WO2009104217A1

WO2009104217A1 - Portable detection and communication apparatus and related

Info

Publication number: WO2009104217A1
Application number: PCT/IT2009/000060
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianfranco Polizzi
Original assignee: Sintel Italia S.P.A.
Priority date: 2008-02-18
Filing date: 2009-02-18
Publication date: 2009-08-27
Also published as: CN101971604A; ITRM20080088A1; EP2245842A1; RU2010138632A; ZA201005840B

Abstract

The present invention concerns a detection and communication apparatus (1) comprising a peripheral unit (3) provided with means (31, 32) for detection of surrounding space, localization means (35, 35'), suitable to detect the position of the same peripheral unit (3), and means (33, 34, 36) for interfacing with a user for controlling and signaling operation of apparatus (1); and a control central unit (2), connected with said peripheral unit (3), suitable to acquire informative data detected by said detection means (31, 32) and by said localization means (35, 35'), and controlling said interface means (33,34, 36), and comprising: -transceiving means (7, 8) suitable to transmit said informative data and/or to receive further other data, by bidirectional connection with the maximum speed available in that zone, means (6) for storing said informative data and/or further outer data, and control means (5, 5') for said transceiving means (7, 8), said storing means (6) and said interface means (33, 34, 36) being suitable to coordinate acquisition operations from said peripheral (3) and transceiving units of said informative data and/or further outer data. The present invention also relates to a detection and communication system.

Description

PORTABLE DETECTION AND COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND RELATED SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a portable detection and communication apparatus and to a related system.

More specifically, the invention concerns an apparatus particularly to be used by security force and like organizations operators, mainly to organizations operating on territory (local police, civil defense, ambulances, fire guards, mountain rescue, ecc), permitting acquiring audio - video data from the operative situation, storing or transmitting them in order to permit their use by other operators remote from the data acquisition place.

As it is well known, security forces are today equipped with different devices in order to permit communication with operative units or with other first aid units. This permits managing in a more efficient way both operative nuclei personnel and technical resources. Among these devices, transceiving radios are well known, which are very technologically advanced, permitting maintaining at the same time audio connections between an operative unit and an operative central. Further useful devices are fixed or portable video surveillance devices, used to detect and transmit video information in different operative situations.

The abovementioned portable video surveillance systems, even transportable, in any case require an installation, thus being not so much flexible to be used.

A further problem is that, in case security forces should have transmission problems with other apparatuses, e.g. due to lack of transmission field, operative risks could arise.

It is well evident that above devices are not completely safe in every operative condition and flexible at an operative \evel. In fact, using them it is not possible, for example, for a fire guard, video recording a place where a fire occurs and transmitting the same in real time.

In view of the above, it is object of the present invention that of suggesting a detection apparatus permitting a high operative flexibility and permitting communication of detected data improving transmission reliability, and thus safety of operator. It is also object of the present invention that of permitting data detection and transmission in real time, possibly to a suitable remote station.

It is therefore specific object of the present invention a detection and communication apparatus comprising a peripheral unit provided with means for detection of surrounding space, localization means, suitable to detect the position of the same peripheral unit, and means for interfacing with a user for controlling and signaling operation of apparatus; and a control central unit, connected with said peripheral unit, suitable to acquire informative data detected by said detection means and by said localization means, and controlling said interface means, and comprising: transceiving means suitable to transmit said informative data and/or to receive further other data, by bidirectional connection with the maximum speed available in that zone, means for storing said informative data and/or further outer data, and control means for said transceiving means, said storing means and said interface means being suitable to coordinate acquisition operations from said peripheral and transceiving units of said informative data and/or further outer data.

Always according to the invention, said central control unit can be interfaced with at least one radio transceiving apparatus.

