WO2017165930A1

WO2017165930A1 - Vehicle tracking system and method, tracking apparatus and corresponding computer programs

Info

Publication number: WO2017165930A1
Application number: PCT/BR2016/050066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilson BARBOSA LEONARCZYK; Rafael TOGEL
Original assignee: Barbosa Leonarczyk Gilson; Togel Rafael
Priority date: 2016-03-29
Filing date: 2016-03-29
Publication date: 2017-10-05
Also published as: BR112017021029A2; BR112017021029B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for tracking vehicles (V₁, V₂), wherein the system (100) comprises at least one on-board central unit (200) and one or more tracking devices (300₁...300_n), and the method comprises the depositing by the on-board central unit (200) of tracking devices (300₁...300_n) to create a track or route (R) of the vehicle (V₁, V₂), which tracking devices (300₁...300_n) can be followed electronically or by devices for tracking mobile phone, satellite, radiofrequency and similar signals, or by visual tracking devices. The present invention further relates to an apparatus and to one or more corresponding computer programs.

Description

VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD AND TRACKING EQUIPMENT AND CORRESPONDING COMPUTER PROGRAMS

Application field

[001] The present invention belongs to the field of vehicle tracking and tracing devices industry.

Introduction

The present invention relates to a system and method for tracking vehicles by launching and later tracking tracking devices.

[003] The present invention also relates to a screening equipment and computer programs capable of performing the method according to the invention.

State of the art

[004] There are now many companies that offer tracking services, which with a vehicle-mounted equipment to be tracked provide logistic and security control of the same, and which, through a central or web platform, provide various information about vehicles tracked to the user such as positioning, entry and exit of certain areas, speed, among others. Communication between central and vehicle is usually achieved through cellular telephone (GPRS) or satellite (GPS) communication.

With regard to security, some equipment features tools such as locks, locks and alarms that, in risky situations such as theft, theft or hijacking, may come into play and act on the vehicle, inhibiting or hindering a possible theft attempt, for example. example.

Increasing rates of cargo and vehicle theft and hijacking are also a result of the use of new technologies by thieves and hijackers, making them capable of almost circumventing all types of barriers employed by trackers and safety peripherals operating today in vehicles or cargo.

Among these technologies used is equipment called a jammer, for example, that shuffles or blocks the signal from the vehicle's tracker, inhibiting any communication with the control panel. Signal detectors, which physically locate the vehicle tracker, which in turn can be found, turned off, damaged or even removed, also severely disrupting the vehicle-center link, are widely applied.

These mechanisms work in different ways and are constantly evolving, but they have in common the mode of action, which is done within the vehicle or load in question. The problem is that tracking devices also share their common mode of action, they are all embedded in vehicles or cargo, even mobile trackers, which can be versatile for their mobility but need to be embedded to provide tracked object information. Consequently, all available trackers today are subject to the actions of these various malicious mechanisms to circumvent their functions and facilitate the theft, theft or hijacking of a cargo or vehicle.

State-of-the-art solutions for remote vehicle monitoring are known from the state of the art, especially including embedded signaling and / or location devices, ranging from radio equipment to complex georeferencing systems to mobile phones, radio frequency position indicators and the like.

[010] An example of this nature is the Brazilian patent document PI 0503452 which discloses a system and devices for tracking vehicles and their loads. This solution has processors, a device for transmitting and receiving radio frequency, a transmitter for establishing a connection to a control unit, a GPS, as well as a monitoring module (2), also equipped with a radio frequency reception and transmission device, said module (2) being mounted on the vehicle to be monitored, in this case a trailer (T). It also has transmitters (3) which are composed of a battery and a radio frequency transmitting and receiving device. In case of decoupling between the trailer (T) and the mechanical horse (M), the connection (4) between the device (1) and the module (2) is broken, as well as the connections (5) of the device (1). ) with each transmitter (3). With this, the device (1) sends an alert signal (8) to a monitoring center (C), informing of the event. In case of a connection loss (4), the module (2) goes into warning signal, starting to transmit a panic signal (9), and any other similar device can pick up its signal (9), even if This similar device is installed in another vehicle or at a landmark along the highway (R).

