System, device, node and method for tracking device

Abstract

A solution relates to a node, a device, and a method arranged and adapted to track a device. The node is adapted to communicate by wireless communication in a frequency range between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz, and is configured to transmit a location request to the device, receive a location response from the device, and calculate a distance to the device. The node is configured to determine a first maximum distance between the node and the device based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation, and transmit a warning to the device if the distance between the node and the device exceeds the first maximum distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a node for tracking a device, a device tracked by the node, and a system thereof. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, there are many systems and solutions for positioning of devices that can be used for both indoor and outdoor appliances. Examples are GPS, GLONASS, triangulation, round trip time measurement and multi-radar solutions. Depending on the use, each system is designed taking into account different features, such as power consumption, accuracy and performance in different environments. GPS (Global Positioning System) is one of the most common systems available and provides relatively good accuracy with more or less global coverage from the satellites used for the system. Although it is good for outdoor positioning, the GPS system has many limitations in terms of both coverage and power consumption. The GPS system and other similar systems such as GLONASS have difficulties in large cities with high-rise buildings and in indoor environments where the free view towards the satellite is blocked or partially blocked. This problem is particularly relevant to mobile devices with limited battery capacity in both indoor and outdoor areas.

[0003] Attempts in the prior art to create other systems have resulted in other deficiencies, such as limited geographic coverage and poor accuracy.

[0004] It would therefore be beneficial to provide a solution that addresses at least some of the aforementioned deficiencies. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a power efficient tracking system without compromising geographical coverage.

[0006] Another object is to provide a security solution wherein a device is tracked based on the need to track the device.

[0007] Yet another object is to arrange a solution and system that allows dual power mode positioning and / or tracking of a device.

[0008] Therefore, a solution involves a node arranged for tracking a device, wherein the node is adapted to communicate by wireless communication in a frequency range between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz and is configured to transmit a location request to the device, receive a location response from the device, and calculate a distance to the device. The node is configured to determine a first maximum distance between the node and the device based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation, and to transmit a warning to the device if the distance between the node and the device exceeds the first maximum distance.

[0009] One advantage of the present solution is that the present solution is suitable for communicating in a relatively low frequency range, i.e. between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz. The low frequency range allows for enhanced coverage in areas with obstacles, such as walls or buildings. The reason is that the frequencies in the range between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz have better properties for penetrating building structures and other obstructing objects than the frequencies used for conventional data communications, such as WiFi frequencies 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Also, although low frequencies limit the speed of data transmission, they allow for long-distance communication in relation to the required energy levels. Thus, the solution provides good coverage for reasonably large coverage areas.

[0010] The node may be any form of node, such as an access point, a base station, a mobile phone, a smart phone or any other form of node. Another advantage of the present solution is that the node handles most of the calculations and calculation results for tracking or positioning determination. This may significantly increase the battery life of the device.

[0011] One advantage is that the node calculates the distance to the device and determines the first maximum distance based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for the distance calculation. Although the transmission rate and amount of data used to determine the distance to the device are low, there is a requirement for the signal strength and quality of the transmission in order to calculate the distance with acceptable accuracy. An advantage of this solution is that the acceptable signal strength for data communication is lower than the acceptable signal strength for distance determination, which is used for dual power mode positioning as will be described further herein.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the node is further configured to determine a second maximum distance between the node and the device based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for data communication.

[0013] An advantage of the present solution is that the node is further configured to determine a second maximum distance, the second maximum distance being based on a signal strength threshold for data communication. Thus, the second maximum distance is a longer distance than the first maximum distance, based on the maximum distance for data communication without losing information being longer than the maximum distance for distance measurement without losing critical accuracy.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the node, the location request comprises a request to wake up the device.

[0015] An advantage of the present solution is that the location request in one embodiment includes a request to wake up the device. The device may be any form of device suitable for being tracked by the node, including but not limited to a tag, a handheld cursor, a phone, a PDA, or any other form of device. However, in one embodiment, the device is a tag adapted to accommodate a long-life battery with a low capacity. The long-life battery is adapted to provide energy to the device for a long period of time by the low energy consumption of the device. Thus, an advantage is that the device can be in sleep mode almost all of the time except when receiving a location request including a request to wake up the device.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the node is further configured to generate a geographical area around the node using the first maximum distance and the second maximum distance.

