Life-saving terminal and control method thereof

Abstract

The application is suitable for the technical field of lifesaving equipment, and provides a lifesaving terminal and a control method thereof. The lifesaving terminal comprises a key switch, a water contact switch, a switch tube, a battery unit, a positioning unit, an indicator lamp, a control unit and a signal transmitting unit. After the key switch or the water contact switch is triggered, the switch tube is turned on, so that the battery unit supplies power to the control unit. The control unit controls the battery unit to supply power to the positioning unit and the indicator lamp, so that the positioning unit and the indicator lamp start working. The positioning unit acquires current position information and sends the current position information to the control unit. The control unit controls the battery unit to supply power to the signal transmitting unit, so that the signal transmitting unit starts working. The control unit transmits the current position information through the signal transmitting unit. The application can greatly increase the working time and standby time of the lifesaving terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of lifesaving equipment technology, and in particular relates to lifesaving terminals and their control methods. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the fishing and transportation industries in coastal and riverine areas have developed rapidly, leading to a significant increase in the number of vessels of all types. When vessels collide, the probability of injury to cargo and personnel is extremely high, posing a significant risk. Therefore, ensuring safe production in the shipping industry is of great importance to protecting the lives and property of crew members and maintaining the efficiency of ship navigation. However, traditional lifesaving terminals generally have a short operating time. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the problems existing in related technologies, embodiments of this application provide a life-saving terminal and its control method.

[0004] This application is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a lifesaving terminal, including a push-button switch, a water-touch switch, a switch tube, a battery unit, a positioning unit, an indicator light, a control unit, and a signal transmitting unit. The battery unit supplies power to the positioning unit, the indicator light, the control unit, and the signal transmitting unit. The push-button switch and the water-touch switch are electrically connected to the battery unit through the switch tube, and the positioning unit, the indicator light, and the signal transmitting unit are connected to the control unit.

[0006] When the push-button switch or the water-touch switch is triggered, the switch tube is turned on, enabling the battery unit to power the control unit. The control unit then controls the battery unit to power the positioning unit and the indicator light, causing the positioning unit and the indicator light to turn on. The positioning unit acquires the current location information and sends it to the control unit. The control unit then controls the battery unit to power the signal transmitting unit, causing the signal transmitting unit to turn on. The control unit then transmits the current location information through the signal transmitting unit.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments, the battery unit includes a battery, a first voltage regulator module and a second voltage regulator module, wherein the battery is connected to the first voltage regulator module and the second voltage regulator module;

[0008] The enable terminal of the first voltage regulator module is connected to the switching transistor and the control unit respectively, and the output terminal of the first voltage regulator module is connected to the positioning unit, the indicator light and the control unit to supply power to the positioning unit, the indicator light and the control unit;

[0009] The enable terminal of the second voltage regulator module is connected to the control unit, and the output terminal of the second voltage regulator module is connected to the signal transmitting unit.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments, the switching transistor is a PMOS transistor, the drain of the PMOS transistor is connected to the enable terminal of the first voltage regulator module, the source is connected to the water-touch switch, and the gate is connected to the push-button switch.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first voltage regulator module is a 3.3V voltage regulator module, and the second voltage regulator module is a 5V voltage regulator module.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments, the signal transmitting unit includes an AIS transmitter and an AIS omnidirectional antenna, the input terminal of the AIS transmitter is connected to the output terminal of the control unit, and the output terminal of the AIS transmitter is connected to the AIS omnidirectional antenna.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments, the control unit encodes the current location information and time information collected by the positioning unit to obtain an AIS message, modulates the AIS message, and amplifies the modulated AIS message through a final-stage power amplifier matching circuit simulated by HFSS; the control unit sends the processed AIS message signal to the AIS transmitter, the AIS transmitter processes the AIS message signal sent by the control unit to obtain an AIS message signal to be transmitted with a power greater than a preset value, and transmits the AIS message signal to be transmitted through the AIS omnidirectional antenna.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments, the AIS omnidirectional antenna is spiral-shaped.

[0015] For example, the control unit can be a microcontroller.

