from the location signals, location information adapted to rapid recovery of the movable property by the user,

a receiver module allowing the user:

receiving from the location server the location information concerning the movable property lost via a second communication network.

2. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the transmitter module further comprises a sealed voice chip, remotely activatable by the user via the location server, comprising second transmission means for transmitting an audio message, in particular for to people who may be near the misplaced movable property of the type: "I am lost, please call the number 0 800 000 000" or "I would have to reload my necklace" or "I should think about the renewal of my vaccine".

3. System according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that: the transmitter module and the receiver module each comprise a device connected to a GPS-type network for transmitting and receiving, updated in real or near real time, location signals corresponding to their relative geographical coordinates,

the receiver module and / or the location server comprise second computer processing means for generating in real time, as a function of the location signals corresponding to the relative geographical coordinates of the transmitter module and the receiver module, dynamic location information, in particular a dynamic compass indicating the direction of the transmitter module in the form of cardinal points, the distance and the difference in altitude between the transmitter module and the receiver module.