WO2002095441A1 - Equipment for assistance in locating a mobile object such as a stray or missing animal - Google Patents

Equipment for assistance in locating a mobile object such as a stray or missing animal Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002095441A1
WO2002095441A1 PCT/FR2002/001743 FR0201743W WO02095441A1 WO 2002095441 A1 WO2002095441 A1 WO 2002095441A1 FR 0201743 W FR0201743 W FR 0201743W WO 02095441 A1 WO02095441 A1 WO 02095441A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
animal
antennas
equipment
console
antenna
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2002/001743
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Dominique Marquis
Original Assignee
Le Guen, Jeanne
Marcellot, Jean-Pierre
Phan, Xuang-Quang
Marquis, Murielle
Blanc, Dominique
Ramahefarivony, Annick
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Le Guen, Jeanne, Marcellot, Jean-Pierre, Phan, Xuang-Quang, Marquis, Murielle, Blanc, Dominique, Ramahefarivony, Annick filed Critical Le Guen, Jeanne
Priority to EP02735558A priority Critical patent/EP1399754A1/en
Publication of WO2002095441A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002095441A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S1/00—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith
    • G01S1/02—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves
    • G01S1/68—Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
    • G01S3/02—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using radio waves
    • G01S3/14—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
    • G01S3/28—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using amplitude comparison of signals derived simultaneously from receiving antennas or antenna systems having differently-oriented directivity characteristics
    • G01S3/30—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using amplitude comparison of signals derived simultaneously from receiving antennas or antenna systems having differently-oriented directivity characteristics derived directly from separate directional systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
    • G01S5/02—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
    • G01S5/0205—Details
    • G01S5/0226—Transmitters
    • G01S5/0231—Emergency, distress or locator beacons

Definitions

  • Equipment to help locate a mobile object such as a lost or missing animal
  • the invention relates to an autonomous equipment for assisting in locating a lost or disappeared animal.
  • the essential function of the equipment according to the invention is to provide, more than an indication of positioning, a localization aid, largely sufficient to guide searches, and compatible with a cost price adapted to a consumer product.
  • FR-A-2 578 059 describes a device for locating a lost animal comprising a radio transmitter collar worn by the animal.
  • the master has a radio receiver provided with an orientable frame picking up the signal emitted by the collar. By turning the frame, the master searches for the direction of maximum intensity of the received signal, which gives him an indication of the direction of the transmitter. By repeating the same operation at another point it can, by triangulation, determine the position of the animal.
  • This device which in fact offers to apply to the search for an animal the well-known principles of direction finding is in practice difficult to implement, at least for three reasons:
  • the FR-A-2 759 171 also offers a system with a transmitter worn by the victim and a receiver used by the rescuer.
  • the first stage of research consists in squaring the avalanche zone until determining a maximum intensity of the received signal.
  • the rescuer has thus placed himself in a relatively small area (a radius of the order of three meters) above which the victim must be, the final positioning is obtained by a directional search, in rotating the device and searching for the maximum of the signal received by a tuned coil, in the same way as in the aforementioned FR-A-2 578 059.
  • FR-A-2 759 171 is however not suitable for finding an animal located in a relatively large area, typically within a radius of up to several hundred meters. Indeed, it is not possible, in this case, to crisscross the entire search area until you are a few meters from the transmitter to start directional search, as proposed by FR-A-2 759,171.
  • this known device does not solve the problem of the selective search for a given object, person or animal in a sector where there are several transmitters. Indeed, in the case of the search for victims of an avalanche, it is obviously essential to find all the victims, and not one specific victim among several. In addition, the fact that directional search is activated only within a radius of a few meters from the victim means that the risk of disturbance by two transmitters operating simultaneously is very low (or else it will be two victims buried in the same place, which will therefore be detected together). If, on the contrary, several victims are dispersed, the broadcasts will not interfere because the rescuers will then find several signal maxima.
  • One of the aims of the invention is to provide equipment for assisting in the location of a mobile object such as a lost or disappeared animal, comprising direction indicator means which can be implemented effectively in several tens or hundreds of meters from the transmitter, this in order to avoid any systematic grid pattern in the area, grid pattern which would in practice be impossible in the case of an urban or suburban area.
  • Another object of the invention is to allow such research in an area where several transmitters operating simultaneously can be located, by operating an appropriate discrimination so as to direct the operator towards the only animal he is looking for, without being disturbed. - bé by the emissions produced by the other animals (lost or not) present in the same sector.
  • the equipment according to the invention comprises the means described in the aforementioned FR-A-2 759 171, namely equipment for assisting in the location of a mobile object such as a stray animal, comprising in combination: lise comprising means for securing to the animal, means transmitters of a radio signal, and an antenna capable of radiating the radio signal, as well as a research console comprising an antenna system, with at least two antennas capable of picking up said radio signal, means for receiving the respective radio signals sensed by the antennas, and indicating means, to give guidance information as a function of the signals delivered by the receiving means.
  • the equipment of the invention is characterized in that:
  • the tag includes an encoder capable of generating a unique code for identifying the animal and modulating the radio signal produced by said transmitting means as a function of this identification code
  • the console antenna system comprises at least three antennas, with an omnidirectional antenna and at least two directional antennas whose directions of greatest gain are oriented in different directions,
  • the console comprises code recognition means for extracting, from the signals delivered by each of the receiving means associated with each of the antennas, a specific signal modulated by the identification code of the animal to be searched for, and the means indicating the console include means for comparing the relative levels of the specific signals simultaneously received by each of the antennas, and delivering in response, to the user of the console, corresponding guidance information.
  • the indicating means deliver in response an indication establishment of the radio contact without determining an incidence direction, the operator can then be asked to modify its orientation by rotation of a quarter turn pending the next reception of a code;
  • the indicator means can also deliver information on the relative level of the signal received by the antenna receiving the highest level signal;
  • the tag also includes a temperature sensor, the general encoder also denying a numerical value of the "go / no go" type, that is to say normal / abnormal, transmitted by modulation of the signal emitted with the identification code of the animal;
  • the transmitting means of the beacon are means with intermittent operation, with transmission times chosen in a pseudo-random manner.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the various functional blocks of the transmitting beacon according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the various functional blocks of the research receiver console according to the invention.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the radiation patterns of the different elements of the antenna system.
  • FIG. 1 the structure of the transmitting beacon according to the invention has been illustrated in the form of a block diagram.
  • This tag 100 is, in practice, produced in the form of a collar 102 which can be fixed to the neck of an animal by means of a closure system 104. A certain number of circuits are integrated in this collar, advantageously overmolded for guarantee the tightness and integrity of the equipment.
  • a transmitter 106 generates a radio signal, preferably in intermittent transmission, operating under the control of a clock 108, advantageously the internal clock of a microcontroller. It can for example be an 868 MHz transmitter implementing a TDA 5100 circuit or equivalent.
  • An encoder 110 for example implementing a circuit of the HCS 360 or equivalent type, or else integrated into the microcontroller, makes it possible to generate an animal identification code, specific to the latter.
  • the transmitter generates a signal coded by the encoder 110 intermittently, for example a transmission at a random instant chosen in each successive period of fifteen seconds for example (this repetition period being chosen arbitrarily), which makes it possible to reduce the risk of interference by other close transmitters of the same type also located in the covered area.
  • the assembly is powered by a battery 112, which can advantageously be supplemented or replaced by a solar cell combined with a rechargeable accumulator, to further increase the operating autonomy of the collar.
  • the signal produced by the transmitter 106 is radiated by an antenna presenting an omnidirectional diagram, for example a loop type antenna 114 provided with appropriate impedance matching and matching circuits.
  • the encoder 110 can advantageously encode, in addition to the unique identification of the animal, a certain number of information which it may be useful to transmit such as for example the level of the battery 112 (allowing the operator to anticipate a possible breakdown or change of accumulator or battery), or an indication given by a temperature sensor 116 placed on the inside of the collar in contact with the animal's body (this parameter, although affected by various external factors, can give a first indication of the state, living or dead, of the animal).
  • FIG. 2 illustrates in the form of a functional diagram the various elements constituting the search console, used by the master to receive the signals emitted by one or more beacons 100 and to evaluate the direction of incidence of the signal thus emitted.
  • This console 200 comprises an antenna system 202 comprising at least two directive antennas 204, 206 (which may be in greater number if it is desired to improve the performance of the console), as well as an omnidirectional antenna 208.
  • the directive antennas 204 , 206 are for example dipole, Yagi or log-periodic type antennas sized according to the frequency of use.
  • the omnidirectional antenna 208 is for example made up of a simple whip, or of an omnidirectional monopole or dipole.
  • Figure 3 shows examples of radiation patterns for these antennas.
  • Directive antennas 204 and 206 have each, seen from the receiver, a diagram with a respective main radiation lobe G, D oriented on either side of a central direction ⁇ corresponding for example to the main axis of the console housing.
  • the antenna 208 for its part, has a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern R, with a gain less than that of the directional antennas in the direction of the main lobe, and greater than the gain of these same antennas in the direction of the secondary lobes.
  • Each of the antennas 204, 206 ... 208 of the antenna system 202 is associated with a corresponding receiver circuit 214, 216 ... 218 making it possible to output a demodulated signal.
  • a code recognition circuit 220 makes it possible to extract the identification code in the modulation of the signal delivered by each of the receivers 214, 216 ... 218, so as to eliminate the signals coming from animals other than that sought, or parasitic signals whose modulation does not correspond to a tag according to the invention.
  • An analog / digital converter 222 associated with microprocessor 224, compares, as will be explained below, the relative level of the signals picked up by the different antennas coming from the same beacon.
  • a microprocessor 224 initialized (introduction of the code of the animal sought, etc.) by means of calibration 226 manages the various functions, in particular the display of a certain amount of information in response to the results of the comparisons carried out. by circuit 222.
  • the microprocessor first of all delivers information on the proximity, more or less, of the transmitting beacon (block 228).
  • This indication can be given in auditory form by a loudspeaker or vibrator 230, which indicates by the emission of an audible alarm that a radio contact with the beacon could have been established (signal received by at least one of the antennas of the antenna system 202).
  • a display 232 then gives a relative indication of the proximity between "far” and "near”, for example by display of the successive diodes of a graphic scale or "bargraph” 234.
  • the microprocessor also controls a display of the direction of inci - dence of the signal received (block 236), for example a display 238 comprising as three diodes 240, 242, 244 respectively corresponding to an instruction "advance to the left", “advance to the right” and “advance straight”; a "quarter turn” message can also be delivered to the operator by display and / or by lighting of a diode.
  • An additional display 246 makes it possible to give a certain number of additional information (state of the batteries, probability of life or death of the animal as a function of the temperature of the sensor attached to the collar, etc.).
  • the assembly is of course powered by batteries or accumulators 248 so as to give it the necessary autonomy.
  • the procedure for this equipment is as follows.
  • the collar tag is placed on the animal and the transmitter is activated, for example by inserting the battery and / or pressing a sensitive key.
  • a diode can be provided, the lighting of which indicates that the circuit is starting up and functioning properly.
  • This initial calibration phase can be carried out simply by approaching the collar of the search console, these being in operation, so that it recognizes and stores the specific code assigned to the collar. If there are several animals, the calibration operation must be carried out as many times as there are collars simultaneously under surveillance.
  • the equipment is therefore operational; the animal must wear the collar as long as its owner wishes to keep it under surveillance.
  • the first step consists in trying to establish radio contact with the collar tag. If this contact is established (that is to say if at least one of the antennas of the antenna system picks up a signal modulated by the code corresponding to the animal sought), the reception of this signal is materialized on the console by the lighting of an indicator light and / or an audible alarm.
  • radio contact cannot be established, this may mean that the animal is outside the radio coverage area, and corresponding information is delivered to the operator ("no reception of the code sought"); it is then necessary to widen the search perimeter by moving the console, the operator then moving on foot or bike to another location until you find radio contact.
  • the search console will provide the operator with directions to allow him to get closer to the animal.
  • the console constantly compares the levels of the fields received by each of the antennas and, depending on the result, lights an indicator of direction and / or displays a message as follows (refer to the radiation diagrams illustrated in Figure 3):
  • the direction of incidence is located in the central angular sector ⁇ OB ', OA' ⁇ and that the console score is correct; the user is then asked to go straight ahead. It is thus easy, by successive approximations and by using both the direction and proximity indicators, to reach the beacon area.
  • the proximity indicator although only an indicator In this respect, it is very useful for the user to determine whether he is far or close to the animal, or whether he is moving away from it or approaching it during his journey. When it is very close, a rhythmic alarm indicates to the operator that it is in the final search area. This alarm is concomitant with the flashing lighting of the four LEDs on the control panel.
  • the guiding principle that we have just described implements two directional antennas, but it is possible to increase the number of these, with the advantage of providing finer indications of search direction.
  • receivers 214, 216 ... 218 capable of comparing the signals received, in amplitude and in phase, in order to provide more precise angular information.
  • transceiver modules capable of comparing the signals received, in amplitude and in phase, in order to provide more precise angular information.
  • transceiver modules to establish a bidirectional link between the console and the collar tag, the latter then being able to be put on standby and reactivated on sending of an interrogation signal by the console.
  • a large antenna system in order to increase the range, allowing the detection of a signal from a more distant source.
  • Another configuration of the invention allows the console to be used as a fixed element, in this case making it possible to carry out real-time monitoring in addition to the search.
  • the console in this case, must of course be in permanent operation.
  • Another advantage of the invention consists, in order to carry out a search, in implementing several consoles belonging to one or more persons (friends, relatives, neighbors, association group, etc.), greatly improving the efficiency and speed of the research, each area can thus be approached from different angles which reduces greater the risk of radio masks (concrete, walls, etc.).
  • the code of the animal sought must imperatively be memorized in each console, which will allow each user to be able to count on the support of his neighbor or friend, as "mutual assistance”.

