Indoor geolocation device

Abstract

Indoor geolocation device Method for geolocating a beacon, the method using at least one receiver (20), each receiver being integrated into a safety signaling block (50), and comprising the following steps: - said beacon (10) emits a signal (12); - said receiver receives said signal and preprocesses the latter by at least adding an identifier associated with the receiver; - said receiver transmits the preprocessed signal (22) to a remote server (30), the preprocessed signal comprising, in addition to said identifier associated with the receiver, an identifier associated with said beacon; - said remote server determines the location of said beacon by calculating for each signal transmitted by said receiver a perimeter (P1; P2; P3) separating the beacon from said receiver; and - said server records the location of said beacon and / or transmits it to a communication device (40). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Indoor geolocation device Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for geolocating at least one receiver and devices for implementing said method. In particular, the invention relates to the field of locating people or objects in an indoor space. Prior art

[0002] It may be important to be able to monitor the movements and circulation of people in indoor spaces or at least detect the presence of people. For example, in residential establishments for dependent elderly people, commonly known as EHPADs, it may be important to know where people are in order to act quickly in the event of a fall or runaway.

[0003] However, existing indoor geolocation methods are generally limited in their performance and typically require expensive installations. Indeed, unlike outdoor geolocation methods, the propagation of signals in a building is complex to characterize.

[0004] Known indoor geolocation methods can be based on the measurement of a characteristic physical parameter on a grid covering the space considered. These methods are therefore based on a complete prior calibration of the space to be covered and then by searching for the closest value in the grid corresponding to the in-situ measurement in real time.

[0005] Other known methods are based on the modeling of a propagation of physical signals, the modeling having the objective of translating these signals into distance or propagation time in order to allow the application of classic geometric approaches.

[0006] The known methods are particularly dependent on any change in the environment, the calibration and / or the modeling being able to be largely impacted if a piece of furniture is moved, when a door is opened, the modification of the partitions, in their physical constitution or in their location.

[0007] US Patent 8,878,666 describes emergency exit signaling equipment comprising a beacon to enable indoor location. The beacon integrated in the emergency exit signaling equipment periodically transmits a signal intended to be received by a portable terminal which detects and transmits the power of the received signal to a server, the server determining the location from this power.

[0008] Patent EP 3 503 054 describes in particular a geolocation system using a set of devices already present in a building, a wireless beacon being integrated into each of the devices, the system also comprising a power management circuit for the electrical supply of the system. The wireless beacons are configured to alternately emit a signal during a first period and recharge the battery during a second period, longer than the first. Presentation of the invention

[0009] There is thus a need for an improved indoor localization method.

[0010] Generally speaking, there is a need for an indoor geolocation device that is low cost and allows for simple and rapid deployment.

[0011] There is also a need for a device allowing easy maintenance, in particular allowing easy adaptation to regulatory developments, for example to regulatory developments relating to safety signaling beacons.

[0012] There is also a need for a device that can be integrated into existing structures, while avoiding excessive deployment costs, in particular there is a need for indoor geolocation infrastructure at a hidden cost for the site manager.

[0013] Finally, there is a need for a reliable device, particularly in an emergency.

[0014] The invention aims to meet all or part of these needs. Summary of the invention

[0015] The invention relates to a method for geolocation, in particular indoors, of at least one beacon, the method using at least one receiver, preferably several receivers, each receiver being integrated into a security signaling block, and comprising the following steps:

[0016] - said at least one beacon emits a signal;

[0017] - said at least one receiver receives said signal and preprocesses the latter by at least adding an identifier associated with the receiver;

[0018] - said at least one receiver transmits the preprocessed signal to a remote server, the signal preprocessed comprising, in addition to said identifier associated with the receiver, an identifier associated with said at least one beacon;

[0019] - said remote server determines the location of said at least one beacon in calculating for each signal transmitted by said at least one receiver a perimeter separating the beacon from said receiver, the beacon and the receiver being identified by the server by means of the identifiers associated respectively with the beacon and the receiver; and

[0020] - said server records the location of said at least one beacon and / or transmits the location of said at least one beacon to a communication device.

