Abstract:
A module pack for relaying communications and data information includes: (a) a portable housing, (b) an audio signal receiver disposed within the housing, the audio signal receiver being capable of receiving electromagnetic audio signals, (c) a video signal receiver disposed within the housing, the video signal receiver being capable of receiving electromagnetic video signals, (d) a radiation dosimeter receiver disposed within the housing, and radiation dosimeter receiver being capable of receiving radiation dosimeter data, and (e) a communications data transmitter for transmitting the audio signals, the video signals and the dosimeter data to a location separate from the housing via a single communications data transmission cable. The invention provides a fully integrated module which allows for critical communications and radiation dosimetry data to be exchanged between several workers working simultaneously within the work area and with health physics technicians and supervisors working away from the work area. The combination of the invention allows for the rapid and efficient set-up, operation and disassembly of various modular communications and radiation dosimetry data receiver/transmitters. Use of the invention has been found to greatly reduce the costs of conducting work within radiation hazardous environments, while greatly improving the ability of the workers to conduct the work in a safe and efficient manner.

Description:
FIELDS OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to communications and data relay equipment and, more specifically, to communications and data relay equipment useful for work in hazardous environments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Since the earliest days of the Industrial Revolution, industry has struggled to safely conduct plant maintenance and other necessary work within hazardous environments. Prior to the second half of this century, most such hazardous environments involved hazardous chemical agents. Since 1950, such hazardous environments may also involve radioactive agents. Industry is continuously working towards improving equipment and techniques which will make working within such hazardous environments safer. 
     The nuclear power industry has been especially active in this regard. The problem faced by the nuclear power industry is how to safely conduct maintenance and other necessary work within the large contaminant structures wherein potential sources of radioactivity are typically housed. Work within such contaminant structures requires extensive efforts to minimize dangers to workers from radioactive exposure. In the 1990&#39;s, such efforts include the employment of a wide variety of sophisticated equipment to monitor radiation levels within the work area and to monitor the personal radiation exposure of each worker within the work area. Video cameras and radio communication equipment are also increasingly used to allow supervisory personnel outside the area or confining structure to more efficiently monitor and supervise work within the work area. 
     The use of such sophisticated equipment, however, has led to a number of problems. First of all, the use of the wide variety of sophisticated equipment frequently results in the work area being cluttered with an inordinate number of individual pieces of equipment. This not only presents a physical space problem, but also makes the work area prone to tripping accidents. 
     A second problem arises from the fact that each individual piece of equipment generally requires its own electrical power and generally requires its own data input and data output cables. This leads to a proliferation of electrical wires and cables strung throughout the work area. All of these electrical wires represent safety obstructions within the work area and make set-up of the various pieces of equipment inordinately complicated, time-consuming, expensive and exposure intensive. 
     A third problem regarding the use of such sophisticated equipment arises from the fact that typical confining structures have a limited number of electrical outlets. The increasing use of individual sophisticated devices has created a competition for those electrical outlets, not only among the various pieces of equipment, but also between the various pieces of equipment and the electrical tools used by the workers performing the work. It is not unusual, for example, for a worker needing electrical power for his tool to unplug one of the sophisticated monitoring devices within the work area so as to have access to the electrical outlet for his tool. 
     A fourth problem regarding the use of the wide variety of sophisticated equipment arises from the difficulty in transmitting all of the data from each individual piece of equipment to monitoring stations located outside of the confining structure. Typically, such confining structures have only a very limited number of “penetration ports” through which electrical wires and cables can be run between the inside and the outside of the confining structure. As the number of sophisticated pieces of equipment within the work area has proliferated, the difficulty in transmitting all of the data from all of these pieces of equipment to outside the confining area has increased. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for improved techniques and equipment for maintaining the safety of workers within a confined hazardous area which avoid the above-described problems in the prior art—in an efficient and inexpensive manner. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention satisfies this need. The invention is a combination comprising: (a) a portable housing, (b) an audio signal receiver disposed within the housing, the audio signal receiver being capable of receiving electro-magnetic audio signals, (c) a video signal receiver disposed within the housing, the video signal receiver being capable of receiving video signals, (d) a radiation dosimeter data receiver disposed within the housing, the hazardous material indication data being capable of receiving hazardous material indication data, and (e) a communications data transmitter for transmitting the audio signals, the video signals and the hazardous material indication data to a location separate from the housing via a single communications data transmission cable. 