Abstract

A beacon comprises means to be secured to the animal, radio transmitting means, and an antenna. A search console (200) comprises an antenna system (202), with at least two antennae, means (214, 216, 218) for receiving signals picked up by the antennae, and indicating means, for supplying a guiding information. The beacon comprises an encoder capable of generating a single code identifying the animal and of modulating the radio signal produced by said transmitting means. The console antenna system (202) comprises at least three antennae, with one omnidirectional antenna (208) and at least two directional antennae (204, 206) whereof the greater gain directions are oriented in different directions. Code identifying means (220) extract, in the signals delivered by each of the receiving means associated with the antennae, a specific signal modulated by the code of the animal to be located, and the guide indicating means compare the relative levels of the specific signals simultaneously received by each of the antennae.

Description

Équipement d'aide à la localisation d'un objet mobile tel qu'un animal égaré ou disparu Equipment to help locate a mobile object such as a lost or missing animal
L'invention concerne un équipement autonome d'aide à la localisation d'un animal égaré ou disparu.The invention relates to an autonomous equipment for assisting in locating a lost or disappeared animal.
Cette application n'est cependant pas limitative de l'invention, qui peut, aussi bien, être appliquée à la surveillance, à la recherche ou à la localisation d'un objet ou d'une personne. L'application aux animaux domestiques est cependant considérée comme préférentielle, car elle correspond à un besoin auquel jusqu'à présent aucun équipement connu n'a permis de répondre de façon satisfaisante.This application is not, however, limiting of the invention, which can, as well, be applied to surveillance, research or localization of an object or a person. Application to domestic animals is however considered to be preferable, since it corresponds to a need to which hitherto no known equipment has made it possible to satisfactorily meet.
Les animaux domestiques tels que les chiens, plus fugueurs notamment à l'époque des chaleurs, et les chats, plus volontiers vagabonds, ont l'habitude d'évoluer dans un territoire relativement large autour de la maison de leur maître. Lorsque l'animal n'est pas revenu à la maison, les recherches que peut entreprendre le maître sont rarement fructueuses compte tenu du périmètre de recherche relativement étendu, en outre généralement situé dans des endroits difficiles d'accès tels que des zones urbaines ou pavillonnaires. En pratique, dans la quasi-totalité des cas l'animal n'est retrouvé que par le fruit du hasard.Domestic animals such as dogs, more runaways, especially during the heat season, and cats, more willingly vagrants, are used to evolving in a relatively large area around their owner's house. When the animal has not returned home, the research that the master can undertake is rarely fruitful given the relatively wide research perimeter, moreover generally located in places difficult to access such as urban or suburban areas . In practice, in almost all cases, the animal is only found by chance.
On connaît de nombreux systèmes de localisation d'objets mobiles mettant en œuvre des techniques de repérage très perfectionnées, utilisables dans le domaine scientifique pour le suivi d'espèces animalières menacées ou réimplantées, la surveillance de remorques ou de conteneurs transportant des chargements sensibles pendant leur trajet, etc. Mais il s'agit là d'équipement professionnel utilisant des techniques élaborées (par exemple une localisation GPS par satellite), donc coûteuses et relativement complexes à mettre en œuvre. Cette complexité résulte d'ailleurs généralement de la très grande étendue de la zone de localisation. Ces techniques ne sont pas applicables à un équipement grand public, notamment pour la recherche d'un animal égaré ou disparu. Outre un coût de réalisation limité et une mise en œuvre simple pour être accessible au plus grand nombre, il n'est pas nécessaire dans l'application particulière envisagée de disposer de performances très élevées, et ce pour deux raisons : - tout d'abord, en pratique, l'expérience montre qu'un animal domestique égaré ou disparu tel qu'un chien ou un chat, lorsqu'il est retrouvé rapidement, l'est généralement à proximité du domicile de son maître, dans un rayon de quelques centaines de mètres pour le chat, voire quelques kilomètres tout au plus pour le chien. Un équipement ayant un tel rayon d'action sera donc largement suffisant (pour certains chiens qui peuvent parcourir plusieurs kilomètres, on pourra prévoir une variante destinée spécifiquement à ces derniers, fonctionnant à l'identique mais à une fréquence plus basse augmentant sensiblement la portée) ;Numerous systems for locating mobile objects are known, implementing very sophisticated locating techniques, which can be used in the scientific field for monitoring endangered or resettled animal species, monitoring trailers or containers transporting sensitive loads during their route, etc. However, this is professional equipment using sophisticated techniques (for example GPS localization by satellite), therefore costly and relatively complex to implement. This complexity generally results from the very large extent of the location area. These techniques are not applicable to consumer equipment, in particular for finding a lost or missing animal. In addition to a limited production cost and simple implementation to be accessible to the greatest number, it is not necessary in the particular application envisaged to have very high performance, for two reasons: - first of all, in practice, experience shows that a lost or disappeared domestic animal such as a dog or a cat, when it is quickly found, is generally found near the owner's home, in a radius of a few hundred meters for the cat, or even a few kilometers at most for the dog. Equipment with such a range will therefore be largely sufficient (for certain dogs which can cover several kilometers, a variant intended specifically for the latter may be provided, operating identically but at a lower frequency significantly increasing the range) ;
- d'autre part, compte tenu du fait que, lors d'une recherche, le maître peut se déplacer autour de son domicile, il n'est pas indispensable de fournir une information de position de l'animal (c'est-à-dire les coordonnées exactes (longitude et latitude) de l'endroit où il se trouve, comme on peut l'obtenir par exemple avec un équipement GPS qui au surplus nécessite de disposer d'une cartographie associée adaptée) ; il suffit simplement de fournir au maître une information de direction lui permettant d'orienter sa recherche afin d'éviter un quadrillage systématique des abords de son domicile : une telle information de direc- tion, avantageusement associée à une estimation grossière de la distance (proche/lointain) et à une indication d'entrée dans la zone d'approche finale, permet d'aboutir en pratique très rapidement à l'emplacement où se trouve l'animal. En ce sens, la fonction essentielle de l'équipement selon l'invention est de fournir, plus qu'une indication de positionnement, une aide à la localisation, largement suffisante pour orienter les recherches, et compatible avec un coût de revient adapté à un produit grand public. Le FR-A-2 578 059 décrit un dispositif de repérage d'un animal égaré comprenant un collier émetteur radio porté par l'animal. Le maître dispose d'un récepteur radio pourvu d'un cadre orientable captant le signal émis par le collier. En tournant le cadre, le maître cherche la direction d'intensité maximale du signal reçu, ce qui lui donne une indication de la direction de l'émetteur. En répétant la même opération en un autre point il peut, par triangulation, déterminer la position de l'animal. Ce dispositif, qui propose en fait d'appliquer à la recherche d'un animal les principes bien connus de la radiogoniométrie, est en pratique difficile à mettre en œuvre, au moins pour trois raisons :- on the other hand, taking into account the fact that, during a search, the owner can move around his home, it is not essential to provide information on the position of the animal (i.e. - to say the exact coordinates (longitude and latitude) of the place where it is, as one can obtain it for example with a GPS equipment which in addition requires to have an associated associated cartography); it suffices simply to provide the master with directional information allowing him to orient his search in order to avoid a systematic grid around his home: such directional information, advantageously associated with a rough estimate of the distance (close / distant) and with an indication of entry into the final approach zone, makes it possible to arrive in practice very quickly at the location where the animal is located. In this sense, the essential function of the equipment according to the invention is to provide, more than an indication of positioning, a localization aid, largely sufficient to guide searches, and compatible with a cost price adapted to a consumer product. FR-A-2 578 059 describes a device for locating a lost animal comprising a radio transmitter collar worn by the animal. The master has a radio receiver provided with an orientable frame picking up the signal emitted by the collar. By turning the frame, the master searches for the direction of maximum intensity of the received signal, which gives him an indication of the direction of the transmitter. By repeating the same operation at another point it can, by triangulation, determine the position of the animal. This device, which in fact offers to apply to the search for an animal the well-known principles of direction finding is in practice difficult to implement, at least for three reasons:
- il n'est applicable qu'à la recherche d'un animal unique : en cas de pluralité d'animaux portant chacun un collier émetteur, plusieurs si- gnaux d'incidences différentes vont être reçus par le récepteur, sans moyen de discriminer celui des animaux que le maître recherche ;- it is only applicable to the search for a single animal: in the event of a plurality of animals each wearing a transmitter collar, several signals of different incidence will be received by the receiver, without any means of discriminating that animals that the master is looking for;
- en second lieu, l'utilisation d'un cadre de réception donne la direction d'incidence du signal, mais avec une ambiguïté sur le sens, du fait de la symétrie du diagramme de réception d'un cadre, sans autre possibi- lité, pour le lever de doute, que d'opérer une autre mesure en un point différent, suffisamment éloigné. Ceci présuppose cependant que l'animal ne se soit pas déplacé entre les deux mesures, ou bien que les deux mesures soient effectuées simultanément, par deux opérateurs différents à distance l'un de l'autre, comme en radiogoniométrie pro- fessionnelle.- secondly, the use of a reception frame gives the direction of incidence of the signal, but with an ambiguity in the direction, due to the symmetry of the reception diagram of a frame, with no other possibility , to remove the doubt, than to carry out another measurement at a different point, sufficiently distant. This presupposes, however, that the animal has not moved between the two measurements, or that the two measurements are carried out simultaneously, by two different operators at a distance from each other, as in professional direction finding.
- enfin, l'utilisation d'un cadre mobile, qui oblige le maître à tourner en permanence le cadre pour trouver par tâtonnements le maximum d'intensité du signal, est peu pratique à mettre en œuvre et nécessite une certaine habitude, pour écouter le niveau du signal et en déduire la di- rection d'incidence.- finally, the use of a mobile frame, which obliges the master to constantly rotate the frame to find by trial and error the maximum signal intensity, is impractical to implement and requires a certain habit, to listen to the signal level and deduce the direction of incidence.
Dans une application un peu différente, qui est celle de la localisation des personnes ensevelies sous une avalanche, le FR-A- 2 759 171 propose également un système avec un émetteur porté par la victime et un récepteur utilisé par le sauveteur. La première étape de recherche consiste à quadriller la zone d'avalanche jusqu'à déterminer un maximum d'intensité du signal reçu. Une fois que le sauveteur s'est ainsi placé dans une zone de taille relativement réduite (un rayon de l'ordre de trois mètres) au- dessus de laquelle doit se trouver la victime, le positionnement final est obtenu par une recherche directionnelle, en faisant tourner l'appareil et en recherchant le maximum du signal reçu par une bobine accordée, de la même manière que dans le FR-A-2 578 059 précité. Un mode de réalisation prévoit d'utiliser éventuellement deux bobines distinctes, montées à angle droit, pour accélérer la recherche de la direction d'incidence du signal. Le dispositif décrit par ce document FR-A-2 759 171 n'est cependant pas adapté à la recherche d'un animal situé dans un secteur relativement étendu, typiquement dans un rayon pouvant atteindre plusieurs centaines de mètres. En effet, il n'est pas envisageable, dans ce cas, de quadriller la totalité de la zone de recherche jusqu'à se trouver à quelques mètres de l'émetteur pour commencer la recherche directionnelle, comme le propose le FR-A-2 759 171.In a slightly different application, which is that of locating people buried under an avalanche, the FR-A-2 759 171 also offers a system with a transmitter worn by the victim and a receiver used by the rescuer. The first stage of research consists in squaring the avalanche zone until determining a maximum intensity of the received signal. Once the rescuer has thus placed himself in a relatively small area (a radius of the order of three meters) above which the victim must be, the final positioning is obtained by a directional search, in rotating the device and searching for the maximum of the signal received by a tuned coil, in the same way as in the aforementioned FR-A-2 578 059. One embodiment provides for the possible use of two separate coils, mounted at right angles, to accelerate the search for the direction of incidence of the signal. The device described by this document FR-A-2 759 171 is however not suitable for finding an animal located in a relatively large area, typically within a radius of up to several hundred meters. Indeed, it is not possible, in this case, to crisscross the entire search area until you are a few meters from the transmitter to start directional search, as proposed by FR-A-2 759,171.
En outre, ce dispositif connu ne résout pas le problème de la recherche sélective d'un objet, d'une personne ou d'un animal donnés dans un secteur où se trouvent plusieurs émetteurs. En effet, dans le cas de la re- cherche de victimes d'une avalanche, il est bien évidemment indispensable de retrouver toutes les victimes, et non pas une victime déterminée parmi plusieurs. De plus, le fait que la recherche directionnelle ne soit activée que dans un rayon de quelques mètres de la victime fait en sorte que les risques de perturbation par deux émetteurs fonctionnant simulta- nément sont très faibles (ou bien il s'agira de deux victimes ensevelies au même endroit, qui seront donc détectées ensemble). Si, au contraire, plusieurs victimes sont dispersées les émissions n'interféreront pas car les sauveteurs trouveront alors plusieurs maxima de signal. L'un des buts de l'invention est de proposer un équipement d'aide à la localisation d'un objet mobile tel qu'un animal égaré ou disparu, comprenant des moyens indicateurs de direction qui puissent être mis en œuvre efficacement à plusieurs dizaines ou centaines de mètres de l'émetteur, ceci de manière à éviter tout quadrillage systématique de la zone, quadrillage qui serait en pratique impossible dans le cas d'une zone urbaine ou pavillonnaire.In addition, this known device does not solve the problem of the selective search for a given object, person or animal in a sector where there are several transmitters. Indeed, in the case of the search for victims of an avalanche, it is obviously essential to find all the victims, and not one specific victim among several. In addition, the fact that directional search is activated only within a radius of a few meters from the victim means that the risk of disturbance by two transmitters operating simultaneously is very low (or else it will be two victims buried in the same place, which will therefore be detected together). If, on the contrary, several victims are dispersed, the broadcasts will not interfere because the rescuers will then find several signal maxima. One of the aims of the invention is to provide equipment for assisting in the location of a mobile object such as a lost or disappeared animal, comprising direction indicator means which can be implemented effectively in several tens or hundreds of meters from the transmitter, this in order to avoid any systematic grid pattern in the area, grid pattern which would in practice be impossible in the case of an urban or suburban area.
Un autre but de l'invention est de permettre une telle recherche dans une zone où peuvent se trouver simultanément plusieurs émetteurs fonctionnant simultanément, en opérant une discrimination appropriée de manière à orienter l'opérateur vers le seul animal qu'il recherche, sans être pertur- bé par les émissions produites par les autres animaux (égarés ou non) présents dans le même secteur.Another object of the invention is to allow such research in an area where several transmitters operating simultaneously can be located, by operating an appropriate discrimination so as to direct the operator towards the only animal he is looking for, without being disturbed. - bé by the emissions produced by the other animals (lost or not) present in the same sector.
L'équipement selon l'invention comprend les moyens décrits dans le FR- A-2 759 171 précité à savoir un équipement d'aide à la localisation d'un objet mobile tel qu'un animal égaré, comprenant en combinaison : une ba- lise comportant des moyens de solidarisation à l'animal, des moyens émetteurs d'un signal radio, et une antenne apte à rayonner le signal radio, ainsi qu'une console de recherche comportant un système d'antennes, avec au moins deux antennes aptes à capter ledit signal radio, des moyens récepteurs des signaux radio respectifs captés par les antennes, et des moyens indicateurs, pour donner une information de guidage en fonction des signaux délivrés par les moyens récepteurs. De façon caractéristique de l'invention, pour atteindre les buts particuliers indiqués plus haut, l'équipement de l'invention est caractérisé en ce que :The equipment according to the invention comprises the means described in the aforementioned FR-A-2 759 171, namely equipment for assisting in the location of a mobile object such as a stray animal, comprising in combination: lise comprising means for securing to the animal, means transmitters of a radio signal, and an antenna capable of radiating the radio signal, as well as a research console comprising an antenna system, with at least two antennas capable of picking up said radio signal, means for receiving the respective radio signals sensed by the antennas, and indicating means, to give guidance information as a function of the signals delivered by the receiving means. Characteristically of the invention, in order to achieve the particular aims indicated above, the equipment of the invention is characterized in that:
- la balise comprend un encodeur apte à générer un code, unique, d'identification de l'animal et à moduler le signal radio produit par les- dits moyens émetteurs en fonction de ce code d'identification,the tag includes an encoder capable of generating a unique code for identifying the animal and modulating the radio signal produced by said transmitting means as a function of this identification code,
