GB2436218A

GB2436218A - Communication Device and System

Info

Publication number: GB2436218A
Application number: GB0705017A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Walker
Original assignee: WALKER PROJECTS Ltd
Current assignee: WALKER PROJECTS Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-17
Filing date: 2007-03-15
Publication date: 2007-09-19
Also published as: GB0605433D0; GB0705017D0

Abstract

The communication system includes two or more communication devices capable of communicating with each other. Each communication device includes a housing having visual indicator means provided thereon and user actuation means for actuating said visual indicator means on said device and for allowing communication of data relating to said visual indicator means between said devices.

Description

* 2436218

I

Communication Device and System This invention relates to a communication device and System.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a communication device and system for use by climbers and mountaineers, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention could be used for any other suitable purpose for allowing communication between two or more people, such as canoeists descending rapids and/or the like.

It is a common practise during climbing pursuits, such as rock climbing, ice climbing and/or technical mountaineering, for two or more people to be roped together for safety purposes.

Typically, a lead climber will climb a particular section of rock or ice whilst a remaining climber remains stationary at a start point of the section. Once the lead climber has safely arrived at an end point of the section, this is communicated to the remaining climber who then climbs the section from the start to the end point whilst the lead climber remains stationary at the end point. The climbers typically communicate to each other using an accepted system of voice calls, thereby informing their climbing partner as to their status and what they want their : partner to do. * * **S.

:.. However, problems are encountered with this conventional * voice calling system during bad weather high winds or on *** meandering climb sections, where a person's voice can often :.:::. become muffled or inaudible to their partner. In some cases it is possible to anticipate difficulties in voice communication for a particular climb section, and in these circumstances, the climbers will typically rely on pre-determined numbers and/or sec1uences of tugs on the climbing rope to communicate with their climbing partner. However, this relies on a good rapport between the climbers and may not be sufficient when communication is lost following unanticipated difficulties in communication.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a communication device which overcomes the abovementioned problem.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a communication system which overcomes the abovementioned problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a communication system, said system including two or more communication devices capable of communicating with each other, each communication device including a housing having visual indicator means provided thereon and user actuation means for actuating said visual indicator means on said device and for allowing communication of data relating to said visual indicator means between said devices.

Preferably each communication device includes at least two sets of visual indicator means; a first set of visual indicator means corresponding to the status of the device, and preferably user of said device, and at least second visual indicator means corresponding to the status of a further communication device in said system, and preferably user of a further communication : device of said system. ***

The visual indicator means can include any or any combination of one or more lights, LED display, one or more characters, symbols, numbers, text and/or the like.

In a preferred embodiment different colour, sequences, numbers and/or flashing of the lights provide indications of different status and/or conditions relating to users of the devices.

Preferably at least two different colour visual indicator means are provided on each device and/or in each set, one colour indicating a positive condition, status and/or situation and a second different colour indicating a negative condition, status and/or situation.

In one embodiment actuation of the user actuation means a different number of times and/or for a different length of time changes the condition of the visual indicator means of a device.

In one embodiment audio and/or kinaesthetic indicator means are associated with one or more of the devices.

Preferably the devices are located remotely in use and use wireless communication means to communicate therebetween.

Further preferably the two or more communication devices communicate with each other via radio waves. The frequency of the radio waves can be any suitable frequency available in the locality of use. For example, the frequency may be country dependent. I...

Each communication device typically includes transmission means and receiving means separately or combined (i.e. : transceiver means). ***.

Preferably the transmission and/or receiver means are arranged to transmit and/or receive radio waves.

Preferably code means are associated with the signals emitted from said devices to ensure signals belonging to the devices of the same system are transmitted and/or received. The code means are preferably unique to the devices of the system to avoid users of devices of different systems in the same locality from detecting signals not relating to the user's of their system.

In one embodiment in addition, or as an alternative, unique code means can be associated with each device so that each device in the system recognises which other device or devices in the system are communicating with it.

Preferably the user actuation means includes any or any combination of one or more buttons, dials, switches, levers and/or the like.

Different user actuation means can be associated with the different sets of visual indication means if required.

Preferably each device is battery powered but the devices could be solar powered and/or the like.

Preferably each device includes processing means for processing signals for transmission and/or receiving signals and for adjusting the visual display of the visual indicator means accordingly.

Preferably attachment means are provided for attaching the device to the user or object, such as a rucksack, climbing * harness and/or the like. I.

