INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS

• US 20090313748A1
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Instituto de Telecomunicaes, Miguel Rios Design, YDreams - Informatica S.A.
• Original Assignee: YDreams - Informatica S.A.
• Inventors: Rodrigues Remedio, Jose Miguel, Henriques Matos, Pedro Miguel, Guedes Lopes Da Fonseca, Tiago Benard, Matos Palma, David Jose, Santos Serras, Bruno Miguel, Bastos Carrico Vaz De Almada, Antao, Ferreira Claro, Pedro Miguel, Goncalves Borges Carvalho, Nuno Miguel, Rui Santos, Mario, De Almeida Soares Franco, Ivan, Da Silva Leal Rios, Miguel Nuno
• Granted Patent: US 8,698,634 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/458
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/009 Methods or equipment not provided for in groups A62C99/0009 - A62C99/0081
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0453 worn on the body to detect health condition by physiological monitoring, e.g. electrocardiogram, temperature, breathing detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

The present invention consists of an integrated monitoring and multichannel communication system for the management of rescue teams, especially those fighting forest fires, comprising a suit (1), worn by all operational suited units in the terrain; and electronic system (2); a telecommunication system (4) and an information system (3). The suit integrates fireproof, waterproof, heatproof and impact resistant materials, which as a unit integrate, protect and ease access to the electronic system. The electronic system (2) collects biometric and location data from the operational suited units in the terrain, transmitting said data to a panel located in the back of the suit. The telecommunications system (4) sends the biometric, orientation and location data, in real-time through an Ultra High Frequency network, to a computer integrated into a support vehicle, which in its turn sends the data, via terrestrial or satellite communications, to a server. The information system (3) collects and manages the data transmitted from the support vehicle, allowing the rescue units to monitor the biometric, orientation and location data, to receive critical alerts and through maps to define deployment strategies for the operational suited units.

Claims

1. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, having a modular architecture comprised of:

a fire, heat, water and impact proof suit (1);

an electronic system (2);

a telecommunications system (4); and

an information system (3);

in which the integrated system;

utilizes suits (1) made of fire, water, heat and impact proof materials to protect from fire, water, heat, and impacts, and to monitor the operational units in emergency or catastrophic situations, while safeguarding and facilitating access to the electronic system (2);

collects and processes biometric, orientation and operational suited units location data on the terrain, through sensors (130-135), microprocessors (124, 126, 127) and transmitters (125) which integrate the electronic system (2) built into the suits (1);

transmits by radiofrequency, in real-time, the biometric, orientation and location data to a remote computer integrated in a support vehicle, which in turn transmits them, via GPRS/GSM or satellite, to a central server, by the telecommunications system (4)—

utilizing alternate communication techniques to establish communication in scenarios where either GPRS/GSM or satellite are unavailable;

utilizes the information system (3) in an integrated manner with its functions, allowing the coordinative rescue units to simultaneously and in real-time to monitor biometric, orientation and location data, to receive critical alerts and to define deployment strategies for the operational suited units;

integrates the main interface of the information system (3) in a wireless mobile device which is held by the coordinating rescue units, allowing said units to manage all the operational suited units and support vehicles, during operations.

2. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the suit is composed of:

a coat composed of a fire-proof outer layer, a water-proof layer, an heat-protection layer, a fire-retardant lining, a fire-proof zipper, a fire-proof buttoning and sealing system, and reflective bands on the outer layer;

a vest that protects the panel and supports the cabling system between the panel and the biometric (133, 134, 135) and location sensors and the alarm module;

pants composed of am outer fire-proof layer, a fire-retardant lining, a fire-proof subsystem joining the components of the pants, reflective bands on the outer layer and a cabling subsystem between the biometric sensors (133, 134, 135) and the vest.

3. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the coupling of the coat and the vest allows for the quick replacement and maintenance of the electronic system and the independent use of the coat, in which the vest includes 2 sleeves with elastic cuffs, to avoid the intake of harmful materials and to support and protect the biometric sensors in the forearm section.

4. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the pants include a protection of the biometric sensors at the knee level (100) which, through a zipper, allows for easy access and maintenance of said sensors (99).

5. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the suit (1) integrates the electronic system (2) in a manner which is non-intrusive to the operational suited units, substantiated in the fact of the vest comprising a side pack adjustable to the body which protects the panel, in a way that it does not hinder the motion of the operational suited units and protects the electronic system (2).

6. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the placement of the biometric sensors (133, 134, 135) in the suit (1) and their fixation with the fire-proof sealing allow for flexibility in adapting the suit to different body sizes of the operational suited units.

7. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the electronic system (2) integrated in the suit is composed of:

biometric sensors (133, 134, 135) which collect heart rate (135), body temperature, torso verticality and the position of the limbs relative to the torso (134);

a Global Positioning System with respective antenna (177) and a digital compass (132) with the function of monitoring the location and orientation of the operational suited units;

three microprocessors (124, 126, 127) which process the data relayed by the sensors through the integrated cabling system;

a radiofrequency modem (125) to transmit in real-time the gathered and processed data;

a loudspeaker (49, 172) with the function of relaying sound messages in case of danger or failure of the electronic system (2); and

an alarm module which allows the operational suited units to request assistance.

8. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the heart rate is measured though two sensors (135) placed in contact with the operational suited unit'"'"'s forearm, and the respective signal being processed through a Printed Circuit Board, the temperature being measured through an electronic thermometer (130) placed inside the panel, the limb position is measured by torsion sensors (133) placed in the inner layer of the suit (1) in the knee and elbow zone, and the inclination is measured by two inclinometers (134) placed in the interior layer of the suit by each shoulder, to indicate the arms inclination, and another inclinometer is placed inside the panel, to indicate the inclination of the torso.

9. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which all the components of the electronic system (2), excluding the biometric sensors which monitor heart rate (135), limb position (133) and torso inclination, and respective cables, are contained in a heat and impact resistant plastic panel placed in the back of the suit (1), and in which a GPS antenna (177) and a Ultra High Frequency antenna (178) are placed atop the panel to prevent the operational suited unit from interfering with reception and transmission.

10. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which electronic system (2) is replaceable through a rechargeable battery (173), replaceable through a cover in the panel, and which can also be charged by linking a power adaptor to the panel.

11. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the alarm module encompasses a cord (12) in the front of the coat that, when pulled by the operational suited unit, triggers and alarm transmitted by the loudspeaker (49, 172) which is also relayed to a central server.

12. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the communication system (4) is composed of three channels:

from the electronic system (2) in the suit (1) to the support vehicle subsystem;

from the support vehicle subsystem to the server subsystem; and

from the support vehicle subsystem to the subsystem of the wireless device running operation support software.

13. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the transmission of data from the electronic system (2) integrated in the suit (I) to the support vehicle subsystem is done in the Ultra High Frequency range, through two identical radiofrequency modems, one placed in the back of the suit (178), and the other in the support vehicle subsystem;

the transmission of data from the support vehicle to the servers is done through GPRS/GSM or alternatively via satellite, the selection between the transmission technologies being made automatically by the system, depending on the availability of each;

the transmission of data from the support vehicle to the mobile wireless device being made through Wi-Fi.

14. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the system integrated in the vehicle is composed of a Personal Computer, a Ultra High Frequency Modem and respective antenna, a GPRS/GSM communication solution, and a satellite telephone/modem device and respective antenna, and allowing the coupling of sensors for extra telemetry.

15. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the information system (3) is composed by different modules:

one directly integrated in the electronic system of the suit (1);

another integrated in the support vehicle subsystem;

another integrated in the subsystem of the wireless device; and

another integrated in the server subsystem.

16. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the software integrated in the electronic system (2) of the suit (1) functions in collecting the data from the various electronic components, processing the data, transmitting the data to the Ultra High Frequency modem (178), and detecting emergencies in the processing of the data, triggering an alarm when the values exceed a threshold.

17. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the software installed in the Personal Computer in the support vehicle functions to collect data transmitted from the suits (1) and to communicate with the wireless device subsystem to collect data and, in the presence of TCP/IP network, send the data to the server.

18. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the software integrated into the wireless device subsystem allows to visualise terrain maps with the locations of the operational suited units and the support vehicles, as well as the biometric data of the operational suited units, and set and receive alarm signals from the operational suited units.

19. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the installed software in the server subsystem allows for the collection of all operational data and the storage of said data in a relational database system, as well as integration of map systems, which can be accessed by those that use the operation support software.

20. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the software integrated in the support vehicle'"'"'s subsystem receives from the server subsystem the terrain maps for the operation scenario, and biometric and location data from the operational suited units, caches them and makes them available for the software integrated in the wireless device.

21. INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MULTICHANNEL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESCUE TEAMS, according to claim 1, in which the software integrated in the wireless device subsystem contains a module for exchange messages, with the function of providing to the coordinators utilizing the wireless device the possibility of instant text communication.