Drowning Detection and Response System

Abstract

A system for detecting and responding to potential drowning situations in particularly adapted to shallow pools and bathing tubs for infants and small children. One or more motion sensors detect potential drowning patterns based on intervals of above-water movements followed by cessation of such movements. Upon detection of a potential drowning pattern, the system implements a succession of responsive modes, including an alarm mode and culminating in a rescue mode, in which the water is rapidly drained from the pool/tub to prevent a submerged child from drowning.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for detecting and responding to a situation of potential drowning, comprising:
 a volume of water contained within an enclosure, which defines an interior and an exterior, wherein the volume of water fills the interior of the enclosure up to a waterline;   one or more motion sensors positioned to detect movement above the waterline and able to distinguish intervals of movement above the waterline from intervals of movement cessation above the waterline;   one or more drain outlets, which fluidly communicate between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure, wherein each drain outlet has a releasable drain plug, and wherein each drain plug has an unreleased closed position, in which the volume of water is retained within the interior of the enclosure, and wherein each drain plug has a released open position, in which the volume of water freely flows from the interior of the enclosure through a drain opening to the exterior of the enclosure; and   wherein the motion sensors electrically communicate with the drain outlets, such that a detection by the motion sensors of a potential drowning pattern, comprising one or more intervals of movement above the waterline followed by one or more intervals of movement cessation above the waterline, causes the motion sensors to send one or more electrical signals to the drain outlets to effect a release of the drain plugs to the open position, thereby preventing the potential drowning by emptying the volume of water from the interior of the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more audible or visual alarms, or one or more combinations of audible and visual alarms, wherein the motion sensors electrically communicate with the alarms, such that the detection of the potential drowning pattern causes the motion sensors to send one more electrical signals to the alarms to effect an activation of the alarms. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a system microprocessor, which interfaces with the motion sensors and with the drain outlets and with the alarms, and which triggers the release of the drain plugs and the activation of the alarms. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the closed position and the open position of the drain plugs is controlled by a solenoid-activated mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the microprocessor initiates one or more system modes in response to the detection by the motion sensors of the potential drowning pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the system modes include an alarm mode, in which the alarms are activated, followed by a rescue mode, in which the drain plugs are released. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the drain opening is sized so as to achieve a design rescue discharge rate, at which rate the volume of pool water will be completely evacuated from the interior of the enclosure within a specified overall rescue interval, not to exceed two minutes. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising one or more video cameras, wherein the video cameras, in conjunction with the motion sensors, distinguish movements of multiple individuals within the enclosure, and wherein the microprocessor initiates one or more of the system modes in response to the detection by the motion sensors and the video cameras of the potential drowning pattern with respect to one or more individuals. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the microprocessor includes a wireless telephonic component, wherein the wireless telephonic component is activated in the alarm mode to send a warning message, by voice or text or a combination of voice and text, to pre-selected contacts. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising an application software, wherein the application software enables a mobile telephone to remotely monitor the system modes in real time and to remotely view real-time streaming video from the video cameras. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the application software also enables the mobile telephone to remotely initiate and terminate the alarm mode or the rescue mode of the system.