WO2017025731A1 - System for the monitoring of a previously travelled pathway - Google Patents

System for the monitoring of a previously travelled pathway Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017025731A1
WO2017025731A1 PCT/GB2016/052452 GB2016052452W WO2017025731A1 WO 2017025731 A1 WO2017025731 A1 WO 2017025731A1 GB 2016052452 W GB2016052452 W GB 2016052452W WO 2017025731 A1 WO2017025731 A1 WO 2017025731A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
node
user
pathway
devices
node devices
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2016/052452
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael BARKWAY
Original Assignee
The Technology Partnership Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Technology Partnership Plc filed Critical The Technology Partnership Plc
Publication of WO2017025731A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017025731A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B7/00—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00
    • G08B7/06—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
    • G08B7/066—Signalling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups G08B3/00 - G08B6/00 using electric transmission, e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/009—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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
    • G08B21/0272—System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
    • G08B21/0277—Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for monitoring a previously travelled pathway.
  • a system for monitoring a previously travelled pathway is a system whereby battery-powered wireless devices are deployed by a user at intervals while entering a potentially hostile area, and which can provide ongoing monitoring and reporting of the conditions along the pathway for the purpose of identifying potential threats to the user at their current location, to identify threats to the user's future exit pathway, to support finding a user in the event of them falling into difficulty and to support multiple pathways that monitor condition and relate the information to worker location.
  • a system for monitoring at least one previously travelled pathway comprising: a user device comprising means for interacting with a user; and node devices arranged to be deployed on a pathway as a user travels, the nodes further being arranged to communicate with at least one other node device, the user device or a device external to the system to reflect a change in a predetermined factor in the region of the deployed node device on the pathway.
  • the node device may respond to the proximity of other node devices or user devices.
  • the present invention provides a monitoring network having plural node devices provided, for example, by small battery powered sensors that are wirelessly connected to a unit carried by the user and optionally also connected wirelessly to other users or to a control centre outside of the risk zone.
  • the node devices are distributed by the user on the way into the risk zone and once deployed periodically broadcast one or more local factors, for example temperature, toxic substances, sound, movement of the node or movement in the vicinity of the node.
  • Information from the monitoring node devices can be shared between workers at the scene, and with control centre personnel to maintain a continuously updated picture of the conditions inside the risk zone.
  • Lighting may be incorporated in the node devices and can be triggered by a number of sources and can provide immediate visual clues to navigate towards an exit or towards a trapped worker.
  • Ranging information can be used to identify the closest node device, to report the progress of a rescuer towards the compromised worker, or the progress of a worker towards an exit, providing immediate audio or visual updates to the user, rescuer or a control centre.
  • Such ranging techniques can be applied to enhance the system further, using resolved distance between one or more user devices and one or more node devices to identify when a worker passes into or out of a risk zone where node devices have already been deployed by that worker, or previously deployed by another worker.
  • Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of example user devices and nodes that can be provided in a system according to the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a drawing showing a possible scenario employing the present invention of the system.
  • FIG. 1 shown is a possible form of a User Device 1 and node device 3 for use in the invention, it includes the following features:
  • the User Device 1 containing both an integrated battery 2 an electronic circuit 2, one or more monitoring node devices 3 which may be temporarily clipped into the User Device.
  • Component 4 is the monitoring node inside the User Device and reference 5 shows a slot through which the nodes could be deployed.
  • a user interface 6 is provided through a display, indicator lights and/or an audio interface.
  • FIG. 2 shows another possible form of the User Device 1 and node device 3, and includes the following features:
  • the User Device 1 contains both an integrated battery 2 and electronic circuit 2 and one or more monitoring nodes 3 which may be temporarily clipped into the User Device.
  • Item 3 is the monitoring node device detached from the User Device.
  • a user interface 6 is provided through a display, indicator lights and/or an audio interface to enable a user to interact with, and operate, the invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a yet further example system according to the invention, in which the user device 1 is configured to be worn on a user's limb.
  • Components corresponding to those in the earlier examples have the same numbering.
  • a user will take the user device 1 into a hazardous situation, removing nodes 3 as they progress and placing them in appropriate locations.
  • the user device 1 may be arranged to dispense nodes 3 automatically at predetermined times and/or distances or when wireless connection with a previous node is determined to have dropped to a level which is likely soon to become unreliable.
  • Each node device 3 can wirelessly communicate either with the user device 1 , a device external to the main system, which may be a second user device, or a combination thereof, and/or may also communicate with each other.
