Arrangement and method for helping lost or missing persons

Abstract

The object of the invention is an arrangement for facilitating the finding of a missing person, which arrangement (1) comprises at least a base structure removably attached to an item (6) carried by the person with attachment means (7) and an identification element (3) on the front surface of the arrangement (1). Preferably, the arrangement (1) further comprises at least a figurative element (4a). Information about the person carrying the item (6) is stored in the identification element (3).

Description

[0001] ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR HELPING LOST OR MISSING PERSONS

[0002] The object of the invention is an arrangement presented in the preamble of claim 1 and a method presented in the preamble of claim 10 for facilitating the finding of a missing person.

[0003] Elderly people get lost every day and they may go missing both from home and from institutions. Small children may also go missing from their home yards and daycare centres. In the case of people with memory problems or small children, it is usually difficult to find out details and / or place of residence of the person who is lost. This kind of investigation burdens the authorities. Lost adults may not even be recognized as lost, which makes it even more difficult to return the lost person to their place of residence. If a person is found to be missing, loved ones or caretakers cannot find the person easily either.

[0004] The aim of this invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an arrangement that facilitates the identification of a lost person and the establishment of their identity. The invention also helps loved ones or caretakers searching for a missing person to locate that person. The arrangement according to the invention is characterized by what is presented in the characterization part of claim 1. The method according to the invention is characterized by what is presented in the characterization part of claim 10. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is presented in the other claims .

[0005] To achieve its aim, the arrangement according to the invention comprises at least a base structure that can be removably attached to an item carried by a person, which base structure has an identification element on the front surface. Advantageously, the base structure also has recognizable and eye-catching features. The identification element is a QR code or bar code, in which information about the person carrying the item may be stored .

[0006] The main advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is that finding and repatriating a lost or missing person becomes easier. In addition, workload of authorities will decrease .

[0007] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail by the aid of two examples with reference to the attached simplified drawings, wherein

[0008] Fig. 1 presents, as a front view, one arrangement according to the invention;

[0009] Fig. 2 presents, as a front view, an item of clothing to which the arrangement according to Fig. 1 is attached;

[0010] Fig. 3 presents, as a front view and in section, an item of clothing to which the arrangement according to Fig. 1 is attached; and

[0011] Fig. 4 presents, as a side view, another arrangement according to the invention.

[0012] Figure 1 presents one arrangement 1 according to the invention as a front view. The arrangement includes at least a base structure 2 and an individualized identification element 3. The identification element 3 stores information about a person carrying the arrangement 1, such as name, home address and / or contact details of a loved one. The identification element 3 is preferably, for example, a QR code or barcode, which is linked to, for example, a website containing personal data. The base structure 2 is made of a thin, plate-like material. The base structure 2 is advantageously circular, preferably so large in diameter that it is easily noticeable. The base structure 2 must be durable, waterproof and firm, and must not bend easily. Thus, the base structure 2 is made, for example, of silicone sheet or some other material suitable for the purpose. The identification element 3 is preferably visible on the first surface, i.e. the front surface, of the arrangement 1.

[0013] Advantageously, arrangement 1 comprises eye-catching features. The eye-catching features preferably comprise at least a figurative element 4a, which is a recognizable figure, such as a figure of a star. In addition, the eye-catching features preferably comprise a reflective element 4b. At its simplest, the eye-catching features are achieved, for example, with a starshaped figurative element 4a cut from a light-reflecting fabric. In this case, the figurative element 4a also comprises the reflective element 4b. The figurative element 4a is advantageously sized such that a circle drawn through the tips of the star would have a diameter of approximately 90% of the diameter of the base structure 2. The figurative element 4a is attached to the front surface of the arrangement 1 preferably by gluing. The identification element 3 is then printed on the figurative element 4a.

[0014] The identification element 3, i.e. QR code or bar code, is preferably printed on the front or back surface of the figurative element 4a. The colour used for printing is advantageously light enough so that it does not bleed, but dark enough for a smartphone scanner app to scan it. In addition, the colour used should be such that it does not fade over the years, so that the code can be scanned even years after the arrangement has been implemented. Preferably, an intermediate element 5 consisting of a water- repellent material, such as a water-repellent fabric, is attached to the front surface of the base structure 2, which substantially covers the entire front surface of the base structure 2. In this case, the figurative element 4a is attached to the front surface of the intermediate element 5. The intermediate element 5 is attached to the base structure 2 advantageously by gluing, as is also the figurative element 4a to the front surface of the intermediate element 5.