     The invention provides a fully integrated module which allows for critical communications and radiation dosimetry data to be exchanged between several workers working simultaneously within the work area and with health physics technicians and supervisors working away from the work area. The invention allows for the rapid and efficient set-up, operation and disassembly of various modular communications and hazardous material indication data receiver/transmitters. Use of the invention has been found to greatly reduce the costs of conducting work within hazardous environments, while greatly improving the ability of the workers to conduct the work in a safe and efficient manner. 
     The invention is ideally suited for use in a unique system for protecting workers within radioactive environments as set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/239,567, entitled “Protective System for Work in Radioactive Environments,” filed concurrently herewith. The invention is also ideally suited for use with a unique head gear combination as set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/239,228, entitled “Head Gear for Work in Radioactive Environments,” filed concurrently herewith. The invention is still further ideally suited for use with a unique vest combination as set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/239,557, entitled “Best for Work in Radioactive Environments,” also filed concurrently herewith. The entirety of each of these three patent applications is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     These features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures where: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination having features of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a combination having features of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a radiation area workman carrying dosimeter equipment useful with the invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of a radiation area workman carrying dosimeter equipment useful with the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. 
     The invention is an input module combination  10  comprising a portable housing  12 , an audio signal receiver  14 , a video signal receiver  16 , a hazardous material indication data receiver  18  and a communications data transmitter  20 . 
     The portable housing  12  is a structure which provides a base location for the audio signal receiver  14 , the video signal receiver  16 , the hazardous material indication data receiver  18  and the communications data transmitter  20 . The portable housing  12  can also be constructed to provide storage compartments for the various pieces of ancillary equipment when the input module  10  is not in use. 
     The housing  12  should be as compact as possible for convenient storage and maximum portability. For convenience in storage, the portable housing  12  can be parallelepiped in shape and enclose a volume less than about 12 cubic feet. In one embodiment, the portable housing  12  is parallelepiped in shape, and has the dimensions of 30″×30″×19″. 
     The portable housing  12  can further comprise a handle  22  and/or a plurality of wheels  24  to allow the housing  12  to be easily translated across a horizontal surface. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the portable housing  12  has four wheels  24 , each disposed at one of the four lower-most corners of the portable housing  12 . 
     Typically, each of the various cable connection ports required in the input module (described below) are disposed on opposite ends  26  of the portable housing  12  for easy access. The internal parts of the input module  10  (such as the auto signal collections and retransmission device  28 , the VTT transmitter  30  and the terminal server  32 , described below) can be housed within the interior of the housing  12 . Such internal parts are preferably made easily accessible for set-up, operation and maintenance via the opposed side walls  34  of the housing  12 . Typically, the opposed side walls  34  are covered during storage by removable side doors  36 . 
     The audio signal receiver  14  can be a radio signal receiver. Preferably, however, the audio signal receiver  14  comprises one or more microcell base stations  14  for receiving cellular phone signals from a plurality of cellular phones  37 . Each microcell base station  14  is hardwired into the portable housing  12  by audio signal receiver cables  38  connected to audio signal receiver cable connection ports  40  disposed in the portable housing  12 . Preferably, the audio signal receiver cable connection ports  40  are sized and dimensioned to attach only to audio signal connection cables  38 . 
     It is also preferable that each microcell base station  14  be capable of handling a plurality of cellular phone users at one time. Each microcell base station  14  is of the “campus-wide” type, operating on low output power so as to not interfere with communications systems operating outside the containment structure. Typically, the microcell base stations  14  operate at less than about 1 watt, preferably at about 0.001 watts, and have an effective distance range of 150-1000 feet. Typical microcell base stations  14  useable in the invention are Model DCT900&#39;s manufactured by Ericsson Company of Sweden. Each such Model DCT900 base station operates at 0.001 watts and 900 megahertz, and is capable of supporting up to 8 digital PCS cellular phones at a distance of up to about 300 feet. 
     Preferably, the input module  10  further comprises a cable tester (not shown) disposed within the portable housing  12 . The cable tester allows for set-up personnel to quickly and efficiently check for continuity of the audio signal input cables  38  and the polarity of the audio signal receiving system as a whole. Most preferably, the cable tester is designed and installed so that it can be plugged into each microcell base station  14  at the juncture where the audio signal input cable  38  is attached, so as to confirm the proper installation of the microcell base station  14  and to confirm the availability of the proper voltage. 
