TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a localisation system, in particular a system enabling monitoring of a position of an individual controlled by a second individual acting as a controller.

PRIOR ART

As is known, a localisation system of this type can be applied in numerous contexts.

For example, it can be used for monitoring the position of elderly persons by those responsible for their safety, for monitoring the position of children by parents or also for monitoring the position of pets by their owners, with the aim of controlling the behaviour of these individuals and/or with the aim of tracing them if they are lost.

To carry out these functions at present various types of localisation systems are known.

In a first type, the controlled individual is provided with a local device in which a GPS receiver is installed for detecting the position of the individual in real time. This local device is linked by radio to a remote device provided with a display screen, provided to the controller individual. In this way, the local device sends a radio signal to the remote device containing the position of the controlled individual and the remote device displays it on the screen so that the controller individual can know where it is.

The GPS receiver device integrated in the local device is however a relatively sophisticated apparatus which overall makes the localisation system rather expensive.

In another type of localisation system the local device does not have a GPS receiver integrated, but is provided with radio antennae able to constantly emit, or emit at regular intervals, a radio signal at a suitable frequency. The remote device is in turn provided with an antennae receiving system of the directional type, which are able to capture the radio signal emitted by the local device and thus establish the relative position of the individual controlled. As in the preceding system, this datum is then displayed directly on the screen of the remote device so that the controller individual can identify the position.

This solution however has the drawback that the controller individual has to carry the remote device of the localisation system with him or her at all times, which adds to the other devices that today all people use (for example smart phones, laptops, computers, hand-held computers etc.); this makes the device awkward and unwieldy to carry.

To obviate this drawback some localisation systems have been devised which use mobile telephones of the latest generation (smart phones) as remote devices of the localisation system, with the use of dedicated software applications.

In one of these systems the smart phone of the controller individual connects with the local device of the controlled individual via a wireless telephone connection, typically a GSM connection. The local device integrates a GPS receiver which monitors the position of the controlled individual in real time and transmits it at regular time intervals via a text message (SMS) or another signal that travels on the telephone network. The smart phone receives the datum relating to the position of the controlled individual and shows it on the display screen.

Beyond the need to use a GPS receiver, this solution has the further drawback that the local device must be equipped with a SIM card that enables it to accede to the GSM telephone network, so that this localisation system implies the need to sign a contract with a telephone company.

Further, this localisation system completely loses efficiency in the zones not covered by the GSM network, or which exhibit a reduced coverage, such as for example in rural zones or impenetrable natural zones (for example forests, high mountains, etc.).

In the attempt to free the localisation system from the GSM telephonic network, other solutions have been proposed in which the smart phone is connected to the local device via a Bluetooth system.

These solutions however still have the clear drawback of having a range of action that is extremely limited, at most a few tens of metres, so that they are fundamentally unsuited to the localisation of persons and are mostly used for tracing objects in common use, for example house keys or car keys.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a localisation system which can obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks in the prior art, with a simple, rational and relatively economical solution.

These and other aims are attained by the characteristics reported in the independent claims. The dependent claims delineate preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In particular, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a localisation system, comprising:

- a first electronic device provided with emitter means for sending a radio signal,

- a second electronic device provided with receiver means for capturing a radio signal emitted by the first electronic device, processing means for determining a position of the first device on a basis of the captured signal, and emitter means for emitting a radio signal in which the position of the first device is codified, and

- a third electronic device provided with receiver means for capturing the signal emitted by the second electronic device, a viewing screen and processing means for displaying on the viewing screen an indication of the codified position in the captured signal.

With this solution, the first electronic device is provided to the individual to be controlled while the second and the third electronic device can both be provided to the controller individual.

The emitter means of the first electronic device and the receiver means of the second electronic device realise a first radio link, for example a wide-range radio connection, which enables the second electronic device to determine the position of the first device.

This localisation can occur even at large distances (for example a range of up to about 3 km in an urban context and up to about 15 km in a rural context) and without any need to use a GPS system.

