FR2573214A1 - Device for locating a moving body using an electronic transmitter and receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

The electronic device locates a body at sea or on land even when moving, thus enabling people in danger to be pinpointed and rescued. The device consists of two complementary watertight units: a transmitter and a receiver and indicator unit. The transmitter can be triggered either automatically by immersion or manually or by a combination of the two. Each transmitter has a different fixed frequency or an adjustable variable frequency. It can also be provided with an independent timing system. The receiver and indicator unit is equipped with an audible alarm and an indicator lamp which are activated when a transmitter starts operating. The user automatically searches for the transmitted frequency with the radio receiver (digital tuner) which locks on to this frequency and this activates the direction and distance indicators. The data provided by these will vary during movements of both the transmitter and the receiver.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for locating a body even mobile for its rescue or
successive rescues.

 It applies in particular to the search for people in danger following a shipwreck (single-handed race or by éauipej fishing on the high seas, pleasure boating ...) or who are entangled in the desert of a rally .

 -This device requires the use of two complementary instruments: a transmitter and a receiver. Each transmitter can influence any receiver in its wave coverage area.

 On the one hand, the waterproof electronic transmitter, attached to each person likely to be in danger (penny; form of bracelet or pendant) is activated automatically in the event of immersion or manually within the framework of a terrestrial employment and emits waves which cannot be defined at the present stage of the invention. We can also consider a mixed trigger transmitter: automatic or manual depending on the needs of the wearer of the transmitter and the conditions of use.

 After study of the project, and with a view to manufacturing the transmitter, the engineer may opt for one of these two variants: a fixed frequency system, each transmitter being equipped at the start with a very personal frequency, or a variable but adjustable frequency system. In the latter case, the organizers of a race would be required to attend; use a frequency for each competitor before the start.

 To add a practical side to the device, and if its own characteristics allow it (for example the di musions) one can also consider incorporating a clock system.

 On the other hand, the waterproof reception unit, a unique device which has several functions: is equipped with an audible warning and an indicator light (independent in their operation of the radio receiver and the direction and distance indicators) who intervene to signal that a transmitter has started operating. The user can then manipulate the receiver (digital tuner) for an automatic search for the transmitted frequency. Following this maneuver, he receives the indication of the direction to follow to locate the person carrying the transmitter, and that of the distance to be traveled to reach it, these indications varying so much during displacements of the transmitter than of the receiver.

 Another crew, receiving the distress call, can also come to the rescue of the person in difficulty if they are not notified by radio that the team member (s) are in charge of the operation.

 The rescue being carried out, the transmitter is manually stopped, which stops the functions of the receiver both at the level of the audible and luminous warning devices and of course at the level of the indications of direction and distance.

Claims (9)

 1) Device for electronic tracking of a body, even mobile at sea or on land, characterized in that it comprises a transmitter associated with a reception and indication block.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the transmitter and the receiving block and indications are waterproof.  3) Device according to claim 1 or 18 claim 2 characterized in that the transmitter is triggered automatically by immersion, or manual, or mixed.  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitter has a fixed but different frequency or a variable but adjustable frequency.  5) Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the transmitter, in the form of bracelet or pendant, will be embellished with a clock system.  6) Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the reception and indication block is a single device which has several functions.  7) Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 6 characterized in that the reception unit is equipped with an audible warning and an indicator light operating when a transmitter starts.  8) Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 6 characterized in that the reception unit has a radio receiver (digital tuner).  -9) Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 6 characterized in that the receiving block has a direction indicator and a distance indicator.