Navigation and / or monitoring equipment

Abstract

Navigation and / or monitoring equipment (1) for an equipment carrier, comprising communication means (44) for exchanging data with an external unit, energy supply means (3) for providing energy to the receiving means (44) and / or control means (6), wherein it is designed to be flame-resistant, wherein stimulus generating means (2) are provided for generating direction-resolved somatosensory stimuli and transmitting them to the equipment carrier, characterized in that the stimulus generating means (2) are designed for direction-resolved transmission of the somatosensory stimuli in several horizontal planes to the equipment carrier in the intended use, wherein several stimulus generating means (2) are arranged in different planes in order to guide the equipment carrier also in a vertical direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to navigation and / or monitoring equipment for an equipment carrier according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising communication means for exchanging data with an external unit, energy supply means for providing energy to the receiving means and / or control means.

[0002] The present disclosure also relates to a system comprising at least two stimulus-generating means for generating somatosensory stimuli and transmitting them to the equipment carrier, navigation means for determining the location coordinates of the equipment carrier at a deployment site, receiving means for receiving signals, control means for controlling the stimulus-generating means and / or the navigation means, and energy supply means for providing energy to navigation and / or monitoring equipment comprising the stimulus-generating means, navigation means, receiving means and / or control means.

[0003] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a software-based application for controlling navigation and / or monitoring equipment, as well as for controlling systems consisting of at least two navigation and / or monitoring devices.

[0004] Navigation at the scene of an incident currently relies on verbal communication via headsets and radios. Monitoring of equipment carriers during operations is not possible, which continues to be a disadvantage for the equipment carriers.

[0005] The means of communication currently used at the scene of an incident are prone to errors and add extra weight.

[0006] From DE 10 2016 106 409 A1, an adaptive tactile information transmission device is known, comprising at least one tactile actuator for generating a tactile stimulus, a control unit (14), and a feedback unit. Furthermore, a portable tactile guidance device and a method for generating a modified tactile stimulus are known from the publication.

[0007] The international patent application WO 2007 / 105937A1 discloses a tactile device, a navigation device and a system comprising such a tactile device and such a navigation device.

[0008] A wearable object, namely a protective glove with a sensor device for at least one physical property and with evaluation electronics that converts the sensor signals into radio signals, is known from DE 10 2010 027 405 A1. A communication network between several objects worn by different people is also known from this document.

[0009] Against this background, the present invention is based on the objective of providing navigation and / or monitoring equipment for an equipment carrier, comprising receiving means for receiving signals and power supply means for providing power to the receiving means and / or control means, which is heat-resistant, less prone to failure and easier to handle, and enables monitoring of the equipment carrier.

[0010] With regard to navigation and / or monitoring equipment, this problem is solved by equipment of the type mentioned above with the additional features of the characterizing part of claim 1, which is designed to be flame-retardant. This enables the wearer of the equipment to carry the navigation and / or monitoring equipment in locations with high heat levels and thus ensure the coordinated execution of the operation.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the navigation and / or monitoring equipment according to the invention, measuring devices are provided for determining at least one vital parameter of the equipment wearer and / or at least one environmental parameter. The detailed information about the equipment wearer's physical condition enables monitoring of vital parameters such as heart rate and body temperature, thus minimizing the risk of overheating or other health problems for the equipment wearer. At the deployment site, particularly during interior firefighting, the equipment wearer is exposed to the risk of overheating. This can influence the equipment wearer's self-assessment regarding their limits, potentially leading to misjudgments, incorrect decisions, and ultimately, hazards.This risk due to inaccurate self-assessment is minimized by using equipment of the type mentioned above. Furthermore, monitoring the ambient temperature ensures that the wearer of the equipment stays away from areas with particularly high temperatures, and allows other wearers of the equipment to be informed of dangerously high temperatures.

