Method for tracking and tracing goods

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for tracking and tracing goods being transported, wherein at least one communication set is packed or linked together with the goods, which communication set comprises memory means in which, prior to transport, information about the planned transportation route along with at least one associated timeframe is stored, and which communication set is further arranged for wirelessly receiving information from a public or other communication network and for determining, on the basis of that information from the public or other communication network, whether a predetermined deviation from the planned transportation route and/or the associated time frame is exceeded.

[0002] The invention also relates to a system for practicing this method, the system comprising a central planning computer and a number of mobile communication sets, the planning computer and the mobile communication sets being arranged for wireless communication with each other via a public or other communication network. Furthermore the invention relates to a communication set arranged for use in such a method.

[0003] Such a method and system is known from US patent 5,751,245. It is noted that U.S. Patent 5,751,245 discloses a system for following trucks or shipping containers, utilizing communication devices mounted on the trucks or shipping containers. These known communication devices, however have, in addition to communications means for communicating with a central station via the public or other communication network, locating means arranged for cooperation with GPS satellites or a Loran-C navigation system for determining its locations, and the like. If the deviation exceeds a predetermined limit, the communication set communicates to a central station via a communication.

[0004] In the transport of freight, such as, e.g., airfreight, where the goods to be transported generally represent a high value, there is a need for a method which makes it possible to follow, and if necessary trace, the transported goods.

[0005] Solutions for this in the form of computer software enabling transport planning and guidance are available. However, in the event of deviations from the planned routes and schedules, it is often impossible to trace the actual location of the goods.

[0006] The delays that occur in the transportation of goods are often caused by poor communication between the different changeover points and the central computer system. Here, the human factor plays an important role, due to which, for instance, goods that sustain delay are not reported to the central network.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to this problem. According to the invention, a method for tracking and tracing goods being transported is characterized in that the communication set is further arranged for determining, on the basis of that received information from the public or other communication network, whether a predetermined deviation from the planned transportation route and/or the associated time frame is exceeded, and, if such deviation is exceeded, for transmitting via said public or other communication network a corresponding message to a central apparatus where the transport of the goods is planned and monitored..

[0008] A system for practicing a method according to the invention is characterized by the mobile communication sets comprise a memory for storing transportation route information in the form of identification codes or fingerprints of transmitters of the communication network that are located along the transportation route, and associated timeframes, as well as receiving means for receiving the identification codes or fingerprints from the communication network, and comparator means for comparing the received identification codes or fingerprints and the associated timeframes with each other, and transmitting means for transmitting a message to the central planning computer via the communication network when a predetermined deviation is exceeded.

[0009] According to the invention the information received for determining whether a deviation exceeds and if such a deviation exceeds transmitting a corresponding message to a central apparatus is carried out by means of one and the same public or other communication network. Separate locating means as disclosed in US 5,751,245, however, are not utilized according to the present invention, because according to the invention locating occurs on the basis of the signals provided by the communication network which is used for the communication anyway.

[0010] WO 97/17623 discloses a system wherein the location of a mobile telephone is determined. The location is however not determined by the mobile telephone on the basis of information received from the network. The location is determined on the basis of, amongst others, known information of base stations which have communicated with the mobile telephone in order to perform triangulation calculations.

[0011] In the following, the invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0012] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an example of a system according to the invention.

[0013] A system for tracking and tracing transports of goods according to the invention is at least partly based on utilisation of public or other communication infrastructure, such as, e.g., the so-called Global System Mobile (GSM) wireless telephone network, which is spread worldwide over more than 80 countries, or any other cellular network. According to the invention, valuable freight shipments are provided with a communication set B which will also be referred to as 'Boxy' in the following description, by analogy with the so-called Handy for wireless telephone traffic through the GSM network.

[0014] A Boxy according to the invention is an apparatus having a part of the functions of a GSM telephone set or similar telephone set, which is packed together with more expensive (air) freight, in order to be able to trace the goods along the transportation route to be traveled from source to destination.

