Patent ID: 7298535
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: G08B

Abstract:
1. A digital situation indicator, personal monitoring and alarm system for firefighters comprising a sensor module, an integral, self contained, display module, and an incident commander module; (SM) said sensor module includes plurality of sensors ( 1 , 4 ) constructed and arranged for monitoring conditions in connection with a firefighter, said sensors include an ambient temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor for sensing the air pressure in the air tank; and a first control unit including a microcomputer ( 3 ) for analyzing data collected; said sensor module (SM) further including: a flashover warning alarm constructed and arranged for analyzing sensor data and determining when ambient conditions are appropriate for impending flashover; means for computing a cumulative heat stress level and activating a heat stress warning alarm after a predetermined heat stress level has been reached, an infrared temperature sensor ( 9 ) for detecting high temperature behind closed doors and inside walls and a visible light laser ( 11 ) to show with its beam where said sensor ( 9 ) is pointed, said infrared temperature sensor ( 9 ) having a switch ( 10 ) such as a button for activating said infrared temperature sensor; a personal alert safety system (PASS) having a motion sensor ( 6 ) and an alarm ( 5 ; 7 ); a SOS button ( 20 ); and a radio frequency transceiver ( 8 , 12 ) constructed and arranged for transmitting sensor data, analyzed data and alarms to said display module and/or said incident commander module (ICM) and receiving messages from said incident commander module (ICM); said display module, positioned in a face mask of the firefighter and being constructed and arranged for displaying collected and analyzed data in a numerical or graphical format, and said incident commander module (ICM) positioned at a distance from the firefighter for providing an incident commander with real-time data from said sensors on all firefighters in the area, said incident commander module (ICM) including: a second control unit which includes a microprocessor ( 26 ); a radio frequency transceiver ( 27 ) constructed and arranged for receiving sensor data transmissions and SOS transmissions from a plurality of firefighters, especially from their sensor modules (SM), and for transmitting messages to any selected firefighter or to all firefighters, and a display ( 28 ) for indicating information from the firefighters said display module includes a third control unit which includes a microprocessor ( 24 ), a display, which comprises an electro-luminescent backlit ( 22 ) miniature, digital liquid crystal display ( 21 ), and optical enhancement means, which comprises an achromatic doublet lens ( 22 ), optimized to correct for on-axis spherical and chromatic aberrations, said display ( 21 ) is positioned in a face mask.