Patent Publication Number: US-2002004720-A1

Title: Personal monitoring system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to monitoring the location and/or status of an object and, in particular, to the personal monitoring of the location of a vehicle from a location remote from the vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002] Location and status monitoring systems have been in existence for a good number of years, especially so since the introduction of the GPS satellite system for the provision of positional information. Vehicle monitoring systems provide a user, who is remote from the vehicle, with information regarding the position and status of the vehicle being monitored. Further functionality includes the ability to continuously track the position of a vehicle, within a predefined geographical area, often accompanied by the simultaneous updating of the vehicle&#39;s location on a map of the predetermined geographical area.  
       [0003] Traditionally, vehicle monitoring systems have been built around a central database, resident on a central computer, which further incorporated maps of the predetermined geographical area. This has given rise to so-called third party monitoring, where monitoring of a vehicle is performed for a fee and is usually accompanied by a service contract for a specified period of time, Such systems tend to be costly and monitoring of private vehicles is typically only invoked in abnormal circumstances, such as when the vehicle has been reported stolen. However, these available systems become economically justifiable in the case of high value vehicles and particularly so in the case of vehicles transporting valuable cargo. Vehicle monitoring systems also tend to be more available in countries or regions which experience a higher number of instances of vehicle theft.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more deficiencies with existing object monitoring systems. The principles of the present invention address this object through a system whereby a user, remote from an object being monitored, is provided with location and/or status information in respect of the object in a verbal form, thus requiring no further apparatus by the remote user than a landline telephone handset, a mobile telephone handset or a radio transceiver.  
       [0005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for monitoring the location of a mobile object, said system comprising:  
       [0006] (i) apparatus associated with said object, said apparatus comprising:  
       [0007] a position determination device for determining the location of said object;  
       [0008] a processor for interpreting said determined location and generating a verbal message to convey said determined location;  
       [0009] a radio communication device for communication of said verbal message; and  
       [0010] (ii) communications apparatus operable by a user of said system and configurable to receive communication of said verbal message from said apparatus and provide an audible representation thereof to the user.  
       [0011] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of monitoring the location of a mobile object, said method comprising the steps of:  
       [0012] (i) establishing a radio communications link between a user at a location remote from said object, and an apparatus associated with said object;  
       [0013] (ii) determining the location of said object by said apparatus;  
       [0014] (iii) generating a verbal message, by said apparatus, to convey said object location;  
       [0015] (iv) delivering said verbal message by said radio comnnunications link; and  
       [0016] (v) audibly announcing said verbal message to said remote user.  
       [0017] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus associated with a mobile object said apparatus comprising:  
       [0018] a position determination device for determining the location of said object; and  
       [0019] a processor for interpreting said determined location and generating a verbal message to convey said determined location.  
       [0020] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for monitoring an object, said system comprising:  
       [0021] (i) apparatus associated with said object, said apparatus comprising:  
       [0022] one or more acquisition devices for acquirng data relating to the status of said object;  
       [0023] a processor for interpreting said acquired data and for generating messages;  
       [0024] a speech processor for converting said generated messages to verbal messages;  
       [0025] a radio communication device for communication of said verbal messages; and  
       [0026] (ii) communications apparatus operable by a user of said system and confguable to receive communication of said verbal messages from said apparatus and provide an audible representation thereof to said user.  
       [0027] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring an object, said method comprising the steps of:  
       [0028] establishing a radio communications link between a user at a location remote from said object, and an apparatus associated with said object;  
       [0029] determining the status of said object by said apparatus;  
       [0030] generating a verbal message, by said apparatus;  
       [0031] delivering said verbal message by said radio communications link; and  
       [0032] audibly announcing said verbal message to said remote user.  
       [0033] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus associated with an object, said apparatus comprising:  
       [0034] one or more acquisition devices for acquiring data relating to the status of said object;  
       [0035] a processor for interpreting said acquired data and for generating messages;  
       [0036] a speech processor for converting said generated messages to verbal messages; and  
       [0037] a radio communication device for communication of said verbal messages. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0038] At least one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0039]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram representation of a vehicle monitoring system;  
     [0040]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram representation of a first arrangement of the mobile monitoring module of FIG. 1;  
     [0041]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram representation of the main control unit of Fig,  2 ;  
     [0042]FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram representation of a second arrangement of the mobile monitoring module of Fig,  1 ;  
     [0043]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram representation of a stationary monitoring system;  
     [0044]FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram representation of a first arrangement of the monitoring module of FIG. 5;  
     [0045]FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram representation of the main control unit of FIG. 6; and  
     [0046]FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram representation of a second arrangement of the monitoring module of Fig. 5. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION INCLUDING BEST MODE  
     [0047] A first arrangement described relates to a personal monitoring system, having a module arranged within a motor vehicle to be monitored, for providing a user, remote from said vehicle, with audible information concerning location and status of the vehicle. Vehicle location information is acquired by a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver arranged in the module that utilize signals derived from a number of GPS satellites in space and orbiting the earth. Vehicle status information is acquired by the module directly from the vehicle being monitored. The vehicle status information typically includes one or more of speed, distance travelled, engine revolutions, engine temperature and quantity of fuel remaining. Furthermore, the vehicle monitoring system can also provide the remote user with the ability to exercise a degree of control over the vehicle. Such control includes the remote locking and unlocking of doors of the vehicle, sounding the horn of the vehicle, and immobilisation and de-immobilisation of said vehicle. Control of the vehicle and access to location and status information of the vehicle may be restricted by the requirement of one or more Personal Identification Code (PIN code) entries by said remote user.  
     [0048]FIG. 1 shows a vehicle monitoring system  10  that enables a user, in possession of a communication device such as a landline telephone handset  20  or a mobile telephone handset  22 , to monitor a motor vehicle  12  in which a monitoring module  30  is configured. The module  30  incorporates a GPS receiver antenna  34  for receiving CYPS signals  26  from one or more orbiting GPS satellites  14 . The module  30  also incorporates a radio frequency antenna  32  for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals  28  via a similar antenna  24  forming part of a base station  16 . The base station  16  is coupled to a communications network  18  to which the handsets  20  and  22  form a part thereof thereby enabling tbe user to communicate with the module  30  for monitoring purposes.  
     [0049]FIG. 2 shows a first arrangement of the module  30  for use where the base station  16  is a cellular base station in a mobile telephone network. Such a network may use one of a number of communication standards such as GSM or CDMA.  
     [0050] The module  30  is installed within the motor vehicle  12  preferably in a covert manner such that the presence of the module  30  is not obvious to a person seated within, or looking into, the motor vehicle  12 . The module  30  includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver unit  36 , which receives GPS signals from the antenna  34  and outputs GPS position information  50  to a main control unit  40 . The GPS receiver unit  36  can incorporate means for differentially correcting GPS position information, and thus supply differentially corrected GPS (DGPS) information to the main control unit  40 . The module  30  also includes a cellular telephone unit  38  corresponding in function to those found in cellular handsets, such as the handset  22 . The unit  38  connects to the antenna  32   a  for radio frequency communication with the base station  16  and provides an automated means of origination and reception of telephone calls, outputting audio signals  52  to the main control unit  40  and receiving signals  54  from the main control unit  40  for transmission.  
     [0051] The main control unit  40  receives the GPS position information  50  and operates to provide position details or telephone audio for output via a loudspeaker  44  or via the cellular unit  38  using the connection  54 . A microphone  46  enables a person within the motor vehicle  12  to utilize the cellular telephone unit  38  as a traditional mobile telephone, this being facilitated through the provision of a hand-held DTMF dialler device  48 , known in the arts FIG. 2 also shows an interface  42  by which the control unit  40  may be coupled to one or more systems of the motor vehicle  12  for control or monitoring, as will be described.  
     [0052]FIG. 3 shows a more detailed view of the main control unit  40  contained within the module  30 . The main control unit  40  includes a memory  72  which provides a means of storing an information database containing digitally coded messages of names of streets, suburbs and places for audio reproduction to a user, as will be later described.  
     [0053] Other types of information may also be stored in the memory  72 . The memory  72  may be formed either in whole or in part by a removable memory card  74 , such as a smartcard or PCMCIA card, which may facilitate numerous different information databases containing information specific to a particular geographical area or to a particular language translation. A processor  56  is configured to access digitally coded messages  76  stored in memory  72  and forward these messages via a connection  78  to a speech processor  80 .  