The emitter means of the first electronic device and the receiver means of the second electronic device also realise a second radio link, for example a short-range radio connection, which enables the third electronic device to determine the position of the controlled individual and to display it on the display device so that it is known to the controller individual, without any need to use a GSM connection implying telephone charges.

As the third electronic device in practice only performs the "display function", this component does not need to be an ad hoc device, but can be any device provided with a display screen and programmed (or in any case programmable) to dialog with the electronic device.

In an aspect of the invention, the third electronic device can be for example a smart phone.

In this way, the controller individual does not have to carry other devices than the ones he or she usually has, as the smart phone can be used for the localisation system as well as for its other usual functions.

The second electronic device, on the other hand, performs only the function of localising and therefore does not need any display or other user interface system.

The second electronic device can therefore be miniaturised as far as possible, with the aim of not being unwieldy and uncomfortable for the controller individual carrying it.

In an aspect of the invention, the second electronic device can for example be integrated in a card, or in a flat and slim body which can have the dimensions of a credit card.

In this way, the second electronic device is extremely easy to carry and very small for the controller individual to keep; it can easily be kept for example in a pocked of an article of clothing or a wallet.

In a further embodiment, the second electronic device might also be inserted or integrated internally of a cover able to house the smart phone, so that the controller individual has the sensation of carrying one device only.

In a further aspect of the invention, the first electronic device can be integrated in an object that can be removably fixed to an article wearable by the controlled individual, for example but not exclusively a shoe, an article of clothing, a bag, a back-pack, a watch, a bracelet, a necklace or a hat or hood.

For this purpose, the first electronic device could be integrated in an object having engaging means, such as for example a pin, a clip, an adhesive portion or any other means able to removably engage it to the above- mentioned wearable article.

With this solution, the first electronic device can be solidly applied to the individual to be controlled, but can also be displaced as desired from one position to another, based on use situations, the comfort of the controlled individual, his or her preferences or simply on changing clothes.

It is however possible that in other embodiments the first electronic device can be directly removably incorporated in one of the above-mentioned wearable articles.

In a further aspect of the invention, the first electronic device can be contained internally of a sealed object.

Thanks to this solution, the localisation system is able to monitor also the position of persons who might get wet or even immersed in water, such as for example a child on a beach or who is swimming in the sea or a swimming pool.

For this purpose, the first electronic device might also for example be engaged or integrated in the bathing costume.

In a further aspect of the invention, the emitter means of the first electronic device and the receiver means of the second electronic device can be configured such as together to realise between them a Sub-GHz radio link (i.e. transmission of radio signals at a frequency of lower than 1 Ghz).

This type of radio link has the advantage of enabling transmission and reception of radio signals in a wide range and with low energy consumption, which enables effectively reducing the dimensions of both the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

In a further aspect of the invention, the emitter means of the second electronic device and the receiver means of the third electronic device are configured such as to realise a Bluetooth connection between them, for example a low-energy Bluetooth connection.

This type of connection provides a simple and secure system for exchanging data between the second device and the third device, and enables using, as the third "monitoring" device, the majority of the mobile electronic devices already in existence.

In an aspect of the invention, the processing means of the third electronic device can be configured so as to transmit a signal indicating the position of the first device to a further central control device.

With this solution, the position of the controlled individual can be known not only by the controller individual, who is in possession of the third electronic device, but also by the operators of a centralised monitoring service who are in possession of the central control device.

In this way, the central control device might be configured so as to send, automatically or on command of the operators, an alarm signal to the third electronic device (i.e. to the controller individual) and/or to the police or another assistance service, should the detected position of the controlled individual be judged perilous.

Naturally the central control device might be linked with multiple localisation systems of the above-delineated type, so as to monitor the position of a number of controlled individuals at the same time.

This centralised monitoring service might therefore provide a further degree of security to the controller individual, for example to the parent controlling the child, in a case of distraction or in a case in which the child has become momentarily separated from the third electronic device.

In an aspect of the invention, the third electronic device can be in communication with the central control device via a telephonic link, for example GSM, GPRS or UMTS.

In this way, the third electronic device and the central device can communicate with one another even over large distances by means of a simple and economical system, possible exploiting the internet network. A further embodiment of the present invention further discloses a localisation kit which comprises:

- a first electronic device provided with emitter means for sending a radio signal,

- a second electronic device provided with receiver means for capturing a radio signal emitted by the first electronic device, processing means for determining a position of the first device on a basis of the captured signal, and emitter means for emitting a radio signal in which the position of the first device is codified, and

- a software program comprising a digital code which, when run by processing means of a third electronic device, commands the processing means to perform steps of:

- capturing the signal emitted by the second device via receiver means of the third device and

- displaying on a viewing screen of the third device an indication of the codified position in the captured signal.

This embodiment of the invention enables implementing the localisation system described in the foregoing using any electronic device, for example a smart phone or another device provided with an electronic processing device and a display, which the controller individual is already in possession of.

In this way it is thus possible to realise the localisation system by providing the controller individual simply with the first and second electronic device and a software application which, when installed and executed enables the smart phone to perform the above-described operations.

Naturally all the aspects of the invention which have been described in the foregoing with reference to the localisation system are applicable also to this kit.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to an operating method of a localisation system, wherein the localisation system comprises:

- a first electronic device provided with radio emitter means,

- a second electronic device provided with radio receiver means, processing means, radio emitter means, and - a third electronic device provided with radio receiver means, a viewing screen and processing means,

and wherein the operating method includes:

- the emitting means of the first device sending a radio signal,

- the receiver means of the second device capturing the radio signal emitted by the first device, the processing means of the second device determining a position of the first device on a basis of the captured signal, the emitter means of the second device emitting a radio signal in which the position of the first device is codified

- the receiver means of the third device capturing the signal emitted by the second device and the processing means of the third device displaying on the viewing screen an indication of the codified position in the captured signal.

This embodiment of the invention substantially enables obtaining the same advantages connected with the localisation system described in the foregoing.

In this case too all the aspects of the invention which have been previously described with reference to the localisation system are also applicable to the operating method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from a reading of the following description, provided by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the figures illustrated in the appended tables of drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a localisation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to figure 1 , 100 denotes in its entirety a localisation system enabling a controller individual to monitor the position of the controlled individual.

The localisation system 100 is described in the following with reference to a case in which the controlled individual is a child 1 0 and the controller individual is a parent 105 desiring to keep the position of his or her child 110 under control, so that the child 110 does not wander too far or in order to find the child 10 if she or he wanders out of view.

It is however obvious that the localisation system 100 might equally be used for many other different aims, for example so as to monitor the position of an elderly person by a person responsible for the safety thereof, or so as to monitor the position of a worker by a manager or so as to monitor the position of animals or objects by their legal owners.

In the light of the preceding, the localisation system 100 primarily comprises a first electronic device 115, which is able to be carried by the child to be kept under watch 110.

The first electronic device 15 can comprise radio emitter means 120, for example one or more emitter antennae, which can constantly (or at regular intervals) emit a predetermined radio signal in the surrounding space.

The portable first electronic device 115 can further comprise a battery 125 for powering the emitter means 120.

The battery 125 is preferably a rechargeable battery, for example a battery that can be recharged with a wireless system.

The portable first electronic device 115, which term embraces the group of emitter means 120, the battery 125 and all eventual electrical and/or electronic accessories, is housed internally of an object 130 which can be carried by the child 110 under surveillance.

In this regard, the object 130 can be provided with engaging means 135 which enable removably engaging thereof to an article worn by the child 110, for example but not exclusively an article of clothing, a bag, a backpack or a hood.

The engaging means 135 can be of any type, among which for example a pin, a clip, an adhesive portion or any other means able to engage it to the above-mentioned wearable article.

