Redundant locating indicators

Abstract

A locating device for locating a beacon in an alarm state includes a housing, a graphical user interface, multiple light pipes, and a controller. The controller commands the graphical user interface to display at least one symbol indicating a direction toward the beacon and commands one or more of the light sources to concurrently illuminate at least one of the light pipes to indicate the same direction as the at least one symbol displayed.

Description

REDUNDANT LOCATING INDICATORSTechnical Field

[0001] The present technology generally relates to locating indicators and, in particular, to redundant locating indicator devices and methods for locating firefighters with wearable beacons.Summary

[0002] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a locating device for locating a beacon in an alarm state. The locating device includes: a housing having an outer surface and defining a forward direction; a graphical user interface coupled to the housing and configured to display one or more symbols each associated with a different direction; a first light pipe, a second light pipe, and a third light pipe each having an associated light source, each light pipe coupled to the housing and each having a visible surface proximate the outer surface of the housing, each visible surface configured to represent a different direction of the graphical user interface, wherein the light pipes have a higher operating temperature than the graphical user interface; and a controller comprising processing circuitry operably coupled to the graphical user interface and the light sources. The controller is configured to: command the graphical user interface to display at least one symbol indicating a direction toward the beacon; and command one or more of the light sources to concurrently illuminate at least one of the light pipes to indicate the same direction as the at least one symbol displayed.

[0003] In another aspect, a method of locating a beacon in an alarm state includes: displaying on a graphical user interface of a locating device at least one symbol indicating a direction toward the beacon; and concurrently illuminating at least one light pipe to indicate the same direction as the at least one symbol, wherein the at least one light pipe has a higher operating temperature than the graphical user interface.Brief Description of Drawings

[0004] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an environment for using a locating device with a wearable beacon according to the present disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are an overhead view and a side elevation view of a locating device usable as the locating device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the locating device.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a locating device usable as the locating device of FIG. 1.

[0007] FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 show various user interface and light pipe configurations usable with the locating device of FIG. 1.

[0008] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the subject matter of the present disclosure and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings and descriptions are meant to illustrate various embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any manner.Detailed Description

[0009] In general, the present disclosure relates to a locating device for locating a beacon in an alarm state. The locating devices includes a graphical user interface and a plurality of light pipes. The graphical user interface is configured to display at least one symbol associated with at least one direction.Concurrently, at least one of the light pipes is configured to be illuminated by a light source associated with the at least one direction to provide visual redundant indication of a direction to the beacon, range to the beacon, or both. In high-temperature environments, many user interfaces, particularly graphical user interfaces that can provide rich information to a user attempting to perform a rescue, have operating temperatures limited by certain components, such as a liquid crystal layer. Including light pipes having a higher operating temperature range facilitates use of locating devices in a wider range of operating temperatures, redundancy that can mitigate single points of failure, and can facilitate coordination among nearby users.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an environment 100 for using a locating device 104 with a wearable beacon, or simply a beacon, such as wearable beacon 108, according to the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the beacon may be handheld or otherwise carried or attached to a person or object to be located. The beacon is configured to emit a wireless signal that may be detectable by the locating device 104 within a functional range.

[0011] The environment 100 may be any environment in which a beacon is worn, or held, by an individual who may need to be located or tracked, for example, when the environment is an immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) environment. In some embodiments, the environment 100 is a firefighting scene and one or more beacons may be worn by a firefighter. The beacons may activate an alarm state, such as a Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) alarm, when a firefighter is in distress in the environment. The locating device 104 may be used to facilitate finding the beacons in the environment 100 and may provide audio, visual, or both types of feedback to a user of the locating device 104 related to the location of the beacon.

[0012] The wearable beacons may be attached, or otherwise coupled to, a wearable support device. One example of a wearable support device is a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Although reference is made herein to environments involving use of the locating device with a wearable beacon integrated into, or attached to, an SCBA, the locating advice may be used with a wearable beaconintegrated into, or attached to, any wearable article or support device usable in environments where a user with the wearable beacon may need to be found or otherwise tracked. Various other applications will become apparent to one of skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure. In general, an SCBA may include a backframe configured to support a high-pressure air tank, a harness including a shoulder strap connected to a backframe, a sensor module mounted to the backframe, and at least one or more beacon interfaces each configured at least to transmit or receive signals over a communications protocol and provide at least one beacon signal.

