WO2002055156A1 - Device for detection and automatic alarm of snow accidents - Google Patents

Device for detection and automatic alarm of snow accidents Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002055156A1
WO2002055156A1 PCT/FR2002/000089 FR0200089W WO02055156A1 WO 2002055156 A1 WO2002055156 A1 WO 2002055156A1 FR 0200089 W FR0200089 W FR 0200089W WO 02055156 A1 WO02055156 A1 WO 02055156A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
detection
alert
person
snow
detector
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2002/000089
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel Broche
Original Assignee
France Telecom
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by France Telecom filed Critical France Telecom
Priority to EP02710966A priority Critical patent/EP1349616A1/en
Publication of WO2002055156A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002055156A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/04—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
    • G08B21/0407—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons based on behaviour analysis
    • G08B21/0415—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons based on behaviour analysis detecting absence of activity per se
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B29/00—Apparatus for mountaineering
    • A63B29/02—Mountain guy-ropes or accessories, e.g. avalanche ropes; Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons
    • A63B29/021—Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/04—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
    • G08B21/0438—Sensor means for detecting
    • G08B21/0446—Sensor means for detecting worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B29/00—Apparatus for mountaineering
    • A63B29/02—Mountain guy-ropes or accessories, e.g. avalanche ropes; Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons
    • A63B29/021—Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons
    • A63B2029/022—Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons with means for automatically activating signal means in case of an avalanche

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an automatic detection and alert device for accidents occurring to people working on snow-covered sites.
  • the invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of assistance and rescue for victims of avalanches.
  • This system consists of a transceiver operating at a frequency of 457 kHz. By placing this device in the transmitter position, the person wearing it can be located by the emergency services. The same device is used in receiver mode in order to participate in the search for buried people.
  • the ARVA system is not very widespread among tourists because of its high price and its use limited to a fairly short period, that of the winter holidays. It mainly equips professionals
  • Another system known by the name of Recco, consists in equipping skiers' clothing with emission dipoles intended to emit, under electromagnetic lighting, around 1.8 GHz. This device, which the skier sometimes wears without knowing it, is very inexpensive, but is very unreliable and requires an investment from the winter sports resort. In addition, it totally relieves skiers.
  • the technical problem to be solved by the object of the present invention is precisely to propose a device for automatic detection and alert of accidents occurring to people operating on snow-covered sites, which, compared to known devices, would allow raise the alarm earlier, thus authorizing a much quicker rescue intervention and significantly increasing the victims' chances of survival.
  • the device comprises: - a movement detector of a person wearing said device,
  • the device according to the invention is able to conclude that the carrier is under the snow, or at least partially buried, and in the incapacity to move and / or unconscious.
  • the detection and alert signal is transmitted by said transmission means of the device.
  • said device comprises means for locating said person.
  • said detection and alert signal is a radio signal emitted in the direction of a rescue center. In this way, the rescue teams are informed very early, immediately after the occurrence of an accident, whereas until now they were only alerted by a possible witness to the scene or by a person noticing that one of his relatives did not return from his trip to the mountains.
  • said detection and alert signal is a control signal from a means of survival of the person wearing said device.
  • a heating suit worn by a skier holding the automatic detection and alert device, object of the invention and, more generally, of all clothes or heated accessories (shoes, gloves, etc.).
  • the invention is not limited to avalanche situations only, but that it is also applicable to all types of accidents occurring in snowy sites, which require rapid intervention by the emergency services, such as a fracture. a limb causing the victim to lose consciousness.
  • a first improvement consists in that said device comprises a means of alerting the person wearing said device.
  • said alert means is a vibrator.
  • This advantageous arrangement allows the wearer of the device to be notified of its start-up and, possibly, to intervene in the event of false alarms by carrying out movements so that the device does not lead to immobilization or loss of consciousness.
  • the alerted wearer will be able to operate the transmission means of the device if the latter includes manual control.
  • the automatic detection and alert device can be started by an avalanche or other accident indicator by triggering its own device s '' he has doubts about the victims' equipment or how it works.
  • FIG. 1 is a logic diagram representing the operation of an automatic detection and alert device, object of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of a device operating in accordance with Figure 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a device performing the functions of FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • the logic diagram of FIG. 1 shows the operation of a device for automatic detection and alert occurring to people operating on sites snow-capped, including glaciers, device according to which it is determined by means of a motion detector whether a person wearing said device is in a situation of immobility or not. Likewise, a snow presence detector near this person makes it possible to know whether he is immobilized in the snow. An alert signal is then provided by the device to said person, and the absence of response to this alert within a given period leads to the conclusion that the person in question is unable to move following an injury or that she lost consciousness.
