Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
  • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
  • G08B21/04—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
  • G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
  • G07C9/28—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
  • G07C9/30—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass
  • G07C9/32—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check
  • G07C9/37—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
  • G07C9/30—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass
  • G07C9/38—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass with central registration
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
  • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
  • G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
  • G08B21/0233—System arrangements with pre-alarms, e.g. when a first distance is exceeded
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B29/00—Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
  • G08B29/18—Prevention or correction of operating errors
  • G08B29/183—Single detectors using dual technologies

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for measuring the presence of an individual in a predetermined area and for checking at the same time the identity, in particular for individuals with restriction of freedom, such as individuals confined within a pre-designated location, individuals under police surveillance, patients affected by dangerous infective pathologies etc.
• the invention relates also to an apparatus that carries out this method.
• devices for remotely guarding individuals confined within their residence, for detecting if they escape or tamper the devices, by exchanging information with a central unit.
• These devices comprising a sender that is secured to the wrist or to the ankle of the individual with a plastic belt, exchange signals with a computer, in turn connected to a telephonic line. If the individual leaves the confinement area, an alarm signal is generated. The same occurs if the individual tampers the plastic belt or the processor.
• the known devices used for controlling individuals confined within their residence can only warn the central unit of a possible escape from the area of confinement, but are not capable of measuring the exact position of the escaped individual before once got rid of the bracelet.
• Bracelet devices exist for controlling individuals that are associated to identity check systems, for example of biometric type.
• identity check systems for example of biometric type.
• WO0144836 a device is described where the individuals confined within their residence, in addition to wear a bracelet, must move periodically to a fixed computerized position and have their fingerprints scanned by a reader. However, this causes a fixed apparatus to be moved all the times the individual is moved.
• the control unit emits an alarm signal to the central monitoring station that communicates immediately the tampering of the bracelet to a surveillance service, for example a patrol.
• the measuring step of said or each biometric data can be prompted by an enquiry step from the central monitoring station asking to measure said biometric data.
• the step of transmitting the set of response signals by the mobile control unit to the central monitoring station is carried out through the GSM/GPRS network.
• the step of detecting the position data is carried out via the GPS network interpreting satellite signals in order to determine with precision the geographical coordinates of the control unit.
• the measured biometric data is a fingerprint, or an image of the retina of the eye of the individual under surveillance, or a voice signal that is compared with a reference signal recorded in the database.
• an apparatus that carries out the method according to the present invention provides a mobile control unit comprising: — means for receiving a verification signal by a central monitoring station;
• the mobile control unit receives and transmits data via GSM/GPRS network exchanged with the central monitoring station, the latter comprising:
• a bracelet associated to the mobile control unit comprising:
• the mobile control unit has also means for receiving said data of presence.
• the bracelet and the mobile control unit communicate with each other by means of radio signals and have means for establishing a mutual interaction between each other.
• the means for transmitting the position data of the mobile control unit comprise a GPS module that interpreting satellite signals allows of determining with precision the position.
• the control unit can calculate by the GPS module the own coordinates for example according to the NMEA standard.
• said means for receiving and transmitting data between the mobile control unit and the central monitoring station are comprised in a GSM module whereby communication is carried out via the GSM/GPRS network.
• said means for testing the presence of the bracelet on the individual are a sensor for controlling the pulsations and/or a sensor for controlling the temperature.
• a sender can be provided equipped with "code hopping" functions for eliminating the possibility that the bracelet is tampered electrically.
• said means for detecting at least one biometric data of the individual comprise at least one sensor for detecting fingerprints.