[0021] The invention allows for global processing of the data. In particular, the reception of the signals by the receivers of the safety signaling blocks allows for centralization of the information. The exploitation of the data is facilitated and the analysis of this data can advantageously be enhanced. This also allows for communication with the server, regardless of the presence of transmitting beacons.

[0022] Furthermore, determining a perimeter makes it possible to take into account variations linked to the environment. This improves the reliability of the location.

[0023] The communication device may include the beacon.

[0024] The server can record the location in a database.

[0025] Alternatively, the beacon may be independent. In particular, the beacon may comprise only one transmitter. A beacon may advantageously be carried by a person or by an object that one wishes to locate.

[0026] In particular embodiments, said at least one beacon is a transmitting beacon not operating in reception.

[0027] The communication device may be a computer, a tablet, a mobile phone, a smart watch. This list is not exhaustive.

[0028] Preferably, several receivers receive and transmit the signal emitted by the same beacon to the remote server. This can improve the accuracy of the location. This also makes it possible to check the correct operation of the receivers and / or their relative positioning. In addition, the presence of several receivers allows for possible redundancy of information and thus improves the reliability of the location.

[0029] The receiver can transmit information relating to its positioning to the remote server. In particular, this information can be contained in the identifier associated with the receiver.

[0030] The receiver may transmit information indicating an operating status, for example indicating whether it has been unplugged or disconnected, or whether it is operating on battery power, or indicating an installation date, or an update date.

[0031] The method may include a step of verifying the positioning of all or part of the receiver(s). This step may be similar to a calibration step determining the positioning of the receiver(s) for a given location.

[0032] When several receivers are present, this verification may include an analysis of the relative positioning of the receivers in relation to each other.

[0033] The verification step can be carried out based on information relating to the positioning of said receiver.

[0034] Preferably, when a receiver indicates to the server that it has been unplugged or disconnected, the method comprises a step of verifying the positioning of said receiver. This step is preferably implemented by the remote server.

[0035] The location can be refined in particular based on a map of the place in which said at least one beacon is located.

[0036] The receiver positioning information transmitted to the receiver can be defined from said mapping.

[0037] The given place is, for example, all or part of a public building, a supervised environment, a medical enclosure, or an industrial building, in particular, a hospital, a clinic, an EHPAD, a closed medical entity, a town hall, a museum, a prison environment, a factory, a tertiary building, a metro, an exhibition center, a university center, a ship, a submarine. This list is not exhaustive.

[0038] The server may comprise code instructions which, when executed, cause it to implement a method for analyzing a movement by submitting the signal to at least one automatic learning algorithm previously trained using a learning base formed from signals previously acquired in a given location, so as to enable a prediction of a movement of said at least one beacon in said location.

[0039] This allows for anticipation of movements and therefore improves the accuracy of locations, particularly over time. The method adapts advantageously to the given locations in which it is implemented.

[0040] In particular embodiments, the implementation of an emergency operation comprises the reception of information indicating the transition to emergency operation, the operation of the receiver and the beacon is then reversed so that the receiver transmits a signal intended to be received by the beacon, which preprocesses it and possibly transmits it to the remote server. In examples of implementations of an emergency operation, the beacon can determine the location without transmitting the signal to the remote server, preferably the location being carried out from a map of the location, for example the map being transmitted to the beacon when emergency operation is triggered, in particular by a remote server or by the receiver before reversing the operation. This makes it possible to adapt to emergency situations in which the receiver would no longer have the capacity to transmit the signal to the remote server.For example, when the receiver is operating from the local communication network and the latter is cut off in emergency operation.

[0041] Alternatively, the receiver is connected to a battery intended to provide the necessary electrical power in the event of switching to emergency operation.

[0042] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a geolocation system, in particular indoors, of at least one beacon, the system comprising:

[0043] - a remote server;

[0044] - one or more receivers configured to receive a signal emitted by the beacon, applying pre-processing to said signal by at least adding an identifier associated with the receiver and transmitting this pre-processed signal to the remote server, the pre-processed signal comprising, in addition to said identifier associated with the receiver, an identifier associated with said at least one beacon;

[0045] the remote server comprising instructions which, when executed, cause it to implement the following steps:

[0046] o Reception of the preprocessed signal(s) emitted by the receiver(s);

[0047] o Determining the location of said at least one beacon by calculating for each pre-processed signal received a perimeter separating said at least one beacon from the receiver having emitted said pre-processed signal, the beacon and the receiver being identified by means of the identifiers associated respectively with the beacon and the receiver;

[0048] o Transmission of the location of said at least one beacon.