[01 1] One problem with this solution is that it has a single direct connection (7) to switch (C) that is made through device (1), ie in the case of a GPS / GPRS signal blocker or jammer or similar equipment acting on the vehicle (M), any attempt to search and safeguard it is limited to the warning or panic signals (9) emitted by the module (2) and transmitters (3) installed on the trailer (T) . In this way, the monitoring and direct monitoring by the plant is lost (C).

[012] Another problem of the invention described in PI 0503452 is that, in the case of train (M) vehicle traffic, the disclosed system undertakes to establish a connection or contact (12) with the monitoring station (C), the contact device (1) being installed in only one of the train members while the rest is equipped with modules (2), transmitters (3) and actuators, and, In this case, a mere operating error or a simple malfunction in the device (1) can cause the entire train to be compromised, as each of the modules (2) or transmitters (3) installed on the train members (M) will initiate the programmed protocols, such as the vehicle lock (M), for example, harming the operation in question, which in this scenario will no longer have a direct connection to the central (C), making them unable to travel.

[013] In addition, the trailer (T) or load (V1, V2 ...) has no direct connections to the control unit, ie in the event of theft or a hazardous situation, it depends entirely on the likelihood of another truck ( M) be equipped with a similar device (1) and be passing near the trailer (T) or load (V1, V2 ...) or road markings (R) are on the escape route to establish a connection (14) then establish a connection (13) with the switch (C) and thus determine its location. Thus, in the event of theft or risky situations, the search and safeguard of the vehicle or cargo is subject to a very large number of variants, as mentioned above.

US patent document US 5,703,598 is a method of tracking stolen goods that uses a continuously powered radio receiver to receive coded signals from a central station. When the received signal corresponds to a unique code stored at the receiver, a GPS receiver and a radio transmitter with the stolen goods are connected for a predetermined period of time to a power source such that a GPS signal received by the receiver processed and the position data thus produced is transmitted to the central station.

[015] This solution, as well as that disclosed by another related patent document of US 5,726,893, have in common the same problem: it deals with embedded equipment that performs georeferencing. via GPS only, making it easy targets for GPS, GPRS, satellite jammers, jammers, and signal locators.

[016] In general, therefore, current reality shows us that solutions are lacking that are able to cope with the growing role of specialized cargo theft gangs that, with state-of-the-art technology, are capable of inhibiting or blocking GPS signals. , GPRS, GSM by means of devices known as jammers, and similar devices are capable of scrambling including radio frequency signals.

[017] Furthermore, as is well known to those skilled in the art, radio frequency, which is both effective and widely used in the recovery of loads and vehicles, precisely because it offers greater jammer resistance, depends on the other hand, in certain situations, the use of antenna triangulation processes, which involves costly field work, thus preventing real-time monitoring of the vehicle or load in question by the plant.

[018] With due knowledge of the state of the art and its respective vulnerabilities, the Road Safety and Experimentation Center or CESVI, which promotes studies that test and evaluate the techniques of companies, systems, products and services related to the automotive sector, published in "The conclusion of CESVI is that, despite all attempts, there is still no recourse that can prevent the jammer from operating efficiently and effectively." Despite the parallel paths to cross the barrier imposed by the signal blocker, the systems are not even able, remotely, to maintain their communication with the central in two ways (receiving commands and transmitting information.) Even adopting other forms of communication. , signals are susceptible to blocking or detection, allowing malicious action. tracking equipment - be it the risk manager, the insurer or the fining client.

As can be inferred from the above description, there is room and demand for an improved vehicle tracking solution capable of overcoming shortcomings in the state of the art, especially with regard to eliminating vulnerability to vehicle inhibition and blocking equipment. signal.

Objectives of the invention

[020] One object of the present invention is a system according to the features of independent claim number 1.

[021] Another object of the invention is a method according to the features of independent claim number 7.

Finally, an object of the invention is an equipment according to the features of independent claim number 9 and one or more computer programs according to independent claim number 10.

