Classifications

• • 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
• • 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
  • G08B13/1436—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles with motion detection

Definitions

• Geolocation device for the recovery of stolen objects
• the present invention relates to devices and methods for helping to retrieve stolen objects
• the invention is particularly but not exclusively concerned with a solution for finding stolen cigarette packages.
• Vehicle-based anti-theft systems including a geolocation means and a transmitter for transmitting colocalization data to a mobile telephone network.
• the system is activated via the telephone network in case of theft.
• Such a system is relatively complex and expensive and requires to be connected to the vehicle battery in the waking state. It is not suitable for the protection of objects that can not benefit from a high-capacity electrical power source such as a car battery or a mains connection.
• the application FR 2 935 518 A1 describes an anti-theft device for leather goods or the like, in particular of the bag or suitcase type, comprising an external module equipped with an RFID transmitter, intended to be worn by the user, and a internal module in particular equipped with an RFID receiver and a communication terminal adapted to report the theft of the article, by communicating with another terminal via a telecommunications network.
• This request does not provide for a backup solution in case the telecommunications network is unavailable, inoperative or insufficiently precise.
• the invention aims to meet this need and it achieves this through a geolocation device, comprising:
• a receiver of a signal transmitted by a local transmitter operating on a first frequency range, preferably a Bluetooth frequency,
• a transmitter operating on a second frequency range preferably a UNB transmitter (Ultra Narrow Band)
• UNB transmitter Ultra Narrow Band
• a geolocation means preferably a GNSS satellite location chip such as a GPS chip, and
• control circuit arranged for: detect the device output from the local transmitter field
• the UNB transmit bandwidth is typically less than 100 Hz, which increases the range to equivalent power.
• the transmitter of the device is in the UHF (between 300 MHz and 3 GHz), in particular on the frequency 868 MHz
• the device may also comprise a VHF transmitter, making it possible to communicate over a frequency band of 30 MHz to 300 MHz, exploited today by existing VHF terminals at the police and providing additional assistance in locating the object. in the last meters.
• the device according to the invention may also include a mobile telephone chip.
• the control circuit can be arranged to activate the mobile chip in case of exit from the local transmitter field and transmit via this chip the position of the device as determined by the geolocation means.
• the mobile telephone network may be of GSM type or any other standard of mobile phone technology, UMTS, LTE, etc.
• the control circuit may be arranged to select the transmission either on the mobile network or on the network of the transmitter of the device, depending on the availability of these networks. The selection can still be made according to the need of people in search of the stolen object.
• the network to be selected first can be predefined, and the other network is selected by the device only if the first is unavailable, inoperative or insufficiently precise.
• the mobile chip In the standby state, or in the alert state but in the presence of the transmitter network, the mobile chip can remain inactive, to limit power consumption.
• the device is concealed inside a package, which may be a holster of a fake cigarette package.
• the invention offers a simple and effective solution to fight against theft of objects such as cigarette packs.
• the device can be manufactured with a small footprint and have a very low power consumption, and thus can be easily placed in a false cigarette case and remain in sleep for a very long time.
• the emission in UNB allows a very low consumption.
• the data transmitted sound for example in the form of messages of less than 100 bytes, for example 12 bytes, with for example a ceiling of 150 messages per day.
• the device comprises an accelerometer, as explained below.
• This accelerometer can increase the accuracy of the location and / or serve other functions.
• the device may also include various other sensors such as a sensor of brightness, temperature, and / or pressure.
• the invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to a method of assisting the recovery of stolen objects, comprising the steps of:
• the geolocation data can transit via a server of an M2M network such as a SIGFOX or LORA network.
• M2M network such as a SIGFOX or LORA network.
• the device may be hidden in a package in the middle of other similar packages of genuine products.
• This package can be a cigarette case.
• an accelerometer in the device, it can be used to detect a movement of the device. It is then possible to switch from a standby state to an alert state where the location data is transmitted, under the dual condition of a loss of reception of the signal from the local transmitter and a movement of the device. before or after the loss of reception within a predefined time interval.
• the presence of an accelerometer can be useful also to increase the accuracy of the location.
• the location data can be transmitted at a different frequency depending on whether the device determines that it is in motion or not, thanks to the accelerometer if necessary.
• the transmission frequency of the location data may be from 1s to several minutes depending on the programming of the system.
• the device can be arranged to take at least one standby state and at least one alert state.
• the power consumption is reduced at best, and the locating means can be disabled.
• the device transmits location data.
• the device may be able to switch from a dynamic alert state, where it is in motion with the activated locating means, and to transmit location data, to a static alert state where it is stationary. and disables the locating means to preserve the power source.
• the output of the static alert state to the dynamic alert state can be done through the accelerometer.
• FIG. 1 schematically represents in perspective an exemplary device according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the device of FIG. 1, and
• FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a global system in which the device according to the invention can evolve.