[0016] In a second aspect, embodiments of this application provide a lifesaving terminal control method for controlling the lifesaving terminal described in any one of the first aspects, the method comprising:

[0017] When the push-button switch or water-touch switch is triggered, the switching transistor is turned on, and the battery unit supplies power to the control unit.

[0018] After the control unit is powered on, it controls the battery unit to supply power to the positioning unit, indicator lights and signal transmitting unit, so that the positioning unit, indicator lights and signal transmitting unit can be turned on and put into operation;

[0019] The positioning unit acquires the current location information and the current time information, and sends the current location information and the current time information to the control unit;

[0020] The control unit transmits the current location information and current time information through the signal transmitting unit.

[0021] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments, transmitting the current location information and current time information through the signal transmitting unit includes:

[0022] The current location information and current time information are encoded to obtain an AIS message, and the AIS message is modulated. The modulated AIS message is then amplified by the final stage power amplifier matching circuit simulated by HFSS, and the processed AIS message signal is sent to the signal transmission unit.

[0023] The signal transmitting unit processes the AIS message signal to obtain an AIS message signal to be transmitted with a power greater than the preset value, and then transmits the AIS message signal to be transmitted through the AIS omnidirectional antenna.

[0024] It is understandable that the beneficial effects of the second aspect mentioned above can be found in the relevant descriptions in the first aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the embodiments in this application compared with the prior art are:

[0026] In the aforementioned lifesaving terminal, when the push-button switch or water-touch switch is triggered, the switching transistor is turned on, allowing the battery unit to power the control unit. The control unit then controls the battery unit to power the positioning unit and indicator lights, enabling them to operate. Subsequently, the positioning unit acquires the current location information and sends it to the control unit. The control unit then controls the battery unit to power the signal transmitting unit, enabling it to operate. Next, the control unit transmits the current location information through the signal transmitting unit, thus disseminating the lifesaving terminal's current location information. Furthermore, all these units only begin operating after the push-button switch or water-touch switch is triggered; otherwise, they remain in a dormant standby state, significantly increasing the lifesaving terminal's standby and operational time.

[0027] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this specification. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a life-saving terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of the remaining terminal provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a life-saving terminal control method provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0032] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application may also be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of this application with unnecessary detail.

[0033] It should be understood that, when used in this application specification and the appended claims, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or a collection thereof.

[0034] It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0035] As used in this application specification and the appended claims, the term "if" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as "when," "once," "in response to determination," or "in response to detection." Similarly, the phrase "if determined" or "if detected [the described condition or event]" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as meaning "once determined," "in response to determination," "once detected [the described condition or event]," or "in response to detection [the described condition or event]."

[0036] Furthermore, in the description of this application and the appended claims, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0038] See Figure 1 This application provides a lifesaving terminal, including a push-button switch 11, a water-touch switch 12, a switch tube 20, a battery unit 30, a positioning unit 40, an indicator light 50, a control unit 60, and a signal transmitting unit 70. The battery unit 30 supplies power to the positioning unit 40, the indicator light 50, the control unit 60, and the signal transmitting unit 70; the push-button switch 11 and the water-touch switch 12 are electrically connected to the battery unit 30 through the switch tube 20, and the positioning unit 40, the indicator light 50, and the signal transmitting unit 70 are connected to the control unit 60.

[0039] When push-button switch 11 or water-touch switch 12 is triggered, switch tube 20 is turned on, allowing battery unit 30 to power control unit 60. Upon receiving power, control unit 60 controls battery unit 30 to power positioning unit 40 and indicator light 50, enabling them to operate. Positioning unit 40 acquires current location information and sends it to control unit 60. Control unit 60 then controls battery unit 30 to power signal transmitting unit 70, enabling it to operate. Control unit 60 then transmits the current location information through signal transmitting unit 70.

