Water disaster rescue support system

Abstract

To provide a water rescue support unit and a water rescue support system that support finding of a rescuer more quickly and accurately in an event of a drowning accident, etc.SOLUTION: A water rescue support unit 1 comprises: a light emitting section 31 that emits light; a water battery detection sensor 20 for detecting water using a signal generated from a water battery 21 by receiving the water from a predetermined opening as a water detection signal; a position detection section 50 for detecting current position information; a unit communication section 60 for wireless communication with an external device; and a unit control section 40 that transmits the position information detected by the position detection section 50 to the external device 80 via the unit communication section 60 at least when the water is detected by the water battery detection sensor 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water rescue support unit and a water rescue support system for assisting in the discovery of rescuers in the event of a water accident in the sea, rivers, lakes, etc.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a life-saving light for notifying the location of a drifting rescuer has been known in the event of a water accident, particularly at night (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the life-saving light described in Patent Document 1, since a commercially available dry battery is used, it is difficult to store for a long period of time, and there are also problems such as being unable to maintain stable discharge for a long time after long-term storage, and not lighting up due to the rescuer forgetting to turn on the switch during a water accident or the like. In order to improve such problems, a rescue light and a life jacket using a water battery for notifying the location of a victim during a water accident or the like have been proposed (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, during a water accident, due to the water flow, the lighting of the light cannot be discovered within the visual range, and there is a risk that the position of the rescuer cannot be specified. The development of a water rescue support unit and a water rescue support system that can discover rescuers more quickly and accurately and provide peace of mind and safety has been desired.

[0006] The present invention solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a water disaster rescue support unit and a water disaster rescue support system that assist in more quickly and accurately finding rescuers in the event of a water disaster or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention , in a water rescue support system composed of a water rescue support unit, an external device communicably connected to the water rescue support unit, and a mobile terminal communicably connected to the external device, the water rescue support unit a light-emitting unit that emits light, and has water a water detection sensor that detects 、 a position detection unit that detects current position information, 、 a communication unit for wireless communication with an external device, and 、 at least the water a unit control unit that transmits the position information detected by the position detection unit to the external device via the communication unit when water is detected by the detection sensor. and the unit control unit transmits the position information detected by the position detection unit via the communication unit to the external device every predetermined unit time, when the external device receives the position information of the water rescue support unit from the water rescue support unit, it transmits the position information of the water rescue support unit to the mobile terminal, when the mobile terminal receives the position information of the water rescue support unit from the external device, it displays the position information of the water rescue support unit and can set the designated area range for monitoring whether the water rescue support unit is within the designated area range. When the designated area range is set, it transmits the information of the designated area range to the external device, when the external device receives the information of the designated area range from the mobile terminal, it determines whether the current position information received from the water rescue support unit is within the designated area range, and when it determines that the current position information is not within the designated area range, it makes a report to the mobile terminal It is characterized by the above.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, rescuers can be found more quickly and accurately in the event of a water disaster or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

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[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below show some examples of the present invention and do not limit the content of the present invention. Also, not all of the configurations and operations described in each embodiment are essential as the configurations and operations of the present invention.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the front direction is referred to as "front" based on the person wearing the shipwreck rescue support unit (hereinafter also referred to as "monitored person"), and the direction opposite to the front is referred to as "rear". Also, the left side of the monitored person is referred to as "left", the right side is referred to as "right", the top of the monitored person's head is referred to as "upper", and the foot side is referred to as "lower".

[0016] [External Configuration of Shipwreck Rescue Support Unit] First, the external configuration of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an example of a perspective view of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 1(a) is an example of a perspective view of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 seen from the front, and FIG. 1(b) is an example of a perspective view of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 seen from the rear.

[0017] The water disaster rescue support unit 1 is a shoulder-back type unit that can be attached to both shoulders of the life jacket 500.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the water disaster rescue support unit 1 is configured to be disposed behind the head of the person to be monitored and attached to both shoulder portions 501 of the life jacket 500.

[0019] The outer shell of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 is formed using a buoyant member such as foamed urethane having buoyancy. The front surface portion 3 is curved along the back of the neck of the person to be monitored, and the side surface portion 4 is formed in a substantially triangular shape such that the upper surface portion 2 slopes downward from the rear to the front. Therefore, when the person to be monitored falls into the water, the water disaster rescue support unit 1 formed using the buoyant member assists in lifting the head of the person to be monitored above the water surface.

[0020] A plurality of upward light-emitting portions 6 that emit light upward are provided on the upper surface portion 2 of the water disaster rescue support unit 1, and a plurality of side light-emitting portions 7 that emit light laterally are provided on the side surface portion 4. Further, a plurality of rear light-emitting portions 8 that emit light rearward are provided on the rear surface portion 5.

[0021] The upward light-emitting portion 6, the side light-emitting portion 7, and the rear light-emitting portion 8 are composed of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In this embodiment, the upward light-emitting portion 6, the side light-emitting portion 7, and the rear light-emitting portion 8 are composed of light-emitting diodes, but they may also be composed of electric bulbs or organic EL lighting.

[0022] Note that the number and location of the light-emitting parts provided in the water disaster rescue support unit 1 can be freely changed in design as appropriate, and it is only necessary that they be provided on at least any one of the upper surface part 2, the side surface part 4, and the rear surface part 5.

[0023] An opening 9 capable of receiving water is formed in the bottom surface part of the water disaster rescue support unit 1, and the water that has entered the opening 9 will be detected by a water battery detection sensor 20 described later.

