WO2019171018A1

WO2019171018A1 - Wearable-device alert system

Info

Publication number: WO2019171018A1
Application number: PCT/GB2019/050424
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Thomas Rupert HAIGH
Original assignee: Haigh Alexander Thomas Rupert
Priority date: 2018-03-08
Filing date: 2019-02-18
Publication date: 2019-09-12
Also published as: GB201803689D0; GB2571758A

Abstract

A plurality of wearable alert devices (10) are provided comprising a device body (12) having an activatable user input element (20) adapted to generate an alert signal in response to activation of the user input element (20); a wireless communications means via which the wearable alert device (10) is communicable with other said wearable alert devices (10); an audio and/or visual input capture element on the device body for capturing an audio and/or visual feed therefrom; a locator associated with the device body which is configured to determine a geographic location of the wearable alert device; feedback means arranged to indicate a response to the activation of the user input element (20) from another said wearable alert device (10); a power supply to provide energy to at least the audio and/or visual input capture element, wireless communications means, and feedback means; and a wearable element (18) engaged with the device body (12) to permit wearing of the wearable alert device (10) by a user. Upon activation of the user input element (20), the wireless communications means is configured to transmit the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed directly or indirectly to other wearable alert devices (10), with the feedback means indicating the receipt of any response therefrom to the user.

Description

WEARABLE-DEVICE ALERT SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a wearable-device alert system, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for use in an educational environment. The invention further relates to a wearable alert device, and a method of using said.

Teachers in schools are increasingly relied upon to act in a supervisory capability for their students and also to provide safeguarding capabilities in the event of any specific dangerous incidents in the school environment. This could range from incidents of a medical nature, or classroom disturbances, ranging all the way up to serious incidents such as fires or terrorism.

When there is an incident, the teacher is often required to make a difficult decision; should they attempt to address the incident directly, putting themselves at risk, do they abandon the students they are supervising, potentially exposing the children to risk themselves, or do they attempt to use a student as a trusted messenger to obtain support. The latter option may result in the child becoming distracted from their purpose in transit, or being unable to complete their orders, further delaying any response to the incident.

Some educational institutions have introduced a computer-based panic button, wherein a digital alert can be sent from the teacher’s desktop or laptop computer to other nearby teachers or staff when assistance is required. However, this approach requires a computer application to be open and operational for the duration of the teaching session. This approach is also liable to abuse by students if the teacher leaves the computer for any length of time, and can act as a visible indicator that a teacher considers assistance necessary, which can escalate a situation.

The present invention seeks to provide a mechanism for users to contact colleagues for assistance when incidents arise, without disrupting any supervisory activities which may be undertaken at that time.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wearable-device alert system for a user to raise an alert for assistance, the system comprising: a plurality of wearable alert devices, each wearable alert device including; a device body having an activatable user input element, the user input element being adapted to generate an alert signal in response to activation of the user input element; a wireless communications means via which the wearable alert device is communicable with other said wearable alert devices; an audio and/or visual input capture element on the device body for capturing an audio and/or visual feed therefrom; a locator associated with the device body which is configured to determine a geographic location of the wearable alert device; feedback means arranged to indicate a response to the activation of the user input element from another said wearable alert device; a power supply to provide energy to at least the audio and/or visual input capture element, wireless communications means, and feedback means; and a wearable element engaged with the device body to permit wearing of the wearable alert device by a user; wherein, upon activation of the user input element of a first said wearable alert device by the user, the wireless communications means is configured to transmit to at least one second said wearable alert device the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed, the wireless communications means of the at least one second wearable alert device being configured to transmit a response to the first wearable alert device following receipt of the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed, and the feedback means of the first wearable alert device indicating the receipt of the response from the at least one second wearable alert device to the user of the first wearable alert device.

The provision of wearable devices which replicate the standard functionality of lanyards, which are widely used in educational contexts, but which also have enhanced functionality to improve contact between staff members, can advantageously improve the ability of the staff members to respond in the event of an incident requiring assistance. The staff member is able to raise an alert, without necessarily alerting their supervisees, which can contact other staff members for assistance. This alert signal notifies the other staff members of the location of the incident, as well as a potential pertinent information from an audio or visual stream. The other staff members are then also able to respond to the request for assistance, so that the first staff member is assured of the incoming support.