[0015] In areas that are partly or wholly covered by a GSM network, the Boxy is capable of determining whether a predetermined deviation from the planned transportation route and schedule is exceeded. The Boxy is capable of detecting when the planned transportation times, in relation to the locations, are exceeded by a predetermined amount. The Boxy then contacts autonomously a central office A via, for instance, the GSM network, to report the delay. At the central office, for instance a central computer C can search for a modified planning and send it back to the Boxy, or instruct the Boxy in question not to communicate any further reports.

[0016] In this way, delays or changes in the route will be known to the central computer at a very early stage, so that customers can be informed at an early stage about the delays to be expected. Also, alternative transportation possibilities can be explored and initiated at an early stage.

[0017] An example of a Boxy according to the invention contains as functional modules, as schematically indicated in Figure 1, a battery module 1, a GSM transmitter/receiver with modem and automatic dialer 2, a GSM chip module 3 of the provider having a GSM number, a processor with memory 4 for logging transport planning and route, means 5 for local communication between one or more Boxies, and a clock module with date and time 6. The means 5 can comprise, for instance, a transmitting/receiving coil 7, which, if desired, can also serve as an interface for storing route information and the like via the means 5 in the memory in module 4.

[0018] The dimensions of a Boxy are comparable to those of a small GSM telephone set.

[0019] The tracing of the routes travelled is done by the Boxy with the aid of GSM transmitter identification codes, which are conventionally transmitted periodically or continuously and which are received underway and stored in the memory of the Boxy, or with the aid of a so-called fingerprint of these transmitter identification codes, without the meaning of this fingerprint being known. The transmitter identification codes, or fingerprints thereof, as far as they are known, are loaded from the central computer into the Boxy at the beginning of the transport. Unknown GSM transmitter identification codes are received underway and, following transport, also passed on to the central computer.

[0020] In this way, the system is self-learning and does not need to be supplied beforehand with the transmitter identification information, which in fact is often not known in advance.

[0021] In the tracking and tracing procedure using a Boxy, the transportation planning and possibly product information are loaded into the Boxy, whereby the memory 4 of the Boxy is supplied with times, permissible margins, and GSM transmitter identification codes to be expected. Subsequently, en route, the Boxy, depending upon the planning, listens to the GSM transmitter identification codes, which are compared with the expected codes and the timeframe that was planned for them. It the planned timeframe is exceeded, this is reported to the central office (the central computer) (via the GSM network or similar network) only if the Boxy, wholly or partly outside the planned timeframe, receives a transmitter ID code which is on the pre-inputted list, and if this transmitter identification code has been registered during a minimum period of time of, e.g., 30 minutes, for instance to prevent communication during a flight.

[0022] Communication during a flight can also be prevented, however, by having a communication system on board of the airplane transmit a suitable blocking signal which can be received, for instance, via the module 5, 7 of the Boxy.

[0023] All transmitter ID codes that are received by a Boxy and are not on the pre-inputted list are stored in the memory of the Boxy together with the timeframe of the reception of these codes.

[0024] At the destination of the goods, all information stored in the Boxy is read and passed on to the central computer system. If transportation has proceeded as planned, this extra information can be used for subsequent shipments along the same route.

[0025] Because it may happen, when the Boxies are packed, that one or more Boxies in a shipment cannot communicate with a GSM network receiver/transmitter, provisions have been made in the Boxy, in accordance with the invention, to enable local communication between the Boxies. To that end, such local communication facility can comprise, for instance, the module 5 with a transmitting/receiving coil 7, mentioned earlier.

[0026] This local communication facility has a small range of a couple of meters under poor communication conditions, as in the case of packaging material of metal.

[0027] The purpose of this local communication possibility is to enable the required GSM communication to be handled by the Boxy in the most favorable position to communicate with the nearest GSM network transmitter/receiver and to communicate transmitter ID codes to neighboring Boxies unable to receive or reach the GSM transmitter/receiver in question.

