WO2008104810A1

WO2008104810A1 - Tracking device

Info

Publication number: WO2008104810A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/050134
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jon Bryan
Original assignee: Retrieva Ltd
Current assignee: Retrieva Ltd
Priority date: 2007-02-28
Filing date: 2008-02-28
Publication date: 2008-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2009-08-28
Also published as: GB0703907D0

Abstract

A tracking device comprising a main body, means for attaching the main body to the article to be tracked, a tracking system on or within the main body, the tracking system having at least a GPS receiver and a GSM module, one or more security devices within the main body and/or the attaching means for hindering removal of the tracking device from the article to be tracked and a means for alerting the owner of the device about any unauthorised removal of the device or interference with the electronics, the attaching means or other element of the device.

Description

TRACKING DEVICE

This invention relates to a tracking device, typically, but not exclusively, for use on pets, which not only provides a means of tracking and determining the exact location of the pet, but also includes features which hinder and/or prevent removal of the tracking device such that it cannot be removed in the event of the pet being stolen.

Whilst the invention and many of the problems are described with reference to animals and in particular pets, there is no reason why the invention cannot equally be applied to other items such as bicycles, motorbikes or other items which can relatively easily be stolen.

It is known to provide a lockable collar and/or lead combination for domestic pets, the collar being capable of being fastened around the neck or other part of an animal and locked such that it cannot easily be removed without the appropriate key.

This does not prevent an animal from being stolen and certainly does not help in locating a lost or stolen animal.

In addition to this, for the purpose of tracking pets, it is also known to provide a tracking device, typically for dogs, and which is attachable to a standard collar. The tracking device typically includes a GPS tracking device which enables the owner of the animal to know its whereabouts at any time by means of a signal generated by the GPS receiver and sent to the owner.

Such devices can be bulky and therefore cumbersome for the pet to wear and, in particular, with regard to the GPS tracking device, the position of this on the neck or other part of the neck of the animal is important in order to ensure that the GPS receiver can "see" a satellite in order to function correctly. As such, the known devices do not function well in confined spaces or, for example, in heavily wooded areas. The present invention aims to provide a tracking device which overcomes one or more of the above problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a tracking device comprising: a main body; a means for attaching the main body to the article to be tracked; a tracking system on or within the main body, the tracking system having a GPS receiver and a GSM module; one or more security devices within the main body and/or the attaching means for hindering removal of the tracking device from the article to be tracked; and a means for alerting the owner of the device about any unauthorised removal of the device or interference with the electronics, the attaching means or other element of the device.

The present invention is provided with means to prevent the tracking device from being easily removable from the animal or other device to be tracked, thereby increasing the likelihood that the device will still be attached to the animal or device if lost or stolen and that it can be tracked using one or more of the tracking technologies.

The tracking system may also include an RF transmitter. In this way, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a device which has a plurality of tracking technologies, such that the GPS and/or the GSM technologies can be utilised whilst the animal or other object to be tracked is in the open, with the RF technology being used when in confined spaces or inside buildings or below ground, or for example in dense woodland, where either the GPS or the GSM technologies do not function adequately. The attaching means may include a lockable fastening device such as a buckle or other suitable mechanism, such that it cannot be opened without the correct activation by use of either a physical key, a code (whether this be electronic or physical), or other well known security measures.

The GPS receiver is preferably positioned on or within the main body such that, in the intended orientation of use, the GPS receiver is directed towards the sky, rather than to the ground. In this way, the likelihood of the GPS receiver being able to function correctly is greatly increased. This is typically achieved by separating the GPS receiver from the other bulky electronics, such as a battery, the GSM module and/or the RF transmitter, such that the heavier elements are located at the intended underside of the tracking device, where as the GPS receiver is located on at least the side and preferably the upper portion of the tracking device when its in its intended orientation of use.

