Overboard alarm with localization system interface

• US 5,886,635 A
• Filed: 07/29/1997
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Briartek Ip
• Original Assignee: Briartek Incorporated
• Inventors: Collins, Charles K., Landa, Joseph S.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US08/902,631
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/539, 340/984, 342/357
• US Class Current: 340/573.6
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/0005 by means of alarm devices for persons falling into the water, e.g. by signalling, by controlling the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat alarms responsive to presence of persons in a body of water in general G08B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/088 by monitoring a device worn by the person, e.g. a bracelet attached to the swimmer

Abstract

An overboard alarm system includes a signal device and a receiving station. The signal device includes a water-activated switch, a transmitter controlled by the switch to generate a signal, an antenna for providing the signal from the transmitter, and a floatation aid for keeping an end of the antenna above water when the signal device is located in the water. The transmitter may be an RF transmitter. The receiving station includes a receiving antenna for receiving the signal transmitted by the signal device, and an interface for providing the received signal to a navigational system. The receiving station may further include a processor for formatting the received signal and for providing the formatted signal to the interface. The receiving station may further include an alarm device for providing an alarm output in response to the received signal. The processor may include means for recording the position of the receiving station when the received signal is provided to the navigational system. The processor may include means for locating the position of the signal device based on the signal transmitted by the signal device. The processor may include means for recording the position of the signal device in response to the received signal. The receiving station may include a floatation device, visual indicia, and/or a GPS transceiver that is deployable in the direction of the signal device, under control of the processor in response to the received signal.

Claims

1. An overboard alarm, comprising:

a signal device; and

a receiving station;

wherein the signal device includes a water-activated switch, a transmitter controlled by the switch to generate a signal, an antenna for providing the signal from the transmitter, and a flotation aid for keeping an end of the antenna above water when the signal device is located in the water; and

wherein the receiving station includes

a receiving antenna for receiving the signal transmitted by the signal device,

an interface for providing the received signal to a navigational system,

a processor. including means for locating the position of the signal device based on the signal transmitted by the signal device, for formatting the received signal and for providing the formatted signal to the interface, and

a flotation device that is deployable in the direction of the signal device. under control of the processor in response to the received signal.

2. The overboard alarm of claim 1, wherein the receiving station further includes an alarm device for providing an alarm output in response to the received signal.

3. The overboard alarm of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is an RF transmitter.

4. The overboard alarm of claim 1, wherein the processor includes means for recording the position of the receiving station when the received signal is provided to the navigational system.

5. The overboard alarm of claim 1, wherein the processor includes means for recording the position of the signal device in response to the received signal.

6. The overboard alarm of claim 1, wherein the receiving station includes visual indicia deployable in the direction of the signal device, under control of the processor in response to the received signal.

7. The overboard alarm of claim 1, wherein the receiving station includes a GPS transceiver that is deployable in the direction of the signal device, under control of the processor in response to the received signal.

8. A signal device for an overboard alarm, comprising:

a) a water-activated switch;

b) a transmitter controlled by the switch to generate a signal;

c) an antenna for providing the signal from the transmitter, wherein the antenna includes a restrictive cover that disintegrates upon contact with water; and

d) a flotation aid for keeping an end of the antenna above water when the signal device is located in the water.

9. The signal device of claim 8, wherein the transmitter is an RF transmitter.

10. A signal device for an overboard alarm, comprising:

a) a water-activated switch;

b) a transmitter controlled by the switch to generate a signal; and

c) a transmission output port for providing a conducting contact between the transmitter and a user'"'"'s skin.

11. The signal device of claim 10, wherein the transmitter is an RF transmitter.

12. A receiving station for an overboard alarm system, comprising:

a) a receiving antenna for receiving a signal from a signal device; and

b) an interface for providing the received signal to a navigational system.

13. The receiving station of claim 12, wherein the receiving station further includes a processor for formatting the received signal and for providing the formatted signal to the interface.

14. The receiving station of claim 13, wherein the processor includes means for recording the position of the receiving station when the received signal is provided to the navigational system.

15. The receiving station of claim 13, wherein the processor includes means for locating the position of the signal device based on the signal transmitted by the signal device.

16. The receiving station of claim 15, wherein the processor includes means for recording the position of the signal device in response to the received signal.

17. The receiving station of claim 15, wherein the receiving station includes a flotation device that is deployable in the direction of the signal device, under control of the processor in response to the received signal.

18. The receiving station of claim 15, wherein the receiving station includes visual indicia deployable in the direction of the signal device, under control of the processor in response to the received signal.

19. The receiving station of claim 15, wherein the receiving station includes a GPS transceiver that is deployable in the direction of the signal device, under control of the processor in response to the received signal.

20. The receiving station of claim 12, wherein the receiving station further includes an alarm device for providing an alarm output in response to the received signal.

21. A method of detecting an overboard event, comprising:

a) transmitting an overboard signal from a location above a body of water when an overboard event occurs in the body of water;

b) receiving the overboard signal at a remote location;

c) providing the received overboard signal to a navigational system;

d) locating the position of the overboard event based on the transmitted overboard signal; and

e) deploying a flotation device in the direction of the overboard event, in response to the received overboard signal.

22. The method of claim 21, further including providing an alarm output in response to the received overboard signal.

23. The method of claim 21, further including recording the position of the remote location when the received overboard signal is provided to the navigational system.

24. The method of claim 23, further including recording the position of the overboard event in response to the received overboard signal.

25. The method of claim 21, further including deploying visual indicia in the direction of the overboard event, in response to the received overboard signal.

26. The method of claim 21, further including deploying a GPS transceiver in the direction of the overboard event, in response to the received overboard signal.