  • this signal can have several functions.
  • said detection and alert signal is a radio signal emitted in the direction of a rescue center, with the advantage that the rescue teams are warned of very early in the accident and therefore have the possibility of arriving very early on the site, thus increasing the effectiveness of their intervention.
  • the device according to the invention comprises means for locating the injured person.
  • said detection and alert signal is a control signal for a means of survival of the person wearing the device according to the invention, such as for example a survival suit.
  • the device 1, object of the invention is built around a microcontroller 10 which, on the one hand, processes a certain number of information received from external organs, and on the other hand, develops and issues detection and alert signals.
  • the microcontroller 10 receives information relating to the movement of the wearer of the device via an accelerometer 11.
  • indications on the presence of snow in the immediate vicinity of said wearer are provided by at least one module constituted by a transmitter 121 and an infrared detector 122, the presence of snow being determined as a function of the rate of reflected infrared radiation.
  • Other data from physiological sensors can also be transmitted to the microcontroller 10.
  • the microcontroller controls, via an interface 13, means 14 for transmitting a detection and alert signal.
  • these means 14 consist of a radiocommunication system comprising a radio transmitter 141 capable, first of all, of actuating a means 142 for alerting the person equipped with the device 1.
  • This means 142 for alerting is for example a vibrator.
  • alert means 143 are activated to prevent a rescue center and / or to trigger a means of survival for the wearer of the device.
  • a location signal for the victim can be sent to the rescue center at the same time as the detection and alert signal so as to allow the rescuers to increase the speed of their intervention.
  • This localization is carried out by any terrestrial or satellite system, such as the GPS (“Global Positioning System”) or a cellular telecommunications network.
  • the radiocommunication system 14 can be a public telephone network or a private communication network, such as for example that of a ski resort.
  • FIG. 3 shows the presence of a forced manual control 16 of the emission means 14 which can be implemented by any person witnessing an avalanche for example.

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for the detection and automatic alarm of accidents involving people in snowy areas. The invention is characterised in that the device comprises: a detector (11) of the movement of a person wearing said device; a detector (121, 122) of the presence of snow immediately proximate to said person, means (14) for transmitting a detection and alarm signal. The invention is useful for rescuing people caught in avalanches.

Description

DISPOSITIF DE DETECTION ET D"ALERTE AUTOMATIQUE D'ACCIDENTSDEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC DETECTION AND ALERT OF ACCIDENTS
DE NEIGEOF SNOW
La présente invention concerne un dispositif de détection et d'alerte automatique d'accidents survenant à des personnes évoluant sur des sites enneigés.The present invention relates to an automatic detection and alert device for accidents occurring to people working on snow-covered sites.
L'invention trouve une application particulièrement avantageuse dans le domaine de l'assistance et du secours aux victimes d'avalanches.The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of assistance and rescue for victims of avalanches.
Chaque année, de nombreuses personnes meurent ensevelies sous des avalanches. Si ces personnes, en grande majorité des skieurs pratiquant le ski hors-piste, périssent parfois du fait qu'elles sont emportées par l'avalanche, elles meurent bien souvent de froid et d'asphyxie, retenues par un manteau neigeux de plusieurs mètres d'épaisseur.Every year, many people die buried under avalanches. If these people, the vast majority of skiers practicing off-piste skiing, sometimes perish because they are swept away by the avalanche, they very often die of cold and asphyxiation, retained by a snowpack of several meters d 'thickness.
On comprend dans ces conditions l'importance primordiale que revêt la rapidité d'intervention des secours dans le sauvetage des personnes accidentées. A titre d'exemple, des études statistiques ont montré que si les sauveteurs interviennent dans les vingt premières minutes de l'accident, les chances de survie s'élèvent à 80 % des cas, tandis qu'au delà de trente minutes ce taux chute à moins de 50 %.We understand in these conditions the paramount importance of the speed of intervention of the emergency services in the rescue of accident victims. For example, statistical studies have shown that if the rescuers intervene in the first twenty minutes of the accident, the chances of survival amount to 80% of the cases, while beyond thirty minutes this rate drops less than 50%.