  • the communication will generally be wireless and in accordance with one of a number of known standards of RF, Bluetooth (RTM) or similar types or customized to this application.
  • Each user node device 3 will usually have its own independent short or long term power supply that may or not be rechargeable.
  • each monitoring node device 3 can monitor for a factor that may compromise the path in which they have been placed, that parameter being, for example temperature, air quality, radiation or chemical contamination, and if an appropriate factor is detected or a parameter threshold exceeded then notification can be provided to its external communication source and/or the user component for appropriate action to be taken.
  • the node devices 3 may be arranged to detect the pressure or movement by objects or people. Either new or previously used node devices 3 may be reused and re-attached to the same or another user device 1.
  • the node devices 3 and user device 1 can be configured to automatically update one another with required information to build future pathway(s) associated with that worker. In this way, any node can be re-used or re-loaded by any worker through the single action of placing the node device into the user device, greatly simplifying re-loading or re-use of node devices.
  • the system may be arranged to create multiple pathways by sharing of previously deployed node devices, whereby a user that operates within a certain distance of a node device previously deployed by another user may adopt that previously deployed node device into their own pathway. This allows the re-use of node devices previously deployed, avoiding the need to deploy multiple node devices along the main pathway into the risk area, for example along a main corridor.
  • the first entrant into a building can then deploy their node devices and other workers can adopt these shared node devices into their own pathway instead of deploying their own, thereby preserving their node devices for later use. If the system incorporates automatic deployment of node devices, then that deployment can be automatically inhibited along the shared pathway.
  • FIG. 4 shows a potential application of the system.
  • a firefighter 10 is fighting a primary fire 20.
  • the firefighter (10) has deployed a number of node devices 3 on entry to the fire zone forming a monitored pathway 40. Should a secondary fire source 50 breakthrough then it would trigger one of the monitoring node devices 3 to alert the firefighter of a potential risk to their exit.
  • a node is out of direct range to a User, it could pass signals via other node devices 3 in order to reach its intended destination.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A system for monitoring a previously travelled pathway. The system comprises a user device comprising means for interacting with a user and node devices arranged to be deployed on a pathway as a user travels. The nodes are arranged to communicate with at least one other node device or the user device or a device external to the system to reflect a change in a predetermined factor in the region of the deployed node device on the pathway.

Description

SYSTEM FOR THE MONITORING OF A PREVIOUSLY TRAVELLED
PATHWAY
The present invention relates to a system for monitoring a previously travelled pathway. In particular it is a system whereby battery-powered wireless devices are deployed by a user at intervals while entering a potentially hostile area, and which can provide ongoing monitoring and reporting of the conditions along the pathway for the purpose of identifying potential threats to the user at their current location, to identify threats to the user's future exit pathway, to support finding a user in the event of them falling into difficulty and to support multiple pathways that monitor condition and relate the information to worker location.
There are a number of systems which relate to communications between frontline service personnel, and between service personnel and control centres. These inventions provide for data communications, voice communications, location information or localized monitoring of worker(s). Systems such as that in US2008007396A operate with multiple radio transceivers to allow distributed communications, or to locate workers in hazardous areas (via ranging and triangulation). Some systems provide monitoring of the condition of the environment, providing real-time communication or location information to a control centre, such as US2014340222A which utilizes infrastructure preinstalled into emergency lighting apparatus to provide monitoring information.
Current location systems such as US2012025977A provide location data related to fixed points outside of the building. The current form of available personal monitoring systems such as US2014292509A provide information limited to the immediate environment of the worker, or related to their current physical condition. The main limitations of these systems relate to the ability to establish a monitoring network that can relate location information meaningfully to the complex environment inside a burning building, or hostile territory. The current systems do not provide information outside of a personal area, do not support a rescuer following the previous pathway towards a trapped worker and do not provide new information to the worker themselves.
Whilst, the current form of location monitoring can be helpful in determining the general area of a trapped worker, the level of mapping/building information needed to avoid mis-directing a rescuer is rarely available, and it is rarely possible to integrate this information rapidly and reliably into the systems available at the risk site. According to the present invention there is provided a system for monitoring at least one previously travelled pathway, the system comprising: a user device comprising means for interacting with a user; and node devices arranged to be deployed on a pathway as a user travels, the nodes further being arranged to communicate with at least one other node device, the user device or a device external to the system to reflect a change in a predetermined factor in the region of the deployed node device on the pathway.
