The disclosure is directed toward a communication system having a mobile device using a gesture-based user interface. The mobile device may include a user interface that is configured to accept gesture-based commands from a user and relay important information to a responder server during emergency situations.

A method for saving energy in a locator apparatus includes calculating an update threshold as a function of energy available in the locator apparatus, movement detection and location detection; performing a location update when the update threshold is exceeded; and transmitting the location update to a server using communication channel selected based on energy efficiency of the communication channel at the time of the transmission. The energy efficiency is determined by measuring received signal strength from each communication channel; adding a predefined protocol overhead to an amount of data of the location update to be transmitted to obtain an actual amount of data of the location update to be transmitted, for each communication channel; performing a conversion from the actual amount of data of the location update to energy required for transmission using each communication channel; and selecting the communication channel having the lowest requirement of energy for transmission.

A radio apparatus includes a control unit, a power unit, a distress key and a transmission unit. When the distress key is manipulated, a distress key manipulation signal is output to the control unit and the power unit. When the power unit receives the distress key manipulation signal during a power supply is stopped, the power unit supplies power to the control unit and the transmission unit. When the control unit receives power from the power unit, the control unit starts setting up the radio apparatus and counts a time that the control unit continuously receives the distress key manipulation signal. When the control unit continuously receives the distress key manipulation signal for a preset time or longer, the control unit outputs a power supply maintenance signal to the power unit, generates the distress signal, and causes the transmission unit to send the distress signal.

A radio apparatus includes a control unit, a power unit, a distress key and a transmission unit. When the distress key is manipulated, a distress key manipulation signal is output to the control unit and the power unit. When the power unit receives the distress key manipulation signal during a power supply is stopped, the power unit supplies power to the control unit and the transmission unit. When the control unit receives power from the power unit, the control unit starts setting up the radio apparatus and counts a time that the control unit continuously receives the distress key manipulation signal. When the control unit continuously receives the distress key manipulation signal for a preset time or longer, the control unit outputs a power supply maintenance signal to the power unit, generates the distress signal, and causes the transmission unit to send the distress signal.

Systems and methods are provided for worker protection. The worker protection systems comprise a plurality of alert devices, comprising one or more wearable personal alert devices, each worn by a person (e.g., worker), and one or more companion alert devices that broadcast alerts or signals triggering alerts. The companion alert devices comprise vehicle-mounted alert devices, configured for operation on vehicles (e.g., trains), and wayside detection units, configured for placement on or near paths of the vehicles. The wayside detection units may be operable to autonomously detect and track the vehicles.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated smart helmet system, comprising: a control unit-PCB 201 is wirelessly connected to a computing device 303 over network 305, computing device 303 is configured to enable a user to use different functionalities without having to remove helmet 102 and access the computing device 303 and the control unit-PCB 201 is configured to detect crashes while wearing the helmet 102 by the user and notify crash detected information to computing device 303 over network 305, buttons 213a-213d are positioned at the rear or side of helmet 102 and control unit-PCB 201 is electrically coupled to buttons 213a-213d, buttons 213a-213d are configured to initiate prompts to direct the user to put away the computing device 303 while driving and disable certain dangerous functions.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated smart helmet system, comprising: a control unit-PCB 201 is wirelessly connected to a computing device 303 over network 305, computing device 303 is configured to enable a user to use different functionalities without having to remove helmet 102 and access the computing device 303 and the control unit-PCB 201 is configured to detect crashes while wearing the helmet 102 by the user and notify crash detected information to computing device 303 over network 305, buttons 213a-213d are positioned at the rear or side of helmet 102 and control unit-PCB 201 is electrically coupled to buttons 213a-213d, buttons 213a-213d are configured to initiate prompts to direct the user to put away the computing device 303 while driving and disable certain dangerous functions.

A method of monitoring emergency vehicles includes generating host vehicle information with a navigation unit, the host vehicle information including a host vehicle location and a host vehicle heading, receiving emergency vehicle information with a receiver, the emergency vehicle information including an emergency vehicle emergency status, an emergency vehicle location and an emergency vehicle heading, determining with a controller a distance between the host vehicle location and the emergency vehicle location, determining with the controller whether the distance between host vehicle and the emergency vehicle is decreasing, and performing a mitigation operation, when the distance between host vehicle and the emergency vehicle is decreasing, and the distance between host vehicle and the emergency vehicle is a threshold distance or less.

A method of monitoring emergency vehicles includes generating host vehicle information with a navigation unit, the host vehicle information including a host vehicle location and a host vehicle heading, receiving emergency vehicle information with a receiver, the emergency vehicle information including an emergency vehicle emergency status, an emergency vehicle location and an emergency vehicle heading, determining with a controller a distance between the host vehicle location and the emergency vehicle location, determining with the controller whether the distance between host vehicle and the emergency vehicle is decreasing, and performing a mitigation operation, when the distance between host vehicle and the emergency vehicle is decreasing, and the distance between host vehicle and the emergency vehicle is a threshold distance or less.

This disclosure relates to a method of safely and automatically navigating in the presence of emergency vehicles. A first vehicle may receive, via communication hardware, a message indicating presence of the emergency vehicle. Such a message may originate from the emergency vehicle itself and/or from infrastructure such as a smart traffic light that can sense the presence of the emergency vehicle. The first vehicle may then determine the relative location of the emergency vehicle and automatically respond appropriately by determining a safe trajectory and navigating according to that trajectory until the emergency vehicle is out of range. In some examples, the first vehicle may detect the presence of an emergency vehicle using on-board sensors such as distance measuring sensors, depth sensors, and cameras, in addition to receiving a message via communication hardware.