WO2001031295A1 - Method for detecting the position of an object - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting the position of an object. According to the inventive method, a plurality of position data transmitters (1) is positioned at different locations (5, 6, 7). These position data transmitters (1) emit their respective position data in a locally closely restricted, separate transmitting range. Near the object a mobile short-range position data receiver (3) is positioned which automatically receives the position data of the position data transmitter (1) and processes and/or displays them once the object enters the transmitting range of said position data transmitter (1).

Description

description

Method for detecting the position of an object

The invention relates to a method for detecting the

Position of a moving object. It further relates to a position data transmitter, a position data receiver and the position detection system consisting of the position data transmitter and the position data receiver for carrying out the method.

For many technical applications, in particular for navigation systems or security systems, it is necessary to determine the position of a moving object, for example a person or a vehicle, which is as accurate as possible.

For applications in vehicles, there are now various methods and devices for determining the geographical position. Some of the systems, such as the so-called GPS (Global Positioning System), are satellite-based. Other

Systems work on the basis of telecommunications networks, for example the GSM network. The position is usually calculated by targeting the available transmitters (satellites or radio transmitters) from a receiving device. However, there are often technical limits to the accuracy of the position determination. When moving through an area, there may be dead spots, so that network reception is not possible. The same problem arises when moving within cities, for example where there is often a lack of visual contact with the satellites when the object moves in urban canyons. There are also economic and military borders. For example, the US satellites only publish a certain degree of accuracy in the GPS system. To improve the accuracy when determining the position, automobiles with GPS systems can use the coordinates calculated using the satellites and other vehicle information, for example the distance traveled after the odometer reading or the digitized data of an electronic map, are compared.

For non-automotive applications, there are now also smaller GPS receivers, some of which are integrated in watches or the like. With these GPS systems, too, the problems of the relative inaccuracy of the coordinates and the risk of missing reception are retained.

Due to the lack of focus, no exact position is transmitted at any time in these satellite-based or radio network-based systems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative to this prior art.

This object is achieved by a method in which a large number of position data transmitters are positioned at different locations and these position data transmitters each send their position data in a spatially narrow, separate transmission area. Each object has a mobile position data receiver, which automatically receives the transmitted position data of this position data transmitter when it enters the transmission range of a position data transmitter and processes it and / or displays it.

By using such independent, short-range position data transmitters, which have mutually separate, i.e. non-overlapping, transmission areas, between which there are often even transmission-free gaps, the precise, predetermined location of the transmitter can be transmitted to a position data receiver entering the transmission area in a simple manner. Since it is a short-range transmitter, which depending on the type of transmitter either only within a radius of a few meters or is to be received within a maximum of approx. 100 m, the position data receiver is inevitably in the direct vicinity of the position data transmitter when the position data is received, so that the received position data except for the short distance of the object to

Position data transmitter match. If the sender is recognizable for the object, for example a person, and the object goes directly to the sender, an almost 100% accurate location determination is possible in this way, which only shows the deviations that are also present in an exact one Mapping and land surveying are inevitable.

This position data can then be displayed optically, for example by means of a display, or acoustically, for example by means of an announcement, by the position data receiver. In addition, the position data can also be processed for use in other applications, for example navigation or security systems. The term "further processing" is also to be understood here as a further sending of the data to a more distant recipient. This is useful, for example, in security systems in which the exact position of a moving object, for example a motor vehicle, is to be tracked by remote transmission.

The position data can be sent out in different coordinate systems. For one, z. B. an output m the geographic data, ie m longitude and latitude. In addition, it is also possible to output m in the form of grid squares etc. according to a given map. In particular, the position can be assigned directly within an electronic map and the position can be displayed in this way on a display. It is also possible to use the method according to the invention in addition to a further independent location system. This can be the network-based or satellite-based positioning systems already mentioned at the beginning. The position data determined by the additional location system can be compared with the corresponding position data whenever a position data transmitter transmits the exact location. If several exact locations obtained from the position data transmitters are stored and the data determined accordingly via the network or satellite-based positioning system, systematic errors can also be corrected if necessary.

