Abstract:
The invention relates to a location method, a locating device, a locating arrangement and a computer program for tracking an object, such as a dog. The method utilises GPS locating, the event time of which may be controlled by the user. In addition, the user may define a data transmission network via which location data are primarily communicated to the tracker&#39;s device. By means of the frequency of measurements and the data transmission network used, the power consumption of the locating device of the object being tracked is minimised.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a method, a device, a device arrangement and a computer program for tracking a living, moving object, such as a dog. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Different tracking arrangements exist for tracking a moving object, such as, for example, a hunting dog. One may attach to a dog, for example, a radio transmitter the analog signal transmitted by which is monitored with an appropriate directional antenna. With this arrangement, one is able to detect the direction of the dog and, on the basis of the level of a received signal, to make an assessment, even though not a very accurate one, on how far away the dog with its radio transmitter is. The described arrangement has disadvantages. If there exist several separate objects being tracked in the same area, tracking devices may disturb each other. This happens, for example, when two or more devices use the same frequency in tracking. The frequency band assigned to different tracking systems varies from one country to another. Thus, this situation is not rare in such countries in which the used frequency band is narrow and there is a considerable number of users. In addition, the continuous on-mode of the transmitter consumes the power of the battery of the transmitter, and thus its operating time is limited with one charging. 
     Also known is a tracking solution which utilises GPS (Global Positioning System) locating and a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) network. In this tracking method, the GPS locator is at least in the device carried by the dog being tracked. The transmitter carried by the dog transmits the result of location performed by means of the GPS either as an SMS (Short Message Service) message or a data call to the tracker&#39;s device via a conventional GSM network. The tracker&#39;s device may also utilise a map base describing the area, in which case the location of the dog being tracked may be indicated with said map. 
     The system may function in several modes. First, it may function with a call principle, in which case the tracker transmits a locating call. To this, the device carried by the object being tracked responds with an SMS message which includes location data. This arrangement is not totally real-time, but the tracker has either the result of previously performed location in his/her use, or the tracker will have to perform a new location which requires time. 
     Tracking may also be periodic, in which case location data are transmitted after a defined time has elapsed. Each tracking result is communicated by using a data call. 
     Tracking may also be area-specific, in which case if the object being tracked stays within a defined area, no location data are communicated. 
     If one wishes to communicate location data to several tracking devices at the same time, one has to transmit for each tracking device either its own SMS message or connect a data call connection. SMS messages are always charged on the basis of transmitted messages. Thus, in this tracking arrangement, the “continuous tracking” of the object is relatively expensive, because one has to pay a price defined by the operator for messages communicated of each transmitted location data. 
     A problem of continuous tracking is mainly the power consumption of the terminal carried by the object being tracked. The charge in the terminal battery will not be sufficient for long, if the data transmission connection is continuously on. The requirement is thus to transmit location data only when someone requires it, but then as real-time and continuously as possible. Also the GPS locator consumes plenty of the charge in the terminal batteries, and thus its continuous on-mode essentially shortens the operating time of the terminal. The worst possible situation is that the device has poor reception and the connection breaks off after a locating request. Then, it is possible that the terminal keeps transmitting location data with full power to an unattainable user and, because of this, the power of the battery of the terminal runs down fast. 
     SUMMARY 
     The object of the invention is to present a method and a device arrangement with which one is able to track a desired object, such as a hunting dog, by minimising the power consumption of the device carried by the object being tracked and simultaneously by optimising the connection mode utilised but in real-time, if desired. 
     The objects of the invention are achieved with a tracking method and device arrangement in which the location data of the object being tracked are communicated to the tracker&#39;s device by utilising appropriate packet-switched data transmission, when such is available. One may utilise, for example, a UMTS/GPRS, an EDGE/GPRS or a GSM/GPRS network as the transmission path. If no packet-switched network is available, location data may be communicated via a circuit-switched GSM connection or as a direct radio transmission to the tracker&#39;s device. 
     An advantage of the invention is that the operating time of the locating device carried by the object being tracked with one charging of the battery may be maximised by controlling the search of location data and the transfer of location data according to requirements. 
