WO2004100101A1

WO2004100101A1 - Unit mobile of identification with control biometric

Info

Publication number: WO2004100101A1
Application number: PCT/IB2003/002921
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eros Masi
Original assignee: Eros Masi
Priority date: 2003-05-06
Filing date: 2003-07-23
Publication date: 2004-11-18
Also published as: AU2003263383A1; ITPI20030030A1

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for detecting the position and confirming the identity of a subject (35) by means of a bracelet (10) and a mobile control unit (20) equipped with a device for recognition of a biometric value, such as a fingerprint. The bracelet (10) establishes a radio communication with the control unit (20) sending at predetermined intervals data of presence for confirming the position of the individual. If the bracelet (10) does not send back the data of presence to the control unit (20) an alarm system immediately communicates the tampering of the bracelet (10) to a remote central monitoring station (50). If the verification of the presence of the bracelet (10) on the individual (35) is positive the mobile control unit (20) either randomly or on request of the central monitoring station (50) requests the verification of the identity of the individual (35) emitting, for example, an acoustic and/or visible signal. Once received the signal, the individual (35) that wears the bracelet (10) must scan the fingerprint putting a proper finger on the recognition control unit (20) that scans it. Then, there the position is detected of the mobile control unit (20) and of the individual (35) via the GPS network. The communications between the mobile control unit (20) and the central monitoring station (50) are carried out instead via the GSM/GPRS network.

Description

TITLE UNIT MOBILE OF IDENTIFICATION WITH CONTROL BIOMETRIC

DESCRIPTION Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method for measuring the presence of an individual in a predetermined area and for checking at the same time the identity, in particular for individuals with restriction of freedom, such as individuals confined within a pre-designated location, individuals under police surveillance, patients affected by dangerous infective pathologies etc.

The invention relates also to an apparatus that carries out this method.

Description of the prior art As known, different devices exist to guard an individual who, for different reasons, is subject to a restriction of freedom.

For example, patients affected by dangerous infective pathologies have to be guarded so that the do not leave predetermined areas of an hospital, or individuals under police surveillance must be confined within a pre- designated location.

In fact, for the increasing overcrowding of jails and for reducing the high costs of maintenance of houses of confinement, financed by the government, it is common to sentence certain types of offenders to confinement within the offender's place of residence.

Therefore, the need is felt to guard individuals confined within their residence, guaranteeing that they remain in a predetermined area. To this end, devices exist for remotely guarding individuals confined within their residence, for detecting if they escape or tamper the devices, by exchanging information with a central unit. These devices, comprising a sender that is secured to the wrist or to the ankle of the individual with a plastic belt, exchange signals with a computer, in turn connected to a telephonic line. If the individual leaves the confinement area, an alarm signal is generated. The same occurs if the individual tampers the plastic belt or the processor.

Presently, the known devices used for controlling individuals confined within their residence can only warn the central unit of a possible escape from the area of confinement, but are not capable of measuring the exact position of the escaped individual before once got rid of the bracelet.

In addition, such devices cannot check whether the individual that should wear the device at the wrist or ankle, is really the individual under surveillance or another person helping him to escape.

Bracelet devices exist for controlling individuals that are associated to identity check systems, for example of biometric type. In WO0144836 a device is described where the individuals confined within their residence, in addition to wear a bracelet, must move periodically to a fixed computerized position and have their fingerprints scanned by a reader. However, this causes a fixed apparatus to be moved all the times the individual is moved.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a method for detecting the position and the presence of an individual in a predetermined place and verifying immediately the identity without the need of fixed arrangements.

It is also a feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus that carries out this method.

These and other features are accomplished with one exemplary method for testing the presence and confirming the identity of an individual, according to the present invention, whose characteristic is to provide the following steps: - prearranging a mobile control unit that the individual must use ;

- receiving, by said mobile control unit, a verification signal coming from a central monitoring station; - measuring at least one biometric data of the individual by the mobile control unit;

- calculating position data of the mobile control unit;

- transmitting within a predetermined period to said central monitoring station a set of response signals comprising said biometric data and said position data;

- receiving said data by the central monitoring station and comparing with data previously recorded. Advantageously, for particular applications such as the control of an individual subject to restriction of freedom a further step is provided of:

- verification of the presence of a bracelet, associated to the mobile control unit, on the individual, by sending from the bracelet same to the mobile control unit data of presence at predetermined intervals.

In this case, if the step of verification of the presence of the bracelet on the individual fails, the control unit emits an alarm signal to the central monitoring station that communicates immediately the tampering of the bracelet to a surveillance service, for example a patrol.

Advantageously, the measuring step of said or each biometric data can be prompted by an enquiry step from the central monitoring station asking to measure said biometric data.