[0049] This system preferably comprises a communication device on which the location of the beacon is transmitted.

[0050] The system is particularly well suited for implementing a method according to the invention.

[0051] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a modular geolocation device, in particular indoors, of at least one beacon, the device comprising:

[0052] - a connecting support comprising at least one connection location of a module to connect;

[0053] - one or more modules to be connected to at least one connection location of the support, at least one of the modules comprising at least one sensor for detecting and receiving a signal emitted by the beacon to be located and at least one of the modules comprising at least means for transmitting a signal to a remote server,

[0054] the support being arranged to allow the electrical supply of the modules thanks to an electrical connection between the module to be connected and a safety signaling block to which the support is connected.

[0055] Such a device allows ease of installation and great flexibility. In particular, the module can easily be inserted into any type of pre-existing installation. Furthermore, this modularity allows for the evolution of technologies without the need to change the safety signaling block as a whole but also to save the same modular device and the module(s) to be connected when the safety signaling block must be changed by connecting the modular device into a new safety signaling block.

[0056] The modular device may comprise at least a first module and a second module, the first module comprising the sensor, the second module comprising the means of transmission.

[0057] Such a modular device allows, among other things, great adaptability and flexibility to environments and needs, both in terms of transmission technologies (WiFi, 4G / 5G, LoRa, etc.) and types of transmitters / receivers (BLE, UWB, Grin-Locs, etc.).

[0058] The geolocation system according to the invention can advantageously comprise a modular device making it possible to connect the receiver(s) in safety signaling blocks. Definitions

[0059] By "safety signaling unit" is meant any type of equipment necessary to ensure the safety of individuals in a given place, in particular allowing the guidance and evacuation of people, the detection of smoke or intruders. In particular, the safety signaling units can be Autonomous Lighting and Safety Beacons (BAES), but also Autonomous Home Lighting Units (BAEH), or Luminaires on Centralized Source LSC.

[0060] The term "perimeter" means the delimitation of an area or surface in which the beacon is located. This perimeter can take the form of a geometric shape, such as a circle or a polygon, however it can also take any shape.

[0061] By "mapping" we mean a set of information allowing the organization of a place to be visualized or defined. It can take the form of a graphic representation, for example an evacuation plan or an architectural plan. The representation can be 2D or 3D. It can take the form of a description defining the number of rooms, their layout, their surface area or volume, etc. Brief description of the drawings

[0062] The invention may be better understood by reading the following description, non-limiting examples of its implementation, and by examining the attached drawing, in which:

[0063] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] schematically represents a geolocation system according to the invention,

[0064] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a schematic of a modular device according to the invention,

[0065] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates a plan of a given place determining the location of a beacon from a method according to the invention,

[0066] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a plan of a floor of an emergency department, and

[0067] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a comparative table between a real location and a loca estimated use by implementing the invention. Detailed description

[0068] [Fig.l] illustrates a geolocation system 1 implementing a geolocation method according to the invention.

[0069] The system comprises a remote server 30 and one or more receivers 20 configured to receive a signal emitted 12 by a beacon 10, apply pre-processing to said signal by at least adding an identifier associated with the receiver and transmit this pre-processed signal 22 to the remote server, the pre-processed signal 22 comprising, in addition to said identifier associated with the receiver, an identifier associated with said at least one beacon. Tag

[0070] The beacon 10 can be integrated into a communication device, identical or different from the communication device 40 receiving the data from the remote server 30.

[0071] For example, the beacon can be a mobile phone.

[0072] In embodiments of the invention, the beacon only operates as a transmitter, and does not operate as a receiver.

[0073] The tag can be a transmitter chip integrated into a box or a badge, for example a UHF RFID chip (Ultra High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification).

[0074] The tag may preferably be worn by an individual or attached to an object.