Or, si l'avalanche a lieu dans un domaine non surveillé, les secouristes ne sont généralement pas informés assez tôt. D'autre part, il est rare qu'un témoin se trouve sur place pour fournir des informations précises quant au lieu du sinistre. Toutes ces difficultés concourent à ralentir l'intervention des secours, pourtant cruciale dans ces situations, comme on l'a vu plus haut.However, if the avalanche takes place in an unsupervised area, the rescuers are generally not informed soon enough. On the other hand, it is rare that a witness is on site to provide precise information as to the place of the incident. All these difficulties contribute to slowing down the intervention of the emergency services, which is crucial in these situations, as we saw above.
Il existe actuellement de nombreux appareils de détection de personnes victimes d'avalanches comme l'ARVA, pour Aide à la Recherche de Victimes d'Avalanches. Ce système est composé d'un émetteur-récepteur fonctionnant à une fréquence de 457 kHz. En plaçant cet appareil en position émetteur, la personne qui le porte peut être localisée par les secours. Le même dispositif est utilisé en mode récepteur afin de participer à la recherche des personnes ensevelies. Le système ARVA est très peu répandu chez les touristes du fait de son prix élevé et de son utilisation limitée à une période assez courte, celle des vacances d'hiver. Il équipe surtout les professionnels Un autre système, connu sous le nom de Recco, consiste à équiper les vêtements des skieurs de dipôles d'émission destinés à émettre, sous éclairage électromagnétique, aux alentours de 1 ,8 GHz. Ce dispositif, que le skieur porte parfois sans le savoir, est très bon marché, mais est très peu fiable et nécessite un investissement de la station de sports d'hiver. De plus, il déresponsabilise totalement les skieurs.There are currently many devices for detecting people who are victims of avalanches such as the ARVA, for assistance in the search for victims of avalanches. This system consists of a transceiver operating at a frequency of 457 kHz. By placing this device in the transmitter position, the person wearing it can be located by the emergency services. The same device is used in receiver mode in order to participate in the search for buried people. The ARVA system is not very widespread among tourists because of its high price and its use limited to a fairly short period, that of the winter holidays. It mainly equips professionals Another system, known by the name of Recco, consists in equipping skiers' clothing with emission dipoles intended to emit, under electromagnetic lighting, around 1.8 GHz. This device, which the skier sometimes wears without knowing it, is very inexpensive, but is very unreliable and requires an investment from the winter sports resort. In addition, it totally relieves skiers.
De toute façon, quel que soit le système utilisé, le temps d'alerte est généralement trop élevé. Les victimes n'ont que de très faibles chances de survie si leurs compagnons ne sont pas en mesure de les secourir eux- mêmes. Par ailleurs, si tous les membres d'un même groupe sont pris dans une avalanche, leur salut ne dépend alors que de la présence éventuelle de témoins aux alentours, ce qui est rare quand on pratique le ski hors-piste. C'est pourquoi les accidents où toutes les personnes d'un groupe sont ensevelies se terminent presque toujours de façon tragique, faute d'un moyen de détection et d'alerte approprié.In any case, whatever the system used, the alert time is generally too high. Victims have very little chance of survival if their companions are unable to rescue them themselves. Furthermore, if all the members of the same group are caught in an avalanche, their salvation then depends only on the possible presence of witnesses in the vicinity, which is rare when off-piste skiing is practiced. This is why accidents where all the people in a group are buried almost always end in a tragic way, for lack of a suitable detection and alert system.
Aussi, le problème technique à résoudre par l'objet de la présente invention est précisément de proposer un dispositif de détection et d'alerte automatique d'accidents survenant à des personnes évoluant sur des sites enneigés, qui, par rapport aux dispositif connus, permettrait de donner l'alerte de manière plus précoce, autorisant ainsi une intervention des secours beaucoup plus rapide et augmentant de façon significative les chances de survie des victimes.Also, the technical problem to be solved by the object of the present invention is precisely to propose a device for automatic detection and alert of accidents occurring to people operating on snow-covered sites, which, compared to known devices, would allow raise the alarm earlier, thus authorizing a much quicker rescue intervention and significantly increasing the victims' chances of survival.
La solution au problème technique posé consiste, selon la présente invention, en ce que le dispositif comprend : - un détecteur de mouvement d'une personne portant ledit dispositif,The solution to the technical problem posed consists, according to the present invention, in that the device comprises: - a movement detector of a person wearing said device,
- un détecteur de présence de neige à proximité immédiate de ladite personne,- a snow presence detector in the immediate vicinity of said person,
- des moyens d'émission d'un signal de détection et d'alerte.- Means for transmitting a detection and alert signal.