[0013] In some embodiments, the environment 100 includes a structure 102, such as a building, which may include one or more obstacles, such as walls or floors, between the user of locating devices, who may be part of a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), and the individuals wearing the wearable beacons, who may be firefighters in PASS alarm. Within a structure 102 of an environment 100, there may be one or more individuals with beacons 108 and one or more users each with a locating device 104 searching for the individuals having beacons in alarm states.

[0014] The present disclosure provides a locating device capable of communicating over one or more communications protocols via one or more communications interface. In some embodiments, data from at least one communications protocol is used to provide tracking data from at least one beacon to the user of the locating device. Tracking data may include direction tracking data or range tracking data for example. Tracking indications may be provided to the locating device user, for example, using a graphical user interface and at least one light pipe, to guide the user to the beacon.

[0015] In general, the locating interface 104 uses at least one communications interface (see FIG. 3) to provide an indication of range, direction, or both of at least one beacon to a user of the locating device. Each communications interface may be associated with a set of one or more antennas. In general, the antenna may be configured and arranged to provide tracking data, and the tracking indications may be provided to the locating device user based on the tracking data. In some embodiments, each antenna set may be oriented to receive a signal more strongly from a certain direction than other directions. In some embodiments, the locating device 104 may define various direction areas, which may correspond to an angle range. For example, the locating device 104 may define a first direction area 120, a second direction area 122, and a third direction area 124. Each direction area may be associated with an antenna set configured to receive signals strongly in a range of 90 degrees and each direction area may be offset from one another to collectively cover 270 degrees. Such a configuration of antenna may allow one or more locating interfaces to provide directional information, without sweeping the locating device, and by monitoring the differences in signals between the antennas. In some embodiments, one communications interface may be associated with three sets of antennas with each antenna set corresponding to one of the direction areas 120, 122, 124.

[0016] In some embodiments, the locating device 104 is configured to communicate with devices other than the beacons. Other devices may include another locating device or the IC device 112. The ICdevice 112 may be used by an Incident Commander overseeing the search in the environment. The locating device 104 may include a wireless communications interface configured to communicate with the other devices.

[0017] FIG. 2A and 2B are an overhead view and a side elevation view, respectively, of a locating device 200 usable as the locating device 104 of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the locating device 200 is a handheld device. The locating device 200 includes a housing 210 having at least a handle portion 214 and a body portion 216, a user interface 202 coupled to the body portion of the housing, and one or more sets of antennas coupled to and at least partially contained within the housing. As illustrated, the locating device 200 includes four sets of antennas 204, 206, 208, and 212. The antennas 204, 206, 208, 212 may be at least partially surrounded, or covered, by the housing so that the antennas are not exposed or part of an outer surface of the housing 210.

[0018] The housing 210 may define a forward direction 201. In the illustrated embodiment, the forward direction 201 is generally from the handle portion 214 toward the body portion 216. The forward direction may be generally aligned to a central major axis of the locating device 200.

[0019] One, two, or three of the sets of antennas 204, 206, 208 may be operably coupled to one or more communications interfaces. Each antenna set 204, 206, 208 may include one or more patch antennas (see FIG. 2B). In the illustrated embodiment, each antenna set 204, 206, 208 includes four patch antennas. In other embodiments, each antenna set 204, 206, 208 may include only two patch antennas, particularly antenna sets 206, 208, which may save space while still providing sufficient fidelity. Each antenna set may correspond to receiving signals strongly on a focused angle range indicated by the different direction areas of FIG. 1. For example, antenna set 204 may correspond with direction area 120, antenna set 206 may correspond with direction area 122, and antenna set 208 may correspond with direction area 124.The cooperative configuration of the antenna sets and the one or more communications interfaces may not require sweeping the locating device 104 in order to provide tracking data, such as direction tracking data.

[0020] In some embodiments, one or two additional antenna sets (not shown) may be provided, each associated an upward or downward orientation. Each of the antenna sets oriented in the upward direction area (not shown) or downward direction area (not shown) may include one, two, or four patch antennas. In this configuration, the locating device 200 may be configured to provide directional information to the user in three dimensions (e.g., forward, left, right, up, and down).

[0021] In some embodiments, the antenna sets 204, 206, 208 may be used to receive direction tracking data, and other antennas - such as in antenna set 212 - may be used to receive range tracking data. The antenna set 212 may include one, two, or more antenna in the set. In some embodiments, each protocol in utilizes its own antenna in antenna set 212.

