EP1443477B1 - Electronic line - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP1443477B1
EP1443477B1 EP20030023498 EP03023498A EP1443477B1 EP 1443477 B1 EP1443477 B1 EP 1443477B1 EP 20030023498 EP20030023498 EP 20030023498 EP 03023498 A EP03023498 A EP 03023498A EP 1443477 B1 EP1443477 B1 EP 1443477B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
item
group
terminal
observation area
signal
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EP20030023498
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1443477A1 (en
Inventor
Ludwig Dipl.-Ing. Brackmann
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Deutsche Telekom AG
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Deutsche Telekom AG
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
    • G08B13/14—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
    • G08B13/1427—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles with transmitter-receiver for distance detection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for monitoring a group of mobile objects, wherein by means of a particular portable and the group associated terminal electromagnetic signals are received, which are emitted by an object belonging to the group, wherein the terminal and the objects are in direct radio contact.
  • the invention also relates to a system for implementing the method.
  • Systems that implement such monitoring methods are installed in department stores, for example.
  • the goods are each provided with a removable transponder, which triggers a signal as soon as it in the transmission and reception area of a terminal - here in the form of an antenna at the output of the department store - device.
  • These systems are nonspecific with respect to the goods and only function within the areas staked by the antennas.
  • Similar systems are also known for monitoring persons, for example as "electronic handcuffs". They are based on the principle of locating a transmitter (eg., GSM) by means of bearing or via a GPS (Global Positioning S ystem). These systems are technically complex and hardly usable for private applications. Above all, the use of the respective data networks is chargeable, so that they are too costly for daily home use.
  • the US 6,331,817 relates to a device for finding lost supervised objects and for generating a message about the loss of such an object.
  • a terminal which receives a message about the loss of an item can check whether the lost item can be found within a surveillance area.
  • the object of the invention is now to provide a method for monitoring objects, which can be implemented easily and inexpensively and provides the user with a simple and convenient way to have him personally personal belongings at any time under control.
  • a system for implementing the method is to be created.
  • the essential idea of the invention is to maintain a constant and direct radio contact between the advantageously mobile terminal and the group of objects to be protected. If one of the objects gets out of the surveillance area, an alarm is sounded, with the surveillance area substantially corresponding to, and advantageously adjustable by, the immediate surroundings of the user.
  • a particularly advantageous for the invention range is approximately between one and one hundred meters.
  • the individual devices thus to some extent depend on an "electronic leash", which is held by the terminal, the terminal should be in the immediate vicinity of the user.
  • Such systems can be implemented simply and inexpensively with the techniques used today, for example with a proximity technology such as in particular "Bluetooth". Often the appropriate conditions are present in the devices already available today.
  • Another core idea of the invention is to individualize the individual objects and / or the group of objects to be assigned to the user.
  • a terminal is thus assigned a certain number of individual objects for monitoring.
  • the method according to the invention is realized in that the signals emanating from the objects have an identifier that is individual for a single object and / or individually for the group.
  • the identifiers of the objects and / or the identifier of the group are stored in a memory of the terminal in the manner of an inventory list.
  • the signals can then be used to group Identify appropriate objects. Whether the object arrives from the sphere of the terminal is determined by the fact that, in particular, the strength of the respective signals is constantly checked by the terminal, the signal strength being interpreted as a measure of the distance between object and terminal (reception radius).
  • This radius is advantageously adjustable by the user in order to be able to flexibly adapt the system to the respective situation.
  • the terminal gives the user an audible indication, for example an optical or acoustic signal, whereby the user can be shown which device is lost.
  • the method is particularly suitable for monitoring personal items of daily needs.
  • a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a USB stick (mobile storage medium with USB interface) or removable control units for car audio systems could be included in the group. Since with the number of entrained objects the risk of theft increases and there is a danger of forgetting one of these devices somewhere, the devices can be safely connected with the method according to the invention. Expensive losses are avoided with the system.
  • the device to be protected On the one hand, it may be advantageous to equip the device to be protected with its own transmitter whose individualized by an identifier signal is received by the terminal.
  • This variant of the active broadcasting is particularly advantageous for devices which, like mobile phones or PDAs, have a radio interface.
  • passive labels such as transponders attached to the object, which individually modify and reflect a signal emitted by the terminal. The changed signal is then received by the terminal.
  • This variant is advantageous because with high probability in the In the future, any item that exceeds a minimum value will already be provided by the manufacturer with an information carrier to identify it via such identification data.
  • the user it is possible for the user to subsequently apply such a label to any object itself.
  • the individual items are registered at the terminal by logging in as belonging to the group. The login can be made flexible, so that the user can bring one or the other object into the system or remove it from the system if necessary.
  • the identification data advantageously consists of only one digit sequence or one code.
  • a translation of the code to a product-related clear text information can be made possible with the help of a central server application.
  • the functionality of the online data synchronization with this server-based database via a (mobile) radio connection can be integrated into the terminal to be used.
  • identification data are read by means of a wireless radio procedure in a mobile, cordless terminal.
  • mobile phones, PDAs or similar devices suitable for communication can be used as the terminal.
  • the terminal is equipped with a corresponding reading device and associated software.
  • the inventory list of the devices to be carried is created based on the identification data and stored permanently.
  • the software is programmed to scan the receiving radius of the device according to the identification data entered in the inventory list. If one of the items is missing, forgotten or stolen, the terminal will sound the alarm.
  • the cycles can also change independently. If the system notices that the location of the items remains unchanged, the time intervals between queries may be longer become. Conversely, it may be advantageous to inspect an object that is just away from the terminal at shorter intervals. It is also advantageous if the alarm is given differentiated and the type of alarm gives the user more information. For example, the alarm may be realized by an intermittent beeping sound, the frequency of the sound being characteristic of one of the devices, and the length of the interruptions being the distance of the object from the terminal.
  • the method is also suitable for the search of possibly lost objects.
  • an object located outside the reception radius can be located, for example, with a direction finder, the direction finder being provided in particular as part of the receiver.
  • a higher transmission and / or reception power is called on the terminal.
  • With a directional antenna then the object can be filed.
  • the bearing originating from the terminal due to the limited range, it will only be possible to locate within a relatively small radius, which is currently limited to about 1 km.
  • the terminal can establish a connection to the other terminal via GSM.
  • the identification data can be transmitted to other (previously defined) devices, which in turn search their radius of reception for the missing item. If one of these notified devices finds the lost item, it can inform the user about the find via telecommunication connection (voice, email, SMS). Alternatively, a voice connection can be established. Upon successful contact by the external terminal so the associated terminal a message about the whereabouts of the lost object is transmitted.
  • the invention can be realized by a terminal and at least one mobile object associated with the terminal, wherein means are provided are that allow a direct wireless exchange of signals between the terminal and the object.
  • the terminal has a receiving unit with an identification module, which recognizes the object on the basis of its specific signals emanating from it and recognizes it as an assigned object.
  • the terminal has an analysis unit which, based on a characteristic of the signal, in particular the amplitude, determines the distance to the object and compares it with a predetermined limit value, wherein the limit value defines the mentioned monitoring radius. As soon as the object has come out of the monitoring radius, an alarm unit emits a note that is audible to the user.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Überwachung einer Gruppe mobiler Gegenstände, wobei mittels eines insbesondere tragbaren und der Gruppe zugeordneten Endgerätes elektromagnetische Signale empfangen werden, die von einem der Gruppe zugehörigen Gegenstand ausgesendet werden, wobei das Endgerät und die Gegenstände in unmittelbarem Funkkontakt stehen. Die Erfindung betrifft auch ein System zur Umsetzung des Verfahrens.The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a group of mobile objects, wherein by means of a particular portable and the group associated terminal electromagnetic signals are received, which are emitted by an object belonging to the group, wherein the terminal and the objects are in direct radio contact. The invention also relates to a system for implementing the method.