- le système d'antennes de la console comprend au moins trois antennes, avec une antenne omnidirectionnelle et au moins deux antennes directives dont les directions de plus grand gain sont orientées dans des directions différentes,- the console antenna system comprises at least three antennas, with an omnidirectional antenna and at least two directional antennas whose directions of greatest gain are oriented in different directions,
- la console comprend des moyens de reconnaissance de code pour extraire, dans les signaux délivrés par chacun des moyens récepteurs associés à chacune des antennes, un signal spécifique modulé par le code d'identification de l'animal à rechercher, et les moyens indicateurs de la console comprennent des moyens pour comparer entre eux les niveaux relatifs des signaux spécifiques simultanément reçus par chacune des antennes, et délivrer en réponse, à l'utilisateur de la console, une information de guidage correspondante. Selon diverses caractéristiques subsidiaires avantageuses de l'invention : - lorsque le niveau du signal spécifique reçu par l'antenne omnidirectionnelle est supérieur à un seuil donné et supérieur aux signaux spécifiques reçus par chacune des antennes directives, alors les moyens indicateurs délivrent en réponse une indication d'établissement du contact radio sans détermination d'une direction d'incidence, l'opéra- teur pouvant alors être invité à modifier son orientation par rotation d'un quart de tour en attente de la réception suivante d'un code ; les moyens indicateurs peuvent également délivrer une information de niveau relatif du signal reçu par l'antenne recevant le signal de plus fort niveau ; - la balise comprend en outre un capteur de température, l'encodeur gé- nérant également une valeur numérique de type "go/no go", c'est-à- dire normale/anormale, transmise par modulation du signal émis avec le code d'identification de l'animal ; - les moyens émetteurs de la balise sont des moyens à fonctionnement intermittent, avec des instants d'émission choisis de manière pseudoaléatoire.the console comprises code recognition means for extracting, from the signals delivered by each of the receiving means associated with each of the antennas, a specific signal modulated by the identification code of the animal to be searched for, and the means indicating the console include means for comparing the relative levels of the specific signals simultaneously received by each of the antennas, and delivering in response, to the user of the console, corresponding guidance information. According to various advantageous subsidiary features of the invention: - when the level of the specific signal received by the omnidirectional antenna is greater than a given threshold and greater than the specific signals received by each of the directional antennas, then the indicating means deliver in response an indication establishment of the radio contact without determining an incidence direction, the operator can then be asked to modify its orientation by rotation of a quarter turn pending the next reception of a code; the indicator means can also deliver information on the relative level of the signal received by the antenna receiving the highest level signal; - the tag also includes a temperature sensor, the general encoder also denying a numerical value of the "go / no go" type, that is to say normal / abnormal, transmitted by modulation of the signal emitted with the identification code of the animal; - The transmitting means of the beacon are means with intermittent operation, with transmission times chosen in a pseudo-random manner.
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On va maintenant décrire un exemple de mise en œuvre de l'invention, en référence aux dessins annexés.We will now describe an example of implementation of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
La figure 1 est un schéma synoptique des différents blocs fonctionnels de la balise émettrice selon l'invention.FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the various functional blocks of the transmitting beacon according to the invention.
La figure 2 est un schéma synoptique des différents blocs fonctionnels de la console réceptrice de recherche selon l'invention. La figure 3 illustre les diagrammes de rayonnement des différents éléments du système antennaire.FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the various functional blocks of the research receiver console according to the invention. Figure 3 illustrates the radiation patterns of the different elements of the antenna system.
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Sur la figure 1 , on a illustré sous forme de schéma par blocs la structure de la balise émettrice selon l'invention.In FIG. 1, the structure of the transmitting beacon according to the invention has been illustrated in the form of a block diagram.
Cette balise 100 est, en pratique, réalisée sous forme d'un collier 102 qui peut être fixé au cou d'un animal au moyen d'un système de fermeture 104. Un certain nombre de circuits sont intégrés dans ce collier, avantageusement surmoulés pour garantir l'étanchéité et l'intégrité de l'équipement. Un émetteur 106 génère un signal radioélectrique, de préférence en émission intermittente, opérant sous le contrôle d'une horloge 108, avantageusement l'horloge interne d'un microcontrôleur. Il peut s'agir par exemple d'un émetteur à 868 MHz mettant en œuvre un circuit TDA 5100 ou équivalent. Un encodeur 110, mettant par exemple en œuvre un circuit de type HCS 360 ou équivalent, ou bien intégré au microcontrôleur, permet de générer un code d'identification de l'animal, propre à ce dernier. L'émetteur génère un signal codé par l'encodeur 110 de façon intermitten- te, par exemple une émission à un instant aléatoire choisi dans chaque période successive de quinze secondes par exemple (cette période de répétition étant choisie arbitrairement), ce qui permet de diminuer les risques de brouillages par d'autres émetteurs proches de même type également situés dans la zone couverte. L'ensemble est alimenté par une pile 112, qui peut avantageusement être complétée ou remplacée par une cellule solaire combinée à un accumulateur rechargeable, pour augmenter encore l'autonomie de fonctionnement du collier. Le signal produit par l'émetteur 106 est rayonné par une antenne présen- tant un diagramme omnidirectionnel, par exemple une antenne de type boucle 114 pourvue des circuits d'accord et d'adaptation d'impédance appropriées.This tag 100 is, in practice, produced in the form of a collar 102 which can be fixed to the neck of an animal by means of a closure system 104. A certain number of circuits are integrated in this collar, advantageously overmolded for guarantee the tightness and integrity of the equipment. A transmitter 106 generates a radio signal, preferably in intermittent transmission, operating under the control of a clock 108, advantageously the internal clock of a microcontroller. It can for example be an 868 MHz transmitter implementing a TDA 5100 circuit or equivalent. An encoder 110, for example implementing a circuit of the HCS 360 or equivalent type, or else integrated into the microcontroller, makes it possible to generate an animal identification code, specific to the latter. The transmitter generates a signal coded by the encoder 110 intermittently, for example a transmission at a random instant chosen in each successive period of fifteen seconds for example (this repetition period being chosen arbitrarily), which makes it possible to reduce the risk of interference by other close transmitters of the same type also located in the covered area. The assembly is powered by a battery 112, which can advantageously be supplemented or replaced by a solar cell combined with a rechargeable accumulator, to further increase the operating autonomy of the collar. The signal produced by the transmitter 106 is radiated by an antenna presenting an omnidirectional diagram, for example a loop type antenna 114 provided with appropriate impedance matching and matching circuits.
L'encodeur 110 peut avantageusement coder, outre l'identification unique de l'animal, un certain nombre d'informations qu'il peut être utile de transmettre tels que par exemple le niveau de la pile 112 (permettant à l'opérateur d'anticiper une panne éventuelle ou un changement d'accumulateur ou de pile), ou encore une indication donnée par un capteur de température 116 placé sur la face intérieure du collier en contact avec le corps de l'animal (ce paramètre, bien qu'affecté par divers facteurs exter- nés, peut donner un premier indice sur l'état, vivant ou mort, de l'animal). La figure 2 illustre sous forme de schéma fonctionnel les différents éléments constituant la console de recherche, utilisée par le maître pour recevoir les signaux émis par une ou plusieurs balises 100 et évaluer la direction d'incidence du signal ainsi émis. Cette console 200 comporte un système antennaire 202 comportant au moins deux antennes directives 204, 206 (qui peuvent être en plus grand nombre si l'on souhaite améliorer les performances de la console), ainsi qu'une antenne omnidirectionnelle 208. Les antennes directives 204, 206 sont par exemple des antennes de type dipôle, Yagi ou log-périodique dimensionnees en fonction de la fréquence d'utilisation.The encoder 110 can advantageously encode, in addition to the unique identification of the animal, a certain number of information which it may be useful to transmit such as for example the level of the battery 112 (allowing the operator to anticipate a possible breakdown or change of accumulator or battery), or an indication given by a temperature sensor 116 placed on the inside of the collar in contact with the animal's body (this parameter, although affected by various external factors, can give a first indication of the state, living or dead, of the animal). FIG. 2 illustrates in the form of a functional diagram the various elements constituting the search console, used by the master to receive the signals emitted by one or more beacons 100 and to evaluate the direction of incidence of the signal thus emitted. This console 200 comprises an antenna system 202 comprising at least two directive antennas 204, 206 (which may be in greater number if it is desired to improve the performance of the console), as well as an omnidirectional antenna 208. The directive antennas 204 , 206 are for example dipole, Yagi or log-periodic type antennas sized according to the frequency of use.