The node device may respond to the proximity of other node devices or user devices.
The present invention provides a monitoring network having plural node devices provided, for example, by small battery powered sensors that are wirelessly connected to a unit carried by the user and optionally also connected wirelessly to other users or to a control centre outside of the risk zone. The node devices are distributed by the user on the way into the risk zone and once deployed periodically broadcast one or more local factors, for example temperature, toxic substances, sound, movement of the node or movement in the vicinity of the node.
A number of additional benefits are possible from the invention. Information from the monitoring node devices can be shared between workers at the scene, and with control centre personnel to maintain a continuously updated picture of the conditions inside the risk zone. Lighting may be incorporated in the node devices and can be triggered by a number of sources and can provide immediate visual clues to navigate towards an exit or towards a trapped worker.
It is also possible to apply one of a number of radio ranging techniques to help navigate towards a worker needing assistance, or towards an exit. Ranging information can be used to identify the closest node device, to report the progress of a rescuer towards the compromised worker, or the progress of a worker towards an exit, providing immediate audio or visual updates to the user, rescuer or a control centre.
Such ranging techniques can be applied to enhance the system further, using resolved distance between one or more user devices and one or more node devices to identify when a worker passes into or out of a risk zone where node devices have already been deployed by that worker, or previously deployed by another worker.
An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of example user devices and nodes that can be provided in a system according to the present invention; and
Figure 3 is a drawing showing a possible scenario employing the present invention of the system.
Referring to Figure 1 , shown is a possible form of a User Device 1 and node device 3 for use in the invention, it includes the following features: The User Device 1 containing both an integrated battery 2 an electronic circuit 2, one or more monitoring node devices 3 which may be temporarily clipped into the User Device. Component 4 is the monitoring node inside the User Device and reference 5 shows a slot through which the nodes could be deployed. A user interface 6 is provided through a display, indicator lights and/or an audio interface.
Figure 2 shows another possible form of the User Device 1 and node device 3, and includes the following features: The User Device 1 contains both an integrated battery 2 and electronic circuit 2 and one or more monitoring nodes 3 which may be temporarily clipped into the User Device. Item 3 is the monitoring node device detached from the User Device. A user interface 6 is provided through a display, indicator lights and/or an audio interface to enable a user to interact with, and operate, the invention.
Figure 3 shows a yet further example system according to the invention, in which the user device 1 is configured to be worn on a user's limb. Components corresponding to those in the earlier examples have the same numbering.
In both examples a user will take the user device 1 into a hazardous situation, removing nodes 3 as they progress and placing them in appropriate locations. Alternatively the user device 1 may be arranged to dispense nodes 3 automatically at predetermined times and/or distances or when wireless connection with a previous node is determined to have dropped to a level which is likely soon to become unreliable. Each node device 3 can wirelessly communicate either with the user device 1 , a device external to the main system, which may be a second user device, or a combination thereof, and/or may also communicate with each other. The communication will generally be wireless and in accordance with one of a number of known standards of RF, Bluetooth (RTM) or similar types or customized to this application. Each user node device 3 will usually have its own independent short or long term power supply that may or not be rechargeable. In use, each monitoring node device 3 can monitor for a factor that may compromise the path in which they have been placed, that parameter being, for example temperature, air quality, radiation or chemical contamination, and if an appropriate factor is detected or a parameter threshold exceeded then notification can be provided to its external communication source and/or the user component for appropriate action to be taken. In addition, or as an alternative the node devices 3 may be arranged to detect the pressure or movement by objects or people. Either new or previously used node devices 3 may be reused and re-attached to the same or another user device 1. The node devices 3 and user device 1 can be configured to automatically update one another with required information to build future pathway(s) associated with that worker. In this way, any node can be re-used or re-loaded by any worker through the single action of placing the node device into the user device, greatly simplifying re-loading or re-use of node devices.
The system may be arranged to create multiple pathways by sharing of previously deployed node devices, whereby a user that operates within a certain distance of a node device previously deployed by another user may adopt that previously deployed node device into their own pathway. This allows the re-use of node devices previously deployed, avoiding the need to deploy multiple node devices along the main pathway into the risk area, for example along a main corridor. The first entrant into a building can then deploy their node devices and other workers can adopt these shared node devices into their own pathway instead of deploying their own, thereby preserving their node devices for later use. If the system incorporates automatic deployment of node devices, then that deployment can be automatically inhibited along the shared pathway.