In particular, the step of transmitting the set of response signals by the mobile control unit to the central monitoring station is carried out through the GSM/GPRS network.

Furthermore, the step of detecting the position data is carried out via the GPS network interpreting satellite signals in order to determine with precision the geographical coordinates of the control unit.

Preferably, the measured biometric data is a fingerprint, or an image of the retina of the eye of the individual under surveillance, or a voice signal that is compared with a reference signal recorded in the database. According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus that carries out the method according to the present invention provides a mobile control unit comprising: — means for receiving a verification signal by a central monitoring station;

- means for detecting at least one biometric data of an individual;

- means for calculating position data; - means for transmitting said data to said central monitoring station;

- a supply battery.

In particular, the mobile control unit receives and transmits data via GSM/GPRS network exchanged with the central monitoring station, the latter comprising:

- a computer, or workstation, in which a software resides for data management equipped with a display monitor;

- means for receiving/transmitting said data. Advantageously, a bracelet is provided associated to the mobile control unit comprising:

- means for detecting data of presence of the bracelet on the individual and/or means for detecting tampering actions of the individual;

— means for transmitting data.

In this case, the mobile control unit has also means for receiving said data of presence.

Advantageously, the bracelet and the mobile control unit communicate with each other by means of radio signals and have means for establishing a mutual interaction between each other.

In particular, the means for transmitting the position data of the mobile control unit comprise a GPS module that interpreting satellite signals allows of determining with precision the position. The control unit can calculate by the GPS module the own coordinates for example according to the NMEA standard.

Preferably, said means for receiving and transmitting data between the mobile control unit and the central monitoring station are comprised in a GSM module whereby communication is carried out via the GSM/GPRS network.

Advantageously, said means for testing the presence of the bracelet on the individual are a sensor for controlling the pulsations and/or a sensor for controlling the temperature. Furthermore, a sender can be provided equipped with "code hopping" functions for eliminating the possibility that the bracelet is tampered electrically. Preferably, said means for detecting at least one biometric data of the individual comprise at least one sensor for detecting fingerprints.

Alternatively, or in addition to the sensor for fingerprints a sensor is provided for detecting an image of the retina.

A further possibility is using a microphone associated to a voice recognition chip.

Preferably, the device, made of low allergenic material, is secured to the wrist or to the ankle or other part of the body of the individual, by means of a tamper resistant belt, in case the device is used, for example, for surveillance of individuals confined within their residence. Alternatively, this belt is provided with a normal closure mechanism, which can be easily opened.

During the operation of the apparatus the mobile control unit emits a signal at a predetermined frequency either randomly, or under manual demand of an operator at the central monitoring station, for requesting to who wears the bracelet to scan the own fingerprints and/or to scan the retina, as agreed in a previous step.

In case of request to scan the fingerprints, the individual under surveillance will simply push a finger of the hand against the mobile control unit, at the fingerprints detector.

Alternatively, in case of request to scan the retina the individual under surveillance will approach the mobile control unit to the eye.

Brief description of the drawings Further characteristics and the advantages of the method and of the apparatus according to the invention will be made clearer with the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts, throughout the figures of which: - figure 1 shows a diagrammatical simplified view of the method for testing the presence and confirming the identity of an individual, according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a perspective elevational side view of a mobile control unit according to the invention illustrating diagrammatically the main elements thereof; - figure 3 shows a perspective elevational side view of a bracelet according to the invention illustrating diagrammatically the main elements thereof;

- figure 4 shows in a perspective view a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for testing the presence and confirming the identity of an individual, according to the present invention;

- figures 5 and 6 show a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment alternative to figure 4 of the apparatus for testing the presence and confirming the identity of an individual;

- figures 7 and 8 show two flow-sheets, respectively of the procedure of detection on board to the mobile control unit and to the central monitoring station.

Description of a preferred exemplary embodiment With reference to figure 1, in a possible exemplary embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for detecting the position and confirming the identity of a subject 35 comprises a bracelet 10 and a mobile control unit 20 equipped with an acquisition device of a biometric value, such as a fingerprint.

In particular, the bracelet 10 establishes a radio communication with control unit 20 sending at predetermined intervals data of presence for confirming the position of the individual. Alternatively, if the bracelet 10 does not deliver the data of presence to control unit 20 an alarm system is triggered for communicating immediately the tampering of the bracelet 10 to a remote central monitoring station 50 which will call a patrol, not shown. If the verification of the presence of the bracelet 10 on the individual 35 is positive the mobile control unit 20, either randomly or under manual demand of an operator at the central monitoring station 50, requires the verification of the identity of the individual 35 emitting, for example, an acoustic and/or visible signal. Once received the signal, the individual 35 that wears the bracelet 10 is subject at any moment to measure the biometric data that will then verified by the central monitoring station 50, through a suitable software.

