GB2495339A - Alert device for attracting attention in emergency situations - Google Patents

Abstract

An alert device is provided including: at least one light or lamp; at least one global positioning transceiver, and at least one means of generating an airborne signal. The airborne signal may be smoke or a visible gas and may comprise an olfactory signal. The light may be a plurality of LED s disposed about the device to provide multidirectional light. The global positioning transceiver may allow the device to be triangulated by means of satellites and/or telephony networks. The transceiver may further be used to transmit or broadcast data such as geolocation or geotag data. The device may further include an accelerometer to determine shock or impact events. The device may also include a detachable tripod. The device is particularly suited for use by persons partaking in extreme sports in remote locations whereby the device can attract attention to a person in an emergency situation.

Description

AN ALERT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an alert device, more particularly an alert device for attracting attention in emergency situations.

Background

Many people feel increasingly trapped in urban environments and a growing trend for many users is to escape to rural areas.

With increasing access to remote areas given by personal and public transport, increasing numbers of people are partaking in outdoor activities.

In particular increasing numbers of users are partaking in extreme sports, such as hill walking, snowboarding, kayaking, sailing, mountaineering, long-distance skiing and other activities in remote locations.

These sports are very enjoyable and provide great feelings and adrenaline, and the remote locations in which they typically take place bring feelings of oneness with nature.

However remote locations bring their own problems, particularly when associated with a form of physical activity.

For example many users partaking in such activities run a risk of injury. Injuries in such locations can be dangerous and lead to strandings or inability to reach help.

For this purpose in many rural locations there are emergency services that act to support and/or rescue users in such situations and locations, when they are alerted to the users' existence and predicament. -

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following: Granted Korean patent KR 100 288 154 (BAE et al) discloses a position indicating radio beacon that includes a watertight housing which comprises a cylindrical top body and a square bottom body having a region to accommodate a relatively heavy battery. And a light reflection tape is adhered to a surrounding of the top body of the watertight housing, and enables a visual position discrimination by reflecting a light.

And a cover is combined to the upper part of the watertight housing by a number of screws, and includes a PCB board having a number of circuit elements within to generate a distress signal.

United States patent application US 2009 066 504 (BREIER) discloses a multi-function emergency apparatus comprising: an housing having a first end and a second end and an internal cavity defined by a housing wall; said internal cavity adapted to house a battery to power said emergency apparatus; an illumination means activated by a first switch accessible upon an outside surface of said housing wall; means to determine a terrestrial location of said emergency apparatus including one or a combination of a GPS location determining component and a secondary location determining component adapted to determine said terrestrial location from RF signals received from a plurality of cellular telephone towers; means to communicate said terrestrial location once determined to a remote location; and a beacon for signalling the presence of said emergency apparatus at said terrestrial location, said beacon comprising one or a combination of an RFID, an infrared light emitter, and a visible light emitter.

Granted United States patent US 7 355 513 (BROCKEL et al) discloses a survivor locator system, comprising: a radio transponder is activated by a survivor; a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an altimeter, a heading and airspeed indicator and a phased matched antenna set are deployed in a mobile search platform with a navigational system; said phased matched antenna set interrogates said transponder and receives a plurality of survivor bearing data from said transponder; said GPS receiver receives a plurality of mobile base station location inputs from a GPS satellite; said plurality of survivor bearing data and said plurality of location inputs are provided to a means for data processing, said data processing means having a means for prediction and a means for correction; said prediction means provides a prediction output to said correction means, said correction means provides a corrected output to said prediction means for further updating as said mobile base station moves toward said survivor; said prediction means sends a measurement error input to an error reduction filter having a recursive data processing algorithm; said error reduction filter estimates a state of system from a plurality of measurements containing a plurality of random errors and sends a plurality of survivor coordinate estimates and a plurality of filtered distance estimations to said correction means; and said correction means provides a plurality of best total survivor location estimates to recursively reduce a distance-to-survivor error factor, said plurality of best total survivor location estimates being continually updated, said correction means, said prediction means and said error reduction filter cooperating to produce a plurality of vectors to generate a plurality of reducible concentric circles locating said transponder to permit rescue of said survivor.

In contrast the present invention provides a multifunctional alert means that will ensure a user that even if one means of attracting attention in emergency situations fails there will be other more appropriate means of attracting attention still available, all ideally combined in a portable item.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an alert device; including: at least one light, at least one global positioning transceiver, and at least one means of generating an airborne signal.

In preferred embodiments the signal is smoke or visible gas; and the means is a generator, and/or combined with a fan.

In some embodiments the generator may include combustion means, for example a manually depressible piezo-electric sparker may be included to ignite combustible material which subsequently disperses naturally or is blown away by the fan.

