EP0915442A1

EP0915442A1 - System of personal safeguard

Info

Publication number: EP0915442A1
Application number: EP98830057A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudio Balzamo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-11-06
Filing date: 1998-02-10
Publication date: 1999-05-12
Also published as: IT1296678B1; ITNA970057A1

Abstract

This system is about satellite devices which broadcast information, such as accurate topographical and altimetrical coordinates as well as logistical references.

This System is made up of a transreceiving device, named "FATHER", held by the tutoring person, and of a transreceiving device, named "SON", held by the tutored person.

These devices survey routes, geographcal and logistical references, together with heart pulsations in order to closely follow the movements, and in order to check on people's safety and health condition, but it provides at the same time, useful indications for people's orientation and their tracing.

The safety system based on heartbeats control is particular. The data formulation system is particularly simple and reliable, because the data base are set on the "FATHER" device, and transferred onto the "SON" one, with the only exception of the "Primary Reference" surveying, which is directly acquired on the "SON"s device, and then automatically transferred onto the "FATHER" one.

An adequate energetic autonomy is assured by an integrated system of rechargeable battery and solar cells.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

It concerns the satellite devices sector which provides information, such as precise topografic and altimetric coordinates and logistic references.
The technical problem is about the construction of a transreceiving control central, which will be later called "FATHER", held by the tutor, and of a transreceiving device, later called "SON", in dotation of the tutored person.
The "SON" device traces the done routes and also the logistic and geographic references, giving to the person who wears it the necessary indications for his return to the starting point. It also traces the heart beat on the person's wrist, sending an alarm signal to "FATHER", in case the frequency of the pulse is not within the set normal values.
The device "FATHER" sets and activates the device "SON", it follows its movements, check the safety and health situation of him who wears it and, if necessary, it provides the useful logistic and geographic indication for its finding.
Very particular is "The Safety System", based on the control of the heart beat.
In fact, both the setting and the activation/deactivation of the "SON" are only possible from the "FATHER" device, and the absence or the exit out from the set interval of heart pulse automatically activates the alarm on the "FATHER" device.
Another feature is the device supply system, based on two indipendent rechargeable batteries, supported by solar cells, for a longer-lasting autonomy and because the incidental substitution of one battery does not interrupt the functioning of the device.