Preferably, the activatable user input element may be a multi-function button having a plurality of different input commands, each of the plurality of different input commands being associated with a different said alert signal.

Having a single button which is capable of raising different kinds of alert, depending on the input, advantageously allows the size of each wearable alert device to be limited, improving the portability and wearability thereof.

Optionally, the plurality of wearable alert devices may be grouped into sets of wearable alert devices, the different said alert signals being transmissible to different said sets.

Grouping of the devices into predetermined sets allows for selection notification of particular groups of individuals, who may be more or less suited to dealing with any given emergency situation. For example, security staff are better equipped to deal with an intruder, whereas medical staff are well- positioned to attend to injuries and illness. The system may further comprise a visual output element on the device body which is indicative of the different said alert signal.

Where different alert signals are generated, it may be preferable that different indications are provided to the users, thereby readily identifying the type of incident which must be addressed.

Preferably, the locator may comprise a global positioning satellite (GPS) locator.

A GPS locator is able to precisely identify the geographic location of the wearable alert device, allowing for accurate tracking of incidents as and when they occur.

The system may further comprise a plurality of location identifiers positioned around a location containing the wearable-device alert system, wherein the locator is a short-range communicator which is communicable with the plurality of location identifiers to determine a relative position of the plurality of wearable alert devices.

For a particular context, such as a school, there is a well-defined boundary area within which responses to alerts should be attempted, that is, the school grounds. As such, it may be preferable to implement locator devices within the school grounds, which can act as relative indicators or triangulation points for individual wearable alert devices to use to determine their individual locations geographically.

Optionally, there may be provided an intermediate communications node with which the wireless communications means of each of the plurality of wearable alert devices is communicable and via which communications between the plurality of wearable alert devices are routed. Preferably, the intermediate communications node may be a central server.

An intermediate communications node, typically in the form of a server or router and preferably located at a central administration point, may advantageously act as a controller to ensure that communications from wearable alert devices are efficiently dispatched to the relevant personnel, and can also act to log the incidents as and when they arise.

The wireless communications means may comprise a cellular network communication element and/or a short-range radio-frequency communication element.

Having several different options for the communications capabilities of the wearable alert devices ensures that multiple mechanisms for raising alerts can be made, which may be of critical importance in the event of an emergency. Optionally, the alert signal may be a silent alert signal at the location of the first wearable alert device.

Utilising a silent alert signal advantageously limits the possibility of increasing a panic level at the location of the emergency, which may be of particular importance where children of vulnerable individuals are involved.

There may further comprise an escalation circuit, the wireless communications means being configured to send the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed to second wearable alert devices which are located at different distances from the first wearable alert device based on an escalation status determined by the escalation circuit.

Escalation of an alert may be useful in the context where a first respondent is not available, or no response is received from a first-contacted other wearable alert device.

Preferably, the feedback means may comprise a haptic feedback element, and in one preferable embodiment, the lanyard may comprise the haptic feedback element.

A haptic feedback element is a useful means by which only the wearer of the wearable alert device is alerted to the receipt of a response from potential assistance, without alerting their supervisees to the acknowledgement.

Optionally, the power supply may further comprise a kinetic energy charging module.

When using a lanyard mounted device, there will be an amount of kinetic motion generated as the lanyard swings, and therefore a kinetic energy charging module may be a useful mechanism for charging the device.

In one embodiment, the device body may include a card-holder slot.

So as to readily integrate with existing uses of lanyard in many environments, it is preferred that the device replicates existing functionality of lanyard-related identification cards.

Preferably, the locator may comprise an altimeter to determine an elevation of the wearable alert device.

The presence of an altimeter may assist with the determination of the elevation of the wearable alert device, which may be of particular importance in buildings having several floors or storeys. Optionally, each wearable alert device may include a motion sensor and timer arranged to determine whether the user of the at least one second wearable alert device has moved following transmission of a response to the first wearable alert device.

The provision of a means of determining whether a respondent intends to make a response to the original alert signal can improve the probability of a successful response to the alert signal being made.

