FR3045393A1 - SECURITY DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE RESEARCH OF VICTIMS OF AVALANCHES. - Google Patents

Abstract

Device 1 for the security of a user 2 which comprises a Bluetooth chip provided for transmitting wireless data, at least three antennas 11-14 for the chip, and a support 3, 4 for the antennas, the support being designed so when it equips the user, the antennas are distributed around a longitudinal axis of the user. The support can be a harness or a jacket.

Description

The present invention relates primarily to the field of safety equipment, including mountain rescue.

Avalanche victim detectors (DVA) are known which comply with the French and European standard NF EN 300718-3, published in May 2004. Such a device is placed on the torso of its user. It generally comprises three antennas arranged at 90 ° to one another, two horizontal, the other vertical, when the wearer is in a standing position. The DVA has two modes of operation, a transmission mode, which is the current mode and reception mode, used by a survivor or rescuer to search for a victim buried under an avalanche. DVAs use an emission frequency of 457 kHz. Both the victim and the rescuer must be equipped with a DVA.

These DVAs, despite their proven utility, have significant disadvantages. Thus, they have, under good conditions, a relatively small maximum range, generally between 65 and 70; however, an avalanche usually covers a length of 150 meters, for a width of 80 meters.

In the case of a DVA, operating at 457 KHz, the absorption is low, but a misalignment of antennas between that of the rescuer and the victim makes drastically drop the power of the received signal. For other devices than DVA, if the victim is lying on his stomach, his body may form a particularly opaque screen for the signal transmitted; up to 80% of the signal energy can be absorbed by the body, which greatly reduces the range and further increases the time needed to locate and rescue the victim.

However, the intervention time must be as short as possible. Studies, including a study of 638 cases by Dr. Brugger, have shown that on the dual condition of not having been mortally wounded during the avalanche and to have received the care that his condition requires, the chances of survival of the victim in the first 18 minutes are almost 100%. According to Dr. Brugger's study, the chances of survival drop drastically to 34% after 35 minutes.

Reflectors from the Recco® brand are also known. They are passive wave reflectors equipping clothing or equipment worn by skiers or hikers. Only professional lifeguards are equipped with detection equipment adapted to locate a reflector and the victim who is equipped with it.

Such a reflector can not be used alone, but only in addition to another device, which does not require waiting for rescue intervention. Indeed, in addition to the often long intervention time, relative to the chances of survival for a buried victim, it is still necessary that a survivor or a witness of this burial have the means to prevent this help.

There are also smartphone-type mobile phone applications that make it possible to detect an avalanche victim. Fragile, a phone is likely to break during a fall or burial. In addition, even if the phone does not break, it does not emit directionally, which increases the time needed to locate the victim. The body of the victim can also screen if the phone is under the body. In addition, smartphones are very energy-intensive, and their autonomy limited, especially in places with low coverage of the telephone network, and at low temperatures, which is generally the case for avalanche areas. The object of the invention is to propose a reliable security device making it possible to ensure the rapid detection of a victim, by satisfying all or some of the disadvantages of the detection devices of the prior art.

According to the invention, such a device for the safety of a user comprises a transmitter chip intended to transmit and receive wireless data, at least three antennas for the chip, and a support for the antennas, the support being designed so that when the support equips the user, the antennas are distributed around a longitudinal axis of the user.

The chip is preferably a Bluetooth chip.

The support may be in the form of a harness or a harness; it can also be in the form of a garment, preferably worn on the upper body, including a jacket.

The antennas are preferably four in number, one in front of the user, one behind, and each of the other two on a respective side.

A device according to the invention can quite be autonomous, since it includes an electronic chip capable of making calculations and managing the transmission and / or reception of a signal by the antennas. Nevertheless, the invention also relates to a security system advantageously comprising a central unit associated with the chip, which may be a dedicated electronic device or a DVA (Avalanche Victim Detector), or a versatile device of the smartphone type ( smartphone). This central unit is an improved man / machine interface.