[0024] Inside the water disaster rescue support unit 1, a communication antenna 10 for transmitting information to a base station connected to the Internet is provided. It is desirable that this communication antenna 10 be provided at the upper end inside the water disaster rescue support unit 1 so as to suppress communication interference due to submersion.

[0025] Also, on the rear surface part 5 of the water disaster rescue support unit 1, a push-type communication check button 11 for performing an operation check of a water disaster rescue support system 100 described later is provided. By pressing the communication check button 11 during normal times, it is possible to confirm whether the water disaster rescue support unit 1 can communicate normally with an external device 80 described later, etc., and the safety and security of the water disaster rescue support system 100 can be further enhanced. Note that the installation location of the communication check button 11 can be freely changed in design as appropriate.

[0026] [Block Diagram of Water Disaster Rescue Support System] Next, a functional configuration of a water disaster rescue support system 100 composed of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 according to the embodiment, an external device 80 communicably connected to the water disaster rescue support unit 1, and a mobile terminal 90 communicably connected to the external device 80 will be described. FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the water disaster rescue support system 100 composed of the water disaster rescue support unit 1, the external device 80, and the mobile terminal 90 according to the embodiment.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the water rescue support system 100 is composed of a water rescue support unit 1, an external device 80 communicably connected to the water rescue support unit 1, and a mobile terminal 90 communicably connected to the external device 80.

[0028] The water rescue support unit 1 includes a communication check button 11 for checking the operation of the water rescue support system 100, a water battery detection sensor 20 for detecting water, a rescue notification unit 30 for notifying rescue, a unit control unit 40 for controlling the operation of the water rescue support unit 1, a position detection unit 50 for detecting the current position information, a unit communication unit 60 for performing wireless communication with the external device 80, and a battery 70 for supplying power.

[0029] The water battery detection sensor 20 has a water battery 21 and outputs a signal generated by the water battery to the control unit 40 as a water detection signal.

[0030] The water battery 21 is a battery (for example, manufactured by Mishima Electronics Co., Ltd.) that generates an electromotive force by causing an electrochemical reaction when the positive and negative electrodes made of different electrodes with different ionization tendencies are immersed in water.

[0031] The water battery 21 can be separately discarded compared to dry batteries that become industrial waste, is environmentally friendly, and has a long service life with a continuous power supply time of 400 to 1500 hours, while the continuous power supply time of a dry battery is 72 hours. Also, the storage period of a dry battery is about 1 to 2 years, while the storage period of the water battery 21 can be stored for a long time of about 4 to 5 years (10 years in vacuum pack storage) if not immersed in water. Furthermore, the water battery 21 weighs only about 60 g, which is less than 1 / 6 of the weight of a single dry battery that weighs about 390 g for the same electromotive force, and is very lightweight.

[0032] Therefore, the water battery detection sensor 20 is very lightweight, has a low risk of battery depletion, does not require operation by the monitored person, and can automatically detect water.

[0033] In addition, when the water battery 21 is immersed in water, it supplies power to the rescue notification unit 30 and also supplies power to the unit control unit 40 as an auxiliary power source. The power supplied to the unit control unit 40 as an auxiliary power source is also supplied to the position detection unit 50 and the unit communication unit 60 via the unit control unit 40.

[0034] In this embodiment, the water battery 21 supplies power to the unit control unit 40, the position detection unit 50, and the unit communication unit 60 as an auxiliary power source, but it may be configured to supply power only to the rescue notification unit 30.

[0035] The rescue notification unit 30 includes a light emitting unit 31 composed of an upper light emitting unit 6, a side light emitting unit 7, and a rear light emitting unit 8, and an alarm sound output unit 32 composed of a speaker that outputs an alarm sound in the event of a shipwreck. Note that the rescue notification unit 30 may be configured to include only the light emitting unit 31 without the alarm sound output unit 32.

[0036] The unit control unit 40 is composed of a processor or a control circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls various operations of the shipwreck rescue support unit 1.

[0037] The position detection unit 50 includes a GPS receiving antenna that receives positioning information such as time information from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites, and is composed of a GPS module necessary for receiving the positioning information.

[0038] The unit communication unit 60 includes a communication antenna 10 that transmits information to a base station connected to the Internet, and is composed of a communication module necessary for transmitting data to an external device 80 via the base station.

[0039] The battery 70 is a lithium-ion battery. It supplies power to the unit control unit 40, the position detection unit 50, and the unit communication unit 60 via the unit control unit 40 without supplying power to the rescue notification unit 30. In this embodiment, a lithium-ion battery is used as the battery 70, but a manganese battery, an alkaline battery, a lithium battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a silver oxide battery, an air zinc battery, etc. may also be used.

[0040] As described above, according to the water disaster rescue support unit 1 in this embodiment, since the battery 70 supplies power to the unit control unit 40, the position detection unit 50, and the unit communication unit 60, in addition to the unit control unit 40, the position detection unit 50, and the unit communication unit 60 being able to perform stable control, even before the water disaster rescue support unit 1 lands in the water, the unit control unit 40, the position detection unit 50, and the unit communication unit 60 can perform various controls.

[0041] Also, according to the water disaster rescue support unit 1 in this embodiment, the water battery 21 supplies power to the rescue notification unit 30 and also supplies power to the unit control unit 40, the position detection unit 50, and the unit communication unit 60 as an auxiliary power source. Therefore, even if the battery capacity of the battery 70 runs out, the water disaster rescue support unit 1 can be operated by the water battery 21.

