US 2026/0219048 A1Published application

Rescue device and rescue method

Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company

InventorsDarin K. Thompson, Richard j. Sabacinski, William B. Howell, Traian Morar, David A. Amero, Ivan M. Delamer, Todd Hunter, Michael J. Z. Norton

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Abstract

A portable rescue device (PRD) includes, a sensor, a display unit, and a wireless receiver configured to receive a distress signal from a portable distress device (PDD). The PRD further includes a processor communicably coupled to each of the display unit, the wireless receiver, and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine one or more path obstacles disposed in a first direction between the wireless receiver and the PDD along which the distress signal has a maximum signal strength based on an obstacle signal generated by the sensor. The processor is further configured to determine at least one obstacle-free path unobstructed by the one or more path obstacles. The processor is further configured to determine at least one set of guiding directions for guiding the user along the at least one obstacle-free path. The processor is further configured to display the at least one set of guiding directions.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A portable rescue device (PRD) carried by a user, the PRD comprising:

a display unit;
a wireless receiver configured to receive a distress signal from a portable distress device (PDD) associated with a personnel, wherein the PDD is configured to utilize 2.4 GHz radio frequency (RF) protocols, long range (LoRa), ultra-wideband (UWB), a short-range wireless communication protocol in accordance with the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, angle of arrival (AoA), or a wireless local area network (WLAN) in accordance with IEEE 802.11 protocols, to transmit the distress signal;
at least one sensor configured to generate at least one obstacle signal indicative of one or more obstacles in an ambient environment around the PRD;
and
a processor communicably coupled to each of the display unit, the wireless receiver, and the at least one sensor, wherein the processor is configured to:
determine a signal strength of the distress signal along one or more directions;
determine, based on the signal strength of the distress signal, a first direction between the wireless receiver and the PDD along which the distress signal has a maximum signal strength, wherein the first direction corresponds to a minimum distance between the wireless receiver and the PDD, wherein the signal strength is determined from the group consisting of received signal code power (RSCP), reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), signal to noise ratio (SNR), and signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR);
determine one or more path obstacles disposed in the first direction between the wireless receiver and the PDD based on the at least one obstacle signal received from the at least one sensor;
determine at least one obstacle-free path between the wireless receiver and the PDD based on the one or more path obstacles and the first direction, wherein the at least one obstacle-free path is unobstructed by the one or more path obstacles;
determine at least one set of guiding directions for guiding the user to the PDD along the at least one obstacle-free path, wherein the at least one set of guiding directions comprises at least one guiding direction;
and
display, via the display unit, the at least one set of guiding directions.

9 more elements

A rescue method comprising:

receiving, via a wireless receiver, a distress signal from a portable distress device (PDD) associated with a personnel, wherein the PDD is configured to utilize 2.4 GHz radio frequency (RF) protocols, long range (LoRa), ultra-wideband (UWB), a short-range wireless communication protocol in accordance with the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, angle of arrival (AoA), or a wireless local area network (WLAN) in accordance with IEEE 802.11 protocols, to transmit the distress signal;
determining, via a processor communicably coupled to the wireless receiver, a signal strength of the distress signal along one or more directions;
determining, via the processor, a first direction between the wireless receiver and the PDD along which the distress signal has a maximum signal strength based on the signal strength of the distress signal, wherein the first direction corresponds to a minimum distance between the wireless receiver and the PDD, wherein the signal strength is determined from the group consisting of received signal code power (RSCP), reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), signal to noise ratio (SNR), and signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR);
generating, via at least one sensor communicably coupled to the processor, at least one obstacle signal indicative of one or more obstacles in an ambient environment;
determining, via the processor, one or more path obstacles disposed in the first direction between the wireless receiver and the PDD;
determining, via the processor, at least one obstacle-free path between the wireless receiver and the PDD based on the one or more path obstacles and the first direction, wherein the at least one obstacle-free path is unobstructed by the one or more path obstacles;
determining, via the processor, at least one set of guiding directions for guiding a user to the PDD along the at least one obstacle-free path, wherein the at least one set of guiding directions comprises at least one guiding direction;
and
displaying, via a display unit communicably coupled to the processor, the at least one set of guiding directions.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/147,639Filed 25 Jan 2024
Priority: 26 Jan 2023
Published: 30 Jul 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G01C 21/206
Instruments for performing navigational calculations: specially adapted for indoor navigation
G08B 25/016
Characterised by the transmission medium: personal emergency signalling and security systems
A62B 5/00
Devices, apparatus or methods for life-saving: other devices for rescuing from fire
A62B 9/006
Component parts for respiratory or breathing apparatus: indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination