Detailed description of the invention
It is more fully described the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure below with reference to accompanying drawings.Although accompanying drawing showsThe exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, it being understood, however, that may be realized in various forms the disclosure and notShould be limited by embodiments set forth here.On the contrary, it is provided that these embodiments are able to more thoroughlyUnderstand the disclosure, and complete for the scope of the present disclosure can be conveyed to those skilled in the art.
Fig. 1 shows the circuit diagram of location equipment 100 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
As it is shown in figure 1, location equipment 100 includes satellite positioning unit 110, communication unit 120, electric powerControl unit 130, motion sensor 140.Location equipment 100 can be positioned over and various be intended to obtain its positionIn the article put.Such as, the head of a family may wish to obtain the positional information of child to prevent from wandering away or locatingIn unsafe conditions, this location equipment 100 then can be positioned in the sole part of child.Current is anti-Bracelet of wandering away is limited due to space and electric power, does not use satellite fix, but only uses GSM network fixedPosition.In contrast to this, the space of sole part is much greater, such that it is able to allow to use satellite fix and appearanceReceive bigger battery so that accurate, lasting locating and tracking is possibly realized.
Satellite positioning unit 110 is for positioning the position of equipment 100.Typically, satellite positioning unit 110Being GPS chip, such as model is UBX7020, employing QFN40 ultra-miniature package, 40 pins,Support the engine of positioning such as GPS, GOLNASS, have high sensitivity and quick capture time, helpIn quickly realizing location.It is of course also possible to be the chip supporting other global position systems such as the such as Big Dipper.Communication unit 120 is for being sent to location-server by the positional information of location equipment 100.Typically,Communication unit 120 is GSM chip or the CDMA chip using SOC design, such as,MTK6260D, it utilizes GPRS link that positional information is sent to location clothes by mobile cellular networkBusiness device, and also dependent instruction can be received from the latter.Location-server can be such as that storage has mapCloud Server, the head of a family can download installation location application, by this application from server obtain position believeThe current location ceasing and seeing on map such as child, the place etc. once gone.
The GSM chip of employing SOC design above-mentioned is often by GSM radio frequency unit, Base-Band ProcessingUnit, memorizer, power discharging device etc. are integrated on a single die, have voice call, send SMS shortAll basic functions that letter, GRPS data transmission etc. communicate based on GSM network, therefore by extensivelyIt is applied in entry level mobile phone, low cost, highly reliable.But, just because of the merit of this integrated chipEnergy is many, and therefore power consumption is higher, if keeping it to power up, even if in the case of not carrying out data transmission alsoCan consume considerable electric power, the location equipment hence for limited battery capacity forms bottleneck.
Design according to the present invention, it is proposed that utilize power control unit 130 control communication unit 120 withAnd the electric power of satellite positioning unit 110, it is possible to further routing motion sensor 140 realizes moreThe Electric control of intelligence.Power control unit 130 is such as realized by single-chip microcomputer.
Location equipment 100 can also include battery 150, charhing unit 160 and the first switching device 170.Charhing unit 160 includes charge integrated circuit 161 and charging indicator light 162, and it can pass through such as USBCharger (not shown) is connected to external power source and is charged.Certainly, battery 150 and charhing unit 160Can also be positioned at outside location equipment 100.
Below by the operation principle of exemplary description location equipment 100.
Power control unit 130 has normal mode of operation and standby mode.Power control unit 130 1Directly remain powered up, unless battery electric power exhausts.In the normal mode of operation, power control unit 130Export the first control signal by the first control output end PWR_CTL and make the first switching device 170 (such asFor PMOS) conducting, thus with voltage VBATIN for communication unit 120 and satellite positioning unit 110Power supply.In most of the cases, power control unit 130 may be in normal mode of operation, such asWhen location equipment 100 inserts charger or when battery 160 has enough electricity, voltage VBAT triggersPower control unit 130 enters normal mode of operation.Under certain condition, such as arrive certain specific timeBetween section (such as point at 9 in evening to morning next day 9) or enter certain specific region (such as get home orSchool), power control unit 130 can enter the standby mode of low-power consumption, now the first switching device170 turn off, thus communication unit 120 and satellite positioning unit 110 power failure, and this will enter one after a whileStep discusses in detail.
Communication unit 120 has normal mode of operation, park mode and power-down mode.At normal Working mouldIn formula, communication unit 120 is gathered positional information by satellite positioning unit 110 and is incited somebody to action by mobile networkPositional information uploads to location-server (not shown).
First power control unit 130 is discussed and is in the situation under normal mode of operation.
