Object presence analysis system and method

• US 20060109135A1
• Filed: 05/23/2003
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microchip Technology Germany GmbH (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: IDENT Technology AG (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Richter, Wolfgang, Rosenbeck, Peter, Donat, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 7,652,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.600
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

The invention generally relates to object presence analysis, especially that of objects which are worn in the immediate vicinity of a user, on the body thereof for example, or in the clothing thereof. The invention more specifically relates to a system, components of said system and to a method used to determine the presence of specific objects in a reliable manner in the immediate vicinity of a user, i.e. enabling the presence of said objects to be determined. The aim of the invention is to detect, analyze or monitor the presence of specific objects of a person, i.e. the presence of objects in an immediate vicinity such as the area close to the body, in a reliable manner. According to the invention, a signal is generated by a signal transmitter which is assigned to the object that is to be monitored and which is, more particularly connected thereto. Said signal is fed into a receiver via a user, especially the body thereof and/or clothes thereof. An indicative analysis output signal is produced with regard to the presence of an object as a result of signal-processing-based observation of the reception event detected via the user or the clothes thereof.

Claims

1. Presence analysis system for objects with

at least one signal transmission device, which is allocated to the object to be observed in terms of its presence, to transmit and object or signal transmission device specific signal,

a reception device for the recording of a reception event, which in the event of the presence of the object receives the object or signal transmission device specific signal, and

an analysis device, which is coupled with the reception device, for the generation of an indicative analysis output signal based on the presence or absence of the object through a signal-processing analysis of the reception event.

2. System based on claim 1, whereby the signal transmission device is designed in such a way that it couples the object or signal transmission device specific signal based on capacitative counter effects into a reception device worn by the user, for at least the partial transfer of the object or signal transmission device specific signal via the body and/or the clothing of the user.

3. System based on claim 2, whereby the reception device features a reception organ for the recording of the object or signal transmission device specific signal coupled into the user based on capacitative counter effects.

4. System based on claim 1, whereby the signal transmission device is designed in such a way that the object or signal transmission device specific signal is configured as a data telegram.

5. System based on claim 4, whereby the data telegram carries an identification code.

6. System based on claim 1, whereby this system encompasses several signal transmission devices.

7. System based on claim 1, whereby the signal transmission devices are configured in such a way that the transmitted object or signal transmission device specific signals are at least overlay free in some phases.

8. System based on claim 1, whereby the reception device features a trigger signal device for the transmission of a trigger signal.

9. System based on claim 1, whereby at least one of the signal transmission devices features a trigger signal recording device.

10. System based on claim 9, whereby at least one signal transmission device features an absorption device for the absorption of energy fraction coupled into the user based on inductive and/or capacitive counter effects, whereby at least a part of the energy fractions absorbed in the signal transmission device is utilized for the generation of the object or signal transmission device specific signal.

11. Reception device for a system based on claim 1 with an output device for the output of the presence output signal via acoustic, optical and/or haptive means.

12. Reception device based on claim 11, whereby the former is integrated into a mobile phone.

13. Signal transmission device for a system based on claim 1, whereby it is designed in such a way that it can be coupled with the object to be observed in relation to the latter'"'"'s presence.

14. Signal transmission device based on claim 13, whereby it is incorporated into a credit-card like basic corpus.

18. Process based on claim 14, whereby the signal transmission device is operated via trigger system in terms of the transmission of the object and/or signal transmission device specific system.

15. Process for the implementation of a presence analysis of objects during which

an object or signal transmission device specific signal is transmitted within the scope of a signal transmission phase via a signal transmission device connected with the object to be observed and

it is determined whether the object equipped with the signal transmission device within the observation area within the scope of a signal reception analysis phase based on a reception signal received by a reception device.

16. Process based on claim 15, whereby the observation area is determined through a defined minimum signal intensity of the signal received.

17. Process based on claim 15, whereby the object or signal transmission device specific signal carries an identification code.

19. Process based on claim 15, whereby the object and/or signal transmission device specific signals are transmitted via different frequency bands if several signal transmission devices are utilized.

20. Process based on claim 15, whereby each signal transmission device transmits a pulsating object and/or signal transmission device specific signal on two different frequency bands.

21. Process based on claim 15, whereby the timely interval between the pulsating transmission of object and/or signal transmission device specific signals is changed.

22. System for the implementation of a data transfer utilizing

at least one data transfer device to be carried by the user for the transmission and/or the reception of a signal sequence

a second data transfer device, which is located in a communications area, also for the transmission and/or the reception of a signal sequence, to and/or from the other carried data transfer device and

at least one analysis device, which is coupled with a data transfer device, for the generation of a an output data batch based on a signal processing review of the signal sequence based on the characteristics exchanged between the data transfer devices, whereby a process relating to the user is coordinated on the basis of the output data batch.

23. System based on claim 22, whereby the other data transfer device to be carried is integrated into a credit-card-like unit.