[0017] In one embodiment of the node, an advantage is that the node is configured to generate a geographic area around the node. The geographic area generated from the first maximum distance and the second maximum distance constitutes a first geographic area and a second geographic area, wherein the first geographic area is a geographic area in which the device can be tracked by the node using a low power tracking option as described in the appended claims. In one embodiment, the node transmits a location request to the device for low power tracking using a communication device that communicates between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz. The node also receives a response to the location request and determines the distance to the device using time of flight, ToA, RSSI, or any other form of positioning technology known in the art.

[0018] In one embodiment, the geographic area is used to generate a map for the user showing areas where devices may be located without generating warnings by the nodes.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the node is further configured to enable a user to manually set the first maximum distance, as long as the first maximum distance is below a predetermined signal strength threshold distance for distance calculation.

[0020] In one embodiment, it is advantageous for the user to be able to set a first geographical area or a first maximum distance in order to limit the area in which devices are allowed without generating warnings. Those skilled in the art understand that in one embodiment, the geographical area may have another form besides a circle.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the node further comprises means for determining the direction of the signal.

[0022] In one embodiment, the node sends multiple signals to determine the direction in which the signal strength is strongest and thereby determine the direction of the device.

[0023] In one embodiment, multiple antennas are mounted on a node to enable the node to determine the phase of the received signal at each of the antennas, thereby enabling the direction to the device to be determined.

[0024] In one embodiment where the node is a mobile unit, the mobile unit is adapted to instruct the user to rotate the device using his or her body as a shield to affect the signal strength and thereby enable the direction to the device to be determined.

[0025] In one embodiment where the node is a mobile unit, the mobile unit is adapted to direct the user to move in a zigzag pattern to enable multiple distance calculations between the mobile unit and the device, thereby enabling the mobile unit to determine a direction to the device.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the node is further configured to enable a user to manually draw a geographical area, wherein the geographical area has a regular or irregular shape.

[0027] An advantage of this solution is that the user has the possibility to manually set the first maximum distance in order to reduce the area in which the device is allowed without transmitting a warning. In addition, the advantage is that the first maximum distance is only manually configured by the user so that the second maximum distance can be used to save as much energy as possible.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the node is a mobile node. According to one embodiment, the node is a smart phone. According to yet another embodiment, the node is any form of fixed node, such as a base station or access point, or a mobile node such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a PDA or any other form of mobile node.

[0029] According to an aspect, the device is arranged to be tracked by a node. The device is adapted to communicate by wireless communication in a frequency range between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz, receive a location request from the node, and transmit a location response to the node. The device is further adapted to enable a positioning device included in the device upon receiving a warning that the device exceeds a first maximum distance between the node and the device based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation.

[0030] In one embodiment of a device as described herein, the device is in passive mode most of the time in order to enhance the battery life of the device.

[0031] In an embodiment of the device, the device is adapted to wake up upon receiving a positioning request.

[0032] In one embodiment of the device, the positioning device is GPS, GLONASS, WiFi, or any other form of positioning device suitable for positioning the device in an area that is not geographically predetermined.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the device is adapted to use said positioning means only if the device exceeds a second maximum distance between the node and the device based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for data communication.

[0034] One advantage is that the device saves power by only using the positioning device if the device is outside the positioning to reach the node. In one embodiment, the device is also configured to not use the communication device for communicating with the node at 300MHz-1000MHz if the device is outside the first geographic area and the second geographic area or exceeds the second maximum distance and thus outside the reach from the node.

[0035] According to one embodiment, if the device is in a geographical area or at a distance between a first maximum distance and a second maximum distance and is thus unable to be located from a node but is within communication distance with the node, the device is adapted to send positioning information with location information from a positioning device via a communication device of the device at 300MHz-1000MHz.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the device is adapted to wake up upon receiving a position request from a node.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the positioning device is a GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning device.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the device initiates a request to wake up the node.

[0039] According to an aspect, a system for tracking a device includes a node and a device, wherein each of the node and the device is adapted to communicate via wireless communication in a frequency range between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz, and

[0040] - the node calculates the distance to the device by exchanging data via said wireless communication,

[0041] - the node determines a first maximum distance between the node and the device based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation,

[0042] - if the distance between the node and the device exceeds a first maximum distance, the node transmits a warning to the device,

[0043] - the device comprises positioning means, and

[0044] - the device is adapted to enable said positioning means upon receiving a warning that the device exceeds a first maximum distance between a node and the device based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the first maximum distance and the second maximum distance are used to generate a geographical area around the node.