BACKGROUND ART

The pre-existing systems of personal safeguard consist of localizers and of radio-frequency bleepers, of systems of mobile phoning and of phone activators of alarm, which result in having a limited action radius and are not self-protected against theft and robbery, breakage and unauthorized switching-off.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The Personal Safeguard System is particularly apt for children's safety, when they are not in sight of their parents.
That's why, later in the disclosure, we will refer to this type of application, even though it can be advantageously used in many other cases.
This system allows to know, any minute the position and situation of danger of the children and boys providing the parents with the necessary data for their quick rescue, and providing the children with the necessary information to find their "Way Back".
It is made up of equipment which use, at the same time, together with a satellite system G.P.S. (or later developments such as GLONASS, GNSS1, GNSS2, etc..), and a satellite transreceiving system or radio-links.
The system is made up of two typologies of devices.
A device, of the typology later on named "FATHER", utilized by the parent or, however, by the controlling person.
The other device of the tipology later on named "SON", worn by the child (or boy) whom is to be controlled.
The "SON" will transmit to the "FATHER", via satellite or radio links, the geographical or logistical coordinates received from GPS Satellites and the possible alarm signals.
The "SON" DEVICE, whose shape and dimension are slightly larger than an underwater watch, is waterproof, fitted with a liquid crystals display (LCD), long endurance batteries, supported by solar cells and push-bottons necessary for the following functions :
1. "HOUR/DATE" :
display function for the "SON" device, which in rest, looks like any other liquid cristal display watch with an hour/minute/second/date signal.
2. "HEARTBEAT" :
the "SON"'s bracelet will contain a sensor for heartbeats, which can be activated or deactivated only by the "FATHER" device, and which will lead to the here described functions.
a) "Anti-theft-anti-robbery-anti-kidnapping" function. It verifies that the bracelet is on the wrist (presence of heart beats). Should the latter not be right, a signal will be sent to "FATHER", with a display of the "SON" code number, of his geographical position compared with the set references, and the verified anomaly.
b) "Health Condition" function. This function will signal, in case the interval of the set heartbeat figures vary, a phisiological danger in which the child might find himself (panic-striken, unconscidusness, fibrillation, epilepsy). The variation from the set figures, according to the child's phisiology and necessity, will activate the sending of signals to "FATHER" with a visualization of the "SON"s code, his absolute precise geographical position and of his position compared to the set logistical references and of the number of verified heartbeats.
3. "PRIMARY LOGISTICAL REFERENCE (SITE 1)":
This function can be activated on the keyboard of the "SON" device.
By pressing the button, the zero coordinate will be set up in the place where he finds himself in that precise moment, compared to which, any time he wants, he will be able to obtain his position in terms of direction and distance.
This reference may not coincide with the "FATHER"s geographical position or with the "Secondary Reference" position.
The "Secondary Position" is a fixed point of reference set on the "FATHER" device, which will more easily allow to locate the "SON" position, if ever the "FATHER" is very far from his "SON" (for instance, a secondary reference may well be the geographical coordinates of the town nearest to the "SON").
4. "ALARM" :
this function can be manually activated with a push-button, or automatically by the untying of the bracelet or by pointing out the number of void heartbeats, too low or too high compared to the limitations set on the "FATHER" device. In addition, at fixed time intervals, the "FATHER" device will automatically verify the regularity condition of his "SON" device, by making sure that the latter answers the "polling" and that the "heartbeats" function is in a state of regularity.
In all the foregoing cases of anomaly, on the "FATHER" device a emergency sonorous/resonant alarm will be activated, indicating the "SON"'s geographical position, compared both to the "Primary Logistic Reference" and to the possible "Secondary Logistic References".
The parent, or whoever is operating the service, will be able to evaluate whether to directly proceed with the rescue (assistance) or to put in action, by phone, people in charge of aid operations.
The "FATHER"s device and "SON"s one in case of necessity will be able to have built inside of them a system of vocal mobile phone.
5. "POSITION INTERROGATION" :
this function is activated by a push-botton on the "SON" device in order to interrogate about the current position in comparison with the "Primary Reference". The boy, by pressing this botton, will be able to know, at any moment, which direction to follow and at what exact distance he is from the "Primary Reference" (SITE 1), which is the base point of reference (skiing resort facilities, school, home, camp, seaside establishment, etc..).
On the "SON"s display will appear (compass-like), an identification symbol of the current position, in the centre, and an identification symbol of the "Primary Reference" point (SITE 1). There will also appear the right direction and the exact distance for the return.
6. "BATTERY ALARM" :
it is function which operates a luminous/resonant alarm to warn in case of a faulty functioning of the solar batteries and a substitution (changing) of a battery is required, in such a case the battery will have to be changed whitout the bracelet being taken off.
The "FATHER" device, receiving information, through satellite or radio links, from the "SON" devices will be able to simultaneously show the current position of each "SON", the "Primary Reference" for the "SON", the possible secondary reference for the "SON" and its own position in comparison with its "SON"s present one, together with the respective distance. It comes in the shape of a mobile phone; it is fitted with a LC Display, with solar cells and with rechargeable batteries. And also with an alphanumeric keyboard with push-bottons for the following functions :
