WO2003089953B1 - Emergency beacon and method of adjusting beacon transmit period - Google Patents

Emergency beacon and method of adjusting beacon transmit period

Info

Publication number
WO2003089953B1
WO2003089953B1 PCT/GB2003/001693 GB0301693W WO03089953B1 WO 2003089953 B1 WO2003089953 B1 WO 2003089953B1 GB 0301693 W GB0301693 W GB 0301693W WO 03089953 B1 WO03089953 B1 WO 03089953B1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
control signal
beacon
distress signals
transmitting
emergency
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2003/001693
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2003089953A1 (en
Inventor
John Ronald Hough
Andrew Clement Fuller
Anselm Fabig
Original Assignee
Inmarsat Ltd
John Ronald Hough
Andrew Clement Fuller
Anselm Fabig
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 Inmarsat Ltd, John Ronald Hough, Andrew Clement Fuller, Anselm Fabig filed Critical Inmarsat Ltd
Priority to AU2003222979A priority Critical patent/AU2003222979A1/en
Publication of WO2003089953A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003089953A1/en
Publication of WO2003089953B1 publication Critical patent/WO2003089953B1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/016—Personal emergency signalling and security systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/0005—Life-saving in water by means of alarm devices for persons falling into the water, e.g. by signalling, by controlling the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat
    • 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
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/08—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S1/00—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith
    • G01S1/02—Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmitters; Receivers co-operating therewith using radio waves
    • G01S1/68—Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Transmitters (AREA)
  • Position Fixing By Use Of Radio Waves (AREA)
  • Radio Relay Systems (AREA)

Abstract

An emergency beacon, such as an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) 1, has a transmitter (8) for transmitting a distress signal over a wireless communications network, such as a satellite communications network. It also has a receiver (10) for receiving a control signal over the wireless communications network and responds to receipt of the control signal to vary its operation. In particular, the EPIRB 1 can be controlled remotely to vary the times at which the distress signal is subsequently retransmitted by the EPIRB 1.