As security for the device, anti-cut material is preferably incorporated into the main body and/or the attaching means to prevent the tracking device from being easily removed from the article to be tracked. Such anti-cut material may steel or titanium wires, kevlar thread or material or any other suitable material and ensures that the tracking device cannot be removed by simple cutting with easy to obtain every day objects such as kitchen scissors.

The device may also include a circuit breaker incorporated into the attaching means such that if the attaching means is opened, cut or interfered with in order to remove the tracking device from the article to be tracked, the owner of the article is notified. This notification can be ignored, if the removal was authorised, but would give the user an immediate location of the device to be tracked if this was not the case. The circuit breaker may be incorporated into the anti-cut material, or may be a separate element. When the circuit breaker is broken, it is preferable that the GSM module transmits a distress signal to a central server and then on to a pre-assigned contact address such that the owner is aware of the unauthorised removal of the tracking device.

The tracking device is preferably adjustable in size such that it can fit around articles of differing dimensions and this mechanism is also preferably lockable, again activated by key, code or other suitable means as described above, in order to ensure that the device can fit snugly around the article to be tracked and is not sufficiently loose to be able to be removed.

The size adjustment mechanism may include a single use mechanism such that, once the device has been adjusted and fastened, further adjustments of the size of the device is not possible without damaging the adjustment mechanism such that it cannot function. This may also be linked to the provision of an alert signal to the owner of the object being tracked if this is activated in an unauthorised manner.

The tracking device preferably takes the form of a collar fastening around the neck or another part such as a leg of an animal or other article to be tracked.

The GSM modem facilitates the sending of location data from the unit to a central server via the Global System for Mobile communications which is already well used for mobile phone networks and the like. The GSM modem can also be used to receive instructions from the central server and to facilitate a location of the device using the GSM network.

The GPS receiver calculates the location of the unit using the global positioning system and such elements are well known in many different technologies.

The tracking device may be provided with an alarm button or device which, in the event of any accident, danger or other difficulties, a person can activate in order to send a signal to a predetermined person or organisation, such as a relative or police, in order to inform them of a problem. It is, of course, not intended that the button is to be operated by any animal to which the device is attached, but rather provides a secondary advantage for the owner of the pet, or the owner of the device to which the tracking device is attached, such that the person can generate an alert if necessary, This may be, for example, if someone attempts to steal an item which a person is carrying. The alarm may take the form of an audible or visible signal emanating from the tracking device, or, alternatively, may include sending an alert signal to one or more remote locations.

The RF transmitter transmits a radio frequency signal so that the unit can be located using directional radio frequency receivers.

Any electronic devices should preferably be placed within waterproof and/or protective boxes to improve the life of the device.

In the event that the tracking device is tampered with, ie the locking mechanism or adjusting mechanism is operated without the correct key or code or authorisation, or if damage of any sort occurs to the electronic means, such as the circuit breaker being removed, cut or broken, a signal is preferably sent to the owner of the article to be tracked, typically by a central server, such that the owner can initiate procedures to find the object.

One example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figures 1A and 1 B show plan and side views respectively of one example of the present invention;

Figures 2A to D show schematic examples of how the device of Figures 1 A and B could be fastened to animals. With reference to Figures 1 A and 1 B, a tracking device 10 takes the form of a collar for fastening around the neck or other suitable part of an animal to be tracked. It comprise a main body 11 having a plurality of pockets 12, 13, in which different electronic components are located. The collar is provided with a lockable buckle 14 comprising a male portion 15 and a female receiving portion 16, the female receiving portion 16 including a lock 17. In this example, the lock 17 is operable by a key (not shown), but this could equally be by means of a alpha numeric code enterable either into an electronic locking mechanism or, more likely, using a barrel locking mechanism.

The buckle, on either the male 15 or female 16 portions, may be provided with an alarm device, preferably in the form of a "panic button", which a user can activate either to send a signal to one or more remote people or organisations. Alternatively or additionally, the alarm may enable the buckle or the tracking device itself to emit an audible or visible signal. If a signal is sent to a person or organisation, the signal may include information concerning the location of the device at the time which the alarm button was activated, and it may, at intervals after the activation, send further messages to provide additional information concerning the location, time, etc concerning the device and its activation. Indeed, the position of the tracking device may well be updated in subsequent messages, if the tracking device has been moved from its initial location.