Ainsi, en combinant les informations provenant du détecteur de mouvement et du détecteur de présence de neige, le dispositif conforme à l'invention est apte à conclure que le porteur se trouve sous la neige, ou du moins partiellement enseveli, et dans l'incapacité de se mouvoir et/ou inconscient. Dans ce cas, le signal de détection et d'alerte est émis par lesdits moyens d'émission du dispositif. Afin d'augmenter l'efficacité du dispositif, objet de l'invention, en permettant aux secouristes d'atteindre plus rapidement et plus sûrement une personne accidentée, on prévoit que ledit dispositif comporte des moyens de localisation de ladite personne. Selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, ledit signal de détection et d'alerte est un signal radio émis en direction d'un centre de secours. De cette manière, les équipes de sauveteurs sont informées très tôt, immédiatement après la survenue d'un accident, alors que jusqu'à présent elles n'étaient alertées que par un éventuel témoin de la scène ou par une personne constatant qu'un de ses proches n'est pas revenu de sa sortie en montagne.Thus, by combining the information coming from the motion detector and the snow presence detector, the device according to the invention is able to conclude that the carrier is under the snow, or at least partially buried, and in the incapacity to move and / or unconscious. In this case, the detection and alert signal is transmitted by said transmission means of the device. In order to increase the efficiency of the device, object of the invention, by allowing rescue workers to reach an accident victim more quickly and more surely, it is provided that said device comprises means for locating said person. According to a first embodiment of the invention, said detection and alert signal is a radio signal emitted in the direction of a rescue center. In this way, the rescue teams are informed very early, immediately after the occurrence of an accident, whereas until now they were only alerted by a possible witness to the scene or by a person noticing that one of his relatives did not return from his trip to the mountains.
Selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, ledit signal de détection et d'alerte est un signal de commande d'un moyen de survie de la personne portant ledit dispositif. Dans cet ordre d'idée, on peut envisager par exemple la mise en marche d'une combinaison chauffante portée par un skieur détenteur du dispositif de détection et d'alerte automatique, objet de l'invention, et, plus généralement, de tous vêtements ou accessoires chauffants (chaussures, gants, etc).According to a second embodiment of the invention, said detection and alert signal is a control signal from a means of survival of the person wearing said device. In this order of idea, one can consider for example the starting of a heating suit worn by a skier holding the automatic detection and alert device, object of the invention, and, more generally, of all clothes or heated accessories (shoes, gloves, etc.).
On remarquera par ailleurs que l'invention n'est pas limitée aux seules situations d'avalanches, mais qu'elle est également applicable à tous types d'accidents survenant dans des sites enneigés, qui nécessitent une intervention rapide des secours, comme une fracture d'un membre provoquant une perte de connaissance de la victime.It will also be noted that the invention is not limited to avalanche situations only, but that it is also applicable to all types of accidents occurring in snowy sites, which require rapid intervention by the emergency services, such as a fracture. a limb causing the victim to lose consciousness.
En complément, un certain nombre de perfectionnements au dispositif conforme à l'invention sont prévus.In addition, a number of improvements to the device according to the invention are provided.
Un premier perfectionnement consiste en ce que ledit dispositif comporte un moyen d'alerte de la personne portant ledit dispositif. A titre d'exemple, ledit moyen d'alerte est un vibreur. Cette disposition avantageuse permet au porteur du dispositif d'être prévenu de sa mise en marche et, éventuellement, d'intervenir en cas de fausses alertes en effectuant des mouvements afin que le dispositif ne conclut pas à une immobilisation ou une perte de connaissance. De la même manière, le porteur alerté pourra mettre en fonctionnement les moyens d'émission du dispositif si ce dernier comporte une commande manuelle. Inversement, lorsque, selon un deuxième perfectionnement, il comporte une commande manuelle forcée desdits moyens d'émission, le dispositif de détection et d'alerte automatique pourra être mis en marche par un témoin d'avalanche ou autre accident en déclenchant son propre dispositif s'il a un doute sur l'équipement des victimes ou le fonctionnement de celui-ci.A first improvement consists in that said device comprises a means of alerting the person wearing said device. By way of example, said alert means is a vibrator. This advantageous arrangement allows the wearer of the device to be notified of its start-up and, possibly, to intervene in the event of false alarms by carrying out movements so that the device does not lead to immobilization or loss of consciousness. In the same way, the alerted wearer will be able to operate the transmission means of the device if the latter includes manual control. Conversely, when, according to a second improvement, it includes a forced manual control of said emission means, the automatic detection and alert device can be started by an avalanche or other accident indicator by triggering its own device s '' he has doubts about the victims' equipment or how it works.