[0015] The eye-catching features of the arrangement according to the invention can also be implemented such that the intermediate element 5 to be attached to the front surface of the base structure 2 is made of light-reflecting fabric and the figurative element 4a to be attached to the front surface of the intermediate element 5 is a recognizable figure, such as a figure of a star, consisting of a different coloured and water- repellent fabric.

[0016] Figures 2 and 3 present, viewed from the front, an item of clothing 6, to which the arrangement 1 according to Figure 1 is attached in such a way that the second surface of the arrangement 1, i.e. the back surface, is against the front surface of the item of clothing. The item of clothing 6 is preferably an upper body garment, such as a jacket or blouse, and the arrangement 1 is advantageously attached to the left shoulder or left chest of the item of clothing 6. The arrangement 1 is also suitable for attaching to a beanie or cap, for example for children. The arrangement 1 is removably attached to the item of clothing 6 with attachment means 7, such as stitches, snaps, buttons or Velcro®. The arrangement 1 is arranged to be changed from one item of clothing to another depending on the season or other situation.

[0017] Advantageously, the arrangement 1 further comprises an internet-based management element 9, where information about the person carrying the arrangement 1 is arranged to be stored. The management element 9 can be used either with a smartphone application or via a computer. Relatives, caretakers and / or guardians of the person carrying the arrangement 1 have access to the management element 9.

[0018] An arrangement 1 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises a tracking device, such as a GPS locator. The tracking device comprises at least a location data transmitter element 8a, which is attached, for example, to the back surface of the base structure 2, and a location data receiver element 8b, which is, for example, a tracking application to be downloaded to a smartphone. The tracking application comprises a map service and is preferably part of the management element 9. Advantageously, the transmitter element 8a is placed in a small, waterproof bag made on the back surface of the base structure 2. The location data is preferably arranged to be stored in the management element 9.

[0019] To store personal data and location data in the management element 9, a consent is required from the persons in question. Consent data is also arranged to be stored and maintained by the management element 9.

[0020] Based on stored location data, the management element 9 is arranged to create probable routes and locations where a person could be. They can be used to locate a lost person even if he or she did not have the item of clothing 6 containing the tracking device with him or her when he or she went missing, or if the transmitter element 8a of the tracking device has, for example, failed. For creating probable locations and routes, artificial intelligence can be used, for example, which can model probable routes based on stored actual movement data.

[0021] The arrangement 1 according to the invention is advantageously, for example, a sleeve badge, which is attached to a person's outer garment 6 with stitches 7. The sleeve badge consists of a plate-like base structure 2, which is, for example, round and approximately 10 cm in diameter and made of a thin silicone sheet. An intermediate element 5 consisting of a water-repellent fabric is glued to the front surface of the base structure 2, which intermediate element covers substantially the entire front surface of the base structure 2. A figurative element 4a is glued to the front surface of the intermediate element 5. The figurative element 4a is a star-shaped piece cut from a light-reflecting material, preferably fabric, with a diameter of approximately 9 cm. A QR code 3 is printed on the figurative element 4a. A small bag of a waterproof material, preferably fabric, is made on the back surface of the base structure 2, where the transmitter element 8a of the tracking device is placed, which sends location data to the tracking application 8b acting as the receiver element of the tracking device. The tracking application 8b is part of the management element 9, which is an internet-based application that can be used either via a smartphone or a computer, and to which the person's loved one has access. The name, home address and contact details of the loved one of the person wearing the garment 6 and arrangement 1 are stored in the management element 9. The location data is also stored in the management element 9, and the management element 9 creates probable locations and routes based on the stored location data in case the person does not have the (functional) transmitter element 8a of the tracking device with them when they go missing.

[0022] The method according to the invention for facilitating the finding of a missing person comprises using the arrangement 1 according to the invention for identifying and locating the missing person. The arrangement 1 comprises at least a base structure 2 and an identification element 3. The identification element 3 stores information about the person carrying the arrangement 1, such as name, home address and / or contact details of a loved one. The identification element 3 is preferably, for example, a QR code or a barcode.

[0023] Information about the person carrying the arrangement 1 is stored in an internet-based management element 9, and the information is linked to the person's identification element 3. The management element 9 is used either with a smartphone application or via a computer. In its simplest form, the management element 9 is a website that contains information about the person carrying the arrangement 1, such as name, home address and / or contact details of a loved one.