[0028] Obviously, the taking over of the communication function by another Boxy is likewise subject to the condition requiring that the same transmitter identification code has been received during a minimum period of time of, for instance, at least 30 minutes.

[0029] As noted, the local communication possibility can also be used to load the information into the Boxy prior to departure.

[0030] When for such local communication a relatively low carrier frequency is chosen, so as to limit the influence of metal as a packaging material on the local communication channel, the charging of the battery of the Boxy can, if desired, also be done in a contactless manner through this interface.

[0031] Alternatively, for local communication, also media can be used that do not cause disturbances in the surroundings and which are unconditionally admitted for international use, such as, e.g., infrared communication or communication through (ultra)sound or electromagnetic communication with very low frequencies.

[0032] Optionally, as extra facility, a movement sensor or other sensors may be provided to prevent a Boxy from starting to transmit during a flight. Also, a signal can be generated, for instance via a local network, e.g. a board communication system, to suppress communications from Boxies for a defined period of time.

Claims

1. A method for tracking and tracing goods being transported, wherein at least one communication set (B) is packed or linked together with the goods, which communication set (B) comprises memory means (4) in which, prior to transport, information about the planned transportation route along with at least one associated timeframe is stored, and which communication set is further arranged for wirelessly receiving information from a public or other communication network and for determining, on the basis of that information from the public or other communication network, whether a predetermined deviation from the planned transportation route and/or the associated timeframe is exceeded, characterized in that the communication set is further arranged, for transmitting via said public or other communication network a corresponding message to a central apparatus (A) where the transport of the goods is planned and monitored if such deviation is exceeded.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication network is a network for mobile telephony.

3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that, as communication network, the GSM network is used.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central apparatus (A) comprises a central planning computer (C).

5. A method for tracking and tracing goods according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actual position of the goods is determined by the communication set (B) on the basis of transmitter identification codes of the communication network, or on the basis of a so-called fingerprint of these transmitter identification codes, without the content meaning of these codes needing to be known.

6. A method for tracking and tracing goods according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication set (B) further comprises means (5,7) for enabling local short-distance communication for exchanging data with similar communication sets (B) located in the direct surroundings.

7. A method for tracking and tracing goods according to any one of the preceding claims, utilizing two or more communication sets (B) located a short distance from each other, characterized in that a communication, if any, via the public or other network with the central apparatus (A) is carried out via the communication set (B) which is located in the most favorable position in comparison with the other communication sets (B) in the direct surroundings with which the communication set (B) in question can communicate via the local communication possibility.

8. A method for tracking and tracing goods according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a communication, if any, via the public or other network with the central apparatus (A) takes place if the transmitter identification code that is received by the communication set, or a fingerprint thereof, is on a pre-inputted planning list of the communication set (B) and so is known, and if this code has been received during a preset period of time, so as to prevent communication during a flight.

9. A method for tracking and tracing goods according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central planning computer (C), after a report from a communication set (B) (Boxy) on a deviation from the planned transportation route and/or the associated timeframe, searches for an alternative transport possibility for the goods in question, and passes the corresponding new planning information via said communication network to the communication set (B) in question.

10. A method for tracking and tracing goods according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that all transmitter identification codes received by the communication sets (B) during the transport, or fingerprints of these codes, are stored in the communication set and, following transport, are passed to the central apparatus (A), which renders the system self-learning for the benefit of similar transports to take place in the future.

11. A method for tracking and tracing goods according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the local communication between the communication sets (B) (Boxies), a different, non-radiofrequency medium is used, such as, for instance, infrared communication or acoustic communication.

12. A system for practicing a method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a central planning computer (C) and a number of mobile communication sets (B), the planning computer (C) and the mobile communication sets (B) being arranged for wireless communication with each other via a public or other communication network, characterized in that the mobile communication sets (B) each comprise a memory (4) for storing transportation route information in the form of identification codes or fingerprints of transmitters of the public or other communication network that are located along the transportation route, and associated timeframes, as well as receiving means (2) for receiving the identification codes or fingerprints from the public or other communication network, and comparator means (4) for comparing the received identification codes or fingerprints and the associated timeframes with each other, and transmitting means (2) for transmitting a message to the central planning computer (C) via the public or other communication network when a predetermined deviation is exceeded.