[0022] The antenna sets 204, 206, 208 are shown in the body portion 216 and the antenna sets 212 are shown in the handle portion for illustrative purposes only. In general, the antenna sets 204, 206, 208, 212 may be disposed anywhere in, or on, the housing of the locating device 104. A person of ordinaryskill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure would be able to position the antenna sets in a suitable location.

[0023] The user interface 202 may be any suitable user interface. In some embodiments, the user interface 202 includes a graphical user interface capable of displaying graphics, or visual indicators, to the user, particularly indicators related to direction, tracking, or both. A non-limiting example of a suitable user interface is a light-emitting diode (LED) backlit liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0024] In some embodiments, the visual indicators displayed on the user interface 202 includes symbols. Each symbol may be associated with a different direction. For example, one direction may be aligned to the forward direction. Other directions may include one or more of a left direction, a right direction, a front-left diagonal direction, a front-right diagonal direction, an upward direction, and a downward direction. Any logical combination of these symbols may be used to provide a three- dimensional (3D) indication of direction from the locating device to the beacon. Various non-limiting examples are shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6.

[0025] In some embodiments, the user interface 202 has a display surface and a cover layer. The display surface may be made of a clear substrate covering a liquid crystal layer (e.g., a glass substrate). The display surface may be recessed from a top surface 211 of the housing 210. The cover layer may also be made of a clear substrate (e.g., a high-temperature polymer or glass substrate). The user interface 202 may define an air gap between the display surface and the cover layer. The air gap may facilitate providing thermal insulation to the display surface and the liquid crystals underneath.

[0026] As perhaps best seen in FIG. 2C, the housing 210 defines an outer surface 213. The locating device may include one or more light pipes. In the illustrated embodiment, the locating device 200 includes a first light pipe 220, a second light pipe 222, and a third light pipe 224. Each light pipe 220, 222, 224 is coupled to the housing 210 and has a visible surface proximate to the outer surface 213 of the housing. Each visible surface may be described as being exposed or being an outer surface portion. Each light pipe has an associated light source. Each light source may be enclosed within the outer surface 213 of the housing 210 such that its light is visible generally only through the visible surface of the associated light pipe. In general, the housing 210 may be made of an opaque material. Each light pipe may be made of a clear material that is resilient to high temperatures, such as a high-temperature polymer. Each light pipe may have a higher operating temperature than an operating temperature of the graphical user interface 202, particularly of the liquid crystal layer.

[0027] The light pipes may be positioned to at least partially define a perimeter around the graphical user interface along the top surface 211 of the housing 210. This arrangement may facilitate some thermal insulation of the graphical user interface 202 from the edges of the locating device 200. Further, in some embodiments, the light pipes may sit proud of the top surface 211 of the housing 210. This position may facilitate visibility of the illuminated light pipes for persons nearby other than the user, which may facilitate coordination in tracking efforts.

[0028] Each of the light pipes 220, 222, 224 may be associated with a different direction relative to the forward direction 201. In one example, the illumination of the first light pipe 220 may indicate that the beacon being tracked is in a forward direction from the locating device 200. The illumination of the second light pipe 222 may indicate that the beacon is in a left direction from the locating device 200. The illumination of the third light pipe 224 may indicate that the beacon is in a right direction from the locating device 200.

[0029] In other embodiments, the locating device may include additional light pipes. For example, the locating device may include a fourth light pipe and a fifth light pipe (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). The fourth light pipe may indicate an upward direction. The fifth light pipe may indicate a downward direction.

[0030] In some embodiments, more than one light pipe may be illuminated at the same time. For example, two light pipes may be illuminated to indicate that the beacon is in a direction between the nominal indications of those light pipes, such as a diagonal direction. When the first light pipe 220 and the second light pipe 222 are illuminated, this may indicate that the beacon is in a front-left diagonal direction. When the first light pipe 220 and the third light pipe 224 are illuminated, this may indicate that the beacon is in a front-right diagonal direction (see FIG. 6). Further, when additional light pipes are included, a direction in along the z-axis may also be indicated. For example, three light pipes may be illuminated to indicate a diagonal direction along with an upward or downward direction (see FIG. 5).

[0031] In general, the user of the locating device 200 may use the illumination of the light pipes and symbols of the user interface 202 to locate the beacon. Each direction may indicate a suggested movement to the user of the locating device 200 to orient the locating device toward the beacon. In other words, if the user points a front of the locating device 200 (e.g., the direction of the forward direction 201) as suggested, the locating device 200 will point toward the beacon and in such state the first light pipe 220 may be illuminated and a symbol associated with the forward direction may be displayed on the user interface 200.