[0024] The arrangement 1 according to the invention is advantageously attached to an item of clothing 6 worn by the person in such a way that the second surface, i.e. the back surface, of the arrangement 1 is against the front surface of the item of clothing. The item of clothing 6 is preferably an upper body garment, such as a jacket or blouse, and the arrangement 1 is advantageously attached to the left shoulder or left chest of the item of clothing 6. The arrangement 1 can also be attached to a beanie or cap, for example for children. Preferably, the arrangement 1 is removably attached to the item of clothing 6 with attachment means 7, such as stitches, snaps, buttons or Velcro®, so that the arrangement 1 can be changed from one item of clothing to another according to the season or other situation.

[0025] The method according to the invention for facilitating the finding of a missing person advantageously comprises at least the following steps:

[0026] • information about a person is stored in an internet-based management element 9;

[0027] • the stored information is linked to an identification element 3 of an arrangement 1 according to the invention; and

[0028] • the arrangement 1 according to the invention, which comprises the identification element 3 of the person in question, is attached to an item 6 carried by the person.

[0029] In a method according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the movements of a person are tracked by means of a tracking device, such as a GPS locator. A location data transmitter element 8a of the tracking device is attached, for example, to the back surface of the base structure 2. A location data receiver element 8b, which is preferably included in the management element 9, is, for example, a tracking application that can be downloaded to a smartphone. Advantageously, the transmitter element 8a is placed in a small, waterproof bag made on the back surface of the base structure 2. The location data is preferably stored in the management element 9.

[0030] To store personal data and location data in the management element 9, a consent is required from the persons in question. Consent data is also stored and maintained by the management element 9. Advantageously, the management element 9 creates probable locations and routes based on the stored location data, with the help of which a lost person can be found, even if they did not have the item of clothing 6 containing the tracking device with them when they went missing, or if the transmitter element 8a of the tracking device has, for example, failed. For creating probable locations and routes, artificial intelligence can be used, for example, which can model probable routes based on the stored actual movement data.

[0031] It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the various embodiments of the invention are not limited solely to the examples presented above but may vary within the scope of the claims presented below.

[0032] For example, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the arrangement according to the invention can also be made of other materials and in a different shape than mentioned above. The base structure, the figurative element and the intermediate element can be made of plastic, for example.

[0033] It is also clear to a person skilled in the art that the eyecatching features of the arrangement according to the invention can also be implemented in some other way than described above. They can be implemented, for example, by gluing an intermediate element consisting of a water-repellent fabric covering the base structure onto the base structure, on which intermediate element an identification element is printed. A figurative element consisting of a reflective fabric with the same diameter as the intermediate element and with a star-shaped opening cut into it is glued on top of the intermediate element, through which starshaped opening the identification element is visible. In addition, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that, instead of a garment, the arrangement according to the invention can be attached, for example, to a bracelet or to a band intended for around the upper arm on top of clothing.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An arrangement for facilitating the finding of a missing person, the arrangement (1) comprising at least a base structure (2) to be attached to an item (6) carried by a person with attachment means (7) and an identification element (3) on the front surface of the arrangement (1) , characterized in that the arrangement (1) comprises at least a figurative element (4a) , and that information about the person carrying the item (6) is stored in the identification element (3) .

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the item 6 is an item of clothing and the identification element (3) is a QR code or a barcode.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the arrangement (1) comprises, in addition to the figurative element (4a) , a light-reflecting element (4b) on the front surface of the arrangement (1) , which figurative element (4a) is a recognizable figure of a star, and that the identification element (3) is printed on the figurative element (4a) .

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the arrangement (1) comprises an intermediate element (5) between the base structure (2) and the figurative element (4a) .

5. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that the item (6) is an upper body garment, and that the attachment means (7) are stitches, snaps, buttons or Velcro®.

6. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 1-5, characterized in that the arrangement (1) further comprisesan internet-based management element (9) , where information about the person carrying the item (6) is arranged to be stored.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the arrangement (1) further comprises a tracking device, such as a GPS locator, which tracking device comprises at least a location data transmitter element (8a) , which is attached, for example, to the back surface of the base structure (2) , and a location data receiver element (8b) , which is, for example, a tracking application to be downloaded to a smartphone.

8. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the location data is arranged to be stored in the management element (9) .

9. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the management element (9) is arranged to create probable routes and locations of the person based on the stored location data.

10. A method for facilitating the finding of a missing person carrying an item (6) , which method comprises at least the following steps:• data of a person carrying an item (6) is stored in an identification element (3) ; and• an arrangement (1) according to the invention is attached to the item (6) carried by the person, which arrangement (1) comprises the identification element (3) of the person in question .

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the identification element (3) is a QR code or a barcode, and that the method further comprises at least the following steps:• data of the person is stored in an internet-based management element (9) ; and• the stored data is linked to the identification element

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