[0040] In the aforementioned lifesaving terminal, when the push-button switch 11 or the water-touch switch 12 is triggered, the switch tube 20 is turned on, allowing the battery unit 30 to power the control unit 60. The control unit 60 then controls the battery unit 30 to power the positioning unit 40 and the indicator light 50, enabling the positioning unit 40 and the indicator light 50 to operate. Subsequently, the positioning unit 40 acquires the current location information and sends it to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 then controls the battery unit 30 to power the signal transmitting unit 70, enabling the signal transmitting unit 70 to operate. Next, the control unit 60 transmits the current location information through the signal transmitting unit 70, thereby radiating the current location information of the lifesaving terminal outwards. Furthermore, all the above units can only operate after the push-button switch 11 or the water-touch switch 12 is triggered and under the control of the control unit 60. When the push-button switch 11 or the water-touch switch 12 is not triggered, they are in a dormant standby state, thus greatly increasing the standby and operating time of the lifesaving terminal.

[0041] See Figure 2 In some embodiments, for example, the battery unit 30 may include a battery 31, a first voltage regulator module 32, and a second voltage regulator module 33, with the battery 31 connected to both the first and second voltage regulator modules 32 and 33. The enable terminal of the first voltage regulator module 32 is connected to the switching transistor 20 and the control unit 60, respectively, and its output terminal is connected to the positioning unit 40, the indicator light 50, and the control unit 60, providing power to these components. The enable terminal of the second voltage regulator module 33 is connected to the control unit 60, and its output terminal is connected to the signal transmitting unit 70.

[0042] For example, the first voltage regulator module 32 can be a 3.3V voltage regulator module, and the second voltage regulator module 33 can be a 5V voltage regulator module.

[0043] For example, the switching transistor 20 can be a PMOS transistor, with the drain of the PMOS transistor connected to the enable terminal of the first voltage regulator module, the source connected to the water-touch switch, and the gate connected to the push-button switch.

[0044] For example, the positioning unit 40 can be a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, a BeiDou positioning device, or other positioning devices, without limitation.

[0045] For example, the signal transmitting unit 70 may include an AIS (Automatic Identification System) transmitter 71 and an AIS omnidirectional antenna 72. The input terminal of the AIS transmitter 70 is connected to the output terminal of the control unit 30, and the output terminal of the AIS transmitter 71 is connected to the AIS omnidirectional antenna 72.

[0046] For example, the AIS omnidirectional antenna 72 can be spiral-shaped. For this spiral design, a fixed clamp can be used for antenna winding, ensuring consistency in antenna structure and length. Due to the consistency of the wound antenna, it can be tested individually, reducing testing and adjustment costs.

[0047] In some embodiments, the control unit 60 encodes the current location information and corresponding time information collected by the positioning unit 40 to obtain an AIS message, modulates the AIS message, and amplifies the modulated AIS message through a final-stage power amplifier matching circuit simulated in HFSS. The control unit 60 sends the processed AIS message signal to the AIS transmitter 71. The AIS transmitter 71 processes the AIS message signal sent by the control unit 60 to obtain an AIS message signal to be transmitted with a power greater than a preset value, and transmits the AIS message signal to be transmitted through the AIS omnidirectional antenna 72.

[0048] For example, the control unit 60 can be a microcontroller.

[0049] Both push-button switch 11 and water-touch switch 12 are triggered by a low level, with level conversion performed by a PMOS transistor. The drain of the PMOS transistor is connected to the enable pin of the first voltage regulator module 32. The enable pin of the first voltage regulator module 32, controlled by the microcontroller, is also connected to its enable pin. Once the product comes into contact with water or the button triggers the switch, the microcontroller keeps the enable pin of the first voltage regulator module 32 working, and the product starts operating. This achieves an ultra-low power consumption design. The battery 31 can include three 3.3V, 850mAh disposable dry batteries, with a standby shutdown current as low as 2μA and a standby time of up to 5 years.

[0050] The AIS transmitter 71, simulated using HFSS, improves the efficiency of the final stage power amplifier to 80% by adjusting the matching circuit, reducing power consumption. Once operational, the product achieves one successful location hit per minute and sends eight AIS messages. Simultaneously, the indicator light flashes 50-70 times per minute, with a brightness exceeding 0.75 cd. Employing a low-power microcontroller, the static operating current is as low as 1mA. Theoretical calculations and actual testing show that the product's operating time can exceed 72 hours, and the indicator light 50 can operate for over 8 hours. The measured effective AIS range exceeds 4 nautical miles, facilitating rescue operations.