[0012] The navigation and / or monitoring equipment according to the invention includes stimulus generation means for producing somatosensory stimuli and transmitting them to the equipment wearer. This enables targeted navigation of the equipment wearers at the deployment site without the need for them to carry additional equipment such as radios or headsets. Communication is nonverbal, solely through the transmission of somatosensory stimuli, such as vibrations in a defined sequence or according to a specific pattern. This allows for safe and simple coordination of the equipment wearers at the deployment site.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment of the navigation and / or monitoring equipment is designed as a belt. This allows the existing rescue belt system of the equipment wearers to be used and only needs to be expanded with the components according to the invention, resulting in cost savings. Furthermore, the elimination of superfluous equipment such as radios or headsets reduces the weight that the equipment wearers have to carry at the deployment site. In addition, it enables better spatial orientation for the equipment wearers.

[0014] According to the navigation and / or monitoring equipment according to the invention, the stimulus generation means are designed, in their intended use, to transmit somatosensory stimuli with direction resolution to the wearer in one or more horizontal planes. This makes it possible to navigate the wearer easily at the deployment site without verbal communication and to facilitate their orientation, for example, by transmitting specific vibration patterns to the wearer. This ensures time savings in the search for affected persons, which significantly increases the chances of survival. Within the scope of the invention, several stimulus generation means can also be arranged in different planes to guide the wearer in a vertical direction as well.

[0015] An advantageous design of the navigation and / or monitoring equipment provides that at least one outer layer and / or one inner layer and / or one middle layer includes a connecting element for joining the outer layer to the inner layer and / or the middle layer. This allows any number of functions to be combined in a single piece of equipment and adapted to the specific application.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the navigation and / or monitoring equipment according to the invention, stimulus generation means and / or navigation means and / or receiving means and / or energy supply means and / or control means and / or measuring means for determining at least one vital parameter and / or at least one environmental parameter are arranged on the outer layer and / or the inner layer and / or the middle layer. This allows for a modular and compact design, and the functions of the individual layers can be combined in a single piece of equipment. It is not necessary to wear separate equipment for each individual function, which results in a reduction in weight.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the navigation and / or monitoring equipment according to the invention, the outer layer and / or the inner layer and / or the middle layer are designed for reversible connection to one another, e.g., by means of a hook-and-loop fastener, a seam, a button placket, or a zipper. This allows the functions of the elements from the individual layers to be combined in a single piece of equipment. This results in a reduction in the equipment's weight. Such a combination of the individual layers is simple and cost-effective to manufacture. Furthermore, the layers can be integrated into existing protective equipment such as a vest and / or jacket. This leads to lower manufacturing costs.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the navigation and / or monitoring equipment, a storage medium is provided for storing the recorded vital parameters and / or location coordinates. This enables highly accurate location tracking of the equipment carriers, allowing for more efficient coordination of the entire operation. Storing the vital parameters and location coordinates facilitates documentation of the operation, providing data for improved planning of future missions. Using stored location coordinates, areas where searches for missing persons have already been conducted can be identified and mapped. This avoids time-consuming multiple searches in the same area, leading to more efficient searches and faster response times for the equipment carriers. Equipment carriers can be, for example, people or animals, such as rescue dogs.Overall, this leads to a better chance of survival for affected individuals at the scene of the incident.

[0019] The disclosure also relates to a system in which at least one of the navigation and / or monitoring equipment is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 8. By using such a system for a team of equipment carriers, the entire operation can be better monitored and controlled. This reduces the risk for each individual equipment carrier and thus makes the entire team more efficient, leading to a more effective rescue operation.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the disclosed system, the control means of a first piece of equipment are configured to control the stimulus-generating means of at least a second piece of equipment, preferably by means of a wireless data transmission method. This enables communication between the equipment users, leading to better orientation at the deployment site and faster and more efficient navigation. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or GPS, for example, are conceivable means of communication. Furthermore, this avoids the need to search areas multiple times or to have multiple equipment users visit areas that pose certain hazards. This reduces the overall risk of the operation.Each navigation and / or monitoring piece of equipment in the system and the central communication unit are designed as redundant systems, so that maximum safety can be ensured during an operation.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the disclosed system, a central communication unit is further provided for sending and / or receiving signals to the signal generation devices and / or the navigation devices and / or for visualizing site-specific map data. This makes it possible to review the operation before arrival and, if necessary, to plan the course of action. Furthermore, the operation can be controlled remotely via the central communication unit, for example, using a tablet, without the command center having to enter a hazardous area. The central communication unit also enables interactive positioning of the equipment carriers.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the disclosed system, the deployment-specific map data is provided as a digital data set. This allows information about the deployment location to be retrieved before arrival, the operation to be planned in advance, and the time required to begin searching for potentially affected persons is significantly reduced. This time saving, in turn, increases the victims' chances of survival. Danger zones can be identified before arrival at the deployment location, and navigation by equipment carriers into such danger zones can be avoided from the outset, which overall leads to increased safety for the equipment carriers.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the disclosed system, it is further provided that the central communication unit is designed for controlling, coordinating, and / or interactively positioning at least one equipment carrier. This ensures that the equipment carriers can be better coordinated and that the operator of the central communication unit, for example, in the command center without direct access to the deployment site, can coordinate and monitor operations remotely.