Preferably, the wearable element may be a lanyard.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a wearable alert device comprising: a device body having an activatable user input element, the user input element being adapted to generate an alert signal in response to activation of the user input element; a wireless communications means via which the wearable alert device is communicable with other said wearable alert devices; an audio and/or visual input capture element on the device body for capturing an audio and/or visual feed therefrom; a locator associated with the device body which is configured to determine a geographic location of the wearable alert device; feedback means arranged to indicate a response to the activation of the user input element from another said wearable alert device; a power supply to provide energy to at least the audio and/or visual input capture element, wireless communications means, and feedback means; and a wearable element engaged with the device body to permit wearing of the wearable alert device by a user; wherein, upon activation of the user input element by the user, the wireless communications means is configured to transmit the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed; and the feedback means indicates the receipt of any response therefrom to the user.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for permitting a user to raise an alert for assistance, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a plurality of wearable alert devices as claimed in the second aspect of the invention; b] using a first said wearable alert device, activating the user input element to generate an alert signal; c] transmitting the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed from the first said wearable alert device to at least one second said wearable alert device; and d] transmitting from the at least one second wearable alert device a response to the first wearable alert device following receipt of the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed.

Preferably, during step c], the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed from the first said wearable alert device may be transmitted to an intermediate communications node for onward transmission to the at least one second wearable device. Optionally, during step c], the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed from the first said wearable alert device may be transmitted directly to a set of the plurality of wearable alert devices, according to an activation command provided to the user input element during step b] .

In one embodiment, during step c], the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed from the first said wearable alert device may be transmitted to the at least one second wearable device based on an escalation status determined by an escalation circuit of the first wearable device.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a wearable-device alert system for a user to raise an alert for assistance, the system comprising: a plurality of wearable alert devices, each wearable alert device including; a device body having an activatable user input element, the user input element being adapted to generate an alert signal in response to activation of the user input element; a wireless communications means via which the wearable alert device is communicable with other said wearable alert devices; a locator associated with the device body which is configured to determine a geographic location of the wearable alert device; a power supply to provide energy to at least the wireless communications means; and a wearable element engaged with the device body to permit wearing of the wearable alert device by a user; wherein, upon activation of the user input element of a first said wearable alert device by the user, the wireless communications means is configured to transmit the alert signal to at least one second said wearable alert device.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a wearable alert device in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic plan view of a school implementing a wearable-device alert system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 3a shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 2, during a minor incident;

Figure 3b shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 3a, following activation of a wearable alert device by a closest user to the minor incident;

Figure 3c shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 3b, following response of a second user to the minor incident;

Figure 4a shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 2, during a medical incident; Figure 4b shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 4a, following activation of a wearable alert device by a closest user to the medical incident;

Figure 4c shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 4b, following response of a designated medically-trained user to the medical incident;

Figure 5a shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 2, following activation of a wearable alert device by a closest user to a security incident;

Figure 5b shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 5a, following response of other users to the security incident;

Figure 6a shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 2, during a major incident;

Figure 6b shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 6a, following activation of a wearable alert device by a closest user to a major incident; and

Figure 6c shows a diagrammatic plan view of the school of Figure 6b, following response of all users to the major incident, in addition to the arrival of third-party personnel.

Referring to Figure 1, there is indicated a wearable alert device, referenced globally at 10. The wearable alert device 10 is configured to be able to allow for alerts to be raised between users of a set of wearable alert device 10 within a particular location, and the examples provided below assume the use of the wearable alert device 10 within the context of a school or educational setting. However, other contexts may be equally applicable for use with the wearable alert devices 10 described hereafter.

The wearable alert device 10 is modelled after a security card holder for a user, having a device body 12 which is suitable for holding a security or identification card 14, typically having a card-holder slot 16 within which the security or identification card 14 can be inserted, and a lanyard 18 which is attachable to the device body 12 and which can be worn by the user. Security or identification cards 14 may comprise identifiable information relating to the user of the wearable alert device 10, such as a photographic or holographic image, security codes, or identification data.

Whilst a lanyard 18 configuration is preferred in the present invention, given this is the standard method by which security or identification cards 14 are supported, particularly within educational contexts, it will be appreciated that alternative wearable mounts could be provided, such as wristbands, badge clips, or safety pins, for example, and such arrangements could readily be used in addition or alternatively to the lanyard 18. For this reason, it may be preferred that the lanyard 18 is removably engagable with the device body 12.