Further details of these features and / or additional features are represented by the corresponding dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Figures

For a better understanding and visualization of the object of the present invention, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, representing the technical effect obtained by way of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the scope of the present invention, wherein schematically:

[025] Figure 1 shows a side view of a vehicle provided with a system according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of a vehicle provided with a system according to the invention depositing tracking devices; Figure 3: shows a side view of an on-board central and tracking devices according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a top view of an on-board central and tracking devices according to the invention;

Figure 5: shows a side view of a tracking device according to the invention;

[030] Figure 6: presents a diagrammatic top view of a vehicle having a system according to the invention being tracked in a common day-to-day traffic and traffic situation;

Figure 7: presents another non-limiting example of application of the system and method according to the invention;

Figure 8 shows another non-limiting example of application of the system and method according to the invention; and

Figure 9: presents another non-limiting example of application of the system and method according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

System

[034] A system according to the invention or simply system (100) for tracking vehicles (Vi, V2) essentially comprises enabling the tracking of a vehicle (Vi, V2) by depositing or launching from an embedded plant ( 200) in the vehicle (Vi, V2) of one or more tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ), wherein these tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) form a trail or route (R) of the vehicle. (Vi, V2), which may be followed electronically or by means of tracking cellular, satellite, radio frequency and / or similar signals or visually.

[035] A system (100) according to the invention therefore comprises at least one core - board (200) and one or more screening devices (300i ... 300 _n). [036] An on-board plant (200) according to the invention may comprise, by way of example and not limitation:

- power source (210),

- georeferencing module (220),

- transmission and receiving unit (230),

- central processing unit (240),

- data storage device (250),

- physical storage compartment (260),

- aperture (270),

- deposition and / or launching device (280) and

- motion detection device (290).

The tracking devices 300 according to the invention may comprise, by way of example and not limitation:

- power source (310),

- georeferencing module (320),

- transmission and receiving unit (330),

- processing unit (340),

- motion detection device (350),

- lighting device (360) and

- sound device (370).

An on-board exchange (200) according to the invention may therefore comprise power source (210), georeferencing module (220), transmission and receiving unit (230), central processing unit (240), data storage device (250), physical storage compartment (260), an opening (270), a deposition and / or launching device (280) and optionally a motion detection device (290).

[039] The power source (210) shall be a suitable source for the operation of the system (100) described herein, either standby or in operation in case of activation or both, and may also include external charging device and / or connected to any part of the vehicle (Vi, V2) and corresponding sockets and / or couplings.

[040] The georeferencing module (220) shall be an antenna referencing module compatible with the transmission and reception of cellular (GSM, GPRS and / or similar), satellite (GPS) and radio frequency signals.

[041] The transmitting and receiving unit (230) shall be a unit compatible with the transmission and reception of cellular, satellite and radio frequency signals, including any RFID and / or similar technologies.

[042] The central processing unit (240) shall contain a processor with compatible technical characteristics and its communication ports (serial and / or parallel, USB etc) capable of running a system manager computer program (100) so receiving and processing input information and generating output signals for system element control (100).

[043] The data storage device (250) must be a memory (volatile and / or non-volatile) capable of storing information captured and processed by the central processing unit (240).

[044] The physical storage compartment (260) shall be a container capable of storing one or more tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) so that they are not physically damaged by mechanical shocks and protected from dirt and weather.

[045] The opening (270) of the embedded plant (200) must be a physical interface capable of depositing and / or launching one or more tracking devices (300i ... _n ) in case of system activation (100). ), which may be a hatch, a drawer, a hatch, a thread or the like or a combination thereof.

[046] The deposition and / or launching device (280) shall serve to remove one or more tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) from the inside the physical storage compartment (260) so that one or more tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) reach the external environment to the boarded central (200), which may be from a simple opening actuating device (270) gravity releasing of the tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) to a complex launching device or triggering of the tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ), depending of course on the installation position of the onboard control unit ( 200).

[047] The motion detection device (290) shall be a device capable of detecting movement changes of the boarding station (200), that is to say of the part of the vehicle (Vi, V2) to which it is coupled, especially of sudden changes. the vehicle's motion situation (Vi, V2), which may be, for example, an accelerometer or gyroscope or a combination thereof or other similar equipment.

A tracking device (300) according to the invention may therefore comprise power source (310), georeferencing module (320), transmission and receiving unit (330), processing unit (340) and motion detection device (350).

[049] The power supply (310) shall be a suitable source for the operation of the tracking device (300), both standby and in operation in case of triggering or both, and may include an activated triggering means when from the output of the tracking device (300) from within the physical storage compartment (260).

