Remote monitoring system for bathers

Abstract

A remote monitoring system (1) for bathers, comprising at least one portable device (2) wearable by the bather, at least one gateway device (3) and a server (4), wherein the portable device (2) comprises a microprocessor control unit (5) provided with an internal clock (6) and connected to the gateway device (3) via connection means (7). The microprocessor control unit (5) is configured to send a data packet (9) via the gateway device (3) to the server (4) at intervals predetermined by the internal clock (6), and a software code (10) is installed in the server (4), the software code (10) being provided with a counter (11) configured to reset each time the server (4) receives the data packet (9). The software code (10) is configured to generate at least one alarm signal (12) when the counter (11) exceeds a predetermined value corresponding to an assigned safety time threshold (T).

Description

REMOTE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR BATHERS DESCRIPTIONField of the application

[0001] The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of warning and / or alarm systems and relates in particular to a remote monitoring system for bathers.Background art

[0002] In the technical field of warning and / or alarm systems, the use of portable devices configured to emit an alarm or signal a dangerous situation when a user wearing them needs to be rescued has been known for some time.

[0003] Generally, the emission of the alarm can be triggered directly by the user who is in a perilous situation via the activation of buttons or switches located on the outside of the portable device.

[0004] Alternatively, the portable device can comprise one or more sensors in contact with the user's skin and configured to monitor the user's vital parameters and provide a resulting alarm or danger signal.

[0005] Typically, the portable device is designed to communicate with a remote terminal or with a fixed station, which is supervised by at least one lifeguard and which is designed to detect the signal and / or alarm in order to notify the lifeguard to intervene and / or help the user in distress.

[0006] An example of such known warning system is described in CN105243792. The system involves an underwater wristband comprising a microprocessor control unit connected to a wireless communication module, an underwater pressure sensor, a heart rate monitor, a timer and an alarm.

[0007] In this type of known system, the control unit is configured to monitor the user's pulse and to combine it with data received from the pressure sensor and the timer so as to determine the underwater conditions of the human body.

[0008] If the detected parameters are outside a predetermined range, the control unit triggers the alarm, which comprises a vibrating module and warning lights designed to alert the user of the danger.

[0009] In addition, the microprocessor control unit is designed to send, viathe wireless module, the detected parameters and the alarm signal to a remote terminal, which can be a PC, a tablet or some other similar electronic device.

[0010] CN104524747 also describes a warning and / or alarm system configured to emit an alarm or signal a dangerous situation when the user wearing an underwater wristband is in an emergency situation in a swimming pool.

[0011] In this type of known system, the wristband comprises an environment sensor, a user motion sensor, a sensor designed to detect the physical parameters of the user, a wireless transmission module and an intelligent reminder module configured to analyse the sensor data and send an alarm signal to the user if there are values outside a predetermined range.

[0012] In addition, the system comprises a plurality of wireless sensors located in the vicinity of the pool designed to receive the signals emitted by the wireless transmission modules of each wristband and send them to an intelligent monitoring system supervised by at least one person responsible for safety.

[0013] However, these types of known alarm and / or warning systems involve the use of sensors designed to detect the vital parameters of the user and are configured to emit an alarm signal directly to the user.

[0014] In addition, when the device is used by a bather and is associated with a remote terminal or with a supervised station, the sending of the alarm signal only occurs when the device is above the water surface as the signal cannot propagate through water.

[0015] This issue forces the lifeguard to verify physically or by means of cameras whether or not there are persons entirely submerged in water in order to verify real or false positive alarm signals.

[0016] In conclusion, the known warning and / or alarm systems, when used by bathers in distress, do not allow lifeguards to be alarmed in a timely manner.Technical problem

[0017] In light of the prior art, the technical problem that the present invention proposes to solve is to monitor the underwater dwell time of a bather and to enable the people who can come to their rescue to intervene in a timely manner when necessary.Presentation of the invention

[0018] The object of the present invention is to solve the problem set out above and to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a remote monitoring system for bathers which is highly efficient and cost-efficient.

[0019] A particular object of this invention is to provide a remote monitoring system of the aforementioned type that enables a timely intervention when necessary.

[0020] A further particular object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system for bathers that makes it possible to circumvent the difficulty of transmitting radio waves in water.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system of the aforementioned type that can generate an alarm signal automatically when a predetermined event occurs.

[0022] A further object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system of the aforementioned type that has reduced dimensions.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system of the aforementioned type that is particularly easy to use.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system of the aforementioned type that is easy to produce and that is particularly economical.

[0025] A further object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system of the aforementioned type that enables a monitoring of the physical functions of the bather and at the same time a signalling of any variations of the same.