To carry out the method, several position data transmitters, each with a position data memory and a short-range transmitter, are required to transmit the position data. In order to set up the position detection system, these position data transmitters are accordingly positioned at different locations in such a way that they have separate transmission areas which should not overlap. A position data receiver with a short-range receiving point for receiving the position data and a corresponding device for further processing of the received position data or a display device for displaying this data must be located on the object.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the position data transmitters each first send out a readiness signal. This readiness signal signals a position data receiver entering the transmission area that there is a position data transmitter which can transmit corresponding position data. The position data receiver then sends out an interrogation signal which is received by the position data transmitter. The position data are only sent to the after receiving this query signal

Position data receiver sent out. In particular, this method enables the position data receiver sends an authorization signal to query the position data and that this authorization signal is checked by the position data provider before sending the position data. In this way it can be ensured, for example, that only authorized position data receivers receive the signal. An authorization to receive the position data can, for example, be linked to the payment of a fee for the use of the system.

Furthermore, there is the possibility that the position data are transmitted in coded form by the position data transmitter and decoded by the position data receiver using a corresponding key, the possession of a corresponding key in turn being able to be made dependent on the payment of a fee.

Both the position data transmitter and the position data receiver preferably have a mains-independent voltage supply.

This is a matter of course for the position data receivers, which are mobile devices. The supply is usually ensured by batteries, rechargeable batteries or, if necessary, solar cells. When installed in a vehicle, a connection to the vehicle network, i.e. H. to the vehicle battery or alternator.

In principle, the position data transmitters can also be connected to a mains voltage as stationary devices. This offers itself when using such devices in urban areas. In particular, however, when using such position data transmitters in the field, for example on hiking trail signs or the like, an autonomous supply using solar cells and accumulators is useful.

The position data should advantageously be stored in a non-volatile memory in order to prevent the data from being deleted in the event of a brief power failure. To send out the different position data in the different coordinate systems, the data can either be stored in the memory directly in different coordinate systems. However, it is also possible for the position data transmitter to convert the data on request to the various coordinate systems and to send them to the position data receiver. Of course, it is also possible for the position data to always be issued in a predetermined standardized manner and for the position data receiver to then convert the data m into the desired form.

A conventional mobile terminal, for example a mobile phone, a watch or a PDA, can preferably be used as the position data receiver, which is equipped with a corresponding device for receiving and processing the position data and which has a short-range radio interface.

A short-range radio interface on the part of the position data receiver and also on the part of the position data transmitter is a so-called “Bluetooth” module, which is able to communicate bidirectionally via a 2.4 gigahertz channel. This bidirectional interface is used it is consequently a transmission / reception message via which the position data and all other signals, such as the ready signal, the authorization signal, etc. can be received or sent, depending on the module type, the range is in the range of approximately 10 m or approximately 100 m. Of course, other short-range interfaces, such as infrared interfaces, can also be used. However, these interfaces have the disadvantage that the user has to align them with one another. This means that the user must first recognize where a corresponding transmitter stands, and then specifically aligns its receiver to take over the exact coordinates.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the position data receiver automatically indicates this by entering an acoustic or optical signal, a vibration signal or the like when entering the transmission range of a position data transmitter.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that, together with the position data, the position data transmitter transmits additional information that is relevant at the respective location, for example local weather data, historical information about a structure at a location, price information, local traffic news or warning notices. In principle, this additional information can already be present in the position data receiver or an associated memory, the additional information being assigned to the respective locations.

The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings using exemplary embodiments. The features shown can be essential to the invention not only in the combinations mentioned, but also individually or in other combinations. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a position data transmitter with a narrowly limited transmission range and a position data receiver moving into the transmission range,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a position detection system with a plurality of position data transmitters distributed in a city on different striking buildings and a mobile position data receiver.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the position data transmitter 1 has a position data memory 8 and a short-range transmitter 9 for transmitting the position data. The transmitter 9 is a so-called “Bluetooth” module. Of course, the position data transmitter 1 can also have further components (not shown here), such as a keyboard or interface for entering the position data, an accumulator or solar cells. As position data receiver 3 A suitably equipped mobile phone 3 or a smart phone with a short-range wireless interface 10 also serves here in the form of a “Bluetooth ^* module 10. The received position data are shown on the usual display 4 of the mobile phone 3.