[050] The georeferencing module (320) shall be an antenna referencing module compatible with the transmission and reception of cellular (GSM, GPRS and / or similar), satellite (GPS) and radio frequency signals.

[051] The transmit and receive unit (330) must be a unit compatible with the transmission and receipt of signals from cellular, satellite and radio frequency, including any RFID and / or similar technologies.

[052] The processing unit (340) shall contain a processor with compatible technical characteristics capable of executing a specific computer program to receive and process input information and generate output signals for the command of system elements (100). ).

[053] The motion detection device (350) shall be a device capable of detecting movement changes of the tracking device (300), especially of sudden changes in the movement situation of the tracking device (300), and may therefore be example, an accelerometer or gyroscope or a combination of these or similar equipment.

[054] The optional lighting device (360) shall be a device capable of generating lighting capable of assisting in locating tracking devices (300) in the event of failure or destruction of one or more of the other intended devices. Also include a fluorescent and / or phosphorescent paint.

[055] The equally optional sound device (370) shall be a device capable of generating sound waves capable of assisting in locating tracking devices (300) in the event of failure or destruction of one or more of the other intended devices, It may also include ultrasound devices, radio frequency transmitters, Bluetooth ^® , sonar, etc.

[056] Consideration may also be given to the use of various other devices useful for locating tracking devices (300), also as a form of redundancy of the devices described herein, such as image capture devices, vibration and tracking devices. autonomous movement and others, as long as its use does not compromise the other functions and capabilities of the system (100). Operation

[057] As described above, the elements of a system (100) according to the invention comprise a solution capable of tracking a vehicle (Vi, V2) by depositing or launching from the vehicle (Vi, V2 ), preferably in motion, of one or more tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ), wherein these tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) form a trail or route (R) of the vehicle (Vi, V2 ) can be tracked electronically or through cellular, satellite, radio frequency and / or similar signal tracking devices or visually.

[058] It is to be noted that the use of the system 100 according to the invention may also extend to other types of objects to be traced. You can imagine tracking packages or boxes or even containers and people, singly or in groups, emergency aircraft, unmanned vehicles, people and / or parachute-related objects, observation vehicles, fleeing vehicles, nautical vessels and underwater and so many examples.

[059] To describe the operation of system 100 according to the invention, however, the non-limiting example of monitoring a vehicle (Vi, V2) by system 100 will be used, the vehicle (Vi) being used. , V2) represented herein by a mechanical horse (Vi) and a trailer or trailer (V2), both known from the prior art.

[060] One or more onboard power stations (200) are arranged on the mechanical horse (Vi) or on the trailer or trailer (V2) or both, in order to conceal their presence from third parties and preferably to conceal them even from their own. user (driver) of the vehicle (Vi, V2).

[061] Said embedded centrals (200) are each loaded with one or more tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ). [062] The system (100) can be operated manually or automatically, in person or remotely or by a combination of these shapes and modes.

[063] A non-limiting example of actuation may be the manual actuation of a panic button on the vehicle (Vi, V2).

[064] Another non-limiting example may be remote actuation from a switch which, for example, has been informed of vehicle theft or hijacking (Vi, V2).

[065] Another non-limiting example may be triggering by a signal triggered by the motion detection device (290) when, for example, reaching a minimum acceleration and / or inclination value of the vehicle (Vi, V2 ).

[066] Another non-limiting example may be triggering by a signal triggered by motion detection device (290) when, for example, reaching a minimum vehicle speed value (Vi, V2) associated with another criterion whose occurrence (or absence) indicates an abnormal operation.

[067] Another non-limiting example may be triggering by a signal triggered by the georeferencing module (220), for example when the vehicle (Vi, V2) enters a certain non-permitted traffic zone or exceeds a traffic limit. or both combined or other similar trigger event.

[068] Once triggered, the system (100) initiates a deposition cycle of the tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ), dropping them to the ground or firing them to the ground, depending on the position of the boarded switch (200). ) and the type of deposition and / or launching device (280) used, which is deposited in a controlled manner and at specified intervals.

[069] These specific ranges may be predetermined and fixed or dependent on certain variables such as the speed (Vi, V2), depositing less frequently at lower speeds and more often at higher speeds. Other imaginable variables may be the amount of cargo carried, the type of route, traffic intensity, and so on.