[0032] In some embodiments, all the light pipes may be illuminated a single, same color. A nonlimiting example of a single color is green. In other embodiments, different colors may be used. The color of the light pipe may be changeable to represent a distance of the locating device 200 to the beacon. In one example, a light pipe may change to red to indicate a short distance, yellow to indicate a medium distance, and green to indicate a far distance.

[0033] The visible surfaces of the light pipes may have any suitable shape. Preferably, the shape is intuitive for the user to interpret while also being appropriately sized for the housing 210. Non-limiting examples of shapes of the visible surfaces include a straight bar or an arrow.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a locating device 300, which is usable as the locating device 104 of FIG. 1 or the locating device 200 of FIG. 2. The locating device 300 includes at least one controller 302 including processing circuitry 304 and at least one memory 306. In the illustratedembodiment, the controller 302 is operably coupled to a user interface 316, a first light source 308, a second light source 310, a third light source 312, a communications interface 314, and a light sensor 318.

[0035] One or more of the components of the locating device 300, such as controllers or interfaces, described herein may include processing circuitry, such as a processor, central processing unit (CPU), computer, logic array, or other device capable of directing data coming into or out of the locating device. The controller may include one or more computing devices having memory, processing, and communication hardware. The controller may include circuitry used to couple various components of the controller together or with other components operably coupled to the controller. The functions of the controller may be performed by hardware and / or as computer instructions on a non-transient computer readable storage medium.

[0036] The processor of the controller may include any one or more of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. In some examples, the processor may include multiple components, such as any combination of one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more DSPs, one or more ASICs, and / or one or more FPGAs, as well as other discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The functions attributed to the controller or processor herein may be embodied as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. While described herein as a processor-based system, an alternative controller could utilize other components such as relays and timers to achieve the desired results, either alone or in combination with a microprocessor-based system.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the exemplary systems, methods, interfaces, and other functionality may be implemented using one or more computer programs using a computing apparatus, which may include one or more processors and / or memory. Program code and / or logic described herein may be applied to input data / information to perform functionality described herein and generate desired output data / information. The output data / information may be applied as an input to one or more other devices and / or methods as described herein or as would be applied in a known fashion. In view of the above, it will be readily apparent that the controller functionality as described herein may be implemented in any manner known to one skilled in the art.

[0038] The communications interface 314 may be operably coupled to antenna sets, such as antenna sets 204, 206, 208 (FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B). Tracking data from antennas may be received by the controller 302 using the communications interface 314. Various parameters may be determined by the controller based on the tracking data, such as direction tracking parameters and range tracking parameters. A direction tracking parameter indicates a determined direction of a beacon relative to the locating device 300. A range tracking parameter indicates a determined distance of a beacon relative to the locating device 300. Any suitable techniques to determine the direction or range of the beacon relative to thelocating device 300 based on antenna signals may be used, such as signals based on the IEEE 802. 15.4 protocol.

[0039] The user interface 316 may be any suitable user interface 316, such as the user interface 202 (see FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C). The user interface 316 may selectively be used to display an indication of a direction to a beacon based on a direction tracking parameter. The user interface 316 may also be used to display an indication of range to the beacon based on a range tracking parameter.

[0040] Each light source 308, 310, 312 is associated with a light pipe, such as one of the light pipes 220, 222, 224 (see FIG. 2C). One or more of the light sources 308, 310, 312 may be commanded, or otherwise controller, by the controller 302 based on one or more tracking parameters.

[0041] The controller 302 may be configured to command the user interface 316 to display at least one symbol indicating a direction toward the beacon. As described elsewhere, multiple symbols may be used to cooperatively indicate the direction. The controller 302 may also be configured to command one or more of the light sources 308, 310, 312 to concurrently illuminate at least one of the light pipes to indicate the same direction as the at least one symbol displayed. As described elsewhere, multiple light pipes may be illuminated to cooperatively indicate the direction. The dual use of the user interface 316 and the light pipes having light sources may provide dual redundant indications of direction, range, or both.

[0042] In some embodiments, the user interface 316 and the light sources may be commanded to indicate a diagonal direction. When a single light pipe is not associated with the diagonal direction, for example, at least two of the light pipes associated with adjacent directions to the diagonal direction may be illuminated to indicate the diagonal direction.