[0075] Said signal 12 emitted by the beacon 10 is preferably a radio signal, in particular a Bluetooth signal or a WiFi signal. Receiver

[0076] Said signal 12 emitted by the beacon 10 is received by a sensor 24 of the receiver 20. The sensor can be a BLE receiver.

[0077] Preferably, the receiver further comprises a processing unit 26 allowing the pre-processing of the signal 12. The processing unit 26 may be a microcontroller, a microprocessor, an Arduino® card.

[0078] The pre-processing comprises at least the addition of an identifier associated with said at least one beacon 10 and an identifier associated with said at least one receiver 20 to the transmitted signal 12, for example by the addition of a header forming a pre-processed signal 22.

[0079] The identifiers can be a number, a name, a MAC address. Each identifier is preferably unique.

[0080] The pre-processing may include modulation of the transmitted signal 12, reduction of the noise contained in said transmitted signal 12, the addition of additional information relating to said receiver and / or to the environment and / or to said beacon.

[0081] The additional information may, for example, indicate the status of the receiver, in particular whether it has been disconnected, unplugged or updated, indicate the time of transmission of the signal by the beacon and / or the time of reception of the signal by the receiver, and / or a signal amplitude, and / or a type of encryption. This list is not exhaustive.

[0082] The receiver 20 comprises transmission means 28 allowing the transmission of the preprocessed signal 22 to the remote server 30. The transmission means may comprise a WIFI transmitter, a 5G transmitter or a LoRA transmitter.

[0083] The at least one receiver 20 is integrated into a safety signaling block 50.

[0084] [Fig.2] illustrates an example of a receiver 20 connected to a signaling block of security 50.

[0085] In the example of [Fig.2] a modular geolocation device 2 is shown comprising a connection support 60 comprising at least one connection location 64a; 64b intended to be connected to a module to be connected 68a; 68b.

[0086] One or more modules to be connected 68a; 68b can be connected to the connection support 60, at least one of the modules comprising at least one sensor 24 for the detection and reception of a signal emitted 12 by the beacon 10 to be located and at least one of the modules comprising at least means 28 for transmitting a signal 22 to a remote server 30.

[0087] The connecting support 60 is arranged to allow the electrical supply of the modules thanks to an electrical connection between the module to be connected and a safety signaling block to which the support is connected.

[0088] For example, the at least one module to be connected may comprise a connector 66 configured to be electrically connected to the connection location 64a; 64b.

[0089] Said at least one module to be connected may comprise all or part of the following elements: a microcontroller or a microprocessor, a storage unit, a battery or cell, a voltage converter, a coding unit, preferably each module to be connected comprises a microcontroller or a microprocessor and a coding unit. Server

[0090] Said remote server 30 determines the location of said at least one beacon by calculating for each signal transmitted 22 by said at least one receiver a perimeter separating the beacon 10 from said receiver 20, the beacon and the receiver being identified by the server by means of the identifiers associated respectively with the beacon and the receiver.

[0091] [Fig.3] illustrates determined perimeters PI and P2 separating a beacon 10 from two receivers 201 and 202 respectively.

[0092] Preferably, the location is refined based on a PO map of the location in which said at least one beacon 10 is located. Preferably, the map is determined based on the receiver(s) and the location in which they are installed.

[0093] From the different perimeters PI, P2 determined and possibly from the PO mapping, the remote server can calculate a perimeter P3 corresponding to the loca- reading of tag 10.

[0094] Said server 30 then transmits a signal 32 comprising at least the location of said at least one beacon 10 to a communication device 40 and / or records said signal 32 comprising the location of said at least one beacon 10, for example in a database 42.

[0095] The server 30 can further determine additional information and transmit it to the communication device and / or record it.

[0096] In particular, the remote server can be configured to predict movements of said at least one beacon by implementing a method for analyzing a movement comprising the supply of the signal 22 to at least one automatic learning algorithm previously trained by means of a learning base formed of signals acquired beforehand in a given location, so as to allow a prediction of a movement of said at least one beacon in said location.

[0097] For example, said place may be all or part of a public building, a supervised environment, a medical enclosure, or an industrial building, in particular, a hospital, a clinic, an EHPAD, a closed medical entity, a town hall, a museum, a prison environment, a factory, a tertiary building, a metro, an exhibition center, a university center, a ship, a submarine.