In one embodiment, communication unit 120 includes first timer (not shown), the first timingDevice set satellite positioning unit 110 and gathers the very first time interval of positional information, such as five minutes.FirstIntervalometer expire (i.e. through the very first time be spaced) time, the communication unit 120 being under normal mode of operationSatellite positioning unit control signal is sent to satellite positioning unit 110 by control output end VGPS_CTLOpen satellite positioning unit 110.In FIG, satellite positioning unit control signal is sent to and satelliteThe second switch device 180 that positioning unit 110 is connected, this second switch device 180 turns on, thus satellitePositioning unit 110 obtains power supply and starts working.Satellite positioning unit 110 carries out satellite fix and incites somebody to actionPositional information is sent to communication unit 120.Communication unit 120 also includes buffer, for storage from satelliteThe positional information that positioning unit 110 receives.Communication unit 120, with such as SIM, can receiveThrough positional information being reported immediately location-server by antenna after positional information.After having reported, logicalLetter unit 120 can enter the park mode of low-power consumption.Satellite positioning unit 110 is sending position letterCan automatically shut power off after breath, or communication unit 120 can receive from satellite positioning unit 110To positional information or after positional information is reported location-server, pass through control output endVGPS_CTL sends shutdown signal and closes satellite positioning unit 110.When again passing by between the very first timeEvery time, communication unit 120 and satellite positioning unit 110 repeat said process, thus gather new positionInformation.So, satellite positioning unit 110 is closed not carrying out satellite fix when, andCommunication unit 120 is in the holding state of low-power consumption need not upload location information when, to saveElectric power.Additionally, satellite positioning unit 110, such as model are the GPS chip of UBX7020, can haveHaving single real-time clock (RTC) power supply, this electric power is provided by telecommunication circuit 120, though communication electricityRoad 120 is in a dormant state.Existence due to this RTC power supply, it is ensured that satellite positioning unit every time110 open after can be with fast search to satellite, positioning time may be and electric at RTC about the 2-3 secondSource does not power in the case of (such as telecommunication circuit is fully powered off), and satellite positioning unit 110 is being openedThe time that can require over 20 seconds after opening could obtain location.Certainly, satellite positioning unit 110 also may be usedOnly just to close need not location when rather than to close after location every time.Such as, rightUnder the scene that the requirement of real-time of positional information is higher, such as when footwear be in the other region of low level security (asStreet) time, then satellite positioning unit 110 can be always maintained at open and constantly offer positional information toCommunication unit 120.The option closing satellite positioning unit 110 can set in communication unit 120, exampleAs closed immediately after the position data receiving satellite positioning unit 110 every time, by positional informationClose after offering location-server, do not close within one period of scheduled time or do not close.This optionCommunication unit 120 can be set according to occasion, the position such as location equipment 100 by location-server.In addition to satellite positioning unit 110 carries out satellite fix, communication unit 120 can also carry out auxiliary positioning,Such as, A-GPS, it utilizes the base station of mobile network to position.Auxiliary positioning due to by architecture,Therefore precision is not as satellite fix height, but locating speed is fast.Auxiliary positioning coordinates satellite fix to shortenPositioning time, the most such as, can use a satellite fix and repeatedly auxiliary positioning within a period of time.It addition, when location equipment enters specific region (such as the indoor) of satellite fix difficulty, it is possible to use onlyAuxiliary positioning.The switching of satellite fix and auxiliary positioning can be by communication unit control, and location-server is alsoInstruction can be used to be controlled by communication unit.
In another embodiment, communication unit 120 can also include second timer (not shown),Second timer sets the second time interval of communication unit 120 upload location information.Second time intervalIt is spaced more than the very first time, preferably the integral multiple at very first time interval, such as 30 minutes.SecondIntervalometer expire (i.e. through the second time interval) time, the position that communication unit 120 will be accumulated in bufferConfidence breath reports server together.So, a plurality of positional information one can be risen by communication unit 120Give server, such that it is able to save flow and electric power that communication process is consumed.
The very first time is spaced when can dispatch from the factory with the second time interval or user pre-sets.OrPerson, very first time interval and the second time interval can also be arranged by server.Such as, when judging locationWhen equipment 100 enters safety zone (such as family or school), server can increase very first time intervalWith the second time interval, i.e. reduce and gather and the frequency of reporting position information, to save electric power.Work as judgementWhen location equipment 100 enters the other region of low level security (such as street), when server can reduce firstBetween interval and the second time interval, i.e. increase and gather and the frequency of reporting position information, with obtain more andThe positional information that real-time is higher.