L'antenne omnidirectionnelle 208 est par exemple constituée d'un simple fouet, ou d'un monopôle ou dipôle omnidirectionnel. On a indiqué sur la figure 3 des exemples de diagrammes de rayonne- ment de ces antennes. Les antennes directives 204 et 206 présentent chacune, vu du récepteur, un diagramme avec un lobe de rayonnement principal respectif G, D orienté de part et d'autre d'une direction centrale Δ correspondant par exemple à l'axe principal du boîtier de la console. L'antenne 208, quant à elle, présente un diagramme de rayonnement R sensiblement omnidirectionnel, avec un gain inférieur à celui des antennes directives dans la direction du lobe principal, et supérieur au gain de ces mêmes antennes dans la direction des lobes secondaires. Chacune des antennes 204, 206 ... 208 du système antennaire 202 est associée à un circuit récepteur correspondant 214, 216 ... 218 permettant de délivrer en sortie un signal démodulé.The omnidirectional antenna 208 is for example made up of a simple whip, or of an omnidirectional monopole or dipole. Figure 3 shows examples of radiation patterns for these antennas. Directive antennas 204 and 206 have each, seen from the receiver, a diagram with a respective main radiation lobe G, D oriented on either side of a central direction Δ corresponding for example to the main axis of the console housing. The antenna 208, for its part, has a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern R, with a gain less than that of the directional antennas in the direction of the main lobe, and greater than the gain of these same antennas in the direction of the secondary lobes. Each of the antennas 204, 206 ... 208 of the antenna system 202 is associated with a corresponding receiver circuit 214, 216 ... 218 making it possible to output a demodulated signal.
Un circuit 220 de reconnaissance de code permet d'extraire le code d'identification dans la modulation du signal délivré par chacun des récepteurs 214, 216 ... 218, de manière à éliminer les signaux en provenance d'animaux autres que celui recherché, ou bien les signaux parasites dont la modulation ne correspond pas à une balise selon l'invention.A code recognition circuit 220 makes it possible to extract the identification code in the modulation of the signal delivered by each of the receivers 214, 216 ... 218, so as to eliminate the signals coming from animals other than that sought, or parasitic signals whose modulation does not correspond to a tag according to the invention.
Un convertisseur analogique/numérique 222, associé au microprocesseur 224, compare, de la manière que l'on expliquera plus bas, le niveau relatif des signaux captés par les différentes antennes en provenance d'une même balise. Un microprocesseur 224, initialisé (introduction du code de l'animal recherché, etc.) par des moyens de calibration 226 assure la gestion des différentes fonctions, notamment l'affichage d'un certain nombre d'informations en réponse aux résultats des comparaisons effectuées par le circuit 222. Le microprocesseur délivre tout d'abord des informations sur la proximité, plus ou moins grande, de la balise émettrice (bloc 228). Cette indication peut être donnée sous forme auditive par un haut-parleur ou vibreur 230, qui indique par l'émission d'une alarme sonore qu'un contact radio avec la balise a pu être établi (signal reçu par au moins l'une des antennes du système antennaire 202). Un afficheur 232 donne alors une indication relative de la proximité entre "lointain" et "proche", par exemple par affichage des diodes successives d'une échelle graphique ou "bargraph" 234. Le microprocesseur pilote également un affichage de la direction d'inci- dence du signal capté (bloc 236), par exemple un afficheur 238 compor- tant trois diodes 240, 242, 244 correspondant respectivement à une instruction "avancer vers la gauche", "avancer vers la droite" et "avancer tout droit" ; un message "faire un quart de tour" peut également être délivré à l'opérateur par affichage et/ou par allumage d'une diode. Un afficheur additionnel 246 permet de donner un certain nombre d'informations supplémentaires (état des piles, probabilité de vie ou de décès de l'animal en fonction de la température du capteur fixé au collier, etc.). L'ensemble est bien entendu alimenté par des piles ou accumulateurs 248 de manière à lui procurer l'autonomie nécessaire. Le mode opératoire de cet équipement est le suivant.An analog / digital converter 222, associated with microprocessor 224, compares, as will be explained below, the relative level of the signals picked up by the different antennas coming from the same beacon. A microprocessor 224, initialized (introduction of the code of the animal sought, etc.) by means of calibration 226 manages the various functions, in particular the display of a certain amount of information in response to the results of the comparisons carried out. by circuit 222. The microprocessor first of all delivers information on the proximity, more or less, of the transmitting beacon (block 228). This indication can be given in auditory form by a loudspeaker or vibrator 230, which indicates by the emission of an audible alarm that a radio contact with the beacon could have been established (signal received by at least one of the antennas of the antenna system 202). A display 232 then gives a relative indication of the proximity between "far" and "near", for example by display of the successive diodes of a graphic scale or "bargraph" 234. The microprocessor also controls a display of the direction of inci - dence of the signal received (block 236), for example a display 238 comprising as three diodes 240, 242, 244 respectively corresponding to an instruction "advance to the left", "advance to the right" and "advance straight"; a "quarter turn" message can also be delivered to the operator by display and / or by lighting of a diode. An additional display 246 makes it possible to give a certain number of additional information (state of the batteries, probability of life or death of the animal as a function of the temperature of the sensor attached to the collar, etc.). The assembly is of course powered by batteries or accumulators 248 so as to give it the necessary autonomy. The procedure for this equipment is as follows.
En premier lieu, la balise-collier est mise en place sur l'animal et l'émetteur est activé, par exemple par insertion de la pile et/ou appui sur une touche sensible. On peut prévoir une diode dont l'allumage indique la mise en route et le bon fonctionnement du circuit. Pour que le code propre à cette balise, donc à l'animal qui la porte, puisse être ultérieurement reconnu, il est indispensable que ce code soit reconnu de la console. Cette phase initiale de calibration peut être réalisée simplement en approchant le collier de la console de recherche, ceux-ci étant en fonctionnement, afin qu'elle reconnaisse et mémorise le code spécifique attribué au collier. S'il y a plusieurs animaux, l'opération de calibration doit être réalisée autant de fois qu'il y aura de colliers simultanément en surveillance.Firstly, the collar tag is placed on the animal and the transmitter is activated, for example by inserting the battery and / or pressing a sensitive key. A diode can be provided, the lighting of which indicates that the circuit is starting up and functioning properly. In order for the code specific to this tag, and therefore to the animal carrying it, to be recognized later, it is essential that this code be recognized from the console. This initial calibration phase can be carried out simply by approaching the collar of the search console, these being in operation, so that it recognizes and stores the specific code assigned to the collar. If there are several animals, the calibration operation must be carried out as many times as there are collars simultaneously under surveillance.
L'équipement est dès lors opérationnel ; l'animal devra porter le collier aussi longtemps que son maître souhaite le maintenir sous surveillance. Lorsque le maître souhaite rechercher l'animal égaré ou disparu, la première étape consiste à tenter d'établir un contact radio avec la balise- collier. Si ce contact est établi (c'est-à-dire si au moins l'une des antennes du système antennaire capte un signal modulé par le code correspondant à l'animal recherché), la réception de ce signal est matérialisée sur la console par l'allumage d'un témoin lumineux et/ou une alarme sonore.The equipment is therefore operational; the animal must wear the collar as long as its owner wishes to keep it under surveillance. When the master wishes to find the lost or disappeared animal, the first step consists in trying to establish radio contact with the collar tag. If this contact is established (that is to say if at least one of the antennas of the antenna system picks up a signal modulated by the code corresponding to the animal sought), the reception of this signal is materialized on the console by the lighting of an indicator light and / or an audible alarm.
Si le contact radio ne peut pas être établi, cela peut vouloir dire que l'animal est en dehors de la zone de couverture radio, et une information correspondante est délivrée à l'opérateur ("pas de réception du code recherché") ; il est alors nécessaire d'élargir le périmètre de recherche par un déplacement de la console, l'opérateur se déplaçant alors à pied ou à vélo vers un autre endroit jusqu'à trouver le contact radio. Une fois ce contact établi, et en supposant qu'il reste maintenu pendant la suite des opérations, la console de recherche va fournir à l'opérateur des indications de direction pour lui permettre de se rapprocher de l'animal. À cet effet, dans l'exemple illustré où la console comporte trois antennes (deux antennes directives et une antenne omnidirectionnelle), la console compare en permanence les niveaux des champs reçus par chacune des antennes et, en fonction du résultat, allume un indicateur de direction et/ou affiche un message de la manière suivante (on se référera aux dia- grammes de rayonnement illustrés sur la figure 3) :If radio contact cannot be established, this may mean that the animal is outside the radio coverage area, and corresponding information is delivered to the operator ("no reception of the code sought"); it is then necessary to widen the search perimeter by moving the console, the operator then moving on foot or bike to another location until you find radio contact. Once this contact has been established, and assuming that it remains maintained during the continuation of the operations, the search console will provide the operator with directions to allow him to get closer to the animal. To this end, in the example illustrated where the console has three antennas (two directional antennas and an omnidirectional antenna), the console constantly compares the levels of the fields received by each of the antennas and, depending on the result, lights an indicator of direction and / or displays a message as follows (refer to the radiation diagrams illustrated in Figure 3):
- si le signal reçu par l'antenne omnidirectionnelle R est supérieur à celui reçu par l'une et l'autre des antennes directives G et D, ceci signifie que la direction d'incidence du signal ne se trouve pas dans le secteur angulaire {OA, OB} défini par l'intersection des lobes principaux des diagrammes G et D avec le diagramme R ; l'utilisateur est invité à pointer la console dans une autre direction ;- if the signal received by the omnidirectional antenna R is greater than that received by both of the directional antennas G and D, this means that the direction of incidence of the signal is not in the angular sector { OA, OB} defined by the intersection of the main lobes of diagrams G and D with diagram R; the user is asked to point the console in another direction;
- si le signal de l'antenne omnidirectionnelle R est supérieur au signal de l'antenne directive D et inférieur à celui de l'antenne directive G, ceci signifie que la direction d'incidence est située dans le secteur an- gulaire {OB, OB'} à gauche de l'axe Δ ; l'utilisateur est alors invité par les moyens d'affichage de direction de la console à modifier le pointage de la console en tournant celle-ci vers la gauche ;- if the signal from the omnidirectional antenna R is greater than the signal from the directive antenna D and less than that of the directive antenna G, this means that the direction of incidence is located in the angular sector {OB, OB '} to the left of the Δ axis; the user is then invited by the direction display means of the console to modify the pointing of the console by turning the latter to the left;
- si le signal de l'antenne omnidirectionnelle R est supérieur au signal de l'antenne directive G et inférieur à celui de l'antenne directive D, ceci signifie que la direction d'incidence est située dans le secteur angulaire {OA', OA} à droite de l'axe Δ ; l'utilisateur est alors invité à modifier le pointage de la console en tournant celle-ci vers la droite ;- if the signal of the omnidirectional antenna R is greater than the signal of the directive antenna G and less than that of the directive antenna D, this means that the direction of incidence is located in the angular sector {OA ', OA } to the right of the Δ axis; the user is then invited to modify the pointing of the console by turning it to the right;
- si les signaux reçus par les antennes directives G et D sont tous deux supérieurs au signal reçu par l'antenne omnidirectionnelle R, ceci si- gnifie que la direction d'incidence est située dans le secteur angulaire central {OB', OA'} et que le pointage de la console est correct ; l'utilisateur est alors invité à avancer tout droit. Il est de la sorte aisé, par approximations successives et en utilisant à la fois les indicateurs de direction et de proximité, d'atteindre la zone de la balise. L'indicateur de proximité, bien qu'étant seulement un indicateur re- latif, s'avère à cet égard très utile à l'utilisateur pour déterminer s'il est loin ou près de l'animal, ou s'il s'en éloigne ou s'en approche dans son parcours. Lorsqu'il en est très proche, une alarme rythmée indique à l'opérateur qu'il se trouve dans la zone de recherche finale. Cette alarme est concomitante avec l'allumage clignotant des quatre diodes du panneau de commande.- if the signals received by the directional antennas G and D are both greater than the signal received by the omnidirectional antenna R, this means that the direction of incidence is located in the central angular sector {OB ', OA'} and that the console score is correct; the user is then asked to go straight ahead. It is thus easy, by successive approximations and by using both the direction and proximity indicators, to reach the beacon area. The proximity indicator, although only an indicator In this respect, it is very useful for the user to determine whether he is far or close to the animal, or whether he is moving away from it or approaching it during his journey. When it is very close, a rhythmic alarm indicates to the operator that it is in the final search area. This alarm is concomitant with the flashing lighting of the four LEDs on the control panel.
Le principe de guidage que l'on vient de décrire met en œuvre deux antennes directives, mais il est possible d'augmenter le nombre de celles-ci, avec l'avantage de procurer des indications plus fines de direction de re- cherche.The guiding principle that we have just described implements two directional antennas, but it is possible to increase the number of these, with the advantage of providing finer indications of search direction.
Divers perfectionnements peuvent être apportés à la présente invention. On peut notamment utiliser tout aussi bien des récepteurs 214, 216 ... 218 capables de comparer les signaux reçus, en amplitude et en phase, afin de fournir une information angulaire plus précise. On peut également utiliser des modules d'émission-réception, pour établir une liaison bidirectionnelle entre la console et la balise-collier, cette dernière pouvant alors être mise en veille et réactivée sur envoi d'un signal d'interrogation par la console. On peut également, dans certaines configurations de l'invention, utiliser un système antennaire de grandes dimensions afin d'augmenter la portée, permettant la détection d'un signal de provenance plus lointaine. Une autre configuration de l'invention permet d'utiliser la console en tant qu'élément fixe, permettant dans ce cas de faire de la surveillance en temps réel en plus de la recherche. La console, dans ce cas de figure, doit être bien entendu en fonctionnement permanent.Various improvements can be made to the present invention. One can in particular use just as well receivers 214, 216 ... 218 capable of comparing the signals received, in amplitude and in phase, in order to provide more precise angular information. It is also possible to use transceiver modules, to establish a bidirectional link between the console and the collar tag, the latter then being able to be put on standby and reactivated on sending of an interrogation signal by the console. It is also possible, in certain configurations of the invention, to use a large antenna system in order to increase the range, allowing the detection of a signal from a more distant source. Another configuration of the invention allows the console to be used as a fixed element, in this case making it possible to carry out real-time monitoring in addition to the search. The console, in this case, must of course be in permanent operation.
On peut tout aussi bien, comme le serait une antenne TV, déporter sur le point haut de l'habitation le système antennaire, constitué d'une antenne sectorielle, et disposer des informations à l'intérieur de l'habitation sur un pupitre déporté. Dans ce cas on utilise le système en surveillance temps réel omnidirectionnelle, c'est-à-dire sur 360° de gisement.It is just as well, as a TV antenna would be, to deport the antenna system, made up of a sectoral antenna, to the highest point of the dwelling, and to have information inside the dwelling on a remote console. In this case, we use the omnidirectional real-time monitoring system, that is to say over 360 ° of the deposit.
Un autre avantage de l'invention consiste, pour effectuer une recherche, à mettre en œuvre plusieurs consoles appartenant à une ou plusieurs personnes (amis, parents, voisins, groupement associatif, etc.), améliorant grandement l'efficacité et la rapidité de la recherche, chaque zone pou- vant ainsi être abordée sous des angles différents ce qui réduit de façon majeure le risque de masques radioélectriques (béton, murs, etc.). Bien entendu, dans cette configuration, le code de l'animal recherché devra impérativement être mémorisé dans chaque console, ce qui permettra à chaque utilisateur de pouvoir compter sur le soutien de son voisin ou ami, au titre d'une "assistance mutuelle". Another advantage of the invention consists, in order to carry out a search, in implementing several consoles belonging to one or more persons (friends, relatives, neighbors, association group, etc.), greatly improving the efficiency and speed of the research, each area can thus be approached from different angles which reduces greater the risk of radio masks (concrete, walls, etc.). Of course, in this configuration, the code of the animal sought must imperatively be memorized in each console, which will allow each user to be able to count on the support of his neighbor or friend, as "mutual assistance".