• FIG. 1 An example of device 10 according to the invention. This comprises an electronic circuit which can be housed in a plastic housing 12.
• the device 10 is intended to fight against theft of cigarettes and the housing 12 is arranged to be housed in a package 13 imitating the appearance of an authentic cigarette case. It may be a case packaged with other cartridge packs or an individual case.
• the device 10 comprises, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a control circuit 20 such as a microcontroller for example, and a certain number of peripheral components such as a transmitter / receiver 22 operating at a first frequency f1, a transmitter / receiver 21 operating at a second frequency f2, a mobile telephony chip 35 and a GNSS satellite location chip 23, preferably a GPS chip.
• a control circuit 20 such as a microcontroller for example
• peripheral components such as a transmitter / receiver 22 operating at a first frequency f1, a transmitter / receiver 21 operating at a second frequency f2, a mobile telephony chip 35 and a GNSS satellite location chip 23, preferably a GPS chip.
• the assembly is powered by a power source 24 such as one or more batteries, rechargeable or not, via a possible voltage regulator.
• a power source 24 such as one or more batteries, rechargeable or not, via a possible voltage regulator.
• An external adapter may, if necessary, be temporarily connected to the device 10 to recharge the power source 24 or to test its operation without soliciting the source 24.
• the microcontroller 20 exchanges data with a memory 27 which contains the operating system.
• An algorithm implemented in the microcontroller 20 can make it possible to select the transmission of data on the mobile telephone network by activating the chip 35, in the case where the network of the receiver / receiver 21 is unavailable, inoperative or insufficiently precise.
• This algorithm gives the person in search of the misplaced object the ability to select the broadcast network by itself.
• the device 10 may comprise a JTAG type test bus.
• One or more light indicators such as LEDs can signal the operating status of the device 10.
• the device 10 advantageously comprises an accelerometer 26.
• the transmitter / receiver 21 is intended to transmit, among other things, geolocation data provided by the chip 23 to a network 30, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
• This network 30 conveys the data to a client terminal 32, available to law enforcement for example.
• the transmitter / receiver 21 is arranged in the illustrated example to use an 868 MHz, 902 or 928 MHz UNB network such as M2M SIGFOX or LO A.
• a network is more economical to use than a telephony network.
• mobile type GSM which facilitates the implementation of the invention on a large scale.
• Such a network comprises a plurality of antennas 34 implanted over an entire territory.
• a server 36 makes it possible to transmit data received on this network to a recipient whose address has been communicated to it, via an interconnection to the Internet network 37 for example.
• the transmitter / receiver 21 is for example a reference SI 868 25 MW module ARF7764AA.
• the transmission of the data may comprise the repetition of the messages several times, for example three times, with a delay of the order of ls between the transmissions.
• the device 10 can be identified by the network 30 by means of an identifier integrated in the manufacture of the transmitter / receiver 21.
• the transmitter / receiver 22 is intended to receive a signal from a local transmitter
• the transmitter / receiver 22 is for example a low-power Bluetooth transmitter / receiver, also called "Bluetooth low encrgy" and the local transmitter / receiver 40 a local Bluetooth transmitter present only at the place of purchase or storage of products that we want to protect.
• This transmitter / receiver 40 is for example of the Beacon BLE type, which corresponds to the V4.0 BLUETOOTH version.
• the range of the signal transmitted by the local remitter is thus typically less than
• the signal transmitted by the local transmitter / receiver 40 is a coded digital signal, so that any interference likely to deceive the device 10 as to the effective output of the field of the local transmitter 40 is avoided.
• the device 10 can take at least two operating states.
• a first state corresponds to a standby or standby mode, in which it is sought to minimize the power consumption so as to prolong the life of the energy source 24 as much as possible.
• the autonomy sought in the standby state is advantageously greater than 8 months, better at 12 months.
• the transmitter / receiver 21 is inactive or in reduced activity, that is to say that it transmits to the network 30 no location data; it is possible to transmit no data whatsoever; alternatively, the transmitted data may be limited to data indicating that the device is still in working order. For example, these data can encode the state of charge of the energy source 24. The transmission frequency of these data can be greater than 1 day, better 10 days.
• the transmitted data may be in a format indicating the state of standby of the device; an identifier of the device 10 is transmitted, so as to allocate the received data to the correct device.
• the receiver of the transceiver 21 can be totally inactive in this state of standby.
• the transceiver 22 may transmit no data to the local transceiver 40, merely detecting its presence; it is thus possible to use only one receiver instead of a transmitter / receiver 22.
• the transmitter / receiver 22 exchanges data with a local area network of which the local transmitter 40 is part, which allows, for example, the user to remotely parameterize the device 10 via a microcomputer connected to a local area network. and / or make it operational.
• the device 10 can also go into a dynamic alert state, when it is in motion, or static, when it is stationary.
• the detection of the signal loss of the transmitter 40 may not be permanent but may be carried out periodically, for example at intervals of time ranging from from 1 to 24 hours.
• the local transmitter 40 in order to avoid accidentally going into alert mode in the event of an accidental interruption of the local transmitter, for example, following a power failure, it is possible to switch to alert mode under the dual condition of a part of the loss of the local transmitter 40 and secondly of detection of a movement by the accelerometer for a moment sufficiently back in time when the field of the local transmitter was detected.
