US 11,380,976 B2 · Overboard tracking patch

Abstract

An overboard tracking patch is an apparatus which increases the visibility and tracking capabilities of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for more efficient tracking of overboard individuals. In a passive embodiment, the apparatus includes an outer layer, an intermediate layer, an attachment layer, and a processor. The outer layer increases the visibility of PFDs during both daytime and nighttime conditions. The intermediate layer provides radio identification capabilities for the remote tracking of PFDs using search radars. The attachment layer enables users to attach the present invention to a PFD. The processor stores PFD information and other identification data. In a hybrid active-passive embodiment, the apparatus also comprises a thermionic layer and a power-storage layer. The thermionic layer generates power due to the heat exchange between the body of the user and the thermionic layer. The power-storage layer serves to store power generated by the thermionic layer to power up the processor.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An overboard tracking patch comprises:

an outer layer;
an intermediate layer;
an attachment layer;
a processor;
the outer layer comprising a plurality of daytime-visibility portions and a plurality of nighttime-visibility portions;
the intermediate layer comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna;
the intermediate layer being connected in between the outer layer and the attachment layer;
the outer layer and the attachment layer being coextensive with each other;
the plurality of daytime-visibility portions being interspaced amongst the plurality of nighttime-visibility portions;
the processor being mounted in between the outer layer and the attachment layer;
the RFID antenna being spanned across the intermediate layer;
and,
the RFID antenna being electronically connected to the processor.

10 more elements

An overboard tracking patch comprises:

an outer layer;
an intermediate layer;
an attachment layer;
a processor;
the outer layer comprising a plurality of daytime-visibility portions and a plurality of nighttime-visibility portions;
the intermediate layer comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna;
the intermediate layer being connected in between the outer layer and the attachment layer;
the outer layer and the attachment layer being coextensive with each other;
the plurality of daytime-visibility portions being interspaced amongst the plurality of nighttime-visibility portions;
the processor being mounted in between the outer layer and the attachment layer;
the RFID antenna being spanned across the intermediate layer;
the RFID antenna being electronically connected to the processor;
each of the plurality of daytime-visibility portions is made of a retroreflective material;
and,
each of the plurality of nighttime-visibility portion is made of a trivalent chromium fluorescent material.

12 more elements

An overboard tracking patch comprises:

an outer layer;
an intermediate layer;
an attachment layer;
a processor;
a sensing film;
the outer layer comprising a plurality of daytime-visibility portions and a plurality of nighttime-visibility portions;
the intermediate layer comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna;
the intermediate layer being connected in between the outer layer and the attachment layer;
the outer layer and the attachment layer being coextensive with each other;
the plurality of daytime-visibility portions being interspaced amongst the plurality of nighttime-visibility portions;
the processor being mounted in between the outer layer and the attachment layer;
the RFID antenna being spanned across the intermediate layer;
the RFID antenna being electronically connected to the processor;
each of the plurality of daytime-visibility portions is made of a retroreflective material;
each of the plurality of nighttime-visibility portion is made of a trivalent chromium fluorescent material;
the sensing film being spanned across the RFID antenna;
the sensing film being positioned in between the intermediate layer and the outer layer;
and,
the processor being centrally mounted onto the intermediate layer.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Overboard tracking patch

Life of this patent

Overboard tracking patch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17