[0051] The specific working process of the lifesaving terminal is as follows: It uses three 850mA 3V disposable dry batteries connected in series, normally in standby mode with a standby current of less than 2μA. If the button switch 11 is pressed and held for a preset time (e.g., 3 seconds) or the water-touch switch 12 detects that the lifesaving terminal has been submerged in water for more than 9 seconds, the lifesaving terminal starts working. The microcontroller controls the indicator light 50 to flash continuously at a frequency of 50-70 times per minute with a brightness greater than 0.75cd for 8 hours. The microcontroller controls the GNSS receiver to perform high-precision positioning (positioning accuracy <2m). The initial positioning is a cold start positioning; after successful positioning in about 35 seconds, the latitude, longitude, and time information are transmitted to the microcontroller. The machine encodes the required information for the AIS message, such as latitude and longitude, time information, and MMSI code, according to international standards. Then, it uses SPI to control the dedicated modulation chip Si4463 to perform GMSK two-point modulation on the AIS message (Si4463 is a dedicated chip that can internally complete the signal modulation and amplification process). At this point, the output power is greater than 18dB. The signal is then amplified and output through the final stage power amplifier matching circuit simulated by HFSS, with a power amplifier gain greater than 16dB. After passing through the AIS transmitter 71, the output power is greater than 34dB. Finally, the signal is radiated omnidirectionally through the AIS omnidirectional antenna 72. If the machine is successfully rescued midway, it can be shut down and the location reported by pressing and holding the button switch 11 for a preset time (e.g., 3 seconds).

[0052] The aforementioned lifesaving terminal, through software and hardware design, can transmit AIS signals on 161.975MHz and 162.025MHz channels, with an effective range of more than 4 nautical miles, an AIS working time of more than 72 hours, an indicator light working time of more than 8 hours, and a standby time of 5 years, achieving an ultra-long validity period.

[0053] In addition, the push-button switch 11, water-touch switch 12, first voltage regulator module 32, second voltage regulator module 33, positioning unit 40, indicator light 50, control unit 60 and AIS transmitter 71 can be integrated on a small circuit board, and the battery 32 can be three 3.3V, 850mAh disposable dry batteries. The AIS omnidirectional antenna 72 is spiral-shaped. The battery 32 is located at the bottom of the circuit board, and the AIS omnidirectional antenna 72 can be horizontally set at the top of the circuit board, thereby realizing a small-sized rescue terminal.

[0054] Corresponding to the aforementioned lifesaving terminal, this application also provides a lifesaving terminal control method. See [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 The lifesaving terminal control method may include the following:

[0055] Step 301: The push-button switch or water-touch switch is triggered, the switch tube is turned on, and the battery unit supplies power to the control unit.

[0056] Step 302: After the control unit is powered on, it controls the battery unit to supply power to the positioning unit, indicator light and signal transmission unit, so that the positioning unit, indicator light and signal transmission unit can be turned on and put into operation.

[0057] Step 303: The positioning unit obtains the current location information and the current time information, and sends the current location information and the current time information to the control unit.

[0058] Step 304: The control unit transmits the current location information and current time information through the signal transmitting unit.

[0059] Specifically, the current location and time information can be encoded to obtain an AIS message, which is then modulated. The modulated AIS message is amplified using a final-stage power amplifier matching circuit simulated in HFSS, and the processed AIS message signal is sent to the signal transmission unit. The signal transmission unit processes the AIS message signal to obtain a pre-transmitted AIS message signal with a power greater than a preset value, and then transmits this pre-transmitted AIS message signal through the AIS omnidirectional antenna.

[0060] In the aforementioned lifesaving terminal control method, when the push-button switch or water-touch switch is triggered, the switching transistor is turned on, allowing the battery unit to power the control unit. The control unit then controls the battery unit to power the positioning unit and indicator lights, enabling them to operate. Subsequently, the positioning unit acquires the current location information and sends it to the control unit. The control unit then controls the battery unit to power the signal transmitting unit, enabling it to operate. Next, the control unit transmits the current location information through the signal transmitting unit, thus disseminating the lifesaving terminal's current location information. Furthermore, all these units only begin operation after the push-button switch or water-touch switch is triggered; when not triggered, they remain in a dormant standby state, significantly increasing the lifesaving terminal's standby and operating time.