     A further advantage of the invention is that real-time location data including the location of the object may be cost-effectively transferred with a packet-switched connection, when such is available. 
     Furthermore, an advantage of the invention is that the location data of the object may also be transferred in a circuit-switched GSM network or via a direct radio link to the tracker&#39;s terminal, if a packet-switched connection is not available. 
     A further advantage of the invention is that location data may be communicated simultaneously to several tracking devices via a cellular network. 
     Furthermore, an advantage of the invention is that the tracking costs of the object only consist of the amount of data transferred, even though the tracking connection is connected all the time. 
     A further advantage of the invention is that the definition of the operation of the object being tracked may be performed by using the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card of the object being tracked. 
     Additionally, an advantage of the invention is that, by means of it, one is able to implement a locating and pickup service of the object being tracked, for example, as a purchasable service, in which case the owner of the object does not have to possess a device capable of tracking the object. 
     The method, the tracking device, the tracking arrangement and the computer program implementing the tracking arrangement according to the invention are characterised by what is presented in the independent claims. 
     Some advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. 
     The basic idea of the invention is the following: A module is attached to an object to be tracked, such as a hunting dog, which module advantageously comprises a GPS locator, a terminal operating in a cellular network, such as GSM/GPRS, and a radio transmitter. The location of the object is performed with the GPS locator either at defined intervals or continuously. Location data are advantageously communicated using a packet-switched data transmission connection to the tracker&#39;s device, if such a data transmission connection is available. If no packet-switched connection is available, one utilises either a circuit-switched cellular network, such as a GSM network, or a direct radio connection to the tracker&#39;s terminal. The tracker means either the owner of the dog or an organisation which provides locating services of the object. The service of the organisation may include, in addition to tracking the object located, also the pickup of the object and its return to the owner. With a method according to the invention, one may maximise the operating time of the terminal carried by the object being tracked with one charging of the battery. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described in detail. The description refers to the accompanying figures in which 
         FIG. 1   a  shows by way of examples the primary parts of a tracking arrangement according to the invention, 
         FIG. 1   b  shows by way of examples the primary parts of a tracking device according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2   a  shows an exemplary flow chart of the selection of a tracking mode of the tracking method according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2   b  shows an exemplary flow chart of the operation mode of “tracking at command” of the tracking method according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2   c  shows an exemplary flow chart of the operation mode of “periodic tracking” of the tracking method according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2   d  shows an exemplary flow chart of the operation mode of “continuous tracking” of the tracking method according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2   e  shows an exemplary flow chart of the operation mode of “area tracking” of the tracking method according to the invention, 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary flow chart of the definition process of a data transmission mode of location data. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1   a  shows by way of examples a tracking and locating arrangement according to the invention. Designation  10  refers to a data transmission network which may operate either circuit-switched or packet-switched. The data transmission network shown in  FIG. 1   a  is utilised in transferring the location data of an object  1  being tracked to a defined tracking device  3 ,  5  or  7 . The data transmission network  10  may communicate, for example, UMTS/GPRS, EDGE/GPRS, GSM/GPRS or GSM/SMS messages. 
     The location data of the object  1  being tracked are measured with a locating device  2  carried by the object  1  being tracked which device, in the example of  FIG. 1   a , advantageously comprises both a prior-art GPRS terminal and a GPS locator. The GPS locator may be controlled to perform locating measurements either continuously, periodically, when a defined condition is realised or only at a given locating command. The data transmission connection from the locating device  2  carried by the object  1  being tracked to the GSM/GPRS network  10  is implemented via a wireless data transmission connection  11  according to prior art. The locating device  2  carried by the object  1  being tracked also comprises a SIM card according to prior art which identifies the GPRS subscription used in data transmission. By utilising the features of the SIM card, one is also able to change the operation mode of the locating device  2  at a command given via radio at any time. 