Still according to the invention, said radio transceiving apparatus can be of the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked RAdio) type.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said control means can detect availability of transmission channel of said transceiving means and of said radio transceiving apparatus; and in that said central control unit comprises a signal switching, connected with said transceiving means, with said radio transceiving apparatus and with said control means, suitable to address a signal to be transmitted to said transceiving means and/or to said radio transceiving radio according to the best operation condition of the transmission channel.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said radio transceiving apparatus can be controlled by said interface means.

Preferably, according to the invention, said transceiving means can comprise a transceiving module and an antenna. Always according to the invention, said antenna is a five band antenna, for receiving GSM900, GSM1800, UMTS (HDSPA), EDGE900, EDGE 1800 signals, and it is internally connected to said transceiving module by waveguides; and in that said transceiving module comprises a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module).

Still according to the invention, said detection means can comprise a microphone and a camera, even a pin-hole camera. Furthermore, according to the invention, said central unit can comprise a module for acquiring video and audio signals from said camera to said microphone.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said central unit can comprise a connector by which it can be connected to an outside module to visualize video data input and stored within said means for storing and/or maintenance means.

Always according to the invention, said localization means can comprise a GPS receiver connected to the relevant antenna by a waveguide. Still according to the invention, said interface means comprise a loudspeaker, a vibrating device and a control keyboard, by which apparatus connected to said control central unit can be controlled.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said storing means can comprise a removable memory, preferably coupable with said central control unit by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said control means can comprise a CPU (Central Processing Unit) card and an auxiliary microcontroller.

Preferably, according to the invention, said central unit can be placed within a pocket or within bandoleer of a uniform and said peripheral unit comprises fixing means for positioning on the shoulder of an operator.

Still according to the invention, said apparatus can be connected to a suitable remote station, by said transceiving means, said station being suitable to receive and/or transmitting said informative data from/to said control central unit, permitting an interfacing in real time, and to control the same apparatus.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said control central unit can be connected to further central control units by means of said transceiving means. It is further specific object of the present invention a detection can communication system, comprising a plurality of apparatuses that can be connected each other by said transceiving means; a plurality of radio transceiving apparatuses, each one of them being connectable to one of said apparatuses; and a remote station suitable to receiving and/or transmitting said informative data from/to said control central units of each one of said apparatus, permitting a real time interfacing, and to control each one of said control central units.

Always according to the invention, said apparatuses can be connected each other by said radio transceiving apparatuses.

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figure of the enclosed drawing, wherein it is shown a block diagram of the detection and communication apparatus according to the present invention.

Making reference to the figure, it is possible observing a portable detection and communication apparatus 1 , comprising a control unit 2 and a peripheral unit 3, connected each other by a cable 4. Peripheral unit 3 can be positioned, by suitable fixing means, preferably on the shoulder of the operator and comprises means for detection of data of the surrounding environment, transmitted in real time to the control unit 2 by said cable 4. Said control unit 2, that can be placed within a pocket or within uniform bandoleer, can memorise or transmit said data to a remote station and at the same time interfacing by suitable commercial or professional transceiving apparatuses, using their functions behaving as a further peripheral unit, beside the peripheral unit 3, permitting data communication and/or transmission/reception to the outside (e.g. to said remote station) employing the most suitable and safe channel.

Analysing in greater detail peripheral unit 3, it can be observed that the same comprises a camera 31 , an outer microphone 32 and a keyboard 34. Said peripheral unit 3 also comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 35 and relevant antenna 35', connected each other by a 50 ohm waveguide (not shown in the figures).

Finally, peripheral unit 3 comprises a vibrating signaller 33 and a loudspeaker 36 as operation warning device of the same unit.

Central unit 2 comprises a CPU (central processing unit) card, on which firmware is installed and wherein all operative functions are defined, and a further microcontroller 5' for managing signals connected to the operative conditions. Central unit 2 also comprises storing means 6, in this embodiment comprised of a solid state memory, such as e removable USB key, on which system stores audio and/or video recording.