1. "SECONDARY REFERENCE SETTING UP (SITE 2)" :
setting up of the coordinates of another place of interest in order to control each "SON", which can be set on the keyboard.
2. "HEARTBEATS RANGE SETTING UP":
definition by keyboard of the minimum and maximum number of heart pulsations considered "not-alarming" for each "SON".
3. "DISTANCE SETTING UP FROM THE PRIMARY REFERENCE (SITE 1)":
(optional) definition by keyboard of the maximum distance from SITE 1 set on the "SON" device. The exit from such figure will produce an "alarm signal" on the "FATHER" device.
4. "ACTIVATION SON 1 ......... n" :
this function can only be activated or deactivated from the "FATHER"s keyboard, and which produces the activation of the "SON"s bracelet/s. On the first fastening of the "SON"s bracelet device, the system will start, including the alarm which works when the heartbeat signal is absent.
5. "POSITION ENQUIRY SON 1 ......... n" :
this function is activated by the keyboard in order to locate the position and to know the state of regularity or anomaly on the "SON"s device.
In addition to this, periodically, the "interrogation function", or polling, will automatically activate, in order to verify the situation of normal functioning of the "SON". Among the "Reference Sites" will also appear the Primary Site (SITE 1), that is to say the "Basic Reference" for the "SON", which, set by pressing "SITE1" button on the "SON" device, automatically is transmitted to "FATHER".
6. "FATHER ENQUIRY" :
this function may be activated by keyboard for enquiries about :
- position compared to each "SON" device;
- position compared to "Primary References" (SITE 1) and to "Secondary References" (SITE 2) of the respective "SON" devices;
- condition of normal functioning of "FATHER" device: batteries, intensity of satellite signal, etc...
In order to give a clearer explanation we provide an :
EXAMPLE on how to use this device.
A parent wants to check on his three children.
The first son, aged 6, wants to go playing in the condominial gardens.
The second son, aged 12, will go windsurfing on his own.
The third son, aged 17, is at a skiing resort, somewhere on the mountains. The parent clasps on to his first son's wrist the device "SON", after the respective activation on the "FATHER" device, and after having previously set the heartbeat interval on 70-150 b/m and also the SITE 1 (Primary Reference) set on his own front door.
He does not set any other logistic reference.
Then the parent, after having previously set up the heartbeat interval to 65-170 b/m on the "SON" device, fastens it on his second son's wrist and warns him to arrange the setting of Primary Reference (SITE 1) when he will have arrived to the seaside resort.
The father does not set up any other logistical reference.
Then he agrees with the third son, by phone, that he must, once by the ski-lifts, press the button SITE 1 to set it to the rescue centre or the skiing school. The father, on the other hand, will arrange to set up the heartbeat range to 60-200 b/m., and will also set SITE 2 to the coordinates of the nearest town and will start his "SON" device.
By so doing, the Father will feel reassured because he is allowed to know if:
I) his first son leaves the condominial gardens (in this case the distance from his house is longer than foreseen);
II) the child has fallen off his bycicle and hurt himself (in this case the heart pulsations will have a higher frequency, higher than the set one);
III) the bracelet device has been taken off his child's wrist (in this case the luminous/resonant alarm immediately goes off, indicating the child's last position, compared to the main entrance to his house and also compared to his parent's position;
IV) the child calls for help (in this case the alarm button has voluntarily been pressed, thus communicating his position, together with the activation of the alarm signal.
The father can relax and have a quiet mind about his second son, because he'll know if:
I) the boy is getting too far from the beach (in this case the distance from SITE 1 the seaside establishment is farther than foreseen;
II) the boy is having problems returning ashore with his windsurf (in this case heartbeats will have a higher frequency, higher than the set one;
III) the boy asks for help (in this case the alarm button has been voluntarily pressed, thus communicating the boy's position together with the activation of the alarm signal.
In addition, the boy will be able to get information about the distance which separates him from the shore and about the direction of his safe coming back to the establishment.
All these information will appear in graphic signs on the liquid cristals display, indicating the direction just like a compass, together with the right route and with the distance of various references.
The father can put his mind to rest as far as the third "SON" is concerned because he will be able to know if:
I) the boy calls for help because he is having trouble going back to the skiing facilities: he might, for instance, have hurt himself or a ski might have broken or he might have lost his bearings, in which cases the push-button has voluntarily been pressed and so the boy's position is communicated to his father whom, by means of phoning, will be able to alert the skiing school or the alpine rescuers.
II) The boy has fainted or has hurt himself, in fact the heartbeat alarm has gone off (also in this case is possible to make an alarm phone call in order to send the rescue teams to the exact spot, as indicated to his father by the satellites.
The youngster will have, in this case as well, the right indications of the distance which separates him from the rescuers and the direction of their coming.
Besides, the father will be assisted in the possible reaching of his son, or in providing the rescue workers with the necessary instructions, by following those directions, shown on his "FATHER" elettronic apparatus.