     The video signal receivers  16  typically are standard video cameras  16  which are hardwired to the portable housing  12  by video signal receiver cables  41  which connect to video signal receiver cable connection ports  42  disposed within the portable housing  12 . Preferably, the video signal receiver cable connection ports  42  are sized and dimensioned to attach only to video signal receiver cables  41 . 
     Preferably, the video signal receivers  16  comprise fixed video cameras  16   a  and video cameras of the pan/tilt/zoom variety  16   b . The fixed cameras  16   a  can be any suitable fixed video camera. Panasonic Model F 2  having a fixed focus and ¼″ (“charge coupled device”) have been found useable in the invention. Typical pan/tilt/zoom cameras  16   b  useable in the invention are Model EC 8  cameras manufactured by Elbex America, Inc. of Westminster, California. These cameras are dome-type cameras having 12 x  zoom, high resolution and ½″ ccd. 
     In a typical embodiment, the input module  10  can receive input from up to six different video signal receivers  16 . 
     The hazardous material indication data receiver  18  can be any receiver designed and adapted to receive a specific indication of the presence of a hazardous material. In hazardous chemical environments, for instance, the hazardous material indication data receivers  18  are designed and adapted to indicate the presence of one or more specific hazardous chemicals. When the invention is used to monitor a radiation hazardous area, the hazardous material indication data receivers  18  are radiation dosimeter data receivers  18  as indicated in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. 
     The radiation dosimeter data receivers  18  preferably comprise one or more electromagnetic wave receiving modems  44  which receive data transmitted by a plurality of electromagnetic wave transmitting devices (“teledosimeters”)  46 . Each such electromagnetic wave receiving modem  44  provides a “dosimeter base station” for support of multiple teledosimeters  46 . The teledosimeters  46  can include personal teledosimeters  46   a  attached to workers within a radiation hazardous area, fixed teledosimeters  46   b  useable in measuring radiation within a particular localized area (“area monitors”) and air monitoring teledosimeters  46   c  capable of measuring the radioactivity of particles suspended within the atmosphere within a localized area. Preferably, each such teledosimeter  46  transmits radiation dosimetry data via radiowaves (or other electromagnetic waves) to the modems  44 . Transmitting the dosimetry communications data via electromagnetic waves minimizes the number of electrical wires which must be strung out into the work area from the input module  10 . Preferably, each modem  44  has multiple channels. 
     Typically, the modems  44  are of a number of any suitable radio wave receiving modems known in the industry. One such modem useable in the invention is a Prolinx model modem manufactured by Proxim of Mountainview, California, capable of seven frequency channels. 
     In a typical embodiment, the input module  10  comprises sufficient modems  44  to support  16  workers. 
     Each modem  44  is typically hardwired into the input module  10  by radiation dosimeter data input cables  48  connected to radiation dosimeter data input connection ports  50  which preferably accept only radiation dosimeter data input cables  48 . 
     Preferably, the modems  44  are of a “heavy duty” variety capable of transmitting dosimetry communications data via an RJ45 connector, rather than the standard DB9 connector, and powered by 12 volt AC electrical supply, rather than by the more standard 9 volt DC electrical supply. In the invention, standard modems having a DB9 connector and a 9 volt DC power input can be upgraded to “heavy duty” variety by use of an adaptor module  50  which allows connection to the modem via an RJ45 connector and which allows the modem  44  to be powered by 12 volt AC electrical power (which is rectified and transformed in the adaptor module  50  to 9 volt DC electrical power). 
     Personal dosimetry data can be received from each of a plurality of personal teledosimeters  46   a  attached to the clothing of a worker working within the hazardous area, such as is illustrated in FIGS. 3-4. Typical personal teledosimeters  46   a  useable in the invention are manufactured by SIAC of San Diego, Calif. 
     Typical air monitors  46   c  useable in the invention are manufactured by Eberline of Sante Fe, N.Mex., and are sold as Models AMS 4 . 
     In a typical embodiment, the input module  10  can receive input from up to four dosimeter radiation data receiving modems  44 . 