[0042] The external device 80 is a monitoring server that monitors the water disaster rescue support unit 1, and includes at least a monitoring control unit 81 that monitors the water disaster rescue support unit 1, a storage unit 82 that stores the positioning information from the water disaster rescue support unit 1, and a communication unit 83 that is connected to the Internet by wire or wirelessly.

[0043] The monitoring control unit 81 includes a processor such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. It receives the positioning information from the water disaster rescue support unit 1 and stores the position information of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 in the storage unit 83, receives the instruction information from the mobile terminal 90 and performs a predetermined setting process, or makes a notification to the mobile terminal 90.

[0044] The memory unit 82 consists of a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SDD), an optical disk drive, or a magnetic tape device, and stores the position information of the shipwreck rescue support unit 1 over time.

[0045] The communication unit 83 consists of a communication module that transmits and receives information from the Internet, and receives positioning information from the shipwreck rescue support unit 1 or transmits predetermined information to the mobile terminal 90 via the communication unit 83.

[0046] The mobile terminal 90 consists of a notebook computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and includes at least a terminal control unit 91 that performs overall control of the mobile terminal, a terminal memory unit 92 that stores predetermined information, a terminal communication unit 93 that wirelessly connects to the Internet, a display unit 94 that displays a predetermined image, and an operation input unit 95 that inputs operations from the user.

[0047] The terminal control unit 91 includes a processor such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and performs various processes based on the input information input from the operation input unit 95 or the input information input from an external device 90 via the terminal communication unit 93, causes the display unit 94 to display a predetermined image, or transmits instruction information to the external device 90 via the terminal communication unit 93.

[0048] The terminal memory unit 92 consists of a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or a flash memory, and stores predetermined information according to an instruction from the terminal control unit 91.

[0049] The terminal communication unit 93 consists of a communication module that transmits and receives information from the Internet, and transmits and receives information to and from an external device 90 via the terminal communication unit 93.

[0050] The display unit 94 consists of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL, and displays a predetermined image according to an instruction from the terminal control unit 91.

[0051] The operation input unit 95 consists of a touch panel such as a resistive film type or a capacitance type, or a push-button keyboard, and inputs operations from the user.

[0052] [Sequence Diagram of Water Disaster Rescue Support System] Next, the process transition of the water disaster rescue support system 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the process transition of the water disaster rescue support system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0053] Also, the left column in FIG. 3 shows the water disaster rescue support unit 1 (processing of the unit control unit 40), the middle column shows the external device 80 (processing of the monitoring control unit 81), and the right column shows the processing of the mobile terminal 90 (processing of the terminal control unit 91). Note that for each process described below, the elements of the steps are illustrated in an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order shown. Therefore, in the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 3, the order can be changed as long as there is no contradiction in the processing results.

[0054] First, the mobile terminal 90 downloads an application of the water disaster rescue support system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "water disaster rescue support application") from the outside via the terminal communication unit 93 and installs it in the terminal storage unit 92.

[0055] (Step S10) The mobile terminal 90 activates the water disaster rescue support application and performs "terminal initial setting processing" for inputting at least the unit unique information of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 worn by the monitoring target person. In this terminal initial setting processing, when the unit unique information is input, at least the unit unique information and the terminal unique information (for example, user ID, MAC address, etc.) of the mobile terminal 90 are associated and transmitted to the external device 80. Note that in the terminal initial setting processing, it is not limited to inputting the unit unique information of one water disaster rescue support unit 1, and it is also possible to input the unit unique information of a plurality of water disaster rescue support units 1. Further, in the terminal initial setting processing, it is also possible to input an email address. When an email address is input, the unit unique information, the terminal unique information, and the email address are associated and transmitted to the external device 80.

[0056] (Step S20) When the external device 80 receives new unit unique information and terminal unique information from the mobile terminal 90, it associates the unit unique information and the terminal unique information and stores them in the storage unit 82, and performs "user registration processing" for registering the user of the mobile terminal 90. Further, in the user registration processing, when an email address is received, the email address is associated with the terminal unique information and stored in the storage unit 82.

[0057] (Step S30) The water disaster rescue support unit 1 performs GPS control processing for transmitting at least the unit unique information and the positioning information received by the position detection unit 50 to the external device 80 in association with each other every unit time.

[0058] (Step S40) Every time the external device 80 receives the unit unique information and the positioning information from the water disaster rescue support unit 1, it calculates the position information of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 from the received positioning information, and associates the position information of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 and the current time information with the unit unique information, and performs "position storage processing" for storing them in the storage unit 82.

[0059] (Step S50) The mobile terminal 90 performs "designated area setting processing" to monitor that the water disaster rescue support unit 1 is within the designated area range from the water disaster rescue support application. In this designated area setting processing, the distance from the reference position to the water disaster rescue support unit 1 can be specified, and the reference position can be set to an arbitrary position or the current position of the mobile terminal 90. When the designated area range is set, at least the information of the reference position, the information of the distance, and the terminal unique information are associated and transmitted to the external device 80. Also, in the designated area setting processing, when the current position of the mobile terminal 90 is set as the reference position, at least the information of the reference position and the terminal unique information are associated and repeatedly transmitted to the external device 80 every unit time. The designated area setting display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by this designated area setting processing will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0060] Note that the designated area setting processing in step S50 is a process arbitrarily set by the user, and it is not necessary to perform the designated area setting processing. If the designated area setting processing is not performed, the designated area registration processing in step S60, the designated area determination processing in step S70, and the out-of-area alarm processing in step S80, which will be described later, will not be performed either.