In the case of a dedicated device, the chip can be integrated into said device. The device can be deported, for example in the case of a smartphone. In addition, especially in the case of a smartphone, the system may include an integrated application to the central unit responsible for dialogue with the chip and if necessary to collect data to be transmitted with this chip. The central unit advantageously comprises a screen for displaying data. The central unit can be designed to transmit both through the chip and also on another frequency used by rescuers, for example 457 kHz, frequency used by rescuers equipped with DVA.

The system may further comprise "head-up" display means, preferably glasses or a mask connected to the central unit, having means for displaying data collected by the central unit. The invention also relates to: a "mother / child" monitoring method; - a virtual strung process; and, - a method of locating other victims when a first victim is located, which will be described later.

Several embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a user equipped with a device according to the invention in the form of shoulder belt, seen from behind, from the front, from the left and from the right; FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the operation in "search" mode of a device according to the invention comprising four antennas; FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the operation in the "companion rope" mode of a device according to the invention; FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the operation in "virtual corded" mode of a device according to the invention; - Figure 5 schematically illustrates the use of a device according to the invention for a prior search of several victims of an avalanche; FIG. 6 illustrates a jacket equipped with a device according to the invention; and FIG. 7 illustrates a ski mask adapted to be connected with a device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a safety device 1 according to the invention carried by a user 2. In the figure, from left to right, the user 2 and the device that he carries are successively represented seen from the back, from the front, from left and right.

In this example, the device is in the form of a shoulder belt. This harness comprises a belt 3 worn around the waist and a headband connecting the left side of the belt to the same right side, passing over the left shoulder of the user 2. The harness includes a Bluetooth chip, no shown, and four antennas 11-14, each connected to the Bluetooth chip.

The antennas are arranged on the shoulder belt so that they are distributed around a longitudinal axis X2, vertical in the upright position, of the user 2. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, whatever the position of

The user relative to an observer, there is always a visible antenna of this observer. In the illustrated example: a first antenna 11 is fixed at the front of the strip 4, so that it is worn against the chest of the user; - A second antenna 12 is fixed to the right of the belt 3, so that it is worn above the right hip of the user; a third antenna 13 is fixed to the left of the belt 3, so that it is worn above the wearer's left hip; and, a fourth antenna 14 is attached to the rear of the strip 4, so that it is worn against the left shoulder blade of the user.

The headband further includes a removable, rechargeable battery that can be replaced when it is discharged. It also comprises fixing means for an electronic device cooperating with the harness 1.

In the illustrated example, the electronic device is a smartphone 6 with an ad hoc application. The smartphone plays a role of digital display for the system.

The system can operate in transmission or reception. It can thus be used to emit a signal when the user is a victim buried by an avalanche; it can be used to detect the signal emitted by the victim, when the user is a rescuer, for example an avalanche survivor, equipped with the same device as the victim.

As particularly illustrated in Figure 2, with the device 1, the signal reception is directional. In the figure, a rescuer S and a victim V of an avalanche are each equipped with such a device 1. A signal 16 is emitted by the device of the victim and received by the device 11-14 of the rescuer. In the example illustrated, the front antenna 11, oriented towards the victim V, receives a stronger signal than the lateral antennas 12, 13, which themselves receive a stronger signal than that received by the rear antenna 14, the latter being very weak or substantially zero. The chip calculates the direction and the application implanted on the smartphone indicates to the rescuer S that the victim is in front of him and that he must continue to move forward, to reach the victim. Thus, regardless of the orientation of the device 1 worn by the rescuer relative to the victim, the chip is able to deduce, from the signal received by each of the antennas 11-14, a direction to be taken for the rescuer S to join the victim V. The direction indicated to the rescuer is not a direction relative to his smartphone, which he usually holds by hand, but a direction in relation to the device he is wearing, so in relation to himself; advantageously, a drawing allows the rescuer to understand that it is in relation to its orientation, and not to the orientation of the smartphone, that the direction is calculated.

In a device according to the invention, the absorption of the signal by the body of the rescuer allows a better definition of this direction, and becomes an advantage, unlike some devices of the prior art.

Figure 3 illustrates another use of a device according to the invention. In this example, two persons A and B each use a system 17 consisting of a device according to the invention and, at least for one of them, an apparatus 6 cooperating with the device. One of the systems 17, or each of the systems 17, is programmed to monitor the other.

The signal emitted by a device being substantially inversely proportional to the cube of the distance, the distance DAB between the two systems, and therefore between the two users AB, can be easily deduced from the power emitted and the power received. Thus, a maximum distance DABmax between the two systems 17 can be defined, and the system can be programmed to trigger an alarm when the distance DAB is greater than the maximum distance DABmax ·

Such an arrangement can be used as a "companion companion", where the device 1 of a user watches over the other user. The rope is in this case virtual, that is to say that the two users are not connected by a rope. If the distance DAB increases between the leader of the rope and his companion, this may be the clue for the leader of the rope of a difficulty encountered by his companion; it is the same if the heart rate of one of the users becomes excessive.

Such an arrangement can also be used in "mother / child" function. In this case, the system 17 of the "mother" A, placed in reception mode, monitors the "child" B whose system 17 is placed in transmission mode. If the mother loses the child by sight, she can easily find it using the device 6, preferably from her smartphone. It is sufficient that the child wears a garment comprising a device 1 according to the invention, such as a jacket 20 of the type illustrated in FIG. 6, so that it does not have the feeling of being the same. subject of surveillance.

We will now describe a use of the invention in virtual corded mode, with reference to FIG. 4.

In the illustrated example, several hikers R1-R3 are each equipped with a system 17; each system 17 comprises a device 1 and a smartphone 6. The hikers are three in number; a first hiker RI, the most upstream, a second hiker R2, who follows him at a distance DI2, and a third hiker R3, the most downstream, who follows the second hiker R2 at a distance D23. The smartphone of the first hiker RI does not pick up a signal from a telephone network 21, is not able to define its geographical position 22 and its battery 23 is virtually discharged. The smartphone of the third hiker R3 does not pick up a signal from a telephone network 21, is not able to define its geographical position 22 and its battery 23 is lightly loaded. The smartphone of the second hiker R2 captures a signal from a telephone network 21, is in. able to define its geographical position 22 and its battery 23 is heavily loaded.

As long as the distance D12, D23 between the second hiker with another is less than the scope of the Bluetooth chip of the device 1, the chips are able to communicate with each other via respective Bluetooth links. Thus, the system 17 of the second hiker can transmit via a telephone link 27, for example to the cloud 24, or to a selected correspondent, information 26 on the string RI, R2, R3. Of course, the scope of the chip is a function of the technology used and the improvements that can be made in the future.

The transmitted information 26 may include in particular: the geographical position of the second hiker R2; the positions of the other hikers R1, R3, relative to that of the second hiker R2, determined by means of the antennas 11-14 of the devices 1; other information provided by each smartphone 6, via the respective Bluetooth link 25 for the first and third hikers.

This other information may include in particular: the charge of the battery of the smartphone; - the hiker's cardiac activity RI, R2, R3. Inside each system 17, the communication between the smartphone 6 and the respective device 1 is low in energy consumption. In addition, each device 1 having its own battery, or battery, it is autonomous in energy and has a large autonomy. Thus, the virtual cord configuration allows: - to save the batteries of the least charged phones; - sending a telephone alert, even for a hiker outside the telephone network; - to use only a telephone line, which is economical if you are on a foreign network (roaming); - internal monitoring of the group, using a "companion rope" or "mother / child" operation; - increase the safety of the group of hikers.

Such a virtual rope can be constituted by the hikers themselves, who decide, before the start of a hike, to form a virtual rope. In an automatic mode of operation, each system 17 can listen to other systems within range of each other, so that it automatically constitutes with other hikers, who do not necessarily know each other and do not are not aware, a virtual cord. Such automatic operation is particularly advantageous on busy roads, for example a hiking trail, or the ascent of the Mont Blanc massif.