     In the transfer of location data, the locating device  2  may use, for example, one of the following data transmission modes: a UMTS/GPRS, an EDGE/GPRS, a GSM/GPRS, a GSM/SMS message. It may also establish a direct radio connection to the tracker&#39;s device, if no connection to a cellular network  10  can be established. The order in which the locating device  2  tries to utilise available data transmission networks may be decided by the user of the tracking device  3 . The tracker may then choose the network connection order such that the transmit power of the locating device  2  in the direction of the data transmission network  10  is as small as possible for saving the battery capacity of the locating device  2 . In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the utilising order of data transmission modes is programmable by utilising the SIM card of the locating device  2 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 1   a , the main user of the arrangement possesses a tracking device  3 ,  5  which is advantageously a so-called communicator  3 . In this context, it means a terminal of a cellular network  10  equipped with additional functions which communicates via a wireless connection  12  with the exemplary GSM/GPRS network  10  of  FIG. 1   a . It advantageously includes a large or largish display unit  4  which may show a map base of the area in which the object  1  being tracked is moving. The GPS location data of the object  1  being tracked may be shown on this map base. At the same time, one may advantageously track several objects  1  being tracked with the same tracking device  3 . This is possible if the tracking device  3  comprises data on each SIM card of the locating devices  2  carried by the objects pertaining in tracking. By means of the tracking device  3 , one may change the settings and the locating mode of the locating device  2  carried by the object  1  being tracked, if necessary. 
     In the arrangement according to the invention, the location data of the object being tracked may also be communicated to conventional cellular-network terminals  5  by means of a wireless data transmission connection  13 . This is advantageous, for example, when a hunting group is in question. This operation requires a separate server unit (not shown in  FIG. 1   a ) which has a fixed IP address into which conventional terminals  5  may establish a data transmission connection. The location data on the server may then by shown on a display  6  of the terminal  5 , either on a map base, as coordinate data or distance data from a defined point. Also with conventional cellular-network terminals  5 , one may change the locating settings of the locating device  2  carried by the object  1  being tracked. 
     As in the example of  FIG. 1   a  a GPRS connection is used in data transmission from the locating device  2  of the object  1  being tracked, the data transmission connection  11  is in principle always connected. However, one only has to pay for the amount of data transferred. Thus, with this tracking procedure according to the invention, the tracker may always affect with his/her actions the total costs of the tracking of the object  1 . If continuous tracking is required, location data are continuously transmitted over the GPRS connection, which obviously incurs additional costs to the tracker. On the other hand, if location data are required only rarely, the location may be performed, for example, only at a command given by the tracker. Then, data transmission costs remain minimal, because only transmitted data incur costs. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tracking of the object  1  has been left to an organisation  7  to attend to. This organisation has in its use a data processing system  8  which comprises the identifying data of the SIM cards of the locating devices  2  of objects  1  being tracked. The data processing system  8  is connected to a data transmission network  10  via a data transmission connection  14 . From the data processing system  8 , one may give a command which is directed to a chosen locating device  2  and launches GPS locating in it. It is also possible that the measurement is active all the time, and that the location data are communicated real-time to said data processing system  8 . The location data are thus stored to the data processing system  8  always when desired. In this embodiment of the invention, the owner of the object being tracked does not require a terminal  3  or  5  capable of tracking the object  1  in his/her use. It is sufficient to have a contact when desired to the organisation  7  from which the location data of the defined object  1  being tracked are available. 
     The organisation  7  may also offer a pickup and return service of the object  1  being tracked either by utilising the pickup service of the organisation  7  or by utilising, for example, the services of taxi cabs  17 . Taxi cabs  17  are well suited for a pickup service, because they have a GPRS data transmission connection based on their own order system and appropriate locating and map systems which are utilised in the planning of routes. In the example of  FIG. 1   a , taxi cabs  17  utilise a geographical data/order data system on a server  15 . This data processing system is connected with a data transmission connection  16  to the same data transmission network  10  as the data processing system  8  of the organisation  7 . In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the data processing system  8  transmits a message to the geographical data server  15  used by taxi cabs. This message includes the geographical data of the object  1  being tracked. The geographical data are communicated via data transmission connections  16  and  18  to an appropriate taxi cab. By means of this geographical data, the taxi cab  17  finds the object  1  and, if necessary, delivers it to the owner. 
