Emergency locator system

• US 6,275,164 B1
• Filed: 12/11/1998
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John W. Macconnell, Richard W.D. Booth
• Original Assignee: John W. Macconnell, Richard W.D. Booth
• Inventors: Booth, Richard W. D., MacConnell, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US09/210,500
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 340/692, 340/989, 340/988, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 342/457, 342/386, 342/385, 342/454, 342/98, 342/357, 379/38
• US Class Current: 340/692
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0226 Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0231 Emergency, distress or locator beacons

Abstract

A low-cost emergency locator beacon (ELB) device that transmits an identifying serial number in addition to the beacon signal. This transmission includes an audio modulated Manchester encoded digital version of the serial number, and an analog, voice synthesized version of the serial number. In one embodiment, the device incorporates a receiver that enables the user of the device to enter into two-way, direct voice communication with a rescuer. The device also includes an automatic receive function which facilitates operation of the device by users not aware or not able to operate the device. In another embodiment, the ELB device includes an inhibit function which prevents non-emergency, ELB device to ELB device communication. In yet another embodiment, the present device incorporates a global positioning system (GPS) receiver which reads, processes and stores positioning information broadcast by GPS satellites, then broadcasts the GPS position information in conjunction with the beacon signal and identifying serial number.

Claims

1. An emergency locator beacon (ELB) device comprising:

a memory having a unit identification stored therein;

a controller coupled to the memory, which controls operation of the ELB device;

a voice synthesizer coupled to the controller which translates the unit identification stored in the memory into a voice unit identification message;

an ELB antenna;

a transmitter coupled to the controller and the voice synthesizer, wherein the transmitter selectively broadcasts, via the ELB antenna, a locator beam signal, an audio modulated digital version of the unit identification, and the voice unit identification message; and

a receiver coupled to the controller, wherein after transmission of the voice unit identification message, the controller automatically shuts off the transmitter and turns on the receiver for a predetermined time interval.

2. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the ELB device transmits simultaneously on more than one frequency.

3. The ELB device of claim 2, wherein the more than one transmission frequencies include a 121.5 MHz frequency and a 243 MHz frequency.

4. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the memory is a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM).

5. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the memory is an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM).

6. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the selective broadcast is a plurality of repeatable cycles, with each of the cycles comprising:

transmission of the locator beam signal for a predetermined time, followed by a transmission of the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification, followed by a transmission of the voice unit identification message.

7. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification is of a Manchester encoded type.

8. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification is encoded using a Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) encoding scheme.

9. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification is encoded using a Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) encoding scheme.

10. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the device is powered by one or more batteries.

11. The ELB device of claim 10, wherein the one or more batteries are lithium batteries which yield an approximately 5 year shelf life.

12. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the ELB device further includes a mechanism responsive to external stimulus for actuating the ELB device.

13. The ELB device of claim 1, wherein the ELB device further comprises:

a global positioning system (GPS) antenna which enables reception of GPS satellite information;

a GPS receiver coupled to the GPS antenna and the controller, wherein the GPS receiver receives the GPS satellite information; and

a non-volatile memory coupled to the power supply, the GPS receiver, and the controller which stores positioning information from the GPS receiver.

14. The ELB device of claim 13, wherein the GPS positioning information is transmitted both digitally and by voice to a remote receiver.

15. An emergency locator beacon (ELB) device comprising:

a memory having a unit identification stored therein,

a controller coupled to the memory, which controls operation of the ELB device;

a voice synthesizer coupled to the controller which translates the unit identification stored in the memory into a voice unit identification message;

an ELB antenna,

a transmitter coupled to the controller and the voice synthesizer, wherein the transmitter selectively broadcasts, via the ELB antenna, a locator beam signal, an audio modulated digital version of the unit identification, and the voice unit identification message;

a receiver coupled to the controller and the ELB antenna which, in conjunction with the transmitter, provides a two-way voice communication capability between the ELB device and a remote transceiver;

a microphone coupled to the transmitter which enables a user of the ELB device to send an outgoing voice message;

a speaker coupled to the receiver, which enables the user of the ELB device to listen to an incoming voice message;

a transmission activation mechanism coupled to the controller which enables the user to activate the microphone for transmission of the outgoing voice message; and

an inhibit signal generator coupled to the controller and the transmitter which generates a sub-audible tone, wherein the sub-audible tone inhibits direct communication with a second ELB device.