The warning messages are advantageously transmitted to a dedicated site 24, including a backup site, so that adapted help can immediately be implemented.

With reference to FIG. 5, the advantages of a device according to the invention during a prior search of victims of an avalanche VI-V4 will be described by a rescuer S.

In the example illustrated, the devices 1 of the victims are within range of each other thus, a first victim VI is within range of a second victim V2 who is herself within reach of a third victim V3 and a fourth victim V4. Each 1.6 system is therefore able, at least indirectly, to know the total number of victims and the position of the other three. Thus, when the rescuer S comes within reach of one of the victims, the first victim VI in the illustrated example, he can quickly know: - the number of victims; - their relative positions; and further, through their respective associated electronic devices 6 and via the dedicated application, to collect other useful information relating to each victim, for example: - an identity card and permanent information; - an estimate of its geographical position; - its status of care, or not, by a first-aid worker; - his heart rate; - the power of its signal (in dBm).

Such information can help to focus research on the victims still alive, and among those on the most distressed.

Figure 6 illustrates a safety device 1 according to the invention, having the shape of a jacket. The security jacket 20 equipped with transmission means 11-14, 32 according to the invention. In this example, the emission means are fixed inside the garment 20 itself by means of a zipper 31 of the Eclair ™ closure type. One of the notched ribbons of the closure 31 is integral with the garment and the other ribbon is an integral part of the transmission means 11-14, 33. Thus, these means are made removable, so that one can wash the garment, without the risk of damaging the electronics, or, depending on the season, change jacket without changing the device.

As illustrated in the figure, the jacket 1 comprises four antennas 11-14, arranged so that when the jacket is worn by a user, and closed: - the first antenna 11 is disposed against the abdomen of the user; the second antenna 12 is disposed on the right side of the user; the third antenna 13 is disposed on the left side of the user; and, the fourth antenna 14 is disposed between the shoulder blades of the user.

The antennas are connected by the zipper with an electronic card 32 comprising the Bluetooth chip and the battery (or battery), and, advantageously, electronic memory means. This memory can store, for example: - the identity card and permanent information about the user, for example blood type or allergies; and / or - the last known geographical position; and any other information that could be lost if the electronic device 6 were destroyed, for example during a fall of the user or when buried under an avalanche.

Figure 7 illustrates a headset 36 connectable, for example Bluetooth, with a system 17 according to the invention. This helmet 36 includes a display area 37. In the figure, the display area is shown both on the helmet 36 and enlarged. Such a helmet is advantageous for a rescuer S since it allows to display data transmitted by a backup device of a victim V, including which direction and how far is the nearest victim, its vital constants , the number of victims etc ....

When the system is for example used by a first-aid attendant, among the possible displays on his smartphone 6, his dedicated device and / or his connected headset 36, may be: a direction and / or a distance in which there is a victim; - a number of victims; - information relating to each victim; - a position of each victim on a map, especially if the victim has a smartphone equipped to determine this position; and / or, - a compass indicating a direction for the long distance search on a map.

In order to maintain maximum transmission power, in an emergency device 1 according to the invention, the antennas 11-14 are preferably activated in turn, for example five seconds each, every twenty seconds.

Depending on the mode used, antennas 11-14 are activated: - in transmission mode, case of a victim or a "child"; - in reception mode, in the case of a first-aid worker or a "mother"; alternatively in transmit mode and receive mode, in the case of a chord.

A method of automatically triggering an alert by the device 1 may in particular be the destruction of the electronic device 6, the detection of a fall, an underwater avalanche or the detection of a too prolonged immobilization. The fall can be detected by an inclinometer, accelerometer and / or gyroscope device some of which are equipped with smartphones, and which could be implanted in a dedicated device. When an alert is triggered, the device 1 that launches the alert automatically switches to transmission mode, and remains there until the victim wearing this device is supported.