• the device in the event of a temporary loss of the local transmitter without associated motion detection, the device can remain in a standby state. On the other hand, if the loss of the transmitter is accompanied by a movement, the device can go into alert mode.
• the chip 23 can be activated, and geolocation data transmitted to the control device 20, where they can be stored and / or transmitted via the network 30 to the client terminal, or stored on a remote server that can then be consulted. by the police for example.
• the frequency of transmission of the geolocation data to the network 30 can operate according to a predefined law, in order to maximize the chances of interception of the authors of the flight.
• the transmission frequency can be higher as long as the device 10 detects that it is moving.
• the device 10 When the device 10 no longer detects movement, either because the accelerometer delivers a signal that can be interpreted as such, or because the position given by the GPS chip no longer evolves for a predefined period, for example at least 15 minutes, the device can enter a state of static alert and transmit data signaling its immobile state, in addition to its last position .
• the GPS chip may be disabled in order to reduce the power consumption and the transmission frequency of the increased location data.
• the data transmission rate can be increased from 30s per 10mns from sleep mode to dynamic alert mode at a rate of 1 or more per day after 3 days. This frequency can, if necessary, increase with time if no movement is detected.
• the device 10 may remain in this state until motion is again detected using the accelerometer.
• the device 10 can return to a dynamic alert state and the chip 23 is reactivated to transmit position data.
• the device 10 may be arranged to detect the loss of the GPS satellite location signal while the chip 23 is activated.
• the device 10 is advantageously arranged to signal it, via the use of a particular code in the data transmitted.
• the device 10 can be arranged to respond, in alert mode, to the reception of a search signal issued by a tracking system fitted to the police.
• This signal is for example similar to that of the local transmitter 40 and it can be detected by the transmitter / receiver 22.
• the device can be arranged to react to the detection of this signal by returning a value representative of the force with which he is received; transmission by the transmitter / receiver can be done continuously to facilitate accurate tracking by triangulation.
• the device 10 comprises a brightness sensor; this assumes that the device is placed in a completely opaque package.
• the brightness sensor may be useful to facilitate the identification of the device, for example by providing information on the presence of artificial light in the room where the device is located.
• the device may comprise a pressure sensor; the latter can provide information on the floor of a building in which the room containing the device is located.
• the device may also include a temperature sensor that can provide information on its storage location, especially outside or inside a building.
• the information from the brightness and / or pressure sensor and / or temperature can be transmitted to the network 30 when the device is in static alert mode for example, or when the device has captured the search signal used to find it .
• control circuit 20 is, in the example just described, a microcontroller, it can be replaced, as well as its peripheral components, by any other circuit adapted to perform the desired functions. It is thus possible to use any other microprocessor digital circuit, programmable logic array, ASIC, etc.
• Some components that are peripheral in Figure 2 may be integrated into the control circuit 20 as a single multifunction chip.
• the GPS chip can be replaced by any other means of geolocation by satellites, and the satellite constellation can be GALILEO or any other constellation.
• the transmitter / receiver 21 can be replaced by a transmitter alone.
• the frequency f1 may be other than the 868 MHz band.
• the transceiver 22 may be replaced by a single receiver.
• the frequency f2 may be other than the 2.4 GHz band.
• the device 10 can be made without accelerometer, if necessary.
• the device 10 may be devoid of housing and be housed directly in the packaging of one of the products that one seeks to protect.
• the device 10 may be equipped with a microphone, if necessary, to enable it to record noises in its vicinity in a memory, in alert mode or listen to a voice exchange.
• the device 10 may also be provided with a loudspeaker, if necessary, allowing it to take in hand the device remotely and issue a voice instruction.
• the device 10 is particularly suitable for the search for stolen objects, it can still be applied to the search for domestic animals, equipping the collar of a dog for example, or people with poor memory, such as patients with Alzheimer's disease.
• the speaker may allow a remote person to guide the misplaced person, reassure or trigger an intervention.
• the device can still equip a vehicle of any type.
• the device can at its first start listening to local transmitters and automatically paired with the one of higher intensity; alternatively, the choice of the local transmitter is set using a computer connected to the device.
• the device is equipped with an audio or visual transmitter, which is for example activated remotely by the registration signal, or even a voice synthesis device which can broadcast a pre-recorded message or transmitted via the signal of tracking.
• the device may or may not include an on / off switch as well as a connector such as a micro-USB, serial or other port that allows programming, setting or recovering stored data.
• a connector such as a micro-USB, serial or other port that allows programming, setting or recovering stored data.
• the M2M network can be replaced by any other network for routing the location data to the client terminal.
• the location data can be viewed on the client terminal in various ways and for example using a Google Maps type interface.
• the device 10 may comprise a removable memory card such as a micro SD card or a SIM card.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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Citations (4)

• 2015
  • 2015-04-20 FR FR1553510A patent/FR3035225B1/fr active Active
• 2016
  • 2016-04-14 WO PCT/EP2016/058274 patent/WO2016169837A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2016-04-14 EP EP16719296.2A patent/EP3286741B1/de active Active
  • 2016-04-14 ES ES16719296T patent/ES2828988T3/es active Active

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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