The wearable alert device 10 comprises an activatable user input element 20, which may preferably be formed as a multi-functional user input element, such as a multi-functional button having a plurality of different available input commands. For instance, different commands may be activated by short clicks, long presses, or repeated clicks of the button, or cycling through different alert levels could be possible based on the number of presses of the button.

Activation of the activatable user input element 20 is such that an alert signal is generated which can then be transmitted to other wearable alert devices 10. The term alert signal is intended to represent any signal which is indicative of a call for distress via the wearable alert device 10, and could, for example, be a visual alert, and audible alert, a vibration alert, a combination thereof, or another form of signal generated by a signal alert element and which is identifiable by a user of a second wearable alert device 10. Such a signal alert element could therefore feasibly comprise a speaker, a display element, or a haptic element, any or all of which being configured to signal to the wearer that a request for assistance has been made.

There may also be provided one or more visual indicators 22, such as illumination elements, for example, preferably coloured, LEDs, which may be positioned on the outer surface of the device body 12. The number of visual indicators 22 may therefore be equal to or indicative of the number of modes of the activatable user input element 20.

At least one audio and/or visual capture element, for example a camera 24 or microphone 26 as illustrated, may be provided which is able to capture an audio and/or visual feed from the location of the wearable alert device 10. Furthermore, one or more audio and/or visual output elements could be provided, such as the speakers 28 shown, which allow for the presentation of the audio and/or visual feed at the wearable alert device 10. A memory storage element may also preferably be provided to permit recording of the audio and/or visual feed.

To permit communication from the wearable alert device 10, either directly or indirectly, to other wearable alert devices 10 within a particular location, there is provided a wireless communications means. In the present embodiment, this is provided as a communications circuit 30 of the wearable alert device 10 which includes a transmitter and receiver for at least one communications protocol. A short-range radio-frequency communications protocol, such as Bluetooth (RTM) or Zigbee radio could be considered, or other communications protocols such as Z-wave plus, UHF/VHF radio communications, or passive Wi-Fi (RTM) communications, permitting interaction of the wearable alert device 10 with additional devices, such as smartphones. Wireless network connectivity could also be provided, for instance, by the inclusion of a Wi-Fi (RTM) enabled module, and cellular network support could also be considered. In particular, it is preferred that the communications circuit 30 is capable of communicating with smartphones and/or computer applications, thereby enabling ready interaction with external sources. A wireless communications means which is based on the instrumentation band of the device, however, may be most suitable given the need for the wearable alert device 10 to be portable and therefore having the corresponding limitations to power availability.

There is also provided a locator, which may be part of the wireless communications means, for example, by providing a GPS locator or tracking element onboard the communications circuit 30. However, short-range radio-frequency communications means could additionally or alternatively serve to act as the locator, and indeed, other location mechanisms could also be provided. For example, it may be possible to incorporate an altimeter onboard the wearable alert device 10, thereby indicating a relative elevation of the wearable alert device 10 in use. This may be of particular use in contexts in which a building has several storeys.

It may also be possible to provide a motion sensor and timer which are together able to determine whether there is any movement, and, in combination with the altimeter, can give a precise altitude of the wearer. This may be of particular use in determining whether a respondent is actively responding to the request for assistance, or whether the response has been sent with no intention of providing assistance. Where no motion is detected after a certain period, transmission of the alert signal can be made to different wearable alert devices 10.

There is also provided a feedback means which is able to indicate to the user of the wearable alert device 10 when a response from another wearable alert device 10 has been issued. This could be a visual or audible indicator, produced by, for example, an illumination or speaker element; however, it may be preferred that a silent feedback is provided to the user, such as that provided by a haptic feedback device 32. One such haptic feedback device 32 could be located in the lanyard 18 itself, which notifies the user to the response without notifying other parties to the receipt thereof.

A dedicated power supply, preferably in the form of a battery unit 34 receivable within the device body 12, may be provided which provides energy to at least the audio and/or visual input capture element, wireless communications means, and feedback means. Preferably, the battery unit 34 or similar powering means may be rechargeable via a physical coupling, such as USB, and the lifetime of the battery may be selected in keeping with the context. For example, the battery lifetime could be set to the duration of an academic term or year. The wearable alert device 10 may also comprise an escalation circuit, the wireless communications means being configured to send the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed to other wearable alert devices which are located at different distances from the first wearable alert device based on an escalation status determined by the escalation circuit. This may for example take the form of amplification of the signal emitted from the communications circuit 30 such that, as predetermined amounts of time elapse, calculated for example using a timing circuit of the wearable alert device 10, the signal is increased to be receivable by other devices at greater and greater distances from the first and activated wearable alert device 10.

An indicative wearable-device alert system 100 is indicated in Figure 2 in the context of a school premises 36. A school may include different levels of staff, each of whom may be issued with wearable alert devices 10. Each wearable alert device 10 may include identification information, such as a digital identification code, which indicates the categories of staff member with which the wearable alert device 10 is associated. For example, teaching staff 38 may be issued with wearable alert devices 10 which form part of a first set. Other exemplary staff categories may include medically-trained staff 40, and reception or administration staff 42, each being attributed to a different set of wearable alert devices 10. Other categories of user may be appropriate in different contexts, and the categories listed above are non-exhaustive.

At the school premises 36, there will also typically be a large number of children 44 who are being monitored by the staff, usually the teaching staff 38. There will be several rooms, primarily classrooms 46, but also usually other rooms such as medical rooms 48, reception rooms 50, and playgrounds 52. Each of the locations in the school premises 36 may be provided with location identifiers 54, such as short-range radio-frequency transmitters or similar wireless communicators, which can communicate with the wearable alert devices 10 to provide relative location information within the school premises 36. Location identifiers 54 may effectively geo-fence the school premises 36, advantageously ensuring accurate positional referencing of the various wearable alert devices 10. These location identifiers could feasibly be used in conjunction with an altimeter, if provided.

The wearable-device alert system 100 is here intended to be multi-functional, permitting users to raise alerts in response to different levels of threat, emergency or required support.

Figure 3a shows a minor incident in the playground 52. A child 44 has brought a knife 56 into the school premises 36 and is brandishing it in a threatening manner. The member of teaching staff 38 on duty in the playground 52 is faced with a dilemma; to attempt to handle the disturbance solo, potentially at great personal risk, or to attempt to gather additional assistance, potentially putting the other children 44 at risk. A first activation condition of the wearable alert device 10 is shown in Figure 3b. In this instance, the member of teaching staff 38 has activated the activatable user input element 20, for example, by pressing it once in a short click. This might be considered to be a low-level, or green, request for assistance.

The wearable alert device 10 activates the communications circuit 30 to transmit the alert signal, geographic location of the wearable alert device 10 as determined from, for example, GPS location or the relative position of the wearable alert device 10 in the school premises 36, and the audio and/or visual feed from the wearable alert device 10 to other nearby wearable alert devices 10. As indicated, this could be achieved by the escalation circuit increasing the strength of the transmission so as to periodically increase the effective range of the transmission until at least one second wearable alert device 10 has been contacted.

The transmission escalation may be halted by the or each contacted second wearable alert device 10 providing a response. This could be, for example, the activation of the activatable user input element 20 once the alert signal is received, and the response can then be transmitted back to the first wearable alert device 10.

Upon receipt of the response, the user of the first wearable alert device 10 will receive a feedback signal which is indicative of the response, such as via the haptic feedback device 32. This alerts the user to the incoming support, without alerting the children 38, which could result in escalation of a dangerous situation.

Whilst the transmission is illustrated in Figure 3b as a radially-emanating signal of increasing strength, it will be appreciated that other transmission mechanisms to find a geographically closest other wearable alert device 10 could be utilised. For example, the first wearable alert device 10 could send the alert signal to an intermediate communications node, such as a central server or wireless router or similar central hub, and which is itself in communication with all of the other wearable alert devices 10. Preferably, each of the wearable alert devices 10 will periodically contact the intermediate communications node with at least location, and perhaps altitude, information, so that in the event of a communications interruption, the last known location of the wearable alert device 10 can be identified. A suitable periodicity of communication with the intermediate communications node might be once per minute.

