DE20110513U1 - Device for acquiring environmental data - Google Patents

Description

Device for collecting environmental data

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Systems designed and set up to react automatically to environmental conditions exist in many different forms. In the simplest case, these are acoustically activated switches, twilight switches, motion detectors, etc., all of which are set up to generate a switching process on the output side depending on the detection of a definable environmental condition.

Also known are video surveillance devices consisting of a monitor and at least one camera, which can be arranged in a fixed position or can be pivoted, and which can optionally also be equipped with a sound recording device, so that visual and acoustic monitoring of a defined room is possible via the monitor set up at a remote location, depending on the detection range of the image and sound recording system.

In addition, stationary, permanently installed surveillance systems are known that are designed to communicate with a public telecommunications network and are set up to automatically trigger a signal when defined environmental conditions are detected that can be interpreted as a security risk, for example, in order to inform the police, fire brigade or similar security authorities. The main feature of the stationary surveillance systems known to date, however, is a relatively complicated structure that regularly requires installation by trained specialists and requires a

Christian KRUGER

27 June 2001 4498/1

equally low flexibility. In particular, these known systems are neither suitable for mobile use nor set up for communication with freely selectable and programmable receivers.

Against this background, the object of the invention is to design a device of the type described at the outset with a view to extremely simple set-up, versatile use and mobile use. This object is achieved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

What is essential to the invention is that all components of the device are combined in a single housing. This relates to a power supply unit. This also relates to a computer unit and at least one sensor unit. The sensor unit is designed to interact with at least one, preferably several sensors that are placed in the surface area of the housing. Since a transmitting and receiving unit are also housed in this housing and the housing can be the size of a cigarette pack, a cell phone or the like, for example, the monitoring device has an extremely compact, miniaturized design that can be set up anywhere and used for monitoring purposes. In particular, such a device can be used mobile, i.e. it can be taken along on trips, for example, and can be put into operation in the simplest way at its location. It is also essential to the invention that the transmitting and receiving unit is designed for bidirectional communication with a public telecommunications network and/or a telecommunications system. This means that the respective user of the device, who may be located at a location remote from its actual installation site, can contact the device via the public telecommunications network. In this way, control signals can be transmitted to the device and information stored in it can be read out or, depending on the type of data entered,

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Real-time information about the environment around the location of the device can be obtained using sensors. Communication with the device is possible via the public telecommunications network, e.g. the GSM network (Global System for Mobile Communications) from any telephone, cell phone or PC.

The device can also be set up to communicate with a satellite-based positioning system, e.g. GPS (Global Positioning System). It is particularly advantageous if the central computer unit of the device can be freely programmed by the respective user from a remote location, in particular with regard to the definition of dangerous conditions or the reaction to such conditions. In conjunction with a GPS connection, the device is therefore suitable for, for example, providing location information to security authorities when dangerous conditions occur. The central computer unit is set up to control the data acquisition via the sensors, their temporary storage if necessary and their forwarding to a location defined by the user, e.g. a telephone number. As a result of the free, externally executable programming of the computer unit, the device can also be used in an extremely flexible manner, adapted to the respective risk situation. This concerns the definition of dangerous conditions - this also concerns the desired reaction to the occurrence of such dangerous conditions.

The features of claims 2 and 3 are directed to the type of sensors attached to the housing. These can be designed to record image and/or sound signals, to detect signals describing movements, temperatures, air or gas compositions and other environmental conditions. Sensors can be activated simultaneously or only partially in accordance with user-side control signals transmitted via the telecommunications network. The movements to be detected can be movements of physical objects in the outside area. However, the detection of vibrations of the base at the installation site, vibrations of a wall on which the

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The device's housing is also used to record structure-borne noise in the broadest sense. For example, these vibrations can be signs of violent impact on parts of the building, which can be detected in this way.

Measurements of temperatures, especially in conjunction with air compositions, can indicate a fire. Measurements of gas compositions can indicate, for example, a defective gas line.

&iacgr;&ogr; All of this data can be supplemented by image and/or sound signals to complete the information.

All components of the device can be arranged within the housing of a conventional cell phone according to the features of claim 4 and form a structural unit with it. This is an extended use of a cell phone, which allows surveillance for security purposes to be carried out unobtrusively.

To ensure the energy supply for the operation of the device, the latter can be equipped with photovoltaic elements according to the features of claim 5.

It is essential for efficient monitoring that the existing sensor unit is designed in accordance with the features of claim 6 in such a way that it is ready to receive from as many sides as possible. A specific placement of the device in a room to be monitored is therefore unnecessary.

The features of claims 7 to 10 are directed to the design of the energy supply unit, in particular its activation or deactivation. This can be activated or deactivated via the public telecommunications network, whereby it is considered essential that the associated transmitting and receiving unit has a uniform all-round transmission.

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and reception characteristics, so that a specific spatial placement of the device in the room to be monitored is unnecessary.

The software design of a communication between the device and the public telecommunications network can basically be designed as desired. It seems essential that bidirectional operation is provided, so that the device according to the invention can be used for the automated generation of information and for its transmission to a recipient specified on the lower side. In particular, the device can also be switched on and off via this route.

The device can also be switched on and off using a proximity switch integrated into the device's housing, which, for example, triggers a switching process when a metal object approaches. To prevent misuse, the object in question can be an object that is standardized in terms of geometry and material.