The use of the position data transmitter 1 and the position data receiver 3 is shown in an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2. This is a position detection system for an electronic city map. For this purpose, in a city at all outstanding points, for example at all points of interest 5, 6, 7, public buildings or larger department stores, the

Position data transmitter 1 set up. Via the mobile phone carried by a person and serving as position data receiver 3, the corresponding coordinates are automatically transmitted to the transmission area 2 of the respective transmitter 9 of a position data transmitter 1 when it penetrates. The person, for example a tourist, thus finds out his current position. This position is output either in the form of coordinates or in the form of a grid square in accordance with a city map available to the tourist. This output can take place on the display 4 or acoustically. In addition, the mobile phone 3 can also have a corresponding program, with which the data are further processed so that the position is visualized directly on a city map shown in the display 4. Furthermore, it is also possible for an electronic travel guide to be stored in the device 3, which also contains further information about some of the coordinates. > ω W κ_ P- * P>

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Claims

claims 1. A method for detecting the position of an object, characterized in that a plurality of position data transmitters (1) are positioned at different locations (5, 6, 7), and these position data transmitters (1) each in a spatially limited, separate transmission area ( 2) Send out their position data, and there is a mobile short-range position data receiver (3) at the object, which automatically receives the transmitted position data of this position data transmitter (1) and processes it and / or displays it when it enters the transmission area (2) of a position data transmitter (1) brings. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the position data transmitter (1) each Send the ready signal and this ready signal is received by the position data receiver (3) when entering the transmission range (2) of the position data transmitter (1) and the position data receiver (3) then switches on Sends query signal and the position data transmitter (1) sends the position data to the position data receiver (3) after receiving this query signal. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position data receiver (3) for querying the position data sends an authorization signal, which is checked by the position data transmitter (1) before sending the position data. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the position data from the position data transmitter (1) is transmitted coded and decoded by the position data receiver (3) by means of a corresponding key. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the position data m different coordinate systems from the position data transmitter (1) are sent out. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the position of the object is additionally determined by means of a further independent positioning system and the position data determined by the additional positioning system are compared with the position data obtained from the position data transmitters (1). 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a mobile terminal with a short-range wireless interface (10) is used as the position data receiver (3). 8. position data transmitter (1) for performing a method according to one of claims 1 to 7, with a position data memory (8) and a short-range transmitter (9) for transmitting the position data. 9. Position data transmitter according to claim 8, characterized by means for sending a ready signal, a receiving point for receiving an interrogation signal Position data receiver (3) and a device which transmits the position data when a query signal is received. 10. Position data transmitter according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by a checking device which checks an authorization signal emitted by the position data receiver (3) before sending the position data. 11. Position data transmitter according to one of claims 8 to 10, marked by a coder for coding the transmitted position data. 12. Position data transmitter according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by a mains-independent voltage supply. 13. Position data receiver (3) for performing a method according to one of claims 1 to 7, with a short-range receiving part (10) for receiving the position data and a device for further processing of the received position data and / or a display device (4) for displaying the position data. 14. Position data receiver according to claim 13, characterized by means for transmitting a query signal upon receipt of a ready signal from a position data transmitter (1). 15. Position data receiver according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by a decoder with a key for decoding the position data coded from a position data transmitter. 16. Position data receiver according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the position data receiver (3) is a mobile terminal with a short-range wireless interface (10). 17. Position detection system for performing a method for detecting the position of an object according to one of claims 1 to 7, with a plurality of at different locations (5, 6, 7) positioned Position data transmitters (1) according to one of claims 8 to 12, which each transmit their position data in a spatially narrow, separate transmission area (2), and with a short-range position data receiver (3) located on the object according to one of claims 13 to 16, which automatically enters the sent when entering the transmission area (2) of a position data transmitter (1) Position data of this position data transmitter (1) is received and processed and / or displayed.