[0061] (Step S60) When the external device 80 receives the information of the new reference position, the information of the distance, and the terminal unique information from the mobile terminal 90, it performs "designated area registration processing" to register the designated area range for the unit unique information associated with the terminal unique information by the user registration processing.

[0062] (Step S70) When the external device 80 receives the unit-specific information and the positioning information from the water rescue support unit 1 or the terminal-specific information and the information on the reference position from the mobile terminal 90 when the specified area range is registered, it performs a "specified area determination process" to determine whether the position information of the water rescue support unit 1 is within the specified area range. In this specified area determination process, when the position information of the water rescue support unit 1 is outside the specified area range, it transmits the information outside the specified area range for outputting a normal alarm to the water rescue support application to the mobile terminal 90 and, when the email address is registered in the user registration process, sends a notification email to the email address. Also, in the specified area determination process, when the position information of the water rescue support unit 1 is within the specified area range, it does not transmit the information outside the specified area range or the notification email.

[0063] (Step S80) When the mobile terminal 90 receives the information outside the specified area range from the external device 80, it performs an "out-of-area alarm process" to alarm that the water rescue support unit 1 is outside the specified area range by the water rescue support application. Regarding the out-of-area alarm display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by this out-of-area alarm process, it will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0064] (Step S90) When the communication check button 11 of the water rescue support unit 1 is pressed, it performs a "communication check process". In this communication check process, it transmits at least the unit-specific information and the communication test information associated with each other to the external device 80. Also, in this embodiment, in addition to the unit-specific information and the communication test information, it calculates the battery capacity of the battery 70 and transmits the capacity information of the battery 70 as well. Note that the capacity information of the battery 70 may not be transmitted.

[0065] (Step S100) When the external device 80 receives the unit-specific information and the communication test information from the water disaster rescue support unit 1, it performs "check information transmission processing" to transmit the communication test information and the capacity information of the battery 70 to the mobile terminal 90 having the terminal-specific information associated with the unit-specific information.

[0066] (Step S110) When the mobile terminal 90 receives the communication test information and the capacity information of the battery 70 from the external device 80, it performs "normal operation notification processing" to notify that the water disaster rescue support system 100 is operating normally by the water disaster rescue support application and to notify the capacity information of the battery 70. Regarding the normal operation display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by this normal operation notification processing, it will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0067] In this embodiment, the communication check button 11 for performing the operation check of the water disaster rescue support system 100 is provided, but it may be configured without the communication check button 11. If the communication check button 11 is not provided, the communication check processing in step S90, the check information transmission processing in step S100, and the normal operation notification processing in step S110 will not be performed either.

[0068] (Step S120) The water disaster rescue support unit 1 performs "water detection determination processing" to determine whether water has been detected by the water battery detection sensor 20. In this water detection determination processing, when water is detected by the water battery detection sensor 20, at least the unit-specific information, the positioning information, and the water detection information are associated and transmitted to the external device 80.

[0069] (Step S130) When the water detection sensor 20 of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 detects water, power is supplied from the water battery 21 to the rescue notification unit 30, and the rescue notification unit 30 performs "alarm notification" to notify the position of the person to be monitored. In this alarm notification, the light emitting unit 31 performs a blinking display, and the alarm sound output unit 32 outputs an alarm sound. In addition, the alarm sound output from the alarm sound output unit 32 is automatically output when power is supplied from the water battery 21 to the rescue notification unit 30, but it may be configured with a stop button for stopping the alarm sound. In the water landing determination process of step S120 above, when the water detection sensor 20 does not detect water, power is not supplied from the water battery 21 to the rescue notification unit 30, and the alarm notification will not be performed.

[0070] (Step S140) When the external device 80 receives the unit unique information, the positioning information, and the water landing information from the water disaster rescue support unit 1, it calculates the water landing position information and the water landing time information of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 from the positioning information, and at least the water landing position information and the water landing time information are transmitted to the mobile terminal 90 having the terminal unique information associated with the unit unique information. When an email address is registered in the user registration process, an "alarm notification letter process" of sending an alarm email to the email address is performed.

[0071] (Step S150) When the mobile terminal 90 receives the water landing position information and the water landing time information from the external device 80, it performs an "emergency alarm process" of alarming that the person to be monitored has landed in the water and rescue is required by the water disaster rescue support application. Regarding the emergency alarm display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by this emergency alarm process, it will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0072] (Step S160) After receiving the water disaster information from the water disaster rescue support unit 1, the external device 80 performs "drifting position memory processing" each time it receives the unit-specific information and the positioning information transmitted by the GPS control process of the water disaster rescue support unit 1. In this drifting position memory processing, the drifting position information of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 is calculated from the received positioning information, and the drifting position information of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 and the current time information are associated with the unit-specific information and stored in the storage unit 82. In addition, at least the drifting position information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 90 having the terminal-specific information associated with the unit-specific information.

[0073] (Step S170) When the mobile terminal 90 receives the drifting position information from the external device 80, it performs "drifting position display report processing" to display the drifting position of the monitored person by the water disaster rescue support application. In this drifting position display report processing, in addition to displaying the current drifting position of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 received this time on the display unit 94, a drifting trajectory based on the drifting position of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 received in the past is also displayed.