[0098] In particular, said place is a medical enclosure, in particular a clinic, a hospital or an EHPAD, the beacon preferably being carried by a patient or mobile equipment such as a stretcher or a wheelchair. Communication device

[0099] The location determined by the server can be transmitted to several communication devices 40.

[0100] Preferably, sending the location of a beacon 10 to one or more communication devices depends on the identifier associated with said beacon.

[0101] The communication device can be a tablet, a smart watch, a mobile phone, a computer.

[0102] The location may also be stored, for example in a database, included or separate from the remote server.

[0103] The stored locations can be used by a machine learning algorithm so as to enable the analysis, and preferably the prediction, of the movements of said at least one beacon.

[0104] The machine learning algorithm also called “Machine Learning” can be a deep learning algorithm, known as “Deep Learning”.

[0105] By "a machine learning algorithm" is meant one or more al machine learning algorithms, which can be implemented successively and / or in parallel.

[0106] The machine learning algorithm is preferably trained so as to enable the prediction, from location data provided as input to the algorithm, of location data at a later time.

[0107] The machine learning algorithm can be trained from a training data set allowing the machine learning algorithm to make a link between location data at a time t and location data at a later time t+At. Once trained, the algorithm can then predict from location data at a time t, location data at a time t+At.

[0108] The training data set may be collected beforehand, for example in a location for which the algorithm is intended to be implemented, or one or more locations similar to the location for which the algorithm is intended to be implemented, a similar location possibly relating to a similar operation and / or an identical structure. Hospitals may be considered to be similar to each other. A clinic may be similar to a hospital.

[0109] The training data set can be enriched continuously or regularly, allowing the algorithm to be updated and its prediction performance to be improved.

[0110] The training data may relate to the recording of location data of certain equipment or people over time, for example the recording of the movements of stretchers in a hospital department or of care staff.

[0111] In particular embodiments, a first machine learning algorithm can be implemented to enable the classification of the location for which one seeks to implement the localization method, the locations being able to be classified according to the movement behaviors within the locations, structures, operations or uses.

[0112] Travel behaviors may relate to areas with restricted access, to a direction of travel, to the presence of traffic signs.

[0113] The operations or uses may relate to the fact that the place is a public building, a hospital building, offices, housing. Example of implementation in a hospital

[0114] It may be useful to be able to locate all the stretchers in real time, particularly in an emergency department, in order to efficiently repatriate some of them if necessary, but also to enable statistical analyses of travel times between different departments. The method according to the invention can then make it possible to optimize the use of stretchers and their movement between different departments.

[0115] Said at least one beacon 10 is positioned on a stretcher that it is desired to locate. Preferably, each stretcher comprises a beacon 10.

[0116] [Fig.4] illustrates a plan of an emergency service. The stars represent the receivers 20 positioned in all or part of the safety signaling blocks of said emergency service. The points A, B, C, D, E, F, GH, I, JK, LM, N, O, P represent the actual locations of said beacon 10 over time.

[0117] In the table of [Fig.5] are noted the actual locations and the locations determined by the method according to the invention of said beacon 10 over time.

[0118] The locations determined by means of the method according to the invention can be recorded in a database.

[0119] From this recorded data, a statistical analysis can be carried out in order in particular to train a learning algorithm and enable the prediction of movements, in particular of movement times and thus refine the determination of the location.

[0120] This recorded data can also make it possible to determine margins of error.

[0121] The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

[0122] The invention can be implemented to monitor the outpatient pathways of patients in clinics or hospitals.

[0123] The invention is of course not limited to geolocation in a hospital environment but can also be used to enable geolocation in museums, metro stations or train stations and airports, ships or submarines.

[0124] In particular, the invention can allow the development of geolocated visits to museums.

[0125] The invention can further be coupled with monitoring methods using indoor location data.