       FIG. 1   b  shows by way of examples a locating device  2  according to the invention.  FIG. 1   b  shows by way of examples the principal parts of such a locating device  2  in which the tracking method according to the invention is utilised. The locating device  2  uses an antenna  201  in transmitting and receiving signals in the data transmission network. Designation  202  refers to the receiver means RX of the locating device. The receiver RX comprises means according to prior art for all messages or signals being received. 
     Designation  203  refers to those means which form a transmitter TX of the locating device  2 . The transmitter means  203  perform all signal processing operations for the signal being transmitted required when utilising a data transmission network. 
     An essential part of the locating device  2  is a GPS locator  206 . It receives geographical data from GPS satellites advantageously via the antenna  201 . 
     Additionally, from the viewpoint of utilising the invention, central parts of the locating device  2  are a central processing unit  204  controlling its operation and a memory  205  of the locating device  2  in which the software application required in the implementation of the locating method according to the invention is advantageously stored. As one operates in a cellular network according to prior art, such as in a GSM/GPRS network, the locating device  2  also requires a SIM card (not shown in  FIG. 1   b ) for its operation. By means of the data on the SIM card, each locating device  2  may be identified. The SIM card may also be utilised in optimising the functions of the locating device  2 . By utilising the SIM card, the locating device  2  may be controlled to use such a data transmission network  10  in which the transmission power of the transmitter  203  is as small as possible. 
     The central processing unit  204  controls the locating operation according to the invention based on commands received from the tracker&#39;s device  3 . The central processing unit  204  advantageously stores the location data calculated in the GPS locator in the memory  205 . According to the defined operation models in  FIGS. 2   a - e , the central processing unit  204  directs location data to the transmitter  203 . The transmission of location data may occur either immediately after the locating result has been completed or when a defined decision criterion is realised. A packet-switched data transmission connection, such as GPRS in the case of a GSM network, is used in data transmission. 
       FIG. 2   a  shows an exemplary flow chart of possible tracking modes to be selected. In stage  20 , tracking is commenced. This may be performed, for example, by activating a software application according to the invention in the communicator  3  of  FIG. 1   a . Then, the user has in stage  21  a possibility to select from four different tracking modes. If he/she selects alternative  22 , location data are updated and displayed only at a locating command transmitted by the tracker. By selecting alternative  23 , location data are automatically updated at defined intervals, for example, at the intervals of one or ten minutes. Alternative  24  utilises continuous location, and location data are transferred real-time, for example, via a packet-switched GPRS connection to the tracker&#39;s device  3 . Alternative  25  utilises a tracking condition set in the locating device  2  of the object  1  being tracked. If the measured geographical data alter more than a set limit value, the data transmission of locating measurement is commenced to the tracker&#39;s device  3  without a separate command. In other cases, no location data are transferred. 
       FIG. 2   b  shows an exemplary flow chart of the operational principal stages of alternative  22 , tracking at command. In this embodiment, the tracking of the object  1  is commenced in stage  22 . Then, a locating command is transmitted with the tracker&#39;s communicator  3 , stage  221 . A defined time elapses after a command transmitted to the locating device  2 , delay  222 , whereby location may be performed in the locating device  2 , if the locating device  2  does not already have in its use location finding data more recent than the defined time. If appropriate location data are available, these data are transmitted, and the GPS locator  206  is not turned on for saving the power of batteries. If location is however required, a defined time window for the use of the GPS locator  206  may be set in which the location finding has to succeed. If it does not succeed during this time, the GPS locator  206  is turned off for saving the power of batteries and the last geographical data stored in the memory of the locating device  2  are transmitted to the tracker&#39;s terminal  3 . 
     After a defined delay in stage  223 , the tracker&#39;s terminal  3  checks if location data have been received or not. If no location data have been received, advantageously a new locating command is transmitted. Commands are transmitted so long that location data are received or the tracker finishes locating attempts. 