Anlagen, die derartige Verfahren zur Überwachung realisieren, sind beispielsweise in Kaufhäusern installiert. Dort sind die Waren jeweils mit einem abnehmbaren Transponder versehen, der ein Signal auslöst, sobald er in den Sende- und Empfangsbereich eines Endgerätes - hier in Form einer Antenne am Ausgang des Warenhauses - gerät. Diese Systeme sind bezüglich der Waren unspezifisch und funktionieren lediglich innerhalb der von den Antennen abgesteckten Gebiete. Ähnliche Systeme sind auch zur Überwachung von Personen, beispielsweise als "elektronische Handschellen", bekannt. Sie basieren auf dem Prinzip der Ortung eines Senders (z. B. GSM) mittels Peilung oder über ein GPS (Global Positioning System). Diese Systeme sind technisch aufwendig und für private Anwendungen kaum zu gebrauchen. Vor allern ist die Nutzung der jeweiligen Datennetze gebührenpflichtig, so dass sie für den täglichen Hausgebrauch zu kostenintensiv sind.Systems that implement such monitoring methods are installed in department stores, for example. There, the goods are each provided with a removable transponder, which triggers a signal as soon as it in the transmission and reception area of a terminal - here in the form of an antenna at the output of the department store - device. These systems are nonspecific with respect to the goods and only function within the areas staked by the antennas. Similar systems are also known for monitoring persons, for example as "electronic handcuffs". They are based on the principle of locating a transmitter (eg., GSM) by means of bearing or via a GPS (Global Positioning S ystem). These systems are technically complex and hardly usable for private applications. Above all, the use of the respective data networks is chargeable, so that they are too costly for daily home use.