[0126] The expression “comprising a” must be understood as a synonym for the expression “comprising at least one”, except where otherwise specified.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for geolocation, in particular indoors, of at least one beacon (10), the method using at least one receiver (20), preferably several receivers, each receiver being integrated in a security signaling block (50), and comprising the following steps: - said at least one beacon (10) emits a signal (12); - said at least one receiver (20) receives said signal and preprocesses the latter by at least adding an identifier associated with the receiver; - said at least one receiver (20) transmits the preprocessed signal (22) to a remote server (30), the preprocessed signal comprising, in addition to said identifier associated with the receiver, an identifier associated with said at least one beacon; - said remote server (30) determines the location of said at least one beacon (10) by calculating for each signal transmitted (12) by said at least one receiver (20) a perimeter (PI; P2;P3) separating the beacon from said receiver, the beacon and the receiver being identified by the server by means of the identifiers associated respectively with the beacon and the receiver; and - said server (30) records the location of said at least one beacon and / or transmits it to a communication device (40).;

2. Method according to the preceding claim, in which said at least one beacon (10) is a transmitting beacon not operating in reception.

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the location is refined according to a mapping (PO) of the place in which said at least one beacon is located.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the server (30) comprises code instructions which, when executed, cause it to implement a method of analyzing a movement by subjecting the signal to at least one machine learning algorithm previously trained using a learning base formed from signals previously acquired in a given location, so as to enable a prediction of a moving said at least one beacon in said location.

5. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the given place is all or part of a public building, a monitored environment, a medical enclosure, or an industrial building, in particular, a hospital, a clinic, a residential establishment for dependent elderly people commonly called EHPAD, a closed medical entity, a town hall, a museum, a prison environment, a factory, a tertiary building, a metro, an exhibition center, a university center, a ship, a submarine.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which several receivers (20) receive and transmit the signal emitted by the same beacon (10) to the remote server (30).

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 6, comprising the implementation of an emergency operation comprising the reception of information indicating the transition to emergency operation, the operation of the receiver and the beacon then being reversed so that the receiver transmits a signal intended to be received by the beacon, which preprocesses it and transmits it to the remote server.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the receiver transmits information relating to its positioning to the remote server, this information being able to be contained in the identifier associated with the receiver.

9. Method according to the preceding claim, in which said information relating to the positioning of said receiver indicates an operating state, for example indicating whether it has been unplugged or disconnected, or whether it is operating on battery, or indicates an installation date, or an update date.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of verifying the positioning of all or part of the receiver(s), preferably when the method is according to one of claims 8 or 9, the verification step is carried out as a function of the information relating to the positioning of said receiver.

11. Geolocation system (1), in particular indoors, of at least one beacon (10), the system comprising: - a remote server (30); - one or more receivers (20) configured to receive a signal emitted (12) by the beacon (10), apply a pre- processing said signal by at least adding an identifier associated with the receiver and transmitting this pre-processed signal (22) to the remote server (30), the pre-processed signal comprising, in addition to said identifier associated with the receiver, an identifier associated with said at least one beacon; the remote server (30) comprising instructions which, when executed, cause it to implement the following steps: • Reception of the pre-processed signal(s) (22) and emitted by the receiver(s); • Determining the location of said at least one beacon (10) by calculating for each pre-processed signal received a perimeter separating said at least one beacon from the receiver having emitted said pre-processed signal, the beacon and the receiver being identified by means of the identifiers associated respectively with the beacon and the receiver; • Transmission of the location of said at least one beacon.

12. System according to the preceding claim, comprising a communication device (40) on which the location of the beacon is transmitted.

13. Modular device (2) for geolocation, in particular indoors, of at least one beacon (10), the device comprising: - a connecting support (60) comprising at least one connection location (64) of a module to be connected (68a; 68b); - one or more modules to be connected to at least one connection location of the support, at least one of the modules comprising at least one sensor (24) for detecting and receiving a signal emitted (12) by the beacon (10) to be located and at least one of the modules comprising at least means for transmitting (28) a signal (22) to a remote server (30), the support (60) being arranged to allow the electrical supply of the modules (68a; 68b) thanks to an electrical connection (64a; 64b) between the module to be connected and a safety signaling block (50) on which the support is connected.

14. Modular device according to the preceding claim, comprising at least a first module (68b) and a second module (68a), the first module (68b) comprising the sensor (24), the second module (68a) comprising the transmission means (28).

Images