La description qui va suivre en regard des dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, fera bien comprendre en quoi consiste l'invention et comment elle peut être réalisée.The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.
La figure 1 est un diagramme logique représentant le fonctionnement d'un dispositif de détection et d'alerte automatique, objet de l'invention.FIG. 1 is a logic diagram representing the operation of an automatic detection and alert device, object of the invention.
La figure 2 est un schéma synoptique d'un dispositif fonctionnant conformément à la figure 1.Figure 2 is a block diagram of a device operating in accordance with Figure 1.
La figure 3 est un bloc-diagramme d'un dispositif réalisant les fonctions des figures 2 et 3. Le diagramme logique de la figure 1 montre le fonctionnement d'un dispositif de détection et d'alerte automatique survenant à des personnes évoluant sur des sites enneigés, y compris les glaciers, dispositif selon lequel on détermine au moyen d'un détecteur de mouvement si une personne portant ledit dispositif est en situation d'immobilité ou non. De même, un détecteur de présence de neige à proximité de cette personne permet de savoir si elle est immobilisée dans la neige. Un signal d'alerte est alors fourni par le dispositif à ladite personne, et l'absence de réponse à cette alerte dans un délai donné conduit à la conclusion que la personne en question n'a pas la possibilité de bouger suite à une blessure ou qu'elle a perdu connaissance. La combinaison de toutes ces données, ajoutées éventuellement à celles provenant de capteurs physiologiques (température, pouls, etc), permet au dispositif de détection et d'alerte, objet de l'invention, de déterminer avec une quasi certitude que le porteur dudit dispositif est prisonnier d'une avalanche ou en état de perte de connaissance nécessitant des secours. Le diagnostic d'accident étant ainsi établi, des moyens d'émission d'un signal de détection et d'alerte sont alors mis en œuvre de manière automatique. Comme l'indique la figure 2, ce signal peut avoir plusieurs fonctions. D'une part, en tant que moyen d'information, ledit signal de détection et d'alerte est un signal radio émis en direction d'un centre de secours, avec l'avantage que les équipes de sauveteurs sont prévenues de manière très précoce de l'accident et ont donc la possibilité d'arriver très tôt sur le site, augmentant ainsi l'efficacité de leur intervention. Cette efficacité est encore améliorée quand, ainsi qu'on le verra plus loin, le dispositif selon l'invention comporte des moyens de localisation de la personne accidentée. D'autre part, en tant que vecteur d'assistance directe aux victimes, ledit signal de détection et d'alerte est un signal de commande d'un moyen de survie de la personne portant le dispositif conforme à l'invention, comme par exemple une combinaison de survie.FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a device performing the functions of FIGS. 2 and 3. The logic diagram of FIG. 1 shows the operation of a device for automatic detection and alert occurring to people operating on sites snow-capped, including glaciers, device according to which it is determined by means of a motion detector whether a person wearing said device is in a situation of immobility or not. Likewise, a snow presence detector near this person makes it possible to know whether he is immobilized in the snow. An alert signal is then provided by the device to said person, and the absence of response to this alert within a given period leads to the conclusion that the person in question is unable to move following an injury or that she lost consciousness. The combination of all these data, possibly added to those coming from physiological sensors (temperature, pulse, etc.), allows the detection and alert device, object of the invention, to determine with almost certainty that the wearer of said device is trapped in an avalanche or in a state of unconsciousness requiring rescue. The accident diagnosis having thus been established, means for transmitting a detection and alert signal are then implemented automatically. As shown in Figure 2, this signal can have several functions. On the one hand, as a means of information, said detection and alert signal is a radio signal emitted in the direction of a rescue center, with the advantage that the rescue teams are warned of very early in the accident and therefore have the possibility of arriving very early on the site, thus increasing the effectiveness of their intervention. This efficiency is further improved when, as will be seen below, the device according to the invention comprises means for locating the injured person. On the other hand, as a vector of direct assistance to victims, said detection and alert signal is a control signal for a means of survival of the person wearing the device according to the invention, such as for example a survival suit.
