Electronic swimmer monitoring system
First Claim
1. A method for increasing the safety of swimmers, said method comprising the steps of:
- attaching a Swimmer Safety Tag to a swimmer, said Swimmer Safety Tag comprising means for;
i. sensing when said swimmer'"'"'s nose and mouth is-are submersed in water below a predetermined depth;
ii. timing the duration of said submersion; and
iii. transmitting an ultrasonic signal when said duration is greater thanb. predetermined threshold;
c. monitoring for said signal;
d. transmitting an alarm to a supervisor when said monitoring detects said signal;
wherein said means for transmitting said ultrasonic signal comprises a piezoelectric transducer with a mechanical resonance frequency that is less than ultrasonic and an encapsulating layer bonded to said transducer such that said transducer effectively produces an ultrasonic signal when activated.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Electronic Tags are mounted on swimmers to reduce their risk of drowning by identifying when their heads are underwater for periods of time which may indicate a dangerous submersion situation, and for triggering corresponding alerts and alarms. In this method, each monitored person is equipped with a lightweight electronic Tag worn on the body that communicates with monitors that issue the alerts and alarms, including audible and visible distress signals. The monitors, in turn, communicate the alarms to receivers used by supervisory personnel, such as lifeguards or parents. The invention may be used in aquatic environments, such as public recreation facilities, pools, waterfronts, and water parks, as well as in more private settings, such as homes, apartment buildings or hotels.
-
Citations
48 Claims
-
1. A method for increasing the safety of swimmers, said method comprising the steps of:
-
attaching a Swimmer Safety Tag to a swimmer, said Swimmer Safety Tag comprising means for; i. sensing when said swimmer'"'"'s nose and mouth is-are submersed in water below a predetermined depth; ii. timing the duration of said submersion; and iii. transmitting an ultrasonic signal when said duration is greater than b. predetermined threshold; c. monitoring for said signal; d. transmitting an alarm to a supervisor when said monitoring detects said signal; wherein said means for transmitting said ultrasonic signal comprises a piezoelectric transducer with a mechanical resonance frequency that is less than ultrasonic and an encapsulating layer bonded to said transducer such that said transducer effectively produces an ultrasonic signal when activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A system for increasing the safety of swimmers, said system comprising:
-
a Swimmer Safety Tag, said Swimmer Safety Tag comprising means for; i. sensing when said swimmer'"'"'s nose and mouth is-are submersed in water below a predetermined depth; ii. timing the duration of said submersion; and iii. transmitting an ultrasonic signal when said duration is greater than a predetermined threshold; and b. a monitor, said monitor comprising means for; i. detecting said signal; and ii. transmitting an alarm to a supervisor when said monitor detects said signal; wherein said means for transmitting said ultrasonic signal comprises a piezoelectric transducer with a mechanical resonance frequency that is less than ultrasonic and an encapsulating layer bonded to said transducer such that said transducer effectively produces an ultrasonic signal when activated. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A Tag for increasing the safety of a swimmer, said Tag comprising:
-
a. means for mounting said Tag on said swimmer; b. means for detecting immersion in water; c. means for timing immersion in water; and d. means for transmitting a first ultrasonic signal in the event that the immersion time exceeds a first predetermined threshold value;
wherein said means for transmitting said first ultrasonic signal comprises a piezoelectric transducer with a mechanical resonance frequency that is less than ultrasonic and an encapsulating layer bonded to said transducer such that said transducer effectively produces an ultrasonic signal when activated. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
-
Specification