[0074] (Step S180) After receiving the water accident information from the water accident rescue support unit 1, the external device 80 performs "communication range outside determination processing" to determine whether the water accident rescue support unit 1 has gone out of the communication range of each base station. In this communication range outside determination processing, if the unit unique information and the positioning information cannot be received from the GPS control processing of the water accident rescue support unit 1 even after a specific time exceeding the unit time, it is determined that the water accident rescue support unit 1 has gone out of the communication range of each base station. And when the water accident rescue support unit 1 has gone out of the communication range of each base station, at least to the mobile terminal 90 having the terminal unique information associated with the unit unique information, the communication area outside information for notifying that the monitored person wearing the water accident rescue support unit 1 has drifted outside the communication area range is transmitted to the water accident rescue support application. Also, in the present embodiment, when the water accident rescue support unit 1 has gone out of the communication range of each base station, the final drift position information stored in the storage unit 82 is used as the final drift position information, and the search range information indicating the area outside the communication area is created from the information of the base stations around the final drift position information, and the created search range information is transmitted together with the communication area outside information. Note that it is not necessary to create the search range information.

[0075] The alarm notification letter processing in step S140, the drift position storage processing in step S160, and the drift position storage processing in step S180 in the external device 80 are forced processing, and are executed even when, for example, the position information of the water accident rescue support unit 1 is within the specified area range, and are executed even when the user registration processing in step S20 has not been performed. Here, when the user registration processing has not been performed, the external device 80 stores various information in the storage unit 82 so that various information can be transmitted to the mobile terminal 90 when the user registration processing is performed afterwards.

[0076] (Step S190) When the mobile terminal 90 receives communication area outside information and search range information from the external device 80, it performs "final drift position display processing" to display the final drift position of the person to be monitored on the water rescue support application. The final drift position display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by this final drift position display processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0077] Note that the processing of the water rescue support unit 1, the external device 80, and the mobile terminal 90 in the above-described sequence diagram does not show all the processing of the water rescue support unit 1, the external device 80, and the mobile terminal 90, and other processing for performing a number of functions is also being performed.

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, the mobile terminal 90 is configured to execute the above-described various processes by downloading / installing the water rescue support application and starting the water rescue support application. However, the external device 90 may store a program corresponding to the water rescue support application, and the mobile terminal 90 may be configured to execute the above-described various processes on a website managed by the external device 90.

[0079] As described above, according to the water rescue support system 100 in this embodiment, in the event of a water accident, the water battery detection sensor 20 with a low risk of battery depletion automatically detects that the person to be monitored has fallen into seawater, a river, etc. In addition to being able to identify the position of the rescuer from visual observation or the like by the alarm notification (step S130) of the water rescue support unit 1, the position of the rescuer can be identified from the mobile terminal 90 by the GPS control process (step S30) etc. of the water rescue support unit 1, and the rescuer can be discovered more quickly and accurately.

[0080] In addition, according to the water rescue support system 100 in this embodiment, since the action range of the person to be monitored can be monitored by the designated area setting process (step S50) etc. of the mobile terminal 90, it is possible to prevent a water accident from occurring even during collective training or practice near the sea or a river.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the water accident rescue support system 100 in the present embodiment, it is possible to confirm that the water accident rescue support unit 1 is operating normally through communication check processing (step S90) of the water accident rescue support unit 1, etc., and the safety and security of the water accident rescue support system 100 can be further enhanced.

[0082] [Display image displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal] Next, an example of the display screen displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 will be described.

[0083] (Designated area setting display image) First, with reference to FIG. 4, the designated area setting display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by the designated area setting process (step S50) will be described. FIG. 4 is an example of the designated area setting display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 according to the embodiment.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 4, the designated area setting display image 910 includes at least a reference position setting image 911 for setting a reference position and a distance designation image 912 for designating the distance from the reference position to the water accident rescue support unit 1. Note that the reference position setting image 911 and the distance designation image 912 may be configured to be switched instead of being displayed simultaneously.

[0085] On the reference position setting image 911, a surrounding map image is displayed, and a reference position image 901 indicating the reference position is displayed on the map image. The reference position setting image 911 is configured to be able to set the current position of the mobile terminal 90 as the reference position or to set an arbitrary position as the reference position.

[0086] On the distance designation image 912, the distance from the reference position to the water accident rescue support unit 1 is displayed, and the user is configured to be able to designate the distance from the reference position to the water accident rescue support unit 1.

[0087] In this way, according to the designated area setting display image 910, the user having the mobile terminal 90 can set the reference position and can specify the distance from the reference position to the water rescue support unit 1.

[0088] (Outside area warning display image) Referring to FIG. 5, the outside area warning display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by the outside area warning process (step S80) will be described. FIG. 5 is an example of the outside area warning display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 according to the embodiment.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 5, the outside area warning display image 920 includes at least a specified area range outside notification image 921 for notifying that the monitored person wearing the water rescue support unit 1 has moved outside the specified area range, a map image 922 for displaying the current position of the water rescue support unit 1 on the map, and a position information image 923 for displaying details of the position information of the water rescue support unit 1.

[0090] In the map image 922, a surrounding map image is displayed, and a reference position image 901 indicating the reference position and a unit position image 902 indicating the current position of the water rescue support unit 1 are displayed.

[0091] In the position information image 923, the latitude and longitude indicating the current position of the water rescue support unit 1, the movement date and time when the monitored person wearing the water rescue support unit 1 has moved outside the specified area range, etc. are displayed.

[0092] In this way, according to the outside area warning display image 920, the user having the mobile terminal 90 can grasp that the monitored person wearing the water rescue support unit 1 has moved outside the specified area range, and can grasp the current position of the monitored person wearing the water rescue support unit 1.