Claims

24AMENDED CLAIMS[Received by the International Bureau on 27 October 2003: original claims 1 - 39 replaced by claims 1 - 44 (8 pages)]
1. An emergency beacon comprising a position determining device for determining the position of the beacon; a transmitter for transmitting distress signals periodically over a wireless communications network, the distress signals each including an indication of the determined position; a receiver for receiving a control signal; and a processor for varying the interval between transmissions of the distress signals in response to the received control signal.
2. The emergency beacon of claim 1, further comprising a position indicating device and wherein the processor is arranged to vary operation of the position indicating device in response to the received control signal.
3. An emergency beacon comprising a transmitter for sending distress signals over a wireless communications network; a receiver for receiving a control signal; a position indicating device and a processor for varying operation of the position indicating device in response to the received control signal.
4. The emergency beacon of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit the distress signals periodically and the processor is arranged to vary an interval between transmissions of the distress signals in response to the received control signal.
5. The emergency beacon of any one of claims 1, 2 and 4, including a timer for regulating the interval between transmissions of the distress signals.
6. The emergency beacon of claim 3 or claim 4, further comprising a position determining device for determining the position of the beacon and wherein the transmitter is arranged to include an indication of the determined position in the distress signals.
7. The emergency beacon of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the position indicating device is a light, an acoustic alarm or a radar transponder.
8. The emergency beacon of any preceding claim, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit a first distress signal upon activation of the beacon and the processor is arranged to vary transmission of subsequent distress signals in response to the received control signal.
9. The emergency beacon of any preceding claim, wherein the receiver is arranged to receive the control signal over a wireless network.
10. The emergency beacon of claim 9, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit the distress signals and receiver is arranged to receive the control signal via a satellite. 26
11. The emergency beacon of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the receiver is arranged to receive the control signal via line of sight communication.
12. The emergency beacon of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver is arranged to operate only periodically to conserve power.
13. The emergency beacon of any one of the preceding claims, housed in a waterproof case and having an integral power supply.
14. A buoy including the emergency beacon of any one of the preceding claims.
15. Use of the buoy of claim 14 on a vessel.
16. A search and rescue control station comprising a receiver for receiving from an emergency beacon periodic distress signals, each including an indication of the determined position of the emergency beacon, over a wireless communications network and a transmitter for transmitting a control signal to cause the beacon to vary the interval between transmissions of the distress signals. 27
17. The search and rescue control station of claim 16, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit a control signal to cause the beacon to vary operation of a position indicating device.
18. The search and rescue control station of claim 16 or 17, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit a control signal to cause the beacon to vary an interval between transmissions of the distress signals.
19. The search and rescue control station of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit, in response to receipt of a first distress signal by the receiver, a control signal to cause the beacon to vary the interval between transmission of subsequent distress signals.
20. A search and rescue control station comprising a receiver for receiving distress signals from an emergency beacon over a wireless communications network, the emergency beacon including a position indicating device and a transmitter for transmitting a control signal to cause the beacon to vary the operation of the position indicating device.
21. The search and rescue station of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit the control signal over a wireless communications network. 28
22. The search and rescue control station of claim 21, wherein the receiver is arranged to receive the distress signals and transmitter is arranged to transmit the control signal via a satellite.
23. The search and rescue control station of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit the control signal via line of sight communication.
24. A method of operating an emergency beacon, the method comprising: determining the position of the emergency beacon; transmitting distress signals periodically over a wireless communications network, the distress signals each including an indication of the determined position; receiving a control signal; and varying the interval between transmissions of the distress signals in response to the received control signal.
25. The method of claim 24, comprising varying operation of a position indicating device in response to the received control signal.
26. A method of operating an emergency beacon having a position indicating device, the method comprising transmitting distress signals over a wireless communications network; receiving a control signal; and varying operation of the position indicating device in response to the received control signal. 29
27. The method of claim 26, comprising transmitting the distress signals periodically and varying an interval between transmissions of the distress signals in response to the received control signal.
28. The method of claim 26 or 27, comprising determining the position of the beacon and including an indication of the determined position in the distress signals.
29. The method of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the position indicating device is a light, an acoustic alarm or a radar transponder.
30. The method of any one of claims 24 to 29, comprising transmitting a first distress signal and varying transmission of subsequent distress signals in response to the received control signal.
31. The method of any one of claims 24 to 30, comprising transmitting the control signal over a wireless communication network.
32. The method of claim 31, comprising transmitting the distress signals and receiving the control signal via a satellite. 30
33. The method of any one of claims 24 to 30, comprising receiving the control signal via line of sight communication.
34. The method of any one of claims 24 to 33, comprising controlling the receiver to operate only periodically to conserve power.
35. A method of controlling an emergency beacon, the method comprising receiving from the beacon periodic distress signals, each indicating the position of the emergency beacon, over a wireless communications network and transmitting a control signal to cause the beacon to vary the interval between the transmissions of the distress signals.
36. The method of claim 35, comprising transmitting a control signal to cause the beacon to vary operation of a position indicating device.
37. The method of claims 35 or 36, comprising transmitting a control signal to cause the beacon to vary an interval between transmissions of the distress signals.
38. The method of any one of claims 35 to 37, comprising transmitting, in response to receipt of a first distress signal, a control signal to cause the beacon to vary the interval between subsequent distress signals. 31
39. A method of controlling an emergency beacon having a position indicating device, the method comprising receiving distress signals from the emergency beacon over a wireless communications network and transmitting a control signal to cause the beacon to vary the operation of the position indicating device.
40. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, comprising transmitting the control signal over a wireless communication network.
41. The method of claim 40, comprising receiving the distress signals and transmitting the control signal via a satellite.
42. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, comprising transmitting the control signal via line of sight communication.
43. An emergency beacon substantially as described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
44. A method substantially as described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
PCT/GB2003/001693 2002-04-22 2003-04-22 Emergency beacon and method of adjusting beacon transmit period WO2003089953A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003222979A AU2003222979A1 (en) 2002-04-22 2003-04-22 Emergency beacon and method of adjusting beacon transmit period