The engaging means 135 can preferably be provided with a blocking system 140 which on the one hand ensures engagement, and on the other hand enables detaching the object 130 only by means of suitable tools that are provided to the parent 105. By way of example, the object 130 can be alike to a pin-like anti-shoplifting device, with a magnetic disengagement of the type of those applied to clothes inside boutiques.

In this way, the object 130 integrating the first electronic device 115 can be solidly applied to the child 110 to be controlled, but can also be displaced as desired from one position to another, based on use situations, the comfort of the child 110, his or her preferences or simply on changing clothes.

It is however possible that in other embodiments the first electronic device 115 can be directly removably incorporated in an article of clothing wearable by the child 110, for example but not exclusively a shoe, a watch or a bracelet.

The first electronic device 1 5 can be contained internally of the object 130 (or any other object it is integrated in) so as to be sealedly closed, so that it can be suited to being carried by the child 110 even when the child 110 is in places where it can get wet or indeed in which it is immersed in water, such as for example on a beach, in the sea or in a swimming pool. For example, the first electronic device 115 might also for example be engaged or integrated in the bathing costume.

The localisation system 100 further comprises a second portable electronic device 145, which is destined to be carried by the parent 105.

The second electronic device 145 comprises radio receiver means 150, for example one or more directional receiver antennae, which are able to capture the radio signal emitted by the emitter means 120 belonging to the first electronic device 115.

The emitter means 120 of the first electronic device 115 and the receiver means 150 of the second electronic device 145 are preferably able to realise between them a Sub-GHz radio link (or are respectively able to emit and receive a radio signal at a frequency of lower than 1 Ghz).

This radio link enables transmission and reception of radio signals in a wide range, typically a range of up to 3 km in an urban zone and up to 15 km in rural zones, with a low energy consumption, and with a low energy consumption, which enables effectively reducing the dimensions of both the first electronic device 115 and the second electronic device 145.

The second electronic device 145 further comprises processing means 155, for example a microprocessor or any other calculating unit, which are configured (or programmed) so as to determine, via analysis of the radio signal captured by the receiver means 150, the relative position of the first electronic device 115, and therefore of the child 110 to be controlled, with respect to the second electronic device 145 and therefore the parent 105. For example, the processing means 155 can be configured to analyse the intensity of the source direction of the radio signal captured and therefore to determine, on the basis of these parameters, the distance and the direction where the first electronic device 115 is located with respect to the second electronic device 145.

The second electronic device 145 further comprises radio emitter means 160, for example one or more emitter antennae, which are able to emit a radio signal in which the information relative to the position of the first electronic device 115 is codified, as has been determined by the processing means 155.

The second electronic device 145 can lastly comprise a battery 65 able to power the receiver means 150, the processing means 155 and the emitter means 160.

The battery 165 is preferably a rechargeable battery, for example a battery that can be recharged with a wireless system.

As the second electronic device 145 practically performs only the function of localising and therefore does not need any display or other user interface system, it can be miniaturised as much as possible, with the aim of not being awkward and unwieldy for the parent 05.

For example, the second electronic device 145, which term embraces the group of receiver means 150, processing means 155 and emitter means 60, the battery 165 and all eventual electrical and/or electronic accessories, can be integrated, i.e. incorporated, supported or contained, in a flat and slim object such as a card 170.

The card 170 can have variable dimensions, for example those of a credit card, or can also be smaller or larger according to particular cases.

It is further possible for the second electronic device 145 can be integrated in bodies of other shapes or dimensions, as long as they are in general not unwieldy and are easy to carry.

The localisation system 100 further comprises a third electronic portable device 175, which can also be carried by the parent 105.

This third electronic device 175 comprises radio receiver means 180, for example one or more receiver antennae, which are able to capture the radio signal emitted by the emitter means 160 of the second device 145 and containing the information on the position of the first device 115.