However the preferred embodiments are ideally equipped in use with smoke or gas canisters or grenades wherein said canisters may be punctured in order to release an airborne signal such as wherein the canister contains pressurised powder smoke or gas liable to react with a stimulant to create smoke; wherein the device includes a mechanism to stimulate the gas.

Further embodiments may include explosives in addition or the alternative, for example wherein the user may detonate or light said explosive, such as by pulling a release, activation or detonation tab, said tab being disposed to prevent contact between substances liable to combust on contact.

The detonation ideally ensures at least one projectile incendiary item is launched by the device.

This item may be a flare or a series of flares which detonate and launch sequentially.

In preferred embodiments the light is composed of a plurality of low energy requirement light emitting diodes (LEDs); wherein these LEDs may be disposed about the device in order to provide a multidirectional light; such as may be appropriate to provide ambient or bright lighting for a large area.

In this way the user may be able to illuminate his/her surroundings in case of an emergency. In addition or the alternative the light is liable to disperse effectively in conditions where the user is trapped or stranded in a narrow or confined location; for example in a cave or crevasse, where the signal and/or transceiver may not be appropriate.

In addition or the alternative the light may be used to attract attention and according many be provided with settings for intensity, colour, flash or flash sequence. Vet further embodiments may provide or allow set flash sequences, for example Morse code.

In preferred embodiments the transceiver is capable of triangulated or other capture of global positioning indications, such as are provided by satellites and/or telephony networks.

The transceiver is also able to transmit or broadcast data.

This data may be raw geolocational or geotag data that is processed for location later or may be based on, or able to provide, a triangulated geolocational coordinate.

The transceiver may transmit said data via shortwave radio or other long-range wireless connectivity.

Data may be transmitted intermittently by the device, or at regular intervals, and/or only when activated.

Further embodiments may provide user controls to determine transmission reoccurrences, in order to maintain energy.

The data may be combined with further information at or before sending.

For example some embodiments of the device may include registration or recording facilities such as a microphone and/or digital memory, in order that a user may record or upload a recording or information to the device. This information may be broadcast with or separately to locational data.

Further embodiments may have other information input methods, such as keypads, keyboards or buttons.

In preferred embodiments the energy source is a battery, ideally lithium ion or other high energy density storage material, Preferred embodiments have rechargeable batteries, for example wherein the battery may be recharged by movement of or on the device.

In such embodiments a winding handle may additionally be envisaged so that the user can recharge the battery if and when necessary to do so.

It is preferable that the device is encased or covered in shockproof and ideally waterproof material. This may enable the device to absorb impacts and accidents.

In the event of a shock, impact or force, the device may be disposed to enable the transceiver, illumination and/or airborne signal as appropriate and undamaged.

Accordingly in some embodiments the device may include an accelerometer calibrated to determine such events, or other impact or shock sensors.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the device; Figures 2 show end views of the embodiment; Figures 3 show side views of the preferred embodiment; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the preferred embodiment; And Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment with extended tripod.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment includes the following parts: Lamp (1); Tripod ring (2) Tripod legs (3) Protective door (4) to protect user controls and buttons, stopping the user pushing one accidently, containing controls to activate the global positioning systemlGPs and printed circuit board/PCB for electronic features; A cavity (5) allowing storage of a smoke cartridge (5) and energy source such as 4AM rechargeable batteries, although typically the user accesses the batteries by unscrewing the light; Screw lid (6); and Rubber grip that gives the device a durable ergonomic exterior.

The tripod legs allow Safety device to stand up on its own. The legs also help to protect the device from drops. Rubber grip leg offer more grip when holding the device.

Raised ridges (7) are designed to keep the tripod in place. By applying a small amount of pressure, the user will be able to pull off the tripod.

The legs 3 lock underneath the lid into a small recess (8).

The light ideally has two settings, for constant illumination and a flashing device light.

The GPS ideally has a test button, to establish viability in varying locations and/or there may be included a OPS signal button or indication.

The device is thus equipped to aid locating a user who has had an accident when out and about in the wilderness and consists of three emergency signals; a smoke signal, a flashing device and GPS.

Some embodiments may include an aerial for improving GPS capability in remote locations.

A built in tripod allows the user to stand the device up and allow then to concentrate on the injury.

Ideally the user may choose to affix the tripod to either end of the device, in order for example to prioritise the smoke signal or light.

A soft rubbery exterior makes the device rugged and durable, while typically a bright colourful exterior makes it easy to locate.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. An alert device; including: at least one light, at least one global positioning transceiver, and at least one means of generating an airborne signal.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the signal contains visible particles.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A device according to claims 1 or 2 having an extendable tripod.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 3 having a detachable tripod.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the signal includes an olfactory signal.</claim-text>