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0209153A GB0209153D0 (en) 2002-04-22 2002-04-22 Emergency radio beacon
GB0209153.6 2002-04-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003089953A1 WO2003089953A1 (en) 2003-10-30
WO2003089953B1 true WO2003089953B1 (en) 2003-12-18

Family

ID=9935269

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2003/001693 WO2003089953A1 (en) 2002-04-22 2003-04-22 Emergency beacon and method of adjusting beacon transmit period

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003222979A1 (en)
GB (1) GB0209153D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2003089953A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2496116C1 (en) * 2012-05-14 2013-10-20 Открытое акционерное общество "Научно-исследовательский институт космического приборостроения" (ОАО "НИИ КП") Emergency radio buoy

Families Citing this family (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100717595B1 (en) * 2005-04-11 2007-05-15 김정선 Salvage system for life jacket
FR2890176B1 (en) * 2005-08-31 2009-10-02 Claude Roullot DEVICE FOR LOCATING AND SECURING SHIPS OF SMALL DIMENSIONS
GB2430064A (en) * 2005-09-09 2007-03-14 Royal Nat Lifeboat Institution Marine emergency location beacon able to send location data and receive remote commands
CN101523235A (en) * 2006-07-03 2009-09-02 国际海事信息系统Sa私人有限公司 Nautical safety
US7492251B1 (en) 2008-09-01 2009-02-17 Daniel A. Katz Dual mode personal locator beacon
US8522442B2 (en) * 2008-12-11 2013-09-03 Arne Veidung Hand-held safety apparatus
DE102010005582B4 (en) * 2010-01-22 2015-06-25 Astrium Gmbh Improvement of satellite-based SAR services
ES2690968T3 (en) * 2011-01-11 2018-11-23 Nokia Technologies Oy Emergency beacons
WO2012139213A1 (en) * 2011-04-15 2012-10-18 Ross Judith Lorelle Rescue station and method for using same
US9151823B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2015-10-06 Broadcom Corporation Wireless communication device capable of accurately performing position estimations
US20130225197A1 (en) * 2012-02-24 2013-08-29 Broadcom Corporation Low Power Location Beacon
CN104604267B (en) * 2012-07-06 2018-06-29 黑莓有限公司 For activating the method and apparatus of emergency beacon signal
US20140159960A1 (en) * 2012-12-07 2014-06-12 Tideland Signal Corporation Marine navigation beacon
CN104058079B (en) * 2014-04-30 2016-06-15 中国科学院自动化研究所北仑科学艺术实验中心 Lifesaving Position indication lamp with positioning and communicating function and control method
EP3698159B1 (en) 2017-10-16 2023-08-30 Harvey, Doriette Fransien Emergency radio beacon remote activation system
RU2763169C1 (en) * 2020-10-19 2021-12-28 Публичное акционерное общество "Ракетно-космическая корпорация "Энергия" имени С.П. Королёва" Method for monitoring the movement of a potentially dangerous object, mainly a glacier and a landslide, from an orbital spacecraft
RU2764148C1 (en) * 2020-10-19 2022-01-13 Публичное акционерное общество "Ракетно-космическая корпорация "Энергия" имени С.П. Королёва" Method for monitoring the movement of an object of mainly shifting natural masses of a glacier and a landslide from an orbital space vehicle

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2089123A1 (en) * 1992-03-04 1993-09-05 Robert Edwin Penny, Jr. Position locating transceiver
US6222484B1 (en) * 1999-06-16 2001-04-24 Ronald L. Seiple Personal emergency location system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2496116C1 (en) * 2012-05-14 2013-10-20 Открытое акционерное общество "Научно-исследовательский институт космического приборостроения" (ОАО "НИИ КП") Emergency radio buoy

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2003089953A1 (en) 2003-10-30
GB0209153D0 (en) 2002-05-29
AU2003222979A1 (en) 2003-11-03

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