:.:::. The attachment means can include any or any combination of *:*. one or more ties, straps, buckles, belts, VELCRO (hook and loop fastening) and/or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a communication device for use in a communication system.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a communication system, said system including two or more communication devices capable of communicating with each other, each communication device including a housing having visual indicator means provided thereon and user actuation means for actuating said visual indicator means on said device and for allowing communication of data relating to said visual indicator means between said devices, and wherein said method includes a user of one of said devices actuating said visual indicator means to indicate to a further user of said devices their current status and/or condition.

Preferably the first user, on receipt of a visual indication from the further user, confirms receipt and/or their status and/or condition using the user actuation means on the device to the further user.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: S... * S S...

Figure 1 is a simplified view of a communication device * according to one embodiment of the present invention; *..

:.:::. Figure 2 is a table showing how different sequences of lights of the device in figure 1 can communicate different types of data to a user.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a communication device 2 for use with a similar device to form a system. The devices 2 in this example are used by climbing partners to allow each person to signal their climbing status to the other person without having to rely solely on voice signals or rope tugging signals. Each climber has a device and the devices can be clipped onto the climber or to the ec1uipment used by the climber.

Each device 2 includes a housing 4 which is typically of small enough dimensions so as to be easily carried and handled by a climber. The housing has user actuation means in the form of a depressable button 6, a first set of visual indicator means 8 and a second set of visual indicator means 10. The different sets of visual indicator means are typically provided on the same face of the housing but could be provided on different faces/walls if required. More particularly, the first set of visual indicator means 8 includes a red LED 12 and a green LED 14 and the second set of visual indicator means 10 includes a red LED 16 and a green LED 18. The green LEDs typically indicate safety and the red LEDs typically indicate danger. The first set of indicators 8 relate to the user of the system and the second set of indicators correspond to the other user of the system. Text and/or instructions can be provided on the housing to allow a :. user to know which LEDs relate to which user. Thus, the first set of indicators 8 display the status of the user of the first *SS.

device and the second set of indicators 10 display the status of another user of a further device of the system on the first device.

Different colour, sequences and/or numbers of lights could be * *. used to communicate similar or other suitable information.

Other forms of visual indicators could also be used and said indicators are typically of such a form that they can be easily viewed in bad weather.

The device also includes transmitter means (not shown) for transmitting a signal via radio waves to another device of the system, receiver means (not shown) for receiving a signal via radio waves from another device of the system, and processing means for processing said signals and adjusting the operational status of the LEDs 12, 14, 16, 18 accordingly.

In use, depression of button 6 causes different illumination patterns of the LEDs 12, 14, 16, 18. A single button is provided in this embodiment of the device to make the device as simple and as easy to use as possible, such as for example when used by climbers who may have gloves on and may have poor dexterity.

However, a plurality of buttons or user actuation means could be provided if required.

Ideally, the devices would be used in combination with a voice calling system but the devices can be relied upon solely where other forms of communication are impractical. Thus, for example, once the device has been set, the belaying climber can depress button 6 and shout to the lead climber "climb when ready". The lead climber can depress button 6 of their device and shout "climbing" as he starts to climb. The status of the :. user and the other user will be shown on each device, thereby allowing both users to know what the other user is doing and * **.

also to confirm their own position.

An example of possible lighting sequences of the green and red : ** LEDs for communicating different data is shown in figure 2.

Each climber A' and B' has communication device 2 and 102 respectively. The term "safe" as indicated by illumination of a green LED in this example relates to the position where the climber is safely fastened to the mountain independently of the other climber. The term "climbing" as indicated by illumination of a red LED in this example relates to the position where the climber is dependent on the other climber via the climbing rope for safety.

In the table in example 1, the green lights 20, 22 of unit 2 and 20', 22' of unit 102 are shown, both climbers of units A' and B' are therefore safe.

In example 2, climber B has pressed their button of device 102 to indicate they are safe and ready for their partner A' to climb.

This causes button 20' to flash on unit 102 and button 22 to flash on unit 2.

In example 3, climber A has pressed their button of device 2 to indicate they are ready to climb and red LED 24 of device 2 is illuminated and red LED 26' of device 102 is illuminated.

Climber B therefore protects climber A using their rope.

In example 4, climber A has now reached safety and pressed button of device 2 to indicate they are safe. Green light 20 on device 2 illuminates and green light 22' on device 102 illuminates.

In example 5, climber A presses their button of device 2 to indicate they are ready to be taken off belay (i.e. they pull the *.S.

slack of the tope in until it comes tight on climber B). This causes green LED 20 to flash on unit 2 and LED 22' to flash on unit 102. * I.

In example 6, climber A presses their button of device 2 again to indicate they are safe and green LEDs 20, 22 on device 2 and green LEDS 20', 22' on unit 102 are all lit.