[0061] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A life-saving terminal, characterized in that, The device includes a push-button switch, a water-touch switch, a switching transistor, a battery unit, a positioning unit, an indicator light, a control unit, and a signal transmitting unit. The battery unit powers the positioning unit, the indicator light, the control unit, and the signal transmitting unit. The push-button switch and the water-touch switch are electrically connected to the battery unit via the switching transistor. The positioning unit, the indicator light, and the signal transmitting unit are connected to the control unit. The battery unit includes a battery, a first voltage regulator module, and a second voltage regulator module. The battery is connected to both the first and second voltage regulator modules. The enable terminal of the first voltage regulator module is connected to both the switching transistor and the control unit. The output terminal of the first voltage regulator module is connected to the positioning unit, the indicator light, and the control unit, providing power to them. The enable terminal of the second voltage regulator module is connected to the control unit, and the output terminal of the second voltage regulator module is connected to the signal transmitting unit. When the push-button switch or the water-touch switch is triggered, the switch tube is turned on, enabling the battery unit to power the control unit. The control unit then controls the battery unit to power the positioning unit and the indicator light, causing the positioning unit and the indicator light to turn on. The positioning unit acquires the current location information and sends it to the control unit. The control unit then controls the battery unit to power the signal transmitting unit, causing the signal transmitting unit to turn on. The control unit then transmits the current location information through the signal transmitting unit.

2. The lifesaving terminal as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The switching transistor is a PMOS transistor. The drain of the PMOS transistor is connected to the enable terminal of the first voltage regulator module, the source is connected to the water-touch switch, and the gate is connected to the push-button switch.

3. The lifesaving terminal as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first voltage regulator module is a 3.3V voltage regulator module, and the second voltage regulator module is a 5V voltage regulator module.

4. The lifesaving terminal as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The signal transmitting unit includes an AIS transmitter and an AIS omnidirectional antenna. The input terminal of the AIS transmitter is connected to the output terminal of the control unit, and the output terminal of the AIS transmitter is connected to the AIS omnidirectional antenna.

5. The lifesaving terminal as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The control unit encodes the current location information and time information collected by the positioning unit to obtain an AIS message, modulates the AIS message, and amplifies the modulated AIS message through the final stage power amplifier matching circuit simulated by HFSS. The control unit sends the processed AIS message signal to the AIS transmitter. The AIS transmitter processes the AIS message signal sent by the control unit to obtain an AIS message signal to be transmitted with a power greater than a preset value, and then transmits the AIS message signal to be transmitted through the AIS omnidirectional antenna.

6. The lifesaving terminal as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The AIS omnidirectional antenna is spiral-shaped.

7. The lifesaving terminal as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The control unit is a microcontroller.

8. A method for controlling a lifesaving terminal, characterized in that, The method for controlling the lifesaving terminal as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 includes: When the push-button switch or water-touch switch is triggered, the switching transistor is turned on, and the battery unit supplies power to the control unit. After the control unit is powered on, it controls the battery unit to supply power to the positioning unit, indicator lights and signal transmitting unit, so that the positioning unit, indicator lights and signal transmitting unit can be turned on and put into operation; The positioning unit acquires the current location information and the current time information, and sends the current location information and the current time information to the control unit; The control unit transmits the current location and time information through the signal transmitting unit.

9. The lifesaving terminal control method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The step of transmitting the current location information and current time information through the signal transmitting unit includes: The current location information and current time information are encoded to obtain an AIS message, and the AIS message is modulated. The modulated AIS message is then amplified by the final stage power amplifier matching circuit simulated by HFSS, and the processed AIS message signal is sent to the signal transmission unit. The signal transmitting unit processes the AIS message signal to obtain an AIS message signal to be transmitted with a power greater than the preset value, and then transmits the AIS message signal to be transmitted through the AIS omnidirectional antenna.

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