The intermediate communications node could then determine a closest other wearable alert device 10 to the incident, and forward on the alert signal, geographic location of the first wearable alert device 10, and the audio and/or visual feed to said closest other wearable alert device 10. If no response is received from the second wearable alert device 10, then the intermediate communications node could select a second-closest other wearable alert device 10, and so on, until a response is received and support can be provided to the user of the first wearable alert device 10.

The audio and/or visual feed from the first wearable alert device 10 provides appropriate context to at least the first respondent, allowing them to pre-emptively identify the issue to be addressed, and potentially whether additional equipment or resources may be required.

Other transmission mechanisms could include direct communication between the first wearable alert device 10 and the closest other wearable alert device 10. This may be possible if the geographic locations of all of the wearable alert devices 10 are tracked across all of the wearable alert devices 10, possibly via an intermediate communications node. Where the first wearable alert device 10 is able to receive information as to the closest second wearable alert device 10, direct transmission of the alert signal can be implemented.

A separate transmission could also be considered, for example, a communication to administration staff 42, automatically putting them on notice of an incident. This may not necessarily be a communications protocol which is directed at device -to-device communications, and instead could take the form of, for example, an SMS message alert to the administration staff 42.

The result of the communication process is indicated in Figure 3c. The user of the closest second wearable alert device 10 has found suitable supervision for the children 44 under their original supervision and has joined the user of the first wearable alert device 10. The knife 56 is removed from the relevant child 44, and the situation is resolved without injury to any parties.

A second activation condition of the wearable alert device 10 is indicated in Figure 4a. In this instance, the event shown is a medical emergency; an injury or illness has befallen one of the children 44. In such a scenario, the most important individuals to respond to the situation will be medically-trained staff 40. As such, grouping of the wearable alert devices 10 by category of staff member will allow for prioritization of the alert signals transmitted in the event of particular support requests.

The user of the first wearable alert device 10 may enter an activation command at the activatable user input element 20, or alternatively at a second input element, which is preferably a different command to that which activates the first activation condition. This second activation condition may advantageously allow for a different response to be enabled, which in this instance is a medical, or red, level alert. Figure 4b shows the reaction of the user of the first wearable alert device 10 to the medical emergency. The member of teaching staff 38 activates their activatable user input element 20, for example, by pressing twice, or by pressing and holding the activatable user input element 20 for a predetermined duration, such as five to ten seconds. Rather than automatically transmitting the alert signal, geographic location and any audio and/or visual feed to the nearest wearable alert device 10, the wearable alert device 10 automatically sends the alert signal to the nearest and/or all set of wearable alert devices 10 within the medically-trained staff 40 category.

Again, the recipient of the alert signal is able to use their wearable alert device 10 to send a response to the user of the first wearable alert device 10, so as to indicate that support is enroute. This can, as in the previous example, be indicated via the feedback means.

Figure 4c illustrates the result of the process; the medically-trained staff 40 is the first respondent in the medical emergency situation, and the member of teaching staff 38 was not required to abandon the children 44, nor rely on a child 44 to act as a messenger.

Figure 5a shows an in-progress security incident on the school premises 36. An intruder 58 has arrived at the school premises 36 and is likely to be more difficult to disable or control than a child 44. In this instance, a third activation condition of the wearable alert device 10 of the administration staff 42 is activated, which again may be achieved by input of a different functional command to the wearable alert device 10. This could, for instance, be a triple-click of the activatable user input element 20.

In this scenario, all staff members 38, 40 within the school premises 36 have been alerted to the security, or yellow, level incident. This may not strictly be necessary; a set of security personnel could be identified via their wearable alert devices 10, for example, who could be preferentially contacted.

This sort of situation may be one in which it is preferred that supervisory staff members do not abandon their supervisees. As illustrated in Figure 5b, only otherwise unoccupied staff members 38, 40 have responded to the alert, having made their responses to the first wearable alert device 10. The security threat is dealt with by said staff members 38, 40.