When the second time interval is shorter, such as, the second time interval is within 2 hours, i.e.A positional information is reported, then utilize the above-mentioned two intervalometer of communication unit 120 to enter less than 2 hoursRow power consumption control is suitable, and communication unit 120 is in normal mode of operation or park mode.ForTwo time intervals are longer, such as the threshold value more than 2 hours, then above-mentioned two intervalometer can be by electric powerControl unit 130 configures, because the use frequency of communication unit 120 is the lowest in this case, and electric powerControl unit 130 can control the first switching device 170 by the first control output end 132 and turn off, fromAnd make communication unit 120 power-off to save electric power.Any instruction cannot be received after communication unit 120 power-off,Now the first and second intervalometers should be arranged in power control unit 130, i.e. power control unit130 include the first and second intervalometers, are used for controlling sequential, when corresponding intervalometer expires, and electric power controlUnit 130 processed controls the first switching device 170 by the first control output end 132 and turns on and perform accordinglyThe collection of positional information or upload.The first and second intervalometers in communication unit 120 (if havingWords) can be deactivated.This mode by communication unit power-off is not suitable for the feelings that the second time interval is shorterCondition, because having bigger electric current when that communication unit starting after a loss of power, if Switch Communication frequentlyModule can increase power consumption on the contrary.Certainly, power control unit 130 is the most all used to controlSequential is also possible, when communication unit 120 is in the park mode of low-power consumption, and power control unit130 can pass through the second control output end WAKE_UP to communication unit when corresponding intervalometer expires120 output the second control signals wakes up communication unit 120 up, perform corresponding positional information collection or onPass.
Communication unit 120 can first be connected with location-server after waking up up from resting state or start every timeAlternately, reporting the current state of oneself, location-server decides whether on communication unit 120Pass positional information.It is said that in general, the sequencing contro in communication unit 120 and power control unit 130 is adoptedBy the form of relative time, location equipment may produce time migration after a certain period of use time.OneIn individual embodiment, location-server can periodically or be used definitely when being connected with communication unit 120 every timeIn time synchronized communication unit 120 and power control unit 130, with correction time.
In one embodiment, in order to save electric power further, power control unit 130 can also be oneControl the first switching device 170 by the first control output end 132 under fixed condition to turn off, so that communicationModule 120 and satellite positioning unit 110 power-off.Power control unit 130 oneself enters treating of low-power consumptionMachine pattern.The specified conditions entering standby mode such as include, the second time interval as above is longerSituation, after communication unit 120 uploads positional information, distance upload to location-server next timeThe interval of positional information is longer (such as more than 2 hours), and power control unit 130 can make communication unit120 and satellite positioning unit 110 power-off.In addition it is also possible to set according to the application scenarios of location equipment 100These specified conditions fixed.Such as, above-mentioned location equipment 100 being positioned to the scene of sole part, entrance is treatedThe condition of machine pattern can include arriving certain special time period (such as point at 9 in evening to morning next day 9)Or entering certain specific region, specific region includes the region that level of security is high, such as family or school.In this special time period or specific region, child is likely to take off shoes, therefore need not continueMonitor its position.Power control unit 130 can include standby interval intervalometer, is used for setting this specificTime period.Communication module can receive the instruction arranging standby interval intervalometer from location-server, when arrivingWhen reaching particular moment, power control unit 130 is automatically into standby mode.Or, server can sentencedSend to communication module when disconnected arrival particular moment or location equipment 100 enter specific region and make electric power controlUnit 130 processed enters the instruction of standby mode, and communication module receives this instruction, power control unit 130Hence into standby mode.Communication module can receive from location-server and enter specific about location equipmentThis prompting is also sent to power management module by the prompting in region, or when location-server determines that location setsReceive about the finger making power control unit enter standby mode from location-server during standby entrance specific regionShow.
In one embodiment, it is also possible to be equipped with motion sensor 140 and realize more intelligent energy-conservation.FortuneDynamic sensor 140 is always maintained at work, even if power control unit 130 enters standby mode.MotionSensor 140 such as includes gravity sensor.In the above example, Gravity changer means shoesMotion, i.e. child may put on shoes and walk about, and now can recover monitoring.When sensing motion,Motion sensor 140 sends the 3rd control signal to power control unit 130, by the latter from standby modeWake up up and enter into normal mode of operation, start the collection of positional information and upload.In order to avoid reporting by mistake,After being waken up, it is certain to determine sensed motion that power control unit 130 can first carry out judge processReflection is walked about normally rather than shoes are accidentally moved.Such as can add up motion sensor 140 to carryMotion/displacement variable in a period of time (such as 30 seconds) of confession, if beyond threshold value, then judges to send outGive birth to and walked about, powered up for communication unit and satellite positioning unit and start the collection of positional information and upload；Otherwise judging it is wrong report, power control unit 130 returns to standby mode.This threshold value can be come by serverArrange.Additionally, when power control unit 130 is in normal mode of operation, if motion sensor existsThe quantity of motion not sensing motion or sensing in longer period is less, and such as, this time period is more than 10Minute threshold value, then motion sensor 140 can send the 3rd control signal to power control unit 130,The latter is made to enter standby mode from normal mode of operation.