Selon le mode de réalisation particulier de la figure 3, le dispositif 1 , objet de l'invention, est construit autour d'un microcontrôleur 10 qui, d'une part, traite un certain nombre d'informations reçues d'organes extérieurs, et d'autre part, élabore et délivre des signaux de détection et d'alerte.According to the particular embodiment of FIG. 3, the device 1, object of the invention, is built around a microcontroller 10 which, on the one hand, processes a certain number of information received from external organs, and on the other hand, develops and issues detection and alert signals.
En particulier, le microcontrôleur 10 reçoit des informations relatives au mouvement du porteur du dispositif par l'intermédiaire d'un accéléromètre 11. De même, des indications sur la présence de neige à proximité immédiate dudit porteur sont fournies par au moins un module constitué par un émetteur 121 et un détecteur 122 infra-rouge, la présence de neige étant déterminée en fonction du taux de rayonnement infra-rouge réfléchi. D'autres données provenant de capteurs physiologiques (non représentés) peuvent également être transmises au microcontrôleur 10.In particular, the microcontroller 10 receives information relating to the movement of the wearer of the device via an accelerometer 11. Likewise, indications on the presence of snow in the immediate vicinity of said wearer are provided by at least one module constituted by a transmitter 121 and an infrared detector 122, the presence of snow being determined as a function of the rate of reflected infrared radiation. Other data from physiological sensors (not shown) can also be transmitted to the microcontroller 10.
Si l'ensemble de ces informations est significatif d'une personne immobilisée dans la neige, le microcontrôleur commande, via une interface 13, des moyens 14 d'émission d'un signal de détection et d'alerte. Conformément à la figure 3, ces moyens 14 sont constitués par un système de radiocommunication comprenant un émetteur radio 141 apte, dans un premier temps, à actionner un moyen 142 d'alerte de la personne équipée du dispositif 1. Ce moyen 142 d'alerte est par exemple un vibreur. Ainsi, ladite personne est informée du fait que le dispositif 1 a détecté une situation d'accident et peut réagir, pendant un délai donné, soit en déclenchant une commande manuelle 17 d'annulation d'alerte, soit en bougeant de manière à ce que l'accéléromètre 11 fournisse au microcontrôleur 10 un signal de détection de mouvement et suspende l'alerte. Si le délai donné pour réagir est dépassé, des moyens 143 d'alerte sont actionnés pour prévenir un centre de secours et/ou pour déclencher un moyen de survie du porteur du dispositif. Avantageusement, un signal de localisation de la victime peut être envoyé au centre de secours en même temps que le signal de détection et d'alerte de manière à permettre aux sauveteurs d'augmenter la vitesse de leur intervention. Cette localisation est effectuée par tout système terrestre ou satellitaire, comme le système GPS (« Global Positioning System ») ou un réseau cellulaire de télécommunications. Le système 14 de radiocommunication peut être un réseau public de téléphonie ou un réseau de communication privé, comme par exemple celui d'une station de ski.If all of this information is significant for a person immobilized in the snow, the microcontroller controls, via an interface 13, means 14 for transmitting a detection and alert signal. In accordance with FIG. 3, these means 14 consist of a radiocommunication system comprising a radio transmitter 141 capable, first of all, of actuating a means 142 for alerting the person equipped with the device 1. This means 142 for alerting is for example a vibrator. Thus, said person is informed that the device 1 has detected an accident situation and can react, for a given period, either by triggering a manual command 17 to cancel the alert, or by moving so that the accelerometer 11 provides the microcontroller 10 with a motion detection signal and suspends the alert. If the time given to react is exceeded, alert means 143 are activated to prevent a rescue center and / or to trigger a means of survival for the wearer of the device. Advantageously, a location signal for the victim can be sent to the rescue center at the same time as the detection and alert signal so as to allow the rescuers to increase the speed of their intervention. This localization is carried out by any terrestrial or satellite system, such as the GPS (“Global Positioning System”) or a cellular telecommunications network. The radiocommunication system 14 can be a public telephone network or a private communication network, such as for example that of a ski resort.