[0026] The aforementioned objects, as well as other objects that will become clearer in the following, are achieved by a remote monitoring system for bathers in accordance with claim 1 .

[0027] The monitoring system comprises at least one portable device wearable by a bather, at least one gateway device and a server, wherein the portable device comprises a microprocessor control unit provided with an internal clock and connected to the gateway device via connection means.

[0028] The microprocessor control unit is configured to send a data packet viathe gateway device to the server at intervals predetermined by the internal clock, and a software code is installed in the server, which software code is provided with a counter configured to reset each time the server receives the data packet sent by the portable device.

[0029] In fact, the software code is configured to generate at least one alarm signal when the counter exceeds a predetermined value corresponding to an assigned safety time threshold.

[0030] As a result of this combination of features, if the portable device is submerged in water for a time that exceeds the assigned safety time threshold, the data packet, as it cannot propagate in water, will not be sent to the server via the gateway device. At the same time, the counter will exceed the predetermined value, thus generating an alarm.

[0031] In addition, the data packet sent by the portable device will at least comprise the identification code of the latter so that the server can uniquely identify which portable device has sent or has not sent the data packet.

[0032] Preferably, the at least one portable device, the server and the gateway device operate with BLE technology.

[0033] The server can be connected to one or more alarm peripherals configured to activate when the at least one alarm signal is generated so as to allow a lifeguard to verify the cause of the alarm and to intervene if necessary.

[0034] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are achieved in accordance with the dependent claims.Brief description of the drawings

[0035] Further features and advantages of the invention will become clearer in the light of the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a remote monitoring system for bathers as set out in the foregoing, which is illustrated as a non-limiting example with the help of the following drawings, whereinFIG. 1 is a schematic view of the remote monitoring system for bathers according to the invention;FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a portable device wearable by a bather and belonging to the remote monitoring system of Fig. 1 .Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0036] With particular reference to the figures, a remote monitoring system for monitoring bathers or persons immersed in water W is illustrated, the remote monitoring system being indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 1.

[0037] In the following, bathers or a person immersed in water W is understood to mean any user of a swimmable, supervised body of water, with free access or subject to a charge, such as swimming pools, lakes, water parks or beaches.

[0038] As illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 1 comprises at least one portable device 2 wearable by a bather or person who desires to swim in or use the supervised body of water with which the monitoring system 1 is associated.

[0039] Preferably, the portable device 2 can be installed inside a bracelet or smartwatch, in any case on the wrist of the bather, or alternatively integrated inside a hair cap commonly used by bathers in a public swimming pool.

[0040] In the example embodiment of the system 1 depicted in FIG. 1, the body of water W is represented by a swimming pool.

[0041] The monitoring system 1 comprises at least one gateway device 3 and a server 4 and the portable device 2 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the server 4 via the gateway device 3 as described in further detail in the following.

[0042] Preferably, the portable device 2 and the gateway device 3 operate with BLE technology (Bluetooth Low Energy), as this technology enables a wireless communication between the portable device 2, operating as a beacon or wireless transponder, and the gateway device 3, operating as a data collection antenna or repeater element.

[0043] In a manner known per se, BLE technology operates in a frequency band of 2.400-2.4835 GHz, with a range of approximately 70-80 metres, and meets the Bluetooth 4 and 5 standards, as defined by the BSIG (Bluetooth Special Interest Group).

[0044] It is evident that the number of gateway devices 3 in the system 1 according to the invention will be directly proportional to the size of the body of water W to be monitored.

[0045] The connection between the server 4 and the at least one gateway device 3 is a Wi-Fi connection with a range of approximately 100-120 metres. Alternatively, this connection can be wired.

[0046] As schematically illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2, the portable device 2 comprises a microprocessor control unit 5 provided with an internal clock 6 and connected to the gateway device 3 via suitable connection means 7.

[0047] Of course, the portable device 2 can comprise an electrical energy source 8, of a buffer battery type, for powering the microprocessor control unit 5 and any element inserted into the portable device 2.

[0048] Advantageously, the microprocessor control unit 5 of the portable device 2 is configured to send a data packet 9 via the connection means 7 and via the gateway device 3 to the server 4 at intervals predetermined by the internal clock 6.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intervals predetermined by the internal clock 6 are between 2 and 5 seconds.

[0050] The data packet 9 comprises at least one identification code of the portable device 2 so that the server 4 can uniquely identify which portable device 2 has sent or has not sent the data packet 9, as best illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0051] Preferably, the data packet 9 can also comprise further information relating to the respective portable device 2.