In example 7, climber A presses their button of device 2 again to indicate they are ready for climber B to climb so green LED on device 2 and green LED 22' on device 102 start flashing.

In example 8, climber B presses their button of device 102 to indicate they are going to start climbing. This causes red button 26' on device 102 to illuminate and red button 24 on device 2 to illuminate.

A pre-determined sequence of button presses can be provided which result in a pre-determined sequence of illumination of the LEDs. If the button is pressed in such a manner so as to illuminate one or more of the lights out of sequence, all the LEDs can flash to indicate this to the users. The users of the system can then reset their devices accordingly.

The pair of devices 102, 2 can communicate over any suitable range, such as between 0-200m for example. The standard rope lengths are 50m and therefore the devices should allow adequate communication between the users. Each unit communicates a code which is recognised by the other unit.

:. Control means can be provided to move the devices between on and/or off conditions. S...

In a further example the present invention could be used by canoeists when descending rapids. For example, the lead paddler * would descend a section of the rapids and would signal by illuminating the green or red LED to signal "safe to descend" or : "get out and carry the canoe" respectively to their canoeing partner. Thus, the sequence of lights and the colour of lights could be adjusted to suit any suitable application to allow communication between two or parties.

The present invention has the advantage that it can be relied upon independently of any other form of communication between two or more users and therefore can be used in poor or adverse conditions where other forms of communication may not be appropriate. * S * *** **.* * * S... I. ** * . * * *

S

S * .. * . . I... S. S S S* S.

Claims

Claims: 1. A communication system, said system including two or more

communication devices capable of communicating with each other, each communication device including a housing having visual indicator means provided thereon and user actuation means for actuating said visual indicator means on said device and for allowing communication of data relating to said visual indicator means between said devices.
2. A communication system according to claim I wherein each communication device includes at least two sets of visual indicator means; a first set of visual indicator means corresponding to the status of the device, and a second set of visual indicator means corresponding to the state of a further communication device in said system.
3. A communication system according to claim 2 wherein the first set of visual indicator means corresponds to the status of the user of the device and the second set of visual indicator means corresponds to the status of a further user of the further device. * * *.*.
4. A communication system according to claim I wherein the visual indicator means includes any or any combination of one or more lights, LEDs, characters, symbols, numbers or text. * ** * * *

*..:
5. A communication system according to claim 4 wherein the one or more lights are arranged such that different colours, sequences, numbers and/or flashing sequences of the lights indicate different statuses and/or conditions relating to the users of the devices.
6. A communication system according to claim I wherein audio and/or kinaesthetic indicator means are also associated with said devices.
7. A communication system according to claim I wherein the devices are typically located remotely in use and rely on wireless communication means.
8. A communication system according to claim 7 wherein the communication means includes radio waves.
9. A communication system according to claim I wherein each device includes transmission means, receiver means and/or transceiver means.
10. A communication system according to claim 7 wherein code means are associated with the signals transmitted via said communication means, said code means being unique to each device and/or devices in said system.

:.
11. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein the user actuation means includes any or any combination of one or more buttons, dials, switches or levers.

S S..

*
12. A communication system according to claim 2 wherein different user actuation means are associated with the different sets of visual indicator means.
13. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein the communication devices are battery powered.
14. A communication system according to claim I wherein each communication device includes processing means for processing transmitted and/or received signals and for adjusting the visual indicator means accordingly.
15. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein each communication device includes attachment means for attaching the device to a user or object.
16. A communication system according to claim 15 wherein the attachment means includes one or more ties, straps, buckles, belts and/or hook and loop fastening.
17. A communication system according to claim I wherein at least two different coloured visual indicator means are provided on the device, one colour to indicate a positive status, condition and/or situation and a different colour to indicate a negative status, condition and/or situation.
18. A communication system according to claim I wherein actuation of the user actuation means a different :. number of times and/or for a different length of time changes the condition of the visual indicator means of a device. * * I * *

*.
19. A communication system according to claim I : wherein control means are provided on each device to move the device between an on condition and an off I. * S. condition.

20. A communication device for use in the system according to claim 1.

21. A method of using a communication system, said system including two or more communication devices capable of communicating with each other, each communication device including a housing having visual indicator means provided thereon and user actuation means for actuating said visual indicator means on said device and for allowing communication of data relating to said visual indicator means between said devices, and wherein said method includes a user of one of said devices actuating said visual indicator means to indicate to a further user of said devices their current status and/or condition.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the first user, on receipt of a visual indication from the further user, confirms receipt and/or their status and/or condition using the user actuation means to the further user. * * * *** ***. * * **S. ** SS * * a * a * I.. a * a. * * * ***. *. S * S S * *.