13. A system according to claim 12, characterized in that at least a number of communication sets (B) are provided with means (5,7) for short-distance communication with similar communication sets.

14. A communication set (B) arranged for use in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and/or a system according to claim 12 or 13.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zur Verfolgung und Nachführung von transportierten Waren, wobei mindestens ein Kommunikationsset (B) zusammen mit den Waren verpackt oder mit diesen verbunden ist, wobei das Kommunikationsset (B) eine Speichereinrichtung (4) aufweist, in welche vor dem Transport Informationen über die geplante Transportroute zusammen mit mindestens einem zugehörigen Zeitrahmen gespeichert wird, und wobei das Kommunikationsset ferner ausgebildet ist, um Informationen von einem öffentlichen oder einem anderen Kommunikationsnetzwerk zu empfangen und auf der Basis dieser von dem öffentlichen oder eine anderen Kommunikationsnetzwerk kommenden Informationen festzustellen, ob eine vorbestimmte Abweichung von der geplanten Transportroute und/oder dem zugehörigen Zeitrahmen überschritten ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kommunikationsset ferner dazu ausgebildet ist, über das öffentliche oder andere Kommunikationsnetzwerk eine entsprechende Nachricht an eine zentrale Einrichtung (A) zu übermitteln, in welcher der Transport der Waren geplant und überwacht wird, wenn eine derartige Abweichung überschritten wird.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kommunikationsnetzwerk ein Netzwerk für Mobiltelefonie ist.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das GSM-Netzwerk als Kommunikationsnetzwerk verwendet wird.

4. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zentrale Einrichtung (A) einen zentralen Planungscomputer (C) umfasst.

5. Verfahren zum Verfolgen und Nachführen von Waren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die aktuelle Position der Waren durch das Kommunikationsset (B) auf der Basis von Senderidentifikationscodes des Kommunikationsnetzwerks oder auf der Basis eines sogenannten Fingerabdrucks dieser Senderidentifikationscodes bestimmt wird, ohne dass eine Kenntnis der inhaltlichen Bedeutung dieser Codes erforderlich ist.

6. Verfahren zum Verfolgen und Nachführen von Waren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kommunikationsset (9) ferner Einrichtungen (5, 7) zum Ermöglichen von lokaler Kurzstreckenkommunikation für den Datenaustausch mit in der unmittelbaren Umgebung befindlichen ähnlichen Kommunikationssets (B) aufweist.

7. Verfahren zum Verfolgen und Nachführen von Waren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche unter Verwendung von zwei oder mehr in geringer Entfernung voneinander befindlicher Kommunikationssets (B), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine eventuelle Kommunikation mit der zentralen Einrichtung (A) über das öffentliche oder ein anderes Netzwerk über das Kommunikationsset (B) erfolgt, das im Vergleich mit den anderen Kommunikationssets (B) in der unmittelbaren Umgebung, mit denen das betreffende Kommunikationsset (B) über die lokale Kommunikationsmöglichkeit kommunizieren kann, in der günstigsten Position ist.

8. Verfahren zum Verfolgen und Nachführen von Waren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine eventuelle Kommunikation mit der zentralen Einrichtung (A) über das öffentliche oder ein anderes Netzwerk erfolgt, wenn der von dem Kommunikationsset empfangene Senderidentifikationscode oder ein Fingerabdruck desselben in einer zuvor eingegebenen Planungsliste des Kommunikationssets (B) enthalten ist und somit bekannt ist, und wenn dieser Code während eines voreingestellten Zeitraums empfangen wurde, um Kommunikation während eines Fluges zu verhindern.