[0052] In accordance with one non-limiting example, the data packet 9 can comprise information related to the electrical energy source 8.

[0053] It is noted that, as is well known, a data packet 9 sent in radio frequency and in free air by the portable device 2 can be received by the gateway device 3, whereas the radio frequency cannot be propagated in water W and is impeded by the mass of water, with the result that the data packet 9 fails to be received by the gateway device 3.

[0054] To overcome this problem, a software code 10 provided with a counter 11 is installed in the server 4, wherein the counter 11 is configured to reset each time the server 4 receives the data packet 9 from the portable device 2.

[0055] In fact, the software code 10 is configured to generate at least one alarm signal 12 when the counter 11 exceeds a predetermined valuecorresponding to an assigned safety time threshold T.

[0056] In other words, the counter 11 increases its value constantly during the dwell time of the portable device 2 in water W and resets the instant that the gateway device 3 and thus the server 4 receives the data packet 9.

[0057] Thus, if the portable device 2 remains submerged in water W for a time that exceeds the assigned safety time threshold T, the data packet 9, as it cannot propagate in water, cannot be sent to the server 4 via the gateway device 3.

[0058] Then, the counter 11 , as it cannot reset since the server 4 failed to receive this data packet 9, will exceed the predetermined value of the assigned safety time threshold T so as to generate the alarm signal 12.

[0059] In other words, the monitoring system 1 is designed to monitor the underwater dwell time of the bather or person swimming in or using the monitored body of water with which the monitoring system 1 is associated, wherein there occurs a corresponding alarm activation should the dwell time exceed the assigned safety time threshold T.

[0060] It is evident that the system 1 according to the invention allows the lifeguard personnel, or the persons able to render assistance, to intervene in a timely manner when necessary.

[0061] In addition, it is evident that the system 1 makes it possible to circumvent the difficulty of transmitting radio waves in water W since it is provided with the counter 11 that increases its value during the dwell time of the portable device 2 in water W and resets when the server 4 receives the data packet 9.

[0062] It is evident that, in contrast to the prior art, the system 1 involves the monitoring of the continuity of the transmission of the sent data packets 9 and does not measure the strength of the signal in order to establish a need for intervention.

[0063] Preferably, the at least one assigned safety time threshold T is between 10 and 60 seconds.

[0064] In addition, the software code 10 can provide one or more assigned safety time thresholds TI ...TN SO as to establish at least one pre-alarm and atleast one alarm.

[0065] In accordance with one non-limiting example, it is possible to provide a first assigned safety time threshold Ti with a value of 20 seconds, a second assigned safety time threshold T2 with a value of 40 seconds, and a third assigned safety time threshold T3 with a value of 60 seconds, respectively designed to establish a pre-alarm, a warning alarm and an intervention alarm.

[0066] Advantageously, the server 4 is connected to one or more alarm peripherals 13 configured to activate when the at least one alarm signal 12 is generated, wherein the one or more alarm peripherals 13 are preferably supervised by the lifeguard or intervention personnel or, in general, by persons who can render assistance, for the protection of the bathers.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the alarm peripheral 13 is selected from the group comprising monitors, speakers, sirens, flashing lights, or vibrating warning systems.

[0068] In order to increase the safety of the bathers supervised by the monitoring system 1 , it is of course possible to provide the triggering of an additional alarm in the event of a failed communication between the portable device 2 and the gateway device 3 and / or between the gateway device 3 and the server 4.

[0069] Thus, the system 1 according to the invention eliminates the need for a local management and manual settings for the evaluation of a danger threshold and introduces a centralised, automatic mechanism that is based on the failed reception of the data packets 9 to determine the underwater dwell time of the bather.

[0070] Preferably, the system 1 also comprises a graphical interface, not illustrated in the figures, which is connected to the server 4 and on which the parameters of each portable device 2 as well as the contents of each data packet 9 are displayed.

[0071] Via this interface, it is possible to change the assigned safety time threshold T and / or the value of the intervals predeterm ined by the internal clock 6 of the portable device 2.

[0072] Preferably, the server 4 can comprise an appropriate database andeach event of exceeding an assigned safety time threshold T can be recorded in the database together with the contents of the related data packet 9 and the date and time of the event.

[0073] In one embodiment of the system 1, not illustrated in the figures, the portable device 2 can comprise a sensor selected from the group comprising frequency meters, accelerometers, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors and position sensors.

[0074] In this embodiment, the data packet 9 sent by the portable device 2 to the gateway device 3 can comprise information relating to the sensors described in the foregoing and designed to detect the vital parameters of the bather wearing it and / or the environmental parameters in which the portable device 2 is situated.