[0093] (Normal operation display image) Referring to FIG. 6, the normal operation display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by the normal operation notification process (step S110) will be described. FIG. 6 is an example of a normal operation display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 according to the embodiment.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 6, the normal operation display image 930 includes at least a normal operation notification image 931 for notifying that the water disaster rescue support system 100 is operating normally, a map image 932 for displaying the current position of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 on the map, and a position information image 933 for displaying details of the position information of the water disaster rescue support unit 1. Further, in the present embodiment, the normal operation display image 930 is also configured to include a battery information image 934 for displaying the capacity information of the battery 70.

[0095] In the map image 932, a surrounding map image is displayed, and a reference position image 901 indicating a reference position and a unit position image 902 indicating the current position of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 are displayed.

[0096] In the position information image 933, the latitude and longitude indicating the current position of the water disaster rescue support unit 1, the current date and time, etc. are displayed.

[0097] In the battery information image 934, the remaining capacity of the battery 70 is numerically displayed. Note that the battery information image 934 may be displayed in levels like a battery image of a smartphone or the like without numerical quantification.

[0098] Thus, according to the normal operation display image 930, the user having the mobile terminal 90 can grasp that the water disaster rescue support system 100 is operating normally and can also grasp the remaining capacity of the battery 70.

[0099] (Emergency warning display image) Referring to FIG. 7, an emergency warning display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by the emergency warning process (step S150) will be described. FIG. 7 is an example of an emergency warning display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 according to the embodiment.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 7, the emergency warning display image 940 includes at least an emergency warning image 941 for notifying that the monitored person wearing the water rescue support unit 1 has fallen into the water, a map image 942 for displaying the current position of the water rescue support unit 1 on the map, and a position information image 943 for displaying details of the position information of the water rescue support unit 1.

[0101] In the map image 942, a surrounding map image is displayed, and a unit position image 902 indicating the current position of the water rescue support unit 1 is also displayed.

[0102] In the position information image 943, the latitude and longitude indicating the current position of the water rescue support unit 1, the date and time of falling into the water when the monitored person wearing the water rescue support unit 1 fell into the water, etc. are displayed.

[0103] Thus, according to the emergency warning display image 940, the user having the mobile terminal 90 can grasp that the monitored person wearing the water rescue support unit 1 has fallen into the water, and can also grasp the current position of the monitored person wearing the water rescue support unit 1.

[0104] (Final Drifting Position Display Image) Referring to FIG. 8, a final drifting position display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 by the final drifting position display process (step S190) will be described. FIG. 8 is an example of a final drifting position display image displayed on the display unit 94 of the mobile terminal 90 according to the embodiment.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 8, the final drifting position display image 950 is configured to include at least a special emergency warning image 951 for notifying that the monitored person wearing the water disaster rescue support unit 1 has drifted outside the communication area, a map image 952 for displaying the final current position of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 on a map, and a position information image 953 for displaying details of the position information of the water disaster rescue support unit 1.

[0106] In the map image 952, a map image is displayed, and a unit position image 902 indicating the final current position of the water disaster rescue support unit 1, a drifting trajectory image 903 indicating the drifting trajectory of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 from the time the monitored person wearing the water disaster rescue support unit 1 enters the water until it drifts outside the communication area, and an out-of-communication area image 904 indicating an area outside the communication area from a base station around the final current position of the water disaster rescue support unit 1 are displayed.

[0107] In the position information image 953, the latitude and longitude indicating the final current position of the water disaster rescue support unit 1, the date and time of entry into the water when the monitored person wearing the water disaster rescue support unit 1 enters the water, etc. are displayed.

[0108] In this way, according to the final drifting position display image 950, the user having the mobile terminal 90 can grasp that the monitored person wearing the water disaster rescue support unit 1 has drifted outside the communication area, and can narrow down the search area from the drifting trajectory image 903 and the out-of-communication area image 904 to support the rescue of the monitored person.

[0109] As described above, according to the water disaster rescue support unit 1 and the water disaster rescue support system 100 in the present embodiment, in the event of a water disaster, the water battery detection sensor 20 automatically detects that the monitored person has entered the water such as seawater or a river, and in addition to being able to identify the position of the rescuer visually from the light emitting unit 31 composed of the side light emitting unit 7 and the rear light emitting unit 8 of the water disaster rescue support unit 1, the position of the rescuer can be identified from the mobile terminal 90 via the position detection unit 50 and the unit communication unit 60 of the water disaster rescue support unit 1, and the rescuer can be discovered more quickly and accurately.

[0110] [Modification Example 1] In the present embodiment, the water disaster rescue support unit 1 is configured as a shoulder and back type unit attached to both shoulder portions 501 of the life jacket 500, but it may also be configured as a collar type unit attached to the collar of the life jacket 400.

[0111] Next, the water disaster rescue support unit 200 as a collar type unit attached to the collar of the life jacket 500 will be described. FIG. 9 is an example of a perspective view of the water disaster rescue support unit 200 according to Modification Example 1 of the present invention.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 9, the water disaster rescue support unit 200 is configured to include a main body portion 201 that is slightly curved along the neck of the person to be monitored.

[0113] On the upper surface portion of the main body portion 201, a plurality of upward light emitting portions 202 that emit light upward are provided, and on the left side surface portion of the main body portion 201, a plurality of side light emitting portions 203 that emit light leftward are provided. Also, although not shown, a plurality of side light emitting portions 203 that emit light rightward are also provided on the right side surface portion of the main body portion 201.