9. Verfahren zum Verfolgen und Nachführen von Waren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zentrale Planungscomputer (C) nach einem Bericht eines Kommunikationssets (B) (Boxy) über eine Abweichung von der geplanten Transportroute und/oder dem zugehörigen Zeitrahmen nach einer alternativen Transportmöglichkeit für die betreffenden Waren sucht und die entsprechenden neuen Planungsinformationen über das Kommunikationsnetzwerk an das betreffende Kommunikationsset (B) weiterleitet.

10. Verfahren zum Verfolgen und Nachführen von Waren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sämtliche Senderidentifikationscodes, oder die Fingerabdrücke dieser Codes, welche von den Kommunikationssets (B) während des Transports empfangen werden, in dem Kommunikationsset gespeichert und nach dem Transport an die zentrale Einrichtung (A) weitergeleitet werden, wodurch das System zum Nutzen von in der Zukunft stattfindenden ähnlichen Transporten selbstlernend ist.

11. Verfahren zum Verfolgen und Nachführen von Waren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zur lokalen Kommunikation zwischen den Kommunikationssets (B) (Boxies) ein anderes, nicht eine Funkfrequenz verwendendes Medium eingesetzt wird, beispielsweise Infrarotkommunikation oder akustische Kommunikation.

12. System zur Durchführung eines Verfahrens nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, mit: einem zentralen Planungscomputer (C) und einer Anzahl von mobilen Kommunikationssets (B), wobei der Planungscomputer (C) und die mobilen Kommunikationssets (B) zur drahtlosen Kommunikation miteinander über ein öffentliches oder ein anderes Kommunikationsnetzwerk ausgebildet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mobilen Kommunikationssets (B) aufweisen: jeweils einen Speicher (4) zum Speichern von Transportrouteninformationen in der Form von Identifikationscodes oder Fingerabdrücken von entlang der Transportroute befindlichen Sendern des öffentlichen oder anderen Kommunikationsnetzwerks und von zugehörigen Zeitrahmen sowie Empfängereinrichtungen (2) zum Empfangen der Identifikationscodes oder Fingerabdrücke aus dem öffentlichen oder anderen Kommunikationsnetzwerk, und Vergleichseinrichtungen (4) zum Vergleichen der empfangenen Identifikationscodes oder Fingerabdrücke und der zugehörigen Zeitrahmen miteinander, und Sendereinrichtungen (2) zum Übertragen einer Nachricht an den zentralen Planungscomputer (C) über das öffentliche oder andere Kommunikationsnetzwerk, wenn eine vorbestimmte Abweichung überschritten wird.

13. System nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zumindest eine Anzahl von Kommunikationssets (B) mit Einrichtungen (5, 7) zur Kurzstreckenkommunikation mit ähnlichen Kommunikationssets versehen ist.

14. Kommunikationsset (B) zur Verwendung in einem Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11 und/oder einem System nach Anspruch 12 oder 13.

Revendications

1. Procédé de repérage et de traçage de marchandises transportées, dans lequel au moins un poste de communication (B) est conditionné ou associé aux marchandises, poste de communication (B) comprenant un moyen de mémoire (4) dans lequel est enregistrée, avant le transport, une information concernant la route de transport programmée ainsi qu'au moins une trame de temps associée, poste de communication qui est également agencé, en outre, pour recevoir sans fil une information provenant d'un réseau de communication public ou autre et pour déterminer, en se basant sur cette information provenant du réseau de communication public ou autre, si un écart prédéterminé est dépassé par rapport à la route de transport programmée et/ou la trame de temps associée, caractérisé en ce que le poste de communication est agencé en outre, pour transmettre un message correspondant par l'intermédiaire du réseau de communication public ou autre, à un dispositif central (A) où le transport de marchandises est programmé et surveillé si un tel écart est dépassé.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le réseau de communication est un réseau de téléphonie mobile.

3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'on choisit le réseau GSM comme réseau de communication.

4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif central (A) comprend un ordinateur central de programmation (C).