[070] Of vital importance, however, is the deposition of a number of tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) such that the distance (xi ... _n ) between them enables the vehicle (Vi, V2) to be tracked as accurately and as accurately as possible, obviously also taking into account the limited capacity of the physical storage compartment (260).

[071] For vehicles (Vi, V2) traveling long distances and / or remote areas, a reduction in deposition frequency and the use of more than one on-board plant can be considered (200). . In this second possibility, a specific tracking device deposition hierarchy (300i ... 300 _n ) can be created, for example by initiating the tracking device deposition (300i ... 300 _n ) from a first central (200) until it is without tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) and then, if still needed, deposition from the next boarded exchange (200) and so on.

[072] Using more than one embedded panel (200) can also increase system security (100) as it increases the chance that at least one of them will not be found and eliminated or blocked.

[073] When releasing or firing a first tracking device (300i), the central processing unit (240) makes a first record in the data storage device (250), which record may contain miscellaneous information, for example. For example, the tracking device number (300i ... 300 _n ) deposited, date, time (hour, minutes and seconds), possibly the georeferencing location, the speed at each deposition and other important information for the deposit. subsequent vehicle tracking (Vi, V2) and storage of the history of events for, for example, subsequent reconstitution and double proof of route (R).

Once deposited, the georeferencing module (320) of the first tracking device (300i) initiates a georeferencing and communication procedure (A), informing its coordinates to a fixed and / or remote monitoring center via the signals (A) through the transmission and receiving unit (330), as well as other pertinent data such as the date and time (hour, minute and second) of impact on the ground.

[075] It should be noted that such communication can be carried out between the respective tracking device (300i ... 300 _n ) and a fixed and / or remote control unit, and between it and a suitable random receiver such as, for example. for example, the transmission and receiving unit (230) itself of the on-board central (200). In addition, communication can also be made between tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ).

After a certain time interval, as a function of the predetermined specific deposition frequency for each situation, the second tracking device (30i) is deposited at a distance (xi) from the second tracking device (300i), repeating the operations described above, in particular by repeating the georeferencing procedure and reporting its coordinates to a fixed and / or remote monitoring center by transmitting signals via the transmitting and receiving unit (330), among others. pertinent data such as date and time (hour, minutes and seconds) etc. deposition or release and / or impact on the ground.

[077] This deposition operation is performed up to the nth tracking device (300 _n ) deposited at a distance (x _n ) from the penultimate tracking device (300 _n -i) deposited. [078] This allows you to determine the approximate speed and position of the vehicle (Vi, V2), to check for any variations in that speed and position, to estimate the most likely route (R) or the next possible position of the vehicle (Vi, V2), finally, a trail or route (R) of the vehicle (Vi, V2) is obtained.

[079] It is to be noted that the deposition (by release or release) of the tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) may follow random distributions, generating a sequence of coordinates that must be analyzed within a context appropriate to each for example (but not limited to) consideration of elements such as vehicle speed (Vi, V2), type of road or path used, weather and weather, time of year, day etc, estimating and therefore considering tolerances for each case.

[080] It is also noted that the deposition (upon release or release) of the tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) may be terminated in various ways or terminated by a number of different factors.

[081] A non - limiting example of completion of deposition of tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n) may be the vehicle stops (Vi, V2) of the same traffic or below a certain predetermined speed.

[082] Another non-limiting example of tracking device deposition termination (300i ... 300 _n ) may be their interruption by system intervention (100) which, similar to the above-described drive, can be done manually or automatically. , either in person or remotely or by a combination of these forms and modes.

[083] Another non-limiting example may be remote actuation from a switch which, for example, has been informed of the vehicle's recovery or location (Vi, V2).

[084] Another non-limiting example may be triggering by a signal triggered by the georeferencing module (220), such as for example, when the vehicle (Vi, V2) enters a certain permitted or safe traffic zone or exceeds a predetermined fenced or known traffic limit or both combined or other similar event.

Method

[085] A method for tracking vehicles (Vi, V2) according to the invention comprises enabling the tracking of a vehicle (Vi, V2) by depositing or launching from an on-board exchange (200) in the vehicle (Vi, V2) of one or more tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ), wherein these tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) form a trail or route (R) of the vehicle (Vi, V2) which can be tracked electronically or by means of tracking cellular, satellite, radio frequency and / or similar signals or visually.