     If in stage  223  location data are verified received, one passes to stage  224 . In it, location data are stored in the memory of a communicator  3  or other tracking arrangement  8 . If required, received location data may also be displayed on the display of the tracking device or arrangement. The locating process ends after this in stage  225 . 
       FIG. 2   c  shows an exemplary flow chart of the operational principal stages of alternative  23 , periodical tracking. In stage  23 , periodical tracking is commenced. Then advantageously, a command is transmitted to the locating device  2  of the object  1  being tracked which command controls it to periodical tracking. This means that location is automatically performed at defined intervals, until a command ending the location is given to the locating device. 
     Between two successive location findings, there is a measurement delay  231  which may be defined as long as desired. When the time delay  231  has elapsed of the previous location, a new location is performed, stage  232 . The result of locating is transmitted via the GPRS connection to the tracker&#39;s device  3 . As the tracker&#39;s device  3  is aware of the interval between locations, it is able to compute if it should have received location data or not, stage  233 . If no location data have been received in the defined time, it is advantageously possible to transmit a new separate locating command for an immediate location. 
     If location data have been verified received in stage  233 , one examines in stage  234  if locating is desired to continue. If the comparison in stage  234  gives the result NO, locating is ended in stage  236 . 
     However, if one wishes to continue locating, one moves from stage  234  to stage  235  in which the received location data are stored in the receiver&#39;s device  3  and in which they are displayed on the display unit  4  of the device, if required. After this, the locating process according to the invention returns to stage  231  in which the delay between measurements is commenced. After the measurement time delay  231  has elapsed, a new locating measurement is commenced. Thus, the locating process is automatically repeated so long that in stage  234  one establishes in a certain phase that there is no need to continue locating. 
       FIG. 2   d  shows an exemplary flow chart of the operational principal stages of alternative  24 , continuous tracking. The time how soon after the previous location finding a new finding is performed is advantageously definable by the tracker. The SIM card included in the locating device  2  may also be utilised in location finding. 
     In stage  24 , continuous tracking is commenced. Then advantageously, a command is transmitted to the locating device  2  of the object  1  being tracked which command controls it to perform locating measurements continuously and to communicate them immediately, for example, by means of a GPRS data transmission connection to the tracker&#39;s device  3 . 
     Locating measurement is performed in stage  241 , if no adequately new locating result exists in the memory  205  of the locating device  2 . The locating result, either a result from the memory or a new result measured, is transmitted, for example, via a GPRS connection, stage  242 . In stage  243 , the tracker&#39;s device  3  receives the transmitted location data. The location data received in stage  244  are stored in the memory of the tracker&#39;s device  3 . Advantageously, they are also simultaneously displayed on the display unit  4  included in the tracker&#39;s device  3 . When the storing has been performed, in stage  245 , one tests if location is desired to continue. If the decision is YES, the tracker&#39;s device advantageously transmits a measurement continuation message to the locating device  2 . Then, the locating process commences again from stage  241  and a new locating measurement is performed. The locating process is repeated so long that, in stage  245 , one establishes that location is wished to be ended. Then, a separate ending command is transmitted by the tracker&#39;s communicator  3  in stage  246 . After receiving this ending command, the locating device  2  of the object being tracked turns off its GPS locator, but advantageously leaves its GPRS transmitter-receiver in stand-by mode. This action considerably saves the power of the batteries of the locating device  2 , because the continuous operation of the GPS locator consumes a lot of power. If the locating device  2  has moved to such a location that it cannot receive messages from the tracking device  3 , it will turn off its GPS locator  206  after a user-defined time has elapsed for saving the power of batteries. 
       FIG. 2   e  shows an exemplary flow chart of the operational principal stages of alternative  25 , area tracking. This means that the locating device  2  performs GPS measurements at desired intervals or continuously. So long as the locating result shows that the object  1  being tracked has remained in an area pre-defined for it, no data on it are communicated to the tracker&#39;s device  3 . 