Central unit 2 further comprises a standard communication transceiving module 7, permitting voice and data connection by GSM (dual band), EGDE, UMTS, HSDPA. Use of said transceiving module 7 is fully transparent to the operator. Relevant antenna 8 is connected to said transceiving module 7, provided inside central unit 2 chassis. Said antenna 8 is preferably a five bands antenna for receiving GSM 900, GSM 1800, UMTS, (HSDPA), EGDE900, EDGE 1800 signals, and it is internally connected to the transceiving module 7 by a 50 ohm waveguide 9.

Central unit 2 also comprises a first connector 10, having inside a coaxial connector 10' for connection with peripheral unit 3 by cable 4; and a second connector 11 for connection with suitable radio apparatuses, with which it is possible interfacing detection and communication apparatus 1 , and particularly radio transceiving apparatuses TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio is a professional wave communication standard using walkie talkie, mainly employed by police and military forces and by emergency units), that will be further described in the following. Central unit 2 internally provides a video acquisition module 12, permitting acquisition of a CVBS video signal, from camera 31 , and an audio signal from microphone32. By an overlay module, some text information are overlaid to the inlet CVBS signal within COU card 5 (GPS, time, identification strings, beck.), format of overlapping and information can be configured by firmware.

Central unit 2 also comprises a signal switch 13 connected to said video signal acquisition module 12, to said connectors 10 and 11 and to said transceiving module 7. Said signal switch 13 is suitable to switch two signals (microphone and loudspeaker) between Tetra radio 14, connected to said connector 11 , audio and video signal acquisition card 12, peripheral unit 3 and said transceiving module 7.

Preferably, an audio amplifier 15 is interposed between said transceiving module 7 and said signal switch 13, for amplifying voice signal exiting from transceiving module 7 until bringing it to the same exit power and impedance level of Tetra radio 14. Thus, single loudspeaker 36 can be indifferently used by the two peripheral units, i.e. signal arriving from transceiving module 7 and from Tetra radio 14. Depending on active function and connectivity condition that is operative at that moment, signal switch permits connection of microphone 32 and of loudspeaker 36 with Tetra radio 14, or with transceiving module 7 or with audio card of the audio - video acquisition card, so as to make it possible bidirectional audio communication (by Tetra radio or transceiving module), or acquisition of audio signal by acquisition card 12 (audio section).

As to the supply of apparatus 1 , central unit 2 comprises: a battery pack 16 for supplying central unit 2 and peripheral unit 3. Maximum duration with an average use is of 2 hours and it is preferably comprised of lithium batteries; a supply module 17, connected to the battery pack 16 and suitable to generate operation tensions of the various parts of apparatus 1. It permits, in case it is connected to the outer supply connector 18, operation by outer energy and contemporaneous recharging of battery pack 16. It is also suitable to signal status of batteries and ordinate switching on or off of various apparatus elements 1.

Finally, central unit 2 has a VGA connector 19 for connecting apparatus 1 with an outside monitor for displaying movies or for maintenance purposes.

At a functional level, central unit 2 permits: acquisition of audio and video signals by microphone 32 and camera 31 , and recording within storing means 6 of audio/video data flow; transmission in real time by transceiving module 7 of audio/video data flow to a remote station (not shown in the figure), even at the same time of recording; its geo-referentiation on territory, by periodic signals that can be sent by transceiving module 7 to the remote station; periodic control of connection with remote station; geo-referentiation of all audio/video flows, by overlapping of text information that can dynamically vary depending on the state of the same video signal; identification of all audio/video flows by overlapping of text information configured by the control unit to the same video signal; facilitated communication with remote station of pre-coded short messages, by pressing a key/combination of keys on keyboard 34 provided on peripheral unit 3; reception of operative controls from remote station, even in case of lack of intervention by the user; activation of emergency phone calls through the GSM network, i.e. by transceiving module 7. Interface to Tetra terminals 14 occurs by keyboard 34 provided on peripheral unit 3. Thus, a Tetra peripheral 14 can activate audio communications by transceiving module 7, even when Tetra radio network is not available, also for emergency calls. Relation between Tetra terminal 14 and apparatus 1 is a biunivoc relation, this meaning that, on the basis of connectivity status in the specific moment, apparatus 1 can also use Tetra terminal 14 in order to transmit communications or data, limited to the band available for Tetra. The latter is an operative aspect having a very high relevance, permitting increasing operator safety during the operative steps and probability of warning other operators or the remote station as to possible contingent dangers.