Die US 6,331,817 betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Auffinden von abhanden gekommenen überwachten Gegenständen und zur Erzeugung einer Meldung über den Verlust eines solchen Gegenstandes. Ein Endgerät, welches eine Meldung über den Verlust eines Gegenstandes erhält, kann überprüfen, ob der verloren gegangene Gegenstand innerhalb eines Überwachungsbereichs auffindbar ist.The US 6,331,817 relates to a device for finding lost supervised objects and for generating a message about the loss of such an object. A terminal which receives a message about the loss of an item can check whether the lost item can be found within a surveillance area.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es nunmehr, ein Verfahren zur Überwachung von Gegenständen zu schaffen, das sich einfach und mit kostengünstigen Mitteln umsetzen lässt und das dem Nutzer eine einfache und komfortable Möglichkeit bietet, die ihn persönlich betreffenden Gebrauchsgegenstände jederzeit unter Kontrolle zu haben. Außerdem soll ein System zur Umsetzung des Verfahrens geschaffen werden.The object of the invention is now to provide a method for monitoring objects, which can be implemented easily and inexpensively and provides the user with a simple and convenient way to have him personally personal belongings at any time under control. In addition, a system for implementing the method is to be created.

Diese Aufgaben werden durch das Verfahren mit den kennzeichnenden Merkmalen des Anspruch 1 und das System nach Anspruch 8 gelöst.These objects are achieved by the method having the characterizing features of claim 1 and the system according to claim 8.

Der wesentliche Grundgedanke der Erfindung liegt darin, einen ständigen und unmittelbaren Funkkontakt zwischen dem vorteilhafterweise mobilen Endgerät und der Gruppe von zu behütenden Gegenständen aufrecht zu halten. Falls einer der Gegenstände aus dem Überwachungsbereich gerät, wird Alarm geschlagen, wobei der Überwachungsbereich im wesentlichen der unmittelbaren Umgebung des Nutzers entspricht und vorteilhafterweise von diesem eingestellt werden kann. Ein für die Erfindung besonders vorteilhafter Bereich liegt etwa zwischen einem und hundert Metern. Die einzelnen Geräte hängen damit gewissermaßen an einer "elektronischen Leine", die vom Endgerät gehalten wird, wobei das Endgerät in unmittelbarer Nähe des Nutzer sich befinden sollte. Solche Systeme lassen sich mit den heute gebräuchlichen Techniken, beispielsweise mit einer Nahfunktechnik wie insbesondere "Bluetooth", einfach und preiswert realisieren. Oft sind die entsprechenden Voraussetzungen in den schon heute erhältlichen Geräten vorhanden.The essential idea of the invention is to maintain a constant and direct radio contact between the advantageously mobile terminal and the group of objects to be protected. If one of the objects gets out of the surveillance area, an alarm is sounded, with the surveillance area substantially corresponding to, and advantageously adjustable by, the immediate surroundings of the user. A particularly advantageous for the invention range is approximately between one and one hundred meters. The individual devices thus to some extent depend on an "electronic leash", which is held by the terminal, the terminal should be in the immediate vicinity of the user. Such systems can be implemented simply and inexpensively with the techniques used today, for example with a proximity technology such as in particular "Bluetooth". Often the appropriate conditions are present in the devices already available today.