Considering the exemplary system (100) according to the invention, comprising at least one embedded switchboard (200) and one or more tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ), a method according to the invention may comprise the following method steps:

step: receiving at the (first) boarded central (200) a trigger signal;

Step 2: deposit or launch a first tracking device (300i);

- 3 step: recording the deposition of information from the first tracking device (300i) and start or restart or update georeferencing of the (first) Central embedded (200);

Step -4: georeferencing start of the first tracking device (300i);

- fifth step: sending one or more communication signals and / or location indications from the first device tracking (300i) and / or the boarded central (200);

- Step 6: deposit or launch a second tracking device (3002) at a distance (x) of the first tracking device (300i);

- 7th step: record the deposition information of the second tracking device (30O2) and start or restart or update the geo-referencing of the embedded switch (200);

-8 step: start the georeferencing of the second tracking device (30O2);

- Step 9: issuing one or more communication signals and / or location indications from the second tracking device (30O2) and / or embedded core (200);

- 10. ^A step: comparing the communication data and / or indicative of location of the first tracking device

(3001) to the second tracking device

(300 _2);

- Step 11: depositing a third tracking device (30O3) in the ground, at a distance (X2) of the second screening device (30O2);

- 12 ^ã step: recording the deposition of information of the third tracking device (30O3) and start or restart or update the embedded georeferencing central (200);

- Step 13: Starting geocode the third tracking device (30O3);

- step 14: sending one or more communication signals and / or location indications from the third device tracking (30O3) and / or the boarded exchange (200);

- 15 ^ã stage: compare the communication data and / or indicative of location of the second tracking device

(3002) to the third tracking device

(3003) and possibly with respect to those of the first tracking device (300i);

- Step 16: Repeat the above steps until the receipt of a shutdown command and / or the deposition of the last screening device (300i ... 300 _n) of the (first) core - board (200), or repeating above steps in a second embedded plant (200) and so on.

It is to be remembered that the method described herein is a non-limiting example of how a system (100) according to the invention can function in tracking a vehicle (Vi, V2).

[088] The method, therefore, should not be construed as being limited to the steps listed above, and several different combinations and sequences are possible from those given and, therefore, complementations of the exemplary method steps, for example in the case of 10 ^§ and 5-step (and subsequent equivalents for multiple tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n )) These can be performed independently for each tracking device (300i ... 300 _n ) or, on the other hand, include the grouping and evaluation of data obtained from all tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) hitherto deposited, obtaining useful complementary data for tracking such as the total distance ( ^χ τ) between the tracking devices tracking (300i ... 300 _n ) and thus an estimate of the total distance traveled by the vehicle (Vi, V2) since system activation (100). It should also be noted that, depending on the application situation, both georeferencing (3 ^§ , 1- and \ 2-steps) and the emission of one or more communication signals and / or location indications from the boarded switchboard (200) (5 ^§ , 9 ^§ and 14 ^§ steps) may not be recommended or even inadvisable, as it may denounce the location of the boarded switch (200) in the vehicle (Vi, V2).

[090] Data obtained from each tracking device (300i ... 300 _n ) can also be stored first and only then grouped and / or evaluated and / or transmitted.

[091] In addition, it should be noted that steps of the method described above may be altered or supplemented or even eliminated depending on the type of vehicle (V) used.

[092] In the application example illustrated in Figure 7, the airplane (V) in emergency or hijacking or other situations requiring tracking, tracking devices (300i ... 300 _n ) may have, for example, small devices. fall retardation, to keep them awake for some time by signaling not only their position but also their approximate altitude, for example to estimate a possible ground-reaching position by the airplane (V).

[093] Similar reasoning can be applied to use in a skydiving situation, as in Figure 8, or for an underwater situation such as in Figure 9.

Equipment

[094] The present invention also relates to an apparatus comprising a system (100) according to the invention for performing tasks comprising performing a method according to the invention.

Computer programs

[095] The present invention also relates to one or more computer programs, storable on a storage medium and executable. in a data processing equipment, comprising operating a system (100) according to the invention and performing a method according to the invention.