A fourth and potentially most dangerous situation is illustrated in Figure 6a. This scenario is a black alert, one which might result in a complete lockdown situation. This is illustrated as a toxic chemical leak 60 in Figure 6a, but could encompass a wide variety of potential hazards, including but not limited to natural disasters, fires, terror incidents, explosive threats, or armed invaders to the school premises 36. Figure 6b shows the activation of the first wearable alert device 10 by the closest staff member 38. This could potentially be achieved with another different activation command, such as a very long press and hold of the activatable user input element 20, such as for greater than thirty seconds, or could be input via a rapid sequence of clicks, for example, five consecutive clicks. This enables broadcasting of the alert signal across all possible methods available to the wearable alert device 10, to attempt to maximise the notification to other wearable alert devices 10. Preferably, the first wearable alert device 10 is also configured to contact emergency services in the event of a lockdown event.

In such a scenario, all staff members 38, 40, 42 will be advised to take shelter or precautionary steps, and therefore a dedicated response to the initial alert signal may not be required, although this may be useful as a mechanism of registering the location and activity of staff members 38, 40, 42 in the school premises 36.

Figure 6c shows the aftermath of the generated alert; the first wearable alert device 10 has recording and streamed relevant information to allow for swift deployment of appropriate emergency personnel 62, and the location of the first wearable alert device 10 provides a suitable indication of the position of the incident.

For each of these different scenarios, it would be useful to provide an indication to the users as to type of alert signal which has been raised. This could, for example, be by the presentation of coloured lights on the wearable alert device 10 itself, or alternative could be presented on an external device. For example, this could be via a computer application on a connected smartphone device of the user.

It is noted that whilst the invention has been described solely in the context of an educational establishment, it will be appreciated that the technology described could readily be applied in other areas in which a preferably silent alarm or request for assistance may be useful. For instance, such a system may be useful in hospitals, elderly care centres, prisons, public events such as sports or music events, shopping centres, and so on. The present invention is therefore not intended to be limiting to the present context.

It has also been described as being desirable for the alert signal, geographic location, and any audio or visual feed from the first wearable alert device being streamed or transmitted to one or more second wearable alert devices. Whilst this is preferable, it may be possible for only the alert signal to be sent, or only the alert signal and geographic location, or alert signal and audio and/or visual feed to be sent, if this provides sufficient information for the respondent to find and assist the first user. Similarly, it may also be possible to eliminate the feedback means in a more basic device, allowing an alert signal to be sent to other wearable alert devices, without requiring the issuance of a response or confirmation of signal receipt. This option leaves doubt in the mind of the sender of the alert signal, but still would perform the useful task of alerting others to the need for assistance. It is therefore possible to provide a system comprising a plurality of wearable alert devices, allowing users to contact their colleagues and/or emergency personnel in the event of a crisis. This may be particularly useful during medical or particularly confrontational situations where a response is time- critical, and alarms or lights can prove disruptive.

The words‘comprises/comprising’ and the words‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. A wearable-device alert system (100) for a user to raise an alert for assistance, the system (100) comprising: a plurality of wearable alert devices (10), each wearable alert device (10) including; a device body (12) having an activatable user input element (20), the user input element (20) being adapted to generate an alert signal in response to activation of the user input element; a wireless communications means via which the wearable alert device (10) is communicable with other said wearable alert devices (10); an audio and/or visual input capture element on the device body (12) for capturing an audio and/or visual feed therefrom; a locator associated with the device body (12) which is configured to determine a geographic location of the wearable alert device (10); feedback means arranged to indicate a response to the activation of the user input element from another said wearable alert device (10); a power supply to provide energy to at least the audio and/or visual input capture element, wireless communications means, and feedback means; and a wearable element engaged with the device body (12) to permit wearing of the wearable alert device (10) by a user; wherein, upon activation of the user input element (20) of a first said wearable alert device (10) by the user, the wireless communications means is configured to transmit to at least one second said wearable alert device (10) the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed, the wireless communications means of the at least one second wearable alert device (10) being configured to transmit a response to the first wearable alert device (10) following receipt of the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed, and the feedback means of the first wearable alert device (10) indicating the receipt of the response from the at least one second wearable alert device (10) to the user of the first wearable alert device (10).

2. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activatable user input element (20) is a multi-function button having a plurality of different input commands, each of the plurality of different input commands being associated with a different said alert signal.

3. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of wearable alert devices (10) is grouped into sets of wearable alert devices (10), the different said alert signals being transmissible to different said sets.

4. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a visual output element on the device body (12) which is indicative of the different said alert signal.

5. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locator comprises a global positioning satellite (GPS) locator.

6. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of location identifiers (54) positioned around a location containing the wearable-device alert system, wherein the locator is a short-range communicator which is communicable with the plurality of location identifiers (54) to determine a relative position of the plurality of wearable alert devices (10).

7. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an intermediate communications node with which the wireless communications means of each of the plurality of wearable alert devices (10) is communicable and via which communications between the plurality of wearable alert devices (10) are routed.

8. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the intermediate communications node comprises a central server.

9. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless communications means comprises a cellular network communication element.

10. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless communications means comprises a short-range radio-frequency communication element.

11. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alert signal is a silent alert signal at the location of the first wearable alert device (10).

12. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an escalation circuit, the wireless communications means being configured to send the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed to second wearable alert devices (10) which are located at different distances from the first wearable alert device (10) based on an escalation status determined by the escalation circuit.

13. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feedback means comprises a haptic feedback element.

14. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the lanyard comprises the haptic feedback element.

15. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply further comprises a kinetic energy charging module.

16. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device body includes a card-holder slot.

17. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locator comprises an altimeter to determine an elevation of the wearable alert device (10).

18. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each wearable alert device (10) includes a motion sensor and timer arranged to determine whether the user of the at least one second wearable alert device (10) has moved following transmission of a response to the first wearable alert device (10).

19. A wearable-device alert system (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wearable element is a lanyard (18).

20. A wearable alert device (10) comprising: a device body (12) having an activatable user input element (20), the user input element (20) being adapted to generate an alert signal in response to activation of the user input element (20); a wireless communications means via which the wearable alert device (10) is communicable with other said wearable alert devices (10); an audio and/or visual input capture element on the device body (12) for capturing an audio and/or visual feed therefrom; a locator associated with the device body (12) which is configured to determine a geographic location of the wearable alert device (10); feedback means arranged to indicate a response to the activation of the user input element from another said wearable alert device (10); a power supply to provide energy to at least the audio and/or visual input capture element, wireless communications means, and feedback means; and a wearable element engaged with the device body (12) to permit wearing of the wearable alert device (10) by a user; wherein, upon activation of the user input element by the user, the wireless communications means is configured to transmit the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed; and the feedback means indicates the receipt of any response therefrom to the user.

21. A method for permitting a user to raise an alert for assistance, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a plurality of wearable alert devices (10) as claimed in claim 20; b] using a first said wearable alert device (10), activating the user input element to generate an alert signal; c] transmitting the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed from the first said wearable alert device (10) to at least one second said wearable alert device (10); and d] transmitting from the at least one second wearable alert device (10) a response to the first wearable alert device (10) following receipt of the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein during step c], the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed from the first said wearable alert device (10) are transmitted to an intermediate communications node for onward transmission to the at least one second wearable device (10).

23. A method as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein during step c], the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed from the first said wearable alert device (10) are transmitted directly to a set of the plurality of wearable alert devices (10), according to an activation command provided to the user input element (20) during step b] .

24. A method as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein during step c], the alert signal, geographic location, and the audio and/or visual feed from the first said wearable alert device (10) are transmitted to the at least one second wearable device (10) based on an escalation status determined by an escalation circuit of the first wearable device (10).

25. A wearable-device alert system (100) for a user to raise an alert for assistance, the system comprising: a plurality of wearable alert devices (10), each wearable alert device (10) including; a device body (12) having an activatable user input element (20), the user input element (20) being adapted to generate an alert signal in response to activation of the user input element (20); a wireless communications means via which the wearable alert device (10) is communicable with other said wearable alert devices (10); a locator associated with the device body (12) which is configured to determine a geographic location of the wearable alert device (10); a power supply to provide energy to at least the wireless communications means; and a wearable element engaged with the device body (12) to permit wearing of the wearable alert device (10) by a user; wherein, upon activation of the user input element (20) of a first said wearable alert device (10) by the user, the wireless communications means is configured to transmit the alert signal to at least one second said wearable alert device (10).