24. System based on claim 22, whereby the other data transfer device to be carried features a signal transmission device and a signal reception device

25. System based on claim 22, whereby the second data transfer device features a signal transmission device and a signal reception device.

26. System based on claim 25, whereby the other data transfer device to be carried issues a data telegram, which contains user-specific information or accounting data, especially rebate relevant data.

27. System based on claim 22, whereby the second data transfer device is connected to a cashier system.

28. System based on claim 22, whereby the second data transfer device sends a data sequence to the other data transfer device to be carried if certain defined criteria are being met, and that an analysis device in the other data transfer device to be carried verifies the information content of the data sequence and that in the event that the object or merchandise verification criteria are being met, a function release or suspension is initiated.

29. System based on claim 22, whereby the signal communication between the two data transfer devices is based on capacitive, field electrical counter effects.

59. Vehicle locking system based on claim 23, characterized by the enhancement that the data transfer device is integrated into a key device.

30. Credit card like element featuring a data transfer device for the implementation of a data transfer coupling a signal sequence into the body of the user.

31. Cashier'"'"'s system featuring a data transfer device for the implementation of a data transfer with a data transfer device to be carried by the user for the transmission and/or the reception of a signal sequence,

a second data transfer device, which is located in the cashier'"'"'s system, also for the transmission and/or the reception of a signal sequence, to and/or from the data transfer device to be carried by the user, and

at least one analysis device, which is coupled with a data transfer device, for the generation of a an output data batch based on a signal processing review of the signal sequence based on the characteristics exchanged between the data transfer devices, whereby a process relating to the user-carried card is coordinated on the basis of the output data batch.

32. Cashier'"'"'s system based on claim 31, whereby a warranty verification is compiled within the scope of the process coordination, based on data output from the data transfer device to be carried by user.

33. Cashier'"'"'s system based on claim 31 a data sequence from the data transfer device to be carried by the user is transferred via the second data transfer device, and a verification is performed in the data transfer device to be carried by the user, whereby a process coordination is achieved depending on the verification results.

34. Process for the implementation of an electronic user or customer related data transfer, especially in connection with the purchase of products or services, during which a data sequence is released within the scope of customer card identification step via a data transfer device integrated into the customer card to be carried by the user;

which is recorded by a second data transfer device;

whereby based on a signal-processing review of a reception event recorded by the second data transfer device a service related to the user or the purchase of merchandise, is coordinated.

35. System encompassing:

a data transfer device to be carried by the user for the generation of a signal sequence that can be recorded by a reception system

an accompanying device to also be carried by the user

whereby the data transfer device and the accompanying device are designed and can be configured in such a way that depending on whether the data transfer device and the accompanying device are located in the vicinity of the user, so that the signal sequence can be classified accordingly.

36. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the accompanying device and the data transfer device are designed in such a fashion that a signal transfer between them can be performed.

37. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the data transfer device encompasses a data processing switch.

38. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the accompanying device encompasses a signal transmission device.

39. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the signal transfer between the accompanying device and signal transmission device is performing while the signal is coupled into the user.

40. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that depending on the intensity of the signal transferred between the data transfer device and the accompanying device it is determined whether both devices are within the vicinity of the user.

41. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the accompanying device generates a signal that puts the data transfer into a status where it can send out a signal sequence that is classifiable authorized.

42. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the accompanying device and the data transfer device are part of a system that performs a presence analysis.

43. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that depending on the presence assessment function releases or function suspensions in the data transfer device are performed.

44. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the accompanying device is incorporated into a mobile phone.

45. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the accompanying device is integrated into a card element.

46. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the accompanying device is incorporated into an object that is part of the user'"'"'s equipment/attire.

47. System based on at least one of claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the data transfer device is integrated into a vehicle key device.

48. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the data transfer device is integrated into a credit card.

49. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the credit card is placed in a suspended status if it is removed from the user area defined by the presence of the accompanying device.

50. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the suspension criteria can be configured.

51. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the suspension effects can be configured.

52. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that in the case of a credit/check card the number of uses and the amounts turned over can be limited, if these are removed from the user area defined by the presence of the accompanying device.

53. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that in the case of a vehicle key device it can be configured in such a way that the key effect is limited, if it is removed from the user area defined by the presence of the accompanying device.

54. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that the signal transfer between the accompanying device and the data transfer device is based on electro-static counter effects.

55. System based on claim 35, characterized by the enhancement that for the accompanying device an electrode device for the coupling of the signal into the user is available.

56. Signal transmission device for a system based on claim 35.

57. Accompanying device for a system based on claim 35.

58. Vehicle locking system with

a door locking device featuring a reception device for the reception of a signal sequence causing a modification of the locking status

a data transfer device to be carried by the user for the transmission of the signal sequence and

an accompanying device, also to be carried by the user

whereby the data transfer device and the accompanying device are designed and can be configured in such a way that depending on whether the data transfer device as well as the accompanying device are located in the vicinity of the user, the signal sequence can be classified as appropriate for the modification of the locking status.