[0114] The upward light emitting portion 202 and the side light emitting portion 203 are composed of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In the present embodiment, the upward light emitting portion 202 and the side light emitting portion 203 are composed of light emitting diodes, but they may also be configured using electric bulbs or organic EL lighting.

[0115] Note that the number and location of the light emitting portions provided in the water disaster rescue support unit 200 can be freely changed in design as appropriate, and it is sufficient if they are provided on at least any one of the upper surface portion, the left side surface portion, and the right side surface portion of the main body portion 201.

[0116] Openings 205 capable of receiving water are formed at the lower ends of the left side surface portion and the right side surface portion of the main body portion 201, and water that has entered the openings 205 is detected by the water battery detection sensor 20.

[0117] Inside the main body 201, a communication antenna 206 for transmitting information to a base station connected to the Internet is provided. It is desirable that this communication antenna 206 be provided at the upper end inside the main body 201 so as to suppress communication interference due to submersion.

[0118] Also, on the upper surface of the main body 201, a push-type communication check button 207 for checking the operation of the shipwreck rescue support system 100 is provided. Note that the installation location of the communication check button 207 can be freely changed in design as appropriate.

[0119] In this way, even when using the shipwreck rescue support unit 200, in the event of a shipwreck accident, the water battery detection sensor 20 automatically detects that the monitored person has fallen into seawater, a river, etc., and in addition to being able to identify the position of the rescuer visually from the upper light-emitting part 202 and the side light-emitting part 203 of the shipwreck rescue support unit 200, the position of the rescuer can be identified from the mobile terminal 90 via the position detection unit 50 and the unit communication unit 60 of the shipwreck rescue support unit 200, and the rescuer can be discovered more quickly and accurately.

[0120] [Modification Example 2] Also, in this embodiment, although the shipwreck rescue support unit 1 is configured as a shoulder-back type unit attached to both shoulder parts 501 of the life jacket 500, it may be configured as a shoulder-mounted type unit attached to the shoulders of the monitored person.

[0121] The shipwreck rescue support unit 300 as a shoulder-mounted type unit attached to the shoulders of the monitored person will be described. FIG. 10 is an example of a perspective view of the shipwreck rescue support unit 300 according to Modification Example 2 of the present invention.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 10, the shipwreck rescue support unit 300 includes a main body 301 on a rectangle and an attachment part 301 attached to the shoulders of the monitored person.

[0123] On the upper surface of the main body 301, a plurality of upward light-emitting parts 303 that emit light upward are provided, and on the right side surface of the main body 301, a plurality of side light-emitting parts 304 that emit light to the right are provided. Although not shown, a plurality of side light-emitting parts 304 that emit light to the left are also provided on the left side surface of the main body 301, and a plurality of rear light-emitting parts that emit light rearward are also provided on the rear surface of the main body 301.

[0124] The upward light-emitting part 303, the side light-emitting part 304, and the rear light-emitting part are composed of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In this embodiment, the upward light-emitting part 303, the side light-emitting part 304, and the rear light-emitting part are composed of light-emitting diodes, but they may also be composed of electric bulbs or organic EL lighting.

[0125] Note that the number and location of the light-emitting parts provided in the water disaster rescue support unit 300 can be freely changed in design as appropriate, and it is sufficient if they are provided on at least one of the upper surface, the right side surface, the left side surface, and the rear surface of the main body 301.

[0126] Openings 305 capable of receiving water are formed below both side surfaces of the main body 301, and water that has entered the openings 305 is detected by the water battery detection sensor 20.

[0127] Inside the main body 301, a communication antenna 306 for transmitting information to a base station connected to the Internet is provided. It is desirable that this communication antenna 306 be provided at the upper end inside the main body 301 so as to suppress communication interference due to submersion.

[0128] Also, on the upper surface of the main body 301, a push-type communication check button 307 for checking the operation of the water disaster rescue support system 100 is provided. Note that the installation location of the communication check button 207 can be freely changed in design as appropriate.

[0129] The attachment part 302 is made of a synthetic fiber cloth such as nylon, and includes a front-end attachment part 302F attached to the front end and the lower end of the main body part 301, and a rear-end attachment part 302B attached to the rear end and the lower end of the main body part 301. Hook-and-loop fasteners, so-called Velcro (registered trademark), are formed on the front-end attachment part 302F and the rear-end attachment part 302B, and the front-end attachment part 302F and the rear-end attachment part 302B can be engaged by the hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0130] Thus, even when the water accident rescue support unit 300 is used, in the event of a water accident, the water battery detection sensor 20 automatically detects that the monitored person has fallen into seawater, a river, etc., and in addition to being able to identify the position of the rescuer visually from the upper light-emitting part 303, the side light-emitting part 304, and the rear light-emitting part of the water accident rescue support unit 300, the position of the rescuer can be identified from the mobile terminal 90 via the position detection part 50 and the unit communication part 60 of the water accident rescue support unit 300, and the rescuer can be discovered more quickly and accurately.

[0131] [Modification Example 3] In this embodiment, the water accident rescue support unit 1 is configured as a shoulder-back type unit attached to both shoulders 501 of the life jacket 500, but it may be configured as a neck-hanging type unit worn around the neck of the monitored person.

[0132] Next, the water accident rescue support unit 400 as a neck-hanging type unit will be described. FIG. 11 is an example of a perspective view of the water accident rescue support unit 400 according to Modification Example 3 of the present invention.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 11, the water accident rescue support unit 400 includes a left main body part 401L, a right main body part 401R, which are formed to be slightly curved along the neck of the monitored person, and a flexible connecting part 402 that connects the left main body part 401L and the right main body part 401R.