• a sensor for detecting an image of the retina.
• a further possibility is using a microphone associated to a voice recognition chip.
• the device made of low allergenic material, is secured to the wrist or to the ankle or other part of the body of the individual, by means of a tamper resistant belt, in case the device is used, for example, for surveillance of individuals confined within their residence.
• this belt is provided with a normal closure mechanism, which can be easily opened.
• the mobile control unit emits a signal at a predetermined frequency either randomly, or under manual demand of an operator at the central monitoring station, for requesting to who wears the bracelet to scan the own fingerprints and/or to scan the retina, as agreed in a previous step.
• the individual under surveillance will simply push a finger of the hand against the mobile control unit, at the fingerprints detector.
• the individual under surveillance will approach the mobile control unit to the eye.
• - figure 2 shows a perspective elevational side view of a mobile control unit according to the invention illustrating diagrammatically the main elements thereof
• - figure 3 shows a perspective elevational side view of a bracelet according to the invention illustrating diagrammatically the main elements thereof;
• FIG. 4 shows in a perspective view a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for testing the presence and confirming the identity of an individual, according to the present invention
• FIG. 5 and 6 show a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment alternative to figure 4 of the apparatus for testing the presence and confirming the identity of an individual
• - figures 7 and 8 show two flow-sheets, respectively of the procedure of detection on board to the mobile control unit and to the central monitoring station.
• an apparatus for detecting the position and confirming the identity of a subject 35 comprises a bracelet 10 and a mobile control unit 20 equipped with an acquisition device of a biometric value, such as a fingerprint.
• the bracelet 10 establishes a radio communication with control unit 20 sending at predetermined intervals data of presence for confirming the position of the individual.
• control unit 20 sends at predetermined intervals data of presence for confirming the position of the individual.
• an alarm system is triggered for communicating immediately the tampering of the bracelet 10 to a remote central monitoring station 50 which will call a patrol, not shown.
• the verification of the presence of the bracelet 10 on the individual 35 is positive the mobile control unit 20, either randomly or under manual demand of an operator at the central monitoring station 50, requires the verification of the identity of the individual 35 emitting, for example, an acoustic and/or visible signal. Once received the signal, the individual 35 that wears the bracelet 10 is subject at any moment to measure the biometric data that will then verified by the central monitoring station 50, through a suitable software.
• control unit 20 In case fingerprint detecting is requested, as shown in figure 1, the individual 35 puts a proper finger on control unit 20 that scans its fingerprint. In addition or alternatively, the individual 35 scans the retina, with the aid of possible supports for the arms and for the chin, not shown, to allow a perfect alignment.
• the biometric data is a voice signal of the subject.
• control unit 20 is provided with a microphone and relative voice recognition chip. In particular, several voice sequences may be provided that can be required to be pronounced by the individual in order to carry out the recognition.
• the central monitoring station 50 by means of a cartographical software displays on a monitor 52 a map relative to the position of the monitored individual 35. Any communications between the mobile control unit 20 and the central monitoring station 50 are carried out instead via the GSM/GPRS network.
• mobile control unit 20 for detecting the biometric data of the individual 35 is equipped with a biometric sensor 21 associated to a control board 26.
• a GSM module 23 is mounted with a relative antenna 24, which carries out the exchange of data between a microprocessor 28 and the remote central monitoring station 50 using SMS, or, a protocol standard Hayes modem. In the latter case, a modem 51 is arranged at the central monitoring station 50.
• a GPS module 24 is installed with a relative antenna 25 that receives the signals from satellites 40 and calculates its position communicating it to microprocessor 28, for example according to a NMEA standard.
• the data exchange between mobile control unit 20 and bracelet 10 is then executed by means of a transponder 29.
• the components installed in control unit 20 are supplied by a battery 27 that can be rechargeable.
• bracelet 10 which is made of hypoallergenic material, is secured to the wrist or to the ankle of individual 35 by means of a belt 10, or wristlet, with a closure 11 that can be either with a lock or freely releasable, according to the kind of surveillance strategy.
• bracelet 10 is equipped with a tampering-safe control that communicates possible tampering attempts to control unit 20 by means of a sender 11.
• the verification of the presence of bracelet 20 on individual 35 can be made for example by means of a sensor 12 capable of measuring the heart beat and/or the body temperature of the individual 35.