The buckle, on either the male 15 or female 16 portions, may be provided with a status button or buttons (not shown) which can be used either to show which parts of the system are working, eg battery, GPS, GSM etc, or to carry out a test on one or more of the elements in the system to ensure correct functionality.

The collar 10 is also provided with an adjusting mechanism 18, so that the circumference of the locked collar can be altered by means of different tag positions 19 which engage with a corresponding tag 20. Tags 19 and 20 are preferably arranged such that, once fastened, unfastening of those tags results in damage at least to tag 20, such that the adjustable mechanism can no longer be used and the size of the collar can no longer be controlled. On such activation of the adjusting mechanism, a signal is sent to the owner of the collar so that they are aware of any unauthorised tampering with the collar.

The main body 11 is provided with an anti-cut insert 21 , typically formed from steel, titanium or kevlar, thereby hindering easy removal of the device by cutting. The anti-cut material extends throughout the main body and through adjustable portion 18.

A circuit breaker 22 also extends through main body 12 and is provided with a first end 23 and a second end 24 which can be fastened when the buckle 14 is connected and such that, on breaking of the circuit breaker, an alert is sent to the owner of the article being tracked.

Pocket 12 is generally larger than pocket 13 and contains the battery 25, which is preferably rechargeable, and a GSM modem and circuit board, including an RF transmitter (when provided) which transmits an RF signal, on instruction from a remote device, and which can be detected by a suitable receiver. Pocket 13 contains the GPS receiver 27 and is separated from the heavier battery and GSM module to ensure that, during intended operation, it is pocket 12 that is the lower most portion of the device, such that the GPS receiver can be directed generally towards the sky, rather than the ground.

This can be shown in Figures 2A to D in which the collar 10 is shown around the neck of various dogs, with the pocket 12 on the underside of the neck of the animal and the GPS containing pocket 13 located at least on the side and, more preferably, on the upper portion of the neck of the animal. Figure 2D illustrates the present invention used as a strap on a horses leg and, in this example, the pocket 13 containing the GPS receiver should be located on the outside of the leg, with pocket 12 containing the GSM module and the RF transmitter on the inside of the leg.

Claims

1. A tracking device comprising: a main body; means for attaching the main body to the article to be tracked; a tracking system on or within the main body, the tracking system having at least a GPS receiver and a GSM module; one or more security devices within the main body and/or the attaching means for hindering removal of the tracking device from the article to be tracked; and a means for alerting the owner of the device about any unauthorised removal of the device or interference with the electronics, the attaching means or other element of the device.

2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the tracking system also includes an RF transmitter.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means for attaching a main body to the article to be tracked includes a lockable fastening device.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the lockable device is activated by use of a key or code.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the GPS receiver is positioned on or within the main body such that, in the intended orientation for use, the GPS receiver is directed towards the sky, rather than to the ground.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more security devices include anti-cut material in the main body and/or the attaching means to prevent the tracking device from being removed from the article to be tracked.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more security devices include a circuit breaker incorporated into the attaching means, such that, if the device is removed from the article to be tracked, the owner of that article is notified.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tracking device is adapted such that, in use, it can be fastened around a portion of the article to be tracked.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the device is adjustable in size such that it can fit around articles of differing dimensions.

10. A device according to claim 9, further comprising a single use mechanism for, after adjustment, fixing the size of the device to prevent size being altered.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the single use mechanism is arranged such that, if it is opened after fixing the size of the device, the owner of the article being tracked is notified.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body and/or attaching means is (are) in the form of a collar for fastening around a part of an animal or other article to be tracked.

13. According to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an activatable alarm on the tracking device.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the alarm is provided on the buckle.

15. A device according to either claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the alarm button causes a signal to be sent to a remote person or organisation.