[0046] One advantage of the system for tracking a device is that the system generates two geographic regions around a node. The first geographic region represents an area where the device can be tracked by the node through data communication at 300 MHz-1000 MHz as described herein and in the appended claims. The second geographic region represents an area where the node can communicate with the device but the signal strength is below a threshold required to accurately track the device.

[0047] According to an aspect in a node for tracking a device, wherein the node is adapted to communicate by wireless communication in a frequency range between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz, and

[0048] - transmitting a location request to the device,

[0049] - receiving a position response from the device,

[0050] - calculate the distance to the device,

[0051] - determining a first maximum distance between the node and the device based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation, and

[0052] - If the distance between the node and the device exceeds a first maximum distance, transmitting a warning to the device.

[0053] According to an aspect in a device tracked by a node, wherein the device is adapted to communicate by wireless communication in a frequency range between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz, and

[0054] - receiving a location request from a node,

[0055] - transmit the position response to the node,

[0056] The device also includes a positioning device and performs the following steps:

[0057] - upon receiving a warning that the device exceeds a first maximum distance between the node and the device based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation, enabling said positioning device.

[0058] According to an aspect of a computer program comprising computer readable code means, which when executed in a node cause the node to carry out a solution as described herein.

[0059] According to an aspect of a computer program comprising computer readable code means, which when executed in a device, cause the device to carry out a solution as described herein.

[0060] According to an aspect a computer program product comprises a computer readable medium and a computer program, wherein the computer program is stored on the computer readable medium.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the communication over frequencies between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz is performed in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0063] Figure 1 An embodiment of a system for tracking a device comprising a node and a device is shown, wherein a first distance has been calculated and a geographic area is generated.

[0064] Figure 2 An embodiment of a system for tracking a device comprising a node is shown, wherein a first distance and a second distance have been calculated.

[0065] Figure 3 An embodiment of a system for tracking a device comprising a node and a device is shown, wherein a geographical area has been generated based on the first distance and the second distance.

[0066] Figure 4 An embodiment of a system for tracking devices comprising a node and a plurality of devices is shown, wherein one device is within a first geographic area, one device is in an area between a boundary of the first geographic area and a second geographic area, and one device having an enabled positioning device is outside the geographic area.

[0067] Figure 5 An embodiment of a system for tracking devices is shown, where the system includes a plurality of interconnected nodes and a plurality of devices to be tracked.

[0068] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a tracking system including nodes and devices is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] In the following, a detailed description of different embodiments of nodes, devices, methods and tracking systems is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. All examples herein should be considered part of the general description and may thus be combined in any manner in general terms. Individual features of the various embodiments and aspects may be combined and or exchanged, unless such combination or exchange clearly contradicts the overall functionality of the disclosed nodes, devices, methods and / or systems.

[0070] Briefly, the solution herein relates to nodes, devices, methods and tracking systems enabled for dual power mode positioning, wherein the nodes and devices are adapted to enable positioning, distance calculation and / or tracking of the device by at least two different means of positioning or distance calculation. The solution solves the problem of improving the battery life of a device to be tracked by utilizing a low power device to determine the approximate location of the device most of the time, and a second higher power device to provide additional location information to enable a more accurate determination of the location of the device when needed.

[0071] Figure 1 An embodiment of a tracking system, device and node is shown, wherein a first geographical area 7 has been generated based on a first maximum distance 6 calculated from a predetermined threshold for signal strength. The first maximum distance 6 constitutes a distance boundary within which the node 1 can successfully and with good accuracy track the distance to the device 2. In one embodiment, the first maximum distance 6 is manually determined by a user. In another embodiment, the first maximum distance 6 means that the first geographical area 7 is generated, and the first geographical area is manually drawn or generated by the user. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the first geographical area 7 can be any form of geographical area 7 generated automatically or by a user, as long as the entire geographical area 7 is within the boundaries generated by the first maximum distance 6.

[0072] Figure 1 Also shown is a device 2 located within a first geographic area 7. The device 2 may be any type of device 2, including but not limited to a tag, a handheld puck, a mobile device, a smart phone, or any other form of device to be tracked. In one embodiment, the device 2 is an embedded device 2 that is part of another object, such as a bicycle, a boat, a jacket, or a power tool.

[0073] Figure 2 A first maximum distance 6 and a second maximum distance 4 are shown from a node 1 in the system 10. The system 10 may include any number of nodes 1 and devices 2, as will be described below with respect to Figure 5 Become clear.

[0074] In one embodiment, the first maximum distance 6 and the second maximum distance 4 are not constant distances relative to the distance to the node 1. For example, depending on the environment surrounding the node 1, the signal strength threshold may vary according to an object in a signal manner, etc.

