GB2484981A

GB2484981A - System for safeguarding humans or animals entrapped in enclosed spaces

Info

Publication number: GB2484981A
Application number: GB1018336.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rohan Obied
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-01
Filing date: 2010-11-01
Publication date: 2012-05-02
Also published as: GB201018336D0

Abstract

A system is provided for safeguarding a human or animal entrapped in an enclosed space such as within a vehicle. The system further prevents a human or animal from being subjected to harsh environmental conditions whilst entrapped in the vehicle. The system comprises: a) a means for validating occupancy of the vehicle and environmental conditions within the vehicle; b) a means for providing relief to an occupant of the vehicle; and c) a rescue calling means for attracting the attention of the public. The means for validating occupancy may comprise motion detectors such as PIR sensors, microphones, or accelerometers. The environmental conditions may be detected by means of temperature detectors and oxygen detectors. The means for providing relief to an occupant may include an air fan for moving air inside/outside of the vehicle, or a means for opening a window or door of the vehicle. The rescue calling means may include flashing lights, sirens, horns, or communication of an alert wirelessly to a remote location.

Description

RESCUE SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system implemented for the sake of rescuing humans or animals, trapped in enclosed locations such as vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In numerous well documented instances people and or animals were reported trapped in some closed space, and subjected to life threatening or even lethal situations caused by environmental conditions occurring in the closed space entrapment. Such behavior, occasionally may be attributed to the person.

Very well known are conditions developing in cars, in which children are left unattended, and by absorbing solar radiation, extremely hot conditions developing in the car the entrapped infant, unable to open the car, is severely affected or even lose vitality altogether.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system combining three aspects, one aspect is a set of sensors for validating the presence of occupants in a closed space, also included in this aspect is a set of sensors monitoring the environmental conditions in the closed space. Another aspect of the invention, relates to a variety of responsive mechanisms for relieving and sustaining the entrapped occupants in view of the harsh conditions that may develop or otherwise pose hazard to the occupants. A third aspect is the responsive emergency call distribution system, which communicates the state of emergency to the public. A notable mechanical means included in some embodiments of the invention is a bidirectional air pumping system. The function of such a bidirectional pumping system is on the one hand to pump fresh air into a closed room or space such as a compartment, while concomitantly pushing away foul, excessively hot, or contaminated air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the sequential activation of the three subsystems of the present invention, in an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a two phase sequence of an activation subsystem, as implemented in some embodiments; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the transmission course of signals between the activation subsystem and the relief and sustenance subsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In general, a system in accordance with the present invention aims at safeguarding humans or animals entrapped in closed spaces such as vehicles or rooms, from being subjected to harsh environmental conditions. A system of the invention has three aspects, each associated with a specific subsystem. As described in Fig. 1, a first subsystem associated with one aspect of the invention, is referred to hereinafter as the activation subsystem (AS), designated 20. The second subsystem, associated with a second aspect of the invention, is referred to hereinafter as the relief and sustenance subsystem (RASS), designated 22. Those two subsystems function according to a scheme as will be described below. Yet another subsystem, implemented by some embodiments of the invention, is referred to hereinafter as the rescue call distribution subsystem, (RCDS) designated 24. This subsystem is responsible for delivering the notion or knowledge of need and despair to people or agencies who may be able to help those entrapped or suffering being unable to manage their own security and well being.

The Activation Subsystem (AS) In a preferred embodiment of the invention, AS 20 encompasses two functional phases as described in Fig. 2, the living presence identification (LPI) phase 42 and emergency state identification (EST) phase designated 44.

There are several sensors optionally involved with this subsystem. A first sensor type is associated with the living presence identification phase. The role of this sensor type, typically installed in several places in the closed space, is to verify the existence of a living person or animal inside the closed space.

Typically motion detectors are disposed in several strategic points in the space, to verify the presence of a living moving creature inside the space. Microphones can also be used in combination with suitable breathing detection software. A combination of life detecting sensors can be implemented as well. Once the door has been shut, or the space vacated, the living presence sensors are initialized, meaning they are either activated or their signal acquired. In some embodiments, the living presence identifier is absent altogether, and yet in other embodiments, the LPI phase is actuated not in advance of the emergency state identifier phase, but concomitant with it. Relating to the embodiments in which the living presence sensors are absent, the sequence of events according to which the entire system of the invention is activated starts with a preemptive actuation of the ESI phase. Alternatively, the living presence sensors are actuated only after the ESI phase is actuated. In such a case, RASS 22 is invoked typically if both identifier phases are activated. The term activation when relates to sensors does not necessarily mean that the sensors are idle, rather it means that they are not considered and are not used for deriving information.