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Un équipement d'aide à la localisation d'un objet mobile tel qu'un animal égaré ou disparu, comprenant en combinaison : - une balise (100) comportant :1. Equipment for assisting in the location of a mobile object such as a lost or disappeared animal, comprising in combination: - a beacon (100) comprising:
- des moyens (102,104) de solidarisation à l'animal,- means (102, 104) for securing to the animal,
- des moyens (106) émetteurs d'un signal radio, et- means (106) transmitting a radio signal, and
- une antenne (114) apte à rayonner le signal radio,- an antenna (114) capable of radiating the radio signal,
- une console de recherche (200) comportant : - un système d'antennes (202), avec au moins deux antennes aptes à capter ledit signal radio,- a search console (200) comprising: - an antenna system (202), with at least two antennas able to receive said radio signal,
- des moyens (214, 216, 218) récepteurs des signaux radio respectifs captés par les antennes, et- means (214, 216, 218) for receiving the respective radio signals picked up by the antennas, and
- des moyens indicateurs, pour donner une information de guidage en fonction des signaux délivrés par les moyens récepteurs, équipement caractérisé en ce que :- indicator means, for giving guidance information as a function of the signals delivered by the receiving means, equipment characterized in that:
- la balise comprend un encodeur (110) apte à générer un code, unique, d'identification de l'animal et à moduler le signal radio produit par les- dits moyens émetteurs en fonction de ce code d'identification, - le système d'antennes (202) de la console comprend au moins trois antennes, avec une antenne omnidirectionnelle (208) et au moins deux antennes directives (204, 206) dont les directions de plus grand gain sont orientées dans des directions différentes,the tag includes an encoder (110) capable of generating a unique code for identifying the animal and modulating the radio signal produced by said transmitting means as a function of this identification code, the system of 'antennas (202) of the console comprises at least three antennas, with an omnidirectional antenna (208) and at least two directional antennas (204, 206) whose directions of greatest gain are oriented in different directions,
- la console comprend des moyens de reconnaissance de code (220) pour extraire, dans les signaux délivrés par chacun des moyens récepteurs associés à chacune des antennes, un signal spécifique modulé par le code d'identification de l'animal à rechercher, etthe console comprises code recognition means (220) for extracting, from the signals delivered by each of the receiving means associated with each of the antennas, a specific signal modulated by the identification code of the animal to be searched for, and
- les moyens indicateurs de la console comprennent des moyens (222) pour convertir et comparer entre eux les niveaux relatifs des signaux spécifiques simultanément reçus par chacune des antennes, et délivrer en réponse, à l'utilisateur de la console, une information de guidage correspondante.- the indicator means of the console comprise means (222) for converting and comparing with each other the relative levels of the specific signals simultaneously received by each of the antennas, and delivering in response, to the user of the console, corresponding guidance information .
2. L'équipement de la revendication 1 , dans lequel, lorsque le niveau du signal spécifique reçu par l'antenne omnidirectionnelle est supérieur à un seuil donné et supérieur aux signaux spécifiques reçus par chacune des antennes directives, alors les moyens indicateurs délivrent en réponse une indication d'établissement du contact radio sans détermination d'une direction d'incidence.2. The equipment of claim 1, wherein, when the level of the specific signal received by the omnidirectional antenna is greater than one threshold given and greater than the specific signals received by each of the directional antennas, then the indicating means deliver in response an indication of establishment of the radio contact without determining an incidence direction.
3. L'équipement de la revendication 1 , dans lequel les moyens indicateurs délivrent également une information de niveau relatif du signal reçu par l'antenne recevant le signal de plus fort niveau.3. The equipment of claim 1, wherein the indicator means also deliver information on the relative level of the signal received by the antenna receiving the signal of highest level.
4. L'équipement de la revendication 1 , dans lequel, lorsque le niveau du signal spécifique reçu par l'antenne omnidirectionnelle est supérieur au niveau du signal spécifique reçu par l'une des antennes directives et inférieur au signal spécifique reçu par une autre des antennes directives, alors les moyens indicateurs délivrent en réponse une indication d'orien- tation de la direction de recherche vers celle des antennes directives délivrant un signal spécifique de plus fort niveau.4. The equipment of claim 1, in which, when the level of the specific signal received by the omnidirectional antenna is greater than the level of the specific signal received by one of the directional antennas and less than the specific signal received by another of the directional antennas, then the indicating means deliver in response an indication of orientation from the research direction towards that of the directive antennas delivering a specific signal of higher level.
5. L'équipement de la revendication 2, dans lequel, lorsque le niveau du signal spécifique reçu par l'antenne omnidirectionnelle est supérieur aux signaux spécifiques reçus par au moins deux des antennes directives, a- lors les moyens indicateurs délivrent en réponse une indication d'établissement du contact radio sans détermination d'une direction d'incidence, et d'invitation pour l'opérateur à modifier son orientation par rotation d'un quart de tour en attente de la réception suivante d'un code.5. The equipment of claim 2, in which, when the level of the specific signal received by the omnidirectional antenna is greater than the specific signals received by at least two of the directional antennas, a- when the indicating means deliver in response an indication establishing radio contact without determining an incidence direction, and inviting the operator to modify its orientation by rotating a quarter turn pending the next reception of a code.
6. L'équipement de la revendication 1 , dans lequel la balise comprend en outre un capteur de température (116), l'encodeur générant également une valeur numérique correspondante de type "go/no go" transmise par modulation du signal émis avec le code d'identification de l'animal.6. The equipment of claim 1, in which the beacon further comprises a temperature sensor (116), the encoder also generating a corresponding digital value of the "go / no go" type transmitted by modulation of the signal transmitted with the animal identification code.
7. L'équipement de la revendication 1 , dans lequel les moyens émetteurs de la balise sont des moyens à fonctionnement intermittent, avec des instants d'émission choisis de manière pseudo-aléatoire. 7. The equipment of claim 1, in which the transmitter emitting means are intermittent operation means, with transmission instants chosen in a pseudo-random manner.
PCT/FR2002/001743 2001-05-23 2002-05-23 Equipment for assistance in locating a mobile object such as a stray or missing animal WO2002095441A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02735558A EP1399754A1 (en) 2001-05-23 2002-05-23 Equipment for assistance in locating a mobile object such as a stray or missing animal