It should be noted that at any given time, any wearer of a safety device according to the invention may be either a victim or a lifeguard. Thus, on five skiers, if only one is not buried by an avalanche, he can, thanks to his device, start his search for his companions, at the same time that an alert is given to people in the vicinity or to rescue services.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

Thus, the harness or the harness may be in the form of a back strap or a back protector. Also, a connected watch can be used, in addition to or in replacement of a smartphone or other central unit.

Also, a device according to the invention can also be incorporated in equipment, for example a ski, pants, gloves or a backpack, or any other appropriate equipment, to facilitate its search if its user is separated and / or make it easy to find whoever wears this equipment.

A backpack equipped with a device according to the invention may have vibrating shoulder straps, intended to indicate the direction in which a victim is located. This frees the rescuer's hands.

Manual alert means may also be provided, for example a zipper attached to a bag equipped with the device.

The chip can be provided with a mini-jack output, to connect earphones, so you can direct a first aid to the victim, by sound indications. This also frees the rescuer's hands.

In all cases, the chip is the heart of the device according to the invention, it can easily be autonomous; the central unit, for example the smartphone, the watch or the DVA, or any associated accessory, such as a mask, a bag or headphones essentially allow to retranscribe the management information, especially in the context of victim search in avalanche. These accessories are preferably equipped with a Bluetooth chip, in order to communicate wirelessly with the chip of the device according to the invention. The use of a Bluetooth chip has many advantages, including: - its price; - its accessibility; - its low consumption, so its autonomy, which is about a year in continuous transmission for a Bluetooth chip if it is powered by a battery type CR2032, against 250h on average for a DVA (40 hours in search mode); - its small size; - the ease of incorporating it into a textile; - its robustness; - it is insensitive to the presence of a smartphone nearby; - its tightness; and, - its simplicity of use.

In addition, the range of a Bluetooth antenna is at least 80 to 100, significantly more than the current DVA. Thus, a signal picked up earlier is the guarantee of a more efficient search. Other advantages over DVA are: - Bluetooth allows a directional search that draws a straight line to the victim, not a spiral search by turning around the victim, to get closer; - there is no interference between different Bluetooth broadcasts.

In addition, a Bluetooth chip captures a title associated with the victim's chip and an intensity, which allows from the first reception to have a multitude of information, which can be: - name of the victim; - time since burial; - marking or not, and therefore perform immediate care or not, in the case of the management of several victims; - GPS coordinates, if a smartphone is worn by the victim and the rescuer, more than 80 meters, which is very interesting; and - a direction, in a straight line, and not an inaccurate area.

Claims (13)

claims Device (1; 20) for the safety of a user (2), characterized in that it comprises a transmitting electronic chip intended to transmit and receive wireless data, at least three antennas (11-14) for said chip, and a support (3, 4; 20) for said antennas, said support being designed such that, when said support equips said user, said antennas are distributed around a longitudinal axis (X2) of said user. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the chip is a Bluetooth chip. 3. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the support has the form of a harness or a harness. 4. Device (20) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the support is in the form of a garment, preferably worn on the upper body, including a jacket. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the antennas are four in number one (11) in front of the user, one (14) behind, and each of the other two (12, 13) on a respective side. 6. System (17) for the safety of a user (2), characterized in that it comprises a safety device according to one of claims 1 to 5 and furthermore a central unit (6) associated with the chip . 7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the central unit is a dedicated device, the chip being integrated in said apparatus. 8. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the central unit is a versatile device of the smartphone type (6). 9. System according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the central unit comprises an application for dialogue with the chip and, where appropriate, collect data to be transmitted through said chip. 10. System according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the central unit comprises a screen for displaying data. 11. System according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it comprises "head-up" display means, preferably glasses or a mask (36), connected to the central unit, comprising means for displaying data collected by the Central Unit. 12. A method of monitoring a "child" (B) by a "mother" (A) in which the mother and the child each carry a device (1; 20) according to one of claims 1 to 5, the child's device being in transmission mode and the device of the mother being in data reception mode. 13. Process of virtual string, characterized in that one team of several users (R1-R3) of the same string each of a system (17) according to one of claims 1 to 6, and in that said systems exchange data relating to their respective user, including position and alert, if any.