Central unit 2 can also be fully by-passed, permitting normal use of TETRA terminal 14, making commands on the latter, possibly also directly by the peripheral unit 3.

As already said, apparatus 1 can integrate TETRA system employing modern technologies, components and algorithms by which it is possible integrating all high speed potentialities of TETRA radio network and TCP-IP network, in a fully interchangeable way, permitting transportation of video, audio and control signals from remote station for the field (peripheral) and vice versa, taking advantage of the peculiar features of the two networks, and being only limited by intrinsic limitations of the above networks.

The following new functions are thus possible:

- doubling of connection between remote station and peripherals: in case TETRA signal is too weak, signal switch 13, by command arriving from CPU card 5, makes transceiving module 7 taking its place, i.e. if the latter is too weak, TETRA takes it place, each component with its specific features. System recognises the best connectivity situation and reconfigures consequently;

- possibility of immediately sending images and movies to the central station, in real time and with contemporaneous audio communication by TETRA; - channels are parallel and contemporaneous each other: it is possible sending and/or receiving communications by TETRA while a streaming is being transmitted, it is possible sending an alarm while speaking or listening in TETRA, ecc; - expansion possibility: it is possible connecting two or more control units 2 each other, even lacking a connection with remote station. This permits implementing new opportunities or services as to the coordination of action and territory control.

Remote station by apparatus 1 under examination is therefore able to:

- display on video all apparatuses 1 (and thus of operators wearing the same) on field, with a real time positioning and immediate visualisation of the operative state. Each apparatus 1 can be selected for sending commands or for state interrogation; - using a fully visual interface: all operations are basically carried out interacting with the territory map;

- sending new operative commands from central unit: choose of the video format, streaming stop and start, activation of alarms to operators; - following an apparatus 1 on territory, with automatic pan and zoom; apparatus will be always displayed at the centre of the map, and all the rest moves under it;

- real time visualization both of video signal transmitted and positioning of apparatus 1 : it is in fact possible visualizing position of apparatuses 1 at the same time of video signal transmitted (tracking);

- carrying out multimedia searches by one or more combinations of the following criteria: (i) spatial search, searching all movies arriving from points at a distance lower than a set threshold distance from an address, set coordinates, a set interest point (restaurant, particular place, police station, ecc); (ii) real time search, so that it is possible searching movies before a set date/time, after a set date/time, or between a date/time interval; (iii) alphanumeric searching, so that it is possible searching movies made by a kind of apparatus (e.g. Movitraf, Scout, Explore, ecc.) or by single apparatuses (by their identification string) or every combination of the two possibilities. Search criteria can be freely composed by the three types described. Movies can be visualised at the same time on map, with a maximum number of visualisation at the same time limited only by hardware features. Furthermore, it is possible video visualising conditions of possible danger, such as lack of connection of some apparatuses 1 , too long stay of one of them in the same state, ecc, or tracks of apparatuses 1 (list of past positions) with maximum choice detail freedom (e.g. by last N points, by a video point every GPS reading, by a point every N seconds/movies, by a point every N kilometres).

System comprised of central unit and apparatus 1 also permits visualising present track of every apparatus 1 by the same criteria indicated above, as knowing the road to be made to go from one point to another one along territory (navigator) or modifying on video tracks until drawing wished paths, maintained geo-referenced all points used.

An advantaged of the present invention is that an operator with a single accessory can control two different units, permitting adding powerful managing features of video signal to TETRA radio terminal audio functionality.

