Avalanche Transceiver Directional Update During Dead Times
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Solution Overview
Problem
Avalanche transceivers face a significant challenge in providing continuous directional updates during a search, as the direction display is only updated when a transmission signal is received, resulting in dead times where no direction information is available, which can impede efficient victim location, especially when the user changes position between transmission pulses.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that continuously or quasi-continuously determine and process position data during dead times between transmission pulses, allowing for periodic updating of the directional representation based on the last determined reception direction, enabling a more precise and rapid search by interpolating direction changes between transmission pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the direction display is updated only when a transmission signal is received, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases due to dead times between transmission pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously determining position data during dead times between transmission pulses, so that when a transmission pulse is received, the position information is already available for immediate directional display update, eliminating the waiting period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by continuously acquiring position data throughout the entire search period, including during dead times when no transmission pulses are received, ensuring that directional information can be updated without interruption
2Use of energy by moving object
If the transmission pulse period is extended to reduce power consumption, then the use of energy is improved, but the productivity decreases due to longer dead times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous position data acquisition during extended dead times, ensuring that when transmission pulses are received, directional displays can be immediately updated without delay, thus maintaining search efficiency despite longer pulse periods
Solution Approach 2:
Position data is determined in advance during dead times, so that when transmission pulses arrive, the directional representation can be updated immediately without waiting for new position measurements, maintaining productivity with extended energy-saving intervals
3Loss of information
If the direction display is updated continuously, then the loss of information is reduced, but the use of energy increases due to frequent processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by updating the directional display only at specific moments when transmission pulses are received, rather than continuously, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining directional information accuracy through strategic timing of updates
Data Source
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AI summary
The method comprises generating a periodically updated directional representation (104, 111) of a receiving direction (102) in the search direction towards a transmission location of a pulsed transmit signal in a search and transmit device (100, 140). According to the invention, the updated directional representation (111) is generated by a processing unit (230) based on a buffered, last determined receiving direction and current position data for the position of the search and transmit device (100, 140). The determination (11) of the position of the search and transmit device (100, 140) is preferably carried out by measuring the Earth's magnetic field. A search and transmit device (100, 140) suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention has position determination means (160) for this purpose, which allow the determination of the current position of the search and transmit device (100, 140) at essentially any given time. The position determination means (160) preferably comprise a magnetic field sensor (260) oran electronic compass. The position can then be determined with respect to a reference direction, which is determined based on the last determined reception direction (102).