Motion sensor e.g. model is the gravity sensor of LIS3DSH, uses LGA16 microminiatureEncapsulation, 16 pins, power consumption is the lowest.The chip microcontroller of power control unit low-power consumption, such asEFM32ZG108F16, employing QFN24 ultra-miniature package, 24 pins are minimumPower consumption only has tens nA.Even if motion sensor works always, add the power control unit that interval is standby,The electric power that they are consumed also is the least, and the electric power of battery can maintain tens of sky.Use above-mentioned electric powerControl program, utilizes the device of these extremely low power dissipations to control communication unit and the electric power of satellite positioning unit,The minimum power consumption of whole location equipment can be reached.
Also show in FIG and be connected to battery 150 and power control unit 130, movement sensor unitLow pressure difference linear voltage regulator (LDO) between 140, it can reduce load regulation, effectively suppressElectromagnetic interference (EMI), strengthens the overcurrent protection function of Switching Power Supply.Second switch device 180 can alsoIncluding LDO, the latter can control its switch by control signal.
Fig. 2 illustrates the mode of operation of power control unit 130 according to an illustrative embodiment of the inventionVariation diagram.Power control unit is in response to the wake-up signal received from motion sensor 140, from treatingMachine Mode S 1 enters into normal mode of operation S2.In order to avoid wrong report, power control unit 130 is being called outFirst judge after Xinging that the motion/displacement variable within a period of time, whether beyond threshold value, if it is stopsIn normal mode of operation S2, otherwise return to standby mode S1.Under normal mode of operation S2, in response toSpecified conditions, such as, arrive certain special time period or enter certain locality, enters standby modeS1。
Fig. 3 illustrates power control unit 130 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention and communication unitThe block diagram of 120.
Power control unit 130 includes the first control output end 131 and the communication unit being connected with switching deviceFirst the second control output end 132 being connected and power management module 133.Power management module 133 manages electricityPower control unit and the pattern of communication unit, export the first control signal by the first control output end 131Control the on or off of switching device, export the second control signal by the second control output end 132Communication unit is waken up up from park mode.Power control unit 130 can also include and motion-sensingThe control input 134 that device is connected, for receiving the 3rd control signal from motion sensor.Power pipeReason module 133 can be configured to after receiving the 3rd control signal, make power control unit 130 fromStandby mode enters normal mode of operation.Power management module 133 can also be configured to judgeWhether motion or displacement variable in a period of time that motion sensor provides exceed threshold value, if do not surpassedGo out threshold value, then make power control unit return standby mode.When power control unit is in normal Working mouldDuring formula, if motion sensor do not sense within the time period exceeding another threshold value motion or sensingQuantity of motion is less, then power management module 133 can be configured to receiving for from normal Working mouldAfter formula enters the 3rd control signal of standby mode, power control unit 130 is made just to enter from standby modeOften mode of operation.
Communication unit 120 includes for being sent to location clothes by positional information determined by mobile network generalThe communication module 121 of business device.Communication unit 120 could be included for receiving from power control unit 130The control input 122 of the second control signal, for satellite positioning unit 110 output satellite positioning unitThe control output end 123 of control signal and for storing the buffer 124 of positional information.