The power supply unit of the device can also have a mains connection so that different types of power supply are possible. At the same time, the power supply network as such can also be used to transmit information.

Also to prevent misuse or malfunctions, when the device is activated via a proximity switch, the switch-on process can be triggered with a selectable delay to prevent the person who triggered the switching process from being detected by the device and triggering a reporting process.

For reasons of energy requirements, it may be expedient according to the features of claim 11 for the user to activate only individual sensors out of all the sensors available if necessary.

Christian KRUGER

27 June 2001 4498/1

The device according to the invention is provided with a data memory according to the features of claim 12, which forms an element of the computer unit, which can be addressed via the transmitting and receiving unit. In particular, the data memory is provided with files which are intended for storing the data describing different states received via individual sensors.

According to the features of claim 13, a recording of operating data of the device and its transferability β with the assistance of the transmitting and receiving unit can be useful for the user in order to be able to monitor the function of the device. In this way, the correct operation of the device can be checked.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiment shown schematically in the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a device according to the invention for acquiring environmental data according to a viewing direction I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device according to a viewing direction II of Fig. 1.

The embodiment shown shows a globally cuboid-shaped housing 1, the size of which can correspond to a cigarette packet, for example. However, the shape is only to be regarded as an example and can equally have the shape of a commercially available mobile phone. 2 designates the hemispherical input optics of a motion detector located on the upper side 3 of the housing, which is designed with the proviso that when the device rests on the underside 4 in the half-space defined by the plane of the upper side 3, a uniform all-round

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Detection characteristics are given with respect to any movements at a certain distance.

The housing 1 is provided with several sensors that are intended for recording environmental data, conditions and the like. For example, 5 designates a microphone, which also has a uniform reception characteristic and enables all-round recording of sound signals from the environment. Additional sensors 6 are arranged in the side walls of the housing 1 depending on their input characteristics with the proviso that a uniform all-round recording of environmental data is provided. In addition to the recording of movements, this environmental data relates to the temperature, the appearance of smoke and also the recording of image data depicting the environment. Separate cable channels are provided for all of these sensors, which enable separate processing and transmission of this data.

The housing 1 further contains a transmitting and receiving unit, a computer unit which is provided with a data memory and a power supply unit, wherein these components are connected to one another with the proviso that the device is suitable for communication with at least one public telecommunications network, in particular the GSM network, and can not only be switched on and off via this network, but can also be freely programmed, in particular with regard to the memory which stores the determined data, is addressable.

7 designates a series of battery chambers which are identical to one another and which form part of the energy supply unit and are mounted in a side wall of the housing 1. All of these chambers 7 can be closed off by a cover in a manner not shown in the drawing. To support the energy supply, the housing can optionally be equipped with photovoltaic elements. Finally, the device can also be provided with a mains connection for stationary operation, as indicated at point 8.

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The specific circuit and component structure is clear to the person skilled in the art on the basis of the above information and does not require any further explanation.

The device shown is intended for monitoring rooms and can be activated via the above-mentioned transmitting and receiving unit via the public telephone network, for example via a cell phone, a telephone or a computer. At the same time, the device can be activated in this way in full or in part with regard to all of its sensors, or data can be called up in the same way that is stored in the memory of the computer unit and that reflects the temporal sequence of the receipt of environmental data. In particular, this also allows the device to be freely programmed externally, for example with the proviso that it automatically triggers a call signal to a predetermined number via the public telephone network via its transmitting and receiving unit depending on the occurrence of user-definable conditions. These predetermined conditions can be signaled, for example, by the motion detector, by smoke or, depending on the type of sensors used, by any other selectable anomalies that can be described using recorded environmental data.

It is essential that the device can be used independently of a power supply and that its miniaturized design does not affect the visual appearance of a room in any way. However, it enables secure monitoring of a room under conditions that can be specified by the user as far as possible, and is extremely easy and flexible to use. It is also essential that the device is set up to automatically generate and transmit information describing the current situation, particularly dangerous situations.

Claims (13)

1. Device for the automatic recording of environmental data, in particular for the purpose of monitoring or detecting dangerous situations, characterized by a transmitting and receiving unit designed and set up for bidirectional communication with a public telecommunications network or a telecommunications system, at least one sensor unit designed to record the environmental data, a computer unit and a power supply unit, wherein all of these components are arranged in or on a common housing ( 1 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor unit is designed to detect movements, temperatures, air or gas compositions and other environmental conditions that can be described by an electrical signal. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor unit is set up to detect image and/or sound signals from the environment and that the transmitting and receiving unit is set up to transmit any signals, in particular image or sound signals. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that all of the said components are arranged in the housing of a mobile phone and form a structural unit therewith. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that photovoltaic elements are integrated into the energy supply unit. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit is designed for all-round reception in accordance with the directional characteristics of the sensor(s) used in each case. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the energy supply unit or the operation of the device can be activated or deactivated via the transmitting and receiving unit. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the energy supply unit or the operation of the device can be activated or deactivated via a proximity switch. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the energy supply unit is designed for connection to a public energy supply network. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transmitting and receiving unit has a uniform all-round transmitting and receiving characteristic. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sensor unit has different sensors which can be individually activated or deactivated by the user. 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized additionally by a data memory which is addressable by means of the transmitting and receiving unit. 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the computer unit is set up to record operating data of the device, which can be transmitted with the cooperation of the transmitting and receiving unit.