16. The ELB device of claim 15, wherein the transmission activation mechanism is a push-to-talk button.

17. The ELB device of claim 15, wherein the transmission activation mechanism is a voice activated switch (VOX).

18. The ELB device of claim 15, wherein the inhibit signal generator generates a 20 Hz tone.

19. The ELB device of claim 15, wherein the inhibit signal generator generates a digital word.

20. An emergency locator beacon (ELB) device comprising:

a memory having a unit identification stored therein;

a controller coupled to the memory, which controls operation of the ELB device;

a voice synthesizer coupled to the controller, which translates the unit identification stored in the memory into a voice unit identification message;

a transceiver coupled to the controller and the voice synthesizer which transmits a locator beam signal and the unit identification, and also provides a two-way voice communication capability between the ELB device and a remote transceiver;

a microphone coupled to the transceiver, which enables a user of the ELB device to send an outgoing voice message;

a speaker coupled to the transceiver which enables a user of the ELB device to listen to an incoming voice message;

a push-to-talk button coupled to the controller which enables the user to activate the microphone and the speaker for message transmission and reception, wherein the selective broadcast is a plurality of cycles, with each of the cycles comprising;

transmission of the locator beam signal for a first predefined period of time, followed by a transmission of the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification, followed by a transmission of the voice unit identification message, followed by a transmission of a receive mode notification message, followed by a switch from a transmit mode to a receive mode for a second predefined period of time.

21. The ELB device of claim 20, wherein the ELB device transmits simultaneously on more than one frequency.

22. The ELB device of claim 21, wherein the more than one transmission frequencies include a 121.5 MHz frequency and a 243 MHz frequency.

23. The ELB device of claim 20, wherein if the user depresses and releases the push-to-talk button while the ELB device is in the receive mode, the receive mode is extended for a third predefined period of time.

24. The ELB device of claim 20, wherein the ELB device further comprises:

a global positioning system (GPS) antenna which enables reception of GPS satellite information;

a GPS receiver coupled to the GPS antenna and the controller, wherein the GPS receiver receives the GPS satellite information;

a non-volatile memory coupled to the GPS receiver and the controller, wherein the non-volatile memory stores positioning information from the GPS receiver.

25. The ELB device of claim 24, wherein the GPS positioning information is transmitted both digitally and by voice to a remote receiver.

26. The ELB device of claim 20, wherein the ELB device further comprises:

an inhibit signal generator coupled to the controller and the transmitter, wherein the inhibit signal generator generates an inhibit signal which inhibits ELB device to ELB device direct communication.

27. The ELB device of claim 26, wherein the inhibit signal generator generates a 20 Hz tone.

28. The ELB device of claim 26, wherein the inhibit signal generator generates a digital word.

29. The ELB device of claim 20, wherein the ELB device further comprises:

an inhibit signal detector coupled to the controller and the transmitter, wherein the inhibit signal detector detects an inhibit signal broadcast by another ELB device, and inhibits ELB device to ELB device direct communication.

30. A method for transmitting an emergency locator beacon (ELB) signal from an originating ELB transmitter to a remote receiver, wherein the transmission also includes a unit identification of the originating ELB transmitter, the method comprising the steps of:

activating the originating ELB transmitter;

reading a unit identification from a memory;

translating the unit identification from the memory into an audio modulated digital version of the unit identification via a CPU, and translating the unit identification from the memory into a voice unit identification message via a voice synthesizer;

transmitting the ELB signal, the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification, and the voice unit identification message to the remote receiver in a continuous, cyclic manner via a transmitter; and

switching the transceiver to a receive mode of a predetermined time length between the transmission cycles.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the ELB device transmits simultaneously on more than one frequency.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the more than one transmission frequencies include a 121.5 MHz frequency and a 243 MHz frequency.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification is of a Manchester encoded type.

34. The ELB device of claim 30, wherein the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification is encoded using a Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) encoding scheme.

35. The ELB device of claim 30, wherein the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification is encoded using a Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) encoding scheme.

36. A method for transmitting an emergency signal from an originating emergency locator beacon (ELB) device to a remote receiver, wherein the transmission includes a locator beam signal and unit identification information, and further includes a two-way voice communication between the ELB device and the remote receiver, the method comprising the steps of:

activating the originating ELB device;

reading a unit identification from a memory;

translating the unit identification from the memory into an audio modulated digital version of the unit identification via a CPU, and translating the unit identification from the memory into a voice unit identification message via a voice synthesizer; and

transmitting the ELB signal, the audio modulated digital version of the unit identification, and the voice unit identification message to the remote receiver in a continuous, cyclic manner via a transceiver;

switching the transceiver to a receive mode of a predetermined time length between the transmission cycles, wherein an operator at the remote receiver can transmit a voice message to the ELB device, and a user of the ELB device responds to the operator by activating a push-to-talk button and delivering the voice message.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein activation and release of a push-to-talk button during the receive mode extends the time length of the receive mode between transmission cycles.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

broadcasting an inhibit signal, wherein the inhibit signal is a sub-audible tone which inhibits ELB device to ELB device direct communication.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

broadcasting an inhibit signal, wherein the inhibit signal is a digital inhibit word which inhibits ELB device to ELB device direct communication.

40. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of global positioning system (GPS) signals from multiple GPS satellites;

processing the plurality of GPS signals, then generating a positional identifier; and

sending both an audio modulated digital version of the positional identifier, and a voice synthesized translation of the positional identifier to a remote receiver via the transceiver.