When described power control unit 130 is in normal mode of operation, described power management module is joinedIt is set to export the first control signal by the first control output end and controls the first switch device conductive.CommunicationUnit 120 could be included for the very first time interval of setting satellite positioning unit collection location informationFirst timer (not shown), the communication unit 120 being in normal mode of operation can be configured asWhen first timer expires, open satellite by control output end output satellite positioning unit control signalPositioning unit.Communication unit 120 can be configured to that positional information is sent to location-server is laggardEnter park mode.Satellite positioning unit control signal can be output to second switch device 180 and openSatellite positioning unit.Communication unit 120 can be configured to receiving position letter from satellite positioning unitAfter ceasing or positional information being sent to location-server, by control output end output satellite positioning unitControl signal closes satellite positioning unit.Communication unit 120 can be configured to one period of scheduled timeThe most do not close satellite positioning unit or the most do not close satellite positioning unit.Communication unit 120 is all rightSecond timer including the second time interval for setting communication unit transmission positional information (does not showsGo out), communication unit 120 can be configured as the position will accumulated in buffer when second timer expiresConfidence breath sends jointly to location-server.When power control unit 130 is in normal mode of operation,Power management module 133 can be configured to respond to the triggering of specified conditions, controls output by firstEnd output the first control signal controls the first switching device and turns off, and makes power control unit 130 enterStandby mode.Specified conditions include following at least one: arrive special time period and location equipment enter spyDetermine region, when the second time interval that communication unit sends positional information exceedes threshold value, communication unit sendsComplete positional information.It is second fixed that power control unit 130 could be included for setting the second time intervalTime device and for set the very first time interval first timer.Power management module 133 can be configuredFor when corresponding intervalometer expires, export the first control signal by the first control output end and controlOne switch device conductive.Communication module 121 can be configured as communication unit 120 and call out from resting stateReport current state to location-server when waking up or start, and receive the need of sending positional informationInstruction.Communication module 120 can be additionally configured to absolute time Tong Bu with location-server and with after synchronizationAbsolute time calibration power control unit time.
Although it should be noted that, figure the most clearly marks, it is to be understood that, power control unit 130, satellitePositioning unit 110 and communication unit 120 have power input end and for exchange data, order totalLine etc..
Should be appreciated that one or more in order to simplify that the disclosure helping understands in each inventive aspect,Above in the description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each feature of the present invention is divided sometimes togetherGroup is in single embodiment, figure or descriptions thereof.But, should be by the method solution of the disclosureIt is interpreted into and reflects an intention that i.e. the present invention for required protection requires than institute in each claim clearlyThe feature more features recorded.More precisely, as the following claims reflect, send outBright aspect is all features less than single embodiment disclosed above.Therefore, it then follows specific embodiment partyClaims of formula are thus expressly incorporated in this detailed description of the invention, the most each claim itselfIndependent embodiment as the present invention.
Those skilled in the art are to be understood that module or the list of the equipment in example disclosed hereinUnit or assembly can be arranged in equipment as depicted in this embodiment, or alternatively can positionIn the one or more equipment different from the equipment in this example.Module in aforementioned exemplary can combineIt is a module or is segmented into multiple submodule in addition.
Those skilled in the art are appreciated that and can carry out the module in the equipment in embodiment certainlyChange adaptively and they are arranged in one or more equipment different from this embodiment.PermissibleModule in embodiment or unit or assembly are combined into a module or unit or assembly, and in addition may be usedTo put them into multiple submodule or subelement or sub-component.Except such feature and/or process orOutside at least some in unit excludes each other, can use any combination that (this specification is included companionWith claim, summary and accompanying drawing) disclosed in all features and so disclosed any method orAll processes of person's equipment or unit are combined.Unless expressly stated otherwise, this specification (includes companionWith claim, summary and accompanying drawing) disclosed in each feature can by provide identical, equivalent or phaseReplace like the alternative features of purpose.
Although additionally, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that embodiments more described herein include itSome feature included in its embodiment rather than further feature, but the group of the feature of different embodimentClose and mean to be within the scope of the present invention and formed different embodiments.Such as, in following powerIn profit claim, one of arbitrarily can mode making in any combination of embodiment required for protectionWith.
Additionally, some in described embodiment be described as at this can by the processor of computer system orPerson by perform described function other device implement method or the combination of method element.Therefore, there is useProcessor in the necessary instruction implementing described method or method element is formed and is used for implementing the method or methodThe device of element.Additionally, the element described herein of device embodiment is the example of following device: this dressPut for implementing by the function performed by the element of the purpose in order to implement this invention.
As used in this, unless specifically stated so, use ordinal number " first ", " second ", " theThree " etc. describe plain objects and be merely representative of the different instances relating to similar object, and be not intended darkShow the object being so described must have the time upper, spatially, sequence aspect or with arbitrarily other sideFormula to definite sequence.
Although the embodiment according to limited quantity describes the present invention, but benefits from above description, thisIn technical field it is clear for the skilled person that in the scope of the present invention thus described, it can be envisaged that otherEmbodiment.Additionally, it should be noted that the language used in this specification is primarily to readable and teachingPurpose and select rather than select to explain or limit subject of the present invention.Therefore,In the case of without departing from the scope of the appended claims and spirit, for the common skill of the artFor art personnel, many modifications and changes will be apparent from.For the scope of the present invention, to the present inventionThe disclosure done is illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is limited by appended claimsFixed.