[0134] On the upper surface portions of the left main body portion 401L and the right main body portion 401R, a plurality of upward light emitting portions 403 that emit light upward are provided. On the right side surface portion of the right main body portion 401R, a plurality of side light emitting portions 404 that emit light rightward are provided. Although not shown, a plurality of side light emitting portions 404 that emit light leftward are also provided on the left side surface portion of the left main body portion 401L.

[0135] The upward light emitting portion 403 and the side light emitting portion 404 are composed of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In this embodiment, the upward light emitting portion 403 and the side light emitting portion 404 are composed of light emitting diodes, but they may also be composed of electric bulbs or organic EL illuminations.

[0136] Note that the number and location of the light emitting portions provided in the water disaster rescue support unit 400 can be freely changed in design as appropriate, and it is sufficient if they are provided on at least any one of the upper surface portion, the left side surface portion, and the right side surface portion of the left main body portion 401L and the right main body portion 401R.

[0137] On the right side surface portion of the left main body portion 401L and the left side surface portion of the right main body portion 401R, an opening 405 capable of receiving water is formed, and water that has entered the opening 405 is detected by the water battery detection sensor 20.

[0138] Inside the left main body portion 401L and the right main body portion 401R, a communication antenna 406 for transmitting information to a base station connected to the Internet is provided. It is desirable that this communication antenna 406 be provided at the upper end inside the left main body portion 401L and the right main body portion 401R so as to suppress communication interference due to submersion.

[0139] Also, on the upper surface portion of the left main body portion 401L, a push-type communication check button 407 for performing an operation check of the water disaster rescue support system 100 is provided. Note that the installation location of the communication check button 407 can be freely changed in design as appropriate.

[0140] Thus, even when using the water accident rescue support unit 400, in the event of a water accident, the water battery detection sensor 20 automatically detects that the monitored person has fallen into seawater, a river, etc., and in addition to being able to identify the position of the rescuer visually, etc., by the upper light-emitting part 403 and the side light-emitting part 404 of the water accident rescue support unit 400, the position of the rescuer can be identified from the mobile terminal 90 via the position detection part 50 and the unit communication part 60 of the water accident rescue support unit 400, and the rescuer can be discovered more quickly and accurately.

[0141] [Other Modification Examples] Also, the water accident rescue support system 100 of the present embodiment is configured such that the water accident rescue support unit 1 and an external device composed of a monitoring server can perform wireless communication via the communication antenna 10 of the water accident rescue support unit 1 with a base station connected to the Internet. However, the water accident rescue support system 100 may also be configured such that the water accident rescue support unit 1 and a control device (external device) provided on a ship or the like can perform wireless communication via the communication antenna 10 of the water accident rescue support unit 1 with a wireless reception device provided on the ship or the like. When configured in this way, when searching while moving the rescuer from a ship or the like, when the rescuer enters the communication area range of the wireless reception device provided on the ship or the like, the monitored person can be discovered quickly.

[0142] Also, the water accident rescue support units 1, 200, 300, 400 of the present embodiment, Modification Example 1, and Modification Example 2 were configured to be attachable to the life jacket 500 or attachable to the monitored person separately from the life jacket 500, but may be configured as a life jacket equipped with a water accident rescue support unit.

[0143] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in the above-described embodiments, including the modification examples, the technologies of each embodiment can be applied to each other.

[0144] The above description is intended to be illustrative only and not restrictive. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0145] The terms used in this specification and the claims should be construed as non-limiting terms. For example, the term "comprising" should be construed as "not limited to the things described as comprising". The term "including" should be construed as "not limited to the things described as including". The term "having" should be construed as "not limited to the things described as having".

Explanation of Signs

[0146] 1, 200, 300, 400 Marine Rescue Support Unit 20 Battery Detection Sensor 21 Battery 30 Rescue Notification Unit 31 Light Emitting Unit 32 Alarm Sound Output Unit 40 Unit Control Unit 50 Position Detection Unit 60 Unit Communication Unit 70 Battery 80 External Device 81 Monitoring Control Unit 82 Storage Unit 90 Mobile Terminal 100 Marine Rescue Support System 100 Marine Rescue Support System 500 Life Jacket 500

Claims

In a water disaster rescue support system comprising a water disaster rescue support unit, an external device communicably connected to the water disaster rescue support unit, and a mobile terminal communicably connected to the external device, the water disaster rescue support unit includes: a light-emitting unit that emits light, a water detection sensor that detects water, a position detection unit that detects current position information, a communication unit for wireless communication with the external device, and a unit control unit that transmits, via the communication unit, the position information detected by the position detection unit to the external device when water is detected by at least the water detection sensor, wherein the unit control unit transmits, via the communication unit, the position information detected by the position detection unit to the external device at each predetermined unit time, the external device, upon receiving the position information of the water disaster rescue support unit from the water disaster rescue support unit, transmits the position information of the water disaster rescue support unit to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal, upon receiving the position information of the water disaster rescue support unit from the external device, displays the position information of the water disaster rescue support unit, is capable of setting the designated area range for monitoring whether the water disaster rescue support unit is within the designated area range, and upon setting of the designated area range, transmits information on the designated area range to the external device, the external device, upon receiving the information on the designated area range from the mobile terminal, determines whether the current position information received from the water disaster rescue support unit is within the designated area range, and when it is determined that the current position information is not within the designated area range, issues a notification to the mobile terminal, characterized in that it is a water disaster rescue support system.

Images