SERVICES THAT CAN BE CARRIED OUT

The usage of the devices related to the system can be of public or private use. In case of public use, such as boarding schools, public-school, sport associations rehabilitation centres, etc.., the system provides a bigger dimension receiver and of longer endurance of supply can be used, capable of controlling simultaneously a larger number of transmitters.
In addition, using a reading station of territorial maps (e.g. on a compact disk) it'll be possible to geo-reference the satellite coordinates; thus providing quickly-usable indications for identifyng the positions.
In case of private use, most of all for parent and their children, the receiver will be a more compact type. Obviously in this case the positional indications won't be geo-referenced.

PURPOSES INTENDED TO BE ACHIEVED

By this invention we would like to place at everybody's disposal, and above all at all families' disposal, a practical and efficient control, search, orientation and safeguard and protection system. We think it might be utilized also by organizations dealing with education and sport, by holiday resorts and learning centres as well as by handicapped people.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the system here explaned would be by singling out a Company (it would better if it was a Multinational Corporation) which already produces GPS Satellite Systems, and is interested in including this new device in its range of products.
It will be necessary to make a presentation to this Company, presentation which will include an analysis of the demand for this kind of device, in order to better understand the potential of the relevant market in financial terms.
Once the interest has been verified it will be necessary to state the possible production agreement in contractual terms.
Afterwards, if the Production Company is not able to deal with the marketing of this item, Commercial Distribution Companies will be contacted, they'll obviously be Corporations dealing with distribution and selling of services and satellite and telephoning devices.
In this case, as well, the distribution agreement will have to be fixed in contractual terms.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

We think that the system in hand, will gain large acceptance, also considering both the predictable and acceptable costs and the demand aroused by a large and interested market.
The system will have its application both by single privates and by Companies which will want to geo-reference the positional and geographical information, thus organizing a centralized and safeguard control service for people.

Claims

The safety system is special. It is a self-protection type of system which is based on "heartbeats" checking. Infact both the setting up and the activation/deactivation of the "SON" device are only possible from the "FATHER" device, and the absence or the exit out of the set interval of heart pulsations automatically activate the alarm on the "FATHER" device. In addition, periodically and automatically, the "FATHER" device verifies, by interrogation or "polling" both the "SON"s device and child's regular condition. The starting of the safety device takes place on the first tying of the "SON" bracelet, and as soon as the SITE1 geographical coordinates are set, they are automatically communicated to the "FATHER"s device. The absence of the heart signal or its exit out of the set interval of pulsations will automatically activate the alarm on the "FATHER" device and it will also attend both to checking any unauthorized untying of the bracelet (anti-theft function, anti-robbery function) and to sending information about any phisical anomaly of the monitored person.
The device named "SON" has a display of the geographical indication of position, reference and direction, like a compass, and allows the person who wears it to easily find his way back to the starting point, which is named "Primary Reference" or "SITE 1".
The "FATHER" device simultaneously highlights, for each of the people wearing the "SON" bracelet, both the necessary indications for his finding and indications related to the possible danger to his phisical condition (seizure, kidnapping, etc..). In so doing it uses, as its particular indicator, the control-logic system based on the data processing of the person's pulsations frequency.
The system at hand does not necessarily need an Operational Centre to organize the services.
The equipment have a long-lasting energetic autonomy coupling a "solar cells" supply system to a "rechargeable" battery one.