[0024] Regarding the software-based application, the disclosure relates to a software-based application designed to communicate with at least one navigation and / or monitoring device and / or with a system of navigation and / or monitoring devices and a central communication unit. This enables the equipment carriers to navigate across the entire operational area and coordinate with each other. This simplifies the overall execution of an operation. Furthermore, it ensures non-verbal communication between the equipment carriers and the operator of the central communication unit, for example, in the command center.

[0025] An advantageous embodiment of the disclosed software-based application is designed to visualize and / or provide recorded vital parameters of a wearer of equipment and / or location coordinates and / or deployment-specific map data. This provides detailed information about the wearer's physical condition, enabling them to be monitored safely and, if necessary, navigated out of certain areas to protect themselves, for example, from excessive heat exposure. This minimizes the risk of heat-related injuries to the wearers. Furthermore, the wearers can be located very precisely and navigated at the deployment site.

[0026] An advantageous embodiment of the disclosed software-based application is designed to control and / or regulate navigation and / or monitoring equipment and / or to control and / or regulate a system comprising navigation and / or monitoring equipment and a central communication unit. This allows the operator of the central communication unit to navigate the equipment carriers in a targeted manner, taking into account the conditions at the deployment site, and to coordinate the entire operation, thereby saving time in the search for victims and thus increasing their chances of survival. Furthermore, this increases the search radius.

[0027] The invention is described in a preferred embodiment by way of example with reference to a drawing, further advantageous details of which can be seen in the figures of the drawing.

[0028] Functionally identical parts are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0029] The figures in the drawing show, in detail: Fig. 1: Navigation and / or monitoring equipment in the form of a belt with various functional elements; Fig. 2: an enlargement of the rotary knob on the lock of a navigation and / or surveillance equipment in the form of a gear lock; Fig. 3: Navigation and / or monitoring equipment in the form of a belt with Velcro fasteners; Fig. 4: the areas of varying flexibility of a navigation and / or monitoring equipment in the form of a belt; Fig. 5: navigation and / or monitoring equipment in the form of a belt in both the open and closed positions; Fig. 6: a top view of navigation and / or surveillance equipment in the shape of a belt; Fig. 7: a layered setup of navigation and / or monitoring equipment; Fig. 8: a cross-section through the layers of navigation and / or monitoring equipment; Fig. 9: an enlargement of the rotary and / or push button as a locking device for navigation and / or surveillance equipment; Fig. 10: an enlargement of the locking system; Fig. 11: a cross-section through a rotary and / or push button used as a locking device for navigation and / or surveillance equipment, as well as a frontal view; Fig. 12: a top view of the rotary and / or push button as a locking device for navigation and / or monitoring equipment; Fig. 13: a system consisting of several navigation and / or monitoring devices and a central communication unit. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of navigation and / or monitoring equipment in the form of a belt 1, showing the arrangement of vibration modules 2 for generating somatosensory stimuli in conjunction with a battery and / or accumulator 3 for providing energy to the vibration modules 2 and a pulse and / or temperature measuring sensor 4. Fig. Figure 1 shows that the vibration modules 2 and / or pulse and / or temperature sensors 4 are arranged along the entire length of the belt 1, so that in its intended use, particularly when worn on the body of a living being such as a firefighter and / or rescue dog, they completely encircle the belt, thus establishing contact with the body of the firefighter and / or rescue dog. For example, four pulse and / or temperature sensors 4 are arranged along the length of a belt 1, so that vital parameters can be determined at different locations on the body of the firefighter and / or rescue dog.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 also shows the connection of individual components via flexible power and / or data cables 5. This ensures a connection between the vibration modules 2, the battery and / or accumulator 3, the pulse and / or temperature sensors 4, and the control means 6 for controlling the vibration modules 2 and / or GPS transmitters and / or receivers 7, enabling data exchange and / or power supply.

