Procedures for providing emergency assistance to people in need through first responder measures prior to the arrival of emergency services.

Abstract

A procedure is provided for providing emergency assistance to persons in need through first responder measures before the arrival of rescue services. In the event that a person in need is reported to an emergency dispatch center, the dispatch center, in addition to requesting rescue services, requests a first responder who can reach the person in need faster than the rescue services. This procedure is characterized by identifying a person with medical knowledge who is in the vicinity of the person in need and is registered with the dispatch center as a first responder. If such a person is identified, this person is requested, and / or an aid for treating the person in need is identified in the vicinity, and the provision of this aid is requested.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of providing emergency assistance to persons before the arrival of rescue personnel through first responder measures.

[0002] Modern vehicles feature human-machine interfaces for communication between the vehicle and its occupants, as well as navigation systems. Many vehicles also already have internet access and / or mobile network connectivity. Furthermore, numerous comfort features are already implemented, executing functions based on a user profile stored in the vehicle for one or more occupants. For example, a seat position can be saved for a specific user. Due to the trend toward at least semi-autonomous driving, a variety of sensors are also present in the vehicle, for example, to provide environmental awareness and to monitor the condition of the occupant(s).

[0003] Vehicles capable of monitoring the health of the driver or a passenger are already known from the prior art. For example, US patent 2021 / 0016781 A1 discloses a vehicle that, in an emergency—that is, when the driver is no longer fit to drive—switches to autonomous driving mode and drives to the nearest hospital. It can communicate with traffic infrastructure to ensure the roadway is cleared as much as possible. It can also emit acoustic and visual signals, similar to an ambulance, to attract attention.

[0004] From DE 10 2020 204 267 A1, it is known that a driver's medical emergency is detected by a motor vehicle's emergency detection system, triggering appropriate measures such as adjusting the vehicle seat to a more comfortable position, loosening the seatbelt, supplying fresh air and heat, initiating CPR using the driver's seatbelt, and / or administering medication, for example, via the ventilation system. Furthermore, it is provided that the vehicle makes an emergency call and / or autonomously drives to the side of the road.

[0005] Not only in the case of a medical emergency inside a vehicle is there a gap between an emergency call being made and the arrival of emergency services. This gap can be shortened by the use of first responders. One object of the invention is to provide an improved system for requesting first responders in order to shorten this gap.

[0006] This task is solved by the features of independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

[0007] A procedure is provided for providing emergency assistance to persons in need through first responder measures before the arrival of rescue services. In the event that a person in need is reported to an emergency control center, the control center, in addition to requesting rescue services, requests a first responder who can reach the person in need faster than the rescue services. This procedure is characterized by identifying a person with medical knowledge who is in the vicinity of the person in need and is registered with the control center as a first responder. If such a person is identified, this person is requested, and / or by identifying a medical aid located in the vicinity of the person in need for the treatment of the person in need and requesting the provision of this aid.

[0008] One implementation provides that a user profile of persons registered as first responders is stored in a user profile of a vehicle belonging to the persons registered as first responders, and that the current position of the person registered as a first responder can be retrieved by the rescue control center or transmitted to the rescue control center.

[0009] One implementation provides that the person registered as a first responder can accept or reject the request from the emergency control center, whereby, if they accept the request, the route to the person in need of assistance is transmitted to a mobile device and / or a vehicle of the person registered as a first responder.

[0010] In one version, the aid is provided for to be an AED and / or an oxygen cylinder.

[0011] In one embodiment, the aid is provided for by a means of transport, comprising a car, a two-wheeler, a vehicle not used for transporting persons, a drone, or a passerby, to the person in need of assistance.

[0012] In one version, it is provided that the means of transport, if it is not a human being, moves semi-automatically, fully automatically or autonomously.

[0013] One version provides that the means of transport, if it is not a person, requests a traffic control system to clear the way to the person in need of assistance.

[0014] One version envisages requesting at least a partially automated, preferably autonomously driving vehicle as an aid to mark the person in need of assistance.