Ein weiterer Kerngedanke der Erfindung liegt darin, die einzelnen Gegenstände und/oder die dem Nutzer zuzuordnende Gruppe von Gegenständen zu individualisieren. Einem Endgerät ist somit eine bestimmte Zahl individueller Gegenstände zur Überwachung zugeordnet. Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren wird dadurch realisiert, dass die von den Gegenständen ausgehenden Signale eine Kennung aufweisen, die individuell für einen einzelnen Gegenstand und/oder individuell für die Gruppe sind. Dabei sind die Kennungen der Gegenstände und/oder die Kennung der Gruppe in einem Speicher des Endgerätes in der Art einer Inventarliste hinterlegt. Anhand der Signale lassen sich dann die zur Gruppe gehörigen Gegenstände identifizieren. Ob der Gegenstand aus der Sphäre des Endgerätes gelangt, wird dadurch festgestellt, dass insbesondere die Stärke der jeweiligen Signale vom Endgerät ständig überprüft wird, wobei die Signalstärke als Maß für den Abstand zwischen Gegenstand und Endgerät (Empfangsradius) interpretiert wird. Dieser Radius ist vorteilhafterweise vom Nutzer einstellbar, um das System flexibel an die jeweilige Situation anpassen zu können. Sobald ein Gegenstand aus dem Empfangsradius gerät, wenn also die Signalstärke kleiner als ein vorgegebener Grenzwert ist, gibt das Endgerät dem Nutzer mit einem vernehmbaren Hinweis, beispielsweise einem optischen oder akustischen Signal, Alarm, wobei dem Nutzer angezeigt werden kann, welches Gerät verloren ist.Another core idea of the invention is to individualize the individual objects and / or the group of objects to be assigned to the user. A terminal is thus assigned a certain number of individual objects for monitoring. The method according to the invention is realized in that the signals emanating from the objects have an identifier that is individual for a single object and / or individually for the group. The identifiers of the objects and / or the identifier of the group are stored in a memory of the terminal in the manner of an inventory list. The signals can then be used to group Identify appropriate objects. Whether the object arrives from the sphere of the terminal is determined by the fact that, in particular, the strength of the respective signals is constantly checked by the terminal, the signal strength being interpreted as a measure of the distance between object and terminal (reception radius). This radius is advantageously adjustable by the user in order to be able to flexibly adapt the system to the respective situation. As soon as an object gets out of the reception radius, ie if the signal strength is smaller than a predetermined limit, the terminal gives the user an audible indication, for example an optical or acoustic signal, whereby the user can be shown which device is lost.

Wegen der einfachen und kostengünstigen Mittel zur Umsetzung, eignet sich das Verfahren insbesondere zu Überwachung von persönlichen Gegenständen des täglichen Bedarfs. Dazu lassen sich neben der Geldbörse und dem Schlüssel weit mehr Dinge, ohne die sich heutzutage niemand mehr in der Öffentlichkeit bewegt, der Gruppe von Gegenständen zuordnen. In die Gruppe aufgenommen werden könnten beispielsweise ein Mobiltelephon, ein PDA (Personal Digital Assistent), ein USB-Stick (mobiles Speichermedium mit USB Schnittstelle) oder abnehmbare Bedienteile von KFZ-Audioanlagen. Da mit der Anzahl der mitgeführten Gegenstände das Risiko eines Diebstahls steigt und die Gefahr besteht, eines dieser Geräte einfach irgendwo zu vergessen, lassen sich die Geräte mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren sicher anleinen. Teure Verluste werden mit dem System vermieden.Because of the simple and inexpensive means of implementation, the method is particularly suitable for monitoring personal items of daily needs. In addition to the purse and the key, far more things can be assigned to the group of objects without which nobody nowadays moves in public. For example, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a USB stick (mobile storage medium with USB interface) or removable control units for car audio systems could be included in the group. Since with the number of entrained objects the risk of theft increases and there is a danger of forgetting one of these devices somewhere, the devices can be safely connected with the method according to the invention. Expensive losses are avoided with the system.