The RASS The RASS may be invoked by a signal from the AS. As can be seen in Fig. 3, As 20 sends an alert signal through a controller 52 to RASS 22. As an example, in a car, temperature level sensor of emergency state identifier 44 indicates a temperature above 30°C as a result of which indicated level, an alert signal is sent to RASS 22. RASS 22 then activates an air fan installed for example in the window of the.car.

S

Once an emergency situation has been identified, the RASS is invoked.

Typically, first, emergency measures are implemented. Examples of such measures are as follows: window opening, door opening, and door breaking. To this end, the native actuators of the doors/windows may be actuated by a central controller of the RAS subsystem. Immediately after the emergency measures are employed, or simultaneous with their employment, sustenance measures are implemented to sustain life.

The rescue call distribution subsystem (RCDS) Although typically invoked by the RASS, the RCDS may be invoked by the AS. Once the RCDS has been invoked, three levels of call distribution may be issued in a prefened embodiment of the invention. A first call is distributed as a physically apparent activity, typically flashing lights or and sirens. This type of call has mainly a localized alerting effect, such as a noise producing (audio), audio -visual or just visual means. For example, blinking lights, sirens, horns, flashes of light, and the like that are activated to attract the attention of the public.

The second and third types are electronically distributed rescue calls. The second type is communicated over a short range communication system, such as Bluetooth® or Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), to travelling vehicles passing nearby or to pedestrians walking nearby. The third distribution type is long range electronic communication means dependent. Notable in this category are the cellular networks and Internet connections such as Wifi (802.11) and Wimax (IEEE 802.16). GB application number 0921170.7 relates to many ways of interacting between vehicles and persons, either occupying another vehicle or moving about freely. The communications methods and means described in that patent application may be used for the sake of security of vehicle occupants.

Sensors 1.1. Living presence identifier (LPT) phase: Motion sensors, such as HR (passive infra red). Accelerometers to detect movement in a seat in which an occupant is supposedly seated. One or more microphones connected to a processor equipped with suitable breathing detection software.

1.2. Emergency state identifier (ESI) phase: temperature detectors (thermometers of any suitable kind), such as thermistor, bimetallic thermometer. Oxygen level detectors, microphone, one or several for the detection of breathing deterioration or coughing.

Relief and sustenance measures To provide rescue or relief from fatal or sub-fatal conditions, means and activities that provide rapid change in the environment are to be implemented, as described above, to curb high temperature effect and or low oxygen level effect, window opening, door opening, and door breaking can become effective.

1-lowever, although other conditions may become drastic for a person or an animal entrapped. For example, ambient freezing temperatures may prove to be no less fatal than heat. To curb this, a heater may be installed inside the closed room. Such a heating element may be used for rescuing and or sustenance.

A fan, for rapidly moving air inside and/or outside the closed room is a good option for rescue and or relief functions. Such a fan may be a unidirectional fan or a combined, bidirectional fan, pushing air inside the closed room, or pushing inside and pulling air outside. This double action fan combination is actually achievable by using two fans located typically each at a different site on the wall or roof of the closed room. A typical installation architecture is one staggered opposition to the other, Such that on the one hand air is brought in, mixes with the existing air, to be pulled out from another location in the room.

In an embodiment of the invention, specifically but not exclusively intended for rooms inside buildings, a fan pulling air inside the room, is a equipped with one or more air filter, such that if the air entering the room, pulled by the fan, contains smoke or other contaminants, the filter elements provides a cleaning means for increasing the quality of the incoming air. In the case of a vehicle, such as a car or a truck, the fan or fans may be installed in a window port. A better installation solution is one that disposed the fan or fans in the body of the vehicle, such that burglars may not be inclined to take advantage of the window port as breaking point, Another possibility for fan installation is in the doors, but typically not in the window area. In addition to the fans or alternatively completely replacing them, one or more air compressors may be installed. Using compressor/s may be specifically advantageous in some cases. Such compressing means may be specifically beneficial if the air outside the room is thin or depleted, such as in high altitude situations..

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for providing protection and relief to humans or animals entrapped in closed compartment, comprising: * at least one an activation subsystem; in which at least an emergency state identifier phase may be actuated; * a relief and sustenance subsystem, invokable by said activation subsystem; and * a rescue call distribution subsystem invocable by said activation subsystems.
2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said activation subsystem includes a living presence identification phase.
3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said activation subsystem includes a living presence identification phase and an emergency state identification phase.
4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said rescue call distribution subsystem issues calls in three levels of distribution.
5. A system as in claim 1 wherein said relief and sustenance subsystem implements a fan for moving air inside and/or outside in a closed space.