[0043] In some embodiments, the controller 302 may be configured to change the color of one or more of the light pipes, for example, by commanding the associated light sources. The selected color may be determined based on the range tracking parameter indicating a determined distance to the beacon.

[0044] In some embodiments, the controller 302 may be configured to adjust a brightness of the user interface 316, the light pipes by commanding the light sources 308, 310, 312, or both. A desired brightness by a rescuer may depend on the ambient light of the environment. In some embodiments, the light sensor 318 is configured to provide an ambient light signal to the controller 302. The controller may be configured to automatically adjust the brightness of the user interface 316, one or more of the light pipes, or both based on the ambient light signal. Automatic or manual brightness adjustments by the controller 302 may be user configurable.

[0045] In some embodiments, the controller 302 may be configured to receive a temperature parameter indicating a temperature of the locating device 200 or an ambient temperature. The locating device 200 may include a temperature sensor (not shown) or may receive a temperature parameter from a nearby sensor using the communications interface 314. The controller 302 may be configured tocommand the one or more light sources to concurrently illuminate at least one of the light pipes only in response to the temperature parameter exceeding a threshold. This configuration may be beneficial in saving battery power when additional lighting is not needed or desirable (e.g., too much illumination). In some embodiments, the user may choose to configure whether to turn on and use only the user interface 316 for tracking, only the light pipes for tracking, or both for redundancy.

[0046] In some embodiments, the controller 302 may be configured to allow a user to select whether to illuminate the light pipes to a solid state or a blinking state. Other user selectable configurations are also contemplated, such as the visible color of the light pipes.

[0047] FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 show various configurations of user interfaces and light pipes that may be used with the locating devices of the present disclosure, such as locating devices 104, 200, and 300. FIG. 4 shows a user interface 400 showing one example of a symbol 402 in the shape of a chevron indicating a left direction relative to the locating device and a radar graph 404 indicating both a direction to the left and a medium range. The depiction of the radar graph 404 may also be considered a symbol. The light pipe 406 is illuminated and also indicates a left direction redundant with the symbol 402 of the user interface 400. The visible surfaces of the other light pipes are not illuminated. As illustrated, the light pipe 406 has the shape of a bar. Light pipes indicating other horizontal directions are also in the shape of a bar in this embodiment. Light pipes indicating vertical directions, such as upward and downward, are in the shape of arrows, such as light pipe 408 indicating an upward direction. The illumination of light pipe 406 is redundant with showing the symbol 402 and the radar graph 404. The user interface may also show other information, as shown in user interface 400, such as a unique identifier of the beacon, an indication of remaining air of the SCBA associated with the beacon, and a battery charge of the beacon or SCBA. In some embodiments, the color of the light pipes may be changed to indicate the medium range.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a user interface 500 that is similar to the user interface 400 of FIG. 4. However, the user interface 500 is not displaying a chevron indicating a left direction. User interface 500 displays a symbol 502 in the shape of a staircase with an upward arrow indicating an upward direction of the beacon from the locating device. The user interface 500 also shows a radar graph 504 (e.g., another symbol) indicating a left-front diagonal direction and a medium range. The light pipes are also illuminated to show an upward direction and a front-left diagonal direction by illuminating three different light pipes. In some embodiments, the light pipes may be described as being divided into portions, such as halves.

[0049] As illustrated, the light pipe 506 includes a first portion and a second portion. To indicate the appropriate direction, the first portion (e.g., front) of the light pipe 506 proximate to the left-front diagonal direction is illuminated and the second portion (e.g., rear) of the light pipe 506 is not illuminated. Similarly, the first portion (e.g., left) of the light pipe 508 proximate to the left-front diagonal direction is illuminated and the second portion (e.g., right) of the light pipe 508 is not illuminated. The light pipe 510 indicating an upward direction is illuminated, which is redundant with the symbol 502. Insuch an embodiment, to indicate a principal direction, such as forward, left, or right, both halves of the appropriate light pipe may be illuminated. For example, to indicate a forward direction, both portions of the light pipe 508 would be illuminated and both portions of the light pipe 506 would be not illuminated. The light pipes are redundant with the radar graph 504.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows a user interface 600 that is similar to the user interface 500 of FIG. 5. However, the user interface 600 does not display a radar graph. The user interface 600 includes a plurality of sets of concentric lines (e.g., curved concentric lines). Each set of concentric lines, when illuminated, indicates a direction. The user interface 600 includes symbol 602, which indicates a front-right direction. The user interface 600 also includes text symbols “UP” and “DOWN” that indicate upward and downward directions, respectively, when illuminated. The bar-shaped light pipes are illuminated using a similar technique as shown in FIG. 5, except indicating a different direction, which is redundant with the symbol 602. As illustrated, these are not illuminated. The user interface 500 also includes text to indicate range (e.g., “35 FT.”). The light pipes associated with the upward and downward directions are not in the shape of arrows but rather text, similar to the corresponding text of the user interface 600 for the same directions.