Conclusion

It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the concepts set forth in the above description. Such modifications should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail above are illustrative and exemplary only and not limitative of the scope of the present invention, which should be given the full extent of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1 . Vehicle tracking system for tracking vehicles (V1, V2), characterized by the task of enabling the tracking of a vehicle (V1, V2) by depositing or launching from at least one on-board central (200) in the vehicle (V1, V2) of one or more tracking devices (3001 ... 300n), wherein these tracking devices (3001 ... 300n) form a trail or route (R) of the vehicle (V1, V2) , which may be followed electronically or by means of tracking cellular, satellite, radio frequency and / or similar signals or visually.

System according to claim 1, characterized in that the embedded plant (200) comprises power source (210), georeferencing module (220), transmission and receiving unit (230), central processing unit (240) , data storage device (250), physical storage compartment (260), aperture (270), deposition and / or launch device (280) and motion detection device (290).

System according to claim 1, characterized in that each tracking device (3001 ... 300n) comprises power source (310), georeferencing module (320), transmission and receiving unit (330); processing unit (340); and motion detection device (350).

System according to Claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the tracking devices (3001 ... 300n) additionally and optionally comprise lighting device (360) and / or sound device (370).

System according to Claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the georeferencing module (220, 320) is compatible with the transmission and reception of satellite (GSM, GPRS and / or similar) cellular signals. (GPS) and radio frequency and that the unit Transmit and Receive (230, 330) shall be a unit compatible with the transmission and reception of cellular, satellite and radio frequency signals, including any RFID and / or similar technologies.

System according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the central processing unit (240, 340) contains a processor and its communication ports (serial and / or parallel, USB etc) capable of performing a system manager computer program (100) for receiving and processing input information and generating output signals for the command of system elements (100).

7. Vehicle tracking method for tracking vehicles (V1, V2), comprising the task of enabling a vehicle (V1, V2) to be tracked by depositing or launching from at least one on-board exchange (200). ) in the vehicle (V1, V2) of one or more tracking devices (3001 ... 300n), wherein these tracking devices (3001 ... 300n) form a trail or route (R) of the vehicle (V1, V2), which may be tracked electronically or by means of tracking cellular, satellite, radio frequency and / or similar signals or visually.

Method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises the following method steps:

- ^§ step 1: receiving a trigger signal through the communication ports of the central processing unit (240) of a (first) core - board (200);

- 2- step: deposit a first tracking device

(3001) in the soil;

- 3 ^§ step: register the deposition information of the first tracking device (3001) and start or restart or update the geo-referencing of the boarded exchange (200); - Step A: start georeferencing the first tracking device (3001);

- step 5: issuing one or more communication signals and / or location indications from the first tracking device (3001) and / or the boarding station (200);

- 6 ^§ step: deposit a second tracking device

(3002) on the ground at a distance (x1) from the first tracking device (3001);

- 7th step: record the deposition information of the second tracking device (3002) and start or restart or update the geo-referencing of the embedded switch (200);

- 8 ^§ step: start georeferencing the second tracking device (3002);

- ^§ step 9: sending one or more signals communication and / or location indications from the second tracking device (3002) and / or embedded core (200);

- 10 ^§ step: compare communication data and / or location indicative of the first tracking device

(3001) to the second tracking device

(3002);

- 1 1 ^§ step: depositing a third tracking device (3003) into the ground at a distance (x2) from the second tracking device (3002);

- 12 ^§ step: register the deposition information of the third tracking device (3003) and start or restart or update the geo-referencing of the boarded exchange (200); - 13 ^§ step: start georeferencing the third tracking device (3003);

- 14 ^§ step: send one or more communication signals and / or location indications from the third tracking device (3003) and / or the boarded switchboard

(200);

- ^ 5- Step: Compare communication data and / or location indicative of second tracking device

(3002) to the third tracking device

(3003) and, possibly, with respect to those of the first tracking device (3001); and

- 16 ^§ step: repeat the steps described above until receiving a termination command and / or depositing the last tracking device (3001 ... 300n) from the (first) embedded central (200), or repeating the steps described above in a second embedded plant (200) and so on.

Vehicle tracking equipment (V, V1, V2), characterized in that it comprises a system (100) according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and capable of carrying out a method according to claims 7 and 7. 8

Computer programs, characterized in that they operate a system (100) according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and perform a method according to claims 7 and 8.