Für die Realisierung des Verfahrens sind zwei Methoden zu bevorzugen: Zum einen kann es vorteilhaft sein, das zu behütende Gerät mit einem eigenen Sender auszustatten, dessen durch eine Kennung individualisiertes Signal vom Endgerät aufgenommen wird. Diese Variante der aktiven Ausstrahlung ist insbesondere für Geräte vorteilhaft, die, wie Mobiltelephone oder PDA's, über eine Funkschnittstelle verfügen. In der anderen Variante werden passive Label, wie Transponder am Gegenstand angebracht, die ein vom Endgerät ausgesandtes Signal, individuell modifizieren und reflektieren. Das veränderte Signal wird dann vom Endgerät empfangen. Diese Variante ist vorteilhaft, da mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit in der Zukunft jeder Gegenstand, der einen Mindestwert übersteigt, bereits vom Hersteller mit einem ihn über derartige Identifikationsdaten zu identifizierenden Informationsträger versehen sein wird. Außerdem ist es dem Nutzer möglich, ein solches Label nachträglich an jedem beliebigen Gegenstand selbst anzubringen. Bei beiden Verfahren werden die einzelnen Gegenstände beim Endgerät durch Einloggen als zur Gruppe gehörig registriert. Das Einloggen kann flexibel gestaltet werden, so dass der Nutzer bei Bedarf denen einen oder den anderen Gegenstand in das System einbringen oder aus dem System herausnehmen kann.For the realization of the method, two methods are to be preferred: On the one hand, it may be advantageous to equip the device to be protected with its own transmitter whose individualized by an identifier signal is received by the terminal. This variant of the active broadcasting is particularly advantageous for devices which, like mobile phones or PDAs, have a radio interface. In the other variant, passive labels, such as transponders attached to the object, which individually modify and reflect a signal emitted by the terminal. The changed signal is then received by the terminal. This variant is advantageous because with high probability in the In the future, any item that exceeds a minimum value will already be provided by the manufacturer with an information carrier to identify it via such identification data. In addition, it is possible for the user to subsequently apply such a label to any object itself. In both methods, the individual items are registered at the terminal by logging in as belonging to the group. The login can be made flexible, so that the user can bring one or the other object into the system or remove it from the system if necessary.

Die Identifikationsdaten bestehen wegen der Simplizität der Informationsträger vorteilhafterweise nur aus einer Ziffernfolge oder einem Code. Eine Übersetzung des Codes hin zu einer produktbezogenen Klartextinformation kann mit Hilfe einer zentralen Serveranwendung ermöglicht werden. Die Funktionalität des Online-Datenabgleichs mit dieser serverbasierten Datenbank über eine (Mobil-) Funkverbindung kann in das zu verwendende Endgerät integriert werden.Because of the simplicity of the information carriers, the identification data advantageously consists of only one digit sequence or one code. A translation of the code to a product-related clear text information can be made possible with the help of a central server application. The functionality of the online data synchronization with this server-based database via a (mobile) radio connection can be integrated into the terminal to be used.