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0106856A FR2825158B1 (en) 2001-05-23 2001-05-23 ASSISTANCE EQUIPMENT FOR LOCATING A MOBILE OBJECT SUCH AS A MISSING OR MISSING ANIMAL
FR01/06856 2001-05-23

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Cited By (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008039072A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Tracking Systems As A system for tracking objects
CN105318870A (en) * 2015-11-05 2016-02-10 无锡新人居科贸有限公司 Pet locator
WO2018024299A1 (en) * 2016-08-01 2018-02-08 Continental Teves Ag & Co. Ohg Method for determining a reception direction for a radio signal

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2578059A1 (en) * 1985-02-22 1986-08-29 Zwisler Helene Radio device for locating living beings or objects that are lost
US5323167A (en) * 1992-12-30 1994-06-21 Delfin Systems Antenna configuration and system for determining the direction of a radio frequency signal
GB2291303A (en) * 1994-07-14 1996-01-17 Brian Duffy Relative position detection
US5603094A (en) * 1994-07-28 1997-02-11 Greear, Jr.; Willie J. Animal tracking system with transmitter attachable to an animal's collar
FR2759171A1 (en) * 1997-02-06 1998-08-07 Option Ind Detection logic mechanism for avalanche life saver

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2578059A1 (en) * 1985-02-22 1986-08-29 Zwisler Helene Radio device for locating living beings or objects that are lost
US5323167A (en) * 1992-12-30 1994-06-21 Delfin Systems Antenna configuration and system for determining the direction of a radio frequency signal
GB2291303A (en) * 1994-07-14 1996-01-17 Brian Duffy Relative position detection
US5603094A (en) * 1994-07-28 1997-02-11 Greear, Jr.; Willie J. Animal tracking system with transmitter attachable to an animal's collar
FR2759171A1 (en) * 1997-02-06 1998-08-07 Option Ind Detection logic mechanism for avalanche life saver

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008039072A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Tracking Systems As A system for tracking objects
CN105318870A (en) * 2015-11-05 2016-02-10 无锡新人居科贸有限公司 Pet locator
WO2018024299A1 (en) * 2016-08-01 2018-02-08 Continental Teves Ag & Co. Ohg Method for determining a reception direction for a radio signal
CN109690340A (en) * 2016-08-01 2019-04-26 大陆-特韦斯股份有限公司 The determination method in one radio signal reception direction

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FR2825158A1 (en) 2002-11-29
EP1399754A1 (en) 2004-03-24

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