     [0054] The speech processor  80  converts the digitally coded message to an audio signal which is routed to an audio multiplexer  98  by a connection  82 . The audio multiplexer  98 , under control of the processor  56  by means of control line  100 , routes the audio signal from the speech processor  80  either to the cellular telephone unit  38  via audio output line  54  or to the loudspeaker  44 , in which case the low level audio signal  90  is amplified by amplifier  92 .  
     [0055] As mentioned above, use of the cellular telephone unit  38  as a traditional mobile telephone is facilitated through the provisional of a hand-held DTMF dialler device  48  which, when operated, couples acoustically to the microphone  46 . Audio signals captured by microphone  46  are amplified by an amplifier  94  and routed to the audio multiplexer via connection  96  for forwarding to cellular telephone unit  38  via audio output path  54 .  
     [0056] Using the hand-held DTMF dialler device  48 , in a similar manner, an occupant of vehicle  12  is further able to enter instructions, select menu choices or reconfigure the operating parameters of module  30 , in this instance, DTMF tones generated by the dialler device  48  are routed by the audio multiplexer  98  to a DTMF decoder  84  via audio path  88 . The decoded tones  86  are then fed to the processor  56 .  
     [0057] In a similar manner, a user in possession of a communication device such as the landline telephone handset  20  or the mobile telephone handset  22  is able to issue instructions, select menu options or reconfigure the operating parameters of module  30  by similar DTMF tone generation means contained within those handsets  20  or  22 . The DTMF audio tones generated in this way are received by cellular telephone unit  38  in a manner previously described. The DTMF audio tones are then routed to the audio multiplexer  98  by means of audio input  52  and passed to the processor  56  via a DTMF decoder  84  in the same manner as DTMF audio tones captured by microphone  46 .  
     [0058] An alternative means of issuing commands, selecting menu options or reconfiguring the operating parameters of module  30 , by a user in possession of a communication device such as a landline telephone handset  20  or a mobile telephone handset  22  or an occupant within the vehicle  12 , is by an audio speech recognition function provided within speech processor  80 . Human speech originating from a user is supplied to the audio multiplexer  98  via the connection  52  or  96  and routed via a bi-directional audio connection  82  to the speech recognition arrangement within the speech processor  80 . The speech recognition arrangement converts the audio signal  82  to a digital signal  78  for input to the processor  56 .  
     [0059] The processor  56  also sends commands to and receives information from vehicle systems interface  42  via bi-directional link  58 . In this manner it is possible for a user in possession of a communication device such as a landline telephone handset  20  or a mobile telephone handset  22  to activate central locking  60 , mute the sound system  62 , immobilise the engine  68  or sound the horn  61  of the vehicle  12 . Information may also be obtained in respect of the speed  64 , remaining fuel  66  and engine parameters  70  of the vehicle  12 .  
     [0060]FIG. 4 shows a second arrangement of the module  30  for use where the base station  16  forms part of a private or public radio network, as compared to the telephone network situation of FIG. 2, In FIG. 4, the base station  16  is a first radio transceiver, and the cellular telephone unit  38  of FIG. 3 is replaced by a PTT relay  60  thus permitting use of a second radio transceiver (not shown) which maybe configured external to and separate from module  30 . Such a transceiver may be a so-called Citizen Band (CB) radio, or a special VHF or UHF device. The PTT relay  60 , under control of the main central unit  40 , is used to key the transmitter of the second transceiver (not shown). Audio signals between the second transceiver (not shown) and the main control unit  40  are routed via connection  62 . In this second arrangement, the DTMF dialler unit  48  may be employed to enter a PIN code and select menu options.  
     [0061] Substitution of the cellular telephone unit  38  for the PTT relay  60  of FIG. 4 has specific application for objects other than motor vehicles, including marine vessels and transportation containers, and to situations which are not covered by any existing communications networks.  
     [0062] Various modes of operation of the vehicle monitoring system  10  will now be described.  