[0075] Figure 2 Also clearly shown is a node 1. The node 1 may be any form of node 1, such as a mobile node, a smartphone, a base station, a base unit, an access point, or any other form of node suitable for the system 10.

[0076] Figure 3An embodiment of a system 10 comprising a node 1 and a device 2 is shown, wherein a first maximum distance 4 and a second maximum distance 6 have been calculated by the node 1 . Figure 3 Also shown is a first geographical area 7 and a second geographical area 5. The first geographical area 7 is an area where the node 1 has coverage for calculating the distance to the node 1 with good accuracy. The second geographical area 5 is an area where the node 1 can communicate with the device 2. The area between the first maximum distance 6 and the second maximum distance 4 is a part of the second geographical area 5 where the node 1 can communicate with the device 2, but cannot accurately determine the distance to the device 2.

[0077] Figure 4 An embodiment of the system 10 is shown in which there are a plurality of devices 2a, 2b, 2c and the node 1 is adapted to track the devices 2a, 2b, 2c. In different embodiments of the solution as described herein, the node 1 may be adapted to track any number of devices 2. The node 1 may successfully measure the distance to the device 2a and thereby also determine that the device 2a is within the first geographical area 7. The node 1 may also communicate with the device 2b, but since the device 2b is located outside the first geographical area 7, the node cannot determine the distance to the device 2b. The device 2c is out of range for the node 1.

[0078] Figure 4 A scenario of an embodiment of the solution is also shown, where device 2 is shown at different locations, device 2a, device 2b, device 2c. Device 2 starts as device 2a located within a first geographical area 7. Node 1 sends a location request and receives a response. Based on the transmitted request and response, node 1 can successfully determine the location of device 2a. Node 1 determines that device 2a is within the first geographical area 7. Device 2a saves power by being in passive mode, except when transmitting a response to a location request.

[0079] Device 2 moves outward from the location of device 2a to the location of device 2b. Node 1 determines that device 2b is outside the first geographic area 7 but within the second geographic area 5, for example by sending a location request or simply by measuring the signal strength from the carrier. Node 1 sends a warning to device 2a that device 2a is outside the first maximum distance 6. Device 2a receives the warning and activates an embedded or external positioning device of device 2a that communicates with another source, such as a satellite 40. Device 2a can still transmit a response to node 1 via the communication device of device 2a within 300MHz-1000MHz.

[0080] Device 2 moves outwardly from the location of device 2b to the location of device 2c, and device 2c is now out of range for node 1. Device 2c is thus no longer in power saving mode, and the location of device 2c is determined, for example using satellite 40.

[0081] Thus, one advantage of the present solution is that device 2b can receive a warning to activate the positioning device in device 2 when entering an intermediate zone between being in range for distance measurement by node 1 and out of communication range with node 1 .

[0082] Figure 5 An embodiment of a system 10 including a plurality of nodes 1 and a plurality of devices 2 to be tracked is shown. Figure 5 The embodiment shown in comprises a plurality of nodes 1 interconnected by eg the Internet 52 or any other network 52 comprising storage devices 51. Depending on the area of ​​application of the system 10 and / or the nodes 1 and devices 2, different configurations may be used in different embodiments of the solution.

[0083] According to one embodiment, for example, the geographic area may be different construction sites where power tools are assumed to be used. The geographic area may be a constraint that restricts the device 2 from leaving the area 7 without generating a warning. Multiple connected areas 7a, 7b may correspond to different construction sites. Some devices 2 may be allowed to connect to both the first node 1a and the second node 1b, and other devices may be restricted to one of the areas 7a, 7b.

[0084] The device 2, node 1 and system 10 may also be implemented in many other application areas, and the example presented above is only one example. Those skilled in the art understand that any implementation may be used for the system 10. According to one embodiment, any number of nodes 1a, 1b may be used, and in one embodiment, a plurality of nodes 1a, 1b may have areas 7 that overlap with each other, allowing some devices 2 to be in both areas 7a, 7b and other devices 2 to be in only one of the areas 7a, 7b.

[0085] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing steps performed by a node 1 and a device 2 in one embodiment. Node 1 transmits S100 a location request to device 2, which receives S200 the location request. Device 2 responds S201 with a response to receipt S101 by node 1. Node 1 calculates S102 a distance to device 2, and determines S103 a first maximum distance. In one embodiment, node 1 also determines S105 a second maximum distance. If the distance determined S102 by node 1 is longer than the determined S103 first maximum distance, node 2 transmits S104 a warning to device 2.