     Each of the audio signal receiver cables  38 , video signal receiver cables  40  and radiation dosimetry data cables  48  are preferably category  5  or similar so that electric power for each of the audio, video and radiation dosimetry signal receivers  14 ,  16  and  18  are provided from the input module  10  via these cables  38 ,  40  or  48 . 
     The communications data transmitter  20  is most conveniently typically disposed within the portable housing  12 . The communications data transmitter  20  typically comprises the terminal server  32  which allows all of the dosimetry communications data received from the plurality of modems  44  to be multiplexed and transmitted to a location separate from the portable housing  12  via a single communications data transmission cable  52 . In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, such “location separated from the portable housing” is one or more relay modules  110 . The relay modules  110  are typically used to transmit data from the input module  10  to one or more control centers  210 . 
     The housing  12  further comprises the audio data collections and retransmission device  28  such as a microcell manufactured by Ericsson of Sweden. 
     The communications data transmitter  20  also typically comprises a plurality of VTT transmitters  30  capable of accepting video communications data from each of the cameras  16  and transmitting that data to the location separate from the housing by the single communications data transmission cable  52 . 
     The single communications data transmission cable  52  can be any suitable cable capable of transmitting data from each input module  10  to the relay module  110 . Use of a single cable  52  minimizes the number of cables strewn across the floor of the work area and simplifies set-up of the equipment. In a typical embodiment, each communications data transmission cable  52  is an unshielded twisted pair (“UTP”) cable. 
     Electrical energy for operating the various items of equipment associated with the input module  10  is provided by a single power cord  54 , sized and dimensioned to conveniently be received into an electrical power outlet located within the work area. 
     In operation for work within a radiation hazardous work environment, the user of the input module  10  of the invention transports the input module  10  into a hazardous area where workers will be performing work. In those embodiments where the portable housing  12  is equipped with wheels  24 , the input module  10  can be conveniently pulled along the floor of the work area. 
     Once in the work area, the removable doors  36  on the opposite sides  34  of the portable housing  12  are removed, any equipment stored within the housing  12  is removed from the housing  12  for set-up and the internal parts disposed within the housing  12  are made operable. 
     Each of the microcell base stations  14  is connected via the audio signal receiver cables  38  to the audio signal receiver cable connection ports  40  located on the exterior of the portable housing  12 . In devices having a cable tester, each of the microcell base stations  14  and requisite cable connections are tested for proper set-up. 
     Each of the video cameras  16  is connected to the VTT transmitter  30  by connecting the video data input cables  41  to the video data input cable connection ports  42 , and each of the dosimeter radiation data receivers  18  is attached to the terminal server  32  by attaching the dosimeter radiation input cables  48  to the dosimeter radiation input cable connection ports  50 . 
     In the preferred embodiments, set-up of the three primary classes of equipment (audio, video and dosimetry) is simple, easy and virtually “full-proof” because each of the connecting cables are sized and dimensioned so that only the correct cables can be connected to their respective connection ports. The cables and/or the connection ports can also be color-coded. 
     Thereafter, the electrical power cord  54  associated with the input module  10  can be connected to a suitable electrical power outlet located within the work area. 
     Finally, the communications data transmittal cable  52  is connected between the input module  10  and the relay module  110  or other suitable location disposed separate from the input module  10 . 
     It should be appreciated by those skilled in this technology that the input module  10  can be assembled conveniently, quickly and with minimum error. Once assembled, the input module  10  provides critical data and communications input from the work area with a minimum of cabling strewn about the work area. 
     When work within the work area is complete, the input module  10  and its various associated data and communications receiving devices and cables can also be conveniently and quickly disassembled and removed from the work area for storage. 
     Use of the input module  10  has been found to markedly reduce the costs associated with set-up, testing, operation and disassembly of data and communications receiving equipment necessary within hazardous work areas. Moreover, use of the invention  10  has been found to markedly increase the ability of the work coordinator to conduct work within a hazardous area in a safe and efficient manner. 
     Use of the input module  10  is also believed to be of great utility to hazardous materials, fire and other emergency response personnel who must deal with an emergency within a hazardous area. Such emergency response personnel can quickly, simply and effectively set up and operate communications and/or radiation dosimeter data transmitting equipment so that emergency personnel can safely deal with an emergency within the hazardous area. 
     Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims. In this regard, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” for performing a specified function, or “step” for performing a specified function should not be interpreted as a “means” or a “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C.§112.