Portable rescue device and a method for locating such a device

• US 20060128354A1
• Filed: 12/13/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fredrik Carle
• Original Assignee: Fredrik Carle
• Inventors: Koptioug, Andrei, Carle, Fredrik
• Granted Patent: US 7,245,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.100
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 33/00 Devices for allowing seemingly-dead persons to escape or draw attention; Breathing apparatus for accidentally buried persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/04 using angle measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0205 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/04 Position of source determined by a plurality of spaced direction-finders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0272 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS

Abstract

A portable rescue device and a method for locating, by means of a first rescue device set in a search mode, a second rescue device set in a distress mode. In the method, a distress signal carrying a device identification is received from said second rescue device. A first bearing and a second bearing to the second rescue device are obtained. The first and second bearings are taken from a first and a second position, respectively. A distance between these positions is determined. A current distance and a current bearing to the second rescue device are determined on basis of the first and second bearings and the distance. The current bearing and the current distance are communicated to a user of the first rescue device. The portable rescue device is used for performing the method and for that purpose it includes a first communication unit for distress signal transmission and reception; a compass; a processor; a user interface; and a mode switch for switching between a search mode and a distress signal mode. The first communication device has an antenna structure that provides directional capability.

Claims

1. A portable rescue device comprising:

a first communication unit comprising a distress signal transmitter and a distress signal receiver, said receiver including a directional antenna structure comprising multiple antennas arranged so as to provide directional capability;

a compass;

a processor;

a user interface; and

a mode switch for switching between a search mode and a distress signal mode,

wherein each distress signal carries a device identification of the transmitting rescue device, and wherein the portable rescue device, in said search mode, is arranged to receive a distress signal from another rescue device, which is in the distress signal mode;

obtain at least two different bearings to said another rescue device, said bearings being taken at different positions;

obtain information about at least one distance between at least two of said different positions;

use said at least two bearings and corresponding at least one distance for calculating a current distance and a current bearing from the portable rescue device to said another rescue device; and

communicate said current distance and current bearing to a user of the rescue device.

2. A portable rescue device according to claim 1, further comprising a second communication unit, arranged to communicate with another rescue device set in the search mode.

3. A portable rescue device according to claim 2, wherein said portable rescue device is arranged to obtain at least one of said at least two different bearings from another rescue device by means of said second communication unit.

4. A portable rescue device according to claim 1, wherein the portable rescue device is arranged to determine said at least two bearings and said at least one corresponding distance itself, wherein the portable rescue device is arranged to, by means of said user interface, request the user to move said at least one distance.

5. A portable rescue device according to claim 1, further comprising an input terminal for connecting an external sensor, wherein said processor is arranged to process environmental data received from said external sensor via said input terminal.

6. A portable rescue device according to claim 5, said environmental data comprising user data of a user carrying the external sensor said user data comprising at least one of body temperature, pulse, and breathing rate.

7. A portable rescue device according to claim 5, wherein said environmental data is carried by said distress signal.

8. A portable rescue device according to claim 1, wherein said processor has a temporary disabling capability, wherein the portable rescue device, when in distress mode, at the reception of a disable signal is disabled and then automatically enabled again after a preset time.

9. A portable rescue device according to claim 1, said multiple antennas being at least eight antennas and being symmetrically distributed around a circle at equidistant angles.

10. A method for locating, by means of a first rescue device set in a search mode, a second rescue device set in a distress mode, comprising the steps of:

receiving a distress signal carrying a device identification from said second rescue device;

obtaining a first bearing to said second rescue device, said first bearing taken from a first position;

obtaining a second bearing to said second rescue device, said second bearing taken from a second position;

obtaining a distance between said first and second positions;

determining a current distance and a current bearing to said second rescue device on basis of said first and second bearings and said distance between said first and second positions; and

communicating said current bearing and said current distance to a user of the first rescue device.

11. A method according to claim 10, at least one of said steps of obtaining a first and obtaining a second bearing comprising the step of receiving the bearing from a third rescue device.

12. A method according to claim 11, said step of obtaining a distance comprises measuring the distance to said third rescue device.

13. A method according to claim 10, said step of obtaining a first bearing comprising determining said first bearing by means of said first rescue device;

said step of obtaining a second bearing comprises said first rescue device being moved from said first position to said second position and determining said second bearing by means of said first rescue device.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of requesting a user of the first rescue device to move said distance.

15. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

when in search mode, determining that distress signals are received from several rescue devices; and

selectively turning off the distress signals of all but one of said rescue devices by transmitting a turn off signal accompanied by said device identification to each one thereof.

16. A method according to claim 15, said distress signals comprising environmental data, and said method further comprising the step of deciding which distress signals to turn off on basis of said environmental data.

17. A method according to claim 16, said environmental data comprising at least one of body temperature, pulse, and breathing rate.

18. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

when in distress mode, receiving a turn off signal; and

then stop sending the distress signal for a predetermined time period.

19. A method according to claim 10, when in search mode, further comprising the steps of:

determining that several different distress signals are received;

determining that there are several rescue device in search mode;

automatically grouping said rescue devices in at least two groups, and automatically distributing said several distress signals among said at least two groups.

20. A method according to claim 10 said step of obtaining a distance is based on at least one of obtaining GPS values about said positions, measuring a distance between different rescue devices by signal communication between them, and requesting a user to input a distance value.