Claims

1. A node (1) arranged for tracking a device (2), wherein The node is adapted to communicate via wireless communication in a frequency range between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz and is configured to transmit a location request (S100) to the device (2), receive a location response (S101) from the device (2), and calculate (S102) a distance to the device (2), the node being configured to determine (S103) a first maximum distance (6) between the node (1) and the device (2) based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation, and to transmit (S104) a warning to the device (2) if the distance between the node and the device (2) exceeds the first maximum distance (6), wherein the first maximum distance (6) is a distance boundary for the distance calculation between the node (1) and the device (2), characterized in that The node is further configured to determine (S105) a second maximum distance (4) between the node (1) and the device (2) based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for data communication, wherein the second maximum distance (4) is longer than the first maximum distance (6), and the node is further configured to generate a first geographical area (7) and a second geographical area (5) around the node (1) using the first maximum distance (6) and the second maximum distance (4), wherein the second geographical area (5) is an area between the first maximum distance (6) and the second maximum distance (4), wherein the first geographical area (7) is an area in which the node (1) has coverage for the distance calculation between the node (1) and the device (2), and the second geographical area (5) is an area in which the node (1) can perform data communication with the device (2), wherein when the device (2) is located in the second geographical area (5), the location response is transmitted from the device (2) to the node (1) at a frequency of 300-1000 MHz.

2. The node (1) according to claim 1, wherein the location request comprises a request to wake up the device (2).

3. The node (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further configured to enable a user to manually set the first maximum distance (6), as long as the first maximum distance (6) is below the predetermined signal strength threshold distance used for distance calculation.

4. A system for tracking a device, wherein the system comprises a node (1) and a device (2), wherein each of the node (1) and the device (2) is adapted to communicate via wireless communication in a frequency range between 300 MHz and 1000 MHz, wherein - the node (1) calculates (S102) the distance to the device (2) by exchanging data (S100, S200, S201, S101) via the wireless communication, - the node (1) determines (S103) a first maximum distance between the node (1) and the device (2) based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation, wherein the first maximum distance (6) is a distance boundary for the distance calculation between the node (1) and the device (2), - if the distance between the node and the device (2) exceeds the first maximum distance, the node (1) transmits (S104) a warning to the device (2), characterized in that - the node determines a second maximum distance (4) between the node (1) and the device (2) based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for data communication, wherein the second maximum distance (4) is longer than the first maximum distance (6), the node generates a first geographical area (7) and a second geographical area (5) around the node (1) using the first maximum distance (6) and the second maximum distance (4), wherein the second geographical area (5) is an area between the first maximum distance (6) and the second maximum distance (4), wherein the first geographical area (7) is an area in which the node (1) has coverage for the distance calculation between the node (1) and the device (2), and the second geographical area (5) is an area in which the node (1) can perform data communication with the device (2), the device comprising a positioning device, - the device (2) is adapted to enable (S202) the positioning device upon receiving a warning that the device (2) is between the first maximum distance and the second maximum distance, the device transmitting a position response from the device (2) to the node (1) when the device is located in the second geographical area (5).

5. A method in a node (1) for tracking a device (2), wherein the node (1) is a node according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the method comprising: - transmitting (S100) a location request to said device (2), - receiving (S101) a position response from the device (2), - calculating (S105) the distance to said device (2), - determining (S103) a first maximum distance (6) between the node (1) and the device (2) based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for distance calculation, wherein the first maximum distance (6) is a distance boundary for the distance calculation between the node (1) and the device (2), and - if the distance between the node and the device (2) exceeds the first maximum distance (6), transmitting (S104) a warning to the device (2), wherein the method is characterized in that it further comprises: - determining (S105) a second maximum distance between the node (1) and the device (2) based on a predetermined signal strength threshold for data communication, wherein the second maximum distance is longer than the first maximum distance, and - generating a first geographical area (7) and a second geographical area (5) around the node (1) by using the first maximum distance (6) and the second maximum distance (4), wherein the second geographical area (5) is an area between the first maximum distance (6) and the second maximum distance (4), wherein the first geographical area (7) is an area in which the node (1) has coverage for the distance calculation between the node (1) and the device (2), and the second geographical area (5) is an area in which the node (1) can perform data communication with the device (2), wherein when the device (2) is located in the second geographical area (5), the location response is transmitted from the device (2) to the node (1) at a frequency of 300-1000 MHz.

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