[0015] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures in the drawing, which shows details of the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can be implemented individually or in any combination in a variant of the invention.

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figure. Fig. Figure 1 shows important components for carrying out the method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] In the following figure description, identical elements or functions are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0018] Cardiac arrest (also known as a heart attack) is one of the most common causes of death because providing assistance during a heart attack is extremely time-critical. Emergency responders cannot always reach the scene quickly for a variety of reasons, especially if the distance from their location is significant. This is why first responders are so important. First responders are a group of volunteers with basic medical knowledge who are available to provide first aid and can be dispatched by an emergency dispatch center. Because these individuals are volunteers and therefore located in various locations, they can usually reach the scene of an emergency faster than professional paramedics.

[0019] The invention leads to improved requirements for first responders. In particular, it focuses on the first responder function of vehicles.

[0020] To achieve the goal, two measures are planned, which can be implemented individually or which complement each other.

[0021] As a first measure, it is planned that a user profile stored in a vehicle (6) or a mobile device will be supplemented with the information that the user is a first responder, i.e., a registered person (30) with medical knowledge, who can be contacted by an emergency services. Additionally, it is planned that the location of the person (30) will be tracked, either via their mobile device, via the vehicle (6) when they are inside (this can be detected using various functions), or via both.

[0022] In the event that an emergency, in particular a heart attack, is detected in another person (hereinafter referred to as person in need 2), the responsible emergency dispatch center 1 (after being called) is to check whether a person 30 registered as a first responder is in the vicinity of person 2, i.e., the location of the emergency. If so, person 30 registered as a first responder will be requested via emergency dispatch center 1.

[0023] Checking whether a person 30 registered as a first responder is in the vicinity of the person 2 in need of help can be done by the rescue control center 1 sending a signal to which, for example, an active app running on a mobile device of the person 30 registered as a first responder or in a vehicle 6 in which the person 30 registered as a first responder is located reacts and transmits its readiness to be requested as well as its current position.Alternatively, it may be provided that an active app on a mobile device of the person 30 registered as a first responder or in a vehicle 6 in which the person 30 registered as a first responder is located, continuously or at certain time intervals transmits their readiness to be requested and their current position to a nearby rescue control center 1 or a central rescue control center 1, so that the latter always has up-to-date information about available persons 30 registered as first responders and their current positions.

[0024] The request is advantageously made via a display on the HMI (human-machine interface) of vehicle 6 or the mobile device of person 30, who is registered as a first responder. The incoming request from emergency dispatch center 1 for a first responder is prioritized. This means that other functions are, for example, muted or hidden to display the request to person 30, who is registered as a first responder. Furthermore, it is provided that person 30, who is registered as a first responder, can accept the request, for example, by activating a corresponding field on the display.If the person 30 registered as a first responder has accepted the request from the rescue control center 1, the route to the person 2 in need of assistance will be transmitted to a mobile device of the person 30 registered as a first responder and / or a vehicle 6 in which the person 30 registered as a first responder is located.

[0025] As a second measure, it is planned that an aid 31 located in the vicinity of the person 2 in need of assistance will be requested. For this purpose, vehicles serving as means of transport 4, in particular non-private vehicles such as vans, taxis or public transport, can be equipped with aids 31 required for certain emergencies, e.g. an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and / or an oxygen cylinder. Vehicles 7 that do not carry a medical aid 31 such as an AED can also serve as aids 31 if they drive to the location of the emergency and mark the location audibly (e.g. horn) and / or visually (headlights on / flashing, etc.). This marks the location of the emergency and makes it easier to find the person 2 in need of assistance.

[0026] These vehicles 4 and 7 are also registered as first responders, and their position can be retrieved. It is particularly advantageous if vehicle 4 or 7 is an autonomous vehicle, as it can then drive itself to the emergency location. If there are passengers in vehicle 4 or 7, it is advisable to inform them about the emergency response.

[0027] In one embodiment, it is provided that a traffic guidance system 5, e.g. traffic lights, can be requested by the vehicle 4, 7 (as an aid); 6 (with the person 30 registered as a first responder in it) to make the way to the place of the emergency as clear as possible for the vehicle 4, 7; 6, i.e. e.g. to switch a “green wave”.