5. Procédé de repérage et de traçage de marchandises selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que la position réelle des marchandises est déterminée par le poste de communication (B) en se basant sur des codes d'identification de l'émetteur du réseau de communication, ou en se basant sur une empreinte dite digitale de ces codes d'identification des émetteurs, sans qu'il soit nécessaire de connaître la signification du contenu de ces codes.

6. Procédé de repérage et de traçage de marchandises selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le poste de communication (B) comprend, en outre, un moyen (5, 7) pour permettre à des communications locales à courte distance d'échanger des données avec des ensembles de communication similaires (B) situés dans l'environnement proche.

7. Procédé de repérage et de traçage de marchandises selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, utilisant deux ensembles de communication (B) ou plus, situés à courte distance l'un de l'autre, caractérisé en ce qu'une communication avec le dispositif central (A), s'il y a lieu, via le réseau public ou autre est effectuée par l'intermédiaire du poste de communication (B) qui est disposé dans la position la plus favorable par rapport aux autres postes de communication (B) dans l'environnement proche avec lequel le poste de communication (B) en question peut communiquer par l'intermédiaire de la possibilité de communication locale.

8. Procédé de repérage et de traçage de marchandises selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'une communication avec le dispositif central (A), s'il y a lieu, par l'intermédiaire du réseau public ou autre, s'effectue si le code d'identification de l'émetteur qui est reçu par le poste de communication, ou une empreinte digitale de celui-ci, se trouve sur une liste de programmation du poste de communication (B) entrée à l'avance et est ainsi connue, et si le code a été reçu durant une période de temps de préréglage, de façon à empêcher une communication durant un vol.

9. Procédé de repérage et de traçage de marchandises selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'ordinateur central de programmation (C), après un rapport provenant d'un poste de communication (B) (Boxy) concernant un écart par rapport à la route de transport programmée et/ou la trame de temps associée, recherche une autre possibilité de transport pour les marchandises en question, et transmet au poste de communication (B) en question la nouvelle information de programmation correspondante par l'intermédiaire dudit réseau de communication.

10. Procédé de repérage et de traçage de marchandises selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que tous les codes d'identification des émetteurs reçus par les postes de communication (B) durant le transport, ou les empreintes digitales de ces codes, sont enregistrés dans le poste de communication et, à la suite du transport, sont transmis au dispositif central (A), qui restitue l'auto-apprentissage du système pour avantager des transports similaires devant avoir lieu dans l'avenir.

11. Procédé de repérage et de traçage de marchandises selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, pour la communication locale entre les ensembles de communication (B) (Boxies), on utilise un support différent qui n'est pas une fréquence radio, tel que par exemple, une communication infrarouge ou une communication acoustique.

12. Système pour mettre en pratique un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant un ordinateur central de programmation (C) et un certain nombre d'ensembles de communication mobiles (B), l'ordinateur central (C) et les ensembles de communication mobiles (B) étant agencés pour une communication sans fil entre eux par l'intermédiaire d'un réseau de communication public ou autre, caractérisé en ce que les ensembles de communication mobiles (B) comprennent chacun une mémoire (4) pour enregistrer des informations de route de transport sous la forme de codes d'identification ou d'empreintes digitales des émetteurs du réseau de communication public ou autre qui sont situés le long de la route de transport, et des trames de temps associées, ainsi qu'un moyen de réception (2) pour recevoir les codes d'identification ou les empreintes digitales depuis le réseau de communication public ou autre, et un moyen comparateur (4) pour comparer entre eux les codes d'identification ou empreintes digitales reçus et les trames de temps associées, et un moyen de transmission (2) pour transmettre un message à l'ordinateur central de programmation (C) par l'intermédiaire du réseau de communication public ou autre lorsqu'on dépasse un écart prédéterminé.

13. Système selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un certain nombre d'ensembles de communication (B) sont munis de moyens (5, 7) pour communication à courte distance avec des ensembles de communication similaires.

14. Poste de communication (B) agencé pour être utilisé dans un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11 et/ou un système selon la revendication 12 ou 13.

Drawing