     In stage  25 , area tracking is commenced. Then advantageously, a command is transmitted to the locating device  2  of the object  1  being tracked which command controls it to area tracking. In stage  251 , location is performed. If in stage  252  one verifies that the locating result is within the allowed geographical area, one moves to stage  253  which represents the time between two successive locations. When said time has elapsed, a new location is performed in stage  251 , and its result is verified in stage  252 . This loop runs so long that finally, in stage  252 , one establishes that the locating result is outside the defined geographical area. Then, a message is transmitted with the GPRS connection in stage  254  to the tracker&#39;s device  3 . Advantageously, the received locating result is also displayed in the tracker&#39;s device and area tracking ends in stage  255 . After this, the tracker may with his/her own device  3  control the locating device  2  of the object  1  being tracked to some other above-described tracking mode  22 ,  23  or  24 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary flow chart of the selection of data transmission mode performed in the tracking method according to the invention. The selection order presented in the flow chart is only exemplary. The order is advantageously changeable by the tracker. Changes may be performed utilising the SIM card of the locating device  2 . 
     In stage  301 , tracking of the object is commenced. In stage  302 , locating measurement is performed in one of the above-described modes  22 ,  23 ,  24  or  25 . When the first locating result exists, a data transmission apparatus pertaining to the locating device  2  tries to connect to a servicing data transmission network  10 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , a packet-switched data transmission mode has been selected as the primary data transmission mode. In stage  303 , one tests if packet-switched data transmission may be utilised or not. Within the packet-switched data transmission mode there may be, for example, UMTS/GPRS, EDGE/GPRS or GSM/GPRS (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) set to a preferential order. If one establishes that a packet-switched data transmission connection is possible, existing geographical data are transmitted and one moves to stage  307 . In stage  307 , the tracker may end the tracking of the object by selecting alternative NO. In an advantageous embodiment, the ending command of measurement is communicated with a separate command to the locating device  2 . Then, the locating device  2  is set to a stand-by mode in which at least the GPS locator  206  is turned off. 
     If in stage  307  one decides to continue locating measurements, the alternative YES, then the tracker&#39;s terminal  3  advantageously transmits a message representing the continuation of measurement to the locating device  2 . Then, the process continues from stage  302  in which the next location finding is performed. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locating device  2  is set to a stand-by mode  308 , if it does not receive a continuation message of measurement during a defined time window. This may be a consequence of a selection of the alternative NO in stage  307 . 
     If one establishes in stage  303  that it is not possible to utilise packet-switched data transmission, one moves to stage  304 . In stage  304 , one examines if a circuit-switched connection can be established. If it is possible to connect, the alternative YES, a connection Is established, an SMS message including the geographical data is transmitted and one moves to stage  307  in which one decides on the continuation of locating in a above-described manner. 
     If it is not possible to establish a circuit-switched connection, one moves to stage  305  in which one examines if a direct radio connection between the locating device  2  and the tracker&#39;s terminal  3  may be achieved. If this is possible, a radio connection is connected and geographical data are transmitted. After this, one moves to stage  307  either immediately or after a user-defined time has elapsed. In stage  307 , one acts in the above-described manner. 
     If a bidirectional radio connection is not possible, it is possible to control the locating device  2  to operate as a radio bearing transmitter in stage  306 . This transmission may take a bearing with an appropriate directional receiver (not shown in  FIG. 1   a ). Then, no GPS geographical data are included in the transmission, because the GPS locator  206  is advantageously turned off for saving the power of the batteries of the locating device  2 . The user can also define the duration of stage  306 . When the time defined for stage  306  has elapsed, one returns to stage  307 . After this, it is possible to try again a data transmission connection via a data transmission network. 
     The above-described method stages are implemented with two software applications. A first software application is installed in the tracker&#39;s device  3 . By means of it, one may define the operation model of the locating device  2 , transmit commands to the tracking device  2  and display the obtained locating result on the display of the locating device  2 . 
     A second software application is installed in the locating device  2 . It controls performing locations and data transmission based on commands received from the tracker&#39;s device  3 . 
     Above are described advantageous embodiments of a locating method, device and locating arrangement according to the invention. The invention is not limited to the above-described solutions, but it is possible to apply the inventive idea with several ways within the limitations set by the claims.