[0031] The in Fig. The illustrated embodiment of navigation and / or surveillance equipment in the form of a belt 1 has a fastening system designed as a gear fastener 8. The belt 1 is fastened and thus attached to the equipment carrier via a rotary and / or push button 9 as a gear counterpart.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the rotary knob 9 used to close the gear-type fastener on a navigation and / or monitoring device 1 in the form of a belt. The size of the navigation and / or monitoring device 1 can be adjusted via the gear 10 inside the rotary and / or push button 9.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows a navigation and / or monitoring equipment 1 with a hook and loop fastener system 11, 12 as a durable and reversible quick-release fastener system with a hook and loop fastener piece 11 and a hook and loop counterpart piece 12.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 shows an inflexible area 20 of a belt 1, which remains free for an insertable fastening strap. The insertion opening for a fastening strap is located between 0° and 45° on the belt 1.

[0035] In area 21, from 45° to 270°, belt 1 is designed to be flexible, allowing it to adapt optimally to the firefighter and / or rescue dog, ensuring that the elements on belt 1 are in contact with the firefighter and / or rescue dog. Area 22, from 270° to 375°, is inflexible; this area 22 is free for a tensioned inner belt.

[0036] Fig. Figure 5 shows a navigation and / or monitoring device in the form of a belt 1 with a hook-and-loop fastener 11 and a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener 12 for fastening the belt 1. The navigation and / or monitoring device 1, as an open belt 30, can be worn around the firefighter and / or rescue dog. The navigation and / or monitoring device 1, as a closed belt 31, serves to connect the pulse and / or temperature sensors 4 to the firefighter and / or rescue dog.

[0037] Fig. Figure 6 shows a navigation and / or monitoring equipment 1 as a closed belt 31 in top view, making it clear that the pulse and / or temperature measuring sensors 4 have a contact point in every direction of the firefighter and / or rescue dog in the horizontal plane.

[0038] Fig. Figure 7 shows a layered structure of a navigation and / or monitoring equipment 1 with an outer layer 40, a middle layer 41 and an inner layer 42, on each of which the vibration modules 2 and / or GPS transmitters and / or receivers 7 and / or receiving means 44 and / or control means 6 and / or batteries and / or accumulators 3 are arranged. Fig. 7 is located on the inner layer 42, where a pulse and / or temperature sensor 4 is arranged. It is also conceivable to place a sensor for measuring the ambient temperature at this location. On each individual fabric layer, devices with different functions are arranged, for example, sewn on.

[0039] Fig. Figure 7 shows the arrangement of power and / or data cables 5 on the middle layer 41. The power and / or data cables 5 are designed to be flexible, so that the belt 1 can be fully connected to the firefighter and / or rescue dog. Figure 7 further shows... Fig. 7, that the power and / or data cables 5 connect the individual vibration modules 2 to each other. The vibration modules 2 are arranged in rows on the middle layer 41. At least three rows of vibration modules 2 are arranged on each layer. The pulse and / or temperature sensors 4 on the inner layer 42 are also connected via the power and / or data cables 5.

[0040] Fig. Figure 7 shows the arrangement of the control means 6 and / or a battery and / or a rechargeable battery 3 on the outer layer 40, which are connected via flexible power and / or data cables 5. The layers are fabric layers. At the top and bottom of each layer, a seam 43, a zipper, a button placket, or a hook-and-loop fastener is attached, by means of which the individual layers can be connected to each other.