     [0063] In a first mode of operation of the vehicle monitoring system  10 , a user, remote from the vehicle  12 , is able to determine the location of the vehicle  12  by the use of a landline telephone handset  20  or a mobile telephone handset  22 . The remote user establishes a communications link to the cellular telephone unit  38 , located in the vehicle  12 , by dialing the pre-assigned number of the cellular telephone unit  38  which is typically stored on a SIMcard (not shown), in the cellular telephone unit  38 . The call is automatically answered by the cellular telephone unit  38 , under control of the main control unit  40 , and the remote user is audibly requested to enter a PIN code for identification purposes, this being facilitated by a data to speech conversion performed by the speech processor  80 . The PIN code is validated by the processor  56  and, if successful, the user is audibly presented with a number of menu choices. These choices include a request for location information, engine parameters, fuel remaining or vehicle speed and command instructions to lock/unlock the vehicle, mute the sound system, immobilise the engine or sound the horn. Additional choices include facilitation of a traditional telephone call to any occupant of the vehicle  12  and the modification of operating parameters of the module  30 . Certain menu options may only be available upon entry of a higher security level PIN code or a second PIN code. Upon selection, by the remote user, of the vehicle location menu option, the processor  56  acquires the location coordinates of the vehicle  12  fromn the GPS receiver unit  36  and uses the coordinates as an index to acquire a relevant digitally stored street or place name and direction of travel from an appropriate database stored in the memory  72 . In this regard, the database may be formed as a lookup table of survey or GPS longitude and latitude coordinates against suburbs or other locals, and street names. The processor  56  is then able to compose a message which is converted to audible form by the speech processor  80  and relayed by the communications network  18  to the remote user. An example of such an audible message might be “Boundary Road, Cherrybrook, heading north-west”. After delivery of a message, the remote user is presented with further menu options until the call is terminated, either by the user or a time-out control by the processor  56 . In this fashion, the user is able to monitor the location of the motor vehicle  12  without the need to rely upon a third party monitoring service. The use of speech based reporting via a public telecommunication network affords convenience and ease of operation not offered by prior arrangements. For example, where the user is the owner of the motor vehicle and had earlier parked the motor vehicle, at Parramatta for example, could deduce on receipt of the message “Boundary Road, Cherrybrook” that the motor vehicle had been stolen. The user, with the knowledge of the location of the vehicle, may then sununon the police to assist. Significantly, such a monitoring function may be performed without any interaction with an occupant of the vehicle, or even draw any attention to the monitoring.  
     [0064] In a second mode of operation of the vehicle monitoring system  10 , a user, remote from the vehicle  12  is able to determine operating parameters of the vehicle  12  and control certain functions of the sub-systems of vehicle  12 . One such situation might be during the actual theft of vehicle  12  whereby a remote user has the ability to imnmobilise the vehicle  12  using the engine immobiliser  68  and lock the doors by operating the central locking  60 . A further function might be to sound the horn  60 . Any of the functions provided by the audible menu may be selected or activated by a PIN-code validated user in a manmer as described in the first mode of operation.  
     [0065] In a third mode of operation, an occupant within the vehicle  12  is able to make a conventional telephone call, facilitated by the cellular telephone unit  38  and DTMF dialler unit  48 . The dialler unit  48  is brought within range of the microphone  46  to enable acoustic coupling. Upon pressing any key of the DTMF dialler unit, the occupant is audibly presented with a menu, as per the previously described modes of operation, by means of loudspeaker  44 . PIN code validation may also be required, if so configured in the module  30 . Subsequent selection of the telephone call menu option permits the occupant to dial the required telephone number, again facilitated by means of the DTMF dialler unit  48 . The occupant can then participate in a conventional telephone conversation, by means of the loudspeaker  44  and microphone  46 , until the call is terminated by either party.  
     [0066] In a fourth mode of operation, an occupant of the vehicle  12  is able to determine the location of vehicle  12  for in-car navigation purposes. The audible menu options are accessed by means of the DTMF dialler unit  48 , as per the third mode of operation and the location information option is selected and audible message delivered as per the first mode of operation excepting delivery is facilitated via the loudspeaker  44 , rather then the communications network  18 .  
     [0067] In a fifth mode of operation, the module  30  is configured to detect a change in location of the vehicle  12  and automatically originate a call to a pre-stored telephone number. Alternatively, an occupant of the vehicle  12  may activate a covert “panic button” to activate automatic origination of a call. In this mode of operation, the audible vehicle location information is continuously updated until the remote user terminates the connection. Such operation facilitates tracking of the vehicle  12  in the event that it is stolen.  
     [0068] In a sixth mode of operation, a remote user of the system  10 , may talk to the occupants of the motor vehicle  12  using the loudspeaker  44  and microphone  46 . Such may be appropriate if, after having determined the location according to the first mode, the user may say “Why are you in Maclay Street, Kings Cross when you told me you were going to a party at Bondi Beach?”  