Diese Identifikationsdaten werden mittels eines drahtlosen Funkverfahren in ein mobiles, schnurloses Endgerät eingelesen. Wie schon dargelegt können als Endgerät Handys, PDAs oder ähnliche zur Kommunikation geeignete Geräte verwendet werden. Dazu wird das Endgerät mit einer entsprechenden Leseeinrichtung sowie zugehöriger Software ausgestattet. Mittels dieses Geräts wird anhand der Identifikationsdaten die Inventarliste der mitzuführenden Geräte angelegt und dauerhaft gespeichert. Im Normalbetrieb ist die Software darauf programmiert, den Empfangsradius des Geräts nach den in der Inventarliste eingegebenen Identifikationsdaten abzusuchen. Fehlt einer der Gegenstände, wurde er vergessen oder wurde er gestohlen, schlägt das Endgerät Alarm.These identification data are read by means of a wireless radio procedure in a mobile, cordless terminal. As already stated, mobile phones, PDAs or similar devices suitable for communication can be used as the terminal. For this purpose, the terminal is equipped with a corresponding reading device and associated software. By means of this device, the inventory list of the devices to be carried is created based on the identification data and stored permanently. In normal operation, the software is programmed to scan the receiving radius of the device according to the identification data entered in the inventory list. If one of the items is missing, forgotten or stolen, the terminal will sound the alarm.

Um eine ständige Kontrolle über die Gegenstände zu haben, ist es vorteilhaft, vermittels des Endgerätes deren Vorhandensein innerhalb des eingestellten Empfangsradius in periodischen Abständen, beispielsweise im Sekundentakt, zu überprüfen. Zur Optimierung der Energieaufwendung können sich die Zyklen auch selbständig verändern. Wenn das System merkt, dass die Lage der Gegenstände unverändert bleibt, können die zeitlichen Abstände zwischen den Abfragen länger werden. Umgekehrt kann es vorteilhaft sein, einen Gegenstand, der sich gerade vom Endgerät entfernt, in kürzeren Abständen zu kontrollieren. Dabei ist es auch vorteilhaft, wenn der Alarm differenziert gegeben wird und die Art des Alarms dem Nutzer weitere Information gibt. So kann beispielsweise der Alarm durch ein unterbrochenes Piep-Geräusch realisiert werden, wobei die Frequenz des Tones für eines der Geräte und wobei die Länge der Unterbrechungen für die Entfernung des Gegenstandes vom Endgerät charakteristisch ist.In order to have a constant control over the objects, it is advantageous to check by means of the terminal whose presence within the set reception radius at periodic intervals, for example at a second rate. To optimize the energy consumption, the cycles can also change independently. If the system notices that the location of the items remains unchanged, the time intervals between queries may be longer become. Conversely, it may be advantageous to inspect an object that is just away from the terminal at shorter intervals. It is also advantageous if the alarm is given differentiated and the type of alarm gives the user more information. For example, the alarm may be realized by an intermittent beeping sound, the frequency of the sound being characteristic of one of the devices, and the length of the interruptions being the distance of the object from the terminal.