[0041] Fig. Figure 8 shows a cross-section through the layers of the navigation and / or monitoring equipment 1. Batteries and / or accumulators 3 and / or GPS transmitters and / or receivers 7 and / or receiving devices 44 and / or control devices 6 are arranged on the outer layer 40. As shown in Figure 8, the following information is also available: Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8, the vibration modules 2 are arranged over at least three rows and extend over the entire length of the belt 1. The navigation and / or monitoring equipment 1 consists of a flexible, in particular flame-resistant, fabric.

[0042] Fig. Figure 9 shows an enlargement of the rotary and / or snap fastener 9 as a fastening means for a belt 1.

[0043] Fig. Figure 10 shows an enlargement of the locking system, which is designed as a gear lock 8 with a toothing 70. The locking system is integrated into the navigation and / or surveillance equipment 1.

[0044] Fig. Figure 11 shows a cross-section through a rotary and / or push button 9 as a fastening means for navigation and / or monitoring equipment 1 with a gear 60 for regulating the width of the belt 1 in its intended use, arranged on a firefighter and / or rescue dog. Furthermore, it shows Fig. 11 a front view of a rotary and / or push button 9 as a locking device for navigation and / or surveillance equipment 1.

[0045] Fig. Figure 12 shows a top view of the rotary and / or push button 9 as a locking means for a navigation and / or monitoring equipment 1 with a toothing 70.

[0046] Fig. Figure 13 shows a system consisting of several navigation and / or monitoring devices 1 and a Tablet 80 as a central communication unit. Based on the Fig.13 makes it clear that bidirectional data exchange 81 is possible between the individual navigation and / or monitoring equipment 1 and that bidirectional data exchange 81 also takes place between these and the tablet 80. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 belt 2 vibration modules 3. Battery and / or rechargeable battery 4 pulse and / or temperature measurement sensors 5 power and / or data cables 6 Control devices 7 GPS transmitters and / or receivers 8 gear lock 9 Rotary and / or push button 10 gear 11 Velcro pieces 12 Velcro counterparts 20 inflexible area 21 Range from 45° to 270° 22 Range from 270° to 375° 30 open belt 31 closed belt 40 outer layer 41 Middle class 42 inner layer 43 seam 44 Receiving devices 60 gear 70 toothing 80 Tablet 81 bidirectional data exchange

Claims

[1] Navigation and / or monitoring equipment (1) for an equipment carrier, comprising communication means (44) for exchanging data with an external unit, power supply means (3) for providing power to the receiving means (44) and / or control means (6), wherein it is designed to be flame-resistant, wherein stimulus generation means (2) are provided for generating direction-resolved somatosensory stimuli and transmitting them to the equipment carrier, characterized by , that the stimulus-generating means (2) are designed for the direction-resolved transmission of somatosensory stimuli to the equipment carrier in several horizontal planes when used as intended, wherein several stimulus-generating means (2) are arranged in different planes in order to guide the equipment carrier also in a vertical direction. [2] Equipment according to claim 1, characterized by, that measuring equipment (4) is provided for determining at least one vital parameter of the equipment wearer and / or at least one environmental parameter. [3] Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that navigational means (7) are provided for determining the location coordinates of the equipment carrier at an operational location. [4] Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that control means (6) are provided for controlling the stimulus-generating means (2) and / or the navigation means (7). [5] Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an outer layer (40) and / or an inner layer (42) and / or at least a middle layer (41) with connecting means (43) for connecting the outer layer (40) to the inner layer (42) and / or the middle layer (41) is provided. [6] Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that on the outer layer (40) and / or on the inner layer (42) and / or on the middle layer (41) stimulus generating means (2) and / or navigation means (7) and / or receiving means (44) and / or energy supply means (3) and / or control means (6) and / or measuring means (4) for determining at least one vital parameter and / or at least one environmental parameter are arranged. [7] Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it is designed as a belt (1). [8] Equipment according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that a storage medium is provided for storing the recorded vital parameters and / or the recorded environmental parameters and / or the location coordinates.

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