     [0069] In a seventh mode, control unit  40  may be configured to routinely record locations against real time thereby forming a schedule of vehicle movements. Such a schedule may be periodically uploaded from the vehicle via the communications network for auditing purposes. Such may be useful in fleet management situations.  
     [0070] Each of the various modes of operation may be implemented using one or more computer programs stored within the memory  72 , and interpretable for operation by the processor  56  and other components within the control unit  40  and module  30 . Such operating programs, or parts thereof may also be stored on the memory card  74  thereby facilitating ease of alteration for upgrade purposes.  
     [0071] It will be apparent that the foregoing describes a system and apparatus that facilitates self-monitoring of remote resources such as motor vehicles. This offers a number of advantages in terms of on-going costs, which are limited to the provision of the cellular phone module and its use, such however is often less expensive than third patty monitoring. Further, many motor vehicles have in-car mounted cellular telephones.  
     [0072] In a further arrangement, the system and apparatus described herein before can be utilised to self-monitor fixed location premises or buildings such as homes and businesses. As a consequence of the monitored object being of fixed location, the use of a GPS receiver unit and antenna are not required.  
     [0073]FIG. 5 shows a moitoring system  110  that enables a user, in possession of a communication device such as a landline telephone handset  20  or a mobile telephone handset  22 , to monitor premises  112  in which a monitoring module  130  is configured. As can be seen from FIG. 5, GPS receiver antenna  34  is no longer incorporated.  
     [0074]FIG. 6 shows an arrangement of the module  130  for use where the base station  16  is a cellular base station in a mobile telephone network, as earlier described in relation to FIG. 2. The module  130  is installed within the fixed location premises  112 , preferably in a covert manner such that the presence of the module  130  is not obvious to a person within fixed location premises  112 . The module  130  is substantially similar to the module  30  previously described herein, however, the GPS receiver unit  36  is not incorporated in the module  130 .  
     [0075]FIG. 7 shows a more detailed view of the main control unit  140  contained within the module  130 . As can be seen from FIG. 7, the main control unit  140  is substantially similar to the previously described main control unit  40  depicted in FIG. 3 and the description herein relating to FIG. 3 generally applies to FIG. 7. However, instead of the vehicle system interface  42  that is contained in the main control unit  40 , the main control unit  140  (for use with fixed location premises) incorporates a building interface  142 . With reference to FIG. 7, it can be seen that the processor  56  sends commands to and receives information from the building interface  142  via the bi-directional link  58 . In this manmer it is possible for a user in possession of a communication device such as a landline telephone handset  20  or a mobile telephone handset  22  to perform such functions as activate/de-activate an alarm system  160  and/or turn the lights  162  and air conditioning  168  on or off. Information may also be obtained in respect of the alarm status  164 , or in respect of any other sub-systems in fixed location premises  112  that are linked to the main control unit  140  via the building interface  142 .  
     [0076]FIG. 8 shows a second arrangement of the module  130  for use where the base station  16  forms part of a private or public network as compared to the telephone network situation of FIG. 6. In FIG. 8, the cellular telephone unit  38  of FIG. 6 is replaced by a communication interface  160 , thus enabling use of alternate forms of communications carrier. In one particular arrangement, the communications interface  160  can constitute a PTT relay, such as shown in FIG. 4, thus permitting use of a radio transceiver (not shown) which may be configured external to and separate from the module  130 . Alternatively, ibe communications interface  160  may constitute a line interface unit for interfacing the main control unit  140  to the public switched telephone network (landline).  
     [0077] Various modes of operation of the monitoring system  110  are substantially similar to those described herein in relation to the vehicle monitoring system  10 . Features previously described, such as PIN code entry for validation purposes, audible presentation of menu choices to user, use of the DTMF dialler unit  48 , use of the cellular telephone unit  38  for conventional telephone calls and use of a panic button to activate automatic origination of a call are all within the scope of the monitoring system  110 . However, all references to position determination and GPS information should be disregarded as unnecessary for the case of fixed location premises.  
     [0078] In a further mode of operation, the monitoring system  110  enables a remote user to listen in and converse with occupants of the premises being monitored. Such functionality permits the system to be utized as a ‘minder’, in cases where sick or elderly persons have been left alone in the monitored premises. Another application is confirmation of a detected security breach, by audibly monitoring the premises.  
     [0079] The foregoing describes only a few arrangements and modes of operation of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the arrangements and modes of operation being illustrative and not restrictive.