Dabei eignet sich das Verfahren auch zur Suche eventuell abhanden gekommener Gegenstände. Dazu kann ein außerhalb des Empfangsradius befindlicher Gegenstand beispielsweise mit einem Peilsender geortet werden, wobei der Peilsender insbesondere als Teil des Empfangsgerätes vorgesehen werden. Um eine Peilung vornehmen zu können, wird am Endgerät eine höhere Sende- und/oder Empfangsleistung abgerufen. Mit einer Richtantenne kann dann der Gegenstand eingepeilt werden. Mit der vom Endgerät ausgehenden Peilung wird es wegen der begrenzten Reichweite nur möglich sein, innerhalb eines relativ kleinen auf derzeit etwa 1 km begrenzten Radius zu orten. Um den Radius auszudehnen, ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die individuelle Kennung eines verlorenen Gegenstandes an ein anderes externes Endgerät übermittelt wird, mit dem dann eine Kontaktaufnahme zu dem Gegenstand versucht wird. So kann das Endgerät beispielsweise über GSM eine Verbindung zu dem anderen Endgerät aufbauen. Schlägt das primär zuständige Endgerät Alarm, können die Identifikationsdaten an andere (vorher definierte) Geräte übermittelt werden, die dann ihrerseits ihren Empfangsradius nach dem vermissten Gegenstand absuchen. "Findet" eines dieser benachrichtigten Geräte den verlorenen Gegenstand, kann es via Telekommunikationsverbindung (voice, email, SMS) den Nutzer über den Fund informieren. Alternativ kann eine Sprachverbindung aufgebaut werden. Bei gelungener Kontaktaufnahme durch das externe Endgerät wird so dem zugeordneten Endgerät eine Nachricht über den Verbleib des verlorenen Gegenstandes übermittelt.The method is also suitable for the search of possibly lost objects. For this purpose, an object located outside the reception radius can be located, for example, with a direction finder, the direction finder being provided in particular as part of the receiver. In order to make a bearing, a higher transmission and / or reception power is called on the terminal. With a directional antenna then the object can be filed. With the bearing originating from the terminal, due to the limited range, it will only be possible to locate within a relatively small radius, which is currently limited to about 1 km. To extend the radius, it is advantageous if the individual identifier of a lost object is transmitted to another external terminal, with which then a contact is made to the object. For example, the terminal can establish a connection to the other terminal via GSM. If the primarily responsible terminal alarms, the identification data can be transmitted to other (previously defined) devices, which in turn search their radius of reception for the missing item. If one of these notified devices finds the lost item, it can inform the user about the find via telecommunication connection (voice, email, SMS). Alternatively, a voice connection can be established. Upon successful contact by the external terminal so the associated terminal a message about the whereabouts of the lost object is transmitted.

Als System lässt sich die Erfindung realisieren durch ein Endgerät und mindestens einen dem Endgerät zugeordneten mobilen Gegenstand, wobei Mittel vorhanden sind, die zwischen dem Endgerät und dem Gegenstand einen unmittelbaren drahtlosen Austausch von Signalen ermöglichen. Erfindungsgemäß weist das Endgerät eine Empfangseinheit mit Identifikationsmodul auf, die den Gegenstand anhand seiner von ihm ausgehenden spezifischen Signale erkennt und als zugeordneten Gegenstand erkennt. Zudem hat das Endgerät eine Analyseinheit, die anhand einer Eigenschaft des Signales, insbesondere der Amplitude, die Entfernung zum Gegenstand ermittelt und mit einem vorgegebenen Grenzwert vergleicht, wobei der Grenzwert den genanten Überwachungsradius definiert. Sobald der Gegenstand aus dem Überwachungsradius gelangt, gibt eine Alarmeinheit einen für den Nutzer vernehmbaren Hinweis aus.As a system, the invention can be realized by a terminal and at least one mobile object associated with the terminal, wherein means are provided are that allow a direct wireless exchange of signals between the terminal and the object. According to the invention, the terminal has a receiving unit with an identification module, which recognizes the object on the basis of its specific signals emanating from it and recognizes it as an assigned object. In addition, the terminal has an analysis unit which, based on a characteristic of the signal, in particular the amplitude, determines the distance to the object and compares it with a predetermined limit value, wherein the limit value defines the mentioned monitoring radius. As soon as the object has come out of the monitoring radius, an alarm unit emits a note that is audible to the user.

Claims (10)