A further advantage of the present invention is that apparatus under examination can be fully remote controlled in case operator using it cannot make commands.

The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. Detection and communication apparatus (1) comprising a peripheral unit (3) provided with means (31 , 32) for detection of surrounding space, localization means (35, 35'), suitable to detect the position of the same peripheral unit (3), and means (33, 34, 36) for interfacing with a user for controlling and signaling operation of apparatus

(1); and a control central unit (2), connected with said peripheral unit (3), suitable to acquire informative data detected by said detection means (31 , 32) and by said localization means (35, 35'), and controlling said interface means (33, 34, 36), and comprising:

- transceiving means (7, 8) suitable to transmit said informative data and/or to receive further other data, by bidirectional connection with the maximum speed available in that zone,

- means (6) for storing said informative data and/or further outer data, and

- control means (5, 5') for said transceiving means (7, 8), said storing means (6) and said interface means (33, 34, 36) being suitable to coordinate acquisition operations from said peripheral (3) and transceiving units of said informative data and/or further outer data.

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said central control unit (2) can be interfaced with at least one radio transceiving apparatus (14).

3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said radio transceiving apparatus (14) is of the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked

RAdio) type.

4. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said control means (5, 5') detect availability of transmission channel of said transceiving means (7, 8) and of said radio transceiving apparatus (14); and in that said central control unit (2) comprises a signal switch (13), connected with said transceiving means (7, 8), with said radio transceiving apparatus (14) and with said control means (5, 5'), suitable to address a signal to be transmitted to said transceiving means (7, 8) and/or to said radio transceiving radio (14) according to the best operation condition of the transmission channel.

5. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 2 - 4, characterized in that said radio transceiving apparatus (14) can be controlled by said interface means (33, 34, 36).

6. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transceiving means comprise a transceiving module (7) and an antenna (8).

7. Apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said antenna (8) is a five band antenna, for receiving GSM900, GSM1800,

UMTS (HDSPA), EDGE900, EDGE 1800 signals, and it is internally connected to said transceiving module (7) by waveguides (9); and in that said transceiving module (7) comprises a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module).

8. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detection means (31 , 32) comprise a microphone (32) and a camera (31), even a pin-hole camera.

9. Apparatus (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said central unit (2) comprises a module (12) for acquiring video and audio signals from said camera (31) to said microphone (32).

10. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central unit (2) comprises a connector (18) by which it can be connected to an outside module to visualize video data input and stored within said means (6) for storing and/or maintenance means.

11. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said localization means comprise a GPS receiver (35) connected to the relevant antenna (35') by a waveguide.

12. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said interface means comprise a loudspeaker (36), a vibrating device (33) and a control keyboard (34), by which also the apparatus connected to said control central unit (2) can be controlled.

13. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said storing means comprise a removable memory (6), preferably coupable with said central . control unit (2) by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.

14. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means comprise a CPU (Central Processing Unit) card (5) and an auxiliary microcontroller (5').

15. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central unit (2) is placed within a pocket or within bandoleer of a uniform and said peripnera] unit (3) comprises fixing means for positioning on the shoulder of an operator.

16. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apparatus is connected to a suitable remote station (7, 8), by said transceiving means, said station (2) being suitable to receive and/or transmitting said informative data from/to said control central unit, permitting an interfacing in real time, and to control the same apparatus (1).

17. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control central unit (2) is connected to further central control units by means of said transceiving means (7, 8).

18. Detection and communication system, comprising a plurality of apparatuses (1) as defined in claims 1 - 17, that can be connected each other by said transceiving means (7, 8); a plurality of radio transceiving apparatuses (14), each one of them being connectable to one of said apparatuses (1); and a remote station suitable to receiving and/or transmitting said informative data from/to said control central units (2) of each one of said apparatuses (1), permitting a real time interfacing, and to control each one of said control central units (2).

19. System according to claim 18, characterized in that said apparatuses (1) are connected each other by said radio transceiving apparatuses (14).