Figure 4 shows a potential application of the system. A firefighter 10 is fighting a primary fire 20. The firefighter (10) has deployed a number of node devices 3 on entry to the fire zone forming a monitored pathway 40. Should a secondary fire source 50 breakthrough then it would trigger one of the monitoring node devices 3 to alert the firefighter of a potential risk to their exit. In the event that a node is out of direct range to a User, it could pass signals via other node devices 3 in order to reach its intended destination.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a previously travelled pathway, the system comprising:
a user device comprising means for interacting with a user; and node devices arranged to be deployed on a pathway as a user travels, the nodes further being arranged to communicate with at least one other node device or the user device or a device external to the system to reflect a change in a predetermined factor in the region of the deployed node device on the pathway.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the node devices are removably attached to the user device.
3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one of the user device and/or at least one of the node devices is arranged to communicate with a control device remote from the system.
4. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the factor is at least one of temperature, chemical content in the atmosphere, sound or movement either of the node device or an object adjacent to the node.
5. A system according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the node devices is arranged to provide a visual indicator.
6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the node device can control the visual indicator to provide an indication of the safety of its position and/or of the other node devices along the pathway.
7. A system according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the user devices and/or the node devices is arranged to provide an audio alarm.
8. A system according to any preceding claim wherein each node device is arranged to be able to determine the distance of any other node device or one or more user devices from its location and is further arranged to communicate that information either to the user device or to an external source.
9. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the user device is arranged to deploy nodes automatically either at regular distance or time intervals or according to wireless communication reception levels from a previously deployed node device or devices.
10. A system according to any preceding claim in which the node devices are arranged to be reusable, and are arranged to automatically exchange identity information with the user device when connected thereto.
1 1. A system according to any preceding claim arranged to use proximity information to determine if a user remains within a risk site, or has safely exited, using the measured distance between the user device and node devices placed along the pathway.
12. A system according to any preceding claim arranged to create multiple pathways by sharing of previously deployed node devices, whereby a user that operates within a certain distance of a node device previously deployed by another user may adopt that previously deployed node device into their own pathway.
13. A system according to any preceding claim arranged such that node devices can monitor more than one entrance to a building and which can monitor shared pathways over multiple workers and multiple entrances, and which can, alert workers to an alternative entrance which may be closer and safer to use in the event of imminent danger, and alert rescuers to alternate routes to a worker in difficulty.
PCT/GB2016/052452 2015-08-12 2016-08-05 System for the monitoring of a previously travelled pathway WO2017025731A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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GBGB1514343.1A GB201514343D0 (en) 2015-08-12 2015-08-12 System for the monitoring of a previously travelled pathway
GB1514343.1 2015-08-12

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WO2017025731A1 true WO2017025731A1 (en) 2017-02-16

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Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080007396A1 (en) 2006-07-10 2008-01-10 Scott Technologies, Inc. Graphical user interface for emergency apparatus and method for operating same
US7598856B1 (en) * 2006-01-31 2009-10-06 Firesite Llc Navigation aid for low-visibility environments
US20120025977A1 (en) 2010-07-30 2012-02-02 Q-Track Corporation Firefighter Location and Rescue Equipment
US20140292509A1 (en) 2011-09-09 2014-10-02 Margaret Hildick-Pytte Emergency services system and method
US20140340222A1 (en) 2013-05-17 2014-11-20 Barry Thornton Security and first-responder emergency lighting system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7598856B1 (en) * 2006-01-31 2009-10-06 Firesite Llc Navigation aid for low-visibility environments
US20080007396A1 (en) 2006-07-10 2008-01-10 Scott Technologies, Inc. Graphical user interface for emergency apparatus and method for operating same
US20120025977A1 (en) 2010-07-30 2012-02-02 Q-Track Corporation Firefighter Location and Rescue Equipment
US20140292509A1 (en) 2011-09-09 2014-10-02 Margaret Hildick-Pytte Emergency services system and method
US20140340222A1 (en) 2013-05-17 2014-11-20 Barry Thornton Security and first-responder emergency lighting system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
LIU HENGCHANG ET AL: "An Automatic, Robust, and EfficientMulti-User Breadcrumb Systemfor Emergency Response Applications", IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MOBILE COMPUTING, IEEE SERVICE CENTER, LOS ALAMITOS, CA, US, vol. 13, no. 4, 1 April 2014 (2014-04-01), pages 723 - 736, XP011542728, ISSN: 1536-1233, [retrieved on 20140311], DOI: 10.1109/TMC.2013.63 *

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