Mobile route monitoring unit

• US 6,839,627 B1
• Filed: 10/16/2000
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Horst H. Bauch
• Original Assignee: Horst H. Bauch
• Inventors: Bauch, Horst H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thu V.
• Application Number:
  US10/089,094
• Time in Patent Office: 1,541 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/202, 701/205, 701207-210, 701213-214, 340/998, 340/990, 340991-995, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/357.08
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching

Abstract

A mobile route monitoring unit including a data store, which stores predefined route data, a position sensor, which determines the position of the mobile route monitoring unit, a processor, which determines possible deviations from a route defined by the route data, a permissible route, and the actual position of the unit and a transmitter, which in the event of a deviation from the route sends a signal to a center. The above-mentioned elements form a mobile unit that enables self-sufficient route monitoring to be performed, which can accordingly occur locally, i.e., executed by the mobile route monitoring unit. The necessity of transmitting cost incurring signals at regular intervals becomes superfluous. Non-permissible route deviations are rapidly determined and are securely communicated by sending a signal to the center. The utilization of a permissible and defined region instead of the route is also realized.

Claims

1. Mobile route monitoring unit comprising:

a data memory configured to store route data with tolerance data;

a position sensor configured to indicate a position of the mobile route-monitoring unit;

a processor configured to indicate possible route deviations between a route defined by the route data and a current position of the route monitoring unit; and

a transmitter, which in an event of a route deviation, is configured to send a message to a control unit;

wherein the route data represents the route in a form of coordinates and assigned route vectors, and the tolerance data exists as authorized deviation values in a vertical direction of a next route vector, whereby a length of the route vectors and the authorized deviation values for all route vectors can be selected depending on the route and can be adjusted to the route.

2. Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter communicates by a GSM network voice channel.

3. Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 1, further comprising a data reception device to receive preset route data.

4. Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 3, wherein the data reception device includes a reader configured to read data from a changeable storage medium.

5. Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 3, wherein the data reception device includes a receiver configured to communicate by a voice channel of a GSM network.

6. Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 1, further comprising an input to receive preset route data.

7. Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 1, wherein the position sensor includes a GPS receiver.

8. Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 1, wherein the stored route data can be changed at any time.

9. Route monitoring system, comprising:

a mobile route monitoring unit comprising;

a data memory configured to store route data with tolerance data;

a position sensor configured to indicate a position of the mobile route-monitoring unit;

a processor configured to indicate possible route deviations between a route defined by the route data and a current position of the route monitoring unit; and

a transmitter, which in an event of a route deviation, is configured to send a message to a control unit;

wherein the route data represents the route in a form of coordinates and assigned route vectors, and the tolerance data exists as authorized deviation values in a vertical direction of a next route vector, whereby a length of the route vectors and the authorized deviation values for all route vectors can be selected depending on the route and can be adjusted to the route;

wherein the route monitoring system comprises a device to process the route data.

10. Route monitoring system comprising:

a mobile route-monitoring unit comprising;

a data memory configured to store route data with tolerance data;

a position sensor configured to indicate a position of the mobile route-monitoring unit;

a processor configured to indicate possible route deviations between a route defined by the route data and a current position of the route monitoring unit; and

a transmitter, which in an event of a route deviation, is configured to send a message to a control unit;

wherein the route data represents the route in a form of coordinates and assigned route vectors, and the tolerance data exists as authorized deviation values in a vertical direction of a next route vector, whereby a length of the route vectors and the authorized deviation values for all route vectors can be selected depending on the route and can be adjusted to the route;

wherein the route monitoring system comprises a receiver assigned to the transmitter.