  1. Method for the observation of a group of mobile items, wherein by means of an, in particular portable, device, which is associated to the group, electromagnetic signals are received, which are emitted by an item associated to the group, wherein the device and the items are in immediate radio contact, wherein the signals comprise an identification, which identifies the individual item and/or the group, wherein the identifications of the individual items and/or the identification of the group are stored in a memory of the device as an inventory, wherein the device determines by means of the received signal the affiliation of the item to the group,
    wherein an attribute of the signal is checked by the device, wherein the distance between the item and the device is determined on the basis of the attribute, and wherein a note, perceptible by the user, is issued as soon as the item exceeds a predetermined distance to the device,
    characterized in
    that an item, which is located outside of the observation area, is localized via a direction finding system, and
    that the item, which is located outside of the observation area, is localized by means of the device.
  2. Method according to claim 1,
    characterized in
    that for the purpose of localization of the item, which is located outside of the observation area, an increased transmission- or receivingpower is demanded at the device.
  3. Method according to claim 1 to 2,
    characterized in
    that the item is sounded by means of a directional antenna.
  4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3,
    characterized in
    that a signal is emitted by the device, which is modified and reflected by a transponder, provided on the item, before it is received by the device.
  5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3,
    characterized in
    that a signal is emitted by a sender, arranged on the item.
  6. Method according to any of the previous claims,
    characterized in
    that by means of the device the presence of the items within the area of observation, namely the allowed distance to the device, is periodically checked.
  7. Method according to any of the previous claims,
    characterized in
    that the individual identification of the lost item is transferred to an additional external device, wherein by means of this device contacting of the lost item is attempted.
  8. Method according to claim 7,
    characterized in
    that in case of successful contacting by means of the external device a message about the disposition of the lost item is transferred to the associated device.
  9. System, in particular for the implementation of the method according to one of the previous claims, comprising a device and at least one mobile item associated to the device, wherein means are provided, which enable an immediate wireless intercommunication of signals, wherein the device comprises a receiving element having an identification module, which identifies the item as being an associated item on the basis of specific signals emitted by the item, wherein the device comprises an analysing member, which determines the distance to the item on the basis of an attribute of the signal and compares it with a predetermined threshold value, wherein the threshold value defines the observation area,
    wherein the device comprises an alarm member, which issues a note, perceptible by the user, as soon as the item gets out of the observation area,
    characterized in
    that a direction finding system is associated for the purpose of localization of the item, which is located outside of the observation area, and that the direction finding system is a part of the device.
  10. System according to claim 9,
    characterized in
    that the device is a mobile phone or a PDA having a transmitting device for short term radio communication, in particular according to the Bluetooth standard.
EP20030023498 2003-01-30 2003-10-18 Electronic line Expired - Lifetime EP1443477B1 (en)

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DE10303517 2003-01-30
DE2003103517 DE10303517A1 (en) 2003-01-30 2003-01-30 Electronic leash

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WO2008043854A1 (en) * 2006-10-13 2008-04-17 Secu4 SA Protection device to be concealed or associated with an object and for emitting an alarm upon the loss of theft of said object
DE202008002355U1 (en) * 2008-02-19 2009-04-02 Ferschke, Stephanie bag holder
DE102008039054A1 (en) * 2008-08-21 2010-05-12 Walter Werne Method for monitoring person or article from distance by device, involves detecting actual or determined distance between persons or articles
US20100197226A1 (en) * 2009-01-30 2010-08-05 Alcatel-Lucent Usa Inc. Mobile Station Having Wireless Communication and Radio Frequency Tag Detection Capability
DE102009044251A1 (en) 2009-10-15 2011-05-05 Köntges-Krause, Angelika Device for controlling loss of universal serial bus storage stick utilized for storing data in e.g. library, has holder connected with storage device, and transmitting and receiving device producing signals when storage device is removed
DE102014008124A1 (en) * 2013-10-09 2015-04-09 Axel Von Wallfeld Method with one or more client / s and a master in which the master and the client are coupled to each other and apparatus for performing the method
DE102015102253A1 (en) 2015-02-17 2016-08-18 Deuta Controls GmbH System and method for theft protection of cables and plug-in device and mobile power distribution therefor

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DE4219678A1 (en) * 1992-06-16 1994-01-05 Eduard Kuehnert Method and arrangement for securing people or objects
US5525967A (en) * 1993-11-01 1996-06-11 Azizi; S. Massoud System and method for tracking and locating an object
DE19512045A1 (en) * 1995-03-31 1996-10-02 Stepper & Co Wireless antitheft appts. protecting goods carried by people
DE19516313A1 (en) * 1995-05-04 1996-11-07 Wilfried Walbroehl Protection method for objects and/or persons
US6369710B1 (en) * 2000-03-27 2002-04-09 Lucent Technologies Inc. Wireless security system
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GB0017334D0 (en) * 2000-07-15 2000-08-30 Belk Jonathan S Security alert systems
DE20207324U1 (en) * 2002-03-12 2002-08-01 Schreier Matthias Electronic monitoring device

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