Classifications

• • 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
  • G01S5/00—Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
  • G01S5/0009—Transmission of position information to remote stations
  • G01S5/0072—Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems

Definitions

• the technical sector of the present invention is that of information systems. These information systems are organized in a network, which has different hierarchical levels. The lower levels collect information from the field and transmit it to the upper levels, which centralize information from all the lower levels and send them instructions.
• the device described by this invention is intended to be used by those who collect information in the field within an intervention unit.
• the operator using the device described by the invention is in the field, during a mission, often alone and away from the rest of his unit. This device must therefore be portable by this operator.
• the operator has a mission to fulfill, most often within the intervention unit whose members are deployed in the field. They therefore need to be in contact with each other as well as with the center where all the information is gathered.
• an intervention of this type we can cite, fight a fire or identify and control a madman. The same constraints would be imposed if the invention were used in the context of armed forces operations.
• an operation unit In order to unify the terminology, an operation unit will be considered, the members of which are supervised by a head of mission who has the device for centralizing information.
• the goal of the operation is variable, but the constraints are constant.
• the system object of the present invention is intended to coordinate the actions of the operators of the unit for the smooth running of the operation.
• each operator is equipped with a device whose cooperating assembly constitutes the system described by the present invention.
• the subject of the invention is therefore a mapping location system intended for coordinating a group of operators, characterized in that each operator is equipped with a portable location mapping device enabling it to communicate with the other operators by exchanging digital data.
• each operator is equipped with a portable location mapping device enabling it to communicate with the other operators by exchanging digital data.
• all of the cartographic devices are linked in a synchronizable manner.
• Each cartographic device can include a graphic display screen and man-machine interface means adapted to the needs and keys dedicated to specific functions.
• each cartographic device can comprise at least one wireless communication means, a locating means and a cartographic database.
• each cartographic device comprises a memory making it possible to store a cartographic database.
• each cartographic device comprises a calculator capable of executing specific software performing the navigation functions, positioning aid, fleet and workforce management, digital cartography, communications with the other devices, specific messaging, assistance with coordination of operators.
• the software incorporates a man-machine interface adapted to the size of the housing and to that of the screen.
• each cartographic device can be produced from commercially available materials, and it can combine a handheld computer on which a specific software is executed, a wireless communication interface, an extension box for interface and a localization module.
• each cartographic device can be connected to an interface box to ensure communications with other information systems.
• each device cartographic can be connected by a wired link to a large screen.
• each cartographic device can be placed on a reception base which offers it extensive interface possibilities.
• An advantage of the system according to the invention is to offer a means of coordination to an intervention unit, allowing it to exchange and synchronize all the information available to its different members.
• An advantage of the device according to the invention is to offer a compact, functional, portable means by an operator, ergonomically adapted, operational in the sometimes difficult conditions of intervention, offering functions of localization, navigation, exchanges of 'information, in order to optimize the efficiency of a unit by multiplying the skills of the members of a unit.
• An advantage of the device according to the invention is to combine localization, mapping, processing, communications and human-machine interface functions within a single portable and compact component in order to compose a coherent system for assisting in unit coordination.
• An advantage of the device according to the invention is to propose an economical solution at low cost due to the combination of commercially available elements.
• Another advantage of the system according to the invention is to allow the integration of the operator in the entire information system.
• FIG. 1 shows an overview of the system described by the present invention as well as the main communications between the various stakeholders of the intervention field provided with devices according to the invention.
• Figure 2 shows a view of a portable man-machine interface device, the basic component of said system.
• Figure 1 shows the system described by the present invention. This is organized around devices 1.
• Each operator of the unit (gendarme, fireman, ...) has a device la, 1b, le, ld personnel.
• This completely autonomous device 1 performs the local processing, storage, navigation or route progression functions.
• each device 1 is in contact with the others and they can thus pool the information available to them including with the head of unit 6.