Enfin, la figure 3 montre la présence d'une commande manuelle forcée 16 des moyens 14 d'émission qui peuvent être mis en œuvre par toute personne témoin d'une avalanche par exemple. Finally, FIG. 3 shows the presence of a forced manual control 16 of the emission means 14 which can be implemented by any person witnessing an avalanche for example.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif de détection et d'alerte automatique d'accidents survenant à des personnes évoluant sur des sites enneigés, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif comprend : - un détecteur (11) de mouvement d'une personne portant ledit dispositif,1. Device for automatic detection and alert of accidents occurring to people working on snow-covered sites, characterized in that the device comprises: - a movement detector (11) of a person wearing said device,
- un détecteur (121 ,122) de présence de neige à proximité immédiate de ladite personne,- a snow detector (121, 122) in the immediate vicinity of said person,
- des moyens (14) d'émission d'un signal de détection et d'alerte.- Means (14) for transmitting a detection and alert signal.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens de localisation de ladite personne.2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for locating said person.
3. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit signal de détection et d'alerte est un signal radio émis en direction d'un centre de secours.3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said detection and alert signal is a radio signal emitted towards a rescue center.
4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit signal de détection et d'alerte est un signal de commande d'un moyen de survie de la personne portant ledit dispositif.4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said detection and alert signal is a control signal from a means of survival of the person wearing said device.
5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit détecteur de mouvement est constitué d'au moins un accéléromètre (11). 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said motion detector consists of at least one accelerometer (11).
6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit détecteur de présence de neige est constitué d'au moins un émetteur (121) et un récepteur (122) infra-rouge.6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said snow presence detector consists of at least one transmitter (121) and one receiver (122) infrared.
7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un moyen (142) d'alerte de la personne portant ledit dispositif.7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a means (142) for alerting the person wearing said device.
8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une commande manuelle forcée (16) desdits moyens d'émission.8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a forced manual control (16) of said transmission means.
9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une commande (17) d'annulation d'alerte.9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a command (17) for canceling an alert.
10. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des capteurs de données physiologiques de ladite personne. 10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises sensors of physiological data of said person.
PCT/FR2002/000089 2001-01-11 2002-01-10 Device for detection and automatic alarm of snow accidents WO2002055156A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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EP02710966A EP1349616A1 (en) 2001-01-11 2002-01-10 Device for detection and automatic alarm of snow accidents

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR01/00348 2001-01-11
FR0100348A FR2819335B1 (en) 2001-01-11 2001-01-11 DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC DETECTION AND WARNING OF SNOW ACCIDENTS

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1785168A1 (en) * 2005-11-14 2007-05-16 Ascom (Schweiz) AG Search device
EP2907552A1 (en) 2014-02-14 2015-08-19 Ortovox Sportartikel GmbH Detector and method for operating a detector

Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2555665A1 (en) * 1975-12-11 1977-06-23 Anton Dr Ing Richtscheid DEVICE FOR MARKING IMPACTED BODIES, IN PARTICULAR AVALANCHE IMPACTED PERSONS
US5652570A (en) * 1994-05-19 1997-07-29 Lepkofker; Robert Individual location system
FR2783607A1 (en) * 1998-09-17 2000-03-24 Sagem System for locating person buried in avalanche, includes numerous detecting stations and utilizes portable hand held locating equipment and radio transmitters carried by skiers
DE19854047A1 (en) * 1998-11-24 2000-05-31 Peter Langbein Mobile monitoring of vehicle drivers involves emitting visual/acoustic signals in event of emergency, making automatic, repeated emergency calls to control center if not cancelled by driver
US6104295A (en) * 1998-07-20 2000-08-15 Versus Technology, Inc. Electronic band tag and method of storing ID information therein

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2555665A1 (en) * 1975-12-11 1977-06-23 Anton Dr Ing Richtscheid DEVICE FOR MARKING IMPACTED BODIES, IN PARTICULAR AVALANCHE IMPACTED PERSONS
US5652570A (en) * 1994-05-19 1997-07-29 Lepkofker; Robert Individual location system
US6104295A (en) * 1998-07-20 2000-08-15 Versus Technology, Inc. Electronic band tag and method of storing ID information therein
FR2783607A1 (en) * 1998-09-17 2000-03-24 Sagem System for locating person buried in avalanche, includes numerous detecting stations and utilizes portable hand held locating equipment and radio transmitters carried by skiers
DE19854047A1 (en) * 1998-11-24 2000-05-31 Peter Langbein Mobile monitoring of vehicle drivers involves emitting visual/acoustic signals in event of emergency, making automatic, repeated emergency calls to control center if not cancelled by driver

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FR2819335B1 (en) 2004-05-28
EP1349616A1 (en) 2003-10-08
FR2819335A1 (en) 2002-07-12

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