[0051] Thus, various embodiments of REUNDANT LOCATING INDICATORS are disclosed. Other features and combinations of features within the scope of this disclosure may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the figures, descriptions, and claims.

[0052] Terms related to orientation, such as front or top, are used to describe relative positions of components and are not meant to limit the absolute orientation of the embodiments contemplated.

[0053] The terms “coupled” or “connected” refer to elements being attached to each other either directly (in direct contact with each other) or indirectly (having one or more elements between and attaching the two elements). Either term may be replaced to “couplable” or “connectable” to describe that the elements are configured to be coupled or connected. In addition, either term may be modified by “operatively” and “operably,” which may be used interchangeably, to describe that the coupling or connection is configured to allow the components to interact to carry out functionality.

[0054] As used herein, the term “configured to” may be used interchangeably with the terms “adapted to” or “structured to” unless the content of this disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

[0055] Th singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents unless its context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0056] The term “or” is generally employed in its inclusive sense, for example, to mean “and / or” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and / or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of at least two of the listed elements.

[0057] The phrases “at least one of,” “comprises at least one of,” and “one or more of’ followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A locating device for locating a beacon in an alarm state comprising: a housing comprising an outer surface and defining a forward direction; a graphical user interface coupled to the housing and configured to display one or more symbols each associated with a different direction; a first light pipe, a second light pipe, and a third light pipe each having an associated light source, each light pipe coupled to the housing and each having a visible surface proximate the outer surface of the housing, each visible surface configured to represent a different direction of the graphical user interface, wherein the light pipes have a higher operating temperature than the graphical user interface; and a controller comprising processing circuitry operably coupled to the graphical user interface and the light sources, the controller configured to: command the graphical user interface to display at least one symbol indicating a direction toward the beacon; and command one or more of the light sources to concurrently illuminate at least one of the light pipes to indicate the same direction as the at least one symbol displayed.

2. The locating device of claim 1, wherein each direction indicates a suggested movement to a user to orient the locating device toward the beacon.

3. The locating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the light pipes corresponds to one of a left direction, a forward direction, and a right direction.

4. The locating device of any preceding claim, further comprising a fourth light pipe and a fifth light pipe each corresponding to one of an upward direction and a downward direction.

5. The locating device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to:command the graphical user interface to display at least one symbol indicating a diagonal direction; and command one or more of the light sources to concurrently illuminate at least two of the light pipes associated with adjacent directions to the diagonal direction to indicate the diagonal direction.

6. The locating device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to change the color of one or more of the light pipes based on a range tracking parameter indicating a determined distance to the beacon.

7. The locating device of any preceding claim, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a display surface and a cover layer and defines an air gap between the display surface and the cover layer.

8. The locating device of any preceding claim, wherein the light pipes at least partially define a perimeter around the graphical user interface along a top surface of the housing and sit proud of the top surface of the housing.

9. The locating device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust a brightness of the graphical user interface, the light pipes, or both.

10. The locating device of claim 9, further comprising a light sensor configured to provide an ambient light signal to the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to automatically adjust the brightness of the graphical user interface, the light pipes, or both based on the ambient light signal.

11. The locating device of any preceding claim, wherein commanding one or more of the light sources to concurrently illuminate at least one of the light pipes is only in response to a temperature parameter exceeding a threshold.

12. The locating device of any preceding claim, wherein concurrently commanding one or more of the light sources to concurrently illuminate at least one of the light pipes comprises illuminating the light pipes to a solid on state or to a blinking state.

13. The locating device of any preceding claim, wherein the light pipes are made of a high-temperature polymer material.

14. The locating device of any preceding claim, wherein the visible surfaces of the light pipes each have the shape of a straight bar or an arrow.

15. A method of locating a beacon in an alarm state, the method comprising: displaying on a graphical user interface of a locating device at least one symbol indicating a direction toward the beacon; and concurrently illuminating at least one light pipe to indicate the same direction as the at least one symbol, wherein the at least one light pipe has a higher operating temperature than the graphical user interface.

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