GB2441561A - Man-overboard alarm system using RFID tags - Google Patents

Abstract

An alarm system for a boat able to alert it's crew if anyone falls overboard comprises a plurality of sensors arranged about the boat (1,2 figure 1) to cover all regions where crew or passengers may be found. All people on board, and optionally objects, carry RFID tags whose presence onboard is detected by the sensors. If a particular tag is not detected by any sensor then a man-over board alarm is sounded. If the boat is at sea, rescue measures are also taken. If the boat is docked at a port, exit sensors 1,2 are used to allow passengers tags etc. to leave the boat without raising an alarm, the system logging those tags as being on-shore. The system log can be used to check that the boat does not leave port without required passengers, crew or objects.

Description

* 2441561 Man over board svStc!!! Man over board systems are used to

raise an alert when a crewmember or passenger has fallen out of a vessel.

Current Man over board systems rely on contact with the water to raise an alert, this could cause delays in raising an alarm. Their on-person transmitters also have a limited battery life.

This innovation is the new type of MOB (Man over board) system using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.

RFID technology would recognise when the crew/passengers are onboard. The instant they leave the vessel by any means, the system would know and could raise the alarm.

When a vessel is docked the system would also recognise when a passenger leaves through a designated exit.

The following drawings will be used to describe how the RFID MOB will work.

Figure 1) Side view of the 3D RFID sensor Array.

Figure 2) Overhead view of 3D RFID sensor Array.

Figure 1 shows an example of a sensor array from a side view. This three dimensional array will be designed to any vessels dimensions. The sensors used as shown in figure I and figure 2 can be a mixture of various types of sensors. The range needed at its designed location would determine the type used. Sensor I in figure would be of a greater range than sensor 2. The range can be adjusted by either sensor design limits or software control. The sensors will report to the control panel in the cockpit of the vessel. This can be by wire or wireless connection depending on the sensors used. By using a 3D array there will be no blind spots on the vessel.

The sensor array will cover every inch of the vessel and be in continual contact with RFID tags. Each crewmember / passenger will have a RFID tag. RFID tags can be in the form of a bracelet, key fob or many other forms. The life expectancY of an active tag is five years. Tags can also be attached to valuables or even safety equipment to ensure they remain onboard.

The control panel would be set to monitor tags as required. If another passenger boards their tag would be added to the tag list to be monitored. If for any reason a tag left the area covered by the sensor array, the entire vessel, the control panel would know instantly and raise the appropriate alarm. There would be no delay or dependency for contact with water.

Multiple mode of operation could be selected on the control panel.

One example would be a Sea Mode. In Sea Mode if any tag left the array an audible alarm would sound. If the tag was assigned to a person VariOUS items such as a flotation device, marker buoy or location flare could be launched. The location the tag left the array would be recorded by external GPS input or an integrated GPS system.

Another mode could be Port Mode. In Port Mode if a passenger left the vessel the designated exit they would be recorded as leaving by two exit sensors simultaneOUslY as shown in Figure 2. The control panel would then log them as on shore until they re-entered the array. The log would also record if any tagged safety equipment was removed. The information in this log would ensure the vessel did not leave port without safety equipment or passengers. If a passenger was not returning their tag would be removed from the monitored tag list on the control panel.

The System would not be limited to the mentioned modes of operation. An endless number of custom modes could be created and the control panel could electronicallY interface with other vessel systems to command actions as required for these modes.

Claims (3)

1. Claims 1. A MOB (Man over board) system using RFID (Radio Frequency

   Identification) technology
2. 2. A MOB system using at least one RFID sensor.
3. 3. A MOB system using at least one RFID tag.