In case fingerprint detecting is requested, as shown in figure 1, the individual 35 puts a proper finger on control unit 20 that scans its fingerprint. In addition or alternatively, the individual 35 scans the retina, with the aid of possible supports for the arms and for the chin, not shown, to allow a perfect alignment. A further possibility is that the biometric data is a voice signal of the subject. In this case, control unit 20 is provided with a microphone and relative voice recognition chip. In particular, several voice sequences may be provided that can be required to be pronounced by the individual in order to carry out the recognition.

After measuring the biometric data of the individual 35 there is a detecting step of the position of the mobile control unit 20, i.e. of the individual 35, via the GPS network, consisting as known of a plurality of satellites 40 which send position signals 42. The central monitoring station 50 by means of a cartographical software displays on a monitor 52 a map relative to the position of the monitored individual 35. Any communications between the mobile control unit 20 and the central monitoring station 50 are carried out instead via the GSM/GPRS network.

More in detail, as shown in figure 2, mobile control unit 20 for detecting the biometric data of the individual 35 is equipped with a biometric sensor 21 associated to a control board 26. In control unit 20, furthermore, mounted a GSM module 23 is mounted with a relative antenna 24, which carries out the exchange of data between a microprocessor 28 and the remote central monitoring station 50 using SMS, or, a protocol standard Hayes modem. In the latter case, a modem 51 is arranged at the central monitoring station 50. In control unit 20, furthermore, a GPS module 24 is installed with a relative antenna 25 that receives the signals from satellites 40 and calculates its position communicating it to microprocessor 28, for example according to a NMEA standard. The data exchange between mobile control unit 20 and bracelet 10 is then executed by means of a transponder 29. The components installed in control unit 20 are supplied by a battery 27 that can be rechargeable.

As shown in figure 3, bracelet 10, which is made of hypoallergenic material, is secured to the wrist or to the ankle of individual 35 by means of a belt 10, or wristlet, with a closure 11 that can be either with a lock or freely releasable, according to the kind of surveillance strategy.

In case the bracelet is for an individual 35 subject to restriction of freedom, bracelet 10 is equipped with a tampering-safe control that communicates possible tampering attempts to control unit 20 by means of a sender 11. The verification of the presence of bracelet 20 on individual 35 can be made for example by means of a sensor 12 capable of measuring the heart beat and/or the body temperature of the individual 35. To avoid that the bracelet 10 can be tampered electronically it can also have a sender equipped with "code hopping" functions that changing at each radio communication between the bracelet 10 and control unit 20, the transmission code being capable of assuring a high safety level.

In the central monitoring station 50 can be present an agent 55 who, besides controlling that bracelet 10 is in a predetermined area, for example the individual' s domicile, checks that the bracelet 10 has not emitted tampering signals. Furthermore, agent 55 controls any absence of the signal of presence of the bracelet 10 on the individual 35, through the data measured by sensor 11, which detects the pulsations or the body temperature of the individual and transmits them to the central monitoring station via mobile control unit 20.

Figures from 4 to 6 show two different possibilities, according to the invention, of interaction between control unit 20 and bracelet 10. In the first case, figure 4, the interaction is carried out without any direct connection between the two elements, whereas in the case of figures 5 and 6, mobile unit 20 is connected to the bracelet 10 by means of suitable complementary engagement means 31 and 32, and only after that the mechanical connection has been effected. The sensor 21 for scanning the biometric data of control unit 20 can read the fingerprint of the individual 35.

With reference to figures 7 and 8, the software resident respectively in the mobile control unit and in the central monitoring station provides a main routine, with continuous verification or ad determined intervals of the position of the bracelet 10 and of the presence of a verification signal that confirms that the individual is wearing it. The verification of the biometric data, instead, is carried out by the central monitoring station or with function random, either randomly, or under manual demand of an operator at the central monitoring station.

Even if in the above description reference has been made to an apparatus comprising a bracelet 10 and a mobile control unit 20, in any case it is possible to use the sole control unit 20 for carrying out the method according to the invention.

In the apparatus above described hardware and software elements are resident implementable by a skilled person without difficulty. The logic of operation can be of "event-driven" type, i.e. operated as the events occur, for giving an image of the position, identity, etc., of the guarded individual responsive to the data provided by the bracelet and by the central monitoring station and based on a behaviour model predetermined by the latter.

When bracelet 10, or mobile control unit 20, signals that it is not any more in a "normal or foreseeable" situation

(mechanical malfunction, shock, etc.) the central monitoring station is immediately informed updating the central monitoring unit.

With reference to figures 7 and 8, the software residing respectively in the bracelet and in the central unit provide a main routine, with continuous or discrete verification of the position of the bracelet and of the signal that the individual is wearing it. The verification of the biometric data, instead, is carried out by the central unit either randomly, or under manual demand of an operator at the central unit. The central unit comprises a standard architecture with local ETHERNET ISO802.3 network. On this LAN the many computers are connected dedicated to particular functions: server of data base, of communication, of maintenance, workstations. The computers used are based on PC PENTIUM technology, with Windows NT operating system and Oracle Data base. The application software is written in proprietary language, and language SQL for access to the Oracle Data base.

The communication network that allows the exchange of data with the many bracelets distributed on the territory is made with intelligent units and communication sub networks: LAN - Local Area Network, at the Central unit; WArN - Wide Area radio Network at the mobile unit; SRRC - Short Range Radio Communication, at the mobile unit.

On this extended network a TCP/IP communication protocol is used, which defines the rules for exchanging messages and specifies the anomalies, all this independently by the network technology used for connecting physically the many computers. The WArN used is the cellular network GSM - SMS. The apparatus installed on the bracelets and the computer installed in the central unit are capable of exchanging data by the telephonic cellular network with SMS and Data Transfer technique. The central monitoring station keeps track of the many bracelets, and the relative mobile control units spread on the territory, by controlling the GPS position data sent via the communication network (GSM, GPRS) by the hardware contained in the bracelet. The remote identification of the geographical data is immediately displayed by an icon on the digital maps of the examined territory and then with the exact position, i.e street and number, and overlapping the image of the examined area (orthophoto and/or satellite photo) . Each icon returns the reference relative to the guarded individual, such as name and /or other.

The software of the geographical data can be installed both on Client-Server architecture and on Intranet or Internet network and equipped with various known functions such as: pan, zoom in, zoom out, query, etc.

The remote identification of the geographical data is unique, since each apparatus is characterised singularly by an identification key (Password) and by the system (Login) . The foregoing description of a specific embodiment will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such an embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

- 1 - CLAIMS 1. Method for testing the presence and confirming the identity of an individual characterised in that it provides the following steps: - prearranging a mobile control unit that the individual must use ;

- receiving, by said mobile control unit, a verification signal sent by a central monitoring station; - measuring at least one biometric data of the individual by the mobile control unit;

- calculating position data of the mobile control unit;

- receiving said data by the central monitoring station and comparing with data previously recorded.

2. Method, according to claim 1, wherein furthermore, the further step is provided of:

- verifying the presence of a bracelet, associated to the mobile control unit, on the individual, by sending from the bracelet same to the mobile control unit data of presence at predetermined intervals.

3. Method, according to claims 1 and 2, wherein if said step of verification of the presence of said bracelet on said individual fails said control unit emits an alarm signal to the central monitoring station that communicates immediately the tampering of said bracelet to a surveillance service.

4. Method, according to claims 1, wherein said measuring step of said or each biometric data is carried out on request of said central monitoring station. - 2 -

5. Method, according to claims 1, wherein said step of transmitting said set of response signals from said mobile control unit to said central monitoring station is carried out via the GSM/GPRS network.

6. Method, according to claims 1, wherein said step of detecting said position data is carried out via the GPS network interpreting satellite signals for calculating with precision the geographical coordinates .

7. Method, according to claims 1, wherein said measured biometric data is selected from the group of a fingerprint, an image of the retina of the eye, a voice sample of the individual under surveillance.

8. Apparatus for testing the presence and confirming the identity of an individual characterised in that it provides a mobile control unit having:

- means for receiving a verification signal from a central monitoring station;

- means for detecting at least one biometric data of an individual;

- means for calculating position data;

- means for transmitting said data to said central monitoring station;

- a supply battery.

9. Apparatus, according to claim 8, comprising furthermore, a bracelet associated to said mobile control unit having:

- means for detecting data of presence of the bracelet on the individual and/or means for detecting tampering actions;

- means for transmitting data.

10. Apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said mobile control unit is equipped also with means for receiving said data from said bracelet. - 3 -

11. Apparatus, according to the previous claims, wherein said bracelet and said mobile control unit communicate with each other by means of radio signals and have means for establishing a mutual interaction between each other.

12. Apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said means for detecting said position data of said mobile control unit comprises a GPS module that interpreting satellite signals allows to calculate with precision the position.

13. Apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said means for receiving and transmitting data between said mobile control unit and said central monitoring station are arranged in a GSM module, so that a communication is carried out via the GSM/GPRS network.

14. Apparatus, ^■ according to claim 8, wherein said means for detecting data of presence of the bracelet on the individual can comprise in combination or alternatively: - a sensor of heart beat;

- a sensor of body temperature.

15. Apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said means for detecting at least one biometric data of the individual are chosen among, in combination or alternatively:

- a sensor for recognition of fingerprints;

- a scanner of the retina, associated to means for aligning the eye of the subject;

- a microphone associated to a voice recognition chip.