[0028] In an alternative configuration, the assistive device 31, like an AED or an oxygen cylinder, can also be located at a fixed point. In this case, the assistive device 31 can be equipped with a communication unit that, for example, announces that the assistive device 31 should be taken to a person in need of assistance 2. This can then be done by any passerby, who thus also becomes the means of transport 4.

[0029] A means of transport 4 for transporting the aid 31, or a vehicle 7 that itself serves as an aid 31, can therefore be a car, a two-wheeler, or a vehicle not used for transporting people, but also a drone. A means of transport 4 can also be a person if that person is used to transport the aid 31.

[0030] In all measures, it is important that the rescue control center 1 evaluates the available data regarding the position of the first responders, i.e. person 30 and aid 31, in such a way that only those first responders are requested where the time until the first responder (be it person 30 or aid 31) is at the place of the emergency is shorter than the time required by the (regular) rescue forces.

[0031] The first and second measures can each be carried out separately, so that either a person registered as a first responder (30) is requested, or only a piece of equipment (31) is requested. However, they can also be carried out together (preferably simultaneously), so that the piece of equipment (31) and the person registered as a first responder (30) are dispatched to the scene of the emergency, and the person registered as a first responder (30) then has the piece of equipment (31) at their disposal. If only the person registered as a first responder (30) is at the scene of the emergency, they can, due to their medical knowledge, care for the person in need (2) until the emergency services arrive.In the event that no person registered as a first responder 30 is nearby, but a first aid device 31 can be quickly brought to the scene of the emergency, this is done to provide the device 31 to a passerby who is present at the scene and able to help, but is not a person registered as a first responder 30. The device 31 may also be capable of providing instructions to a helpful person on how to use it, which is already the case with AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators). In this way, the time it takes for assistance to arrive, even by untrained individuals, can be reduced by using the device 31.

[0032] The proposed procedure allows persons registered as first responders 30, as well as aids 31 for the treatment of the person in need 2, to be brought to the scene of the emergency quickly - i.e. before the arrival of the rescue services - thus saving valuable time. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2021 / 0016781 A1

[0003] DE 10 2020 204 267 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Method for providing emergency assistance to persons in need (2) by means of first responder measures prior to the arrival of rescue services, wherein, in the event that a person in need (2) is reported to a rescue control center (1), the rescue control center (1) requests a first responder (30, 31) in addition to requesting rescue services, who can be at the person in need (2) faster than the rescue services, characterized by , that - an identification of a person (30) with medical knowledge who is in the vicinity of the person in need of assistance (2) and is registered as a first responder with the emergency control center, and if such a person (30) has been identified, a request is made for this person (30), and / or - an identification of an aid (31) located in the vicinity of the person in need of assistance (2) for the treatment of the person in need of assistance (2), as well as a request for the provision of the aid (31). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein a user profile of persons (30) registered as first responders is stored in a user profile of a vehicle (6) of the persons (30) registered as first responders and the current position of the person (30) registered as first responder is available from the rescue control center (1) or is transmitted to the rescue control center (1). [3] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the person (30) registered as a first responder can accept or reject the request from the rescue control center (1), wherein, in the event that the request is accepted, the route to the person in need of assistance (2) is transmitted to a mobile terminal and / or a vehicle (6) of the person (30) registered as a first responder. [4] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the auxiliary device (31) is an AED and / or an oxygen cylinder. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the aid (31) is transported to the person in need of assistance (2) by means of transport (4), comprising a motor vehicle, a two-wheeler, a vehicle not intended for the transport of persons, a drone, or a passerby. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein the means of transport (4), if it is not a human being, moves semi-automatically, fully automatically or autonomously. [7] Method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the means of transport (4), if it is not a person, requests a traffic control system (5) to clear the way to the person in need of assistance (2). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an at least partially automated, preferably autonomously driving vehicle (6) is requested as an aid (30) to mark the person (2) in need of assistance.

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