The emitter means 160 of the second electronic device 145 and the receiver means 180 of the third electronic device 175 can preferably be configured such as to realise between them a Bluetooth radio link, i.e. they are respectively able to emit and receive a radio signal according to a Bluetooth standard, for example a low-energy Bluetooth standard.

This radio connection in fact enables an exchange of data that is easy and secure at short range between the second electronic device 145 and the third electronic device 175.

The third electronic device 175 further comprises a display screen 185, for example a liquid crystal display, and processing means 190, for example a microprocessor or any other calculating unit, which are configured (or programmed) so as to decode the radio signal captured by the receiver means 180, relative to the position of the first electronic device 115, i.e. the child 110, and so as to display the information on the display device 85, in order to make the parent 105 aware of it.

The viewing of the position can naturally be done in many different ways according to specific cases, for example by signalling the point where the first electronic device 115 is located on a map, or simply by displaying an arrow indicating the direction the first electronic device 115 is located in, and a number indicating the distance of the first electronic device 115 in that direction.

The processing means (190 can further be configured such as to generate a visual and/or acoustic alarm, should the distance of the first electronic device 115, and therefore the child 10, exceed a predetermined threshold value, for example 100 metres.

This threshold value can possibly be regulated directly by the parent 105 using appropriate commands or interface means of the third electronic device 175.

In any case, the third electronic device 175 essentially has the function of a simple viewer or signaller; so that it can therefore be any portable electronic device, possibly also in the parent's 105 possession and provided with a display monitor, a Bluetooth type radio system and a calculating unit programmable to carry out the above-mentioned operations, such as for example a portable computer, laptop or hand-held computer.

The third electronic device 175 can preferably however be a smart phone, or a portable wireless electronic telephone which functions as and is programmable as a computer, and which almost everybody possesses today. In this way, the parent 105 does not have to carry other devices than the ones he or she usually has, as the smart phone can be used for the localisation system as well as for its other usual functions.

To implement the localisation system, it is therefore simply possible to install on the smart phone a software application (App) which when run by the processing means 190 is such that the processing means 190 carry out the operations described in the foregoing.

In this context, the localisation system 100 might also comprise a cover 195 for the smart phone, internally of which the second electronic device 145 can be housed or possibly integrated, so that the parent 105 has the sensation of carrying one device only and can localise the child 110 using the smart phone.

Especially in a case where a smart phone is used (but not only), the third electronic device 175 can further comprise connection means 200 to a wireless telephone network, for example a GSM, GPRS, UMTS network, through which it can be placed in communication with a central control device 205. The central control device 205 can be any electrical and/or electronic device (for example a computer, a laptop etc.) provided with a telephone card (taken to be a hardware component) or any other connection means 210 which enables it to receive signals and/or data from the third electronic device 175 via a telephone line, possibly by means of the internet data network.

This central control device 205 can be located in a remote position, for example in an operating station of an assistance service to which the parent 105 can subscribe.

With this connection, the processing means 190 of the third electronic device 175 can be further configured (or programmed) to transmit to the central control device 205 a signal in which the position of the first electronic device 15 is codified, i.e. the child 110, which has been detected by the second electronic device 145.

The central control device 205 can be in turn provided with a processing unit 215 configured so as to make the position explicit to an operator, for example via appropriate interface means or signalling means, such as loudspeakers, monitors or other systems.

Should the position of the child 110 be potentially perilous, the operator of the assistance service can send an alarm signal to the third electronic device 175, for example in a text message form, and if necessary alert the police. In some cases these further operations might be carried out directly from the central control device 205, automatically and without the intervention of the operator.

The processing unit 215 of the central control device 205 might possibly be further configured to make the position of the first electronic device 115 available (and therefore the location of the child 110) in real time on an internet site, for example an internet site accessible only by login, so as to enable another authorised person, for example the second parent, to control the position of the child 110 via any point of access to the internet.

The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept. Further, all the details can be replaced with other technically-equivalent elements. In practice the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, can be any according to requirements, without forsaking the scope of protection of the following claims.