Communications device, has position determination module coupled to accumulator to form common unit detachably connected to mobile radio stage, and electrically coupled to it via its interface

The invention relates to a communication device for transferring transmission of location information of a user with a mobile part having an accumulator as well as an interface, and a position determination module for determining the Po sition from satellite or terrestrial data.

For a variety of applications, it is now he Hopes automatically via a mobile phone the Positionsda to transfer th of a user. Applications for a Such a system consisting z. B. Monitoring of health Lich vulnerable or old people, in the monitoring of so-called "lonely workers", ie workers in solitary Areas perform dangerous work, for. Example, at high tension power lines, etc.

It is already a communication device in the form of a known GSM mobile phone, which he automatic emergency dismissal and enables an integrated GPS (Global Positioning System) having automatic positioning. such Communication device is under the name of MORE the company Benefon Oyj, Salo, Finland, offered. It deals is a device in the form of a GSM mobile phone, in which a GPS in is integrated to automatically determine the user's position. and be able to transmit to a monitoring station.

A disadvantage of the known communication device is al lerdings that it is a specifically designed for the above-mentioned Purpose developed product is, what with corresponding Ko most connected and also a separate Fernmeldezu approval required.

Moreover, a similar communication device be known, sold by the company Nokia under the name "Nokia Te lematics Unit "is offered. This too is to be a mobile part which is combined with a GPS system and is intended for installation in a motor vehicle.

Another communication device of a similar nature is the ADAC under the name "telematics service kit" offered. Here is a GSM phone with a mounting set in the motor vehicle and incorporated via its interface with a GPS module and a controller combined with a press ent Speaking button automatically an emergency call to a central office from To put in the same location data from the are received vehicle.

While the aforementioned system of Nokia already a having initially mentioned disadvantage of high cost, since it is is a custom-made product that is offered by the ADAC System by using a commercially available cell phones while rela tively inexpensive, but only for use in a motor vehicle suitable as an additional control unit, a GPS Antenna and a control module are required.

The invention is thus based on the object, a communication tion means for transmitting position data of a groove dec according to the type mentioned above to improve such that resulting in a cost-effective solution that weitge Starting is vendor independent and such a compact design enables an operation is possible as in a mobile phone. This object is in accordance with a communication device of the type mentioned solved in that the Positionsbe determining module to the battery to a common Bauein is coupled unit, which is releasably connected to the mobile part is and gekop electrically therewith via its interface pelt is.

The object of the invention is thus entirely ge solves.

According to the invention namely a conventional mobile part, preferably a GSM phone used the battery pack against the common structural unit is replaced, the both the Akkumu lator and the positioning module and the corre relevant components for controlling the mobile part to About including mediation of position data. The complete unit may be using a standard GPS receiver build such miniaturized antenna together with that for mobile belonging accumulator package is only increased slightly. Here, all the operating and signal elements in the Unit are integrated. Here, the existing anyway Interface on the mobile part of the communication and control the mobile part used.

Another advantage of the invention is that no electrical or mechanical modifications to the mobile part not are agile. Since the electrical properties of the mobile radio partly not be changed, the common structural unit without authorization subsequently joined by anyone who the. This leads to a significant cost reduction over traditional custom-made systems for each one separate telecommunication approval is required.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the position determining module a GPS receiver on with GPS antenna.

While it would in principle also possible, instead of a GPS exploit module terrestrial data for position determination, However, this would be significantly more complex, and would the Einsatzbe significantly limit range of the communication device.

The assembly preferably includes a plug at BEFE stigung the assembly on mobile part simultaneously with the Interface of the mobile part is coupled.

In this way, a simple and reliable results Ver connection between unit and mobile part.

In an advantageous development of this embodiment is the construction unit with the mobile part via latching means connectable.

In this way, a fast and mechanically producible stable connection between mobile part and assembly it enough. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Communication device comprises means for automatic Positionsbe humor and transmission of position data to a surveil chung station on.

This has the advantage that without any user intervention automatic positioning and transfer to a can be done monitoring station, so that in an emergency, safe and alert the monitoring station is possible.

In an additional development of this embodiment means for Transmission of position data using the Short Message Services of a digital mobile radio network provided.

This allows the control of the communication device and the control and evaluation of the communication data with achieve particularly simple means.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention is at least ei ne button for automatic triggering of an emergency call is provided.

According to a further embodiment of the invention are Anzeigemit tel for visual and / or audible status indicator, particu particular for signaling an emergency call, provided.

By these measures, the operation of the communication input direction are particularly simple and in an emergency case situation the reliable triggering of an emergency call in a simple Way be guaranteed.

In an additional development of the invention, the Posi tion determining module means to improve accuracy the position determination by the differential GPS method (DGPS) method on.

This per se known variant of the GPS method in of the light emitted from the satellite signals to calculate the position of a known location and be used the target / Istabweichungen via a transmitter as correction data are broadcast, the accuracy of Positionsbestim tion be increased up to a few meters, at the same time the partly deliberately fed for military reasons Disturbances can be corrected. Thus, the accuracy be the position determination improved such that even at remote staging a highly accurate Positionsbe done humor and transmission to a monitoring station can, so that z. B. the location of a mountain in distress steigers can be transmitted accurately to itself under poor visibility conditions take a bailout to can.

It is understood that the aforementioned features and the after yet to be explained not only in the respective specified combination but also in other combinations usable or alone, without leaving the context of the departing from the present invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be made the following description of a preferred embodiment example with reference to the drawing.

Show it:

<b>Fig.</b> 1 is a side view of an inventive communi cation device in a schematic, simplified representation;

<b>Fig.</b> 2 is a side view of a conventional GSM mobile phones, the exchange by its accumulator package to the Communication device according to <b>Fig.</b> 1 rebuilt who the can;

<b>Fig.</b> 3 is a schematic plan view of the joint construction unit according <b>Fig.</b> 1 once the case and

<b>Fig.</b> 4 is a schematic representation of the Kommunikationsver connection between the commu invention onseinrichtung and the associated terrestrial and satellite systems.

In <b>Fig.</b> 1 is a communication device according to the invention schematically shown in side view and with a total the point <b>10</b> designated. The communication device comprises a mobile part <b>12</b> in the form of a conventional GSM mobile phones, the invention by replacing its battery in the Communicator was rebuilt.

Such a conventional communication device is in <b>Fig.</b> 2 shown schematically and generally by reference numeral <b>10</b>' designated. The conventional communication device<b>10</b>' has a mobile part <b>12</b> , on whose rear side a Akkumu lator <b>18</b>is' ​​fixed, the above locking means <b>26</b> with the housing the mobile part <b>12</b> connected is. At the lower end of the mobile funk partly <b>12</b> is an interface <b>24</b> provided under others for connecting battery chargers, external technicians NEN, modems, computers or handsfree in force vehicles can be used.

For conversion of the conventional mobile part <b>12</b> in the inventions tion date communication device <b>10</b> is simply the battery simulator <b>18</b>'Removed from the housing and against the in <b>Fig.</b> 1 illustrated schematically and generally by reference numeral <b>14</b> be exchanged drew common unit, the Akkumu a lator <b>18</b>, A position locating module <b>16</b> Two Notrufta first <b>20</b>, Corresponding elements and signal the necessary Control electronics for controlling the machine functions and the Communication with the mobile part having. At the lower end the common unit <b>14</b> is a plug <b>22</b> rigidly BEFE Stigt which eg. when inserting the unit <b>14</b> Angle in not illustrated guides a correct preparation of the Ver conjunction with the built-in interface <b>24</b> guaranteed to Finally, the structural unit <b>14</b> upon reaching the end position via the locking means <b>26</b> latched to the mobile part and ge is secured against inadvertent release.

On the structural unit <b>14</b> is according <b>Fig.</b> 3 a GPS- receiver <b>28</b>, Wherein, for example. To the under the name GPSMS1 receivers, offered by the μ-blox AG, Zurich, Switzerland ger can act. In addition to this is a GPS antenna<b>30</b> pre see, and two with the numeral <b>32</b> indicated LEDs, a Pie zo-Summer <b>36</b> and alarm contacts <b>34</b>That the emergency buttons <b>20</b> connectable.

The GPS receiver <b>28</b> includes a microprocessor which also for the complete sequencing of the position determination. communicating with the mobile part <b>12</b> and automatically for tables dismissal of an emergency call by utilizing the SMS Service can be programmed.

In <b>Fig.</b> 4 is the basic structure of a Kommunikationssy stems using the communication input inventive direction <b>10</b> shown schematically, naturally no scale representation was elected. The communication facility <b>10</b> with the GPS receiver <b>28</b> located on a Location of the earth's surface and is in communication with four satellites <b>42</b>. <b>44</b>. <b>46</b>. <b>48</b>As indicated by the communication lines <b>50</b>. <b>52</b>. <b>54</b>. <b>56</b> is indicated. For initial Posi tion specifications are the same four satellites required provided that the time is not known. If the time is known, rich three satellites from this. In order to increase the Just To achieve accuracy of the position determination, is the communi cation device <b>10</b> further comprising a DGPS stations <b>40</b> in commu nikationsverbindung, as indicated by the numeral <b>58</b> is indicated. The DGPS station receives the signals from the satellites <b>42</b>. <b>44</b>. <b>46</b>. <b>48</b> and compares these with the calculated position data for a known fixed point. The deviations between the actual Position and the target position are as correction data radiates and can to correct from the satellites <b>42</b> to <b>48</b> immediately taken (in part, for military reasons erroneous) information can be used as so as the improve accuracy of position determination. The communi cation device <b>10</b> is also connected to a relay station <b>62</b> a digital mobile radio network (GSM network) in conjunction, as by number <b>60</b> is indicated. The relay station<b>62</b> stands in turn, directly or through other network nodes of the Cellular network to a monitoring station <b>66</b> in communication tion connection, as indicated by the numeral <b>64</b> is indicated. at the monitoring station <b>66</b> can be, for example. a Call- Center to an automatic monitoring station or the like act.

Upon activation of the communication device <b>10</b> can thus automatic error-corrected position data <b>68</b>, On the Posi tion of the user of the communication device <b>10</b> About the monitoring device <b>66</b> be transmitted.

Will the user of the communication device <b>10</b> an emergency call trigger, it shall eg. the communication device <b>10</b> on the front, z. B. on a table or on the floor. Now have the two emergency buttons juxtaposed <b>20</b>. of which in <b>Fig.</b> 1 only one is shown, together ge are suppressed to aktivie automatic emergency call function . It may, for example. by a rhythmic sound and ent Talking flashing LEDs <b>32</b> appear that the emergency call activation. As long as the activation signal continues (Eg., 10 seconds), can for example by pressing a the emergency buttons <b>20</b> the alarm will be canceled ( z. B. in False alarm). If the emergency call but not canceled, star tet the GPS receiver <b>28</b> automatically determining the position and begins immediately after the position data <b>68</b> up taken are and even if necessary by means of the of the DGPS station <b>40</b> recorded correction signals have been corrected, the positi onsdaten as prepared SMS to the Monitoring Station <b>66</b> to transfer. The monitoring station<b>66</b> (Z. B. a call center) then may optionally call from from the user to contact take with him or initiation of other prepared steps th.

If the system costs are reduced, then of course the correction of the position data to the DGPS method ver be dispensed.

A particular advantage of the inventive communication input direction <b>10</b> is that a conventional mobile radio part <b>12</b> can be used only by the exchange of its accumulator <b>18</b>'Against the construction unit <b>14</b> in the inventive SSE communication device <b>10</b> can be rebuilt without this special knowledge is required. Another Advantage is that the existing design approval of Mo bilfunkteils for operation of the communication device from is reaching as the mobile part of any changes before incurred and the communication completely on interface <b>24</b> the mobile part <b>10</b> is unwound.