• the head of unit 6 has a device ld identical to those of his operators la, lb, le, ld. This communication can be used on the decision of the head of unit, regularly and automatically without operator intervention or at his request to synchronize data between the different devices.
• each operator can receive an update of the information, or of the evolution of the mission according to the data sent by the head of unit or information collected by each of the operators on the field of intervention, at the place where he is and that he can observe.
• the head of unit can compile information and after having synthesized and reorganized it, send it back to the operators. Based on information collected by each operator where it is located, and transmitted by messaging, it is possible to synthesize a dynamic map of the border of a forest fire in the areas where the operators are deployed. This card is advantageously transmitted to operators who thus have extensive information beyond their individual field of perception.
• the wireless connection between the devices of the same unit is advantageously carried out by relying on an existing standard (IEEE 802 11, wireless ethernet, bluetooth, gsm, ).
• the head of unit 6 specifically has, in addition to his device 6, an interface box 8 and a communication station 7. These allow it to connect with other information systems and / or to have extended functions, specific to its function. When one of the operators or the head of unit is on board the unit's support vehicle, it is possible for him to connect, via his device, to the vehicle network.
• the device 1, 9 is installed on a reception base 10. This base allows it to connect to an interface box 11 in connection with the vehicle level information system or by means of a communication station 12 with another information system.
• Each device 1, 9 is equipped with a direct connection by wire allowing it, for example on board the support vehicle, to connect to a screen 13 larger than the screen specific to the device.
• FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the device 1, that is to say the basic element of the system. It is in the form of a housing 14 of reduced size and weight, which can be easily carried by an operator.
• a screen 15 On one of the large surfaces of the housing 14 is arranged a screen 15.
• This screen is advantageously of the smallest possible size because the communication is essentially in graphic form, the housing being as small as possible.
• This screen can display graphical information related to the mapping, navigation, location of the operator or members of his team, events of interest to the current mission, etc., this on a map of the intervention area. .
• control keys 16 At the periphery of the screen 15 or on any other ergonomically comfortable zone of the housing 14 are installed control keys 16. These keys can be dedicated to the most commonly used operational functions, thus directly triggering the functions of the device, which makes it possible to limit the necessary manipulations. Some examples of functions that can be associated with keys 16 are given by way of illustration:
• Synchronization makes it possible at any time to bring the information held by each operator into conformity and thus to contribute dynamically to the coordination of the unit and to the achievement of the objective. This while integrating in real time, the evolution of the situation on the ground (for example progression of the fire %), the management of the availability of resources in material and personnel as well as the evolution of orders ( thanks to the connection with higher level information systems) and objectives which can be modified during intervention.
• An operator can for example define cartographic elements. It can also define a route or define a geographical area. These elements can then be transmitted by courier ⁇ specific graph. It is also possible to transmit to an operator a route which he will have to follow, to define an observation area or even to prohibit a dangerous area.
• Dedicated messaging functions are also installed on the device. It is thus possible and this with a simplicity of use compatible with the load of the operator in relation to its mission to transmit cartographic or navigation elements. The most commonly used functions can be assigned to a key 16 in order to limit the necessary manipulations.
• the device 1 knows its own position because it includes a locating means such as a GPS sensor integrated in the housing 14 of the device 1.
• the report indicating to a third party the position of an operator is carried out by sending '' a pre-formatted message indicating their contact details. This report can be sent automatically to allow the head of unit to follow the movement of his unit, thanks to this collective location.
• the device 1 is advantageously equipped with means for interfacing with the other elements of the system. It is thus equipped with a main wireless link 17 allowing communications with the other devices la, lb, le, ld.
• Wired connections not shown are established by one or more connectors or terminal blocks 18.
• the device is autonomous thanks to a battery (not shown) integrated in the housing. It also includes a computer, a memory, allowing the storage of a cartographic database as well as the loading and execution of specific software, elements not shown and integrated in the device's housing.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• Remote Sensing (AREA)
• Navigation (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2002
  • 2002-12-23 FR FR0216487A patent/FR2849333B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-12-15 WO PCT/FR2003/003716 patent/WO2004065981A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2003-12-15 AU AU2003300604A patent/AU2003300604A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-12-15 EP EP03815400A patent/EP1576386A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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