[0075] In a further embodiment of the system 1 , likewise not illustrated in the figures, the portable device 2 can comprise at least one button having at least one function chosen from the group comprising on / off switch, emergency call, manual resetting of the counter 11, cancellation of the assigned safety time threshold T and / or of the data packet 9.

[0076] Advantageously, the server 4 can be constituted by a physical or digital unit in the form of a cloud service.

[0077] In addition, the at least one gateway 3 can be either of a fixed type and mains-powered or portable and battery-powered.

[0078] In an alternative embodiment, the graphical interface connected to the server 4, of a physical or digital type, the alarm peripheral 13 and the gateway device 3 can all comprise or be installed in a smartphone or tablet containing a software application designed to manage and configure the system 1.

[0079] The software code 10 configured to generate the at least one alarm signal 12 can be installed in such a software application.

[0080] In this configuration, the system 1 can be used in private contexts such as in a home swimming pool or near a boat anchored offshore, wherein the bathers are provided with the portable device 2 and a smartphone or tablet is entrusted with the management of the configuration of the assigned safety time threshold T and the triggering of the at least one alarm 12.

[0081] Of course, in a context where there is no data network connection, it is possible to integrate the system of a local Wi-Fi network designed to enable a communication between the different devices and services of the system 1.

[0082] It is evident from the foregoing description that the system 1 according to the invention guarantees a high level of reliability and accuracy as monitoring is not susceptible to momentary variations or environmental interference.

[0083] The system 1, in fact, is not based on instantaneous measurements of the strength of the signal containing the data packet 9, but on the value of the counter 11 , which makes it possible to reliably discriminate between short submersions and situations of real danger.

[0084] In addition, the system 1 allows a centralised management of the configuration and updates, thus allowing, for example, time thresholds T to be changed remotely as well as an integration with external graphical interfaces and alarm peripherals 13. This possibility significantly increases the scalability and operational flexibility of the system 1.

[0085] It is clear from the foregoing description that the remote monitoring system according to the invention achieves its intended objects, in particular the object of monitoring the underwater dwell time of a bather and allowing the persons who can render assistance to intervene in a timely manner when necessary.

[0086] The system according to the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all within the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims.

[0087] Although the system has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numbers used in the description and claims are used to facilitate the understanding of the invention and do not constitute any limitation of the scope of claimed protection.

[0088] References throughout the description to "an embodiment" or "the embodiment" or "embodiments" indicate that a particular feature, structure or element described is comprised in at least one embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention.

[0089] In addition, the particular features, structures or elements can becombined in any suitable way in one or more embodiments.Industrial applicability

[0090] The present invention is industrially applicable because it can be produced on an industrial scale by factories belonging to the technical field of warning and / or alarm systems.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A remote monitoring system (1) for bathers, comprising at least one portable device (2) wearable by the bather, at least one gateway device (3) and a server (4); wherein said portable device (2) comprises a microprocessor control unit (5) provided with an internal clock (6) and connected to said gateway device (3) via connection means (7); wherein said microprocessor control unit (5) is configured to send a data packet (9) via said gateway device (3) to said server (4) at intervals predetermined by said internal clock (6); wherein a software code (10) is installed in said server (4), said software code (10) being provided with a counter (11) configured to reset each time said server (4) receives said data packet (9), said software code (10) being configured to generate at least one alarm signal (12) when said counter (11) exceeds a predetermined value corresponding to an assigned safety time threshold (T).

2. System as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said portable device (2) and said gateway device (3) operate with BLE technology.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said data packet (9) comprises at least one identification code of said portable device (2).

4. System as claimed in claim 3, wherein said portable device (2) comprises an electrical energy source (8) for powering said microprocessor control unit (5), said data packet (9) comprising information related to said electrical energy source (8).

5. System as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said predetermined intervals are between 2 and 5 seconds.

6. System as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said server (4) is connected to one or more alarm peripherals (13) configured to activate when said at least one alarm signal (12) is generated.

7. System as claimed in claim 6, wherein said alarm peripheral (13) is selected from the group comprising monitors, speakers, sirens, flashing lights.

8. System as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said assigned safety timethreshold (T) is between 10 and 60 seconds.

9. System as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said portable device (2) comprises a sensor selected from the group comprising frequency meters, accelerometers, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors and position sensors.

10. System as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said portable device (2) comprises at least one button having at least one function chosen from the group comprising on / off switch, emergency call, manual resetting of said counter (11), cancellation of said assigned safety time threshold (T) and / or of said data packet (9).

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