GB2374420A

GB2374420A - Personal locating system comprising a body function sensor, a GPS receiver and a transmitter

Info

Publication number: GB2374420A
Application number: GB0109214A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Koumis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-11
Filing date: 2001-04-11
Publication date: 2002-10-16
Also published as: WO2002084618A1; GB0109214D0

Abstract

A personal locating system comprises a device (P) for wearing by an individual, the device including sensing means for sensing at least one body function (e.g heart rate) of the wearer, and means for transmitting a signal which indicates the sensed body function. A monitoring means (S,M) receives the signal and determines, from the signal, the location of the device and also indicates the body function. In its embodiment, the locating system is installed within a wrist watch arrangement which also comprises a global position system (GPS) receiver or a similar satellite navigation receiver.

Description

Personal Locatincr System The present invention relates to a personal locating system and to a device for wearing by an individual in use of the system.

There are many situations where it is desired to determine the location of one or more individuals, including children who have gone out on their own. In other situations, an individual may get into difficulties and wish to let others know of their location, so that they can be reached (for example mountain climbers or fell walkers).

I have now devised a system which not only enables the location of an individual to be determined and tracked, but also gives some information as regards the condition of the individual concerned.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a personal locating system which comprises a device for wearing by an individual, the device including sensing means for sensing at least one body function of the wearer of the device and means for transmitting a signal which indicates said body function, and monitoring means for receiving said signal and arranged to determine, from said signal, the location of the wearer of the device and to indicate said body function.

The system may include a GPS (global position sensing) system for determining the location of the wearer of the device, from the signal transmitted by it.

The body function sensed by the device is preferably the wearer's heart rate. Other body functions may be sensed in addition (or instead), for example body temperature and/or blood pressure. It will be noted in particular that heart rate gives some indication of the level of anxiety or stress of the wearer of the device.

The device may be arranged to transmit a signal intermittently. Additionally or instead, it may be arranged to transmit its signal upon reception of an interrogation

signal. The device may include a key (or panic button) operable in an emergency, to initiate the signal transmission.

The monitoring means may comprise a portable e. g. handheld unit. Preferably the monitoring means comprises a unit which emits an audible signal and/or vibrates in the event that it receives an emergency signal.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a locating device for wearing by an individual, the device comprising sensing means for at least one body function of the wearer, and means for transmitting a signal enabling the location of the wearer to be determined, said signal also indicating said body function.

The device may be arranged for wearing around the wrist. Preferably the device includes a display for indicating the sensed body function. Preferably the device acts as a wrist watch, displaying the time of day. The device may be of an attractive shape and style. The device may, in some forms, be of a size suited to wearing by a child or infant.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a personal locating system in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a front view of a personal locating device to be worn by an individual; and FIGURE 3 is a side view of the personal locating device.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 2 and 3 in particular show a device P to be worn by an individual, in use of the personal locating system shown diagrammatically in Figure 1.

In the example shown, the personal device P is in the form of a wrist-watch, comprising a body 10 with a pair of straps 11 for fastening together around the wrist. The body 10 houses an electronic clock, coupled to a display 12 on the

front face of the body 10, which displays the time of day either in digital or analogue form. The device also includes a temperature sensor and a pulse rate sensor (not shown), coupled via electronic circuitry within the body 10 to further displays 14,16 : thus, display 14 indicates the body temperature of the wearer of the device, and display 16 indicates the wearer's pulse rate.

Various function keys 18 are provided on the peripheral edge of the body 10 of the device P, for selecting information given by the displays. For example, the time clock may be reset or adjusted, or controlled to indicate the date instead of the time of day, or controlled to act as a stop watch.

The device P also includes a transmitter 20 for transmitting radio signals to the satellites, e. g. satellite S shown diagrammatically in Figure 1, of a GPS (global position sensing) system. The device also includes a key 22 which, upon depression, initiates the radio transmission.

Accordingly, in an emergency situation, the wearer of the device P may operate the key (or panic button) 22, to initiate the radio transmission. The GPS system is thus able to locate the position of the individual wearing the device P: the information as to the location of the wearer is passed on by the GPS system to a central monitoring station M, at which any subsequent movements of the wearer can be tracked.

The radio signal transmitted from the device P also includes data representing the measured heart rate, and optionally also the body temperature, of the wearer of the device: this information is relayed to the central monitoring station M, for display on its VDU. The heart rate in particular provides an indication of the level of anxiety or stress of the wearer of the device.

So far the system shown in the drawings has been described for use in emergency situations, useful e. g. for mountain climbers, fell walkers etc. However, the system may be adapted for more general use, for example enabling parents

to track the movements of their children. In this case, the central monitoring station might be located in the home and typically provided by a personal computer, or provided by a mobile telephone. Further, the device P worn by each child could be arranged to transmit its radio signal intermittently.

Claims

1) A personal locating system which comprises a device for wearing by an individual, the device including sensing means for sensing at least one body function of the wearer of the device and means for transmitting a signal which indicates said body function, and monitoring means for receiving said signal and arranged to determine, from said signal, the location of the wearer of the device and to indicate said body function.

2) A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which said monitoring means includes a global position sensing system for determining the location of the wearer of the device, from the signal transmitted by it.

3) A system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which said sensing means is arranged to sense the wearer's heart rate.

4) A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said sensing means is arranged to sense the body temperature and/or blood pressure of the wearer.

5) A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said transmitting means is arranged to transmit said signal intermittently.

6) A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said transmitting means is arranged to transmit said signal upon reception of an interrogation signal.

7) A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said device includes a key, operable in an emergency, to initiate the transmission of said signal.

8) A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said CLAIMS

monitoring means comprises a portable unit.

9) A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said monitoring means comprises a unit which emits an audible signal and/or vibrates in the event of receiving an emergency signal.

10) A locating device for wearing by an individual, the device comprising sensing means for at least one body function.

11) A device as claimed in Claim 10, arranged for wearing around the wrist.

12) A device as claimed in Claim 11, acting as a wrist watch arranged to display the time of day.

13) A locating device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14) A personal locating system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.