• a sender equipped with "code hopping" functions that changing at each radio communication between the bracelet 10 and control unit 20, the transmission code being capable of assuring a high safety level.
• agent 55 who, besides controlling that bracelet 10 is in a predetermined area, for example the individual' s domicile, checks that the bracelet 10 has not emitted tampering signals. Furthermore, agent 55 controls any absence of the signal of presence of the bracelet 10 on the individual 35, through the data measured by sensor 11, which detects the pulsations or the body temperature of the individual and transmits them to the central monitoring station via mobile control unit 20.
• Figures from 4 to 6 show two different possibilities, according to the invention, of interaction between control unit 20 and bracelet 10.
• the interaction is carried out without any direct connection between the two elements, whereas in the case of figures 5 and 6, mobile unit 20 is connected to the bracelet 10 by means of suitable complementary engagement means 31 and 32, and only after that the mechanical connection has been effected.
• the sensor 21 for scanning the biometric data of control unit 20 can read the fingerprint of the individual 35.
• the software resident respectively in the mobile control unit and in the central monitoring station provides a main routine, with continuous verification or ad determined intervals of the position of the bracelet 10 and of the presence of a verification signal that confirms that the individual is wearing it.
• the verification of the biometric data instead, is carried out by the central monitoring station or with function random, either randomly, or under manual demand of an operator at the central monitoring station.
• the logic of operation can be of "event-driven” type, i.e. operated as the events occur, for giving an image of the position, identity, etc., of the guarded individual responsive to the data provided by the bracelet and by the central monitoring station and based on a behaviour model predetermined by the latter.
• bracelet 10 When bracelet 10, or mobile control unit 20, signals that it is not any more in a "normal or foreseeable" situation
• the central monitoring station is immediately informed updating the central monitoring unit.
• the software residing respectively in the bracelet and in the central unit provide a main routine, with continuous or discrete verification of the position of the bracelet and of the signal that the individual is wearing it.
• the verification of the biometric data is carried out by the central unit either randomly, or under manual demand of an operator at the central unit.
• the central unit comprises a standard architecture with local ETHERNET ISO802.3 network.
• the many computers are connected dedicated to particular functions: server of data base, of communication, of maintenance, workstations.
• the computers used are based on PC PENTIUM technology, with Windows NT operating system and Oracle Data base.
• the application software is written in proprietary language, and language SQL for access to the Oracle Data base.
• the communication network that allows the exchange of data with the many bracelets distributed on the territory is made with intelligent units and communication sub networks: LAN - Local Area Network, at the Central unit; WArN - Wide Area radio Network at the mobile unit; SRRC - Short Range Radio Communication, at the mobile unit.
• the WArN used is the cellular network GSM - SMS.
• the apparatus installed on the bracelets and the computer installed in the central unit are capable of exchanging data by the telephonic cellular network with SMS and Data Transfer technique.
• the central monitoring station keeps track of the many bracelets, and the relative mobile control units spread on the territory, by controlling the GPS position data sent via the communication network (GSM, GPRS) by the hardware contained in the bracelet.
• the remote identification of the geographical data is immediately displayed by an icon on the digital maps of the examined territory and then with the exact position, i.e street and number, and overlapping the image of the examined area (orthophoto and/or satellite photo) .
• Each icon returns the reference relative to the guarded individual, such as name and /or other.
• the software of the geographical data can be installed both on Client-Server architecture and on Intranet or Internet network and equipped with various known functions such as: pan, zoom in, zoom out, query, etc.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Emergency Management (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
• Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine (AREA)
• Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
• Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
• Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=33428315

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Cited By (11)

Citations (4)

• 2003
  • 2003-05-06 IT IT000030A patent/ITPI20030030A1/it unknown
  • 2003-07-23 WO PCT/IB2003/002921 patent/WO2004100101A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-07-23 AU AU2003263383A patent/AU2003263383A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (4)

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